Coronavirus (Covid-19): the Silver Lining

Mar 05 2020

It’s a stretch. But there is an upside to the growing outbreak of the new strain of coronavirus, Covid-19, that has us on edge, changing spring break plans (or tenatively going ahead with them), making jokes about beer, and the limiting by grocery stores of the purchase of cold-and-flu products.

We fear what we do not know, it’s human nature. And we should be concerned about this novel strain of the coronavirus. As of this writing,* COVID-19 has a two to 3.4 percent fatality rate (2 to 3.4 in 100 people afflicted). The virus can incubate for up to 2 weeks before symptoms manifest, meaning carriers of COVID-19 can serve as an unknowing vector, potentially infecting many others before they know they are ill. And many of these individuals may experience only mild cold-like symptoms, which may cause coronavirus to go unrecognized, further spreading an illness dangerous to the elderly, the very young, and the immunosuppressed (people on chemotherapy, etc.). In short, we should take COVID-19 seriously.

Yes, we naturally fear the novel, the unpredictable and what we don’t yet understand. But it makes no sense to blow off what we do. And what we do know is influenza. No, we are far from perfect in predicting which of the many influenza-type viruses will spread in a given cold-and-flu season and are included in the vaccine, And we should not ignore the significant impact influenza has on not just our own nation, but throughout the world:

The CDC estimates at least 18,000 Americans have died from influenza between October 2019 and February 20 of this year…and influenza is just now ramping up. The flu season is predicted to continue through the beginning of May.
It is also estimated that at least 32 million Americans have been infected with influenza since fall of 2019.
Furthermore, between 310,000 and 560,000 Americans have been hospitalized for influenza.
If these numbers aren’t shocking enough, hundreds of thousands around the world die yearly from the flu.

As Melissa Nolan, an infectious disease expert at the University of South Carolina, says, we know what to expect (with influenza). We need to take the implications and risks of this killer disease seriously, with its thousands of yearly fatalities and its staggering costs in healthcare and in work/time loss and school absences. Influenza is a highly impactful disease that will predictably occur year after year after year. And the precautionary steps to protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our community are crystal clear:

Get vaccinated.
Use excellent personal hygiene and coach our kids to do the same.
If you cannot miss work or school for illness, wear a mask. But it’s better to stay home.

Interestingly, points 2 and 3 are recommended to help combat coronavirus, too. This is the silver lining. Follow these steps now, and consider them good habits to finish off this current influenza season and be prepared to carry them into the next season, and the next and the next, whether or not coronavirus or another nasty bug rears its ugly head. Consider COVID-19 a reminder of how serious a season of cold-and-flu certainly will always be, an opportunity to be aware of its silent-killer cousin, influenza. Don’t let the media frenzy over coronavirus shroud the serious societal consequences of influenza.

AND DO NOT DRINK BLEACH to exterminate viral nastiness. Never. Ever. I hope we can all agree that the individual asking that question (that went viral, pun intended) was either a moron or looking to be click bait, or most likely both. The key to staying healthy does not include novel measures. Follow reasonable, inexpensive, (nontoxic) advice to protect yourself and your families:

Do wash your hands.
Do “sneeze in your sleeves and cover your coughs.”
Consider the influenza vaccine, even as we approach spring. The vaccine can still provide protection. (Any immunity is better than none at all.)
Stay home when you are ill.

As of right now, influenza has had a more widespread impact than coronavirus. Take it seriously.

*Predictions and estimates change frequently with infectious outbreaks. Stay current by checking out a reliable website like CDC.gov.