R.I.P. Kobe & Follow Up on the Corona Virus from Wuhan
Claudewell S. Thomas, MD, MPH, DLFAPA, is an established psychiatrist who is currently retired ,, He received his medical degree in 1956 at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and specializes in social psychiatry, public health psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. Dr. Thomas was board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry... more
The death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter along with seven others reminds us of the risks involved with technology. Why a commercial helicopter was flying in weather that had grounded police helicopters we may never know. Kobe was more than a great basketball player, he spoke four languages and was perfecting an algorithmic approach to the game. His unfortunate rape charge may or may not have been the result of a change of heart on the part of the accuser, but its settlement certainly involved Laker influence. His final game reflected his will. Pouring in 60 points against the Utah Jazz when a token few was to be expected was a statement. His 2018 animated short academy award was accompanied by his wry "I know I should shut up and just dribble" in response to the Fox columnist's insult to Le Bron James'. Those of us who consider ourselves Angelenos are joined by a world that mourns the Mamba.
The number of cases of the Wuhan strain of the corona virus is increasing worldwide. There appear to be some 800 cases in China. Two more cities have been shut down. Emergency prefab hospitals are being erected. China has sequenced the virus and passed along its structure. It is an RNA virus with a wide genomic structure. It has an external coronal spiked structure and has the infectivity of the common cold. Its early symptoms may be coughing and sneezing but intestinal symptoms follow quickly and hemorrhagic fever accompanies. Chinese authorities apparently have withheld morbidity and mortality statistics although known. World infectious disease specialists are calling the disease a national emergent problem but despite its appearance in India, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, England, Japan, the U.S.A and Canada, refuse to call it a world emergency issue. Considering the primitive measures that we have for detection (temperature, symptoms, etc) and exclusion, it may not matter.
We must keep in mind that an even more dangerous agent, EBOLA, is inevitably on its way to the U.S.A and around the world. Perhaps the world danger designation needs to be reserved for its appearance. In the meantime, avoid crowds, wash hands, use masks, avoid overexertion, avoid international travel.
Photo credit: wilx.com
