This LibGuide is dedicated to my dad, Randy, who succumbed to a barrage of injuries sustained during his battle with COVID-19. The man who taught me (from a very young age) the magic contained between the covers of a book - a man who read everything from the back of the ketchup bottle to the latest Dean Koontz novel, the school newsletters, prescription drug warnings (in their entirety!), and everything in between. I love reading because of you!
Purpose: The primary objective of this guide is to combat misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time when accurate information can save lives, it is crucial to ensure that the public has access to facts that are scientifically sound and verified by trusted health experts. This guide aims to empower readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to discern fact from fiction, enabling them to make informed decisions for their health and well-being.
Scope: This guide focuses on:
What is COVID-19?
According to The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, SARS-CoV-2, commonly called "COVID-19", is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2. This particular virus, which originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in late 2019, led to what was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The pandemic was henceforth known as "COVID-19", referring to the identifying information of the virus that infected 27 people in the year 2019 (Long et al, 2022).
Globally, as of 3:52pm CET, 30 November 2023, there have been 772,052,752 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,985,278 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 23 November 2023, a total of 13,595,583,125 vaccine doses have been administered. (WHO, 2023).