Question 1

One of the most common vectors when it comes to contagious diseases would be coughing. Particles of the virus spread when we cough (or even talk) without a mask. For this reason, it is absolutely essential for everyone to wear a surgical mask designed to block virus particles.

Question 2

The HIV/AIDS pandemic ravaged both developing and developed countries since the 1970s. It affected countries in Africa such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Malawi all the way to Asian countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. More than 33 million people across the globe have died. That's even more than the entire population of Australia!

Question 3

The most recent pandemic that took a toll on Japan is the COVID-19 that arrived earlier in January. The virus was initially found in the province of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in China. Ever since its conception, the virus spread like wildfire and made its way to Japan at the beginning of 2020. I was nervous as I wasn't in Japan at that time. I feared that I wouldn't be able to return to Japan due to the travel restrictions that were about to be issued by the government. There were more and more people who contracted the virus, so I naturally became even more anxious.

Question 4

During the past 8 months, I have been wearing face masks whenever I go outside of my house. I believe that it is meant to prevent further spread of the disease. When it comes to my overall health, I have been taking 1000mg of vitamin C every day to keep my immune system strong as iron!

Question 5

I was surprised when I see protests done by people who don't want to wear face masks. Most of them are saying that not wearing a face mask is part of their freedom as a citizen. I was dumbfounded by some people's way of thinking!

Question 6

I think that the answer varies from one country to another. Japan has proved to manage the recent outbreak efficiently. Safety precautions were made during the peak of the pandemic and strict regulations were imposed.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
Particle	粒子
Ravage	破壊
Conception	受胎
Anxious	気になる
Contracted	感染した
Dumbfounded	びっくりした
Precautions	予防

Question 1

I think that coughing and sneezing are the most common vectors. I watched a video that showed small particals from someone sneezing that lingered in the air for 15 minutes.

Question 2

The Spanish Flu of 1918.It mostly affected the U.S., France, Germany and the U.K. An estimated 20 to 50 million people died. It was named the Spanish Flu becaue of the death of King Alfonso XII, but ironically Spain wasn't affected as badly as the mentioned countries.

Question 3

Covid 19 is happening now and will probably continue for months or years unless they can create a vaccine. In January 2020 reports from Wuhan, China came out about a new deadly virus that was spreading quickly. It has spread all over the world and has changed everything. Life as we know it has completely changed. 113,000 people in America have died. America has the most fatalities of any other country. There haven't been many cases in Nara, so I feel pretty safe.

Question 4

At first, I didn"t wear a mask, but now I wear a mask everyday. I have always been diligent about washing my hands. We have to be careful teaching and being around many children and adults daily.

Question 5

I was surprised when I saw many college age students in America gather for Spring break in April. They were not being careful or wearing masks. They gathered in large numbers on the beach and the virus was spread.

Question 6

I don"t think that it was handled well at all. There are many repors that China knew about the virus prior to announcing it to the public. When it got out of hand it spread rapidly. America handled it the worst and that is why they have the most fatalities.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
particles	粒子
coughing	せき
sneezing	くしゃみ
ironically	皮肉なことに
diligent	勤勉
gathered	集まった
fatalities	死者

Question 1

1

Question 2

2

Question 3

3

Question 4

4

Question 5

5

Question 6

6

Tough Vocabulary