Coronavirus 2019

Singapore is into its Day 58 COVID-19 outbreak and Day 23 of DORSCON Orange. The virus has spread to 50 countries with 82 000 cases confirmed worldwide and at least 2800 deaths. 
The is reminiscent of my days with the SARS (2003) and swine flu H1N1 (2009). And other infectious diseases, there was the Zika virus (2016) and the perennial dengue. The mood on the ground was similar in all these infections. It usually starts with denial of the situation, then concern, followed by anxiety and panic, especially among the vulnerable population. 
The bible has described pandemics in the Old and New testament. The earliest epidemic in the bible was among the ten plagues in Egypt. And during the Exodus, God killed 14700 and 2400 Israelites by diseases for various acts of disobedience (Numbers 16:49 and 25:9).
​I think this would be a suitable time to write about events surrounding the current coronavirus epidemic and make reference to the bible and history at relevant events.