The Few Pros, and Many Cons of COVID-19 - Adam Bova
Obviously, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a very negative effect on all of our lives. There have been over 20,000 deaths globally, and there are more than 400,000 confirmed cases worldwide. People are being forced to stay home. Kids to be unable to go to school, and many people are unable to go into work. Because of this, many are losing their jobs, and children who depend on school for meals are going hungry. We can hardly go anywhere. We can hardly do anything. We can't even go to the store without toilet paper drama. High school, college, and professional sports have stopped, the stock market is crashing and the entire world is in a state of panic and fear all because of the suspected consumption of one infected bat.
However, with the social distancing and the lack of travel, the one thing that has flourished during this time has been the environment. According to BBC news, measures to contain the virus have caused pollution in New York to drop by almost 50%. In China, emissions fell 25% at the start of the year because people were instructed to stay home. Furthermore, satellite images show that NO2 emissions have been fading over northern Italy, Spain, and the UK. CNBC reports that the reduction in air pollution has saved an estimated 50,000 lives in China. According to CNBC as well, the water flowing through the canals of Venice, Italy is now clear and the fish are visible due to less water pollution. An improvement in the state of the environmental is an unexpected byproduct of the novel coronavirus. It is astounding just how quickly the improvements have become evident.
I am in no way saying that this pandemic is a good thing, but nobody can deny the positive impact on the environment that has resulted from the limitations placed on society during this crisis. The significant reduction in fuel emissions and factory pollution has resulted in drops in air pollution all around the world. While this is a positive, it comes at much too high a cost. Lives are being lost, people's health is at risk, the economy is taking an overwhelming blow and many are unable to work to support themselves and their families. For these reasons, it is critical that COVID-19 is contained as soon as possible.
Change in air pollution in China Change in NO2 emissions in NYC
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/how-coronavirus-quarantines-have-greatly-reduced-carbon-emissions.html
However, with the social distancing and the lack of travel, the one thing that has flourished during this time has been the environment. According to BBC news, measures to contain the virus have caused pollution in New York to drop by almost 50%. In China, emissions fell 25% at the start of the year because people were instructed to stay home. Furthermore, satellite images show that NO2 emissions have been fading over northern Italy, Spain, and the UK. CNBC reports that the reduction in air pollution has saved an estimated 50,000 lives in China. According to CNBC as well, the water flowing through the canals of Venice, Italy is now clear and the fish are visible due to less water pollution. An improvement in the state of the environmental is an unexpected byproduct of the novel coronavirus. It is astounding just how quickly the improvements have become evident.
I am in no way saying that this pandemic is a good thing, but nobody can deny the positive impact on the environment that has resulted from the limitations placed on society during this crisis. The significant reduction in fuel emissions and factory pollution has resulted in drops in air pollution all around the world. While this is a positive, it comes at much too high a cost. Lives are being lost, people's health is at risk, the economy is taking an overwhelming blow and many are unable to work to support themselves and their families. For these reasons, it is critical that COVID-19 is contained as soon as possible.
Change in air pollution in China Change in NO2 emissions in NYC
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/how-coronavirus-quarantines-have-greatly-reduced-carbon-emissions.html
The positive environmental effects are good to see.
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