Contagion at the speed of aircraft

"If it were not for the Iowa caucus and the impeachment trial, this story would be getting a much bigger spread. It still might be, if the contagion gets any worse. For years, I have heard some say this country is ripe for a epidemic or a pandemic. Will this be it. Stay tuned."  

Is there anyone who is surprised that the coronavirus is acting like the genie who just escaped from the bottle? Is there anyone surprised, the virus is now in Europe and North America? Anyone surprised how fast this virus can spread worldwide? The answer is simply this - how fast an airliner can fly. In our cosmopolitan, jet setting world, millions of people are on the move most every day - many by air. The chance of catching someone on who might be infected, is basically a shot in the dark, at best. 

So where are we right now? China is nervous. They are quarantining just about everyone. Nobody yet knows if this will be a copy of the SARS virus which killed 774 people in 2003, or the Spanish Flu, which killed almost 5% of the world's population in 2018. We simply don't know. We think it started from a animal to human contact - maybe a snake. Or some think maybe it got out of a lab. 

It seems like every day, the news of contagion in China gets worse. We will soon get a chance to see if all the money we have dumped into the WHO and our CDC, will pay off. Right now, even though this year is very young, this could end up being one of the big stories of the year. Maybe the biggest. That is saying something, considering all the other news which is going on. 

I think for people over 60, common sense should rule the day. Same with folks who have compromised immune systems. Or the very young. Be careful of what you touch. Even shaking hands can contain an element of risk. Wipe your shopping carts with disinfectant wipes. Use hand sanitizer. Wash hands often. Be careful of touching your nose or eyes, unless you know your hands are clean and sanitary. And flying? Many experts compare the air you breathe on an airliner as a "soup of bacteria and viruses".

Most importantly, it is no longer macho to "suck it up" and go to work or play if you are sick. All you will do is infect others. Stay home, get rest, drink fluids. If you don't get better, call your clinic. Don't be offended if they have you wear a mask when you come in. In any event, common sense needs to rule the day.

If it were not for the Iowa caucus and the impeachment trial, this story would be getting a much bigger spread. It still might be, if the contagion gets any worse. For years, I have heard some say this country is ripe for a epidemic or a pandemic. Will this be it. Stay tuned.