Covid-19 genuine dilemma.

[onalongsabbatical]

Dilemma – I have a friend who’s returning from a month abroad in a week’s time, including Thailand and other eastern countries, hopping from one to another, so more than just the plane out and back, a few plane rides. She went just as the whole Covid-19 thing was beginning to kick off. Thought I was being hysterical (I suspect) when I warned her to be careful. I also suspect she’s not taking much notice of it while she’s away, having too much of a good time.
Here’s the thing; a week after she gets back she’s having a BIG birthday party. Lots of hugging and kisses type thing. I’ve said nothing but I think she should postpone to be on the safe side, and if she doesn’t, I’d rather give it a miss. She’ll be miffed – not angry but miffed for sure – and probably do a fair bit of eye-rolling. My DH, also invited, also doesn’t want to go now – and he’s the driver – it’s out in the sticks, no public transport. He's a scientist and not REMOTELY prone to hysteria!
I really don’t want to put a dampener on her hol by telling her all this now, but on the other hand I think she needs to at least think about postponing until she’s two weeks clear of travelling.
I don’t think I’m hysterical at all, just being cautious.
What do people think? WWYD, just not go? Go and stop being silly? Advise postponing? Thanks - all opinions welcome!

[Cheesecake53]

I agree and think she should wait at least two weeks. If the party goes ahead I would also give it a miss.

[KittenVsBox]

Gov advice
Where has she been for the last week?

[Hoodygoody111]

YANBU

[TheoriginalLEM]

Has she just come back from wuhan?

My colleague returned from Singapore a few weeks ago. I got a cold/cough and was worried I'd pass it to her and she'd end up in quarantine.

[onalongsabbatical]

KittenVsBox she has certainly been in Thailand and will be again before returning. You see the Govt advice is for if you're symptomatic whereas it seems clear that asymptomatic people are coming down with it and spreading it. If she's at all symptomatic I'll have no problem deciding both not to go and to try and make sure she isolates and gets tested. It's more if she's asymptomatic I'm worried about.

[onalongsabbatical]

No not Wuhan!

[Reginabambina]

I’ve hugged and kissed with people who returned from the Far East this week. Unless she’s coming from mainland China I wouldn’t sweat it.

[OoohTheStatsDontLie]

Is she coming from a region with an outbreak?

[SallySun123]

You might not be the only party attendees who are feeling like this. Best give your friend a heads up, she might have a poor turn out otherwise.

[onalongsabbatical]

SallySun123 that's true. But should say something before she gets back while she's still enjoying her holiday, or wait until she gets back and has only got a week to cancel and get used to the idea?

[onalongsabbatical]

I don't know what region of Thailand is affected but she's flying back from Bangkok. I should check that bit I guess but I'm kind of assuming it's Bangkok that's got the CV cases as I haven't seen that it's otherwise, whereas with South Korea etc they're clear in reporting that it's not the obvious towns.

[onalongsabbatical]

Reginabambina thanks, it's good to know that some people are relaxed about this, it helps give me some perspective.

[HavenDilemma]

Advice is to take precautions if returning from any part of South East Asia.

They've changed the name, yet again! It is now called SARS-CoV-2 🙄

[wherearemychickens]

That's the name of the virus; the illness it causes is COVID19.

[onalongsabbatical]

SARS-CoV-2? Why the fuck have they done that? (Beetles off to google...)

[onalongsabbatical]

Ahhh - cross post!

[HavenDilemma]

This is copied and pasted from the .Gov website:

Travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas
This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas:

China
Thailand
Japan
Republic of Korea
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Singapore
Malaysia
Macau
If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 daysand is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

We are carrying out enhanced monitoring of direct flights from these areas. Passengers will be told how to report any symptoms they develop during the flight, at the time of arrival, or after leaving the airport.

These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases. This list will be kept under review.

[KoalasandRabbit]

Think there's only 35 cases in Thailand out of 70 million people, more in Italy atm. Even if the official figure is too low for Thailand which it seems too low the chance she's infected is incredibly low so it wouldn't bother me. Obviously if she has a fever or other symptoms then cancelling for a month or so would seem prudent. I don't think it would be unreasonable to decline it though saying you are worried, would imagine quite a few will do the same.

[SallySun123]

I would say something now while she has time to rearrange. Obviously she may just choose to go ahead. I have family in SE Asia, am not at all hysterical or alarmist but I wouldn’t go see her a week after her return.

[HavenDilemma]

@wherearemychickens You've got that backwards! Doctor friend just said "COVID-19 = Disease caused by the novel coronavirus (named by WHO)
SARS-CoV-2 = Actual NEW name for the virus (named by ICTV)"

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I wouldn't think twice about going to the party and I'd be really surprised if anyone I knew didn't go for that reason. I think it's fine for you not to go if you're anxious about it but I'm not really sure that she needs to cancel because no one will go. My parents get back from one of the other countries on that list next week and I have no intention of waiting two weeks before seeing them.

[SouthWestmom]

I think where are my chickens is saying just that ?

[killingalltheplants]

TBH this wouldn't even be on my radar as a thing to consider.

[NomDeDieu]

Have a look at that website that updates the number of cases in each country.

First of all the rate at which the number of new cases is increasing is going down, which shows things are gettinggg under control.
Second, there are few cases in Thailand.

I really think some reactions are out of proportion. Esp now.

[onalongsabbatical]

I'm a bit reassured by the relaxed ones amongst you! Thinking maybe I'm over-reacting a bit.