Conavirus......

How concerned are you about this virus? We've just had a case found here in Maricopa County (urban Phoenix area) from an ASU student just returned from Wuhan. What really scares me here is international travel is continuing AND the Chinese government has admitted that this virus can spread from person to person BEFORE an individual becomes symptomatic.

Maybe it's because one of my two favorite American works of fiction is Stephen King's The Stand - a horror novel I always found somewhat believable regarding a Superflu killing off most human beings on the planet. This virus has me spooked something fierce and I'm not alone in this. SO and family are spooked regarding the potential of this virus arriving in Mexico City which has numerous shantytowns on the outskirts.....tightly packed living conditions and less than first world sanitation standards.....whatever could go wrong there, you know?

I will be stocking up on over the counter immunity boosting herbs - it's what little I can do. Are you'all concerned? Thinking the media has overdone this? Or? Rob

I think we are always facing this possibility of this kind of epidemic, so I like your plan to keep yourself in the best health possible, use supplements, and use common sense.

This is not anything new. Watch this american Experience about the 1918 influenza outbreak:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexp...lms/influenza/

Very interesting, and talks about why we seem to forget this event.

The news media loves scare tactics stories. They love scaring you. Notice how you are taking up their bait “ being spooked something fierce.” Your SO and his family, also ” spooked.”

None of us can predict the future so we can only speak in generalities which are: some people will die from this infection, Probably not many, probably not people we know, we all need to work to maintain our immune system, this too shall pass.

Every time a new viral disease appears there is some risk that it will be highly communicable, high mortality, and/or difficult to control. So far we've been able to control or confine the new ones. This is not feeling like the big one, but it's probably too early to tell and you never know. I lost several ancestral relatives in the 1918 flu pandemic.

The coronavirus is the latest in a long string of bugs capable of doing serious harm to populations. The biggest threat is how mobile our society is these days with a good probability that someone infected on the other side of the world can bring it with them to a different continent in the course of a single day. Back in a simpler time we (the US) dealt with that sort of thing by setting up inspection stations such as Ellis Island where anyone visiting this country could be checked for disease before being granted entry. We don't do that anymore and heaven forbid any obviously racist, nationalistic, bitter clinging republican suggest it. That's the biggest threat we face with something like this.

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Originally Posted by Alan

Back in a simpler time we (the US) dealt with that sort of thing by setting up inspection stations such as Ellis Island where anyone visiting this country could be checked for disease before being granted entry. We don't do that anymore and heaven forbid any obviously racist, nationalistic, bitter clinging republican suggest it. That's the biggest threat we face with something like this.

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It's also worth mentioning Trump's budget cuts to the National Institute of Health and the CDC as a move to eliminate "government waste". Without making a study of things, they seemed large.

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Originally Posted by Alan

The coronavirus is the latest in a long string of bugs capable of doing serious harm to populations. The biggest threat is how mobile our society is these days with a good probability that someone infected on the other side of the world can bring it with them to a different continent in the course of a single day. Back in a simpler time we (the US) dealt with that sort of thing by setting up inspection stations such as Ellis Island where anyone visiting this country could be checked for disease before being granted entry. We don't do that anymore and heaven forbid any obviously racist, nationalistic, bitter clinging republican suggest it. That's the biggest threat we face with something like this.

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You’re such a bitter clinger. :~)

I'm on the regional infectious disease control team. We transport Ebola patients and other fun things. I keep a biohazard response kit packed and ready at all time, which includes the cool suits and so on.

We get information often a bit ahead of the media spin cycle, and it's often less-spun. The information I receive has consistently indicated the potential is much worse than most folks believe, and that the on-the-ground situation was much worse than is/was being reported. Consistently, about a day or two after each report I get, public information confirming has appeared.

We're taking all available precautions.

It is fascinating to watch the political posturing, media fluffery, anti-science mobs, and conspiracy nuts develop during the situation.

I'm planning to continue to sequester myself at home, to avoid hugging random people, and to keep an eye on developments--in other words, business as usual.

I hope this isn't really much of a threat.

I am somewhat concerned and glad that my kids are on their way home from Thailand. People over 60 are dying the most. My other son is in Vietnam and it’s a huge crowded city and I am concerned about when it gets there.

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

I am somewhat concerned and glad that my kids are on their way home from Thailand. People over 60 are dying the most. My other son is in Vietnam and it’s a huge crowded city and I am concerned about when it gets there.

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A problem these days is that the world is so interconnected.

You'd think my local community would be safe, being on an island 20 miles offshore. But, we are a major worldwide tourist destination, and we are right in between Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle. Which are tourist destinations themselves.

Some days back, this little tidbit came out from our medical director:

"Team,

Many of you have probably seen the news about the new virus from Wuhan, China, that has now made it's way to Everett as well as other countries throughout Asia. The largest annual migration in human history begins Friday (Chinese New Year) and last for one week. Given the large number of travelers and the very large population of Chinese immigrants in the lower mainland of BC it would not be surprising to see cases there over the next few weeks. There is no screening at the airports in either Seattle or Vancouver. Lunar New Year is similar to our Christmas holiday with many Chinese (and other Asian countries) traveling to share the holiday with friends and family."

Oh well, I guess we need something to control the population.

Also interesting is the amount of racism and jingoism this event has shaken out of the attic....

When any country has a virus outbreak that’s dangerous it would be prudent to close down the airports so people can’t fly until it’s under control. Of course that won’t happen because of the economic impact and violating civil rights. I would rather be inconvenienced but still alive. My mom said when she was young if you were contagious you hung a sign on your door so people were warned and you stayed home until well.

I was reading old newspapers from this area from 1918, and they quarantined our town from other towns that were only 20 miles away, and going into our town from the other town would get people arrested.

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Originally Posted by Tybee

I was reading old newspapers from this area from 1918, and they quarantined our town from other towns that were only 20 miles away, and going into our town from the other town would get people arrested.

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https://paw.princeton.edu/article/wh...ton-was-spared

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

When any country has a virus outbreak that’s dangerous it would be prudent to close down the airports so people can’t fly until it’s under control. Of course that won’t happen because of the economic impact and violating civil rights.

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My understanding is that the Chinese government moved incredibly swiftly to contain this, using measures that would never happen here in the USA.

However, often by the time such a clampdown happens, the infection has escaped the containment area. And with things like this, which look like they may be contagious before symptoms present, given the interconnectedness of modern society, the infection may have gotten around the planet before anyone knows there's a real problem developing.

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

I am somewhat concerned and glad that my kids are on their way home from Thailand. People over 60 are dying the most. My other son is in Vietnam and it’s a huge crowded city and I am concerned about when it gets there.

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I hope your children remain safe.

My sister-in-law and her husband are in China now and are coming home next week. They, along with DH and their siblings, will all gather in the hellishly hot family farm house in Iowa for a family meeting.


Last year at this time at the same hellishly hot stuffy farm house, gathering place for 35 people including snotty nosed toddlers who spread their demon germs everywhere, DH and I caught the bug from hell that had me sick for 12 months. I will not make the Iowa trip this time. I should quarantine DH.

Actually, thought bubble: I CAN do that! He can come back to Missouri through Hermann and can stay in Hermann through the Incubation period. I am serious I think I’m going to ask him to do that, assuming they do have this family meeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if they call it off due to the China travelers.

They should call off the meeting IL.

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

They should call off the meeting IL.

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yes, the micro climate of that house, shut up in the middle of winter with no outside ventilation, creates a petri dish.

I am guessing DH’s troublesome sister who is always sickly will cry “I can’t come due to China infection risk” and since she is pivotal in the deal making, it would render the meetup moot. That is, unless they do teleconferencing, which they might.

Rob you might like pandemic novels by Richard Preston and Michael Crichton.

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Originally Posted by bae

I'm on the regional infectious disease control team. We transport Ebola patients and other fun things. I keep a biohazard response kit packed and ready at all time, which includes the cool suits and so on.

We get information often a bit ahead of the media spin cycle, and it's often less-spun. The information I receive has consistently indicated the potential is much worse than most folks believe, and that the on-the-ground situation was much worse than is/was being reported. Consistently, about a day or two after each report I get, public information confirming has appeared.

We're taking all available precautions.

It is fascinating to watch the political posturing, media fluffery, anti-science mobs, and conspiracy nuts develop during the situation.

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reading your posts through the years you are extremely informed, logical and non hysterical. Your info was my initial feeling when Coronavirus news starting coming out. Our medical system is already taxed in many places.
looking at the breakdown of deaths, they are largely skewed towards 60 years old and up.

The cat is out of the bag, so to speak and the known cases are multiplying at frighteningly rapid rates. It is almost everywhere in the world now, with a very high mortality rate.

Besides the obvious health implications, this could have a big effect on the world economy. With large portions of China on lockdown, exports will be strained and as we all know, it is hard to find an article of clothing or any item for that matter made in North America. Retail and other service jobs such as restaurants and truck transport are such huge parts of our economy if people stay home and transport slows down (ie.people are afraid to fly, eat out or go to stores) we could be in for a rough ride.

I was due to travel to Asia and Europe again next month but had to turn it down because of scheduling conflicts, and I have to admit, I'm relieved. I like the notion of "sequestering the healthy" that was in the article bae posted about Princeton's response to the 1918 pandemic. The more I can sequester myself, within reason, the safer I'll feel until this thing is over.

I managed to break away from work for 1/2 hour yesterday - it's my busy season right now. To date there have been no conference cancellations but this could change going forward. During my 1/2 hour away from work I was able to buy a few bottles of goldenseal tincture for myself and family plus I've bought more online to arrive soon. Ir's what little I can do. Also I'm eating raw onion - small amounts - before I call it a day - raw onion has been documented to kill off TB. Chewing parsley helps with breath and onions are not as breath problematic as garlic. Wondering if garlic tincture exists? It's a wonderful immune booster.

And something nice? The citrus tree in my front yard is a source of immune boosting vitamin C. I just believe now is a time to hunker down and boost immunity. And my trip to Thailand is up in the air. I believe it's best to see how this virus is going to play out before visiting SE Asia. Rob

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Originally Posted by Yppej

Rob you might like pandemic novels by Richard Preston and Michael Crichton.

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Thank You, Yppej. I will look into these novels for post season reading. Rob

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Originally Posted by catherine

I was due to travel to Asia and Europe again next month but had to turn it down because of scheduling conflicts, and I have to admit, I'm relieved. I like the notion of "sequestering the healthy" that was in the article bae posted about Princeton's response to the 1918 pandemic. The more I can sequester myself, within reason, the safer I'll feel until this thing is over.

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I can completely understand your relief, Catherine. I myself am putting off travel to Thailand until such a date as there is more safety from and more overall known about this virus. Just think it's for the best. Rob

If onions and garlic are the answer, Iris Lily and I are covered. :~)

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Originally Posted by bae

https://paw.princeton.edu/article/wh...ton-was-spared

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interesting. I imagine subways, amusement parks, airplanes and airports, super bowl stadiums etc. would be very difficult places to avoid the virus if it continues to spread. For people in cities, this would prove to be difficult just to live.

We live 1.5 hours from disneyworld so I would not be surprised to see cases near me. All the theme parks are always packed. Even going to the grocery store when it is not crowded seems prudent. Self isolation as much as possible does not seem like a bad idea as this evolves.

by the way, rumors are spreading it is much worse in China than authorities have let on. Imagine, government officials could be lying. .

I did a major resupply trip to my Grocery Outlet today, so I'm set for a siege.
I always gauge my shopping trips to avoid traffic and excess people, as I need a nearby parking place.

Aren't they quarantining people in place? I swear I read somewhere the authorities are shooting people who try to leave. That can't be right...

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Originally Posted by flowerseverywhere

interesting. I imagine subways, amusement parks, airplanes and airports, super bowl stadiums etc. would be very difficult places to avoid the virus if it continues to spread. For people in cities, this would prove to be difficult just to live.

We live 1.5 hours from disneyworld so I would not be surprised to see cases near me. All the theme parks are always packed. Even going to the grocery store when it is not crowded seems prudent. Self isolation as much as possible does not seem like a bad idea as this evolves.

by the way, rumors are spreading it is much worse in China than authorities have let on. Imagine, government officials could be lying. .

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Though it is a bit of a gloom porn site, on The Economic Collapse, yesterday's blog entry was about just that.....things being worse in China than the Chinese government is letting on. Who knows? Rob

It just amazes me when they said Wuhan was the size of London, 10 million or so. Imagine any city of that size being quarantined in any other country. There are Youtube videos being made by westerners in Wuhan showing how it is.

My kids got home from Thailand yesterday and said Bangkok airport was full of coughing Chinese returning home from the holidays.

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

My kids got home from Thailand yesterday and said Bangkok airport was full of coughing Chinese returning home from the holidays.

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Yikes! It begins...:0!

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

My kids got home from Thailand yesterday and said Bangkok airport was full of coughing Chinese returning home from the holidays.

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My daughter lives in Cambridge in the UK. It is a major tourist destination for Chinese folks. Her housing this year is in a lovely new-ish college, with a large proportion of foreign grad students, especially from the Pacific Rim.

Fingers crossed. If she sticks to her usual lifestyle of living in the sub-basement of some forgotten library reading through 1200 year old manuscripts, she'll be fine.

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Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

My kids got home from Thailand yesterday and said Bangkok airport was full of coughing Chinese returning home from the holidays.

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TT, the latest I have read is that Thailand is up to 14 cases and with your son's experience at the Bangkok Airport, I'm all about holding off on a visit to Bangkok until we see how this virus is going to play out. Something positive for once about this virus - if this indeed can be considered positive per se - is that the mortality rate thus far is averaging 2.1% - I'm still taking goldenseal and eating onions anyway, and I'm also stocking up on oil of oregano, also an over the counter antibiotic. On the offhand chance a worst case scenario indeed arrives in North America, I'm already fully stocked up on garlic.....one of the world's best antibiotics and reputed to kill off almost anything. Under a worst case scenario, social approval matters zilch and garlic breath may very well become trendy and a sign of common sense/intelligence. I hope we don't find out if this is indeed the case but I believe in stocking up, just in case. And if not necessary, I still have garlic for cooking at home. Rob

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

Yikes! It begins...:0!

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Scary, yes. I'm just glad Thailand has socialized medicine. There is poverty for sure in Thailand and some of the conditions which spread viruses/disease - poverty, crowding, and inadequate sanitation. But look at Hong Kong - it has cases of this virus and great sanitation and little grinding poverty - crowded living conditions seem to be enough with this virus. Very scary - think of Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Boston - all crowded space-at-a-premium cities. At least people in Thailand can access some level of health care by virtue of being a human being with Thai citizenship, unlike in the United States. Perhaps, if this virus does blow up - America will be exposed for the extreme citizenship risk human life not being worth socialized medicine truly is. Sad that it would take many deaths for more Americans to realize this - but it is what it is. Rob

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Originally Posted by Alan

... Back in a simpler time we (the US) dealt with that sort of thing by setting up inspection stations such as Ellis Island where anyone visiting this country could be checked for disease before being granted entry. We don't do that anymore...

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I understand that at 20 US airports, which handle 90% of deplaning passengers from China, there is medical screening (Does each passenger have a fever? do they appear to be sniffling or coughing?) Passengers also fill out a questionnaire before the plane lands.

Passengers who are suspected of being sick may be assigned to one of 20 regional quarantine stations... and I think they can be held a couple of weeks.

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Originally Posted by gimmethesimplelife

I'm still taking goldenseal and eating onions anyway, and I'm also stocking up on oil of oregano, also an over the counter antibiotic. On the offhand chance a worst case scenario indeed arrives in North America, I'm already fully stocked up on garlic.....one of the world's best antibiotics and reputed to kill off almost anything.

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So, do you know what antibiotics do?

How well do they work on viruses?

Show your sources...

I might also recommend looking into the FEMA structure marking protocols, and make sure your neighbors understand them...

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Originally Posted by bae

So, do you know what antibiotics do?

How well do they work on viruses?

Show your sources...

I might also recommend looking into the FEMA structure marking protocols, and make sure your neighbors understand them...

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The excuse doctors use for over-prescription seems to be "You may have a concomitant bacterial infection, too--so just to be sure..."
Australian researchers have managed to clone the virus, so a vaccine is likely in the works.
I wonder if existing anti-virals work on this strain.