By Sarah Becker Infectious Diseases Throughout the Years Today it is the unexpected arrival of an acute febrile respiratory disease, COVID-19 that sickens America. COVID-19, a relative of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was first discovered in China in December 2019. The United States recorded its first COVID-19 case on January 21, 2020; on March 11 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the “novel coronavirus” a pandemic. Fifteen days later one third of the world’s population was on lockdown. The first seemingly flu-like case was diagnosed in Wuhan, China; then Europe, Italy and Spain especially. Now the United States is infected, all 50 states: Washington and New York States; New York City (the epi-center); Los Angeles, New Orleans and Detroit; rural populations as well. Disease surveillance “is the continuing scrutiny of all aspects of occurrence and spread that are pertinent to control.” The speed of COVID-19’s spread boggles the mind. It is transmitted by droplet spread including oral contact (sneeze, cough) and hands (touch and contaminated surfaces). By March 25, 2020, the stay at home health crisis had given way to economic chaos: supply shortages including personal professional equipment [PPE]; prolonged school and business closings; job layoffs and a historic $2.2 trillion Federal relief bill. The Defense Production Act of 1950 was revived, albeit slowly. Disease occurs when cells in the human body are damaged as a result of infection. Infectious diseases are caused by living organisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasitic worms. The South succumbed to hookworm in 1909. Infectious diseases spread by direct contact: via vectors like the mosquito; contaminated food, water and blood; and airborne droplets. The pandemic Spanish influenza slowed the First World War, and in 1918 in Alexandria “expectorating on sidewalks” became punishable by law. Today’s law enforcement officers spend their time scattering…