Most students almost quit A’level Biology because of these three words that are relatively difficult to differentiate. Why give totally different meanings to pandemic , epidemic and endemic when they clearly sound quite the same.
Typically every student gets to comprehend them the way they are taught just to get the pass mark but like most other things learnt in science……it just doesn’t make any sense!!!!
It’s as if English did not teach to similarise word meanings using their similar rhymes. In this day though, the hope for everyone with or without little science knowledge acquired is not to hate life because of failing to define these same 3 words in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic that has come upon us.
After affecting the a wide range of geographical location respecting no gender, race, ethnic group or age it has been relatively easy to call it a pandemic .
It has been seen everywhere on news headlines undeniably being called it an epidemic since it had spread so fast to infect a remarkably huge number of people in the shortest time periods.
The word I’ve only heard from the TVs and radios but not so much on the streets is that it has come and is dwelling amongst us!!! Our huge predicament is likened to knowing someone living with us and still refer to that person as an alien whenever we want talk about them. Word is, covid-19 is now endemic .
Grief has five stages, quit denial, depression, anger and bargaining to move on to the final stage that is acceptance, the highest epitome requirement in eradicating ignorance. Allowing to move on from the thought that we’ll miraculously wake up one day and it’s no more. It’s evident time has been used up and so much life progress has been hindered already.
Until we see someone we know succumbing to the Covid-19 pandemic, epidemic and endemic, it never occurs to us that a person we know can have it much more we won’t even think of ourselves. Prayers made are always directed to protect people in the faraway places forgetting we’re also not immune to something dwelling amongst us.
Just as how we have held hands in other things as a nation. May we play role in alerting that the pandemic is epidemic and now endemic. If there’s anything that can be done, there can never be a better time than now!!!
Covid-19….a pandemic, epidemic, endemic
By Christine Musiiwa (Mbchb 3-UZ)
ZIMSA HEALTH BLOG 