My county reported 30 new cases of the CCP Virus yesterday, with 0 new deaths, and 295 new cases and 3 deaths in the last week. We currently have 55 people hospitalized with the virus.
My biggest concern about the CCP Virus continues to be our elderly population. As more and more data becomes available, it's becoming clear to me that while this virus is extremely unlikely to kill otherwise healthy children and young adults, it is very dangerous to elderly people and people who have other serious health issues even if they're not older persons.
And coupled with that concern for the elderly, is a concern for how much this virus is spreading at this time. Even in light of disturbingly bad data due to false positives and shoddy accounting methods, this stuff, if not quite as deadly as first though, is still spreading. When comparing this virus to other pandemics, flus, and colds, the high transmission rate of this virus can't be ignored. And a lot of people are ignoring it. Yeah, they are.
Caroline and I went to try out our camper a few weeks ago, right before Independence Day. We stayed at a local campsite, checked in and out by phone, never went to the office or used common areas even one time. We kept the same isolation quarantines as we do at home, just at the campsite, using our camper same as we do the house. Not everyone was doing likewise.
In the sites next to ours during the morning hours after our first night a couple of campers made an early departure. Shortly thereafter four adjoining sites just to the east of ours filled up with four families who were obviously making a 4th of July weekend rendezvous. There were three travel trailers and one pop-up. In between to four campers they set up a couple of screened in awnings. And they socialized. No perceptible distancing, masks, or other indications that there is a pandemic. The groups seemed to be in their 50's and 60's, just by appearances. We didn't meander over and join them for a beer or social visit.
I have to presume these people all know each other. And I think that's where people are letting their guard down and where the virus is making "progress" from its point of view. Poeple tend to feel safe around their own families and friends. And each time you're with family and friends, you're also with their family and friends by proxy. Whoever they were around in the last week or so isn't around you, but if they were exposed to the virus, their little piece of the CCP Virus just might be. Our own dear friends and families have had some seemingly safe gatherings. Out of town visits with the kids and grandkids, family gatherings at the beach and shore for the annual get together there, weddings, etc. Even I flew to Albany, NY for my dear Uncle's funeral. Afterward, a small group of family did gather, and that evening I did eat and my aunt's house with dear cousins who were there. I knew the trip on the plane and the visit was a risk, so I isolated myself afterward for two weks and I also got tested for the virus. Caroline just went to KY to get some things done in our condo to prepare for a kitchen renovation. She had limited contact, except with our son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and a dear friend. But the flight and the visits ARE a risk. Period. We know that and are behaving accordingly.
Yes, all those interactions do SEEM harmless. "It's just my brother, sister, and their families from out of state." "It's just my cousins and aunts and uncles, they're all being careful. I'm sure it's OK." "Well, we hadn't seen this part of the family for so long, how could we say no?" I get it, and seeing "them" seems a risk worth taking. Well, the young people "they've" been in contact with aren't likely to die of the virus. It doesn't mean that "they" don't have it. And if you are or were around them, and they are or were infected, you CAN catch it. And maybe you're not likely to die from it, either. Yoiu're in your 40's or 50's or even your 60's. A few days after everyone went home, your 80+ year old mom just called. Her air conditioner is out. Or her washing machine won't work. Or she needs someone to take her to a doctor's appointment for some serious issue. Do you know you didn't catch CCP Virus from your family reunion? The wedding? The camping trip rendezvous? The annual beach house get together? The 4 or 5 couple dinner party you went to at your neighbor's house on Monday evening?
"OK, mom, I'll be right over." I don't know. My personal feeling is that if we're not going to be extremely cautious with our socialization with extended family and friends, then we'd better be doubly and triply cautious with the elderly. And if that elderly person depends on you, like life and death depends on you, then you ought to be more careful and less casual.
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