Coronavirus - sick and tired of the hysterical scaremongering

[Ashtower]

I work in an office and I've overheard a number of people blowing the outbreak all out of proportion. One colleague has ordered facemasks off Amazon - we're in SE England ffs. I wish people would educate themselves (from reputable sources) and stop winding everyone up.

Of course, a healthy amount of caution is important but it's made me aware of how mass hysteria ie witch trials occurred in the past. Just takes one ignorant person with a massive mouth (yes I'm talking about you Sue in budgeting).

The headlines today are talking about 350,000 people in Wuhan being infected (or potentially being infected) which sounds a lot. Then I looked up the population of Wuhan: 11.08 MILLION. My maths is always a bit dodgy, but I reckon that's about 3%.

However, it's more whether they can cope with that amount of ill people. I'm very impressed that they're planning on building a new hospital to be ready within 5 days. Could you imagine a similar scenario over here?!!

Just remember your basic hygiene, folks. Sneeze and cough into tissues; dispose of properly, and wash those hands!

Unconfirmed estimates suggest the fatality rate for Wuhan flu is about the same as Spanish flu.

The Spanish flu epidemic killed about 50 million people. That’s 3-5% of the world’s population at the time.

I’m not saying we should all panic, but certainly it’s a newsworthy event that deserves press coverage.

A little understood fact about face masks: the custom of wearing them originated in Japan, and the purpose is not to protect the wearers, it's to protect other people from the wearers. In the same way surgeons wear them to protect the patient.

According to the experts, symptoms for most people are similar to a bad cold. The confirmed cases in the US are having mild symptoms but have been isolated to prevent the spread. There are bound to be thousands more infected in China who haven't sought treatment because their illness has been mild. This means that the mortality rate is almost certainly lower than the official figure as of now. Also most of the confirmed deaths so far also had underlying conditions. I dont think its anything to panic about just yet. And I normally get anxious about all these things.

5 people die every day on the roads- where is the mass hysteria?
Are 1700 people likely to die from this? 23000 injured & have to be hospitalised this year?

@PettyContractor, it may have been so at some point, but actually masks are known to be effective to protect the wearer against air borne infections. When you walk in Seoul or Tokyo or HK and see lots of people wearing them, that’s not because they’re (all) sick - the vast majority are trying to avoid getting sick.

My point about measles (and flu) is that there are treatments and vaccines out there but people are happy to take their chances with these. I understand that not everyone is eligible for a free flu vaccine but these diseases as we stand at this moment in time are just as if not more deadly. I think measles has a fatality rate of around 2% - 3^ but I'm happy to be corrected
Of course time will tell if this new virus is more of a risk to usually healthy people but I don't think at the moment its worthy of panic. As a pp said practice good hygiene and see what unfolds.

SARS caused hysteria but more people have died dying from falling down the stairs and something like 600,0000 people died from flu last year.
The best way to control society and people is by using fear. This is what the media/government do to keep us in check..

They've even said it's nowhere near as bad as SARS but still the fear mongering headlines continue

Witch trials??? What the bloody hell has the current virus outbreak got anything to do with that? Bizarre.

The best way to control society and people is by using fear. This is what the media/government do to keep us in check..

Oh come off it, so there are never any real threats and any potential threats are used “to try and control us”. What a load of bull. So that’s why the papers are full of what Meghan’s doing and who’s had a shit on love island.

I don't think there is any need for mass hysteria, not that I have seen any but it is a serious issue in china so it it worth caution and open awareness of that fact. People move around a lot especially as it isn't long since the holiday season so it could spread if left undetected/ no concern given.
I am at a university with a very large asian student population so I will be waiting to see if any cases come from that, although I don't expect it to be a huge issue due to my lack of hysteria over it.

Yes , because SARS did not mutate and thank goodness for that. But the Hong Kong flu of 1968 killed about 1 or 2 million people IIRC.

Perhaps it’s difficult if you’re in the UK to appreciate the very deep fears people in China/Asia have about flu epidemics. The avian flu and sars were initially covered up by China, resulting in significant deaths. So people are more prudent now. Macau has already announced that schools will be closed until 10 February.

Plus it’s Chinese New Year, a time when millions travel back to their family. Imagine if London was suddenly cut off from the world - no planes, no trains, no tube, no buses. No medication, no supplies and no food coming in. If you are there, you are not allowed to leave. That’s what is happening in Wuhan. Same size city as London.

The comparisons with falling down the stairs and car accidents aren’t apposite, because you’re not going to “catch” a deathly accident on the tube, from someone who presents no symptoms whatsoever.

We have a bloke at work who thinks its gonna be the end of civilisation! Was hilarious when our manager, who is Chinese walled into his office and started coughing, to wind him up

Just said this on another thread (which seems to have died) but what do the Chinese know about this that they're not telling? They've shut down 14 cities, ffs!! They're building a hospital in under a week, to take 1000 people. Why are they so worried?

@FromEden, actually the fatality rate is comparable to what it was with SARS when we were just 3 weeks in. That’s because it takes time for people to develop pneumonia and die.

@CallmeAngelina, they know that’s a virus that was previously observed only in bats or snakes. It’s airborne and has spread quite quickly. You may have it and not have any symptoms, but could give it to anyone who breathes near you. There is no antiviral for it and humans have zero immunity against it. It can lead to pneumonia and cardiac arrest. And it could mutate to become even more dangerous.

I’ve seen footage I can’t unsee of a Wuhan hospital corridor, jam packed with patients and nurses in protective gear, with among them three bodies (covered by sheets) that no one has the time to take away.

Also seen heartbreaking messages from a couple of health professionals in Wuhan. Both parents have developed symptoms. They want to be separated from their children (a toddler and a very young baby) to minimise the risk of giving them the disease. But because of the travel ban, their relatives are unable to come and take the children.

OK, Revolution, so the OP's premise that people are hysterically scaremongering is unreasonable?
We're not there yet, but could be IF we don't take reasonable precautions. I agree it's not necessary to start wearing face masks yet, but let's watch and wait.

I have actually bought one of those face masks . I am flying on Sunday so thought of taking extra precautions. In my defence I do seem to pick up everything going around especially when tired or stressed which I am with my wedding coming up in 6 months.

It worries me a bit. Reminds me of swine flu when everyone in my town was laid back and relaxed saying it would never reach us. Not only did it reach us very quickly i almost died from it and was seriously ill for 8 weeks. Even now 11 years on i still have some issues from it. So yeah i can see why people are worried about this one.

actually the fatality rate is comparable to what it was with SARS when we were just 3 weeks in. That’s because it takes time for people to develop pneumonia and die.

And the official amount of cases are going to be hugely under reported at this stage. The fatality rate as it currently stands is going to change as the true number of cases becomes known. It's been stated that symptoms for most are worse than a cold but not as bad as SARS.

People have died from this virus. WHO have confirmed it's a virus that mutates. I have Chinese friends. Its impacted their lives. You may not feel you are at risk. Good for you. One of my best friends has had to cancel his flight to his home town. He can't go and see his family. He can't celebrate Chinese New Year.

Yes. I damn well hope it comes to nothing. But I will say again.. people have died. I'm guessing if it was some of your family members you wouldn't be starting a thread like this.

@lovepickledlimes, I certainly won’t judge you for wearing a mask - where I live, the government has decreed the highest level of public emergency over the virus.

If it’s a regular face mask, remember to discard it regularly and change it for a new one. For instance, if you take it off for a meal, you should replace it afterwards. Unless it’s a N95 (respirator), which are reusable.

Apparently regular surgical masks are just as effective as N95.

I think some of the 'everyday' wearing of masks is due to the high levels of airborne pollution, rather than the spread of disease isn't it?

Yes, though it varies from place to place. Definitely partly about pollution too. Especially motorists/moped drivers and riders.

It’s actually weirdly comforting to be wearing a face mask. ☺️ In a crowded place, people may keep a bit more of a distance to you, which feels nice sometimes.

1.4 billion people in China and how many have died?
Not taking it lightly but can’t get hysterical over it.

How many died on the roads in this period
How many from cancer
How many from heart disease
How many from dementia/ old age related illnesses

We need to keep perspective