Lim: 2019-nCoV

THE World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a public health emergency of international concern.

While this signifies a pandemic that will likely cause disruption to trade and travel, this declaration also calls for solidarity among nations—to rapidly mobilize support and move resources to contain this outbreak.

Why does the novel coronavirus strike so much fear? Because there is so much that we don’t know about it.

Transmission is said to be through droplets hence the need for hand hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping distances. But it is not certain how long the virus can survive on hard surfaces. It is not confirmed if asymptomatic persons can be infectious. It is not clear how this virus moved from animals to humans.

And there is the absence of drugs to treat it as well as vaccines to protect against its infection.

But let’s put things in proper perspective.

For most viruses, there are no antivirals. Treatment is only for the alleviation of symptoms to support the capacity of a patient’s immune system to fight and overcome the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Influenza, commonly known as the flu, infected 45 million people in the United States and killed more than 61,000 during the 2017-2018 flu season.

But Influenza is not an unknown pathogen. And due to the presence of vaccines and antivirals that can fight it, Influenza does not make headlines globally despite the fact that it kills thousands in the United States annually.

2019-nCoV’s current mortality rate of three percent makes it seem less deadly than Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) which had an 11% mortality rate and Mers-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) which had a 35 percent mortality rate. All three viruses, though different, all fall under the family of coronaviruses.

This pandemic is cause for concern. Precautions should be taken. But let us not contribute to the problem by adding panic to the equation. Let us not rush to empty our pharmacies of protective gear, leaving none left for those who need them the most—the sick and those who care for the sick.

And please stop believing everything you hear. The virus is spreading globally but the spread of false information is just as virulent.

Stop vilifying the victims, the global leaders, the health experts. I don’t know what is more tragic—the pandemic of an unknown pathogen or the loss of humanity for so many netizens.

Stop spewing vile remarks and sharing uncorroborated stories on cyberspace. Pray instead for the suffering—the victims and their families. Pray for the unsung heroes of this pandemic—the health workers at the forefront fighting to contain this virus and the best scientific minds working overtime to combat this crisis.