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

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

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?

So much misinformation being touted around as reassurance - the death rate of flu isn't 2%!

There’s no point in worrying about it. If we get it, we get it. We’re old so it stands a good chance of killing us if we get it but we’ve got to go some time. I try only to worry about the things I can change.

I'm a pretty sensible, non hysterical, non conspiracy theorist and I'm bothered... I'm pregnant and DP is on immunosuppressive drugs for another illness so could quite easily die if he gets it

That said, there's not much to be done is there? Other than washing hands after using the tube etc.

Corona virus does not tend to kill younger people. The youngest person to die was (unless there has been a new death in the last couple of days that I am unaware of) 36 years old, and they were a bit of an outlier.

Here's a good article on this topic www.livescience.com/why-kids-missing-coronavirus-cases.html

I have a 16 month old and was very reassured after reading this. Obviously it would be tragic if me or my DS's father died, but I'm 34 so probably not likely.

I'm just reminding GC to wash their hands when they arrive.

It is NOT just another flu. The estimated death rate is anywhere between 10 to 200 times more than flu and it is a new virus that no-one has immunity for.
(Flu death is about 0.1 to 0.01%, best estimates for Covid19 are about 1-2%) so even on best case estimates 10 times as many people that get it could die of it than regular flu.

Apparently hand sanitizers with over 60% alcohol are effective against viruses but soap and water with proper hand washing is better where it is available.

Youngatheart00 whilst you're commenting about banning flights from the originating country, the racism isn't that the virus originating in China, it is that racists now feel they have open season for sinophobia.

It's about people like my SIL being asked if her DS7 has been coughing and should be be at school? They haven't been further east than Ipswich in 4 years but looking Chinese is all it takes. My MIL was shouted at this week because Chinese people deserve the virus so no, it isn't playing the racism card, it is actual racism going on.

And since I'm on the topic, if people could just calm down and stop banging on about the damn virus, that would help massively. The only people I know in RL talking about it are on the receiving end of racism as a result of it. Everyone else is just getting on with normal life because there's no reason not to.

I think people are aware and probably concerned and many think it’s a version of flu, that may or may not spread. But what would you want then to do? Scream and shout hysterically? Run round like head like headless chickens? What’s the point

Just make sure you keep up with your hygiene, don’t go to crowded places if you are that concerned and get on with life

I'm just waiting to get a snivel/cough then I am going to really enjoy 2wks of self imposed quarantine (i.e 2wks off work, paid and with netflix)

Apologies if I've got the 2% figure wrong - I'd read it online and obviously shouldn't believe everything I read without checking

@MordredsOrrery that is different and I agree totally unacceptable. Part of me believes stopping the flights would also cut down on that type of behaviour. But then I rationalise that the behaviour is driven by ignorance rather than fear so maybe not.

I'm just waiting to get a snivel/cough then I am going to really enjoy 2wks of self imposed quarantine (i.e 2wks off work, paid and with netflix)

Now there's a thought....

AIBU to be surprised at this?

It's hard to say really, they're your friends, you know them, do they normally worry about things they can't change?

Do people not read the news anymore?

I do, but I haven't seen half the stuff that's been written on this thread, so I guess it depends on what news you're reading? I mainly read and watch the BBC.

Youngatheart00 unfortunately I suspect it would further validate that behaviour and only encourage those who shout 'go back to your own country' (without having a clue where anyone else was born). After all, if you're a xenophobe, once you've stopped people of one ethnicity from coming in, the next step is to get rid of the ones already here. These attitudes are more frightening than the virus

It's all about perspective
mavenroundtable.io/theintellectualist/news/this-year-s-flu-season-so-far-over-12-000-dead-22-million-sick-psk5zoeleUOGQwPrLTq13A?utm_source=SP&utm_medium=SP&utm_campaign=SP&utm_term=SP&utm_content=SP

OP are you routinely panicked about the flu every year? Because if you are not then you are ridiculous to be freaking out about Corona. The death rate is around 2%. The flu virus for this year has killed up to 30,000 in the US alone. Why are you panicking about Corona and not the flu?

Its the flu!!! Yes its a different flu but really, will panicking help?

It is certainly impacting people in my RL.

One of my colleagues is Australian. her parents and sister were meant to be coming next week via Hong Kong. her mother has some sort of lung issue (not sure) and she was pretty worried about it. Another of my colleagues got really upset that her parents were coming and went to HR saying she should be quarantined at home while ehr family are visiting!

As it happens she texted me this morning and said her family have decided to cancel their trip. They could not re-route to another airline via another stopover, and it is too risky for her mother so the whole thing has been cancelled. So it is actually impacting people. But probably best to be cautious for those with underlying issues.

Maybe it's because every other year there's a deadly virus that's going to kill us all.
Zika, Ebola, Swine Fly, Bird Flu etc etc

Someone somewhere is making money from this media induced hysteria

@MordredsOrrery
The Chinese deserve the virus - what a vile comment for anyone to make!
I have lived in China for 12 years and applaud the actions they are taking to control this virus- from the medics to those who are working in supermarket to ensure food and supplies are available.
I think people need to make their own decisions on what to do (avoiding unnecessary travel etc) depending on own health and circumstances, but while you sit in a country with 9 cases, think about people in China who have lost friends and relatives to this virus, people with no income as they cannot open their business, people stuck now for three weeks in their homes and compounds...

I've bought masks . This is my standard level of anxiety planning.
Apart from that I've only been reminding the dc's to wash their hands the moment we get in.

If people aren't anxious that's great for them, but what I don't understand is the need for so many to adopt such a sneery, nasty tone to someone who clearly is? What good will that do? If you are seeking to reassure how is being a nasty piece of work in how you deliver the message going to help? Ironic that many of the people using that tone have their info wrong.

I have a 16 year old in sixth form and it's the first time the school has sent a warning/advice letter about a virus from public health. There's clearly something about the potential of this virus which sets it apart from flu.

I don't have any specific advice to the OP. Either t the virus will be an issue or it won't. You sound pretty savvy & am sure you know how to minimise risk. It's in the back of my mind but not in a way which is affecting my life or routine.

@everythingthelighttouches

A lot of people in china also have respiratory problems (not being racist, it's a fact), which are more likely to be behind further complications such as pneumonia. Normal flu could also cause these complications.

I'm not planning on jumping on the "It's a 28 day type virus and China is trying to cover it up" bus just yet.