I really believe that no Govt. officials know how big a threat coronavirus is because no one can say how many could acquire it before it's run it's course. As I understand it, it's hard to differentiate from the normal flu unless you have a test. The problem is, a greater percentage of those who acquire it eventually end up with pneumonia, and it's the pneumonia that's the killer regardless of how it's acquired.
I have shares in PSTI who's developed a few drugs utilizing placental cells. One of those drugs combats radiation exposure by causing the body to produce more blood cells, all of them, white, red, and plasma. I believe that this drug may also have a shot at curing pneumonia. The Chinese are testing a placental based drug in a small trial in China, so they too think it has a chance.
My point is that PCTL is great to own from a standpoint of having a technology that prevents the spread of drugs, but if you can find a company that has a therapeutic benefit in the treatment of coronavirus, it could be huge, especially if it's not already a BP. I believe PSTI potentially has such benefits.
On those aboard the ship off of California, I heard a passenger interviewed who described what they're doing. It sounds like all passengers are required to remain in their staterooms, meals are being brought to the room, fresh linens if requested, but everything is just being brought to the door, they knock and walk away. It's not so bad for people who have a balcony, or at least a window, but can you imagine what it's like for those in inside cabins. All on the ship will be tested, even if they feel fine, and no doubt they'll be maintained either on the ship or ashore for at least 14 days before they can go back to living a normal life. If they had one or a few of our devices aboard the ship they might consider sanitizing the major dining areas after each meal service, then allowing the healthy to at least eat together, it would be slightly riskier than what they're doing, but far more humane. There is no simple solution, but more crew people than passengers had the disease, so it's possible that meals, etc. are being distributed by someone carrying it without knowing they are.
Many of my friends routinely cruise, some have cancelled their plans until this resolves, others are going to parts of the world not badly infected. It's a risk I wouldn't take at this time, not out of fear of the disease as much as what the Govt. might do if even a single person on the cruise comes down with it. At least if I catch it at home, I can isolate my self in a place that I'm comfortable with. A ships cabin may be fine for sleeping in, but spending weeks without being able to leave would be rather like being in confinement in prison.
Gary
