Dr. Nelson Atehortua, The Rotary Club of North Jackson's newest member and a professor in the Jackson State University School of Public Health spoke to the club at its March 31 Zoom meeting. Dr. A., as he is called by his students, discussed the facts and myths surrounding the coronavirus. He covered the origin of the virus in China, its mutation from an animal virus to one that can infect humans, its spread globally, its impact on the United States and Mississippi plus myths and facts that are circulating about the virus.
As of April 1, 2020, the US is experiencing more than 200,000 cases with over 4,000 deaths. Globally the number of cases is close to 1 million with over 45,000 deaths. It is clearly a global pandemic. Dr. A. cited that the US can expect 100,000 to 200,000 deaths from the disease even with the current level of mitigation in place. That mitigation includes in excess of 80 million Americans being under "Shelter In Place" orders.
We thank Dr. A. for his presentation, for joining our club, and for his work to educate students and all Mississippians about Public Health, in particular, the coronavirus and its impact on us.