Coronavirus and daily routines

The coronavirus outbreak keeps making the headlines. It is on all the major news channels and papers. There is uncertainty and that causes some level of preoccupation.

In our part of the world, there are only very few cases of people infected. Seen from the perspective of the ordinary person on the street, the disease remains a distant threat. People don’t wear masks. If one went out with a mask that would generate a lot of anxiety around. But everybody knows we live in a globalised world. The contamination can spread fast. People are also aware of the economic importance of China. In many ways, some of us are more concerned with the economic impact than with the public health dimensions.  

In the current context, let’s keep the focus on the public health aspects. The key points are to contain, to reassure and to avoid unnecessary alarm. It is also advisable to combat all types of stereotypes.

Daily routines should go on.