With so much confusion, with one set of people saying one thing, another set saying the direct opposite, with cancellations of large (and not so large) gatherings, people out of work, with so much uncertainty...panic sets in.
At times like this I am reminded of the Rudyard Kipling poem about keeping one's head. This? This is a time to keep one's head. Not panicking. Not hoarding. Not going to work sick.
All of these things are difficult right now. I am having to actively work to focus on what CAN be done to help mitigate the spread of the virus. I am constantly reminding myself to stay calm. To act with an 'abundance of caution'.
Yes, all these apparently draconian measures can seem over the top. The death rate seems low enough - just 2 to 3% according to some. Although the accuracy of that number is in question because it depends on massive testing to find out just how wide spread the virus is. And that wide spread testing simply isn't happening to the south of us.
So the numbers are skewed and may actually appear higher than they really are.
However.
However.
The numbers are available for other countries. South Korea was fast off the mark in terms of testing so I would take those as currently the most accurate. Even so, the numbers are huge. Let's make it easy.
Let's say 1 million (1,000,000) people become infected. Let's say 2% of those die. That's (checks calculator) 20,000 could quite possible die. Many more will have become very ill. Some will have damaged lungs, leaving them open to other lung diseases for the rest of their lives.
In my town of 70,000 (give or take), 2% of the population means 1400 people could potentially die in a very short period of time. Of that number a large number of those people will be older or immune compromised. 1400 people in a town my size is a huge number. That number would include people who have worked hard for this community as volunteers, leaders, business owners.
Combine that with hundreds more ill? This could be disastrous.
Many towns and villages in this province are geographically remote. If no one carries the virus to them, their people will most likely be fine. But people need to stay home. Not travel. Not gather. Because more and more frequently it is being noted that carriers are showing no to very little sign of being sick.
Typhoid Mary became famous for one very good reason. She infected many many people, who then spread the disease far and wide.
Don't be a Typhoid Mary.
Don't panic. Just stay calm. Check in with friends. We have the internet. We have phones. We have the means to stop this exponential growth. We have the means to protect each other from harm.
Be a helper. And wash your hands. With soap.
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4 comments:
2% sounds like a small number until you actually do the math, and then you think about the actual people who will be in that number rather than just the number and you realise there will be people you know and love; then it becomes a human issue not a maths one. I worry for my parents who are both in their 70's, my IL's who both have health issues and are in their 70's and 80's and my husband who had really bad asthma as a child and has had pneumonia a couple of times. People need to remember that their actions have effects on others and to be sensible and follow the guidelines that are in place for a reason.
Exactly. Best wishes to you and yours.
Very well said, Laura. Thank you. On the brighter side ???? perhaps my spring cleaning will be a better than usual job :-)
Stay well,
Rose
Being cautious is not in my nature, but has become my practice since my injury. Perhaps a good weaving session, followed by a session with Bach, followed by some tatting will keep me sane. Best to you and hope the isolation helps.
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