By David Coy
Sunrise
Throughout history there have been wars and reports of wars that have arisen to cause us grief. There has been sickness that have brought us sorrow. An epidemic is when an infectious disease occurs in a community. A pandemic is when an infectious disease occurs over a continent or world. Smallpox (approximately 8000 BC – 1977) originated in Central Africa and spread worldwide. This disease was spread airborne via coughing and sneezing, and the mortality rate was approximately 30 percent. Deaths were calculated in the unknown millions – it is claimed to be the deadliest in the history of pandemics. Cholera (1840s – 1860s), originated in India and spread worldwide. It was spread by contaminated water with fecal matter. The mortality rate was at approximately 50-60 percent with deaths in the millions worldwide. Spanish Flu (1918-1920), originated in China, with a mortality rate estimated at 20 percent and deaths worldwide estimated at 17 million – 50 million. Coronavirus, (2019- ), originated in China and a mortality rate – ? Some people, research now suggests, may get infected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, without showing any symptoms at all. So likely the mortality rate is smaller than currently estimated. (ourpint.com & time.com )
While all these diseases are serious and are to be dealt with using reasonable, rational, educated informed responses, it does not and should not preclude shutting down our lives. Isolating ourselves and living in fear is not going to help us with our grief. If we are experiencing symptoms other than normal, we should stay at home and seek medical help. When we are mourning the loss of loved ones from co-morbid death, let us console and support each other in our sorrow.
This is Sunrise Aftercare, sunrise@sfdcares.com.
