Editorial: September 11, 2020
The World Over
Masks, social distancing and washing your hands regularly have been the advice from the scientific community to protect you from catching COVID-19 and, in the event you have it, preventing you from giving it to someone else. So we pretty much have our marching orders on how and why we should follow these suggestions. As of this writing, according to Johns Hopkins University there have been more than 25 million cases and more than 850,000 deaths worldwide.
Now, as we enter the ninth month of this pandemic, we hear of sporadic reports of the virus in dogs, cats and some zoo animals. The first reported case was in Hong Kong, followed by the five tigers and three lions infected at the Bronx Zoo, one dog in New York, and cats from Illinois and Minnesota. Authorities say that these domestic animals were infected by their owners, who were ill with the virus. There have also been reports of hamsters, ferrets and macaques being infected in laboratory tests. The largest and most damaging outbreak has been on mink farms in the Netherlands, where the government ordered the culling of 1.5 million animals.
According to Jenny Stavisky, assistant professor in veterinary medicine and science at the University of Nottingham in England, “The main message here is that even if pets get it they are unlikely to get sick, and there is so far no evidence that an infected pet can go on and infect a human.” The CDC has advised pet owners to treat their animals as you would others in your household. If someone in your family gets infected, isolate your pet with the rest of the family. If you are alone and get infected, try to find someone who is not infected to care for your pet is the advice from veterinarian Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
In Our World
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reports that there have been more than 6,260,000 cases of COVID-19, with more than 188,000 deaths in the United States. These figures are staggering and depressing, that the richest country in the world is also the leader in this pandemic. So whether you are pro or con on the subject of holding dog shows, keep these figures in mind. For those who choose to participate and attend dog shows, please follow the rules and regulations of the show-giving club. We are pleased that we have received no reports of anyone getting sick at the shows that have been held. For those who choose to remain at home and wait until they feel comfortable and safe in attending an event, try to understand and respect those who are already participating. There are way too many vitriolic remarks being hurled about. We all want to remain healthy and try to have some semblance of a normal life. So know the risks and act accordingly for your own health and those around you.
This, like every other setback that we experience in life, will pass, and there will be normalcy again; maybe not like before but very much like the one we had just months ago.
In Remembrance
As we observe the 19th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001, attack on our country, we are reminded of the doubt, fear and questioning if there would ever be a normal again. The Question of the Week asked “Where were you on 9/11?” It was such a life-altering event that everyone remembers exactly where they were. This pandemic has had the same effect on us all. But after 9/11, life has returned, lower Manhattan has been rebuilt and made better than before, and we are more cautious and alert but live very full and bountiful lives. So, as we mourn the loss and pay respect to the many lives taken that day, take solace that these things that pull us down only make us stronger. Stay safe.