Monkey Pox, Monkey Do

Well, well, well, well, it looks like we have another virus that causes a disease called monkeypox!

Like chickenpox, only worse.  Instead of looking like you were pecked by Foghorn Leghorn, you look like you were pinched by Magilla Gorilla. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention insists that the risk of this virus, which originated in central Africa, is low and we shouldn't freak out about it.

Funny, that's what they said about COVID in February 2020.  A month later, a global pandemic was declared.

I think I'll stay in my room for the rest of my life . . .. 

Epidemic

Coronavirus has infected over a thousand people in the United States.  The number may be even higher, as not enough people have been tested.  Switzerland has already banned large meetings through this coming Sunday, and it may be extended.  Meanwhile, Italy is closed.  There's a lockdown across the country lasting at least until Palm Sunday, April 5.  Don't be surprised if it gets extended to Ascension Thursday (May 21).

College classes are being held online at Ivy League universities and state schools, not just diploma mills.  It looks like the NCAA basketball tournament may be scaled back (well, there's a silver lining!).  And the stock market doesn't know where it's going.

I have a feeling that we can't hand-wash, elbow-bump, socially distance, and cancel our way out of this mess.

Oh yeah, Chinese President Xi Jinping says that the tide has turned in Wuhan and that the virus is receding, even as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere has to extend winter cabin fever through the rest of the year and into next winter to stave off a fever of a more literal and lethal sort while the Southern Hemisphere has to look forward to a disease-infested autumn.  Thanks for everything, Xi.  You're a guy. :-p