Sense or nonsense?

"By the way, Dr. Fauci gave one more piece of valuable information. Age. When asked what is 'elderly' was in his opinion (as far as this virus is concerned), he gave an interesting answer. 55 and up. What? I thought 50's were the new 40's? Eventually, not with the Corona Virus."  

Yesterday I put it out on social media. I asked if we should go on our cruise(s), or cancel them due to the spread of this new virus. Background: I am 70, just getting over pneumonia, and have hypertension. My wife is late 60's, and is asthmatic. The majority of responses I received were to "pull the plug". The cruise line is offering an attractive way out, with zero risk. The exit, should we decide to take it, is clearly marked. We would just have to re-book and use our credit by the end of next year.

I have been wondering the same thing many of us have been wondering. Is this a tempest in a teapot? A whole lot of nothing? Or - is it what some experts said over the weekend, "the most troubling new virus in over 50 years." Also this weekend, there was an interview with one of the doctors in that very troubled care center located in Seattle. The one where all those older folks have died. What he said was a show stopper for older folks like us. 

It is one thing that this virus is so contagious. But if you are young and healthy, this virus could hit you with the lightest touch. However, you will still be contagious, and able to infect many people around you - of all ages. But - if you are elderly and/or compromised, this virus can go from mild, to deadly in an hour. That is what is alarming the doctors the most. Is the speed on which this virus can kill an older person. Not all old people who get it will die - but enough will to make it a big concern.

So what is the buzz? What is the truth? What the wizards of smart know right now is this - for certain people, this thing is a stone cold killer. For the majority of folks, it is like getting sick with a mild case of the flu. However - it is much more contagious than the common flu. That is the real danger. It is the transmission of this disease. It is young people giving it to the older people in their lives. Grand kids giving it to grandparents.

How are we going to get rid of this thing, for once and for all? Or will it be with us forever? Guess who knows the answer? Nobody. The only thing I keep hearing from the powers that be is STAY OFF OF CRUISE LINES. That message I heard AGAIN from Dr. Fauci (NIAID director) this morning. Other than that, he is stumbling through the darkness like the rest of us are.

By the way, Dr. Fauci gave one more piece of valuable information. Age. When asked what is "elderly" was in his opinion (as far as this virus is concerned), he gave an interesting answer. 55 and up. What? I thought 50's were the new 40's? Eventually, not with the Corona Virus.  

How is the market going to react to all this? If last week was any clue, not well. Stocks will be cheap, airlines and cruise lines will continue to hemorrhage customers, and TP will be in short supply. Other than that, what the future brings will be anyone's business. All we can do is keep our radar on, pay attention, and be as prepared as possible. Most of all - be smart about this.