EDIT*** September, 2020: As you can clearly see by the humorously low COVID-19 figures used in this article, I was very wrong. The current measures put in place for COVID-19 safety are justified and fueled by information, not fear. Masks have always been, and will always be, for the sake of slowing the spread. Not to prevent it completely, and not to eradicate the disease. We slow the spread to prevent hospitals from overflowing and inadvertently killing those with other emergencies who wouldn’t get care in-time. To the anti-maskers yelling “just stay inside if you’re scared and leave us alone”, I encourage your nurses and doctors to tell you the same when the inevitable occurs.
As experts, researchers, hospital workers and healthcare officials scramble to contain the new COVID-19 outbreak around the world, chatter about its growing death toll has run rampant. With now more than 330 reported coronavirus cases in the U.S. alone, anxiety about its deadly spread has both infected and polarized social media feeds everywhere.
Articles warning of the stock market decline and hygienic mask shortages are reposted on every home page, contrasted with opinion-pieces about growing xenophobia and prejudice against Asians. Many Americans have descended into the frenzy of contamination preparation and hand-sanitizer overkill, seemingly oblivious to the fact that death lurks every time they pick up a fork and knife.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA SCHVETZ VIA PEXELS
PHOTO CREDIT: LISA FOTIOS VIA PEXELS
48 million people suffer from foodborne illness each year, just from transmissions in the United States alone. With over 30 different pathogens identified in troublesome tummies, it’s time to bring our fears about an early coronavirus death into perspective:
U.S. Statistics, 4.7.2020
COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases: 433
Fatalities: 19
Norovirus cases: 19 million
Fatalities: 570-800
PHOTO CREDIT: TERJE SOLLIE VIA PEXELS
Campylobacter infection cases: 1.5 million
Fatalities: 200
PHOTO CREDIT: MARKUS SPISKE VIA PEXELS
Salmonella cases: 1.35 million
Fatalities: 450
PHOTO CREDIT: DENEK ROSENTHAL VIA PEXELS
E-coli cases: 265,000
Fatalities: 95-100
PHOTO CREDIT: Valeria Boltneva VIA PEXELS
Listeria infection cases: 1,600
Fatalities: 260
PHOTO CREDIT: ALEXANDER MILS VIA PEXELS
Despite the hand-washing headlines and absurd over-protection many people are opting to use against the infamous COVID-19 virus, food poisoning still sends thousands more into an early grave each year. Use rationality when consuming sensationalized lead media stories, and take over-precautions with a grain of salt. After all, no one lasts forever.
Life Expired. 
Great article, but it doesn’t take into effect on how the virus(es) affect people with compromised immune systems, like HIV, Diabetes, heart disease, etc. So, while the kitchen may be dangerous, it is a lot safer for people like me.
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