The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do

An animated map of China appears, highlighting a region in green. Red dots representing infections appear and multiply within the highlighted area. Text overlays indicate 'December 2019' and 'Infections: 56', which then updates to '878'.

"In December 2019, the Chinese authorities notified the world that a virus was spreading through their communities."

The map expands to show the entire world. Red dots spread from China to other countries, increasing in size and number. An exclamation mark icon appears over several affected regions, indicating a warning. The infection count updates rapidly from '2,835' to '168,590'.

"In the following months, it spread to other countries with cases doubling within days."

A large purple rectangular text box appears in the center of the screen, initially displaying 'Severe Acute'. More text animates in, completing the full name: 'Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2'. This box then shrinks, and a smaller blue box appears on top of it, displaying 'Covid-19'. A small black bird with an orange beak peeks in from the right, then a red box with a virus icon and the text 'Coronavirus' appears.

"This virus is the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2 that causes the disease called Covid-19, and that everyone simply calls Coronavirus."

A stylized cartoon person stands in the center of the screen. Their head opens up to reveal a brain, and then their chest and abdomen open to show internal organs, including lungs, intestines, and spleen. Red dots representing the virus appear within these organs. The scene then splits into two panels: the left shows the person with infected organs, and the right shows a pile of toilet paper, canned goods, and a pink bird wearing goggles, saying 'see you in a few years'.

"What actually happens when it infects a human and what should we all do?"

A series of rapid, colorful, animated transitions occur, showcasing various cartoon scenes: a volcano erupting, a monkey in a jungle, a futuristic city with flying cars, and finally, a stylized Earth rotating in space, followed by the 'Kurzgesagt - in a nutshell' logo.

A stylized red and blue coronavirus appears on a dark blue background. A red banner with 'Corona' text appears above it. The virus then splits open to reveal its internal structure: a yellow RNA strand, a red lipid envelope, and blue spike proteins. Labels appear for 'Spike Protein', 'Lipid Envelope', and 'RNA'.

"A virus is really just a hull around genetic material and a few proteins, arguably not even a living thing."

The screen fills with multiple red and blue coronavirus particles of varying sizes, floating on a dark purple background with smaller pink dots. The particles pulsate slightly.

"It can only make more of itself by entering a living cell."

The screen splits into three vertical panels, each with a dark blue background. The left panel shows green banknotes and gold coins with a brown wallet, all covered in small red dots. The middle panel shows a knife and fork on a purple napkin, also covered in red dots. The right panel shows colorful building blocks and dice, similarly covered in red dots. The red dots then disappear from all objects, indicating the virus's limited survival on surfaces.

"Corona may spread via surfaces, but it's still uncertain how long it can survive on them."

A close-up of a stylized person's face (dark skin, dark hair) on a light pink background. The person coughs, and red droplets are expelled from their mouth. Then, their finger, also covered in red droplets, touches their nose and eye, demonstrating how the virus can spread through touch.

"Its main way of spreading seems to be droplet infection, when people cough, or if you touch someone who's ill and then your face, say rubbing your eyes or nose."

A stylized human silhouette (dark purple) appears on a light pink background, with internal organs faintly visible. Red virus particles enter through the nose and travel down the throat, moving deeper into the body, towards the lungs and intestines.

"The virus starts its journey here and then hitches a ride as a stowaway deeper into the body."

Red virus particles are now concentrated in the lungs and intestines of the stylized human silhouette. A small black bird with an orange beak appears on the right, with a speech bubble stating, 'This is based on the knowledge we had about the Coronavirus in March 2020. For more details check out the sources document! We will update it over time.'

"Its destinations are the intestines, the spleen, or the lungs, where it can have the most dramatic effect."

The human silhouette is now outlined in a brighter pink, and red virus particles are seen spreading from the mouth, indicating a cough. The virus particles inside the lungs and intestines multiply and glow, signifying increased infection.

"Even just a few coronaviruses can cause quite a dramatic situation."

The scene zooms in to a microscopic view of epithelial cells, depicted as a pink and blue patterned border at the bottom of the screen. Small red virus particles float above them, moving towards the cells. A text label 'Epithelial Cells' appears.

"The lungs are lined with billions of epithelial cells. These are the border cells of your body, lining your organs and mucosa, waiting to be infected."

A large red and blue coronavirus descends towards the epithelial cells. It connects to a specific receptor (labeled 'ACE2 Receptor') on the cell membrane (labeled 'Cell Membrane'). The virus then injects its genetic material, depicted as colorful DNA strands, into the cell's interior (labeled 'Cell Insides').

"Corona connects to a specific receptor on its victim's membranes to inject its genetic material."

The view shifts to a single, oval-shaped cell with various internal components on a purple background. A small red virus particle enters the cell. A text label 'Virus' appears, indicating the virus within the cell. The cell's internal components begin to change color to red, showing infection.

"The cell, ignorant of what's happening, executes the new instructions, which are pretty simple: copy and reassemble."

The infected cell glows red, and the number of red virus particles inside rapidly increases. The cell is labeled 'Infected Cell'. The cell then begins to disintegrate, releasing many small red virus particles into the surrounding space.

"It fills up with more and more copies of the original virus until it reaches a critical point and receives one final order: self-destruct."

The view returns to the human silhouette. A circular magnifying glass effect highlights the infected lung, showing numerous red virus particles. The lungs glow red and are filled with more and more virus particles, indicating exponential growth of the infection.

"The number of infected cells grows exponentially."

The lungs within the human silhouette are now entirely red and filled with a dense swarm of red virus particles, pulsating with intensity. The surrounding body also shows small red dots, indicating wider spread.

"After about 10 days, millions of body cells are infected and billions of viruses swarm the lungs."

The human silhouette changes color from dark purple to bright turquoise, and small blue dots representing the immune system appear all over the body. The lungs remain red and infected. A large eye icon appears in the center of the chest, symbolizing the immune system awakening.

"The virus has not caused too much damage yet, but corona is now going to release a real beast on you: your own immune system."

The scene shifts to a dark purple background with abstract purple lines. Various colorful immune cells (pink, blue, yellow, orange) with different shapes and appendages float around. A text label 'Immune Cells' appears. Some cells transform, showing red spikes, indicating their aggressive nature. One blue cell says 'Relax!' in a speech bubble.

"The immune system, while there to protect you, can actually be pretty dangerous to yourself and needs tight regulation."

Blue immune cells with yellow appendages move towards the pink and blue epithelial cell lining at the bottom of the screen. Red virus particles are visible near the lining. Some of the immune cells become infected, turning red in their core, and are labeled 'Infected Cells'.

"And as immune cells pour into the lungs to fight the virus, corona infects some of them and creates confusion."

A blue and turquoise cell floats on a purple background with concentric blue circles. Small white particles emanate from it, labeled 'Cytokines'. Other immune cells (green, blue, yellow) appear and react to the cytokines, moving and changing slightly.

"Cells have neither ears nor eyes, they communicate mostly via tiny information proteins called cytokines. Nearly every important immune reaction is controlled by them."

Infected immune cells (blue with red cores and yellow appendages) are now glowing red and expanding, with speech bubbles saying 'I'm feeling ANGRY!' and 'ATTACK!'. More diverse immune cells (pink, yellow, green) are drawn into the frenzy, and red virus particles continue to spread. The epithelial cell lining at the bottom shows signs of damage.

"Corona causes infected immune cells to overreact and yell bloody murder. In a sense, it puts the immune system into a fighting frenzy and sends way more soldiers than it should, wasting its resources and causing damage."

Text: "I'm feeling ANGRY!", "ATTACK!"

The screen shows two circular close-ups of immune cells on a dark blue background. The left circle contains a pink neutrophil with a yellow core and spiky exterior, labeled 'Neutrophils'. The right circle contains a yellow Killer T Cell with a blue core and two blue tail-like appendages, labeled 'Killer T Cells'.

"Two kinds of cells in particular wreak havoc. First, neutrophils, which are great at killing stuff, including ourselves."

The screen is filled with numerous pink neutrophils, glowing red and pulsating, on a dark purple background with abstract purple lines. Small yellow enzyme particles are being released from them, destroying both infected immune cells (blue with red cores) and healthy epithelial cells (pink and blue patterned lining).

"As they arrive in their thousands, they start pumping out enzymes that destroy as many friends as enemies."

A single yellow Killer T Cell with a blue core and two blue tail-like appendages is shown on a dark blue background. It then expands and glows red, indicating it's going into a frenzy. The screen then fills with multiple Killer T Cells, also glowing red and pulsating, on a dark purple background. Small red virus particles are visible.

"The other important type of cells that go into a frenzy are killer T cells, which usually order infected cells to commit controlled suicide."

Killer T Cells (yellow with red cores) are shown on a dark purple background, alongside infected immune cells (blue with red cores). Both types of cells are glowing and pulsating. The Killer T Cells are now sending out signals that cause both infected and healthy epithelial cells to self-destruct, indicated by small white stars and disappearing cells from the pink and blue patterned lining.

"Confused as they are, they start ordering healthy cells to kill themselves too."

More diverse immune cells (pink, yellow, green) are shown arriving and joining the attack on the epithelial cells. The damage to the epithelial cell lining becomes more extensive, with larger gaps and more cells disappearing. Red virus particles and yellow enzyme particles are scattered throughout the scene.

"The more and more immune cells arrive, the more damage they do and the more healthy lung tissue they kill."

The human silhouette is shown with a circular magnifying glass highlighting the lungs. The magnified view shows alveoli (tiny air sacs) with yellow scar tissue forming, labeled 'Scar Tissue'. The text 'Fibrosis' appears, indicating permanent lung damage. The lungs within the silhouette are still red and heavily infected.

"This might get so bad that it can cause permanent, irreversible damage that leads to lifelong disabilities."

The lungs within the human silhouette are still red and infected, but green immune cells begin to appear and multiply, fighting the red virus particles. The green cells gradually replace the red ones, indicating the immune system gaining control.

"In most cases, the immune system slowly regains control."

The green immune cells continue to multiply and clear out the red virus particles from the lungs. The lungs transition from red to a healthy turquoise color, and the blue dots representing the immune system are visible throughout the body, indicating a successful recovery. The human silhouette is now fully turquoise.

"It kills the infected cells, intercepts the viruses trying to infect new ones, and cleans up the battlefield. Recovery begins."

A stylized person (dark skin, dark hair) with a slight cough and a thumbs-up gesture appears on a light pink background, indicating recovery. The scene then splits into two vertical panels. The left panel shows a person (dark skin, dark hair) with a thermometer in their mouth, sweating, labeled 'Fever'. The right panel shows a person (light skin, blonde hair) with a dry cough, labeled 'Dry Cough'.

"The majority of people infected by corona will get through it with relatively mild symptoms."

A hospital room scene appears with a patient lying in a bed, connected to a ventilator and an IV drip. A healthcare worker in scrubs and a mask stands beside the bed, looking concerned. The room is dimly lit with purple and blue tones.

"But many cases become severe or even critical."

The scene shifts back to the world map, showing widespread red infection dots and yellow undetected infection dots. A small black bird with an orange beak appears on the left, with a speech bubble. The scene then transitions to a purple background with two circles side-by-side. The left circle shows a red and blue coronavirus, labeled 'Corona'. The right circle shows a green and yellow flu virus, labeled 'Flu'. An arrow points from 'Corona' to 'Flu', indicating a comparison.

"We don't know the percentage because not all cases have been identified, but it's safe to say that there is a lot more than with the flu."

Text: "Corona is particularly dangerous for people over 60 and patients with preexisting conditions or weakened immune systems.", "Critical Cases:"

The scene returns to the microscopic view of epithelial cells. Large sections of the pink and blue patterned lining disappear, revealing a dark purple void beneath. Red virus particles are scattered around the damaged lining.

"In more severe cases, millions of epithelial cells have died, and with them, the lung's protective lining is gone."

The scene shows a cluster of pink alveoli (air sacs) with blue interiors, connected by a pink tube, against a dark purple background. Green bacteria particles appear and begin to infect the alveoli, turning their interiors green. A text label 'Alveoli' appears.

"That means that the alveoli, tiny air sacs via which breathing occurs, can be infected by bacteria that aren't usually a big problem."

The hospital room scene reappears with the patient on the ventilator. The ventilator's screen shows a flat line, indicating respiratory failure. The healthcare worker looks even more concerned.

"Patients get pneumonia, respiration becomes hard or even fails, and patients need ventilators to survive."

The human silhouette is shown in turquoise, with red lungs and green bacteria particles filling the body. A legend on the right shows bars for 'Immune System' (full green), 'Corona' (half red), and 'Bacteria' (empty green). The 'Immune System' bar then decreases, and the 'Corona' bar increases, while 'Bacteria' also increases, indicating the immune system is overwhelmed.

"The immune system has fought at full capacity for weeks and made millions of antiviral weapons."

The green bacteria particles rapidly multiply and fill the entire human silhouette, entering the bloodstream. The 'Bacteria' bar in the legend is now full green. The scene then transitions to a dark purple background, with the lower half filling with green bacteria, symbolizing the body being overrun.

"And as thousands of bacteria rapidly multiply, it is overwhelmed. They enter the blood and overrun the body. If this happens, death is very likely."

The screen splits into two vertical panels. The left panel has a dark purple background and shows a large red and blue coronavirus with sharp teeth and angry eyes, surrounded by smaller red virus particles, labeled 'Corona'. The right panel has a dark teal background and shows a green and yellow flu virus, surrounded by smaller green virus particles, labeled 'Flu'. The coronavirus appears more menacing.

"The coronavirus is often compared to the flu, but actually, it's much more dangerous."

The screen splits into two vertical panels. The left panel (dark purple) shows a single red dot at the top, which branches out into a complex, rapidly growing tree of red dots, representing the spread of 'Corona'. The right panel (dark teal) shows a single green dot at the top, which branches out into a simpler, slower-growing tree of green dots, representing the spread of 'Flu'. The 'Corona' tree clearly shows a faster and wider spread.

"While the exact death rate is hard to pin down during an ongoing pandemic, we know for sure that it's much more contagious and spreads faster than the flu."

A graph appears on a dark blue background with 'Infections' on the Y-axis and 'Time' on the X-axis. A red dot at the origin is labeled 'Outbreak'. A steep, narrow red curve (labeled 'Fast Spread') rises sharply and then falls. A wider, shallower green curve (labeled 'Slow Spread') appears beneath it, showing a more gradual increase and decrease in infections.

"There are two futures for a pandemic like corona: fast and slow."

The graph shows both the 'Fast Spread' and 'Slow Spread' curves. The screen then splits into two vertical panels. The left panel (dark purple) shows a grid of circles, with many red circles (infected) and some blue circles (recovered), labeled 'Fast Pandemic'. The right panel (dark teal) shows a similar grid, but with fewer red circles and more blue circles, labeled 'Slow Pandemic'.

"Which future we will see depends on how we all react to it in the early days of the outbreak."

In the 'Fast Pandemic' panel, more red circles appear, and some turn purple (dead). In the 'Slow Pandemic' panel, the number of red circles remains low, and more blue circles appear, indicating recovery. The scene then transitions to a large crowd of stylized people, mostly pink and yellow, packed closely together in a stadium-like setting, with a few red figures at the bottom left, representing infected individuals.

"A fast pandemic will be horrible and cost many lives. A slow pandemic will not be remembered by the history books."

A close-up of the densely packed crowd of stylized people, with many red figures among them, highlighting the rapid infection rate.

"Why is this so bad?"

The graph from earlier reappears, showing the steep, narrow red curve for 'Fast Spread'. A horizontal purple line appears, labeled 'Capacity of Healthcare System', which is significantly below the peak of the red curve, indicating an overwhelmed system.

"In a fast pandemic, many people get sick at the same time."

The graph remains, showing the 'Fast Spread' curve exceeding healthcare capacity. The scene then transitions to a grid of six squares, each showing a different medical resource: a light blue face mask, a yellow pill bottle with colorful pills, a white hand sanitizer bottle with a green cross, a medical IV drip, blue gloves, and a ventilator with a screen showing a heart monitor. The background of these squares is red, indicating a shortage.

"If the numbers get too large, healthcare systems become unable to handle it."

The medical resources grid remains, with the red background emphasizing scarcity. The scene then transitions to a healthcare worker (dark skin, light blue scrubs and cap, mask) looking tired and sweating, with small red dots on their face, indicating illness. They look from left to right, appearing overwhelmed.

"There aren't enough resources like medical staff or equipment like ventilators left to help everybody. People will die untreated."

The healthcare worker is shown looking even more exhausted. The graph reappears, and the 'Capacity of Healthcare System' line drops even further, showing a dramatic decrease in the system's ability to cope.

"And as more healthcare workers get sick themselves, the capacity of healthcare systems falls even further."

The screen splits into two vertical panels. The left panel (dark purple) shows a dense crowd of stylized people, with many red figures. The right panel (light blue) shows a grid of hospital beds. Initially, some beds are empty, but as the crowd in the left panel grows, more and more beds on the right are filled with red figures, and then some figures disappear from the beds, indicating deaths.

"If this becomes the case, then horrible decisions will have to be made about who gets to live and who doesn't."

In the 'Fast Pandemic' panel, the number of red figures in beds increases, and more figures disappear, signifying a rising death toll. The remaining figures in beds appear sad or defeated.

"The number of deaths rises significantly in such a scenario."

Two black birds with orange beaks (Kurzgesagt characters) are sitting in a dimly lit room with purple walls, looking at a tablet displaying the 'Fast Pandemic' scenario. The tablet then changes to show the 'Slow Pandemic' scenario, with fewer infected people and more available beds.

"To avoid this, the world, that means all of us, needs to do what it can to turn this into a slow pandemic."

The 'Slow Pandemic' scenario is displayed on the tablet, showing fewer infected people and enough hospital beds for everyone. The scene then transitions back to the graph, showing the 'Slow Spread' curve (green) staying below the 'Capacity of Healthcare System' line (purple), indicating a manageable situation.

"A pandemic is slowed down by the right responses, especially in the early phase, so that everyone who gets sick can get treatment and there's no crunch point with overwhelmed hospitals."

A stylized person (dark hair, blue shirt) appears on a yellow background with radiating lines. A glowing green syringe icon appears over their chest, then disappears. The person looks concerned, then determined, raising a fist. A small black bird with an orange beak appears next to them.

"Since we don't have a vaccine for corona, we have to socially engineer our behavior to act like a social vaccine."

The screen splits into two vertical panels with a light pink background. The left panel has a pink soap icon and the text 'NOT GETTING INFECTED'. The right panel has a light blue face mask icon and the text 'NOT INFECTING OTHERS'. Numbers '1.' and '2.' appear above the respective texts.

"This simply means two things: not getting infected and not infecting others."

A close-up of dark-skinned hands washing under a blue faucet in a white sink with pink soap, creating pink foam. The background is a light beige countertop with a mirror reflecting purple curtains.

"Although it sounds trivial, the very best thing you can do is to wash your hands."

The pink foam in the sink is shown. A close-up of two red and blue coronavirus particles on a red background. One virus splits open to reveal its internal structure, with a label 'Lipid Envelope' pointing to the outer layer.

"Soap is actually a powerful tool. The coronavirus is encased in what is basically a layer of fat."

Soap bubbles (light pink) appear and surround the coronavirus particles. The soap breaks apart the lipid envelope of one virus, causing its internal genetic material to unravel. The virus is then shown as a disarmed, purple blob.

"Soap breaks that fat apart and leaves it unable to infect you."

The red background with virus particles is shown. A pink, wavy surface (representing skin) moves across the screen, sweeping away the red virus particles, leaving behind sparkling white spots, indicating cleanliness.

"It also makes your hands slippery, and with the mechanical motions of washing, viruses are ripped away."

A close-up of a stylized person's face (dark skin, dark hair) holding a red chili pepper. They then touch their eye with a finger, which is covered in glowing yellow particles, symbolizing the burning sensation of chili. The scene then transitions to another stylized person (light skin, blonde hair) with glowing yellow particles on their finger, about to touch their eye.

"To do it properly, wash your hands as if you've just cut up some jalapeños and want to put in your contacts next."

Two stylized people (one dark-skinned with dark hair, one light-skinned with blonde hair) are shown nose-to-nose, then they move apart, creating distance between them. The background is light pink.

"The next thing is social distancing, which is not a nice experience, but a nice thing to do."

The two stylized people are shown with text overlays: 'NO HUGGING' and 'NO HANDSHAKES', emphasizing the social distancing measures.

"This means no hugging, no handshakes."

A black bird with an orange beak is sitting on a yellow pillow, looking at a laptop screen that shows another black bird on a video call. A steaming mug with a duck logo is next to the laptop. The room has purple walls and a window with purple curtains, showing smoke outside. The bird appears to be working from home.

"If you can stay at home, stay at home to protect those who need to be out for society to function."

The screen splits into three vertical panels. The left panel shows a female doctor in a white coat and mask, holding a tablet. The middle panel shows a male cashier in a blue apron, holding a grocery bag. The right panel shows a female police officer in uniform, holding a walkie-talkie. Each person represents an essential worker.

"From doctors to cashiers or police officers."

The three essential workers are shown, looking directly at the viewer, emphasizing mutual dependence. The background colors are light blue, yellow, and dark blue.

"You depend on all of them. They all depend on you to not get sick."

A world map appears on a dark blue background, with various regions highlighted in light blue. Icons appear over different countries: a red circle with a crossed-out airplane (travel restrictions), a purple padlock (lockdown), and a yellow house (stay at home orders). These icons spread across the map.

"On a larger level, there are quarantines, which can mean different things from travel restrictions or actual orders to stay at home."

A close-up of a black bird looking out a window from inside a yellow building with purple curtains. The bird looks sad and bored. The scene then splits into two vertical panels. The left panel shows the bird in quarantine, and the right panel shows a scientist in a lab coat and mask, working diligently with a microscope and computers, representing research efforts.

"Quarantines are not great to experience and certainly not popular. But they buy us and especially the researchers working on medication and vaccination, crucial time."

The quarantined bird looks out the window, and a red heart icon appears, symbolizing understanding and acceptance. The scientist continues to work in the lab, emphasizing the importance of their work.

"So if you are put under quarantine, you should understand why and respect it."

Two vertical bar graphs appear. The left graph, labeled 'Individual Fun-O-Meter', is mostly red with a happy face at the bottom. The right graph, labeled 'Collective Health', is mostly blue with a green section and a white cross at the bottom. The red bar on the left decreases, and the green bar on the right increases, indicating a trade-off between individual fun and collective health.

"None of this is fun. But looking at the big picture, it is a really small price to pay."

The graph showing 'Fast Spread' (red) and 'Slow Spread' (green) curves reappears. The red curve is shown to exceed healthcare capacity, while the green curve stays below it. The scene then transitions to two split panels. The left panel shows the 'Fast Spread' graph with a healthcare worker looking overwhelmed. The right panel shows the 'Slow Spread' graph with a patient looking calm and receiving care.

"The question of how pandemics end depends on how they start."

The scene shows a red background with virus particles, then transitions to a pink wavy surface with sparkling white spots, signifying cleanliness. Two red, stylized hands appear, rubbing together and sparkling, emphasizing the importance of handwashing.

"And in this day and age, it really is in all of our hands. Literally and figuratively."

The screen displays a purple background with white text listing the names of experts: 'Dr James Gurney', 'Dr Max Roser', 'Dr Daniel Cornforth', 'Professor Joshua Weitz'. Several colorful animated birds are scattered around the text. One green bird says 'I wanna go to bed.' in a speech bubble. The text then changes to 'Our World In Data' on a blue background with a faint world map. Another bird asks 'Is it over?'.

"A huge thanks to the experts who helped us on short notice with this video. Especially Our World in Data, the online publication for research and data on the world's largest problems and how to make progress solving them."

The screen displays a white webpage with text and graphs related to COVID-19, including 'Strategies to respond to COVID-19' and 'The symptoms of COVID-19'. The webpage scrolls down, showing more information and data. The colorful birds are still present at the bottom of the screen, observing.

"Check out their site. It also includes a constantly updated page on the Corona pandemic."

The scene transitions to deep space with a stylized Earth in the center. A black bird in an astronaut suit floats on the left, saying 'Stay safe!' in a speech bubble. A roll of toilet paper floats on the right. Both the astronaut bird and the toilet paper float away from Earth, symbolizing social distancing and the initial panic buying.

"Stay safe!"