COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Coronavirus illness (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus (Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Overview, N.D.). It
was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 (Bhargava, 2021), and spread as quickly as a bullet train. The first suspected case in the
Philippines was investigated on January 22, 2020, and 633 suspected cases were reported on March 1, 2020. (First COVID-19 infections in the
Philippines, 2020)

With the rapid rise in cases and deaths, and no cure or vaccine to prevent it at its early stages, the world has been put on lockdown, and the
Philippines is no exception. From midnight on March 15, 2020, land, local air travel, and local sea travel are prohibited; this was extended for a
second time starting August 4, 2020, and for a third time on March 29, 2021.4 Suffice to say, being held in our home for more than two (2) years,
coupled with the uncertainty of the virus, created a sense of fear and anxiety.

With the increasing number of active cases of the Coronavirus disease, it is shown that every person's behavior and reaction cannot be predicted
with certainty. When confronted with a strange or unexpected encounter, various people react differently to the same situation or type of situation,
and there is no standard style of behavioral response. People react differently to comparable situations, according to behavioral psychology. When
confronted with a shocking event, there is no typical course of action. When the human mind is put under emotional stress, the results are
unpredictable. This is especially true when one encounters an occurrence that no one expected to occur in their lifetime, regardless of age.

The true consequences of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown measurements and social isolation in adults and children are unknown
(Fasano et al., 2021). The goal of this study is to see if the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has an influence on different age groups.

With the uncertainty of returning to "normal life – pre pandemic," it's critical to figure out how common behavioral variations, psychological
dangers, and consequences are. Despite the availability of various studies that analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general
population, academic research on the psychological and behavioral effects of the COVID 19 scenario in the Philippines remains scarce.

The majority of those infected with the virus will develop mild to moderate respiratory symptoms and recover without the need for specific
treatment. Some people, though, will become critically unwell and require medical help. Serious sickness is more likely to strike the elderly and
those with underlying medical disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer. COVID-19 can make
anyone sick and cause serious illness or death at any age.

Being thoroughly informed on the disease and how it spreads is the best strategy to avoid and slow down transmission. It is a must observed
practice to stay at least 1 meter away from people, wear a well fitted mask, and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based rub periodically to protect
yourself and others from infection. It is also observed that if the situation so provides, a person be vaccinated and follow local advice.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or breathes, the virus spreads in little liquid particles from their mouth or nose. Larger
respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols are among the particles. It's critical to exercise respiratory etiquette, such as coughing into a flexed elbow,
and to stay at home and self-isolate until the person feels better.

COVID-19 transmission is more likely in crowded, poorly ventilated places where sick people spend long periods of time in close quarters.

Outbreaks have been observed in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices, and places of worship, where people meet in
crowded indoor settings and talk loudly, shout, breathe deeply, or sing.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a broad group of viruses that can cause everything from a typical cold to more serious illnesses. A novel coronavirus
(nCoV) is a new strain that has never been seen in humans before. The novel virus was given the name "COVID-19 virus" after that.

Pneumonia, respiratory failure, cardiac issues, liver problems, septic shock, and death can all be caused by the virus. A condition known as
cytokine release syndrome or a cytokine storm may be the source of many COVID-19 problems. An infection causes a person's immune system to
release inflammatory proteins called cytokines into his or her bloodstream. They can cause tissue death and organ damage. Lung transplants have
been required in some circumstances.

A coronavirus is a common virus that infects a person's nose, sinuses, or upper throat. The majority of coronaviruses aren't harmful.

The World Health Organization recognized SARS-CoV-2 as a new kind of coronavirus in early 2020, following a December 2019 epidemic in
China. The disease soon spread around the globe. Since it has been almost 3 years since COVID-19 began, it is, for now, impossible to say how
long the pandemic will last. The public's efforts to curb the spread, researchers' efforts to understand more about the virus, their search for a
treatment, and the development of vaccines are all important.
Researchers are still trying to figure out what caused it, and inquiries are ongoing. Coronaviruses come in a variety of forms. They're found in bats,
camels, cats, and cattle, among other creatures. The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is comparable to MERS and SARS. They were all
derived from bats.

Some COVID-19-infected children and teenagers develop an inflammatory illness known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,
according to doctors. Doctors believe it is related to the virus. It has symptoms that are comparable to toxic shock and Kawasaki illness, which
causes inflammation in the blood vessels of children.

A major study looked at 91 million people who had mood disorders or other mental illnesses. It discovered that if someone have a history of mood
disorders, he or she is more likely to be hospitalized or die, but not necessarily from COVID-19.

According to the study, prior mood disorders can raise his or her odds of hospitalization and mortality if such person obtain COVID-19 for a
variety of socioeconomic reasons.

Furthermore, persons with mental illnesses may have signs of mood disorders, which can make it difficult to care for ourselves and participate in
our health. This can make it difficult to adhere to health habits such as keeping social distance or remaining in quarantine to prevent virus spread.
Furthermore, those with mental health and behavioral disorders are more likely to develop diabetes and cardiac problems, both of which are
substantial risk factors for COVID-19.

Another study looked at 7,348 persons with confirmed COVID-19 infections who had previous mood and psychiatric problems. COVID-19 was
discovered to be more than twice more likely to kill people with schizophrenia. The greater death rate could be due to a delay in accessing health
care and other unknown or monitored health risk factors, according to study experts.

The rate of transmission of COVID-19 is quite high. According to preliminary study, one individual who has it can spread it to between 2 and 3.5
people. According to one study, the rate was greater, with one case infecting between 4.7 and 6.6 persons. In contrast, one individual with the
seasonal flu will infect between 1.1 and 2.3 other people.

The Omicron version of COVID-19, which is now the most common strain in the US, is extremely contagious and will likely spread faster than the
original virus. Scientists are still investigating how quickly Omicron spreads in comparison to Delta, the previous prevalent form. Even if an
infected person is vaccinated or shows no symptoms, the CDC believes that an infected person can transfer Omicron to others.

According to the CDC, there is evidence that COVID-19 can be spread if a person spend 15 minutes within 6 feet of someone who is infected. It
was formerly thought that each exposure should last 15 minutes. When we can't stay 6 feet away from others, we can reduce the transmission rate
by washing our hands frequently, keeping shared surfaces clean, limiting contact with other people, and being vaccinated.

COVID-19 is far more likely to be acquired from someone else than from packaging, goods, or food. Stay at home and employ a delivery service
or have a buddy shop for you if you're in a high-risk group. If possible, have them place the stuff outside your front door. Wear a cotton face mask
and keep at least 6 feet away from other customers if you do your own shopping.

In most regions, testing facilities are easily available. Some require an appointment, while others are simply walk-in. Testing kits for use at home
are also commonly available.

The most common testing method is a swab test. It scans your upper respiratory system for symptoms of the virus. A swab is placed up your nose
by you or the person doing the test to obtain a sample from the back of your nose and throat. The sample is normally sent to a lab where it is
examined for viral material, but certain places may have fast tests that can provide results in as little as 15 minutes.

The test is positive if there are symptoms of the infection. A negative test could indicate that there is no virus or that the sample size was
insufficient. This can happen early in the course of an infection. The tests must be collected, kept, delivered to a lab, and processed, so findings
normally take 24 hours.

Home nasal swab tests, which you collect yourself and express ship back to the lab for analysis, have received emergency-use authorizations from
the FDA. Several at-home quick tests were also approved by the government. These are available over the counter in pharmacies, retail stores, and
online, however kits that provide quick results (within minutes) might be difficult to come by due to strong demand. Some municipal health
departments and federally recognized health institutions also offer free at-home exams.

A swab test can only tell you if the virus is present in your body at the time. However, you might do an antibody test to see if you've ever been
exposed to the virus, even if you didn't have any symptoms. This is critical information for officials trying to figure just how widespread COVID-
19 is. It might also help them figure out who is immune to the virus in the future.

More tests are being developed by the FDA in collaboration with laboratories across the country . That is why a mask should be used in a variety of
situations.

On top of immunizations and social distancing initiatives, a mask provides an additional layer of protection for everyone. Even if you don't realize
you have the virus or show no indications of infection, you can transfer it by talking or coughing. If you're completely vaccinated, use a mask
inside in public areas if you're in an area where COVID is spreading at a high or "significant" level. Wear a mask in indoor public spaces if you
aren't fully vaccinated. This applies to children aged 2 and up.

Even if you're completely vaccinated, use a mask in indoor public spaces if you have a chronic health condition or are taking medications that
compromise your immune system. Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, follow this advice. Outside, where the coronavirus is less likely to
spread, you don't need to wear a mask. However, if COVID-19 instances are prevalent in your area, consider wearing one in crowded outdoor
areas and for outdoor gatherings involving close contact with people who aren't completely vaccinated.

When unwell and around other people or animals, even at home, everyone should wear a face mask. When cleaning and disinfecting a sick
person's bedroom or bathroom, caregivers should use them.