Why does the coronavirus have an 'epicentre' rather than a 'centre'?

 

Why does the coronavirus have an 'epicentre' rather than a 'centre'?

epicentre (er) - "the central point of something, typically a difficult or unpleasant situation" - works for me.

 

I know epicentre as meaning the point on ther Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
I suspect it's use for coronavirus is because it sounds more dramatic in news reports. 'Centre' would serve with equal meaning.

 

You could just take the philosophical approach that its merely natures way of culling the herd as was the Black Plague. Welcome in the New Dark Age... Someone must be in a black foul mood this morning...

 

I know epicentre as meaning the point on ther Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
I suspect it's use for coronavirus is because it sounds more dramatic in news reports. 'Centre' would serve with equal meaning.

Derivation and usage

"Travel is restricted in the Chinese province thought to be the epicentre of the SARS outbreak

kv

 

I know epicentre as meaning the point on ther Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
I suspect it's use for coronavirus is because it sounds more dramatic in news reports. 'Centre' would serve with equal meaning.

Epicenter is not an old word and still evolving. For example, here is an article from 1997 using the term, once again, in the context of a flu outbreak in China. Yes, it may seem more dramatic but not without solid precedence. The dictionaries will soon catch up with the something similar to the definition I quoted in post #62. I like the use of the word in the coronovirus context since it not only describes a "center" but also a starting point of something which propagates from a center, like an earthquake.

 

You could just take the philosophical approach that its merely natures way of culling the herd as was the Black Plague. Welcome in the New Dark Age... Someone must be in a black foul mood this morning...

Yes, it's a dangerous world.

https://www.kron4.com/news/national/pizza-related-injuries-more-than-double-in-two-years/

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Pizza – delicious but also apparently deadly, in some cases.

The number of hospitalizations in the U.S. involving pizza jumped by more than 50% in 2018 compared to 2017, according to statistics from medical service provider Babylon Health.

 

A few days ago the local newspaper ran a story about the coronavirus but then too it's a story a day with the virus. The story made mention of the surgical mask and there was a comment regarding the mask. Now for reasons unknown to me it triggered a few thoughts. I spent over 20 years of my career doing extensive travel, a daughter born in North Carolina and a son born in Naples, Italy. All over Asia and the pacific rim as well as Europe. I never gave it much thought at the time but looking back I always saw the use of mask in the Asian parts of the world. This dates back to long before coronavirus or any bird flu. The Asians wear mask for a number of reasons including pollen and allergies. What's interesting is I never noticed mask for example in Europe or even the African continent where many diseases are still rampant. Why is that?

Ron

 

The Asians wear mask for a number of reasons including pollen and allergies. What's interesting is I never noticed mask for example in Europe or even the African continent where many diseases are still rampant. Why is that?

The surgical masks I've seen people using are ineffective against the flu. It just gives them a false sense of security.

 

The surgical mask is to protect the patient, not the doctor. I used to pulverize coal samples for analysis wearing a paper filter mask and when I took it off there were black streaks down both sides of my nose where the particles leaked around the mask. They have them available for the taking at the Mayo Clinic I go to and I guess they are better than nothing but far from perfect. The actual viral respirators needed to give real protection are currently in high demand and unfortunately not in sufficient supply for the medical staff who need them dealing with quarantined patients. Asians have a very bad habit of spitting and the masks at least keep them from that.

 

The surgical masks I've seen people using are ineffective against the flu. It just gives them a false sense of security.

Yeah, like a warm fuzzy feeling. I just never gave it much thought till this time around. Looking at pictures taken in places like Tokyo every other person is wearing a mask and look at a picture of any major European city and a mask is seldom seen? Just plain peculiar.

Ron

 

Here is something to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling. Tuberculosis. "TB is the second most common cause of death from infectious diseases after HIV/AIDS. 2. An estimated 10 million people developed TB in 2017. However only 64% of cases were notified and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). 90% were adults (aged 15 years or more), and 9% were people with HIV. 3. About 1.7 billion people (23% of the world's population) are estimated to have a latent TB infection, and therefore are at risk of developing active TB disease. 4. Between 2000 and 2011,... "

 

Yeah, like a warm fuzzy feeling.

I've seen people wearing masks in our area. Mostly Asian and Hispanics. The doctor's office requires people who're coughing/sneezing to wear masks in the waiting room.

It seems like people have forgotten what their parents taught them, or forgot, or were never taught. I cover when I cough or sneeze and use a napkin or tissue whenever they're handy.

 

If you need to wear something effective for Coronavirus use at least a surgical fit-tested NIOSH-certified N95 respirator.
Something like this works to some degree (Particulate Filtering )
https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-N95-...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-202080141-_-203225611-_-N
but these are better:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsource3surgicaln95.html

Yes, I am a certified Scott pack user for industrial operations and hazmat incidents.

The masks are useless.

 

I was given a pass on the Scott Pak and Respirators due to being "Office Personnel" and having a beard. But mask fit testing is standard practice for those required to wear them and without an airtight seal they cannot do the job.

 

Hi,

"epicenter" vs "center"

Epicenter is used to put more emphasis on the importance of the center of something.
Note the similarity to "ground zero".
However, it does not have to be dangerous it could be something good about an area too.
Compare to "the heart of".

 

Flying to China?
https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-beijing-flights/

https://www.gatechecked.com/almost-...ts-to-china-because-of-novel-coronavirus-2376

 

Hello,

There are some cases found in france:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ive-new-cases-in-france-are-british-nationals

Bertus

 

Flying to China?
https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-beijing-flights/

https://www.gatechecked.com/almost-...ts-to-china-because-of-novel-coronavirus-2376

Are flights suspended because of the coronavirus or because there are no passengers? No crews?

 

Are flights suspended because of the coronavirus or because there are no passengers?

Cause and effect I guess. People are still flying to other parts of Asia in large numbers.