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Miykah Astleford
Liberty University
HLSC 500
Dr. Bentley
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Novel Coronavirus widely affected the economies of many nations and had a detrimental
effect on the health systems in both developing and developed countries. The disease created a
strain on the health providers, with the health workers also being victims of the disease. The
World Health Organization (2021) describes novel coronavirus as an infectious disease caused by
the SARS-CoV-2, with a majority infected, citing having experienced mild to moderate
respiratory illness. The disease outbreak caught many by surprise, requiring an emergency
management system to curb the spread. This essay provides an analysis of an overview of the
pandemic while going further into providing an analysis using the four-phase of emergency
management.
Covid-19
According to WHO (2021), coronavirus is easily transmitted as it is airborne through
small liquid particles when an infected person coughs or sneeze. To curb the spread of the virus,
individuals are advised to practice respiratory etiquette that limits the spread, with people being
advised to cover using the elbow while coughing. Most importantly, people are advised to limit
their interaction with other people by staying at home, working from home, and generally
avoiding large crowds.
Data obtained from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2021) provides the
symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms ranged from mild to severe illness during the reporting
period, manifesting from a fortnight after contracting the virus. The symptoms include fever or
chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,
headaches, the new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, Nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. The most common symptoms of Covid-19 include; fever, cough,
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tiredness, and loss of taste or smell. Sore throat, irritated eyes, skin rash, and finger discoloration
are the least common signs, and red. Notably, according to the report by CDC, the symptoms of
Coronavirus may include more as it only emerged early in 2020. In addition, the elderly and
people with underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes are at a
higher risk of developing more severe complications from Covid-19 illness.
Scientists are still studying cases of asymptomatic and presymtomatic patients.
Asymptomatic patients are those who never have symptoms and are rarely tested. Presymtomatic
patients are not yet symptomatic, which contributes to misunderstanding on observing this
population characteristic. Recent data premised in reverse transcription-polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 and on serologic studies note that asymptomatic
infections can be expected. According to Bai (2020), the sum of incidents may exceed those that
have been reported.
Novel Coronavirus emerged in 2020. Scientists are yet to discover the cure; however, its
vaccine is currently available. Vaccines are used to prevent diseases, whereas a cure is used to
treat disease or infection. As the global health governing body, World Health Organization
(WHO) has expressed its interest in equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, which are
vital to ending the pandemic. WHO emphasizes the need to wear masks still, clean our hands,
ensure good ventilation indoors, and observe physical distance even after receiving the
vaccination.
Definition of Emergency Management
First, it would be important to divide the term into two, emergency and management. The
Merriam-Webster dictionary describes emergency as: “1) an unforeseen combination of
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circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action; and 2) an urgent need for
assistance or relief.” Merriam-Webster dictionary goes further into defining management as; “1)
the act or art of managing; the conducting or supervising of something; 2) judicious use of means
to accomplish an end; and 3) the collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise.” In
2007, Blanchard defined emergency management as “the managerial function charged with
creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with
disasters” (McElreath et al. 2020). The primary goals of emergency management rest on
sustaining life, maintaining the safety and welfare of a community, and minimizing property
damage.
The 4 phases of Emergency Management
FEMA (2013) analyzes the four categories of emergency management which are
mitigation, preparedness, recovery and response (Jennings et. Al 2015). Mitigation encompasses
reducing deaths and property by decreasing the consequences future disasters. Mitigation
activities may include digging water channels to redirect floods, reinforcing fences to prevent
animals from escaping, and purchasing insurance policies. The response typically means being
alert to safeguard lives and property while at the same time meeting the basic human needs after
an accident. The response stage usually occurs immediately after a disaster. Businesses and
other operations remain paralyzed at this stage, while individuals are encouraged to remain
vigilant. Response activities include conducting search and rescue missions, implementing
disaster response plans, and sensitizing the public while demystifying common myths and
encouraging public safety. FEMA (2011) introduces the definition of a whole community,
Imagine a community where all the segments of the population fully understand what they regard
as the community needs which aid in the development of mechanism of solving issues while at
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the same time availing the basic needs. This borrows largely from a representative model of
leadership where legislators are elected to represent and cater for the needs of the constituents.
Recovery focuses on the vital repair of the social, political and most importantly
economic fabric of the society. During this time, restoration efforts take place simultaneously
with constant activities. This period can be prolonged, and activities may range from tackling
depression, anxiety and revamping distorted infrastructure premised on experience from the
preceding calamity. Preparedness is based on sensitizing the public of the calamity while
integrating a mentality of being ready. This includes sensitizing on disaster preparedness plans,
including where to go and who to seek assistance from in case of a fire outbreak. It may also
include regular drills and providing an adequate supply of items required during a disaster, such
as a fire extinguisher.
Novel coronavirus caught us by surprise, disrupting our way of life and necessitating
change. Here is an analysis of the linkages between the four phases of emergency management
and Covid-19. Preparedness as mentioned earlier, deals with the development of plans, training,
and exercises ahead of a disaster. Although Covid-19 expressed its novelty, the world is now
better to prevent the rapid spread of the disease, including observing measures developed by the
World Health Organization. This includes observing social distance, wearing facemasks,
restricting physical meetings, and getting the Covid-19 jab. The latter is one of the most critical
methods showcasing the preparedness to deal with the pandemic.
The response typically covers the reaction after a catastrophe. After the emergence of
novel coronavirus, different states instituted a raft of initiatives to curb the spread of the virus.
This included the issuance of travel restrictions to or from certain countries. The pandemic
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created a market gap for personal protective equipment (PPEs). Healthcare practitioners and
citizens are required to have masks and wash hands thoroughly. Mitigation looks at preventing
the loss of lives and property. Notably, the pandemic hit the human health resource with health
care providers experiencing constraints in managing the pandemic while at the same time being
victims of the virus. Mitigation covers the reorganization of hospital infrastructure while
distributing personnel and providing the required equipment. Lastly, recovery features restore
essential business functions and stabilize the economy. This is witnessed by nations opening their
borders and lifting bans such as curfew.
In conclusion, the four phases of emergency management are an efficient framework in
spurring growth and development, especially after an incidence. It is worth mentioning that the
emergency framework has facilitated the post-Covid era. Imagine the effect of the virus having
an effect on the social fabric while at the same time affecting the global economy. It is worth
noting that the pandemic is here with us and in order to defeat the fight there is need for a
collaborative effort drawing all key stakeholders together. There is need for the integration of a
mutli-sectoral approach that would be tasked with the responsibility of guiding the recovery
process of novel coronavirus.
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References
McElreath, D., Doss, D. A., Russo, B. R., Skinner, J. E., Van Slyke, J., Corey, M., ... &
Wigginton, M. P. (2020). Foundations of emergency management. Kendall Hunt Publishing
Company.
WHO (2021). Weekly epidemiological update on Covid-19 -16 November 2021. Available at:
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19---16-
november-2021 Retrieved on 11th December 2021.
Bai, Y., Yao, L., Wei, T., Tian, F., Jin, D. Y., Chen, L., & Wang, M. (2020). Presumed
asymptomatic carrier transmission of COVID-19. Jama, 323(14), 1406-1407.
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). Symptoms; Watch for Symptoms. Available
at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html Retrieved on
11th December 2021.
FEMA, A. (2011). Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles,
Themes, and Pathways for Action. Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of
Homeland Security, Washington DC.
