No one could have predicted this widespread pandemic that our world is going through right now. Thousands are dying every day as the situation continues to grow worse. As of May 6, 258,000 recorded deaths have occurred worldwide, with 72,050 in the United States. Scientists are hard at work to find a cure and many research companies have already conducted hundreds of human experiments.

 Some promising news was reported by CNN on Apr.17, 2020,  regarding scientists possibly closer to finding a cure.  An experimental drug called “remdesivir” has caught the attention of many as it has reportedly aided some COVID-19 patients at the Chicago Medical Center to recovery, with most going home in a matter of days. 

“The best news is that most of our patients have already been discharged, which is great. We’ve only had two patients perish,” Kathleen Mullane, the University of Chicago infectious disease specialist overseeing the remdesivir studies for the hospital, said. 

Reported on May 5, the biotechnology company ‘Pfizer, BioNTech’ has begun human trials. It is said that if successful, vaccines could be widely available and mass-produced as soon as September, which is faster than any vaccine has ever been developed.  Along with that, several antibody tests have been created to hopefully calculate a recovered victim’s extent and duration of possible immunity to COVID-19. 

“The focus right now is primarily epidemiological,” Tara Smith, a professor of epidemiology at the Kent State University College of Public Health said, “This will allow us to better calculate the fatality rate and to determine how far we still have to go to reach [infection] levels that would place us in the range of herd immunity.”

Although resmidivir, human trials, and antibody tests are still under investigation and remain highly speculative, the notion of a possible treatment brings hope to all who are currently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr. 17, 2020, Gov.  JB Pritzer reported the cancellation of all Illions schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This statement was put in place by the governor after many reports by Infectious Disease specialists, who stated that allowing mass groups of people to get together would only further escalate the situation and render all efforts to stop the spread futile. Some terrible news was also reported to the D214 families on the afternoon of Apr. 18.  

“It is my unfortunate responsibility to inform you of the passing of one of our students this week, likely due to complications related to COVID-19,” said D214 superintendent David Schuler, “In addition, we currently have at least one additional student who is in the ICU due to COVID-19.” 

This sorrowful news further showed students and families the severity of this virus and how important it is for families to remain home and practice social distancing during these terrible times.

 “Social distancing is one of the most powerful weapons against COVID-19,” said Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “If we can just maximize that social distancing, we can limit this virus’s ability.”

 If Americans simply do their part by staying inside and practicing social distancing, we can somewhat contribute to stopping the spread to reduce the fatality of this highly infectious virus.