I suspect many people either haven't noticed the news about this unsuspected threat to our health. Most would have little 'respect' for what another pandemic (such as the Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed more than 30 million people globally) would mean for our borderless world today.
However, as of yesterday, medical experts are now
considering it the early stages of a new global pandemic -- although only 1,114 have reportedly died in 28 countries (and on three large cruise ships mored out in the ocean).
The most serious problem is that China hides the truth to
save face, especially in these dark economic times. But they have closed their entire border with Russia at this time so that may indicate they are taking this more seriously than they are saying!
I've been researching the
progress of the disease regularly, since it was first reported widely on 23 January 2020, and keep a spreadsheet of changes as I
discover them.
Also, in the www.WeakDayDevotion.com you can find updates daily regarding general and specific information about this serious threat and am happy to share new information with you, as I discover it. I will endeavour to keep this blog article updated as well.
I fear California and New York especially, with all the
homelessness and growing deterioration of sanitation will become increasingly
dangerous.
Important Links for
Resource Information
(NOTE: Words underlined
have a link you can click embedded and they will take you to more details. Also, I provide the actual link itself that you can copy and paste into your browser, if you would prefer to do this.
A. Here is some general information about the behaviour of the
disease and basic protective strategies:
Or copy and paste this link into your browser:
B. VERY IMPORTANT LINK
(1 hour and 7 minutes, but well worth the time for some insights as to how we
are where we are today from two US/Chinese experts, who share some credible
opinions on why this information has been withheld):
Or copy and paste this link into your browser:
As information grows, more information is now
available. I've found two, what seems
credible sources of dynamic statistics, but the one from China is no longer
being updated:
C. JOHN HOPKINS USA
- Click: Latest Update: (source John Hopkins) Or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF9IOB2TExg3QIBupFtBDxg
Current Statistics for 13 February 2020 at 7PM in Sydney:
How to Help Protect
Yourself
Current Statistics for 13 February 2020 at 7PM in Sydney:
- · Discovered in 28 countries
- · 60,414 reported, confirmed cases
- 8,043 in critical condition
- · 1,370 reported deaths (all in China but two - one in The Philippines and one in Hong Kong)
How the Virus Spreads
Every day there are new discoveries. As of today, one early symptom other than feeling like you're coming down with the flu is that in many cases you will have diarrhoea and an increasingly high fever.
The virus is thought to spread:
a.
During an average 2-14-day incubation period
when the infected person has no symptoms
b.
For an average of 10-14 days after an infected
person has recovered because they remain infectious during this time and without
symptoms.
c. Those who have recovered from the virus can be reinfected in that there does not seem to be any lasting protection after recovery - no antibodies seem to be formed.
c. Those who have recovered from the virus can be reinfected in that there does not seem to be any lasting protection after recovery - no antibodies seem to be formed.
d.
Through droplets from person-to-person from
sneezing or coughing when they do not cover their mouth.
e.
Through faecal material -- when someone with the
virus, does not wash their hands properly after using the toilet and touches
surfaces or shakes hands with someone (The virus can live up to nine days on a surface)
f.
When someone, who has not washed their hands
properly with soap, uses an air dryer to dry their hands which can aerate (mix
with air) the virus and others nearby inhale the virus.
g. Through pipes and air conditioners from infected people for up to nine days (such as in large apartment complexes or cruise boats).
g. Through pipes and air conditioners from infected people for up to nine days (such as in large apartment complexes or cruise boats).
NOTE: Research
shows that the average person touches their face about 400 times a day without
thinking about the spread of any pathogen / disease. This is especially of concern as it is spread when someone touches their eye after they have touched something where the virus is.
Finally, the first case anyone is sure of was diagnosed (but
not reported) on 3 December. The first
reported cases were reported on 23 January.
This was after China held an open, New Year’s banquet for 40,000-families
(about 130,000 people).
If you've not visited China, at these celebrations, most everyone
uses their chopsticks to eat from communal/ shared bowls and plates. The celebration was held before China banned
travel outside the Wuhan Provence and before they admitted the disease
existed.
However, there are now credible doubts that many of the
dates and numbers still today are not credible.
Those who initially began to identify the seriousness of the disease
were arrested for speaking about it on social media, one of whom was the doctor who first identified it and he has now died.
After this New Year’s banquet, it is estimated
over five million individuals flew out of Wuhan Provence for Chinese New Year celebrations (think of Thanksgiving in the USA, when everyone has to go home) before they closed the
city to travel.
How to Help Protect
Yourself
Please take practical precautions (Matthew 10:16).
There are still many unknowns about this new disease, that
has been designated a pandemic (meaning world-wide consequences). However, there are some things you can do to
try to protect yourself, but need to be followed consistently during this time:
- 1. Avoid crowded places and public transportation – so self-quarantine
- 2. Avoid touching surfaces and shaking hands
- 3. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and scrubbing vigorously if you’ve been out or exposed to someone suspected of having the virus.
- 4. It is coincidentally flu season, so many may feel ill and more than usual may want to go to the hospital or doctors. Try to avoid this and if you feel you need help, call a health provider (doctor, clinic, hospital emergency room) rather than showing up and having to wait with other unwell people.
- 5. Because this is a virus rather than a bacterium, the ‘virus germ’ is smaller than a bacteria, it is also protected by a barrier and does not die easily.
- 6. Hand sanitisers (that rely on alcohol) have not been found to be effective, although they do give a sense of doing something and may be most effective in reminding you to keep your hands away from your face.
- 7. Face masks may be helpful, but they must be N-95 masks and must be worn correctly (Again, the virus is very small) and will slip through the smallest of cracks
- 8. Glasses (or goggles) if you are near someone who is infected is recommended because eyes seem to be a window for the virus. These droplets are small and travel through the air and may land on your face or eyes directly or be transferred to your eyes through inadvertent touching your eyes.
And an overview as of the 8th February by the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR0lgj0N2DI
NOTE: It may
be good to buy a few N-95 masks now while they are available and not priced for the
market value (meaning when there is a great need someone will sell the masks
but at a hugely inflated price). It may
be good to also have some other basic supplies on hand, as you may find yourself
quarantined.
My prayers are with you and I will update this article as new
information becomes available. Check
here: www.write4you.co
(not com).
