A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.

The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold..

Since the outbreak of the new strain in China, American media mostly ignored the news in favor of coverage of political debates and caucus chaos. Until now..

A sampling of what American media is reporting :

FAUCI TELLS LAWMAKERS THERE WILL BE MANY MORE INFECTED... Testing under scrutiny after delays and questions over effectiveness... Missteps at CDC... Lawsuits Won't Be Far Behind... How long can it survive on surfaces? Trump plays down risks... 'HOAX'... Feds boost production of protective gear... FDA reports 1st drug shortage... Toilet paper rationing in Hawaii... Hoarding in the USA? How Daily Life Could Change... 'I have the coronavirus. So far, it isn't that bad'... Americans canceling their domestic travel... Photos of deserted, nearly empty airports around world... NO TIME TO DIE: HOLLYWOOD HAVOC... GOOGLE employee tests positive... GATES: May be 'once-in-a-century pathogen we've been worried about'... What the End Game Will Look Like...

The virus has spread to over 60 countries.. At least three cases now in the western part of the United States have caused increased curiosity and fear: A northwest Oregon resident has tested positive for coronavirus with no known history of travel to countries severely affected by the outbreak and no known contact with infected individuals, state health officials said Friday.

The case, in Washington County, marks the third case of unknown origin in the United States and indicates that the virus is spreading. It is also the first coronavirus case in Oregon.

WHAT WE KNOW

What is known by officials: On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”

The event has become political as well, as most things will in this year 2020 election cycle.. But politics effects life, and money. The stock market lost over 3000 points in the biggest week long loss since the 2008 financial crisis.

Fear and loathing on Wall Street.. fear across the world.

One stock market expert commented to Market Watch this week that the shedding of points was ‘not normal.’

And the next several days may bring a clearer picture of just what the world faces..

WE have been here before. Kind of.

We have been through this before.. SARS was the biggest pandemic potential in the early 2000s.. Then, just like now, the world was critical of China.. Chinatown in various cities had business loss.. restaurants and hotels around the globe saw a dip in sales.

This is an archive of a NEW YORK TIMES article from 2003 in their reporting of SARS..

The difference between SARS and the newest conronavirus: This one seems more deadly in nature.. at least according to the numbers that we have today compared to SARS. As a matter of fact, back in the early part of February, the number of ailments and deaths already surpassed China’s SARS numbers from 2003.

While we are faced with the media warning of food shortages and scarce medical supplies (even that Hawaii toilet paper shortage crisis), we are also hit with a stark choice: Panic and shrink into fear, or walk into the future with confidence and bravery. The media likes a good pandemic..

PANDEMICS AND VIRUSES AND LOCUSTS OH MY!

Although.. a few other instances are creating a little more head scratching than previous SARS, MERS, and swine flu outbreaks.. This time, the newest global pandemic is being coupled with a crazy locust plague around the world!

Locusts destroying vast amounts of farmland in Africa.

Locusts destroying land in Pakistan.

THE ONLY THING WE ARE WAITING FOR IS ABBY QUINN TO HAVE HER BABY!

POP CULTURE ODDITIES

The other part of this global drama playing out in real time: Those strange coincidences and oddities in pop culture that always seem to pop up.

And namely, it all begins with the Simpsons.. The longest running show ever that seems to have been on so long it has predicted just about every big event that happens!

The viral collection of images, believed to be taken from a 1993 episode, show multiple characters spreading and catching an ominous cloud of germs. In one snapshot, a newscaster delivers a report on a “corona virus,” as indicated by a title slide over his shoulder. Now the story line isn’t exact: According to Deadline, the stills in question hail from an episode in which packagers working in Japan accidentally ship the “Osaka Flu” to Springfield. .. and it’s unclear if all of the screen shots even are from the same exact show.

As that debate rages, another oddity has risen to the surface of conspiracy theory of a prophecy of 2020 doom:

More photos being spread around attributes the prophecy to suspense author Dean Koontz, citing an excerpt from his 1981 novel, “The Eyes of Darkness,” which talks about a “new biological weapon” called “Wuhan-400.”

An image of another page reads, “In around 2020 a severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe, attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments.” In actuality, this excerpt is taken from a different book: Sylvia Browne’s “End of Days.”

As for “Wuhan-400,” its similarities to the 2020 coronavirus end with the city of origin. Koontz describes the biological weapon as an extremely infectious, brain-eating disease with a 100% “kill-rate.”

Confused yet?

PAPAL CACKLES

Last weekend, Pope Francis mingled with 40,000 faithful in Bari, hugging and kissing people in the crowds after expressing his support for those infected by coronavirus and health workers treating them.. By Ash Wednesday the scene changed: He was seen blowing his nose and coughing repeatedly, looking very tired at the mass..

On Thursday and Friday, the situation became more curious.. while the Vatican decline to offer many details, the Pope’s public schedule was canceled and spokespersons said he was suffering a “light indisposition.”

On Saturday, he canceled events yet again.

Unknown is whether he will be tested for cononavirus Unknown is what a light indisposition really means..

As Italy is barraged with corona cases, the Pope becoming sickened would be a wild card of epic proportions.. It’s not even worth writing, but if something would occur of this type, the globe may truly start to believe the seals of the book of Revelations are cracking open!

Was Malachi right about ‘Peter the Roman’?

CORONA COUGHS AND THE STARK BARK

Finally, two final odd little stories.

In situations of dire consequences, sometimes it’s nice to sit back and enjoy a cold adult beverage. But Corona beer!?

Corona Beer is said to be losing sales because of its name!

A survey claims that 38% of Americans will not buy Corona beer under any circumstances int he wake of the coronavirus .. Maybe it’s time for Yuengling to capitalize on the new market potential with its release of FLIGHT!

And finally.. all coughing aside, the bite is worse than the bark: According to reports, a dog can get coronavirus.

The owner of the dog, Yvonne Chow Hau Yee, who lives with her beloved Pomeranian, tested her pet pooch after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The dog has been quarantined by officials, suggesting they have concerns that the pet could pass on the disease.

If confirmed the Pomeranian would mark the first case of coronavirus in a pet animal, as infected numbers topped 82,000 worldwide. Of course, take this with a grain of ALPO, it is from the UK SUN.

x x x

Meanwhile..

The rats appear to be in the corn.

I didn’t have a dream of Hemingford Home Nebraska.. If I do, I’ll let you know while you’re on your way to VEGAS.