Cambodian Prime Minister Shook Hands With Infected

An 83-year-old American passenger of the luxury cruise ship Westerdam has been diagnosed with the coronavirus just a day after more than 2,200 passengers and crew disembarked in Cambodia. Previously the ship had been turned away by five other ports. The Westerdam was welcomed to Cambodia after spending two weeks looking for a port as Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and Guam rejected the ship on concerns over the virus. 

Not Only Welcome But Glad To Meet You!

While medical workers wear masks and special garb when approaching a person that might be carrying the coronavirus, not all individuals are so careful. It is difficult to believe but Bloomberg reports the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been skeptical of the severity of the virus, personally distributed roses and shook hands with the Westerdam’s passengers as they disembarked. This may soon prove to be a boneheaded move that he comes to regret. The coronavirus has killed more than 1,500 people since the outbreak started in central China late last year.

The woman and her husband left Cambodia and flew to Malaysia on Feb. 14, with 143 other passengers. Her symptoms were discovered upon landing in Kuala Lumpur and she was sent to a hospital designated for the virus. Her husband tested negative but has been placed under observation. They were two of more than 600 Americans on board the ship. Since the outbreak became a concern cruise ships have become a high-profile symbol of governments around the world struggling to contain the outbreak.

It would be silly to describe the coronavirus story as anything but fluid. It appears the Prime Minister falls into the group of people that think this virus story is overblown and it is less dangerous than many people claim. Many things are unknown at this time but we do know it is easily spread. It is also rapid and aggressively attacks those contracting it after what can be a long incubation period that may last up to 14 days. It also appears to be able to hit from 60 to 80 percent of a population. Raising the level of concern is that those hit the hardest with this virus may face death even if given proper medical treatment which is not always available but will prove very expensive.