I got a call at 10;55AM “Uncle Joe is dead”
How? When? Where? Too many questions were at the tip if my tongue. I sat on my bed for a good 15 minutes, frozen. The Virus is as real as you and I, but for some reason, I have been too confident I would never experience it first hand, second hand even!
Before I continue...the Corona Virus is clearly not the first pandemic the world has faced. Infact, there had been at least 10 others. For example;
ANTONINE PLAGUE (165 AD) Death Toll: 5 million
PLAGUE OF JUSTINIAN (541-542) Death Toll: 25 million
THE BLACK DEATH (1346-1353) Death Toll: 75 – 200 million
THIRD CHOLERA PANDEMIC (1852–1860) Death Toll: 1 million
FLU PANDEMIC (1889-1890) Death Toll: 1 million
ASIAN FLU (1956-1958) Death Toll: 2 million
FLU PANDEMIC (1968) Death Toll: 1 million
HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC (AT ITS PEAK, 2005-2012) Death Toll: 36 million
As a matter of fact, scientists have studied the possibilities of future pandemic, especially as a result of our relationships with wild animals and wild, unsanitary places.
***
Back to the talk, I finally had the courage to ask for details.
“He died after a brief illness o! Just last night, he was coughing and gasping for air”
As it is, we can’t categorically tell if his death was caused by the virus.
The immediate family of the deceased have remained inconsolable.
However, there's a bigger conundrum.
If he had it, the immediate family (including the sick grandparents and the newborn boy, Aso) are high risk contacts. Goodness!
I pray we don’t loose ourselves and loved ones to this virus.
Stay Safe you guys!
Happy Sunday xoxo