Editorial

Common sense is never an overreaction

Posted 3/11/20

Conflicting reports out of Washington DC give us little sense of just how serious a threat is posed by the spread of COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus.

While President Trump has done much …

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Editorial

Common sense is never an overreaction

Posted

Conflicting reports out of Washington DC give us little sense of just how serious a threat is posed by the spread of COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus.

While President Trump has done much to downplay the severity of the crisis, the worldwide reaction has come close to panic: stocks and oil process have plunged, Italy is on a complete lockdown and more and more cases are reported. As of Monday, the American death toll was reported at 26 with a total of 650 Americans testing positive for the infection. New York, as of Monday night, had 142 coronavirus cases.

And it is getting closer and closer to us. Fresh cases were reported in Westchester and as far north as Saratoga County, with at least one Ulster County resident testing positive over the weekend.

Locally, Catholic churches have asked parishioners to exchange “Peace be with You” greetings without shaking hands; diners at the Blu Pointe Sunday brunch were served at the buffet line rather than being permitted to help themselves, and the Highland Senior Citizens announced cancellation of their first-ever St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.

These are all good precautions and should be viewed as such, rather than as signs of outward panic.

The Center for Disease Control reminds us that there is no vaccination to prevent the virus and no cure, and that it poses a greater threat to elderly people and those whose immune systems have already been compromised by other illnesses.

With that in mind, the CDC offers these recommendations:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.

• When you sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue handy, don’t sneeze into your hand, but into your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or long enough to sing “Happy Birthday”) after using and flushing a toilet, blowing your nose, sneezing, or using a doorknob in a public place.

This advice works as well in prevention of the flu or, for that matter, the common cold. In other words, it should be common sense.