Has there been much corona phobia/irrational Corna fear in other countries?

[bigbananafeet12]

There seems so many people with this in the UK. People wanting to stay at home until there’s a vaccination others refusing to go back to work. This could cause more long term problems than coronavirus itself. How has it been managed in other countries?

[FlibbertyGiblets]

Why is it irrational please?

[Bool]

Because there may never BE a vaccine

[Nix2020]

I think fears will be in every country, for example a Spanish Town bleached a beach to make it safe for the children. To me that's totally insane.

[Legoandloldolls]

My relative in Thailand has been upsetting people with things not being strict enough. Its stricter than here and they have 59 deaths

[Cornettoninja]

I like and trust Dr Fauci (the guy advising the American administration - trying too at least) who has immeasurable experience in pandemics and epidemics including HIV and Ebola.

To paraphrase a quote he said that any successful measures taken now will look like an over reaction in the aftermath if they’re successful.

We’re in the eye of the storm right now so who can really say with any degree of confidence what is right or wrong? Time will tell and if we’re doing the right thing people will very quickly forget the reasons behind it and look for the failures.

[TheClitterati]

NZs response was swift and strict. Lots of testing & tracing. Strict lockdown. Seemed a bit OTT considering how few cases they had.

Nz has now pretty much eradicated corona, life is cautiously heading towards "normal".

[cologne4711]

My friend in Cologne said that the coronastasi wasn't a thing in Germany - or at least in her part of Germany. People were going about their business without the need to constantly monitor what other people were doing.

And yes waiting for a vaccine is irrational because there may never be one. We have to learn to live with this, a vaccine will be a bonus.

[DahliaDay]

Our statistics are an embarrassment

[Aridane]

Oh goodness - NZ was astonishing for the paranoia, reporting on your neighbours hotlines, the run on toilet roll - and all at a time when they had only 4 cases. Yes, we applaud NZ now - but the paranoia there was something stunning

[ChaiLatteWithStevia]

I agree with second poster. It isn't irrational. It depends what you fear most. Some people have the resources not to worry about a job loss here or there, or their job is secure. Some people have the lungs of an athlete and they're the right side of 40 and are confident they'll be in the 80% who bounce back.

Nobody's fears are irrational. This is changing the world and people are dying.

But I think it's quite cool, like anti-cynicism, to portray oneself as insouciant in the face of all of this. It's a bit fake though. If you aren't at all worried about covid-19 then you're young, you're healthy and you're rich. Very stunning and brave to be so insouciant!

[Bol87]

I’m not worried and yes, I’m young & healthy but I’m def not rich. In fact, I’m more terrified of losing my job than comes close to my concern about coronavirus.

[Rosehip10]

Anyone who uses the term "corona phobia" needs to stop reading the daily mail and start to think for themselves.

[SinisterBumFacedCat]

It’s not irrational to be worried about a new infectious disease that has killed over 33,000.

But MN has turned massively anti lockdown so I’m sure you’ll get plenty of support OP.

[Baaaahhhhh]

It’s not irrational to be worried about a new infectious disease that has killed over 33,000

No. But, setting aside the worry for your grandparents, MOST people, in particular those of working age and children, and those without serious co-morbidities, do not have to worry about dying from Covid.

[BigChocFrenzy]

"It isn't irrational. It depends what you fear most. Some people have the resources not to worry about a job loss here or there, or their job is secure. Some people have the lungs of an athlete and they're the right side of 40 and are confident they'll be in the 80% who bounce back."

Exactly.

Same in Germany, where I live
We are all more prepared to take some risks rather than others, because the consequences for individuals are so different

Some are like my NDN's pregnant daughter - slim fit late 20s and v v low risk - who has refused to step outside since early March

The NDN himself - aged 60 - is far less concerned about COVID than about his hotel, which is nearly empty
and he is exasperated that customers are still refusing to book
Same for another neighbour who owns a highly rated restaurant - almost empty; he rates COVID as no risk to his customers, but they disagree

My gym is at 20% of usual customers

I'm 63 and I have returned both to gym and to outside restaurants - but I am retired, with no family or other responsibilities

I don't criticise other peoples' choice and cba to wonder what they think of mine.

[pickles184]

I don't think being concerned about the risks of a virus that has claimed so many lives is irrational.
When we still haven't got a grip on how many people are/have been affected, what the current geographical spread is and while fatalities are still high then we have no business attempting to 'get back to normal'.

I am desperate to get back to work and see my dd back learning and socialising at school, we miss our loved ones, but we haven't yet seen a sustained drop in infections or R.

How many of your family and friends would you be prepared to see die or permanently weakened in order to save a broken economic system?

New Zealand may have seen greater 'hysteria' in the early stages, but it was needed to create such a successful lockdown.
Our PM went to great lengths to downplay risk, even catching it himself following his cavalier attitude. Little wonder we have had such a high death toll and remain as divided as ever under a government who seek to set us against each other in order to deflect blame from themselves.

[Lindjam]

[mumsonthenet]

Thecolitterati
Thank god Nz was "ott" as you claim.
Considering the government had us well informed and locked down.
No life is not back to normal at all. We are yet to return to mass gatherings and clubs
Have you seen the no tourism affect on our country and jobs?
Our schools return tomorrow other than that it's queues into every shop you go too.
Arodana
Yip why should some Muppet abuse the hard work of us trying to contain our return to level 2 we all wanted? Hence the hotline.
Paranoia by those unaware we make our own toilet paper in Nz unlike half the imported crap they bring in.
Stunning our country is
Go enjoy your backyard.
I'll be at the beach

[Oakmaiden]

You would have to define for me the level of worry that is "justified" and the point at which it becomes "irrational". Because if you are not concerned at all, then that would indicate to me that you are either irrational or very very stupid.

That said, I satarted this saying "I am not worried for myself or my family, as we are all reasonably fit and healthy". The fact is, though, that although I consider myself ordinary, it is clear most of MN would consider me to be practically asking to die - I am very fat (although quite active - BMI 40+), my blood pressure has been known to be high - I'm not sure where it is at the moment - last time it was checked it was actually low, but I think that was because I hadn't taken my meds (anti-d's)and it does drop when I don't for some reason and I have recently become a bit concerned that I may have a few too many symptoms of diabetes. I would get it checked out, but I don't know if I can get a blood test at the moment, with all that is going on. Oh, and I am 47.

So I am no longer convinced I would be "fine" if I caught it. I probably would be, but I am not sure.

So am I being irrational in wanting to try to avoid catching it, at least until there is a vaccine or reliable treatment?

[UncleFoster]

Its not irrational or corona phobia. Nz paranoia may have been 'stunning' but they have had very few deaths, so it clearly worked.

To answer your question, yes lots of the world is scared of a new deadly virus. Have you watched the news?

[UncleFoster]

We have only had the virus for a few months. We still know so little about it.

Being scared to leave the house in the throws of this situation is perfectly understandable. Its not like we are 10 years down the line.

[Smartcasual]

It's not irrational.

And there is a huge social justice aspect to this debate ie bus drivers and cleaners and couriers have no choice but to work, while those of who are middle class can sit happily working from home receiving shopping and parcels at our front door.

Being very frank, I don't care if you think others are being paranoid, or if people themselves are fearful, I am just thoroughly sick of threads telling others how they should think and respond to Covid-19.

[Disquieted1]

A lot of praise for how NZ have handled it, but does anyone know what their long term strategy is?
At some point they will have to reopen their borders, at which point they will be virgin territory for the virus to flourish.

[BigChocFrenzy]

"At some point they will have to reopen their borders, at which point they will be virgin territory for the virus to flourish"

Their "Virgin" territory may not be significantly different to much of Europe

The Spanish Ministry of health did blood tests around the country and found only 5% had antibodies
The less headline-grabbing estimates for the UK and also France are around 5 % as well
All 3 countries in a similar ball-park for deaths / million

Getting back to "normal life" within a country doesn't necessarily have to go as far as letting in tourists from abroad
Their govt would decide if there is still significant risk, how lomg to wait.

They might require that all visitors go into14-day quarantine on arrival - which would still allow people to move to NZ for jobs or 3-month family visits

Handling import / export freight can be done so as to minimise risk of bringing in fresh infection and the few new cases can likley be tracked and shut down quickly