I know the Coronavirus is scary, but I urge you, do not to cancel any travel plans yet (unless you’re headed to China or surrounding areas).
I also know the media, now and in the coming weeks, will be causing hysteria, but we have to remember that the seasonal flu affects us more right now. According to the CDC, more than 16,000 people in the U.S. have died from the flu THIS season*, which peaks between December and February. During the 2018-2019 season, the CDC estimated 16.5 million people went to a health care provider for the flu and more than 34,000 people died in the U.S*. The prior season saw 61,000 deaths*.
The death toll from the Coronavirus is now at 2,700* with the vast majority in mainland China. Only 2% of the cases have resulted in death* and of those, most were due to weakened immune systems. Of course it’s important to notify the public and contain the virus, but it’s not responsible journalism when the facts of the “epidemic” are not thoroughly released (I know, shocker). Fear sells and the media loves it.
It kind of puts it in perspective, doesn’t it? We are all keeping a close eye on this, but it’s not time to panic yet.
So keep your travel plans this summer, as of now. It’s probably safer than heading out and around town or to the grocery store during flu season, but we wouldn’t dream of canceling that, would we? The best prevention is the same thing we’ve told our kids from grade school on, wash your hands, don’t eat after anyone that’s sick and sneeze into your elbow (I’ll throw in, take your vitamins)!
Sunny Days!
*These numbers are accurate per CDC as of February 25, 2020. I will update periodically since none of us know where this is going yet, but accurate numbers are important for our understanding.
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