29 COVID’s Effects on Communication
Jenna Grossmann
29.1 Introduction
Keywords
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)– an infectious disease that spreads as a virus and often affects the respiratory system, producing shortness of breath, cough, and congestion among many other symptoms
- Essential workers– include those in jobs that sustain human life and are needed for basic needs. These include food production, first responders, health services and food and agriculture
- Face coverings– commonly known as masks, they are used to combat the spread of viruses and infections face coverings benefit in two ways: they serve as a barrier that stops respiratory droplets from reaching others, and they lessen the chance of breathing the virus in
- Social distancing– also known as physical distancing, suggests that people stay at least 6 feet away from one another in congregate settings
- Zoom- a video platform that allows up to 100 people to be on video at the same time
- Tik Tok– a social media site that allows users to see and make videos. The “for you page” recommends random people’s videos based on an algorithm from past user interactions
- Collective effervescence– a time when a community comes together to participate in an action that excites individuals and promotes feelings of unity
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- Explain the progression of Coronavirus in the US
- Identify the measures taken to stop the spread of COVID
- Identify the technology used during COVID
- Explain the impacts COVID had on communication
- Explain how COVID will affect the future
On March 13th 2020, the world flipped upside down. Those who thought that coronavirus would never reach them were now facing its uncertainty. People questioned what was to come and could only prepare for the worst. Individuals rushed to the stores to buy all the necessities only to find that everyone else had already bought them and the shelves laid empty. There was a mix of fear and panic that turned the day into a frenzy. And this was just the beginning.
People had to rapidly come up with new ways to do things that were once rudimentary. There was no way to tell what lay ahead, and no person to guide. This led people to turn to the only thing that allowed them to communicate with the outside world from within their homes, technology. As a result of Covid’s drastic impact on social interactions due to quarantine, people turned to social media, video communication, and online resources to combat communication barriers and loneliness from isolation and social distancing measures.
29.2 Overview of COVID-19
Key Takeaway
Coronavirus’ rapid and violent spread caused many new measures to be enacted in order to combat its spread and effects.
Coronavirus’ swiftness and deadliness prompted many different measures to be taken in order to stop its spread, including quarantines, masks, and social distancing. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an infectious disease that spreads as a viru