Hey there! I am just dropping in with a little objective POV on the corona virus.
There is a lot of panic going round at the moment. Masks are sold out, I heard. If you are in panic mode too, I want to give you a perpective on it.
First of all: Yes, this virus is dangerous. If you are living in Wuhan, by all means get panicky (in a calm, reasonable way.)
But most of us don't live in Wuhan or even China. And for all those who don't, I quote: "Don't panic!"
The corona virus is a mutation of a common cold virus, with a high letality rate of about 3% (known cases, may be a lot lower). Getting the virus is definitely life-threatening. But if you don't life in China and don't work at an airport (or have contact with people coming from China) then your chance of catching it is remote. It is literally more dangerous for you to go shopping!
There are a myriad of dangers, and currently for 99% of the people outside China they are all more dangerous than this virus. The common flu for example is. Did you vaccinate against it? Are there daily news about the flu death rate?
For example in Germany in most years we have a bit under 1000 death every year because of influenza. 2 years ago was extreme, up to 25.000.
Current rate of Coronavirus 2019 nCoV infected people in Germany is 8.
Of course the risk may change if the corona virus cannot be contained as it is tried at the moment. But at the moment there is not reason to panic, not even for increased attention for most people outside China.
On a side note: Masks.
Should you buy some? See above. But more important: Most masks you can buy are not made to prevent you from getting the corona virus. They are made, for example, to prevent doctors operating from infecting their patient. They block outgoing stuff, but not ingoing. And they may not be suitable to block the droplets laden with virus anyway.
If you have to buy masks, make sure you get the right ones. And if you are not a at risk group, please leave the masks for those who really need them (immun system deficient people for example). Those panic mask buys might very well kill more people than this virus (again, current status and outside China).
You can look up the current status of the corona virus for example here:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Hello,
Very nice reasonable article. Panic doesn't help any situation.
Just a few words about the masks:
When my granddaughter was very young and my daughter had to work, I was the babysitter. (Wouldn't you want Grandma?) But I am old, and have one of those 'underlying conditions' that increases risk. So I masked up. I double masked. Not just a mask, but a specialized mask, the N95 OSHA certified respirator. Turns out, this is really the only kind of mask that offers protection against a pathogen. I've read several articles that suggest N95 combined with good hygiene is relatively effective at controlling transmission. Of course, the eyes are another route of transmission.
Well, I never once caught my granddaughter's illnesses when I used these precautions. (Gloves also, plus I wore eyeglasses). Coincidence? I don't know.
Here's one article I just found for your reference:
http://www.isg.org.au/index.php/news-items/study-shows-superiority-of-n95-respirators-in-protecting-health-workers-against-bacterial-respiratory-infections./
I think the corona virus is really scary, mostly because we have no idea what we are dealing with. At my age, concern is never for myself, but for others. But, no matter the concern, panic doesn't help.
Have a great day, and stay healthy :)
Dear @lennstar
We're living in such a strange times. 2020 started with some real crazy twists. We hardly managed to avoid conflict between US and Iran and now China is struggling with corona virus outbreak.
Just a moment ago I've read that Starbucks is closing down 2000 it's branches all over China. Did you know that?
I believe that after chinese new year - people will be to afraid to go back to work. So export will most likely collapse. Businesses relying on products build in china (importers) will start having really difficult time - simply because of lack of the product.
I'm seriously worried. stay safe.
Yours, Piotr