The Coronavirus, A Nonpartisan Issue and Disease

Let’s be clear, all viruses, the Coronavirus included, do not care about race, religion, skin color or even political affiliation. This is one issue where both sides of the ideological spectrum should be working together to defeat this common foe. We should all be condemning any politicization of this or any virus or disease that threatens our country. So, what should our politicians be doing for our citizens in the face of the Coronavirus challenge?

First of all, they should be sharing the FACTS with the entire country, and not resorting to hyperbole and outright misinformation. For example, the Coronavirus is NOT the equivalent to the Spanish Flu, as I have heard it compared to. In 1918, the Spanish Flu affected 500 million people world-wide and killed 20 million people which translates to a 4% mortality rate. It killed nearly 700,000 people in the US when America’s population was only about 100 million people. Given today’s population of over 300 million that would convert to about two million deaths here in the states. The Coronavirus is not the Spanish Flu!

The Coronavirus is not even the equivalent to our annual flu viruses that we have experienced over the last nine years according to the CDC. Over the last nine years nearly 30 million people per year get the Flu in the US, and we have averaged over 37,000 deaths per year. That is only a 0.13% mortality rate, but because it is so common, it accounts for many deaths, especially in the elderly and very young.

As of today, there are over 80,000 cases of the Coronavirus world-wide, but only 80 cases so far in the US thanks to some early travel restrictions initiated by President Trump. The Death rate seems to be about 2%, which is much higher than our normal flu, but not near the Spanish Flu rate or the Ebola mortality rate which was about 50%. In America, there have been two deaths so far and both have been from the same nursing home in Kirkland, WA.

There will, undoubtedly, be more cases in the US, but Americans should know that the risk to the general population is still very low. We have over 300 million people in America, and only 80 cases so far. It also seems to me that our federal, state and local governments are well positioned to minimize the impact of this virus. Travel restrictions are in place, identification is a priority as well as tracking the interactions of any of those infected. The production of materials necessary to contain this virus, like masks and testing kits, are being expedited, and multiple private groups seem very close to developing a vaccine which I’m sure will be fast-tracked into production.

Also, our government should be telling you what you personally can do to avoid infection. That word is getting out, but just in case you’ve missed it, let me outline what you can do to keep yourself and your family safe. I could put “Duh” behind each of these suggestions:

1. Avoid people who are already sick or show the symptoms of the flu.
2. Stay home when you are sick and avoid contaminating others.
3. Cover your cough or sneeze, preferably with a tissue, and then throw that tissue away.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water often, but primarily before you prepare or eat food.

And finally, don’t panic. While observing the above precautions, go about your life normally. Drink plenty of fluids (water), exercise, my wife says take extra vitamin D3, and get plenty of sleep. This will help keep your bodies strong so that it can fight off this virus in the unlikely event that you are infected. The other good news is that, if you follow the above regimen, you are also less likely to catch the common cold or this year’s version of the flu.