A Good Thing ?


This will sound satiric and irrational at first (even though I am not usually prone to satire) . . . could the Wuhan virus be a blessing in disguise? 

Look at all the benefits that have accrued because of this virus. They are actually innumerable, and these benefits touch many aspects of society. 

For instance, after the initial trauma of the forced prolonged and constant cohabitation, it seems as if families are actually getting to know each other better, and are now more accepting of each other’s idiosyncrasies. This can only be good.

Many have learned to be more self-sufficient . . . now doing their own yard work, painting, and home maintenance projects. This can only be good.

Many are experiencing working from home, and finding that they like it. I just read a business article that stated that companies are finding that their workers are, in fact, more efficient when working from home. Projects are getting done ahead of deadlines, and in some cases employees are looking for more to do! This can only be good.

Driving has become much less. The freeways are no longer packed with cars. This can only mean that there are less pollutants being spewed into the atmosphere. This can only be good.

Whereas, my wife and I used to like to go to movies a fair amount, we haven’t seen a movie in months. This can only be bad for Hollywood . . . and this can only be good!

However, I have saved the best for last. What if I told you that somehow the Wuhan virus has led the way to a dramatic decrease in severe illnesses. Here I am being satirical . . . however I am perplexed on how to explain the following, which I cut-and-pasted from a medical website:

“Samantha J. Lange, M.P.H., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues described trends in emergency department visits for three acute life-threatening health conditions (MI, stroke, and hyperglycemic crisis), which always necessitate immediate emergency care, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared as a national emergency (March 13, 2020). Data were obtained from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program.

The researchers found that compared with the 10-week period before the emergency declaration (Jan. 5 to March 14, 2020), in the 10 weeks following the emergency declaration (March 15 to May 23, 2020), there were decreases of 23, 20, and 10 percent in emergency department visits for MI, stroke, and hyperglycemic crisis, respectively.”

It’s hard to decide what this stat actually means, but is there any way that this can be anything but good?

7/1/20

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