no risk worth taking

5th March:

Now Mecca, the great Muslim pilgrimage site, well known to many extended family members of mine, is closed. Good move. It has historically been linked to meningitis outbreaks-the volumes of people in such close proximity high up in the risky scale for infection spread.  Although I’m still thinking pragmatically that these are good preventive actions, in the hope that containment manages it. Work carries on, busy as ever, many patients through my for all day for surgery, many on the face. I’m glad I always protect with a mask and  eye shields. I've taken the self-protection measures into my own hands..it's hard sitting waiting to be told what to do about this, but I personally don't want to take chances, as this virus could be anywhere in our midst, and I'm up close and personal with many patients operating on their faces...I will keep encouraging my colleagues to do the same, and I've started giving my family instructions on protecting themselves as there's no risk worth taking!