THE NEW "PLAGUE"

This is the first of two blogs relating to health care

The Corona virus is a real threat to our society which is unprepared.  Already there has been one death in the state of Washington and four more confirmed cases nationwide.

While it may be true that, if you can believe them, according to statistics from China suggest that only 3% of cases are fatal in a city like Plainfield with a population of 50,000 that would mean 1500 fatalities; not an insignificant number.

China has never reported any age distribution in the reported deaths. I would suspect that the elderly and very young would be a disproportional large number since  both groups can not tolerate pneumonias.

Comparing it with the Flue’s annual relativity small number of deaths with 29 million reported cases and only half the total population vaccinated disregards Corono ‘s impact similar to the 14th century Black Plague.

All the Administrations remarks that it will die with the warm months demonstrates a lack of understanding viruses. CDC’s reaction when it was first reported in China. CDC should have been trying to develop a vaccine.as well as an easy test.  The problem there may have been due to Administration’s reduction in CDC allocations and staff in favor of its own agendas.

Earlier understanding the method of spread would have been important. As now thought this virus spreads by hand contact of contaminated surfaces and inadvertently touch the eyes or mouth.

Air contamination may not occur.   If so, washing of hands with soap after any contact and wearing outside disposable gloves as well as an immediate “mud room” change of washable or disposable for protected inside the home cloths may suffice. But don’t forget visitors outside clothing can contaminate the houseso inside disinfection must also be done. That may be enough for personal protection

There is a question if wearing a mask will give the wearer any needed protection.  No one knows the life if any of this virus in the air.The only danger may be when spray from a sneeze or cough hits the mask. 

When I started this blog there was 1 death and 4 other confirfmed cases in th USA. On Feb 29 there were reported 22 cases! It will spread but is still controllable.

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