There’s a new virus spreading in China and it’s giving “Swine Flu” vibes.
I know the always-right-wing, always-a-bit-alarmist Mail isn’t always the best source of news, but it is a wee bit worrying. We escaped the worst of it when swine flu was doing the rounds, but we won’t always be so lucky.
To be honest, it feels like one of those odd, in-between news moments where something sounds serious, but not quite cancel-your-plans-and-stockpile-emergency-supplies serious … yet.
Reports are coming out of China about the new virus (some sort of coronavirus), and while the numbers are still relatively small, the tone from the World Health Organisation is cautious, if not slightly ominous. There’s talk of “limited” human-to-human transmission so far, mostly within families, but officials are already warning hospitals around the world to prepare for the possibility of wider spread.
Hospitals being told to get ready suggests this isn’t just a one-city issue. And then there’s the mention of potential “super-spreading” events—something that sounds more like a plot device in a thriller than a real-world concern.
We have plans for another wee trip to the United States this year, but I’ll be keeping an eye on how things shape up before I book anything. Don’t want to get the plague State-side!