Click the World Health Organisation image above to read the Epoch Times article entitled:

'WHO Changes CCP Virus Test Criteria in Attempt to Reduce False Positives'

When I began this blog in February 2020, it was strange to me that there was more certainty than questions about this 'new virus'.  Yet even today, the mysteries of origin, transmission, how it spread, what it is, how it should be treated, etc., are still rattling around unanswered.  The number of deaths -- perhaps more than half -- may have mis-attributed to COVID-19.  

The global response was founded on confusion, the blame game and grasping for emergency resources and sure remedies.  Yet, there was no 'standard test for identification', no antibody test to know if someone had had the virus and no idea, yet, about immuninity after someone has recovered.

Thr unseen 'China CCP enemy' has been fought with various drugs (prescription and home remedies), treatment methods from induced coma-respirators, CPAP machines to sweating it out with lemon and honey.   The promise of various vaccines lurches toward the horizon as a new, more virulent mutation begins to raise its powerful head.

As it began to spread out of China to other nations -- in what is suspiciously like a purposeful 'seeding' of the virus -- unsuspecting nations were totally unprepared.  

Health experts couldn't decide whether it was more important to keep paperwork or treat those stricken.  And the nations that did keep statistics differed in their methods, how and what to count.  

A lack of standards in keeping statistics was apparent and understandable as every nation had unique policies and definitions.  It struck me as strange because there had been other pandemics that did not get so much attention.  

The fact is that in 2009, while on a business trip contracted the H1N1 virus.  I was so sick the doctor made a house call and felt I was too infectious to go to the hospital.  He quarantined at home for two weeks.  In 2009, while those who were infected, died or recovered, they got little attention in comparison.

Every nation that began to watch and count had their own ideas.  Should every death that occurred while the virus swirled around, be attributed to the virus?  

There were no conclusive tests initially.  No way to definitively substantiate the reality of the virus.  Some nations seemed to be in a perverted type of competition -- as if there was a badge of suffering for the nation with the most infections, recoveries and deaths.  

I began to imagine it was tied to the hope of receiving aid.  Untold numbers of those who died during this time were attributed COVID.  In time it was clear that many of those who died had seriously-compromised systems and were very near death regardless.  Where was the line to say when the virus may or may not have 'pushed someone over the line'?  It was an easy statistic, though as the WHO is now discovering.

Suddenly, there were duelling statistics, conclusions, treatment methods all over the place.  Every news source was refocused to only one issue - COVID-19.  This tempest in a teapot has turned out to be a bit more politicised than it should ever have been.  Infected individuals became political footballs to be tossed into every argument. 

And who would have imagined how easy it was to acclimate the globe to face mask mandadates!  And how so many enterprising entrepreneurs began to sell designer, fashion-statement masks that we happily bought.  

Before this the world collectively threw away thousands of millions of the disposable masks to clog up more of the landfills and oceans.  (If you haven't read the blog in this series about the efficacy of masks, it might help put some things in a new light.)

Where this debacle ends is anyone's guess, but at least we will know how to wash our hands and cover our mouths when we sneeze or cough.  

Hand sanitizer business has expanded.  Delivery services pop up new all the time.  We work from home and are learning to live in unrealistic isolation that is also increasing depression and fear.  Who knows how this will end ... maybe the WHO.

Necessity of Standard, Cumulative Global Statistics

The world seems to be in a 'blame someone mode'.  We must get real about the developments and implications of COVID-19 for our day-to-day lives. 

A roadblock is uncovering the facts during this time.  I've been following the various sources and reports about COVID-19 since mid-January and offer here some overview stats to consider as offering hope.

Stats of Progress of COVID-19

Estimates from the progress of the virus to date indicate that: 

• 30% - Global infection - (up to, not more than) of the world population could be infected as it progresses.  
• 81% - Mild Cases - of those infected, will contract a mild case.  Without the diagnostic test, the infection could seem just 'the flu'.  
• 10% to 14% - Critical cases - of those infected are at risk to ultimately be infected with a serious form of the virus.  
• 7% - Death rate - out of this population of critical cases result in death.
• 
  

As the disease develops, some countries continue to work independently (believing they know best how to manage the disease).  Some are not forthcoming of the existence of the virus for political or commercial reasons.  


However, sharing information now is critical so the health providers the world relies upon are forewarned and forearmed.  Having and organising a complete picture of observations of symptoms and behaviours and accurate statistics would be invaluable.  

Reporting Bodies

There are credible reporting bodies collaborating and sharing information as it is available, but no ONE source for the global developments.  Some good resources are: 

• The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• 
  
• Johns Hopkins Research Centre
• 
  
• The Lancet in the UK
• 
  
• The World Health Organisation

Global Reporting Metrics

A global standard for metrics has not been established for COVID-19, yet.  There are some benefits in that it is early days with this virus and some unexpected general observation may prove to be worthy to monitor.  

Conclusion

Certainly, the memory of the 'Spanish Flu of 1918' has faded so far in the background and the health-arrogance and carelessness of the world means we were not ready for COVID-19.  But we will be!

General News on 25 February 2020

Key Points

1. Declare a Global Pandemic - With all this spread of the disease globally, the World Health Organisation should officially declare this is a global pandemic.

2. Prepare NOW - No country is ready to manage the many serious and critical cases that are looming.  This group of individuals need extra supportive care and treatment to return them to health.  It is imperative that efforts to prepare for what is to come, be made now.

3. National Customs - Some local and traditional habits need to be curtailed during this time, such as handshaking, hugging and the kissing greetings of many nationalities.

4. Unexpected Casual Immigration - one thing identified from this situation is there are many individuals from many nations who travel regularly in and out of China to work.

5. Miscalculation of Infectious Period - This may indicate that the incubation period could be more than originally thought of as up to 14 days to be infectious.

6. Statistics are all over the place - The lack of standardisation and integrity of reporting from the individual nations worldwide is inadequate to manage the numbers accurately.  Much of this has to do with political issues, not issues of science and capability.

======== Notable Countries Today ====== 

CHINA

China has now cancelled the National Peoples Congress.  Wuhan remains locked down to travel and the President of China has admitted to 'shortcomings'.  All extraordinary measures.

Supposedly, the number of new cases has slowed to about 1,000 per day and the volume per day is increasing more slowly.   

Although epidemics have a peak, this remains a very serious situation.  It is expected that the number of cases will start to level off in Wuhan.  

However, it is important to consider how far the virus was spread when the five million left Wuhan in the early days (especially, the group of 40,000 who left the city after their shared-pot banquet).  These have not yet begun to be managed, let alone, counted as all efforts have been focused on Wuhan.

IRAN

The number of cases in Iran may have started by an Iranian national who travelled to China, but so far they have not been able to identify 'patient zero'.  

There are now 61 cases with 50 deaths and they are occurring across the country.  Tragically, the government is delaying the release of information on this disease for political reasons - resulting in 'life as usual' behaviour.  

Many flights in and out of Iran have been stopped by other countries.  Indications are there are far more infected including many health care providers.  

The religious shrines remain open and people (who are not well informed).  Many of the government officials are infected.  Those in other areas of the country are not permitted to use protective gear so as not to alarm the public. 

NOTE:  It is a customary greeting to hug the other person and kiss both cheeks (or one cheek) when meeting and departing, which obviously will contribute to the spread of the disease.

According to a local government official, 'Tehran situation is terrible and there are deaths by the hour.'

Italy

Cases in Italy have doubled and the health authorities have not found the initial 'patient zero' to track their movements and where they will have spread the disease.

Seems there are many around the world, including Italy, where individuals are working illegally in China and travel back and forth regularly without the government knowing.  

Italy could be a good sample country as they have excellent care there.

Diamond Princess and the UK

In the UK there are now four more cases, with 13 in total.  Evidently, these four cases were not identified when flown back from the Diamond Princess to the UK.  Although they were quarantined, they were released after 14 days as being asymptomatic.  

This may indicate that the incubation period could be more than  originally thought of as up to 14 days to be infectious.

with Diamond Princess, there are 28 new cases, even though people on the ship are in quarantined and are not mixing.

South Korea 

The growth of cases is dramatic.  Today nearly 200 new cases.  S. Korean government have cracked down on public gatherings and travel. 

Israel, Bahrain and Lebanon 

These three countries have now discovered cases and it is thought they originated from the frequent travellers from there in and out of Iran.

North Korea

No reports from North Korea.

Be Wise - Be Alert

It is early days in the development and understanding of this new disease and it is easy to be soothed into ignoring the potential threat it may pose.  It is imperative to be self-aware and to stay up-to-date on the developments of the COVID-19 virus.  

Since I began monitoring and researching the growth of interest in this virus, I've noticed reporting is either sensationalism or 'no worries, she'll be right, mate' attitudes with much of what I'm finding.  My hope is that I will provide resources that are balanced and helpful.  

Symptoms 

The disease is not new in animals, but it is new in humans and that is why it is so dangerous (more on that in another article).  It seems the disease was first noted by a physician in China on 3 December.  Much is still unknown, but here are what is thought to be the symptoms as of today:

Because it is the annual flu season, it is difficult to recognise if someone just has the flu, a cold or COVID-19.  

Primarily, COVID-19 affects the lungs.  It starts with a bit of a fever, then a dry cough (meaning when you cough, no mucus is produced).  However, there is rarely sneezing and a runny nose. 

After a week, those infected have difficulty breathing - a sense of shortness of breath.  This is when people are travelling to a hospital for help.

Here is a helpful infographic that the BBC put together:  

A significant challenge with identifying, managing and treating this disease is that much is still unknown about how it is behaving.  The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initially chose to hide the existence and seriousness of the virus.  Now, they are overwhelmed with the difficulties this choice has made for their people as the number of cases increase exponentially.  

Information coming out of China is still being hampered and the government has said, 'No thanks' to outside help.  As the disease has now spread to 28 other countries (with five deaths outside China), it is under the watchful eye of the World Health Organisation (WHO).    

Considering the degree of readiness some developed countries enjoy it can be easy to forget other nations are not just ill-prepared but extremely vulnerable.   My hope is that the CCP will relent their grip on the facts and allow other medical research professionals to come to their aid before poorer countries are devastated.