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?

ShanghaiDiva I'd like to say it was a one-off comment but it isn't. A lot of us in the UK are very worried about our families for this reason.

We also have family and friends in both HK and on the mainland. It's awful for them in many more ways. Are you living there now? How are things in your area?

It is not FLU

Littlemeadow123 so you blame them for the virus.

Tell me, do you measure the practices of other countries and decide whether they are archaic enough to blame for viruses which originate there? Is HIV or Ebola the fault of Africans? Do you go around blaming Americans for Swine flu?

I had no idea that worrying about this would help me and my family survive it! I'll get right on with some serious worrying then!

Nobody has any real idea what the death rate for this virus is because nobody know how many people are getting it with sufficiently mild symptoms that they aren't reporting it. For this reason the transmission rate is also not known.

Its also not that people fail to pick up immunity, its that its a virus and is probably already mutating and hence reinfecting people.

I was slightly concerned when health workers started to die, but the reality is that everyone with any sort of serious 'flu type systems is getting swept up into hospitals in Wuhan right now. There is massive potential for people getting multiple viruses of different types at the same time in that scenario, which may be inflating the impact of this one new strain significantly.

@Toomanygerbils It's too early to be complacent. The scientists are predicting we won't feel the true impact for another 2-3 months.

No one knows what the real stats are- China isn't known for their truthfulness on these things.

Unlike 'other flu' and so on, this is a new virus and no one has had any exposure to it, so we won't have an immune system ready to cope with it.

I think we should all be concerned and take all the precautions we can without panicking.

"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."

That's very 'I'm alright jack. There's a little girl by me whose going to die from cancer, soon. Her chemo was interrupted by Measles (possibly caught at hospital) and it's complications.

The Chinese woman who was told to phone an ambulance but decided instead to get a taxi and go through A&E should be able to be charged with something. Similar to infecting someone with HIV.

I know lots of people who are immune compromised and have underlying health conditions, including children, so I worry for them. The flu is irrelevant, they get vaccinations against that, as they do the Heps etc. I have friends across Africa who again have vaccinations, but this would be disastrous, they don't even have the resources to take time off work. That's one of the reasons why we needed the response we did. So people without good work contracts didn't have to try to work themselves to death, or face malnutrition (and further disease).

There's been violent scenes in China towards people who aren't wearing masks, but as said, they don't stop other habits.

In Indonesia they are still selling roasted etc bat's.

This outbreak didn't have to happen and it's cost every other country a lot of money, as well as businesses etc. Our government has had to release £millions into the NHS.

I'm in Liverpool. None emergency appointments at our Infectious diseases clinic were cancelled while the quarantine was happening on the Wirral. I.D consultants have had to have their time freed up, so it's put more strain on the specialist/TB nurses.

None of the issues might be on a lot of posters radar, but there's nothing wrong with taking a wider or global view and being concerned for others.

Out of a population of around 68 million 9 people in the uk have contracted it, all are still alive.

Of course it's important to follow basic rules of hygiene, but no point in getting hysterical about something that is currently pretty unlikely to affect you directly.

@MordredsOrrery, Elboa was caused by eating bats. It was the people involved fault, as was Mad Cow disease.

I don't blame the Australians for the tough stance at airports. The amount of unnecessary animal slaughter because people can't have a bit of respect for nature and the natural world is disgusting.

This is the thing. I get very cross when people try and say this disease or that disease is trivial. For people who are immuno compromised or have lung issues it may not be trivial. The experts from PHE are putting out advice. WHO is saying there is a problem. It is all well and good for the cool people tosnay they don't give a shit and so forth, but there is an issue, and people would be sensible to take expert advice and medical recommendations. hardly controversial to suggets, but some people who apparently cannot see outside of themselves think it is all overblown.

Ponoka7 and did any of those people eating bats or hamburgers know there was a virus in there? Do you believe they thought a hemorrhagic disease or one that destroys brain tissue was worth it for the pleasure of a meal? Do you routinely blame the victims of illness for their circumstances?

From your comments I'm assuming you think anyone who doesn't respect nature in the way you believe they should deserves what they get.

Still not sure what the people who are saying we should be really worried want everyone to do differently?

The authorities issue advice based on what is happening. What more should anyone do?

Talking about it all the time doesn't change anything. Worrying about it to the point of anxiety isn't going to change anything.

There will always be viruses that can kill and the nature of the way the world works and travels they will spread.

I am not going to be booking a flight to China right now. I also wouldn't be booking anything involving big groups of people like conferences not because I think I would pick up the virus but because I suspect right now most things like that will end up being cancelled because lots of people get scared and panic. Beyond that I am not doing anything differently nor am I giving it any more head space beyond posting on this thread.

@MordredsOrrery
I still live there, but left on 28th jan to go on holiday for cny and have not gone back yet as dd’s school is closed until 2nd march and we would also face 14 day quarantine when we return. Am staying out a bit longer until the situation improves.

Actually I kinda with pooka...I mean people in grinding poverty eating whatever they can, should totally be blamed for the fact they can't afford higher quality food! They must have been bad people to end up poor in the first place, right? We all know Santa brings presents for good children - so obviously they weren't worthy in the first place and deserve everything they get.

Our DS has a congenital heart condition. I've contacted his consultant for advice on whether we need to look for symptoms above and beyond the fever and cough you seem to get.

Other than that we have to trust to his GP and his heart hospital to decide when he goes into hospital if he gets it.

Apart from that and being sensible with hand washing etc there's not much we can do at this stage. The flimsy masks won't protect you much because they don't know if the virus can get in via the eyes (which is why you're told not to wipe your eyes with your hand until you've washed your hands). The mask doesn't cover the eyes. I use them for my business and you always get a bit of dirt still around the mouth. If dirt can get in then a virus can - just a lot less of it. But there's no telling how virulent the coronavirus is at the moment.

We just monitor it and we'll work with what we've got at the moment.

It is very worrying to see how much misinformation people believe. This thread is a perfect example.

It is not just flu. It is much more serious and could have a devastating impact even in the UK. I am not suggesting we panic, but we should be prepared and vigilant.

A lot of people seem to be suffering from normalcy bias, and sticking their fingers in their ears and repeating "it's just flu, it's just flu, blah blah, blah.." These are the people who will try to carry on as normal and jeopardise everyone else's health.

And to the PP who said the youngest death was 36 - you are just wrong! I wish people would not quote "facts" like this. For example, Li Wenliang was 34. Another example was the PP poster who misquoted the measles figure. Same to lots of PPs who have quoted the UK flu death rate as higher than it actually is.

GGRRR

I have masks... but they’re for the extensive DIY
We are planning soon 😂

Saying the Chinese deserve the virus is mind bogglingly obnoxious and offensive

Surely the most frightening thing is that this has originated in a country (and it's not racist to say this) that has a reputation for covering up.

The facts surrounding Dr Li Wenliang are astonishing. Brave man, RIP.

I think awareness is very high, incredibly so.

It’s anxiety about it that isn’t high, and rightly so. At this point, we don’t need to be anxious about it or change our routines or habits. If the situation changes, advice will change accordingly. Right now, the risk to your DS is very very low.

YABU to be surprised others are not as bothered as you.

@ShanghaiDiva sounds like a sensible plan although it must be very frustrating to be unable to go home for an indefinite period. I hope all your family and friends are ok

It IS another flu- thats exactly what it is. Its from the family of cold and flu viruses- hence the name corona. The difference with this one is that we have never seen this strain before which is why people are concerned. If you look at the actual statistics, 80% of people diagnosed with Covid-19 have only "mild symptoms". I'm sorry but what do you expect people to do? panic helps absolutely noone. As long as people have good hygiene and take sensible precautions this strain will burn itself out and fade away just like all the other pandemics that have happened.

As for "people not being concerned about it"- how do you define that? if you mean people arent going around talking about it non stop then how is that going to help anyone? I am concerned about it but I'm still forging ahead with my life as usual- what other choice do we have? We need to stay aware and vigilant but not obsessed and scaremongering about it.

LizzieMacQueen no, it isn't racist to say that. It's the bile people spout about blame and deserving that massively crosses the line into racism

I have asthma & I can’t say I give a toss. Had a cold a few months back & was coughing up brown shite for about a week afterwards... chest was wonky for weeks afterwards.

There are currently around 8 cases in the UK, I think. With the volume of people travelling worldwide and those who have potentially come into contact with those people, that is nothing. If we see a sharp rise in cases in a couple of weeks then it might be time to be more cautious.

And stop reading the gutter press.

OP - I’m with you.
What concerns me:
People’s general lack of hygiene in the UK - it’s really not that onerous to wash your hands!
This is a new virus - we have no underlying immunity so it can whip through communities.
The pressures the NHS is under - if Covid19 spreads here, and many patients require breathing assistance, will we have enough beds, enough healthcare workers, adequate areas for isolation to control infection rates in addition to all the other patients the NHS has to treat?
My 7 year olds always suffers from viral wheeze when he gets a cold - he has been hospitalised for this three times before. It has made him really unwell. I really would not want him to get this new virus.
Self-isolation. What happens to our kids if we get exposed at work and have to self-isolate? Who will look after them?

I’m hoping the outbreak will calm down, but I also feel this has not been well-managed globally. So many people travelling around who have potentially been exposed, and then fairly cavalier attitudes of people who think they may have it ... rocking up at A and E!!!

What exactly is the suggestion that people do? I wash my hands regularly as a matter of course. I'm not planning any travel to Asia.

Those saying we 'aren't aware' any other meaningful advice??