Brian BarrettThe first time I thought about contact tracing In many years I have not thought about this issue, which is very difficult and complicated. Emily, in light of all that, how concerned are you, considering what has been said by the World Health Organization and other organisations? If you’re still not worried, I would defer it to you.
Emily MullinYou’re wrong, no. My hantavirus specialist told me that there were past outbreaks, but they weren’t large. These clusters are usually caused by prolonged contact with those who have the illness. It is not as contagious as some other viruses, such as flu or Covid. Hantaviruses are usually quite severe. It’s not like Covid with many people infected and spreading the virus asymptomatically. This is at least some comfort even though it is a serious disease. The World Health Organization has said that the current risk for the public is low and it is unlikely to be another Covid case.
Brian BarrettLeah: How do we feel?
Leah Feiger: Not good, you guys. What do you know? Are you kidding? You kidding? This is the moment I’m going to leave. “Are you with me yet?”
Brian BarrettNo, it was not me. But Emily must have hit this pretty hard. It made me feel a bit more anxious.
Leah FeigerIt was the swallowing up of the probable.
Emily MullinIt was me who wrote the editorial. World Health Organization has not included the probable.
Brian BarrettItalics and big quotes would be fine. It’s “probably” fine.
Leah FeigerGuys, I’m not sure. It’s fascinating to me that it’s possible for this strain to be different. It brought me right back to those early Covid armchair scientists who said, “No, no, no, this is totally fine.” This strain is able to be transmitted between people, and I find it notable. Gotta give it to me.
Brian BarrettIt’s probably true. How long will these passengers have to remain on the ship before they are all told that it is unsafe? “OK, you can go now,” Or do they have the swimmers return to shore, and then isolate them for some time? Again, the contact tracking is worrying because I am having flashbacks. Emily said that this virus is very different than Covid, in many ways, in how it spreads, and how fast it spreads. I am not worried about it yet, but I will continue to be cautious.
