Things are getting serious huh? Unfortunately many people, younger people but not exclusively, are not heeding the call to self-isolate and stay at home other than going out for essentials.
I've heard this virus will reach 40-80 per cent of us eventually.
Thing is, if it hits that many people, the medical system will be completely overwhelmed, like in Italy and New York.
I hope the government won't force further isolation, but that's likely coming because we need to flaten the curve.
Right now someone like me who hits two of the baddies (high blood pressure and heart condition) could be in serious trouble.
If I do get it — and if I'm one of the 10 per cent in my category who needs hospitalization and may need to go into the ICU on a ventilator — I can get that help and my survival rate is three or four per cent. So not bad. Same with my healthy 85-year-old mother.
I'm sure everyone has someone like that very close to them, if not in their direct family.
If hospital beds fill up and medical staff have to start rationing equipment and supplies, those mortality numbers go up in a hurry. That's why you see mortality rates as high as eight to 10 per cent in those overwhelmed areas.
So assume everyone has it. It won't likely kill you if you get the virus but it could kill someone close to you that's more susceptible.
If you can stay at home completely by yourself you won't get COVID-19. It needs a way in. If you have to go out for essentials or a walk, keep six feet (two arms lengths) away, wash your hands often, and don't touch your face.
You don't have to wash your shoes unless you plan on sticking your shoes in your mouth.
C'mon people, we can do this.
Our government has done pretty well. But more needs to be done. The economy is taking a big blow. That's for sure. It sucks. So many people laid off and struggling even moreso to pay bills.
The heroes here are the medical people we must keep safe: doctors and nurses.
I'm hopeful other essential services will continue for some time.
Sanitation, water, sewer, police: all will be fine. Sure, changes will be made for more isolation on the job, but it will go on.
Food stores will be needing more and more staff. But food chain supplies (thank you truckers and farmers) will continue. Obviously food is as essential as it gets.
Not so essential things like internet, TV, and streaming services like Netflix are thankfully mostly run by big corporations with deep pockets that can survive an economic downturn. Heck, they may be making even more money. But these are important to keep people in check mentally.
Haircuts, nails, massages, spas, dental check-ups, all can wait a few months.
The automobile industry is taking a hit, but I think oil/gas will keep chugging to some degree. Even though fewer people are moving around, it's still important.
As are autobody repair shops, which are pretty low key for the most part and with all, are adjusting to a nearly faceless transition.
We have the advantage of having a smaller population and mostly less-dense demographics. And we're able to observe other countries go through it before us. We can learn. Some are overwhelmed but some (China, Taiwan, South Korea) have done a great job of slowing the spread right down.
Craig Lindsay is a reporter with The Albertan.
