Hong Kong virus a strain of common cold?

Wired News reported today that the virus originating from Hong Kong which has killed 50 people worldwide already may be related to coronavirus, the source of the common cold. This can be considered a good thing overall because it may be easier to develop treatment for the virus since the coronavirus is well studied.

However, in my opinion, this is also very unsettling because this is clearly a case in point where mutation of a virus in wide circulation can have catastrophic effects. Chicken soup is no longer as potent as it used to be. The virus has shut down a number of events in Hong Kong including a rugby tournament. Citizens have been seen walking in the streets with masks over their mouths and noses in an attempt to avoid catching the virus. In related news, 3M admitted that the masks sold to Hong Kong residents don’t even provide protection!

The strain is already here in America and currently affecting people close to where I live. The Marin Independent Journal also reported today that the SARS ailment is now here in Marin. It is being commonly referred to now as “super-pneumonia.”

Let’s hope we can find a solution for this outbreak soon because it is spreading very rapidly. In Singapore there are already 860 quarantine cases.

Now that is **** scary.