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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Coronavirus are you worried?

595 replies

CountryGirl1234 · 23/01/2020 18:49

So this virus has infected 600+ already and seems to be picking up pace. It’ll be in the UK any day, if it’s not already. AIBU to think this is going to have a big fallout and are you concerned?

amp.theguardian.com/science/live/2020/jan/23/coronavirus-china-virus-flu-scotland-testing-wuhan-live-news-updates

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2020 13:40

That's the part of the story that no one talks about Shanghai. It must be having an enormous impact.

China are already accusing the US of racism by closing the borders. There's a huge amount of politics in play and that impacts on trade. A saving grace is that countries around the world are shipping in medical supplies such as masks and gowns to help China out.

I'm not really arguing one way or the other. I'm just pointing out the pitfalls. It's not so simple I don't think.

ShanghaiDiva · 04/02/2020 13:57

Exactly Kitten. There are no easy solutions.
There have been some amazing stories: Alibaba has donated 1 billion yuan to purchase gowns and masks, another company is providing free meals for hospital workers in Wuhan, but generally we are quite a selfish species and think only of ourselves, grabbing as many masks as we can, when those who really need them (eg cannot leave their homes in China without one) have no access.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2020 14:02

I was at the pharmacy this morning and there was a lady trying to buy masks to send back home to HK. She can't get them online or locally apparently. I'm not sure what she's tried. I felt pretty bad for her (as long as she wasn't buying them for onwards selling)

ShanghaiDiva · 04/02/2020 14:10

kitten, I am currently in a small town in Australia and they are sold out everywhere. Have asked in every town we have visited.
I need a mask for when I re-enter China next week, but cannot get any. Luckily I still have the one I used before I left, but it’s not an ideal solution and certainly not very hygienic!
I have seen people in the uk boasting they have stocked up on masks- how fortunate they are not to be in a situation where they actually need one...

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2020 14:15

Thank goodness you didn't throw it away Shanghai! What a bugger.

There was a throwaway comment on one of the AIBU threads about buying masks in the UK to sell. That's just not helpful. Disaster capitalism at its finest.

woodchuck99 · 04/02/2020 14:17

I have seen people in the uk boasting they have stocked up on masks- how fortunate they are not to be in a situation where they actually need one...

Yes it's really selfish. I've seen them selling for about £300 on Amazon too. Shameless profiteering.

woodchuck99 · 04/02/2020 14:20

China are already accusing the US of racism by closing the borders. There's a huge amount of politics in play and that impacts on trade. A saving grace is that countries around the world are shipping in medical supplies such as masks and gowns to help China out.

Personally I think it's is a good argument for stopping all visitors from China who aren't residents or citizens of other countries. If it spreads around the world they won't get any more medical supplies as countries will need them for themselves.

jasjas1973 · 04/02/2020 14:20

UK govt now recommending all brits leave China, not sure i would be going back, mask or no mask.

ofwarren · 04/02/2020 14:20

There is a lot of money being made. The big bottles of Milton hand gel are sold out everywhere. They are made by Proctor and Gamble and my husband shown me online, the value of their company at the moment and it has shot through the roof!

ShanghaiDiva · 04/02/2020 14:24

Yes, not sure if we will return. We have a flight to HK next week so will see what happens then. The situation changes rapidly and I am trying to keep things as normal as possible for my daughter. She has lived in China since she was 2 and all her friends are there. I really don’t want her to worry about them, especially those who will not be able to leave.

jasjas1973 · 04/02/2020 14:25

Supply and demand, though hand gel is useless against viruses.

woodchuck99 · 04/02/2020 14:26

Supply and demand, though hand gel is useless against viruses.

So why are they telling people to use alcohol-based hand gel?

ofwarren · 04/02/2020 14:26

Milton hand gel DOES kill viruses. It's the first hand gel to make that claim.

LittleSwede · 04/02/2020 14:29

Does anyone know if the Detol disinfectant spray and wipes are any good on novel coronavirus? I've got some Milton wipes coming but couldn't get hold of the hand gel.

lyralalala · 04/02/2020 14:30

I think it’s that they’re saying it has to have a certain alcohol % or it’s useless

ofwarren · 04/02/2020 14:32

littleswede yes, Dettol kills coronaviruses

LittleSwede · 04/02/2020 14:32

Thanks, I will check level of alcohol in the spray and wipes!

ScatteredMama82 · 04/02/2020 14:36

If the virus causes a flu-like illness, why are the govt trying so hard to track down contacts of the people who have been diagnosed here? I don't think we are being told how severe this virus actually is. Flu is a killer for elderly/immunocompromised people etc. We don't quarantine people with it though.

Amylox · 04/02/2020 14:38

There's a lot of Chinese student in my town and many of them have been back for ChineseNew Year. Most of them live in new build blocks which are basically just cubicles with shared washing, sanitation and cooking facilities. I'm quite concerned for the students but not really myself yet.

Having said that, they are kind of used to this sort of thing because of previous scares in China so they're scrupulously clean and know about infection control.

I hope they all stay healthy, they're nice kids and it's good to have them here.

ShanghaiDiva · 04/02/2020 14:51

Yes, they must also be worried about their family and friends back in China. It’s a very difficult time for many people.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/02/2020 16:00

Flowers Shanghai. I can't imagine how worrying, not the virus, but the situation is for you.

PickwickThePlockingDodo · 04/02/2020 19:32

littleswede yes, Dettol kills coronaviruses

Hmm maybe not....

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7951687/amp/Dettol-kill-deadly-Wuhan-coronavirus-finally-reached-UK.html

woodchuck99 · 04/02/2020 19:44

@PickwickThePlockingDodo the article is telling people not to try swallowing it. Obviously it hasn't been tested on the virus but there is no reason to think it won't kill it if on the hands if it isn't possible to wash them.

ofwarren · 04/02/2020 19:49

The article states: "Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said disinfectant sprays are indeed useful for getting rid of bugs.

He told MailOnline: 'I imagine if used properly, that and other cleaning products would likely shift coronavirus (and most other bugs) from surfaces" so yes, Dettol can kill coronavirus

mindfulprep · 04/02/2020 20:02

I think it's misleading to say that the dettol wipes / gel kills coronavirus... the one going around is the Novel coronavirus which doesnt have a cure yet. If the dettol wipes kill it, they could've just used it on those patients. Job done!