HPMV Virus Facts vs. Social Media Gossip

Should we panic or should we not panic? Life during the COVID-19 pandemic was deadly. What we must remember is that COVID-19 was a novel virus at that time. Meanwhile, the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has surged in China. Should we immediately assume that "Oh no! Another lockdown is coming for the world!" or should we remain calm? I feel tense right now, even as I'm writing this. Partly, it's because I'm an outgoing person. Another reason is that I recall the number of Filipinos (both politicians and civilians) who do not follow simple guidelines. Right now, I can expect more racist attacks because I'm ethnically Chinese. I could even explain for all I care that (1) I was born in the Philippines, (2) I was raised in the Philippines, and (3) explain fluently that I never lived in China. The problem is that racist Filipinos do exist--never mind that the Philippines is a melting pot of several cultures! The recent Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping) controversy where people allege I "bought a fake citizenship in Davao". But their best source has to be Trust Me Bro (read here) and Merkado CTTO (read here).

I don't deny that HPMV exists like COVID-19 exists. I don't subscribe to people like Kate Sheminari or the deniers. The Business Standard gives this detail on HPMV, which sounds less worrying than COVID-19:

What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a viral infection that typically leads to symptoms resembling those of the common cold. It often causes upper respiratory infections, though it can sometimes lead to more severe conditions such as pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, or aggravate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). HMPV infections are most prevalent during the winter and early spring months.
HMPV is commonly contracted by children before the age of five. Although it is possible to experience HMPV more than once, subsequent infections generally result in milder symptoms.
What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Symptoms of HMPV infection include a cough, fever, runny or blocked nose, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, and rashes.
How is human metapneumovirus contracted?
HMPV is caused by a virus — a tiny microorganism that invades cells to reproduce. It belongs to the same viral family as those responsible for RSV, measles, and mumps. HMPV spreads primarily through direct contact with infected individuals or surfaces contaminated with the virus. Common modes of transmission include:
-Coughing and sneezing
-Physical contact such as shaking hands, hugging, or kissing
-Touching contaminated objects or surfaces, such as phones, doorknobs, keyboards, or toys
Treatment for human metapneumovirus
Currently, there are no antiviral treatments for HMPV. Most individuals can manage their symptoms at home until recovery.
However, if symptoms are severe, hospitalisation may be required for closer monitoring and to prevent further complications. In such cases, healthcare providers may administer:
-Oxygen therapy: To assist with breathing, supplemental oxygen may be provided through a nose tube or mask
-IV fluids: Intravenous fluids help maintain hydration
-Corticosteroids: Steroids may be used to reduce inflammation and alleviate some symptoms

In short, HPMV is something that people have been more familiar with than the COVID-19. Chances are that the overload in the hospital wasn't solely caused by HPMV. It's possible that other diseases because of the wild meat trade, also caused it. The Business Standard also gave this as as an introduction to the same article I shared:

Five years after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, China is grappling with an outbreak of the human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Reports and social media posts suggest that the virus is spreading rapidly, with allegations of overwhelmed hospitals and crematories. Online videos show overcrowded hospitals, while users claim that multiple viruses — including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19 — are circulating simultaneously.

HPMV spread is indeed real. However, social media gossipers just want attention. It may be like how Andrew Wakefield created a bogus story, just for attention. Wakefield had his license revoked, thankfully. The best source of gossipers right now for the allegations of crematories may be Trust Me Bro. A combination of other stuff may have caused the hospitals to be overwhelmed. China is a non-tropical country. Only a few parts of China don't have winter. China has four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Caution is necessary. Alarmism isn't.

Hilario Davide Jr.'s Still Quoted by Anti-Constitutional Reform Fools on Social Media

People can falsely accuse me of colonial mentality because I've been quoting Kishore Mahbuban over Hilario G. Davide. I'm really sorry to say but I'm seeing various Facebook posts like La Verite (and the Pinocchio really fits it ), the Rule of Law Sentinel, Silent No More PH, and many more anti-reform Facebook pages (and very ironic too) quote Davide Jr. a lot. It's straightforward to say that Davide Jr. has been the favorite source of such people. An old man with a toga (who blocked me) also often quoted Davide Jr. Also, Davide Jr. turned 88 years old last December 20. I wish I had written this earlier but sometimes it's better late than never. In my case, it's better never late. Davide Jr. also mentioned that the 1987 Constitution is "the best in the world". It's easy to spew out words but can he defend his claims? One of his old statements went like this: It’s not change of structures, [whether] it would be federalism or parliamentary. It is...

How a Deaf Beethoven, Composed Wonderful Music That Survived Beyond His Grave

A composer who was deaf? That's really something to think about. Ludwig Van Beethoven gradually lost his hearing. It may have been caused by a lack of knowledge about lead poisoning at that time. The ZME Science gives this interesting detail on how Beethoven coped with his gradual hearing loss: Despite living in pain, Beethoven did not give up. However, he had a helping hand. In order to continue composing and playing music, Beethoven stumbled across a physical phenomenon that is central to hearing: bone conduction . At the time, scientists understood very little about how human hearing works. But despite the fact that his ears left him, he could still hear himself playing music by placing one end of a wooden stick onto his piano and clenching on the other end with his teeth. When notes were struck, the vibrations from the piano were transferred to his jaw, and from there directly to his inner ear. Miraculously, he could hear again! Bone conduction was born. Sound is nothing mor...

Taiwan Aboriginal Culture Park Indigenous Bamboo Dance

This is another bamboo dance done by what I believe are Atayal dancers. The dance steps are very similar to what one might find in Nueva Ecija or any indigenous region of the Philippines. What makes it more appealing to me is the absence of Taiwanese Mandarin in the lyrics. Instead, it's lyrics that would sound like the chanting of Filipino indigenous dancers. There are similar yet different movements between Taiwanese aborigines and Filipino aborigines. The Malaysians and Indonesians have settled in several places. The dance movements between Taiwanese aborigines and Filipino aborigines are too similar to be ignored. Even the indigenous language might be very similar.

The Sad Truth About School History Classes (and Why I Enjoy History as a Hobby Better)

I'm no historian and this blog is just written as a hobby . Yes, you got that right and I don't record or write history for a living. It's a shame that history is an interesting subject but people can lose interest . A person would be excited to learn mathematics but can be momentarily hating mathematics . It's because teachers, regardless of what subject, are made to teach any subject with too much memorization, too little emphasis on understanding, and too much focus on grades over learning. People tend to say that grades matter more because they want monuments of stone over monuments of learning. They value the praises of medals more than a lifetime of learning. That's why some honor students fail in real life. I saw this meme and I can relate to it. I remember elementary Civics and Culture subjects. From the second year to the third year under K+10--there's Asian History and World History . There was the whole bland textbook. Teachers occasionally do film s...

What's the Use of Complaining About Celebrities and Political Dynasties Running for Politics While DEFENDING Presidential and Rejecting Parliamentary?

2025 is just around the corner for the midterm elections . People keep emphasizing the need to "defend the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines" for any amendments whatsoever. If that were true then we really need to remove Article XVII entirely if the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines was meant to be set in stone (read here ). Several camps whether it's PDP-Laban supporters, Liberal Party of the Philippines supporters, Uniteam supporters, etc.--I can expect social media mudslinging at its finest . I keep talking about the need to amend or even replace the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. However, they keep acting like it's the best constitution in the world, they cite Atty. Hilario G. Davide Jr. (and others like the Monsods) to idolatrous levels , and when I talk about the parliamentary system--I can expect the whole, "Boohoo! It will never work because we already tried it under Marcos! The proof was Cesar Virata!" However, I wrote a refute on that ...

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