Fear of the unknown

By Uriel Quilinguing

JUST when we thought we have covered all the frontiers, when we thought nothing is impossible with cutting-edge technologies, and when we thought the world is already is in our hands, now and then we find ourselves in precarious situations and the latest of which is the novel coronavirus.

Vaccines have undeniably freed us from many contagious diseases, anti-retroviral drugs have prolonged the lives of persons living with human immunodeficiency virus, and artificial intelligence proved to be more efficient in what could-be life-threatening surgeries.

Many who have been diagnosed with cancer are still enjoying the company of their loved ones due to advances in medical treatments and the introduction of healthy lifestyles and alternative medicines.

So now and then we read inspiring articles on the secrets of growing old, though depression has crept in—particularly on the young—and stressful routines could have triggered the increasing cases of suicide.

Other than depression, stress and being paranoid, many are experiencing xenophobia which is an irrational sensation of fear due to perceived strange situations. It is the fear of anything that is beyond one’s comfort zone, that of the unknown that comes in many guises.

This is the very reason why every face mask in the market is sold. Incidentally, this is the second time within two months that face masks ran out of supply.      

But who, in his right mind, does not want to protect himself from the threat of being infected with a dreaded disease even if medical doctors say the case fatality rate is relatively low at three for a hundred patients. Still, the new coronavirus is fatal.

By statistics, which changes and increases by the ticks of the clock, who among us would not be alarmed?

Last Saturday, Feb. 8, the coronavirus has killed more than 630 people, most of them in China, including Li Wenliang, the Chinese doctor who warned his colleagues of the threat from a coronavirus that he found but was targeted by police for spreading rumors. Globally, it has infected over 31,400 people across 25 countries, including the Philippines.   

Indeed there is this fear of the unknown, that of being scared of what we do not know. But definitely this different from the fear of little kids who could be afraid of the dark because of monsters.

So if the new coronavirus can indeed be transmitted through the eyes and ears, what kind of face mask should be worn? And why should one put on a mask when he is alone? 

Wearing masks may not be necessary since transmission of the new coronavirus is through droplets of either saliva or mucus after coughing or sneezing, yet it is still advisable for those who respiratory problems and in specific situations and locations.

(Uriel C. Quilinguing is a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club who served as editor-in-chief of Cagayan de Oro-based newspapers, including this paper. For reactions, email them to uriel.quilinguing@yahoo.com.)