儒琴今日英语单词选自日常用语，欧美报刊文章, 以及英语原文小说。每天坚持学习今日英语单词，有助于阅读和理解当今欧美主流媒体的新闻时事报道和英语文学作品；增强日常英语交流能力。
儒琴今日英语单词 Word of the Day
preparedness
noun [ U ] formal /prɪˈpeəd.nəs/
the state of being prepared for a particular situation
准备状态，预备状态
“The Committee emphasized that the declaration of a PHEIC should be seen in the spirit of support and appreciation for China, its people, and the actions China has taken on the frontlines of this outbreak, with transparency, and, it is to be hoped, with success,” it added.
“In line with the need for global solidarity, the Committee felt that a global coordinated effort is needed to enhance preparedness in other regions of the world that may need additional support for that.”
— CNN Jan 31, 2020
toothless
adjective (NO POWER)
used to describe an organization or a rule that has no power
没有约束力的；没有权力的
The statement added that “all countries” should be prepared for additional measures, and that they are legally required to share information with the WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Some background: The IHR was introduced in 2005 and agreed upon by 196 countries around the world — but the agreement is largely toothless.
— CNN Jan 31, 2020
self-report
verb [ I or T ]/ˌself.rɪˈpɔːt/
to give details about something yourself, rather than having them reported by someone else
自我报告，自我汇报 （Cambridge）
Recommendations, even under a PHEIC, are typically non-binding. There are also no in-built sanctions or punishments for states failing to comply with their obligations under the IHR, many of which rely on governments to self-report their progress.
disinfectant
noun [ C or U ] /ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfek.tənt/ us
a substance that contains chemicals that kill bacteria and is used especially for cleaning surfaces in toilets and kitchens
（尤指用于厕所、厨房表面消毒的）消毒剂，除菌剂
The shipment of disinfectant last Saturday was moved by drivers from two trucking companies in the eastern province of Jiangsu, according to the manager of one of the companies, Huai’an Hazardous Goods Transport Co.
— AP Jan 31, 2020
pandemic
adjective /pænˈdem.ɪk/
(of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or plants
（疾病）大规模流行的，广泛蔓延的 (Cambridge)
The spread of China’s coronavirus, which closed a city of 11 million, leaped across continents and raised pandemic fears, may have started with something simple – a person buying food for dinner at an outdoor market.
—USA Today Jan 31, 2020
potency
noun [ U ] /ˈpəʊ.tən.si/
strength, influence, or effectiveness
力量；影响力；效力 (Cambridge)
The potency and movement of the virus has rallied the cooperation of various agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, which declared the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” on Thursday.
—USA Today Jan 31, 2020
busyness / busy-ness
[ˈbizēnəs] NOUN
the state or condition of having a great deal to do; the quality of being full of activity ; the quality of being excessively detailed or decorated.
忙碌；繁忙度；保持忙碌
“Everybody is being cautious because we’re still learning about it, but right now you’re sitting in the midst of an influenza seasonal busy-ness,” said Dr. David Hooper, chief of the Infection Control Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
—USA Today Jan 31, 2020
zoonotic
adjective biology, medical specialized /ˌzuː.əˈnɒt.ɪk/ us
used to refer to a disease that can spread from animals to humans
用来指一种可以从动物传播到人类的疾病
The market is suspected because coronaviruses transmit zoonotic diseases, meaning they are transferred from infected animals to humans.
—USA Today Jan 31, 2020
