Good morning.
I hope you’re enjoying your coffee.
Oh, also, you’re probably going to get the coronavirus.
That’s not my take. It’s the title of a recent piece in The Atlantic: “You’re Likely to Get the Coronavirus.”
If you’re scared, you’re not alone. Global fears may have already chipped away at your net worth. The Dow posted the biggest one-day point drop in history Thursday and continued to plunge Friday.
If you were planning on retiring in 10 years, maybe now think 11.
Of greater concern, the coronavirus has killed around 3,000 people worldwide. That’s obviously serious. But let’s put it in perspective. The flu killed 10 times more people last year in the U.S. alone.
Still, this virus is nasty, fast-spreading, and scientists don’t yet have a vaccine. So we have worldwide alarm.
In Orlando, at least one planned conference with 3,000 people has been canceled, according to CNBC. And Disney has already temporarily shuttered its parks in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo.
But there are no travel bans in America yet. And the number of suspected cases here is limited. So before everyone completely freaks out, I thought I’d gather some basic information.
My first tip for avoiding coronavirus is not to go to China or South Korea. If neither was on your to-do list, you’re in good shape.
My next tip is not to touch the snot or spit of anyone else who has the coronavirus.
Again, definitely not something I planned on doing — which is good because the Centers for Disease Control says the coronavirus is spread “via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes … that can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a more disgusting sentence.
After I was done gagging, I consulted a health expert.
Dr. Timothy Hendrix, medical director of AdventHealth’s Centra Care operation, is not freaking out. He has a face mask at home, but uses it only for yard work.
“There are a lot of unknowns about this virus,” he said. “But right now, we can’t give in to fear.”
I was starting to feel relief when Dr. Hendrix compared the coronavirus to hurricane season in Florida, saying: “Right now, it feels like that hurricane’s pointing at us.”
Oh great. A virus-cane. I might prefer a sharknado.
Yes, the virus is still spreading. But Hendrix stressed the vast majority of people who contract it will have either very mild symptoms or be completely asymptomatic.
(See what happens after I spend a half-hour with a medical professional? I start using words like “asymptomatic.”)
Still, the mortality rate for the coronavirus (technically known as COVID-19) is around 2%, much higher than the flu. So people are on high alert.
Some of those people are politicians, which can be a problem since politicians rarely make problems better.
Democrats are blaming President Trump for not getting a better handle on the virus. Trump is blaming Democrats for instilling fear. And Marco Rubio posted a Twitter video where he implored everyone to stop politicizing everything … and then blamed Democrats.
Meanwhile, American businesses, especially tourism-related ones, are struggling to ease fears.
Headlines like this one from the New York Times don’t help: “Coronavirus Is Spreading. Should You Cancel Your Family Vacation?“
Like most headlines that end in question marks, the article that followed didn’t really answer the question it posed. Instead, it quoted experts who said travelers should feel “very comfortable” coming to Florida theme parks, while also warning travelers “that could quickly change” and that you could reduce risks by “reducing travel.”
So, don’t cancel your plans … though maybe think about it.
When the Orlando Sentinel sought comment from Disney for a story last week, the park declined, probably not wanting the words “Disney” and “coronavirus” to appear together in yet another news story. (Sorry.)
Still, if you doubt America’s ability to contain this virus, don’t doubt the desire.
The president’s re-election banks strongly on an economy that isn’t tanking while face-mask sales soar. And though Florida’s political leaders often act like they don’t care much about public health, they darn sure care about hotel-occupancy rates. So this virus should get top priority.
The CDC lists a high “alert” for travel to China and South Korea and medium alert for Japan, Italy and Iran.
The CDC offered no warnings about the Magic Kingdom or Universal Studios.
Instead, Hendrix said the best thing to do is live responsibly. Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Disinfect dirty surfaces.
That last one is something I’ve practiced obsessively ever since the day I saw a man at the gym blow his nose into his exercise towel — and then use that towel to wipe down his elliptical machine.
I worked out my abs that day by retching.
Some people are just gross. So to avoid their germs — as well as those belonging to anyone who might have the flu, coronavirus or any other nasty bug — stay vigilant.
The best thing Hendrix says we can do is avoid germs and pay close attention to the news and health alerts in case things change.
But generally: Live your life. There’s no reason to cancel a weekend trip to Vegas or Sunday afternoon at Epcot. Said Hendrix: “Enjoy life.”
And if that virus-cane does actually hit, we’ll let you know.
