In a separate writing of musings that I am preparing to give you, I claim that you have brains. And, to use the brain to pursue common sense. In regard to Covid 19, anxiety of its unknowns is natural. Perhaps a historical perspective is in order.
Contagious outbreaks are nothing new. In the past they created feelings of no defense when they seemed to hit without logic or reason. I know that it is hard to escape thinking about such matters. My brothers and I were in that boat in the 1940’s and 1950’s. However, we didn’t have as much knowledge at our fingertips as is true today. Movie newsreels depicting kids in iron lungs was very disconcerting. Yet, I remember we didn’t dwell on it too much. There were too many fun things to do and talk about. So, when Covid does cross your mind, try to keep your thoughts proportional.
Polio was our scary scourge. For many years its cause was not known. In 1908 it was discovered that a virus caused it. Outbreaks occurred mostly in the summer months from July through September. Outdoor activities were often restricted. There was a belief/myth that a chill got the virus active. I remember an imposed half hour period under the bed covers following a bath. It’s a funny image now; hiding under blankets from a virus. At times, temporary emergency hospitals were created, including inside tents, to accommodate patients. Quarantines existed. If diagnosed, a child was separated from parents for 10-14 days; including needing to view each other through windows as is being seen on TV now. I remember my mother walking door to door collecting money for the March of Dimes. The donations went towards research for a vaccine. In 1952 over 57,000 cases were diagnosed in the US with 3100 deaths.
Then, after all those years, a vaccine was found by Dr. Jonas Salk. He became an immediate hero in our lives. I think he got special permission to field test 2 million kids around 1954. I can’t recall if I was a part of that but I do remember getting the shot around that time frame. A heavy burden was lifted from America’s children.
Today, our medical research abilities are far ahead of those polio times. 1908 to 1953!! They’ll have a Covid 19 vaccine if needed next year in all probability. Effective treatments sooner than that. Wash hands and distance and it will all be behind soon enough. A good feeling; especially at my age. Time will pass for you. It can seem to go by at a very slow pace at your age but there is an end and it will be sooner than feared. Who needs fear?