There is real reason to be concerned about the current Coronavirus outbreak. Let’s define some terms
Epidemic is the occurrence of an incident or illness at a single epicenter or site.
Pandemic is the occurrence of multiple incidents of an illness at multiple sites around the world.
Coronavirus is now a pandemic occurring around the world. It is dangerous. It does kill.
This pandemic is unexpected, untreatable, unpreventable and at present uncontrollable. It can be lethal, but by all current information, those at greatest risks are the elderly, infirmed and those who have significant risk factors that compromise the immune system.
The data from China: The death toll skews old even more strongly. Overall, China CDC found, 2.3% of confirmed cases died. But the fatality rate was 14.8% in people 80 or older, likely reflecting the presence of other diseases, a weaker immune system, or simply worse overall health. By contrast, the fatality rate was 1.3% in 50-somethings, 0.4% in 40-somethings, and 0.2% in people 10 to 39.
An attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference — a major annual right-wing gathering held in Maryland this February and attended by President Trump — tested positive Saturday for the novel coronavirus, the host organization said as the U.S. death toll rose to 19.
When to worry and what to worry about as listed below. We have no control over this virus. But we can control our own behavior and help limit the spread. For the Coronavirus we must:
If you have any symptoms as the common cold, including cough, sniffles, fever, headache you most likely have a viral illness. Coronavirus is one such illness. It is indistinguishable from all the other viral illnesses except by special testing. Special testing is not readily available. So, you must follow these guidelines:
a. When presented with symptoms, avoid crowds, congregations and gatherings.
b. Avoid being with the elderly, or chronically infirmed. (Heart failure, lung disease, chemotherapy)
c. Talk by phone to your physician, nurse practitioner, or other health care provider to alert them of your symptoms.
d. Always use the common personal hygiene methods of thoroughly washing your hands frequently after every contact.
e. Cough into your flexed elbow, not into your palm.
These are things over which we have no control listed below.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/weather-stories/2019/04/22/no-lightning-deaths-yet-in-2019
43 deaths lightning strikes
https://www.thetrace.org/2020/01/gun-deaths-2019-increase/ 16,000 gun deaths
https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatality-estimates 40,000 deaths
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-home-front/2009/08/31/the-top-5-causes-of-accidental-home-injury-deathsand-how-to-prevent-them 18,000 at home accident deaths
We should prepare for the things over which we have some control.
https://www.health.com/condition/cold-flu-sinus/how-many-people-die-of-the-flu-every-year 2017 61,000 deaths
1. We should get influenza vaccination (over 6 months of age)
2. We should get pneumonia vaccination (over age 60 years or with chronic illnesses)
3. Eat healthy
4. Don’t smoke
5. Watch your weight and diet and exercise
6. Staying healthy lowers your risk.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6908e1.htm Coronavirus 2020 USA 20 deaths
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’