Pure Insanity

We are experiencing pure insanity.  Driven by a rabid media intent on instilling fear and panic in the masses.  All in a last-ditch effort to gain power in the White House.  It all comes down to the liberal Democrat media creating panic and fear in the American people to disrupt the economy and push their agendas.  They want President Trump out and will do absolutely anything at anybody's expense to reach their goal.  Nothing they've done has worked thus far.  They don't care about human lives or US citizens.  They are power hungry and greedy and are disgustingly happy about illness and death and economic downturns because they think that will give them the power they so desperately want.

Even since I wrote my blog post yesterday more insanity has ensued. The church -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- has temporarily suspended all public gatherings including weekly worship service.  Worldwide!  No more church until further notice.  And just a few moments ago they announced no more temple work except select live ordinances.  Crazy! April General Conference will be held without a congregation.  It won't even be broadcast to church buildings.  The only way to watch it is at home through technology.  The upcoming annual women's conference at BYU and BYU graduation have been canceled.  Live devotionals -- basically any gathering has been canceled.

I do find it interesting that we have been prepared for this.  Last year the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, implemented a new study at home program -- Come Follow Me.  This is a testament to me of living prophets and modern-day revelation.  The Lord knew this day would come and prepared His Church through His prophet.

Also yesterday after I posted, I found out that the NCAA basketball tournament -- March Madness -- has been canceled.  So sad for all the kids who worked so hard to make it to the tournament.  NBA, NHL, MLB, the Masters golf tournament, etc. have all been canceled or postponed.

Schools from elementary to university have been shut down or are only online now. Lines are out the door with people waiting hours to just get in to stock up on food and supplies.  Air travel has been suspended in many areas.

This is pure insanity!

Reality check -- worldwide there are only 137,445 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  In the United States as of right now there are 1,268 confirmed cases. Deaths worldwide 5,088.  US deaths total 40. Not 40,000 -- not 4000, not even 400 -- just 40. Those are miniscule numbers compared to other pandemics. Over 327 million people in this country are having their lives totally disrupted and turned upside down because of a virus similar to the seasonal flu that has killed 40 people thus far.  Insane.

I am not an epidemiologist, nor am I a virologist, or even an infectious disease specialist.  But I have trained in medicine and biology.  I even did a one-month infectious disease rotation during medical school.  So I am confident that I know a lot more than the average person about infectious diseases.

I am sure the numbers will get much worse as this pandemic progresses.  It may surpass other pandemics in terms of numbers.  But I don't see it being any worse than seasonal flu-- Which this season has already killed 22,000 people in this country so far.  The vast majority of people recover from COVID-19.  Every death so far in the United States has been in someone over age 50.  So why are they closing schools?

It is just pure insanity to me -- the panic and fear instilled in people by the media.

During my ID rotation at a hospital in the Los Angeles area, I was exposed to or at least in close contact with many infectious diseases.  Including highly contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and meningitis.  I remember being a little scared being in the same room with these highly contagious patients.  But, I followed protocol and wore a gown and gloves and mask.  I never contracted any of the infectious diseases to which I was exposed.

I am more aware than most about how infectious diseases are spread and how to prevent getting sick.  I have always tried to practice good hygiene with aseptic technique when possible.  But I also live in the world where infectious diseases are all around us.  And sometimes you get sick.  That's life.

If there is a positive to this, it is hopefully making people more aware of how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.  Using good hygiene, self quarantine (Staying home when sick) etc.

But the panic, fear, and disruption of society is uncalled for.  Shame on the media and liberal Democrats for putting their lust for power ahead of people's lives.

Even a graduate of extremely liberal MIT and immune system researcher agrees with me:

 “As an MIT PhD in Biological Engineering who studies & does research nearly every day on the Immune System, the #coronavirus fear mongering by the Deep State will go down in history as one of the biggest fraud to manipulate economies, suppress dissent, & push MANDATED Medicine!” -- Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai, MIT PhD.

Let's stop this insanity.  Quit listening to the media creating panic and fear.  Use common sense.  Infectious diseases exist.  Pandemics occur.  This one is by far not the worst we've seen, nor will see in the future.  Take precautions but don't live in fear and panic.  What's going on right now with this particular virus is complete overkill-- fueled by panic and fear driven by the media for political gain.  Future pandemics may require such drastic measures but certainly not this one.

That's my two cents.