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Coronavirus Update – 2-29-2020
Advice
We don’t mean to make light, in any way, of this challenge to our health, but if you could think about your face area as having a “cone of shame” around it, and have a “hands-off” policy as much as possible, we know that would make a big difference in preventing germs from entering your body.
That – and washing those hands – vigorously – with hot soapy water or alcohol based sanitizer – washing in between your fingers and under your fingernails. Ladies! Long nails? Make sure you wash under the nails – making a cup in the palm of your hand and going back and forth with your fingertips.
What’s the advice from the RI Dept. of Health? You are “encouraged to get a flu shot; wash hands frequently; cough into your sleeves; avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth; and keep surfaces clean.
Dr. Salim Suner, of RI Hospital, on an NBC10 interview said, “for the majority of people it is a mild respiratory illness – like a bad cold”.
RIDOH has also asked “business owners to encourage their employees to stay home if they aren’t feeling well, emphasize hygiene in the workplace and routinely clean frequently-touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops”.
Internationally
We’re hearing cancellations of many events with an expected attendance of over 1,000 should be canceled. Switzerland has canceled the Geneva Auto Show. Tokyo Disneyland is now closed through mid-March. Saudi Arabia has closed Islam’s holiest sites to those from outside the country. US Military drills planned in South Korea have also been postponed. Facebook’s biggest annual tech conference has also been canceled. Some huge sporting events are still being played – but with no one in the stands.
How sick would you get?
As with all coronaviruses – now there are six “strains” – coming down with Covid-19 for most healthy people would be like getting a very bad cold. For those over 60 or with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues, they would be the most vulnerable to complications.
This virus – much like SARS targeted – is more likely to strike adults harder than children, with children recovering with less severity of symptoms relatively quickly, again, assuming otherwise good health. Even babies born to moms with active SARS were born healthy.
A tweet by Richard Engel: “Two virologists say coronavirus is not an end of days virus – they say take precautions/work for a vaccine, but emphasized this isn’t “the big one”.
The Future
After all is said and done, we expect coronavirus will take its place among the other viruses that we have no sure prevention, nor cure for. We’ll have a good flu shot developed. And an anti-viral, much like Tamiflu, and Relenza. But we will need to ramp up specialized vaccine making on all viruses. And take back our medicines from being produced in China – not to mention our protective equipment. In the end – and there will be one – this may be one serious practice drill. Imagine if Ebola or plague really were what we were facing – and we’re not. Not now.
At work
If you knew you were going to get sick – tomorrow – would you take certain things home with you from work? Like your computer, notes, or files to work on? Then pack a bag of these essential items and do some toting each day – just in case if you run a fever or get sick with a cold – which can happen overnight – you’ll have what you need to work while recovering.
RIDOH has asked “business owners to encourage their employees to stay home if they aren’t feeling well, emphasize hygiene in the workplace and routinely clean frequently-touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops”.
Again, if your company has not expressed its policy, ask now – before you need to know.
Financial Markets
We’ve seem one of the deepest declines this week, but advice is usually to “stay the course”, even for those with a shorter time frame to retirement. Try not to panic. By summertime, we’ll probably be looking at an entirely different situation. If you sell out now, you “take the loss” – opposed to it being a paper loss today. The US economy is as strong as ever. As Warren Buffet says, “When people get fearful, that’s when they get greedy.” Expect the Feds to step in and try to stabilize by early next week.
Travel
For local travel, think about taking – or sharing – a car service – many of them can take you door to door. Avoid the bus and train.
Politics
The coincidence of the coronavirus and a contentious national election makes politicizing of the situation almost inevitable. Stirring up a pot instead of pulling together as one. There used to be a time when a national emergency resulted in a one-ness – flags being flown – putting aside our differences. But this is a far different, and very disappointing time.
In Rhode Island
While two people in Rhode Island have been tested, no one has tested positive at this time.
This might be a time to switch the greatest concern to senior populations, nursing homes, assisted living centers, senior centers, home health groups – as Rhode Island has a greater population of “old-olds” than any other state in the U.S.