Epidemic...Pandemic...Contagion
The whole world, well, except for Antartica (which, by the way, is very strange) is in the grips of an all out offensive against a very deadly virus called the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Offensive being stay at home and do nothing.
The Coronavirus was either transmitted to a human by a bat or a pangolin at a live animal and seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Or if you believe in conspiracy theories it was bio-engineered by a super power (take your pick).
Whichever one it is, this little monster is a menace. It is a menace because as far as Coronaviruses go, this is a novel virus that has not been seen before and all the scientists in the world are scrambling to figure it out.
There have been so many conflicting stories about its origins, how it is transmitted, its incubation period, who is easily susceptible and while the scientists are scrambling to create a vaccine, this thing is killing mostly the elderly and infirmed, and people with underlying illnesses.
The story is that most people recover fully but what happens to the recovered person and their houseguest, Mr. COVID? Is the virus a permanent visitor who lays dormant and revisits when it feels like? Do the antibodies created protect against future infections?
When this started, Donald Trump called the disease a hoax, there were people all over social media touting sensationalism and calling out other viruses that were similar, the Flu. The problem is, this chinch does more than cause fevers and aches and pains, it grabs hold of ones lungs and puts its victim in full on pneumonia with a side of diarrhea. Why so rude???
There was also talk that the virus could not survive in hot climates, despite the fact that Australia and Iran are being ravaged by this monster. Nigerians were taking the piss because another fun rumour was that the virus did not affect black people.
As it stands, this virus is not very concerned about who you are, Prince Charles, Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Rand Paul or Atiku's son; that virus will visit you.
So what to do?
The one thing we are sure of is that the virus hides, it may not show up when initially tested, it also does not cause symptoms in everybody it invades. So, one may be asymptomatic and yet pass on the virus to others.
About that offensive, the world is practicing Social Distancing; remember that phrase, it may show up on some College Course examination. Travel bans have been imposed. Certain areas have been asked to keep the milling around to groups of less that 50. Some countries have imposed full on curfews, as in the case of Italy were the virus is intent on wiping out a whole generation of Baby Boomers and Silent Generations.
In the States, the Gen Z's and Millis are spring breaking at the beaches in Florida and California; why do people play so much?
On the bright side, families are being forced to spend time together; teachers and delivery drivers are receiving some much needed respek on their names.
We are living in a time that is eerily reminiscent of the days of the Passover, Black Plague and Spanish Flu...things I never expected to experience in this lifetime.
So people, don't be foolish, think of the feeble, shelter your butt in place and pray that this virus goes bye-bye!!
Offensive being stay at home and do nothing.
The Coronavirus was either transmitted to a human by a bat or a pangolin at a live animal and seafood market in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Or if you believe in conspiracy theories it was bio-engineered by a super power (take your pick).
Whichever one it is, this little monster is a menace. It is a menace because as far as Coronaviruses go, this is a novel virus that has not been seen before and all the scientists in the world are scrambling to figure it out.
There have been so many conflicting stories about its origins, how it is transmitted, its incubation period, who is easily susceptible and while the scientists are scrambling to create a vaccine, this thing is killing mostly the elderly and infirmed, and people with underlying illnesses.
The story is that most people recover fully but what happens to the recovered person and their houseguest, Mr. COVID? Is the virus a permanent visitor who lays dormant and revisits when it feels like? Do the antibodies created protect against future infections?
When this started, Donald Trump called the disease a hoax, there were people all over social media touting sensationalism and calling out other viruses that were similar, the Flu. The problem is, this chinch does more than cause fevers and aches and pains, it grabs hold of ones lungs and puts its victim in full on pneumonia with a side of diarrhea. Why so rude???
There was also talk that the virus could not survive in hot climates, despite the fact that Australia and Iran are being ravaged by this monster. Nigerians were taking the piss because another fun rumour was that the virus did not affect black people.
As it stands, this virus is not very concerned about who you are, Prince Charles, Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Rand Paul or Atiku's son; that virus will visit you.
So what to do?
The one thing we are sure of is that the virus hides, it may not show up when initially tested, it also does not cause symptoms in everybody it invades. So, one may be asymptomatic and yet pass on the virus to others.
An infected person can spread this nuisance through saliva droplets or discharges from their nostrils when they cough or sneeze; so please cover your damn orifices!!! Hand to face is so not a good idea!!! Wash your hands like your life depends on it and stop touching your face, if you can't get to a tap, keep some hand sani handy!
About that offensive, the world is practicing Social Distancing; remember that phrase, it may show up on some College Course examination. Travel bans have been imposed. Certain areas have been asked to keep the milling around to groups of less that 50. Some countries have imposed full on curfews, as in the case of Italy were the virus is intent on wiping out a whole generation of Baby Boomers and Silent Generations.
In the States, the Gen Z's and Millis are spring breaking at the beaches in Florida and California; why do people play so much?
On the bright side, families are being forced to spend time together; teachers and delivery drivers are receiving some much needed respek on their names.
We are living in a time that is eerily reminiscent of the days of the Passover, Black Plague and Spanish Flu...things I never expected to experience in this lifetime.
So people, don't be foolish, think of the feeble, shelter your butt in place and pray that this virus goes bye-bye!!
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