Well, it's definitely strange times at the moment... Europe is currently being besieged by COVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness caused by the newly encountered coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and scientists and public health officials are warning that unchecked transmission of the disease will more than likely lead to a catastrophic outcome for all countries affected. Coronaviruses are usually fairly harmless for the most part, causing colds, coughs, etc., but this particular strain is highly infectious and virulent and has wreaked havoc on its journey from Wuhan in Hubei province in China, particularly in Iran and Northern Italy, and is now being transmitted at a high rate throughout Europe and the rest of the world. We don't know a whole lot about it; it's particularly dangerous for at-risk groups, such as those who are elderly or immunocompromised, and can cause serious life-threatening complications including pneumonia and ARDS - the fear is that our health systems will become so overwhelmed by the sudden huge numbers of patients requiring critical care that entire collapse could occur. Europe has responded by staging a series of public 'lockdowns' whereby schools, universities, workplaces, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, and so on are closed down, and 'mass gatherings' are banned. People are being urged to self-isolate indoors and be vigilant. There is panic-buying taking place on a grand scale, and a palpable sense of unease pervades the airwaves and all conversation. It is profoundly worrying and I feel particularly sorry for anyone who lives alone or who is classified as being 'at risk'. It's impossible to know how everything is going to resolve but there is hope that warmer weather and sunshine could lessen the virulence of the virus, and that the isolation measures that have been put in place will keep people safe.
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About my blog
Really, it contains a little bit of everything, from a celebration of science and the English language to the joys of travel and the Shipping Forecast. The title ('Meanderings') is a fairly accurate description of its content: I write about different things as the mood takes me, but hopefully there's something in here for everyone... Categories
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March 2021
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And on another note... |
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