Global epidemic not only time to be germ-conscious

At a membership-only bulk store over the weekend, the usual greeter was watching for more than patrons’ membership cards.
She stood armed with a hand-sanitizer-soaked paper towel — the gallon jug with its pump a silent sentinel beside her — and her hawk-like gaze trained on shopping cart handles. Customers who used the complimentary disinfectant wipes in front of the automatic doors were permitted to pass by undisturbed.
Any who had not were stopped with a forcefully friendly smile and a cheerful, “Oh! Let me wipe that down for you.”
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, bringing with it panic and fear, we appreciate the extra steps taken by this store to protect customers. After all, the mundane tasks of everyday life are still necessary, even during illness outbreaks, and the grocery shopping must be done at some point.
But it’s disappointing that it took the appearance of a new virus to get people to take their health — and the health of others — seriously.
Suddenly, stores are devoid of cleaning supplies. Shelves that once housed hand soap and disinfectant wipes are barren. Including at this particular bulk store.
Based on this, it’s disconcerting to think how little people washed their hands and disinfected their belongings before COVID-19 came along.
Flu season started months ago and could continue as late as May, but few people seemed overly concerned about the spread of illness back in early December.
Yes, COVID-19 can be fatal. But so can other illnesses that circulate yearly. The coronavirus, thus far, has been deadly for elderly people and those with severe underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus seems to leave children well enough alone (knock on wood).
But flu strikes every year, and the population of people at a higher risk of flu complications overlaps with coronavirus, except that this year’s flu season has been far deadlier for children than COVID-19, according to the CDC. There have been 136 pediatric deaths so far this season. During the week of Feb. 16-22, 2020, flu and pneumonia accounted for 6.9% of deaths nationally.
Vulnerable populations — the elderly, the young and those with other health conditions — rely on herd immunity every year, and every year we should all do our parts to protect them. This means everyone needs to take basic preventative measures to slow or stop the spread of illnesses: Washing our hands for 20 seconds (hum any snippet of song, but “Happy Birthday” works well), covering sneezes and coughs (not with our hands!), getting our inoculations (yes, the flu shot) and avoiding being in public places if we know we’re sick (as much as possible).
So thank you for washing your hands and disinfecting belongings. But, please, in the future, don’t wait for a global epidemic before taking preventative measures against infectious diseases.