Week 2

Well, I was right. I hate being right. Things are definitely getting worse. The number of “official” infections is over 100, up from the previously reported 15. 10 infections on US soil with more sure to come. All US patients are being airlifted to the closest CDC facility. 3 in New York, 4 in California, 1 in Florida, and a husband/wife in Ohio. All of the confirmed cases have 1 thing in common. They all returned to the country from or through the same overseas location. Unfortunately, the powers that be are keeping that location quiet for the time being in hopes of avoiding mass panic. I have a few guesses but I’ll keep those to myself for the time being. 

Let’s be honest here. A catastrophic plague on a global scale is inevitable. It’s just a matter of time. A person can literally circle the globe in just a couple of days (with layovers). Diseases that were once easy to contain because of geography are now a threat to the entire world. See the Ebola scare from 2014. Before international travel became the norm, it would have burned itself out within a few months. And Ebola is relatively hard to contract compared to something like norovirus or the common cold. All it would really take is the right mutation to change the face of society as we know it. 

How do I know? This is going to sound very immodest, but for someone without formal training, I am very knowledgeable about infectious diseases. Why? Mainly due to my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. A major component of that is a fear of disease/germs. The best way to fight fear is knowledge. Understanding the bogeyman makes him much less terrifying. Or at least that is the theory. So, I have devoted a significant portion of my time to trying to understand the things I fear. The problem is, for someone with O.C.D. it doesn’t always work the way it “should”. See, I know my fears can be irrational and even a bit silly. But knowing that usually just makes things worse. Because not only do I have the anxiety that comes from it, I am also saddled with knowing that my fears and unfounded but still completely beyond my control. 

Where does that leave things right now? I don’t know. I’m monitoring the situation. 
In the meantime, I should make a trip out. I don’t want to. But I should. I’m OK on food and fuel. However, there are other items I’m in short supply of. Besides, is it possible to be “too well” stocked on essential supplies at a time like this? 
Maybe I’ll swing by and see my pal Mike at the gun shop. My annual birthday trip to the range left me a bit short on 9mm. I’m fairly left leaning, so Mike and I can always find something to have a friendly debate about. The reason he gets my business is the fact that despite our political differences, he is at least respectful of the right to disagree without name calling and histrionics. Besides, he’s as tuned into the world as I am. Maybe he’s heard something I haven’t. 

I’ll update in a week. Maybe consider stocking up on essentials. This could get real ugly real quick.