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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be a bit surprised that nobody in my RL seems to be bothered about coronavirus?

238 replies

Dennisreynoldsduster · 15/02/2020 04:08

Maybe it’s because I have an eight week old DS but I’m getting quite concerned about the virus and the impact it could potentially have.
I know there’s been a bit of hysteria on here and I’m not trying to I whip up more but I’m genuinely surprised that people in my day to day life do not even seem slightly concerned about it.
Most seem to be taking the attitude that it’s just another flu, which it categorically is not - and there’s a lot of questionable personal hygiene about!

AIBU to be surprised at this? Do people not read the news anymore?

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 15/02/2020 07:11

Who is predicting 400000 deaths in U.K.?

VivaLeBeaver · 15/02/2020 07:13

I was reading yesterday the experts are now saying that warmer weather probably won’t help kill the virus off as it’s currently quite warm in Japan and spreading.

Also not sure getting it early will help as people don’t seem to make antibodies against it so are catching it more than once. And it seems to get worse each time which is why so many doctors are dying in China.....source for that was admittedly the daily mail so could be wrong but that was pretty much a direct quote from a Chinese medic.

VivaLeBeaver · 15/02/2020 07:14

Who is predicting 400000 deaths in U.K.

Not predicting it but says it’s possible, Prof Neil Ferguson from imperial college.

Beautiful3 · 15/02/2020 07:15

There are numerous viruses that can kill e.g. meningitis, flu. Lifes too short to be fearful. Best to enjoy life and not worry too much about it.

PhilCornwall1 · 15/02/2020 07:15

I'm immunocompromised to the point that if I get a simple cold sore it off to the doctors immediately, so if I get it, I've probably had it.

I don't give it a second thought, I just get on with my day. We all still have to get on with life, the world still spins around (unless you're a flat earther Hmm).

Original poster
Dennisreynoldsduster · 15/02/2020 07:15

@ivykaty44 professor Neil Ferguson. He’s predicting that it’s a possibility if it continues to grow as it is

OP posts:
SpeckledyHen · 15/02/2020 07:16

I work for a Chinese owned company here in the UK . The only thing we are worried about is the supply chain involved in the manufacturing of our products. And of course the health of the work forces in China and their financial situations .

It’s natural to be be anxious about new baby OP . My ‘babies’ are 22 & 25 and it never goes away .

MintySpud · 15/02/2020 07:16

Viruses prefer cool, dry conditions.

I think the UK will be all right.

ivykaty44 · 15/02/2020 07:19

Thanks

WobblyAllOver · 15/02/2020 07:22

OP what is it that you think your friends should be doing in RL that they are not?

You do know worrying about something that you have no control on isn't healthy and only affects and impacts the worrier.

foxy86 · 15/02/2020 07:23

I’m not concerned about it. When I initially looked at the symptoms on line it looks like the stuff you get with flu. We also have a better health care system and a heads up to be able to get prepared.
My local hospital are putting steps into place to segregate anyone who may have it. A lot of countries have the luxury of early preparation due to it starting in China and slowly trickling to other countries.

PhilCornwall1 · 15/02/2020 07:26

But you’re right a lot of people have probably weighed up the risks and just think it’s not worth discussing, I just don’t agree!

But in all honesty, if you were with a group of friends or family, what is there to discuss?

The News channels are struggling now. Sky News are just saying the same thing day after day, just trotting out different people to interview.

Throughabushbackwards · 15/02/2020 07:27

If you are home with a small baby you likely don't perceive that there is actually a lot going on to prevent an outbreak.

I work in a school and we've had emails and briefings, posters on almost every door about catching sneezes and washing hands and pots of anti-bac appearing in every nook and cranny. Our boarding school pupils have all been banned from travelling home for half term and we had to fill in a declaration saying we hadn't travelled to Asia in the past 2 months - those who answered yes have been asked to isolate themselves at home for 2 weeks.

OutComeTheWolves · 15/02/2020 07:28

I think @Toomanygerbils articulated my feelings pretty well. I'm fairly well informed about it and just don't think it's worth worrying about it. Flu has killed far more people than coronavirus in the U.K. and I don't spend my days worrying about that either.

As to your 'don't people read the papers any more'. Yeah I do but the papers try to whip everybody up into a hysteria about everything from the weather to immigration (but not climate change for some reason) So it's no surprise that they'd do the same for this virus.

scaevola · 15/02/2020 07:30

It's not another type of flu.

It's a totallymseparate type of virus, and it's kill rate is not fully understood yet. Nor is how infectious it is.

It is of course also wrong to assume
a) that everyone is in normal health
b) everyone is a life-long non-smoker
c) evetpryne is well nourished, and of course

d) none of those succumbing were previously in normal health.

Yes, there isn't much that can be done at a personal level. And I suppose a certain amount of fatalism goes with that. But there is a difference between being concerned (especiallymfor the most vulnerable, here or anywhere on the globe) and panicking. I don't feel remotely panicked, am not prepping etc, but I am concerned about how far and how quickly this virus has spread.

There is this morning first reports of a case in Africa (one hopes from a traveller) and the estimated death rate is about 2% (similar found several times, though all models are flawed thus early in an outbreak).

For those who wish to compare it with an unrelated viral disease such as influenza, the death rate for seasonal flu is typically less than 1%.

Mypathtriedtokillme · 15/02/2020 07:31

Unless of course your in Samoa in the last year which has sadly had 83 deaths of measles. All but 7 were 4 and under.

OP I would say I’m concerned not panicked.
Practice good hand and space (ie don’t stand too close to people) hygiene, wipe often touch surfaces like light switches, phone faces, door handles and don’t touch your face!
Trying instilling the same in my small germ factories (my children) is difficult!

I’m in Australia and haven’t (yet) had a person to person community spread outside people who have been to China.

Ive been to the GP twice in the last fortnight. One practice had all staff in masks and gloves (youngest had a allergic reaction to a big bite and looked like Quasimodo) and the other was as per usual.
Both of my kids have fevers, sore throats and coughs. GP just said it’s a virus or croup and wasn’t overly concerned it

Difference between the practices is one has a large Chinese demographic while the other is further away (both same suburb which has had a covid-19 case)

But seriously I doubt a lot of people would come forward due to the fear of being sent to Christmas Island, the isolation centre being set up outside Darwin or being deported.

novacaneforthepain · 15/02/2020 07:35

Can someone please answer a question for me.. I don't want to start a new thread (or read through all the threads about it)

If I was to be suspected of having it.. and went into quarantine, what would be expected of my BF baby? Would he come with me? And vice verse, would I go with him?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but have looked it up and can't find any answers!

PumpkinPie2016 · 15/02/2020 07:36

I'm not concerned at the moment. There are only 9 cases in the UK and they have been quarantined . We have an excellent health care system that is preparing itself as well as it can.

There have been other things in the past: MRSA, meningitis, mad cow disease etc. I work in a secondary school and was at Uni when meningitis was a big thing. I've never had any of them.

The chances are very small and although it might happen, there is probably zero point in worrying about it.

Your baby is tiny and the weather at the moment is cold and wet - snuggles at home to avoid any colds etc. Is the way forward!!

Mummyzzz044 · 15/02/2020 07:37

I have a small baby and I'm really scared too, it's our motherly instinct coming out.
Just got my fingers crossed. Does anyone know how they are treating this virus yet? Any vaccine available? It is slowing down or getting worse?

CallmeAngelina · 15/02/2020 07:38

I keep seeing people trotting out the line that we have so many thousands of deaths from flu each year and yet we don't panic about that.
Isn't that exactly the point? Medics and scientists know those flu statistics, yet ARE seriously concerned about this one. You don't see people in Hazmat suits for "ordinary" flu.
So I'm going to presume they know something that perhaps we don't.
And there is no way that the death toll in China is as low as it's been reported.

Mummyzzz044 · 15/02/2020 07:39

@novacaneforthepain I'm not sure sorry. I think they would let you be with your baby. But If you did have the virus would your breast milk be ok?

novacaneforthepain · 15/02/2020 07:40

@Mummyzzz044 if it's any help, I have heard that it doesn't seem to be affecting babies or children particularly badly. Scary though right Sad

DesLynamsMoustache · 15/02/2020 07:40

I think it's more a case of people know all about it but life has to go on. People have to go to work, kids have to go to school. The people in my RL circle definitely read the news (given I used to work in the newspaper industry and many of my friends are still in that world, I suspect many of them are better informed than most) but they also have responsibilities that they just have to get on with. There's also not a great deal to discuss either, besides the fact it exists. I think a great many people are 'aware' of it, but until it impacts our day-to-day life, then there's not much more to be said, really.

novacaneforthepain · 15/02/2020 07:41

@Mummyzzz044 thank you. I read that breast milk would be ok but could transfer from the mouth so would have to wear a mask while feeding. I'm assuming that if I got quarantined, everyone in my house would too?

(I have no symptoms by the way, just thinking about potentially getting it because I am a worrier haha)

Mummyzzz044 · 15/02/2020 07:42

@CallmeAngelina completely agree, China are hiding the figures without a doubt, there are videos surfing all round, some inside people who have been recording them handling the bodies and handling human beings that they suspect has it, have just vanished. No heard or seen in a while. They are silencing them