During the 2003 SARS epidemic I was working in China half clueless about the risks of the epidemic that killed nearly 800 people world wide. There was a recommendation from the Chinese Central Government to avoid large scale celebrations but few took the advice.
We experienced bird flu and swine flu so we just did not eat those animals and “stayed safe”.
This year I planned to visit China late February but changed my mind early January when the Corona virus surfaced and started infecting people. It was said that this virus can be controlled and it was not as vicious and easily spreadable as the SARS was in 2003, but very early Chinese Central Government reported about the virus and when the Chinese New Year approached travel restrictions were implemented in Wuhan and nearby cities.
Some say the travel restrictions were implemented too late. Those are the people panicking when one should stay calm and make important decisions. This year in US it was reported that 4000 people has died from flu and the flu season was more severe. Granted that this Corona virus is very nasty one, China has 1.4 billion people on and about to move and a weeks long public holiday is happening right now. It’s great to enjoy the wisdom of hindsight, please use it next time, on time!
This time it will get worse before it gets better. With 1-2 weeks incubation period and patient being infectious without showing symptoms tens of thousands of people (a rough estimate) are going to be infected with this virus. We hope that when Spring makes weather warmer in couple of months the virus dies out and we are more wiser and can prepare for the next battle.
Until then, please wash your hands often with soap and avoid crowds if possible.