Second Waves of COVID

Second Waves of COVID-19 Ripple Around the World

Breaking down which countries have been struck by second waves of the coronavirus and what measures they are taking in response.

With the COVID-19 comebacks around the globe, we can observe what methods seem to be effective in containing the spread. The different measures of testing, controlling, and responses provide us with examples of how we as a country can react. As well as setting an example, the countries who have beaten the coronavirus yet again, have given us a renewed reminder that there will be a way to live once the dust has settled.

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The outbreak of the coronavirus at the beginning of 2020 affected the whole planet as deaths began to climb in each country. After eight months of struggling with this invisible enemy, we are beginning to see second waves of this pandemic throughout countries who believed themselves victorious.

Photos Used with Creative Commons

By: Maicah Cabello, Op-Ed Editor

As cases steadily rise and new discoveries are being made each day, the Coronavirus is a “patchwork quilt.” “Some cities and towns experienced severe outbreaks and appear to be recovering, other places have not had many cases, and some states are only now experiencing a rise in COVID-19,” John Hopkins medicine declared in an August 2020 report. Now, more surges surface through the country with flu season arriving. "The third surge is expected to be the worst yet, as flu season approaches and the public grows increasingly tired of restrictions," the National Post stated in November.

South Korea, Controversy is Birthed South Korea won the first round of the pandemic without closing borders or locking down towns. However, as they are faced with a new wave, the controversy on the lengths of freedom with the pandemic has risen as well. After outbreaks from churches and religious protests, the government shut them down unless the practices were taking place online. “No freedom of religion, assembly or expression can be asserted at the cost of such damage,” he has said, accusing the politically active conservative church members of spreading the virus and endangering the economy,” the New York Times reported on the president of South Korea. As the government continues to attempt at containing the spread, controversies continue to surface.

After strict lockdowns, mass testings, and public compliance, China has yet to be hit by a second wave of the infamous Coronavirus. A leading disease control expert warned that another outbreak is “inevitable,” especially after seeing the second waves surging throughout Europe. So far, China has four vaccines in the final stage of clinical trials, estimating that Chinese citizens will be able to receive the shots around December. However after a recent outbreak in Beijing, the country sealed off a limited number of residents and focused again on mass testing, resulting in the screening of more than half of the capital’s 21 million residents. We have seen the “evolution” of China’s handling of the pandemic as they use their resources, capabilities, capital, and financial ability to trace, control, and test their cases.

MASKED UP: Schweikert stands in a local train station making sure she's following the "mask on" protocols. In order to aid in the control of their second wave of COVID-19, Germany introduced obligatory testing for all travelers returning from coronavirus high risk hotspots, which consist of 130 regions. Along with these restrictions, Germany has resumed a partial shutdown. Movie theaters, restaurants, and gyms are all closed while schools remain open. Former PRHS foreign exchange student from the 2019-2020 school year, Nastasia Schweikert, reports that all students are "required to wear masks" and when it comes to families you are "only allowed to hang out with 1 other household." For Schweikert everyday life means "having to wear a mask in stores and in school." Germany's new cases have created new nuisances like open windows to allow air circulation in classrooms and not being able to return to the United States to visit friends for Schweikert. "Obviously health ranks over money but schools are not closed and we are thousands at one school, so why are restaurants and theaters closed with even less people, masks, and distance? I think Germany is trying, but sometimes it's not really logical," Schweikert said when considering her opinion on how Germany is managing its restrictions. Photos Provided by Nastasia Schweikert

After loosening lockdown restrictions late this summer, the U.K. is said to be suffering from a second wave of the pandemic. With the city of Liverpool and surrounding towns in Northern England under lockdown, cases have begun to decline in the worst-hit areas. “Hande Kucuk, NIESR deputy director, said while the situation was uncertain and the lockdown had caused the institute to cut its forecasts, the outlook “depends critically on whether we win the fight against Covid-19,” Financial Times stated in November, hoping that restrictions will be lifted in December.

South Africa, the holder of the highest record number of total cases and reported deaths in Africa so far, has reportedly 735,906 cases. “Most African countries are focused on testing travelers, patients or contacts, and we estimate that a significant number of cases are still missed,” Matshidiso Moeti of the World Health Organization told BBC. South Africa had done just over 82 tests per 1,000 people by November 2. However, comparing that testing rate to other countries, the United States had done 452 tests per 1,000 people by October 30 and more than 437 in the United Kingdom.

New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern POSTED: Laminated posters around towns in New Zealand depict proper hygiene measures the public can take. New Zealanders “beat the virus again,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. After being the first country to declare itself free from the Coronavirus, New Zealand has again claimed they have overcome the second wave of the illness. With a population of 4.8 million, most of the country is set at the lowest level of alert: one. Social distancing limits being lifted, and the 100-person gathering cap is declared unnecessary as the number of cases continues to drop. In total there have been 1,855 cases and 25 casualties over the span of the pandemic. Making this possible, New Zealand had strict travel restrictions and quarantine, widespread testing. Citizens are now encouraged to “maintain a record of where they have been” with more restrictions being lifted.

CROWDED BEACHES AND BUSTLING PEOPLE: Foreigners flocking to Spain to soak in rays in a normal tourist season. Lifting their three month lockdown in June, Spain began to rapidly reopen over the summer in order to renew the tourist income. However, as of November 2nd 36,527 people have died, 3,905 of those being in October alone. With fatalities slightly higher than the number of those who died from the flu in Spain during the winter of 2019-2020, a new state of emergency has taken place. In response, the government set a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. as well as bans that keep residents from traveling to other parts of the country.