The novel corona Virus causing a SARS-like illness, COVID-19. has reached the United States and appears to have begun sustained community transmission. At this point the only questions is how deep it will spread not if it will spread. Most people who are infected will have a mild illness, but some, particularly the immune compromised and the elderly are at elevated risk for serious and life-threatening respiratory complications including a viral pneumonia that is difficult to treat. Any potential vaccine is likely more than a year away and many important questions about this pandemic remain unanswered.

Will the spread stop during the hotter months as if often but not always the case with corona viruses?

If it recedes during the summer will it return stronger in the fall and winter as again with many viruses or will it simply fade as some do?

Will this become a regular seasonal event now that the virus is global?

For people who have been exposed to the virus how long with their natural immunity persist? Weeks? Months? Years?

It is best not to panic but there are sensible precautions everyone can take.

Wash your damn hands.

Regularly clean touched surfaces, particularly any that are shared publicly.

If you fall into a population that is at greater risk consider canceling travel and avoiding large crowds.

Now, what does the COVID-19 outbreak have to say about voting for president?

Well, it’s clearly too late to change presidents now, we have to deal with this international crisis with the president we have not one we would prefer but this is instructive in what qualities you should value in a chief executive.

Many people look for similar value or morals as their prime motivator in selection a president while other turn to policy and proposed programs as their method of selection. Both are valid but I think miss a major component of what makes the best choice, judgment.

Every president is going to face unexpected events that require decision from them. When we elect a representative, we are not just selecting a person to advance a particular political philosophy but also a person who will need to make judgements often with incomplete information. When thinking about who you want as a president think about if you trust them to make judgements free of their self-interest, free of political dogma, and free of an ego that would prevent them from reversing course if their initial choice turns out to be in error. Those factors, for me anyway, far outweigh any positions taken on a particular subject or policy. A person who fails those qualification will invite disaster.