Beware the Ides of March. The world is reeling right now. I find the CDC, state.gov, and WHO websites frustrating to use (they seriously need to consult some UX designers. Hey, that work can be done remotely!) So I’ve decided to list the most important facts right now, mixed in with some random musings for those of us who have done too much serious reading:

The actual number of cases and the reported/official/confirmed cases are 2 different statistics—the latter is behind the former—so anticipate affected areas to have many more cases than reported.
There isn’t a single movie based on a book that’s better than the book. Prove me wrong.
Social distancing is the best measure to mitigate the spread of the virus. This means staying home as much as possible and maintaining a 2 meter distance between people when out.
Wat Phu, near Pakse, Laos, is like a smaller version of Angor Wat or Machu Picchu. Could be a “hidden gem” for travelers in the next 10 years. My post yesterday featured a picture of it. Google it and check it out.
People can be both infected and contagious before symptoms occur, which is why social distancing is the way to ride it out.
Lebron is getting screwed out of another NBA championship—the Lakers were killing it this year and now the season is suspended. A series of unfortunate events? P.S. I’m not a “Lebron fan”
As far as we know, transmission occurs when you inhale the air from an infected person’s sneeze or cough, OR if you touch an infected surface and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Did you know Thailand is the only South East Asian country not colonized by a European nation? Kind of wild.
Masks other than N95 masks do nothing to protect you from the virus. Masks need to be reserved for healthcare workers on the frontlines who are continuously exposed to infected people.
Did you know Laos has a beer imaginatively named “Beer Lao?” It’s actually really good! And they have different varieties!
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
I befriended a stray dog whom I named Tiger in Arusha. He would walk with me to work every day and we would hang out at the local bar together. I even gave him a ride in a tuktuk once. He’s a good doggie. I still think of him often.
The majority of infections are mild—around 80 percent. So don’t panic. If we act quickly, stay informed, and be smart, we will minimize the impact of this virus.

It’s such an incredible planet. My travels are being affected by this outbreak, and if that’s the only thing in my personal life that’s affected, I will be extremely grateful. We need to keep things in perspective. Part of that perspective is recognizing we’re all in this together, on this one lone rock. We rise and fall together. Let’s adopt a global paradigm and make the world a better place.