March 13, 2020
Dear Everyone:
“I had a little bird, its name was Enza.
I opened up the window and In-Flu-Enza.”
I vaguely remember our maternal grandfather telling me about this little
ditty which became popular in 1918, just over a century ago.
The family story says that our grandparents met in France during World
War I. She was an army nurse
and he was in the hospital with a “bad cold”.
In retrospect, he may have had an early case of the so-called
“Spanish Flu”, which flourished in the cramped conditions endured by
most soldiers. In fact, some
historians are of the opinion that the Great War might have lasted
months, or even years, longer had it not been for the devastating
effects of the pandemic.
Of course, some historians are also of the opinion that there really was
only one World War, with a 20-year Intermission.
As for the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu, no
one really knows how many people died of the disease.
This is because most doctors didn’t think to blame “influenza” as
the cause of death. Instead,
they tended to list things like pneumonia.
Consequently, the reported number of deaths, between 17 and 50
million, or more like 100 million, worldwide may be a tad bit off the
mark.
In any case, so far, the Coronavirus has only succeeded in mowing down
less than 6,000 people around the world.
The number will go up, of course.
But it seems unlikely that it will have the overall effect of the
Spanish Flu.
This is due, in part, to the precautions of various organizations.
The Contra Costa County Library, which has over two dozen local
branches, just cancelled all group events until the end of the month.
That means our Needle Arts group which meets in a multipurpose
room in the Martinez branch, will have to forgo our bi-weekly
get-together for a while.
The Senior Community Center in Martinez, which I go to each Tuesday, has
also cancelled all activities.
The front office will remain open; and they’re figuring out how
to provide meals for the Seniors who rely on their $3.00 lunches to
stretch out a limited income.
However, Bingo is called off until further notice.
No Bingo? Holy crap!
This is serious!
Schools are closing all around the country.
Broadway has gone dark.
Disneyland will be closed by this weekend.
The entire nation of Italy is under quarantine.
This is no laughing matter.
On the other hand, if you can’t laugh, what can you do?
Technically, this is not yet an emergency.
Nevertheless, people are in full panic mode.
News helicopters show long lines, made longer by the necessity of
people standing at least six feet apart, at Costco stores, where under
normal circumstances, one can easily buy a six-month supply of toilet
paper. Now, the toilet paper
is being rationed.
Over the years, I have maintained an Emergency Supply Box (ESB).
Various sources stress the importance of having at least three
days’ worth of food and water on hand.
Never have I seen an admonition to have a month’s supply of
toilet paper available.
There is nothing on the news about the nation’s paper mills suddenly
shutting down. Or that truck
drivers are dying en masse.
The entire shortage has been self-induced by panicked buyers.
Nevertheless, the shelves are empty, therefore there must
be a shortage, which causes more panic, and so on and so on...
Are we laughing yet?
The best thing everyone can do is take a deep breath, but not too close
to the next person in case they may be contagious.
Just relax. Also,
sneeze into your left elbow and bump elbows (in lieu of shaking hands)
with your right.
Of course, that’s easy for me to say.
I don’t have a house full of children suddenly barred from going
to school. I expect the kids
are thrilled. I’m reminded
of a movie about Britain during The Blitz.
A bomb struck a school, demolishing it in a matter of seconds.
The delighted schoolchildren danced in the yard shouting, “Thank
you, Mr. Hitler!”
In my case, I can just sit back and spend my time watching TV and
crocheting little critters for when the Senior Center opens up again.
In the meantime, look at it this way:
17 million (conservatively) in 1918, less than 6,000 so far.
That works out to today being less than 0.03% of then.
Clearly, the Coronavirus has its work cut out for it.
Love, as always,
Pete
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