Coronavirus - my 2 cents

amother

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 12:24 am

It seems, the news informs us,
That the virus is on its way.
It grows and gains momentum
Each and every day.

Cause for concern? Oh yes, indeed
The wrath it pours is plain to see.
A significant number critically ill
And a percentage fatally.

Lots of conflicting op-eds
And comparisons in the news
I vacillate in my worry.
Which side should I choose?

Either...

It's less of a deal than flu,
Though more contagious, to be sure.
However bad this thing has gotten
Flu kills many more.

Yes, some are more vulnerable
But so is RSV.
We don't quarantine all with colds
To keep all babies free.

Or...

Shut down the schools! Shut down the shuls!
Put the world in quarantine!
Disinfect the world with bleach!
Wash it all in Oxy-clean!

Your Purim masks this year
Should be the medical type!
Don't touch that Shalach Manos
Till it's cleaned with Lysol wipe!

But...

We'd better brush up on bitachon.
Things have been far more severe.
The crisis then in Persia
Is not replaying this year.

This is not Black Plague
Or a bloodthirsty Crusade
Though our adrenalin pumps
As if that scene is played.

I think we should leave our worries
To those for whom that is their role.
To Hashem; and lehavdil the CDC,
Who do their best to control.

If they tell us to stay at home,
Then we'd do best to obey.
Otherwise, go on with life
As we do every day.

If we feel we must do something,
Hishtadlus, or just to cope
Let's practice our amazing skills
At washing hands with soap.

But panic should have no place
And fear should have no voice
It's Purim-time, miracle-time
It's time that we rejoice!

Einikel

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 12:26 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

👏👏👏👏👏

amother

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 5:27 am

ectomorph wrote:

A bit insensitive to people whose children have died or serious complications from RSV. Otherwise cute.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to minimize it. I spent quite a few days in the PICU myself when my baby had a bad case of RSV and needed to be on oxygen.

At the same time, although it is serious, I don't expect the entire world to shut down when I have a newborn in case their innocuous cold is really RSV, and if I get the flu I don't expect the subway system to be sanitized. I try to avoid crowds with small babies, and I wash my hands after spending time in public places. A healthy respect, yes, but not a terrible fear and panic.

nchr

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 7:00 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

But that is because you'll never have enough RSV cases at once to overwhelm the medical infrastructure where you live. I agree there is a lot of unnecessary panic, but the government needs to disinfect the subway simply because even if 80% of cases are mild and only 5% result in hospitalization and between 1 and 3% death, no one has exposure or immunity to the virus which technically means you could have so many cases at once that the hospitals and medical.professionals would have to turn people who need care away (including people going into labor or children with cancer needing treatment etc.)

amother

Brunette

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 12:02 pm

Thank you Nc -- excellent points

as an aside, I read that the frum guy who became ill R"L was referred to in one of the mainstream articles as getting it in his community, while I get they probably mean not from the epicenter, I found that to be troubling reference it should say he got it from the subway from public transportation!

amother

Brown

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 1:26 pm

amother [ Brunette ] wrote:

Thank you Nc -- excellent points

Op you are really talented.

as an aside, I read that the frum guy who became ill R"L was referred to in one of the mainstream articles as getting it in his community, while I get they probably mean not from the epicenter, I found that to be troubling reference it should say he got it from the subway from public transportation!

Well, I thought it was pretty darned insensitive given the fact that a frum man is in very serious condition, his son is symptomatic, and his wife, daughter and neighbor have tested positive. Given the fact that everyone who attended YINR on certain dates is in quarantine.

Please let me know if you're so non-chalant and hey, its no biggie when its your kids' school.

amother

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 2:33 pm

nchr wrote:

I have zero problem with the government disinfecting whatever they need to.

All I'm saying is that I'll let THEM have the worry and policy-making, and not go looking for extra safety chumras myself.

If there was a big RSV outbreak and they said all children must be quarantined, I'd obey the quarantine. But even though I know RSV is around currently, and I have a history of a child with a severe case, I won't lock myself into my house out of fear.

Not trying to be nonchalant. THOUSANDS died from the flu this year. THOUSANDS. I won't go around spreading flu deliberately cuz "hey no biggie," but neither am I considering boycotting Shalach Manos in case someone has it.

Chaya123

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 3:24 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Wow, this is amazing! A++!
You're so talented! Couldn't agree with your theory more! May Hashem keep us all safe and healthy! Thumbs Up

amother

Brunette

Wed, Mar 04 2020, 5:48 pm

Brown maybe my post was not clear: I am FAR from nonchalant about any of this. And find it FAR from no biggie whether my kids are involved in a school closure or not.
This is something we have never experienced and Israel acknowledges this is like nothing we have experienced in the last 100 years. They say no panic and under control BUT unknowns abound.
All true.