As I write this article I am about to board an almost deserted plane from Northern Thailand bound for Bangkok and then hopefully, later this evening, on to Sydney. There is, however, a palpable sense of uneasiness—and even dread—amongst the passengers. Nearly everyone is wearing facemasks, avoiding all physical touch, and everyone is constantly washing their hands with a strong alcohol foam.  

Considering the rapid global spread of the disease, as well as dire projections of even further contagion, those measures are not unreasonable. But