Coronavirus from another perspective

[Aussie Pete]

Before you make up your mind how we should deal with Covid-19, you might like to check out this story.

'I've never seen a person alive with a number like that': Two days with New York paramedics

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

I know of a person, age 85, who has had blockage of an artery in the neck, a leaking heart valve, both of these issues for many years, and has had other health issues, and the Doctors are mystified on the ability of this person to still be among the living. Oh, did I mention this person is also Christian?

 

[jayem]

I know of a person, age 85, who has had blockage of an artery in the neck, a leaking heart valve, both of these issues for many years, and has had other health issues, and the Doctors are mystified on the ability of this person to still be among the living. Oh, did I mention this person is also Christian?

Is that relevant? Kane Tanaka, age 117, is currently the oldest person in the world who’s age can be positively verified. She survived colon cancer that was diagnosed when she was 103. She’s Japanese. And not a Christian.

In fact, Japan has the highest proportion of centenarians and very old people in the world. Which suggests that genetics, diet, and lifestyle are more important factors than religious belief.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Is that relevant? Kane Tanaka, age 117, is currently the oldest person in the world who’s age can be positively verified. She survived colon cancer that was diagnosed when she was 103. She’s Japanese. And not a Christian.

In fact, Japan has the highest proportion of centenarians and very old people in the world. Which suggests that genetics, diet, and lifestyle are more important factors than religious belief.

And don’t forget about Methuselah, he lived 969 years and wasn’t a Christian either.

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

God is in charge of all that happens within His creation. I'm happy to hear about ones long life.

 

[muichimotsu]

Just skimming over, I think I can gather the concern of paramedics and healthcare workers being on the frontlines as something we need to consider (which is why the quarantining, even if it will alternate in terms of when it is deemed necessary, maybe things calming down slightly for a few months and having a new epidemic of the virus), but I'd caution the potential association of them as heroes that can, after time, become disingenuous and borders on unrealistic idolization of a group without genuinely understanding that heroism is not just about taking on risks, but is the willingness to admit when they cannot take the pressure anymore and seek genuine help, especially for mental health concerns.

And mental healthcare, I think we can agree, is something America still has issues with, though we're not alone in terms of how we stigmatize mental health and people suffering as somehow "broken" rather than having sympathy in contrast to pity.

 

[jayem]

And mental healthcare, I think we can agree, is something America still has issues with, though we're not alone in terms of how we stigmatize mental health and people suffering as somehow "broken" rather than having sympathy in contrast to pity.

Absolutely. I’m of the opinion that mental illness is physical. There should be no doubt that conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and panic disorder are physiologic disturbances in the brain. And just like hypertension can be triggered or aggravated by weight gain and a high sodium intake, psychological conditions can be triggered, or exacerbated by outside factors. Such as working long hours in a high-stress environment, sleep deprivation, reduced contact with family and other support systems, and just plain worry and uncertainty. It’s easy to imagine that prolonged exposure to such conditions can lead to neurotransmitter dysfunction and psychiatric illness.