Dearest readers, I don't know about you but I am certainly going stir crazy. Seeing as how we live in freedom loving North America, I am sure many of your are starting to feel stir crazy too. Even though months have already passed since this thing started, we still have a lack of information on what is going on, what this disease is like, how much we should stock up, or how serious this thing really is. Despite state of emergency and other special provisions being declared in USA and Canada, not every country in the world is treating this the same way and China is still withholding information and scientific data, only adding to confusion. With all of that, I am feeling really healthy, amazing actually, and I wanted to reach out to you with some valuable, useful and interesting facts and observation, with a primary focus on North America because this is where I am and where I will live forever :)
First, how much do you know about Covid 19? Did you know that it is not the same type of virus as the flu virus? It is actually in the virus family together with the one causing the common cold! The difference between the cold virus and this one is that this one moves beyond your upper respiratory tract and also attacks your lungs. Here is an amazing video interview of a medical professional who explains this virus best. It is so good that it took a lot of ignorance and fear away from me, and it made me feel more secure and confident with myself in this entire situation. The interviewer is Dave Rubin and regardless of whether you like him, dislike him or you are not sure who he is, he did well to interview this doctor and you would do well to watch this.
First, how much do you know about Covid 19? Did you know that it is not the same type of virus as the flu virus? It is actually in the virus family together with the one causing the common cold! The difference between the cold virus and this one is that this one moves beyond your upper respiratory tract and also attacks your lungs. Here is an amazing video interview of a medical professional who explains this virus best. It is so good that it took a lot of ignorance and fear away from me, and it made me feel more secure and confident with myself in this entire situation. The interviewer is Dave Rubin and regardless of whether you like him, dislike him or you are not sure who he is, he did well to interview this doctor and you would do well to watch this.
The second important observation is that we are more informed today and we are very intelligent thanks to complex lives and better nutrition than ever, on average haha. So, all of us must understand that global infection and death rates do not matter one bit. We are not in Star Trek, Earth is not one nation, and regional cultures, governments, medical services and attitudes vary greatly. So, all you need to care about is how things are going in your country. You cannot factor in other countries' stats. China still has wet markets running, and so do Vietnam, Thailand etc. In Italy, Europe's oldest population where people shake hands and kiss on the cheek, and this spells a disaster which is what is happening there right now. Also, their outbreak started in the North and especially in Milan. Italian north is the industrial heartland of Italy, and it has poor air quality, old people with pre-existing conditions, and over the years they brought over many low wage Chinese laborers via regular flights between Italy and China. Mexico is currently doing nothing. Denmark and UK are counting on herd immunity, which is a high risk high reward approach. In USA, West Virginia is no longer almost Heaven, it truly is heavenly as, to the best of my knowledge, there are no cases there! Here in Canada, the northern winter wonderland is safe too because, well, look at the map haha. You therefore cannot look at global numbers, because numbers in different countries are the result of their own unique mix of factors, actions and attitudes, and all of them interact with how they handle Covid 19 and what their level of success will ultimately be. Global outlook is useless, look to your own country, your town, your street, your family and neighbors. If you have dear friends and family abroad, give them best practices advice and let them share some with you.
The next important observation is that our economy is tanking all the way down to proverbial bread lines, and this is bad. Now, do not freak out at me saying that I do not care about people's lives and I only care about economy, businesses and money. I care about people first, but our economy and that of our neighbors and allies is a close second. Why? It is because I need money to feed myself and help others who are close to me, and I am sure you do too. There is seldom any worse condition for you than starvation. Sure, if our economy crashes I can live off of bread and donuts and all that junk food. However, I would rather not as I eat very clean and healthy due to history of diabetes in the family. Now, at this point, let us look at the reason why we shuttered so many businesses, airlines, borders etc. The main reason we are doing this is so not all of us get it at the same time. Hmm, or is it? I think the main reason we are doing this is to protect people 60 and up. Well, guess what I just saw over the last few days. I have been to a Sobeys, a Metro, and a Fortinos. For my non-Canadian readers, these are major grocery supermarkets. In all of these places, you would expect everyone would at least wear gloves- no exception! Well, many people are not wearing any. Oh, and I have seen tons of people 60 and up who are not wearing gloves or masks!!!!! Ok, I can understand they may not have been able to buy masks. However, gloves?!!! If they could not get nitrile ones, they could have bought latex or even plastic ones like those that food handlers use. Or, they could have put on winter gloves. Or, those yellow cleaning gloves! Anything at all! People's RRSP's and 401K's are getting wiped out, people are losing wages, and we are literally oppressed by the government over this virus and for what?! People are not protecting themselves like it was a religion, like it was air you need to breathe in order to live. This is what we are getting back for the sacrifice we are making.
But, before you get upset with me for being such a hardass, let me add one more observation/fact- people do not believe Covid 19 is super dangerous, in no small part because too many sources now say this virus went around many parts of the world since at least late November! Apparently, this is when it started and this time frame fits perfectly with news articles at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, in USA and Canada alike. I saw articles you can probably still google, and they all go along these lines:
There we go, dearest readers- some next level observations and facts for you to consider. You do not have to like what I wrote or completely agree. All I hope is that you will take what I shared with you and begin your own inquiry that surpasses emotional reactions and 24 hour news cycle, and come up with a solid perspective on a current situation that can give you some sort of an edge.
Finally, if you suspect you had Covid 19 or you got tested and had it already, please anonymously comment on your experience with it. All of us would appreciate it.
Stay smart out there. :)
The next important observation is that our economy is tanking all the way down to proverbial bread lines, and this is bad. Now, do not freak out at me saying that I do not care about people's lives and I only care about economy, businesses and money. I care about people first, but our economy and that of our neighbors and allies is a close second. Why? It is because I need money to feed myself and help others who are close to me, and I am sure you do too. There is seldom any worse condition for you than starvation. Sure, if our economy crashes I can live off of bread and donuts and all that junk food. However, I would rather not as I eat very clean and healthy due to history of diabetes in the family. Now, at this point, let us look at the reason why we shuttered so many businesses, airlines, borders etc. The main reason we are doing this is so not all of us get it at the same time. Hmm, or is it? I think the main reason we are doing this is to protect people 60 and up. Well, guess what I just saw over the last few days. I have been to a Sobeys, a Metro, and a Fortinos. For my non-Canadian readers, these are major grocery supermarkets. In all of these places, you would expect everyone would at least wear gloves- no exception! Well, many people are not wearing any. Oh, and I have seen tons of people 60 and up who are not wearing gloves or masks!!!!! Ok, I can understand they may not have been able to buy masks. However, gloves?!!! If they could not get nitrile ones, they could have bought latex or even plastic ones like those that food handlers use. Or, they could have put on winter gloves. Or, those yellow cleaning gloves! Anything at all! People's RRSP's and 401K's are getting wiped out, people are losing wages, and we are literally oppressed by the government over this virus and for what?! People are not protecting themselves like it was a religion, like it was air you need to breathe in order to live. This is what we are getting back for the sacrifice we are making.
But, before you get upset with me for being such a hardass, let me add one more observation/fact- people do not believe Covid 19 is super dangerous, in no small part because too many sources now say this virus went around many parts of the world since at least late November! Apparently, this is when it started and this time frame fits perfectly with news articles at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, in USA and Canada alike. I saw articles you can probably still google, and they all go along these lines:
- Worst flu in years.
- Young person dies from flu, everyone baffled.
- This year's flu vaccine was not prepared properly, may have missed one or two severe flu strains.
There we go, dearest readers- some next level observations and facts for you to consider. You do not have to like what I wrote or completely agree. All I hope is that you will take what I shared with you and begin your own inquiry that surpasses emotional reactions and 24 hour news cycle, and come up with a solid perspective on a current situation that can give you some sort of an edge.
Finally, if you suspect you had Covid 19 or you got tested and had it already, please anonymously comment on your experience with it. All of us would appreciate it.
Stay smart out there. :)