Here it comes: the Corona virus in simple terms

At first, it all seemed like a far-off issue, but now it seems just a matter of time before the Corona virus packs its bags and comes on vacation to the Netherlands. A few days ago, when I was at the airport in Pisa, I immediately got a thermometer on my forehead. It showed 37.2 degrees. Nothing to worry about. ‘Have you been to China?’ ‘Uh, no.’ ‘Ok, you may pass.’

As I look around, we seem to consist of two groups. One half is vigilant and keeps up with the news, while the other is annoyed by the hysteria. Now that the Corona virus is getting closer to the Netherlands, it’s never a bad idea to take off your blinders. Time for the facts.

Where does the Corona virus actually come from?
The virus was discovered in December last year in Wuhan, China. It was transmitted from animal to human. After that, the virus mutated to become transmissible from human to human. The origin? Perhaps bats. Chinese researchers established this after a nearly identical virus was found in a bat. Yikes.

But what is it then? Just a kind of silly flu?
Yes, something like that. The virus seems – at this moment – to resemble a severe flu or pneumonia that most people can reasonably withstand. People with the Corona virus (also known as ‘Covid-19’) have fever and respiratory complaints. Think of coughing, shortness of breath, or pneumonia. But muscle pain, confusion, and sore throat are also among the symptoms.

What’s the situation regarding infections?
At this moment, it is assumed that one sick person can infect an average of two other people. The sicker someone is, the more he/she spreads the virus.

But can you just suddenly die? Even if you are young?
Let’s see the facts. In total, around 78,000 people (!) worldwide have been infected with the virus. Over 77,000 of those were in China. Nearly 2,500 people have died as a result. And of those deaths in China, nearly 95 percent of the fatalities are over 50 years old. Half of the people who die are over 70 years old. Does that mean there are zero young people who have died? No, not that, but the chance is very small.

Panic: what if you have symptoms?
First of all: don’t rush to the doctor with a flu-like feeling, the chance is still much greater that you just have a cold. Yes, it’s prevalent. Have you recently been to the affected Chinese region or Northern Italy (or do you have a link with someone who has) and do you then have symptoms, contact your doctor.

Shit man… How must the brewers of Corona beer feel?
I just personally wonder. Well, what can a brand do if it suddenly shares the same name as a deadly virus? Especially when we in the media suddenly use the word ‘Corona’ without the designation ‘virus’? So far, they have maintained a media silence, probably to prevent their beer brand from being associated even more with…

And what does this actually mean for the economy?
Bad, bad news. The outbreak is already costing 330 billion euros. Especially countries that trade a lot with China are in trouble. Russia and Ukraine are the most vulnerable in Europe. The Japanese economy is also taking a big hit, hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists have canceled their visit to Japan.

Should we all be worried now?
PANICPANICPANIC, but also just a small note:

• 2600 people have died worldwide from the Corona virus, among whom mainly the elderly and weaker individuals, but also caregivers.

But annually, there are....

• 140,000 people who die from measles
• 770,000 people who die from HIV
• 405,000 people who die from malaria
• 1,500,000 people who die from tuberculosis. 

Just wanted to mention that. In the Netherlands, you certainly don’t need to worry or act hysterically right now. Just wash your hands often.

P.S. The devastating wildfires in Australia, that’s something you can still worry about, although that seems to have been completely pushed to the background now…