woodswise
TID Board Of Directors
- Apr 29, 2012
- 4,327
- 1,326
I have been doing a lot of reading on the Corona Virus that is sweeping the world right now.
Many people are in a panic about it, and many see the hysteria as foolish or even cynically motivated.
Here are the facts as I have been able to glean them, after reading several pieces by scientists and health organizations.
The current Coronavirus is a new strain of a type of virus in the flu/common cold family of viruses, that is believed to have originated in animals then transmitted to humans in China. It is not uncommon for this to happen, and often the new strain proves to be more fear inspiring than actually harmful. In the present case, though there is cause for concern, we won't know how bad or mild it will prove to be, until it has run its course.
We do know that because it is a new strain that humans have not been exposed to previously, we will not have existing antibodies to fight it. Therefore it is likely to prove significantly more deadly than the normal flu. Early reports suggest a 2% to 3.5% death rate for people who contract it. That statistic is likely to be high, because some people who are exposed do not show any symptoms, and therefore are not being tested for it. In contrast, the death rate from the normal flu virus (to which we have all been exposed, and which mutates within the human population over time into slightly newer versions to which we have not been exposed but still have decent immunity) is 0.1%. To look at something more deadly consider the Spanish Influenza epidemic during WWI, which reportedly had a death rate of 10%. This number, too is likely to be too high because logic and the lack of ability to scientifically test for it would suggest it was likely measured only according to those who caught it and were acutely ill, and that those with normal flu like symptoms (even if a mild case of Spanish Influenza) being regarded as having only normal flu.
Regardless whether the new Corona Virus proves to be truly dealy or not, it is easily controlled with simple steps.
1. Wash your hands often. Soap and water with washing the hands for 20 seconds is best.
2. Wear protective gloves that you throw away after touching handles and other objects in public.
3. Do not touch your face.
4. If you are showing signs of illness stay home.
5. Sneeze or cough into a kleenex and discard it.
6. Sneeze or cough into your elbow if you don't have a kleenex.
7. Avoid hand contact with others, and surfaces that others are likely to touch (doorknobs, buttons for elevators, etc., light switches, etc.). When possible, use your elbows or knuckles to touch those surfaces.
We do know the incubation time is 4 to 14 days for the virus. So if you were exposed to someone with the virus, you should watch for symptoms for about 14 days and avoid going to crowded places or other public places until it is clear you did not contract it.
Many people are in a panic about it, and many see the hysteria as foolish or even cynically motivated.
Here are the facts as I have been able to glean them, after reading several pieces by scientists and health organizations.
The current Coronavirus is a new strain of a type of virus in the flu/common cold family of viruses, that is believed to have originated in animals then transmitted to humans in China. It is not uncommon for this to happen, and often the new strain proves to be more fear inspiring than actually harmful. In the present case, though there is cause for concern, we won't know how bad or mild it will prove to be, until it has run its course.
We do know that because it is a new strain that humans have not been exposed to previously, we will not have existing antibodies to fight it. Therefore it is likely to prove significantly more deadly than the normal flu. Early reports suggest a 2% to 3.5% death rate for people who contract it. That statistic is likely to be high, because some people who are exposed do not show any symptoms, and therefore are not being tested for it. In contrast, the death rate from the normal flu virus (to which we have all been exposed, and which mutates within the human population over time into slightly newer versions to which we have not been exposed but still have decent immunity) is 0.1%. To look at something more deadly consider the Spanish Influenza epidemic during WWI, which reportedly had a death rate of 10%. This number, too is likely to be too high because logic and the lack of ability to scientifically test for it would suggest it was likely measured only according to those who caught it and were acutely ill, and that those with normal flu like symptoms (even if a mild case of Spanish Influenza) being regarded as having only normal flu.
Regardless whether the new Corona Virus proves to be truly dealy or not, it is easily controlled with simple steps.
1. Wash your hands often. Soap and water with washing the hands for 20 seconds is best.
2. Wear protective gloves that you throw away after touching handles and other objects in public.
3. Do not touch your face.
4. If you are showing signs of illness stay home.
5. Sneeze or cough into a kleenex and discard it.
6. Sneeze or cough into your elbow if you don't have a kleenex.
7. Avoid hand contact with others, and surfaces that others are likely to touch (doorknobs, buttons for elevators, etc., light switches, etc.). When possible, use your elbows or knuckles to touch those surfaces.
We do know the incubation time is 4 to 14 days for the virus. So if you were exposed to someone with the virus, you should watch for symptoms for about 14 days and avoid going to crowded places or other public places until it is clear you did not contract it.
