Coronavirus are you worried?

[CountryGirl1234]

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

Oh dear. The latest news on this coronavirus is very worrying.
By news, I mean scientific reports and quotations from experts.

I would be very surprised if the WHO didn’t reconvene today and declare a global emergency today.

Why? Sustained human to human transmission outside China. Confirmed Cases in three new countries . Doubling of deaths in one day. Patients are infectious before exhibiting symptoms.

The R0 (number of people who can be infected from exposure to one case) is being updated hourly by modelling from scientists around the world but it is certainly higher than 1, perhaps as high as 5. This has pandemic potential.

If you are looking for up to date, sensible information, follow Helen Bramwell on twitter.

Chardonnay - you are twisting my words.

Billions of Chinese worldwide are worried about 35 million people being quarantined, and growing.

Just as the whole of UK would be worried if London is quarantined

Also don't forget that the first case was discovered in December. The Chinese government concealed the information which led to the situation in Wuhan now.

I'm not letting it consume my every waking thought but I am concerned. I have to take medication to suppress my immune system so I think I'd be one of those who are at more risk.

What people forget about Spanish Flu is that it killed all these people in a world without air travel. Today, the number would be exponentially higher.

It was carried further than it would have been by soldiers returning from WWI though.

Even a tiny percentage of seriously ill elderly/vulnerable people will totally paralyse the NHS.

We have a flu vaccine campaign every year to prevent this kind of overload. There is no vaccine for this virus.

So we should definitely be worried.

I’m not twisting your words, mum, I’m going by what are saying.

So what would you like to have happened back in December?

The only thing I can think off is an earlier quarantine.

Although the first cases did probably appear in early December, until they were able to notice an unusual cluster of pneumonia, test people and rule out flu and other known viruses, then discover and sequence the new virus, they didn't know what they were dealing with. China responded astonishingly quickly.

everythingthelighttouches I've been following her on your recommendation. She's very good. Measured and able to cut through the rubbish.

The wild animal market which was the origin of the virus wasn't closed until 1 Jan.

On 19 Jan there was a public new year celebration in Wuhan which could have significantly spread the infection.

Lots could've done differently earlier

So we should definitely be worried.

But why... what good will it help ME to worry about this? What good can my worry do about this situation?

Or did the poster mean
"We" = Public Health England
"should worry" = should prepare and anticipate

I have a feeling 'worry' means different things to different folks.

The British public should be alert to the development of the situation, as there is still a possibility that it could escalate and develop into a global emergency.

But there is nothing to do for the British public as of yet, so no need to unnecessarily worry at this point until further notice.

(Although personally I'm buying masks just in case)

I live 280 miles from Wuhan and can confirm that the whole of China has not been quarantined!
After SARS, the government here has been faster this time in taking action and as the lunar new year started today with millions of people planning and taking journeys it was wise to be cautious.

On a personal level, I am not worried - I cannot control what will happen and worrying is just pointless.
We continue to practise good standards of hygiene and because of CNY there are very few people out and a lot of shops and restaurants are closed (normal for CNY and nothing to do with the virus) so it is easy to avoid crowds.

I live in London and will be giving large gatherings a miss for a while. The tube is always germ central at the best of times.

I'll be giving anyone with cold and flu symptoms an even wider berth than usual.

I am worried now..we are going to see chinese theatre on chinese new year..we planned to go to china town for a chinese after. That second part won't be happening and I will be vigilant.

Its no better or worse than a standard flu. Everyone I know at work has been off for a couple of weeks with some horrid flu and I'm worried enough about that to steer clear of sneezy people...but not more than that. Massively less chance of catching this new virus....

M3lon it is currently estimated to be 10 times more deadly than seasonal flu and swine flu ( closer in fatality rate to Spanish flu), and a consensus is building that it is more contagious too.

You can avoid sneezing people but it appears to be infectious before symptoms develop.

Still time for it to pan out but it is definitely not the same as “standard” flu.

I’ve just read in the i from the chief medical officer that whilst the 14 people so far tested have come up negative that others are currently being tested and no he doesn’t want to give numbers. Plus they are looking for 2000 people who have entered the country via Heathrow from the affected area in the past 14 days. As an immunosuppressed person I am somewhat concerned. It’s not like the normal flu.

Yes, I'm concerned but mainly because my DS is due to visit China in 3 weeks with his dad. His dad (my XH) seems to think I'm overreacting 🙄

@everythingthelighttouches

Do you have a link to where it says there’s sustained human to human transmission outside China?

I’ve added the twitter lady too, thanks for info. Nice to get access to facts not panic-mongering media (inc BBC).

nope not worried, more concerned about getting hit by a sherman tank before i finish typing this post than coron.......BANG !!! tank just came through kitchen wall, all okay though

Also this:

Based on early information, it is believed that only a quarter of infected cases are "severe", and the dead are mostly - though not exclusively - older people, some of whom have pre-existing conditions.

meant to add i have an auto immune condition but for me, still need to get on with life, but i realise it's not so easy for others though.

bunny i'm done for then, being mn elderly in my 50's