I'm trying my best to be quiet with all of the coronavirus scare mongering going on ... I realize many have genuine fear - as many who I know who have CML have genuine fear. I came to grips long ago that we have only so many years on this beautiful planet. So I let data and knowledge from others guide me - and motivation - of others inform my thinking.
Ph.D's have motivation to be famous. Pharmaceutical people have motivation to be rich. Both work in our consumer favor. We get knowledge and we get amazing innovation. The knowledge part is that coronavirus is a respiratory sars/mers/flu like virus. It differs from them in only a few amino acid sequences. It attacks the respiratory lining and exposes the victim to a bacterial attack of pneumonia. The pneumonia is what 'could' kill if treatment is delayed or unavailable. The virus doesn't kill because the immune system can mount a defense against it (i.e. T-cells). The key is speed. If your immune system can mount an attack against the virus quickly - damage is limited and the bacterial onslaught is fought off (by neutrophils). This is the way the virus works.
The solution is two-fold - one, at an individual level, get our immune systems strong. I have written on this forum about all sorts of ways to strengthen ones immune system. The best way is soak up some sun! (or supplement) and add extra vitamin C (cudos Sandy). The second more longer term way is for innovation to produce a vaccine. That will come.
In the mean time, be prudent. If you are prone to getting sick - avoid crowds and keep your hands away from your face. This viral attack will fade pretty quickly. If it doesn't and millions die and many more are sick into summer than I'm stupid and don't know what I am talking about. We'll see if we are talking about this in May.
I have more 'fear' for all of our young people who work in restaurants, bars and other 'people' oriented business' which have been forced to shut down and they lose their jobs. Hopefully it's temporary.
p.s - and then there's toilet paper. Somebody, anybody - please explain to me why the hoarding and run on toilet paper? I simply don't understand this. Coronavirus affects the upper chest area - not the bottom end. Why oh why is toilet paper the number one item people seek out? Is this true in the U.K.? please tell me our British friends have more sense than Americans. You invented America and we end up hoarding toilet paper.
