Sunday, February 16, 2020

Living Among Us


I've got the strange feeling that Sars was a warning, Corona (officialy named covid-19) is the 'real thing'. The viral outbreak doesn't seem to be under control. Words like 'global', 'outsource', 'China', have become ominous. If the chinese stop working , the economies of the world might collapse.

In the meantime, people go on with their plans, especially touristic ones. During the second week of February we have the annual IMTM  fair (see my previous posts on the subject). Usually, it's a popular, colorful touristic event that lasts two days; half of the day dedicated to professionals , the other half open to the public.



Expo area in TA

Entrance

Pavilion 2 out of two main exhibit pavilions

This time, however, something in the air, perhaps fear of the virus,  got translated into fear of the crowds. Most visitors just grabbed maps and flyers without pausing to ask questions or discuss itineraries like in the past; some of the beautiful booths were partially or totally deserted.


Indian booth posters  - Incredible India

India booth posters- Human and Nature

Perhaps,  there's some other explanation ( I arrived late,  the business transactions among tourist operators once closed , the public was of little interest to them, the operators were tired from the 'after party' of the previous evening... ), but it's hard to ignore the virus rumors, these days.


Men's  chat

girls'  chat

deserted  booths

If I understand correctly, the covid-19 virus is part of the same virus family as the 'flu' (the corona family).
Not much is known about it, so hopes, at this stage,  are modest - mainly to bring it down, at least, to the level of the flu (influenza) virus.

The latter has practically been living for decades among us. We are familiar with it, have an annual vaccine, anti-viral drugs, understand its spreading  process, can foresee mutations etc..

May God protect us from  the Corona  family !



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57 comments:

  1. I am concerned about the coronavirus and have asked several people I know here if they are concerned. Most don't seem to be and one emphasized that the Chinese don't have the best hygiene (which I can't comment on as I haven't really read too much about that) and seemed to think that proper hand washing and such would keep one free of getting it if exposed. I know I don't want to travel on a plane right now. It is scary with how many are dying. A friend who places teaches from the United States to teach in China said that they have called all the teachers home to the states as a precaution. I really need to read more about this to be better educated and informed.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some say there was a virus leak from a laboratory; others blame the chinese eating habits (bats, snakes, cats, dogs etc..).
      Anyway, we know very little of what's really going on there, and that's worrying.

      Delete
  2. I live in Japan and the virus has become a big concern/worry/fear here. It is not only a health issue, but an economic issue. The company I work for has several factories in China and relies on Chinese materials and parts for the factories in Japan. Without Chinese tourists, the hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas are in trouble. The summer Olympics are less than six months away. How long will it take to get this deadly virus under control?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. The virus is both a health and economic concern of the highest degree.
      We are quite in the dark about it; nobody can tell us clear facts and/or reassure us things are under control.

      Delete
  3. I've read that so many products are made in China now that we could see a drop in availability of many things.

    It doesn't help that the news we get from China seems to be unreliable and our news too sometimes. It is hard to trust what we are being told.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. China's the biggest world supplier of goods, so we're indeed going to witness " a drop in availability" of many products.

      Delete
  4. Let's hope for the best outcome it's all we can do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, take precautions, wait and hope for good news. There's a lot at stake here.

      Delete
  5. It did look rather deserted in these photos, Duta. And perhaps it was because of precautions people were taking not to be out among crowded areas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compared with previous years, the sight of the deserted booths was a great disappointment.

      It was not only fear of crowds, but also, perhaps, the booths of asian countries including China.

      Delete
  6. Care must be taken...as it is...worldwide. It's too late after the horse has bolted...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're probably right - it's worldwide already. In a global world the virus is out and about. We just don't know it yet.

      Delete
  7. Yes, it is worrying.
    As far as I can tell the experts can't pinpoint the exact way it is spread.
    I'm really proud of our scientists here in Australia who are working in collaboration with colleagues throughout the world to come up with a vaccine.
    All we can do is hope for the best.
    It does seem as though folk are staying away from crowded places as your photos show.
    Fingers crossed as each day passes xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scientists are doing a great job joining efforts to come up with solutions.
      So far, no news. It takes time, patience, and money.

      Delete
  8. The behavior of this virus is still unclear.
    Take care, Duta.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. The general belief is that this virus resembles the familiar flu. Still, things are not clear.

      Delete
  9. I agree with you, May God protect us from the Corona family! Thank you for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Only God can and will help us overcome the doings of the virus.

      Delete
  10. Thinking back to how influenza epidemics ravaged European populations in times past, you wonder when we are going to have an equally devastating pandemic. I think I prefer to put my faith in the doctors and epidemiologists rather than God. She hasn't helped too much so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doctors and epidemiologists die too. (I've seen the recent number 170 regarding those in China that were dealing with the virus and its victims).
      That's how people come to believe in a power beyond us that controls things.
      Let's hope for the best.

      Delete
  11. It's quite crazy out there. What is a shame are the myths and rumours that abound. I've been watching a US university site
    Canada only has 7 cases, many of them mild. The US 15. The virus is spreading, but most of the deaths are in China.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing is clear yet. We're quite in the dark.
      There are always rumours; sometimes there might be a clue in them - i.g the chinese eating habit of bats, snakes, cats, dogs..
      In emergency times, one must not ignore any clue.

      Delete
  12. Very interesting to read the comments as well. The impact is very deep, we don't always think about the economic side. thanks for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with your view on both the comments and on the impact.
      In today's world, the two sides (health and economy) are closely related.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the link. I understand that the corona virus was predicted in an american novel published in 1981 - The Eyes of Darkness by Koontz.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's very concerning. May God bless and guide those who are working diligently to provide treatment and research.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is, indeed. The medical people are putting their life in danger to help fighting the virus. They sure need God's guidance' protection, and blessing.

      Delete
  15. I think this outbreak is going to get a lot worst before things get better. I can only hope that some pharmaceutical company comes up with a vaccine for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're probably right.
      They say it'll take at least a year to come up with a vaccine. In the meantime, spreading of the virus is merciless.

      Delete
  16. I think, or at least I hope, it is just an attempt to damage Chinese economy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Damage to China's economy is also damage to global economy, as there are many countries that have based their own economy on import of goods from China.
      What we can learn from this, is to be economically independant. Dependance on others is bad.

      Delete
  17. I hope the virus will be over soon. I have noticed a Poland sign on one of the pics:) Have a lovely day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all hope so.

      Poland's booth at the tourism fair IMTM always stands out as a popular and rich booth. Rich in material such as maps, flyers, informative magazines etc...It is a country which has a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists.

      Delete
  18. After the Ciara storm, we got the Dennis fortunately we personaly had nothing, but there were a lot of damages especially in the UK. I am very doubtful about the Corona virus, that's probably a business matter. China became to important the virus came on purpose nobody wants to buy Chinese anymore ! If you compare how many people die every day due to war and starving in the world, it's finally nothing. Panic making yes, I saw the first masks here in Brussels !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whatever one thinks of it (business matter, panic making), we should not ignore the danger.
      We should follow the principle: "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst".

      Delete
  19. While I understand that this is serious, I don't understand why people don't take the flu more seriously. The CDC here in the US estimates that thousands have died and millions have had the flu in the US since Oct. 1, 2019. My not understanding why there's no outcry about the flu, does not mean I don't take the corona virus seriously. As always, an interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right...to take the flu more seriously.
      People are blamed for not taking the annual vaccine.
      The fact is that even those who take the vaccine, ultimately get the flu, and if they are old and frail they might even die of it.

      Maybe now, with the appearance of another member of the Corona family. they'll start taking the whole family more seriously.
      So far, the results of the various researches and vaccines don't justify the enormous sums of money invested in them.

      Delete
  20. That's sad about the event -- but I understand. With my fragile lung situation I have to be very careful of anything upper respiratory. I'm sick with one now (not Corona, just an infection) and they watch like hawks. It's anxiety provoking yet I know for the best. So I'm doing my best to stay out of crowds, partly not to share the germs and also not to pick up others. I feel, though, for those who put this event on. We've had events here that have had attendance threatened, mostly by weather, and it's sad for the participants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to think cold, wet weather was the culprit where lung, respiratory issues were concerned. I still do, but I know now that our immune system can keep germs away. So we have to work on this, strenghten it by reducing stress, practising hygienic habits, avoiding bad nutrition.

      Delete
  21. Duta, you're a trooper to go out and face the crowds at the event!! Its a nice picture of you!! Was there a booth from Japan this year?! I will share a prayer from a newslettter I receive from JNN (Jerusalem News Network, Vision for Israel), concerning the virus, that we can all pray :

    Lord, we intercede that the latest coronavirus will be quickly contained and spread no further. We pray for remedies to be rapidly developed and believe your word that promises to drive back sickness from our doorstep: "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Ps. 91:10

    Blessings to you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were booths there(yes, Japan too), but not crowds.
      Very good prayer! Thanks for sharing.

      Delete
  22. I will share your prayer with those around me.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I enjoy your provacative posts that always make me think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm glad my post gave you some food to thought.

      Delete
  24. How have you reached this conclusion?
    No, it was a total disappointment.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! When you see pictures like these of events that happen every year, and have been normally filled with tons of people, this really puts everything in perspective as to what's going on around the world. So very sad, and like you I'm keeping everyone in constant prayer for healing and a cure. Hugs, RO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've summed it up perfectly, Ro! Yes, it does put things in perspective.
      Thank you.

      Delete
  26. There are so many issues with the virus and it's a scary thing. No masks, etc and I hope never! God bless all affected!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think the masks are effective, but the fact is they're even not available at the pharmas or stores.

      Anyway, no masks, and probably there's going to be shortage of all kinds of items, as China's the greatest world supplier.

      Delete
  27. I’m back, just saying hi, stopping in to give an account of myself. I hope you had a great week so far. Enjoy your weekend!

    Wishing you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Enjoy your weekend too!
      All the best!

      Delete
  28. That's ok, Yonosoy. Any comment from you is welcome, regardless of your english. I'm very glad you enter my blog, read the post, and leave a comment.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The coronavirus virus is worrying, I see that the Geneva Car Show has been cancelled.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is indeed.
      A lot of things have been cancelled because of it.

      Delete
  30. It just goes to show that the world economy and society itself is always balanced on a knife edge and that it doesn't take too much to put it at risk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right. The tiny virus can cause the collapse of economies and social order in no time. That's scary!

      Delete