On 3/9/20 1:30 AM, Peter Griffin wrote:
What behaviours (if any) have you changed because you're worried about the coronavirus?
I may have an unusual perspective on this question, as I'm presently aboard a cruise ship on a 'round-the-world cruise. (But not one that's been stuck offshore -- yet.)
So far, the ship has taken care of most things for me. The segment between Sydney and Singapore was changed to end in Perth instead. Because of national bans, we'll be skipping stops in Colombo and all of our planned ports in Italy. It's not yet clear if I'll be able to get into India as I promised some of you. (More when I'm sure.)
So far, our ship has been clear of the virus, and hasn't stopped in any (known) infected ports. We also declined to board a few passengers who had just come from China. In fact, so many have canceled because of the lost destination ports that the ship's now only about half full.
Yes, washing hands, fist-bumping instead of handshakes, and enough hand sanitizer to dry up a good sized tropical rainforest, but nothing out of the ordinary.
This will certainly change once someone on the ship develops symptoms. I've been aboard cruise ships that had norovirus, and there's a whole suite of added precautions required by the US' Centers for Disease Control. Mostly shrink-wrapping the buffet.
Stuff that you would recommend others do too. For instance, washing hands more, using hand sanitizers, avoiding crowds, not going to events, canceling travel.
My next cruise is due to include land travel in Spain, France, and England. The cruise line has offered a full credit toward a new cruise if I cancel as little as 30 days from sailing. Should one of those countries go the way of Italy, or if my wife or I come down with a case, we'll be invoking this.
Yes, washing hands helps. Yes, shaking hands is counter-indicated. Avoiding crowds is always a good plan to my mind. And as we've seen by the recent cancellation of SXSW, fans at soccer games, and even movie premiers, a lot of that work will be done for us.
Situational awareness is, I think, the key most of the time. Just as you wouldn't visit an area with a hot shooting war, you'd avoid areas with widespread diseases for which no vaccine is available, especially if very young, old, or have compromised immune function.
I don't think it's time to panic. Careful, yes. But I wouldn't suggest a blanket ban on travel or events. Others may be more nervous, and should stay home if that's what's needed to remain calm.
Good luck to you all. Cheers, / Bruce /
