It is a familiar and eerie sight. People walking around in public with white gas masks, like they did during the Spanish flu pandemic in 1919 or the SARS outbreak in 2003. The scene looks apocalyptic!
Why the altered behaviour? Because out of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, perhaps from an illegal poultry or livestock vendor, has come a fast-spreading virus called Coronavirus, officially known as 2019-nCov.
Several cities in China are in ‘lock-down’ to prevent spreading. The United States has issued a rate health emergency. It, along with other countries, have banned non-citizens from entering if they have been to China.
At this point, despite their efforts, China has not been able to control the virus, not yet – even with the lock downs. This is even more concerning since China is a highly controlled, non-democratic society.
To gain perspective, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) affected 8,000 people in perhaps 20 countries, with a death toll of 800. Coronavirus has, as of this date, has stricken 12,000 cases, 100 of them outside of China, and 259 deaths, all in China until now, though a death was reported of a Chinese man in the Philippines. Many of the deceased were very young or older people with respiratory issues to begin with. In addition, normal flu and malaria are far more deadly than coronavirus.
Contrast this to the pandemic of a century ago, where millions of people died within that two year period. More deaths were credited to the Spanish flu than to World War I, which immediately preceded it.
Something else to consider in addition to the public health issue – it is the economic impact. The Chinese Lunar New Year has been greatly affected by coronavirus. It is normally the biggest shopping season of the year, but consumer appetites have dropped dramatically due to the virus. China has banned its citizens from going on overseas group tours. SE Asia will be see diminished Chinese tourists and overall curtailment of trade. This also applies to other parts of the world.
Should We Worry?
… and there shall be famines, and pestilences,
and earthquakes, in divers places — Matthew 24:7
Yes, Jesus Christ predicted last days pestilences before His return to this planet. Yet, in the previous verse, He strongly adds ‘See that you are not troubled.’ While we should be aware, we should not be alarmed. Under no circumstances, are people of faith to be troubled or afraid or worried (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-9).
It is of the utmost importance that people are not provoked into panic. Such a reaction is worse than the health threat itself. Faith-people should remain calm and encourage others to do likewise. The opposite emotion can be dangerous and destructive. Fear can be conquered by faith and the perfect love of God (I John 4:18).
So what should we do? Relax, calm down, and be level-headed.
Practical Steps to Prevention
For those who would like to take some practical steps from being afflicted by any virus, not just coronavirus, here are a few tips on sanitation and supplementation:
1. Wipe everything down: This includes computer keyboards, phones, things that might be on the floor like purses, briefcases, other bags, and even the table/tray used to eat meals on the airplane. Wet wipes, hand-sanitisers, and disinfectants are your tools.
2. Get good sleep: That goes without saying; you can’t beat illness if your system is run down due to lack of sleep.
3. Public coughing: Hold your breath if someone is coughing and sneezing your way. Face masks apparently are not that effective, unless it is to keep your germs from going to others;
4. Hand sanitiser: Keep them handy on your person, your car, and/or your desk;
5. Wash hands regularly: Good trusty normal soap and warm-water is actually the best. Hands should be washed thoroughly, 20-30 seconds – not just a quick run of the tap. Wash after being outside, in public, before meals, and, of course, after visiting the washroom;
6. Toilets (public and private): Remember that public toilets, door handles, taps (faucets), soap dispenser and, yes, even the hand dryers, are a breeding ground for bacteria, including viruses. Hand dryers can spread the germs around and, if possible, use paper towels instead, for drying your hand and to use on the door handle. What about at home (or someone else’s home)? Be sure to put down the toilet lid before flushing to keep germs from becoming airborne;
TO BE CONTINUED: Next time, there will be an emphasis on supplementation and the Scriptures.