If the corona virus doesn’t make us sick, the hysteria will. Are you considering becoming a “prepper” or risk being left without toilet paper or God forbid chocolate? Well hang on because its becoming a bumpy ride.

There is no cure for the common cold and more people die from the flu so let’s get real here: community acquired diseases threaten life everyday, especially in people with significant advanced age and co-morbidities. The panic in China and the petri dish of the Diamond Princess served to escalate the craziness of an ailment that will remain with us and likely not have a ready cure or vaccine. We live with salmonella yet still dine out, we have a cold several times a year but still work, play and engage. These are just some examples of ubiquitous illnesses that we have learned to “deal with” and not over-manage.

If I knew there was a norovirus on a ship, I’d stay away. If a country had a plague-like environment with people dropping on the street, I would cancel my ticket. There are definitely times when a change in plan is necessary, but panic is not.

STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE! You don’t get the virus through skin. Its when you touch something that has a virus droplet from a cough or sneeze then you transmit it to your nose or mouth. The virus enters thru the nose so turn away and distance from someone coughing. If you had a cold or flu, its always best not to go to work and infect others so same rules apply. Stay home. I would choose to not go to a hospital unless I became ill with fever and shortness of breath and then call ahead so no unsuspecting healthcare worker engages without proper precautions. If you are immuno-compromised or on chemo, stay away from crowds, family with cold or flu, wipe all hi-touch surfaces in your home with disinfectants or bleach, hydrate, don’t smoke or drink alcohol.

If it comes to your town, stay out of hospitals for elective procedures, be aware that confined areas: cruise ships, jail, nursing homes (so many similarities) infection spreads quickly. Travel bug now has a whole new meaning. Children (aka petri dishes) tolerate the virus better then parents and especially grandparents, but can be carriers so no visiting a frail grandma or the nursing home for now- Skype. Wash hands constantly and when you cannot, carry hand sanitizer and wipe your phone down too. Stop touching everything in public. Carry a paper towel for buttons, door handles, etc. then discard quickly. Shut off faucets in public with towel not the hand you just washed. I like to imagine my hands are covered in sticky candy so I touch things less and wipe them more.

You will get a cold, you may get the flu, you probably won’t get Covid 19, but be smart to stay well and grateful that the US health system, even during panic, will make every effort to rescue you. Focus on what is wonderful today and shut off the news. Take a walk in nature and breathe deeply to refresh. What drove people crazy in quarantine wasn’t lack of fast food or Starbucks. It was removal from social interaction. We can still virtual hug. Let’s help others where and when we can. That will have more impact on our lives than fear.

For updates: https://www.cdc.gov