Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.  All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an animal reservoir.

Early on, many of the patients in the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread has been reported outside China, including in the United States and other locations. Chinese officials report that sustained person-to-person spread in the community is occurring in China. In addition, other destinations have apparent community spread, meaning some people have been infected who are not sure how or where they became infected.

TBR: Right now we're no place near getting off our Bikes and not going to events and meetings. We are not ready to baton down the hatches yet and favorable riding weather in many States are just weeks away.

 

Beware misinformation, conspiracy theories and politicians seeking political advantage. Shame on those who can't put political differences aside for the good of the country. Yesterday the President tried his best to ease the fear of all Americans before a media that was parsing every word and looking for controversy. Shame on them. Some panic has already set in as people have made a run on surgical masks. We checked amazon this morning and the orders can take until May to receive. Common sense tells us this was going to happen.

 

Common sense tells us the markets would pull back as supply lines are disrupted by the virus and fear. Soon there will be buying opportunity's that will make it hard to sit on the sidelines. It too will come back.  Supply line disruption tells us the importance of bringing our manufacturing base home with best quality control practices. 

 

Our CDC is rated the best in the world and history shows us this. The key is being prepared and informed. Right now it's wash your hands a lot, keep them off your face, fist bumps instead of hand shakes, don't use hand rails, knuckles for elevator buttons and get use to it.

 

Do your due diligence and ride safe. 

Popeye says...
"There are politicians and media hoping for a pandemic of epic proportions for political gains. In particular Mike Bloomberg who's running commercials, along with all the other usual suspects. A wild eyed media full of conspiracy theories. " (2/27/20)