I'd been curious how this current pandemic compared to previous ones so I did a little research and found these two tidbits. I'm imagining our current situation will not be "over" in two weeks, or even a month. Stay safe people; stay healthy.
2009 Swine Flu...
1. The flu strain responsible for the outbreak — influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 — was first detected in America in April 2009.
2. The strain represented a unique combination of influenza viruses never before seen in humans or animals.
3. The virus quickly spread globally, primarily affecting children and adults under 65 who lacked immunity to H1N1.
4. The WHO declared the swine flu outbreak a pandemic on June 11, 2009.
5. Between April 12, 2009, and April 10, 2010, the CDC estimates swine flu caused 60.8 million illnesses, 273,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths in the U.S.
6. On Oct. 5, 2009, the U.S. began administering a newly approved H1N1 vaccine to select Americans, with vaccination coverage expanding nationwide by that December.
7. WHO declared an end to the pandemic on Aug. 10, 2010.
8. Globally, an estimated 151,700 to 575,400 people died from swine flu in the first year of the pandemic.
For reference, the COVID-19 pandemic has sickened 1,323 Americans and killed 38, as of March 12. More than 127,00 cases and 4,700 deaths have been reported globally.
1918 "Spanish" Flu...
The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Although there is not universal consensus regarding where the virus originated, it spread worldwide during 1918-1919. In the United States, it was first identified in military personnel in spring 1918. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States.
As of today in the US: 4748 cases + 85 presumptive; 93 deaths +7 overnight.
ReplyDeleteBTW - Love the Liberal Redneck! He's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteIn Italy, the problem exploded in mid-February. Quarantine has started for 10 days for some places and from last Friday, for the whole of Italy. I see, however, that other nations such as France and Spain and Germany are hesitating to take drastic measures. Boris Johnson (another stupid one) said that some will lose their loved ones. Then he retraced his steps.
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite a bit in my life, but nothing compares with the stress level I am feeling except for 9/11. I depend upon order and sameness in my life and this is blowing my mind.
ReplyDeleteO!Daddie - Don't forget to breath.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you posted this. We need this kind of perspective. Our leaders ignore this to our peril. It seems that in America the route to hell is traversed by a golf cart. The driver of which is known for giving out and boasting about fake golf scores.
ReplyDelete