With the first Coronavirus case in South Africa confirmed last week, I could not help but notice the panic levels in everyone rising at an alarming rate.
I am sure Google has never done so many searches on which masks to wear, where to buy them and other remedies to prevent the person from contracting this virus. The thing that shocked me the most was the ‘home remedies’ suddenly popping up; suggestions ranging from using bleach, to drinking swimming pool acid!
And, while being bombarded by all this panic, I remembered something a motivational speaker at one of the school prize-givings said: “When faced with certain situations in life, we are like camera lenses. Sometimes, we are so zoomed in, that everything is blurred and out of focus, and, the only way to rectify this and see more clearly, is to zoom out and put things into focus.”
For me, this is a very apt description in this situation, and I believe that we should all consider ‘zooming out’ for a second to see a clearer picture. Instead of just running around wildly, panicking, we should maybe take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
Do not get me wrong, I am not saying this is not a serious matter, and I am not trying to make light of the situation, but, the reality of the matter is, the majority of people who do contract this virus, recover fully. The ones that do need to be more careful, are those with compromised immune systems, the elderly and the very young. I read quite an interesting fact, which is that the Coronavirus has caused about 3 390 deaths so far while the seasonal flu has resulted in about 87 190 deaths this year. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
According to Netcare 911, you should always observe good personal hygiene, and, if you have a cough, runny nose, fever and shortness of breath, your health should be monitored closely. If you have travelled, you should monitor your health closely for at least two weeks, and, should you present with any of the above symptoms, you should wear a mask and seek medical help immediately. Before visiting the doctor, phone and inform them of your symptoms so the necessary arrangements can be made.
So, in conclusion, knowledge is power, ensure you have enough information (from trustworthy sources) to help you make informed choices.
Until next week …
