Common Sense, Folks
Coronavirus.
It has nothing to do with Corona beer (Drink it without any more fear than that of a thumping headache if you get soused.).
It isn't the common flu (It can cause viral pneumonia, and that, believe me, is no fun. Been there, done that.).
It wasn't developed in a laboratory to decimate the human population (For the love of God, conspiracy nuts, there are much more effective, naturally occurring diseases out there that would do that!).
It's not hovering in the air above us (Unless you're in contact with someone who's been in contact with someone who's gotten infected, you're safe; the ether theory of illnesses has long been disproven.).
The best way of avoiding infection is by the simple method of washing your hands, not by wearing surgical masks or wrapping yourself up like an extra from Contagion. (And if you have to be reminded to wash your hands, you've forgotten one of the most basic lessons of kindergarten, you ignorant lout.).
Every time I open up Facebook, I am assaulted with claims that make me wish literacy was measured by knowledge of basic science, instead of simply being able to read and write. Everybody can read and write nowadays. Not everyone can think. From xenophobes to hypochondriacs, the extremes of human nature are out in view with this new virus. It makes you wonder why humans are considered a rational animal. My cats make more rational decisions than most humans.
Some thoughts and facts gleaned from the serious reporters out there (Yes, conspiracy nuts, they exist, and they tell the truth.).
1. This new virus belongs to the same family as some human cold viruses. It simply hasn't been seen in humans before. Or we think it hasn't been. Before laboratory analyses in the twentieth century, people got sick and died in epidemics, too, and we couldn't analyse which specific virus killed them.
2. The greatest threat when it was first discovered was that of mutation into something more deadly. It hasn't happened.
3. The most important reason for the quarantines is to stop the virus from entering the seasonal circulation of flu and colds. There are already enough common illnesses out there, why let another one join the club? Even though a vaccine will most likely be created, the best defense is that of eradication from circulation among humans. Remember smallpox? I bet most of you didn't get a vaccine for it. That's because it's been eradicated. One less virical threat to humans, and there are many out there.
4. Okay, so those most affected are older people with underlying health issues. Most of the population is stong and healthy. Many who have been infected didn't even know they were. But why risk losing grandma or grandpa to an illness? I can only imagine the pain too many families are going through behind the (small) statistics of deaths from this virus. That, to me, is a pretty good reason to keep this virus out of the common circulation.
The thing is, we should be alarmed, but not run screaming to the hills. It's called basic common sense, and that is something that is sadly lacking in too many people. I've seen people wearing a homemade mask walking along back lanes to feed livestock. That is not necessary. My husband, wonderful soul that he is, bought one of the last bags of masks from a hardware store to give to me, to protect me. I'm at risk because I have asthma, but I'm not wearing them. Here, in Galicia, is one of the last bastions of Spain that the virus has not yet appeared. A mask wouldn't keep me very safe, because only special masks with filters can help, and those are used by health personnel. Masks should be used by those who are sick, to prevent the droplets of their breathing from going very far.
What will keep me safe is avoiding large concentrations of people, should the virus appear, and washing my hands before touching my face. That will keep everyone safe. While we shouldn't be living footloose and fancy free, going where we please during this outbreak, we shouldn't be living hunkering in bunkers like the end of the world is nigh, either. Small, simple precautions are all that should be taken to avoid the spread of this new virus.
And drink all the Corona beer you want, just not the entire sixpack at one sitting.
It has nothing to do with Corona beer (Drink it without any more fear than that of a thumping headache if you get soused.).
It isn't the common flu (It can cause viral pneumonia, and that, believe me, is no fun. Been there, done that.).
It wasn't developed in a laboratory to decimate the human population (For the love of God, conspiracy nuts, there are much more effective, naturally occurring diseases out there that would do that!).
It's not hovering in the air above us (Unless you're in contact with someone who's been in contact with someone who's gotten infected, you're safe; the ether theory of illnesses has long been disproven.).
The best way of avoiding infection is by the simple method of washing your hands, not by wearing surgical masks or wrapping yourself up like an extra from Contagion. (And if you have to be reminded to wash your hands, you've forgotten one of the most basic lessons of kindergarten, you ignorant lout.).
Every time I open up Facebook, I am assaulted with claims that make me wish literacy was measured by knowledge of basic science, instead of simply being able to read and write. Everybody can read and write nowadays. Not everyone can think. From xenophobes to hypochondriacs, the extremes of human nature are out in view with this new virus. It makes you wonder why humans are considered a rational animal. My cats make more rational decisions than most humans.
Some thoughts and facts gleaned from the serious reporters out there (Yes, conspiracy nuts, they exist, and they tell the truth.).
1. This new virus belongs to the same family as some human cold viruses. It simply hasn't been seen in humans before. Or we think it hasn't been. Before laboratory analyses in the twentieth century, people got sick and died in epidemics, too, and we couldn't analyse which specific virus killed them.
2. The greatest threat when it was first discovered was that of mutation into something more deadly. It hasn't happened.
3. The most important reason for the quarantines is to stop the virus from entering the seasonal circulation of flu and colds. There are already enough common illnesses out there, why let another one join the club? Even though a vaccine will most likely be created, the best defense is that of eradication from circulation among humans. Remember smallpox? I bet most of you didn't get a vaccine for it. That's because it's been eradicated. One less virical threat to humans, and there are many out there.
4. Okay, so those most affected are older people with underlying health issues. Most of the population is stong and healthy. Many who have been infected didn't even know they were. But why risk losing grandma or grandpa to an illness? I can only imagine the pain too many families are going through behind the (small) statistics of deaths from this virus. That, to me, is a pretty good reason to keep this virus out of the common circulation.
The thing is, we should be alarmed, but not run screaming to the hills. It's called basic common sense, and that is something that is sadly lacking in too many people. I've seen people wearing a homemade mask walking along back lanes to feed livestock. That is not necessary. My husband, wonderful soul that he is, bought one of the last bags of masks from a hardware store to give to me, to protect me. I'm at risk because I have asthma, but I'm not wearing them. Here, in Galicia, is one of the last bastions of Spain that the virus has not yet appeared. A mask wouldn't keep me very safe, because only special masks with filters can help, and those are used by health personnel. Masks should be used by those who are sick, to prevent the droplets of their breathing from going very far.
What will keep me safe is avoiding large concentrations of people, should the virus appear, and washing my hands before touching my face. That will keep everyone safe. While we shouldn't be living footloose and fancy free, going where we please during this outbreak, we shouldn't be living hunkering in bunkers like the end of the world is nigh, either. Small, simple precautions are all that should be taken to avoid the spread of this new virus.
And drink all the Corona beer you want, just not the entire sixpack at one sitting.
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