April 9, 2020
Mitigating, suppressing but not solving the Corona-19 Virus will happen this year. My belief is that confirmed illnesses will not disappear altogether but slacken off. Those who have the virus but with no outward symptoms (asymptomatic) will continue to spread minor contagion flare-ups (and this could be anyone, young/old might be contagious and the carrier). The Boomer Generation remains at risk and those with underlying medical conditions most vulnerable. Flu still is the main virus killer. Get your seasonal shot this fall. But, overall, federal and state governments, the medical community will have created guidelines and treatment protocols to contain and weaken the Virus, but not eradicate. These are times we live in. We must find ways to endure and even succeed in a positive attitude.
Headlines and Stories
The Coronavirus Pandemic Will Forever Alter the World Order
The U.S. must protect its citizens from disease while starting the urgent work of planning for a new epoch. — By Henry A. Kissinger April 3, 2020—opinion piece, Wall Street Journal
“If we do the social distancing properly, we should be able to get out of this with a death number well short of the model highs this month,” He said it’s “very important” those figures of 100,000-200,000 possible deaths are out there so people understand the severity of the situation. – Bill Gates, TV interview April 5, 2020
Mainland China sees rise in new coronavirus cases
by Reuters News Service, Sunday, 5 April 2020
Beijing remains unable to completely halt new infections despite imposing some of the most drastic measures to curb the virus’ spread. The so-called imported cases and asymptomatic patients, who have the virus and can give it to others but show no symptoms, have become among China’s chief concerns in recent weeks. The country has closed off its borders to almost all foreigners as the virus spread globally, though most of the imported cases involve Chinese nationals returning from overseas. https://news.trust.org/item/20200404235657-jkjit
In Italy, Going Back to Work May Depend on Having the Right Antibodies
[Misleading headline as to what is realistic in terms of actual science—see paragraph 2]
ROME — There is a growing sense in Italy that the worst may have passed. The weeks of locking down the country, center of the world’s deadliest coronavirus outbreak, may be starting to pay off, as officials announced this week that the numbers of new infections had plateaued. Having the right antibodies to the virus in one’s blood — a potential marker of immunity — may soon determine who gets to work and who does not, who is locked down and who is free.
That debate is in some ways ahead of the science. Researchers are uncertain, if hopeful, that antibodies in fact indicate immunity. But that has not stopped politicians from grasping at the idea as they come under increasing pressure to open economies and avoid inducing a widespread economic depression. https://dnyuz.com/2020/04/04/in-italy-going-back-to-work-may-depend-on-having-the-right-antibodies/
“We Will Succeed”
April 5, 2020
Queen Elizabeth II –“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,” she said. “And, those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any, that the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet, good-humored resolve, and of fellow feeling still characterize this country.
“The pride in who we are is not part of our past,” she continued. “It defines our present and our future. The moments when the United Kingdom has come to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit. And its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children. Across the Commonwealth and around the world we have seen heartwarming stories of people coming together to help others. Be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbors, or converting businesses to help the relief effort.”
* Mr. Thoms, Tunnel del Quadraro, Rome, Italy
In Times of Virus 