Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 【小题1】 (catch) the word’s attention and here’s something you need to know about it. Coronaviruses are a common cause of colds and upper respiratory(呼吸的)infections in humans and certain other 【小题2】 (mammal) and birds. The microbes can 【小题3】 (easy) spread from one animal to another. Every now and again, an animal coronavirus mutates(突变)to infect humans, 【小题4】 (lead) to contagious respiratory infections that have never been met before. This makes 【小题5】 harder for physicians to diagnose(诊断)and cure, and results in outbreaks. The symptoms of COVID-19 【小题6】 (be) similar to those experienced when people suffer from the flu. They include fever, cough, tiredness, muscle pain 【小题7】 shortness of breath. Some victims have also experienced severe headaches and diarrhea. Coronaviruses typically pass through droplets. Therefore, scientists recommend 【小题8】 (take) simple precautions, like wearing masks, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and staying away from people displaying flu-like symptoms. Those experiencing any of the symptoms 【小题9】 (associate) with the virus are advised to cover their coughs and sneezes with their inner elbows(肘). Most importantly, however, they should stay away from school, work, or any public area 【小题10】 they might risk infecting others.

I’ve noticed many people having a cold, and it's not even officially fall yet. Why does the cold occur more frequently during the fall and winter【小题1】(month)? It’s actually not the cold weather 【小题2】 (it) that causes the cold. But rather, it is most likely to be caused by people spending 【小题3】 (much) time indoors close to each other, making it easier to spread the germs. This is another reason 【小题4】 children in day care or school are more likely to pick up the cold.

When I worked in a doctor’s clinic a few years back, it was one of the 【小题5】 (lead) reasons to visit the doctor in fall and winter. 1 billion people suffer from the cold each year. As a result, school absence 【小题6】 (report) frequently, with around 22 million days annually.

How can you avoid getting a cold? Among the commonly 【小题7】 (recognize) tips, washing your hands is 【小题8】 most important one. The cold is spread either by directly touching infected secretions (分泌物), or by taking 【小题9】 the airborne particles(悬浮粒子). Also, cold and flu viruses get into the body via the eyes, noses, or mouth. So, try 【小题10】 (avoid) touching your face, especially without first washing your hands.

China announced on Monday it will provide $2 billion over two years to help to battle COVID-19,   【小题1】   has affected over 7 billion people and taken over 300,000 lives 【小题2】   (globe) and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries.

【小题3】 (give)   that   some   African   countries   have   weak   public   health   systems, supplying more material, technological and personnel support 【小题4】   them must be the top priority in COVID-19 response.

Since the outbreak, China   【小题5】   (send) a tremendous quantity of medical supplies and   【小题6】   (assist) as well as five Chinese 【小题7】 (medicine) expert teams to over 50 African countries. Besides, China is ready to work with the international community to help【小题8】   hardest-hit countries under the greatest pressure from debt .

With the virus still raging, the most urgent task is   【小题9】   (make) all-out efforts in COVID-19 control and treatment. We must always put the people first ,   【小题10】 nothing in the world is more precious than people’s lives.