I'll say this, though: when the topic of the coronavirus appeared on this forum (which is how I became alerted to the issue in the first place), I got a sinking feeling of dread that "Wuhan pandemic" hysteria would morph into unconsciously racist anti-Chinese attitudes (the same way last summer's measles hysteria in NYC became an excuse for flagrant antisemitic behavior towards Orthodox Jews). So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't fall into that trap. Your post veers close.
Thank you for your post, @coyote. As someone who is ethnically Chinese who still has family in Asia, I very appreciate your mindfulness of this issue at this time.
When the AIDS crisis occurred, I heard a lot of "Well, what do you expect from a bunch of [INSERT HOMOPHOBIC SLUR HERE] who act like [INSERT HOMOPHOBIC STEREOTYPING HERE]."
I don't think it's appropriate or useful to send that energy out into the world ... well, ever... but especially at a time when so many need our help on both the spiritual and material plane.
Wash your hands, eat fruit and vegetables, get rest and regular sleep. Your immune system is your friend so treat it well at this time.
Thank you for your message. It seems that many Asians from across the globe are beginning to experience discrimination right now. The is heartbreaking.
Here is a BBC story about the issue in France, but I have heard of issues in Canada and the UK too. Probably in every country. The University of Arizona, (not Arizona State where a student contracted the virus) cancelled Chinese New Year celebrations for this weekend siting concerns about the virus. That bothered me as they should then think about canceling any activity that might bring people together if they are that concerned.
French Asians have taken to social media to complain of a backlash against them in response to the Chinese coronavirus outbreak.
China has already seen almost 6,000 cases and 132 deaths, and France has had four cases confirmed.
Anti-Asian racism has been reported in the UK and elsewhere, and now French Asians have complained of abuse on public transport and social media.
They have been using the hashtag JeNeSuisPasUnVirus (I'm not a virus).
There was an outcry when local newspaper Le Courier Picard used the inflammatory headlines "Alerte jaune" (Yellow alert) and "Le péril jaune?" (Yellow peril?), complete with an image of a Chinese woman wearing a protective mask.
The paper quickly apologised, saying it had not meant to use some of the "worst Asian stereotypes".
Stéphane Nivet, head of Licra (the International League against racism and anti-Semitism), said no newspaper would have dared use the headline "Black alert" so it was clear there was a problem.
More on this story can be found at the link below.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51294305
There are two sides to what I said, and my frustration with humanity in general came off slightly stronger. I am aware that many in China are light warriors too
I figured this was the case. The frustration is understandable. In many ways these months are the nadir of this dark period, but this too will pass (as the Buddhists say). Being sick with bronchitis and asthma probably isn't helping things either.
“It is Chinese policy that those with Chinese dual or single nationality can’t leave Wuhan through an assisted flight.” This is effecting UK dual citizens currently.
In evacuation news, hundreds of Britons are trapped in Wuhan after the UK was forced to cancel a planned evacuation flight. A commercially chartered jet was due to depart from the Chinese city on Thursday morning to bring around 200 British nationals home. The Chinese government would not grant permission for the flight to depart however. Apparently this was true for planes from other countries as well.
Three Japanese nationals who returned home from Wuhan have tested positive for the coronavirus, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, citing the health ministry. Two of the three had not shown any symptoms, the ministry said, according to NHK.
The total number of deaths is confirmed to be 170. This is up from 132 reported on Wednesday, and is a rise of of 29%.
Confirmed cases now stand at 7,711, up from 5,974. (Not sure if this includes the just announced 3 Japanese citizens).
It’s understood that 162 of the deaths – or 95% – are in Hubei province, where the outbreak started.
The World Health Organization has officially declared China coronavirus a global health emergency.
The fast-spreading coronavirus has now infected more than 8,200 people across the world.
The rare designation will help the international agency mobilize financial and political support to contain the virus.
The announcement comes just hours after the U.S. confirmed its first human-to-human transmission of the virus from a wife returning home to Chicago from China has now transmitted the virus to her husband.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/30/who-declares-china-coronavirus-a-global-health-emergency.html
Tick Tick Tick
They finally declared it...
Meanwhile Russia closed it's border with China.
People have been under a partial or full lockdown and 7,000 people were held on a cruise ship in Italy as 2 people were tested for the virus.
Latest Updates
- The death toll stands at 213 inside China and confirmed infections are 9,096
- Possible infections are at 12,167 inside China with recoveries listed as 163
- The World Health organisation has declared a global public health emergency because of the spread of the virus outside China, describing it as an “unprecedented outbreak”.
- Cases outside China of the virus are increasing and is estimated to be over 100.
My question?
Only 163 recovered and 9,096 confirmed infections ???
????????
Who understands this stat??? It seems so incredibly low.
That is a great question.
The World Health Organisations stats are slightly lower with 7818 cases confirmed globally as of 30 January.
For the low number of recoveries, the only thoughts that come to mind for me are that:
1. There is probably a time lag in collecting statistics, especially as the number of new infections grows. This article from the guardian today about the awful situation in Wuhan, made me think that resources are stretched.
2. The low number of recoveries may also reflect the overall cycle of the infection, or the way a recovery is defined. It seems to take up to 2 weeks for symptoms to appear and then perhaps another 1 to 6 weeks for people to get well (this is pure speculation, I have no idea how long it takes for an infection to run its course). If that is the case, we may start seeing more recoveries 4 to 10 weeks after the first infections appeared in late December. Perhaps we will see higher recovery numbers from mid February onwards?
Maybe someone with public health expertise can shed light?
The coronavirus has now erupted in anti Chinese sentiment in America. Putting light around our Chinese American sisters and brothers. light to Chinese Americans. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/01/31/metro/fears-coronavirus-fuel-anti-chinese-racism/?p1=Article_Feed_ContentQuery
"Only 163 recovered and 9,096 confirmed infections ???
????????
Who understands this stat??? It seems so incredibly low."
"The low number of recoveries may also reflect the overall cycle of the infection, or the way a recovery is defined. It seems to take up to 2 weeks for symptoms to appear and then perhaps another 1 to 6 weeks for people to get well (this is pure speculation, I have no idea how long it takes for an infection to run its course). If that is the case, we may start seeing more recoveries 4 to 10 weeks after the first infections appeared in late December. Perhaps we will see higher recovery numbers from mid February onwards?
Maybe someone with public health expertise can shed light?"
Jeanne has public health degree and experience.