Corona Letters #11

Dear Fellow Quarantiners,

Today I will interview esteemed scientist Gene Lee who has a Ph.D in microbiology.  I will ask him a few questions about Coronavirus.

Deb:  Hi Dr. Lee, first of all thank you for agreeing to meet with me at this late hour.

Dr. Lee:  You're welcome.  It's nice to be called Dr. Lee at this late hour.

Deb:  A lot of people ask you why people are so scared of this virus, what makes it different?
Can you explain for us?

Dr. Lee: Well, I think there is good reason to be scared - it spreads easily and quickly, and can cause more severe symptoms than typical flus and colds.  We've seen this in the early days of the pandemic, in China and more recently in Italy, and now in the US and across Europe.  But I also think there is something to how quickly news reports and stories spread as well - a media driven pandemic, as it were.  We hear and see events happening in real-time, from across the globe, and it suddenly seems very close to home.  And it exposes the fears and anxieties that we have about our healthcare system, our economy, our jobs, and our loved ones.  I've never - we've never - experienced anything like this in our lifetimes, and I think that's also scary.  We don't know how this story will end.

Deb:  So do you think there is too much hype?   Are we more scared than we should be?

Gene:  No, not too much hype.  Maybe this is also something that the media - print, tv, internet - also doesn't know quite how to handle.  But people today need information, data, expert opinion, and there is no shortage of this.  And despite this, we are really not doing as much as we should be doing to limit the spread of the disease.  Going back to the last question, I wonder if people are more scared of the changes to the daily routines of their lives than they are of the virus, and the disease.  While most people who are exposed to the virus will suffer only minor symptoms, it can be particularly dangerous for some, so we should be a little bit scared.

Deb:  As a scientist, you are keenly aware of how quickly this can spread.  What efforts are you making in your own home to keep your family safe?  Are you worried about items brought into the house from a shopping expedition?  Do you constantly sanitize everything?  Would you, for example, eat an apple without washing it?

Dr. Lee:  Well, first of all I noticed that you called me Gene above.  Let's go back to Dr. Lee.  I think that we are taking a few precautions at the store - social distancing, not touching our faces, that sort of thing.  And we've gone to not using our green reusable grocery bags and opting for disposable, placing the bags on the floor and not the kitchen island, and washing our hands.  But I just ate an apple with the skin on, without sanitizing it, and you know it.  Damn you with the "gotcha" questions!

Deb:  The people deserve to know what scientists are doing at home.  They are eating apples with the skin on.  You heard it here.   Should we talk about the president?  Remember, my parents are reading this.

Dr. Lee:  The president of my high school was a real class act.  I was the Vice President then, and he really didn't give me a lot to do, but it looked good on my resume.  Thanks Sam!  Next question!

Deb:  Perhaps you should run for office.   You're really good at dodging a question.  But seriously,
it seems like the United States didn't react quickly enough to this situation.   With this in mind, what should the President be doing now to minimize the impact of this virus from this point on.

Dr. Lee:  Heed the advice of experts, and put people first, in front of his ego and his political ambitions.  Use the power of the federal government to do good, for the good of the union, and allow states and local governments to be effective.  Stop being such a dummy!

Deb:  Thank you for your eloquent response.   Do you think things will be back to normal by Easter as the President says, should I put an order in for a big ham for a large gathering?

Dr. Lee:  Stop being such a dummy!

Deb:  Thank you for your time Dr. Lee.  My readers will really appreciate your expertise.  This must be a very difficult time for you and your family.   And, I understand that your mother who has several health issues is living with you as well.    Your wife must be a Saint!

Dr. Lee:  She's the best! And my wife is also great! (ha!)  Seriously, Deb's doing a fabulous job with this blog, and I hope that she continues writing and chronicling our shared - and unique - experiences during this crazy time.  Dr. Lee out!

Deb:  Okay.  I think it's time for you to go to bed.  Can you take the dog out?

Dr. Lee:  Yes dear.

Deb:  Thank you for your time Dr. Lee!  Stay Healthy