We started this discussion yesterday.  Covid-19.

Sure, it’s disrupted our business chains.  As corporations began seeking out the cheapest places to make components, it’s not surprising that when those places manifest natural disasters or epidemics the entire company feels the effects.  Like GM and Hyundai, which have curtailed production.  Or, Apple, falling behind with its phone business.

But, there are more (?) important repercussions.

After all, the Global Health Security Index [Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Economist Intelligence Unit, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative] recognizes that health security is abysmal around the world.  Not one nation is prepared for an epidemic or a pandemic.   (So, while the claims of TheDonald that we rank first in the world may be true- it just means we are the best of the worst.)

It is also true that we need sober and calm folks leading the charge.  But, outright lies like..

“We’ve had tremendous success, tremendous success beyond what most people would have thought…”
          “We’ve done, really, an extraordinary job…”
          “The risk to the American people remains very low…”  just exacerbate the public tension.  Not to mention the stock market reaction.  (I keep mentioning the stock market, because it’s pretty clear that TheDonald and his minions think that’s the ultimate arbiter as to the success of his administration.)

Before TheDonald shut her up, Dr. Nancy Messonnier (head of the CDC, and a most sober professional) admitted the truth.  “…ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in the United States. It’s not a question of if this will happen, but when this will happen, and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses…Disruptions to everyday life may be severe, but people might want to start thinking about that now.”

The real facts, if the data from China are correct, is that our elderly have a 1 in 7 chance of dying if infected.  That’s way worse than the flu.  So, Dr. Messonnier was doing her job- the right way.

Or, the concept of putting Tony Fauci (another sober individual, serving as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), one of the top world experts, on the sidelines so that Mike Pence, who bungled Indiana’s disease outbreak, can shine at the top of the chain is outright fallacy.  (Fauci was informed to cancel the 5 appearance on TV weekend shows; he has since been cleared, because TheDonald realized or was informed that this was a terrible idea- even for him.)

I know, you want me to recognize that Pence did add Ambassador (and physician, Dr.) Deborah Brix as “coordinator” for the pandemic response.  She has done a great job coordinating  HIV/AIDS services around the world.  That disease- and our response to it-  is vastly different from this pandemic; but she is smart enough to adjust her approach, if Pence and TheDonald so allow.

We humans can become infectious before we manifest symptoms- so we don’t even know if we are danger to ourselves or others.  Not to mention the fact that the USA lacks the ability to arm every hospital with test kits to discern if those walking into the ER are infected with Covid-19.  (This is why it is MOST prudent to stay home and not go to the ER is you have flu-like symptoms.  [Please DO call your physician or local health facility to inform them and obtain valid advice and drugs to attenuate the symptoms.]  So the ability to infect those already compromised folks in the ER is attenuated.  And, make sure you do stay hydrated, use OTC [over-the-counter] drugs to alleviate respiratory symptoms, etc.)

Another useful fact.  Should someone in your immediate family or a housemate develop symptoms- keep that person masked.  The mask is more effective in restricting droplets and aerosols being expelled.  We should sleep separately from them.  We need to provide them that 14 day quarantine from close, intimate contact with yourself.

The real problem with Covid-19 is that if we are within 6 feet of an infected person, we are at risk.  The longer we are there, the greater the risk.  (For the flu, the duration is about 10 minutes- we have no idea what a “safe” time is for this coronavirus.) After all, we’ve cut down the air-handling in our houses and offices (to conserve energy) and most of us don’t have special filters on our HVAC’s.  (My old house did- my new one doesn’t.)  And, if we cough or sneeze (uncovered), we can infect hard surfaces with the droplets that are released.

Which means that I won’t be hugging folks or shaking hands with them.  (My synagogue knows me as the one who does that to every person coming into the building.)

What we need to be doing is washing our hands– with soap and water, not those putrid little wiping sprays or lotions–  throughout the day.  Covering our mouths if we sneeze- and then washing our hands again.

It’s also possible that routine exercise, garnering adequate sleep, enjoying a healthy diet- all of which maximize the efficiency of our immune system- will be all we need to stay clear of the worst of the infection.

Not to mention, our cities and states should adopt washing down our offices, buses, trains, and planes every day- as opposed to once a week- or a year!

The good news is that while 70% of us may become infected by this virus, at least 80% of those infected will only manifest minor- but inconvenient- symptoms.  Being prepared is what we need to be. (Yes, buy that respiratory/expectorant drug now.  Have a bottle or two on hand for your family.)

A bit more, tomorrow…