Originally Posted by
50PlusCycling
The actual fatality rate is far lower, because the actual number of coronavirus cases is far higher. For every person diagnosed with the virus, at least 10 other people are carrying it. As half of people who contract the virus do not get sick, and show no symptoms, and most of the rest do not get sick enough to bother seeing a doctor or visit a hospital, the actual number of cases is vastly larger. Here in Japan and most other places, only those who are showing strong symptoms, and have other health problem which put them at risk are tested for coronavirus.
The virus is transmitted just like the common cold or flu, it is transmitted mainly by hand. Someone coughs or sneezes and wipes their nose or mouth with their hands, and then they open a door, or touch something, leaving the virus behind. You touch the door handle or something else, yawn, and wipe your hand across your face, and the virus is transmitted to you. In Tokyo, the train and subway systems see 40,000,000 (40 million) rides every weekday. Despite the close proximity, viruses don't seem to be transmitted so easily in Tokyo as people expect. During the SARS outbreak a decade ago, Japan was prepared for the worst, and expected a large number of cases. But they never materialized.
An interesting thing which began in Japan at that time was the placing of hand sanitizers in public places. They could be found in all shops, stores, schools, stations, and such. When the SARS epidemic ended, the hand sanitizers remained, and many people have made it a habit to use them, particularly in flu season. In my condominium building, there is a large bottle of hand sanitizer at every entrance, and all people are encouraged to use these whenever they enter or leave the building. This being the main allergy season, millions of Japanese would be wearing face masks even if there were no Coronavirus outbreak. Masks are not much good at keeping the virus out, but they do prevent you from easily touching your nose, and if you are carrying the virus, they make it harder for you to communicate it.
Keep your hands clean, keep them away from your face, and don't mix with other people if you can help it.