Here in Great Bend, the risk of being infected by the novel coronavirus is still low. And yet, it dominates our conversations.
The Kansas Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading tournaments scheduled for next week in Topeka have been canceled.
This virus has been inconvenient for people stuck on cruise ships. That’s costing the travel industry a bundle, but still doesn’t affect many of us personally. But now it’s starting to be inconvenient for millions of people whose entertainment has been interrupted. Maybe you’re unhappy that the new James Bond movie won’t be released until November. Maybe you’re a basketball fan who thinks the NBA shouldn’t have suspended the 2019-2020 season and that fans should be able to attend March Madness games.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Texas is still relatively small but organizers have canceled the South by Southwest festival of music, technology and film, and shut down the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Is this an overreaction?
The Centers for Disease Control tell us, “COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.”
The CDC recommends taking everyday precautions, starting with, “clean your hands often,” preferably with soap and water. CDC also recommends avoiding all non-essential trips – especially cruises – and avoiding crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. “Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.”
There are people who have preyed on public fears and concerns over legitimate news reports. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Tuesday his office is suing televangelist Jim Bakker and Morningside Church Productions, “for misrepresentations about the effectiveness of ‘Silver Solution’ as a treatment for 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). ... Anyone who has bought ‘Silver Solution’ from the Jim Bakker Show should know that it cannot cure or treat coronavirus.”
Several other companies are selling colloidal silver products as treatments for the coronavirus. According to the Food and Drug Administration, silver does not work to combat serious diseases. Currently, there are no vaccines, pills, potions or other products to treat or cure COVID-19.
Schmitt’s office has also issued a consumer alert to warn Missourians of potential price gouging and phishing scams related to coronavirus treatments.
There is reliable information from the Centers for Disease Control and our local health department. Memes and snake oil hawkers are entertaining at best, and any claims they make should be tested.
