The 'Positive Mental Health' Corona virus thread

[RapidRainbow]

There are a lot of posts of people worrying. I thought it could be helpful to share positive and assuring information in one thread.

For me, the most reassuring thing so far is the fact that of approx. 1500 people in the UK suspected to have and tested for CV have come back as negative.

Can anyone talk me down about the death rate in Italy and why it is so high? Seen a video earlier of a ICU in Italy nothing bad but just seeing all the wires.

Worried for DH as he is nearly 50 and has scarred lungs from a bout of double Pneumonia.

I am totally stressed reading it affects older people worse, they are most likely to die and if there aren’t enough hospital beds doctors will have to prioritise younger people.
So if DP and I get it we may be collateral damage due to our age plus my existing conditions.
That’s not OK as we have a DGC living with us. We are guardians. I’ve no idea what we’ll do if DP gets it as they hold everything together.
DGC could get it mildly, bring it home from school and infect us.
I don’t have health anxiety. I spent a lot of my life working overseas in less developed countries. I could give you a long list of tropical illnesses I’ve had including typhoid.
I never worried then but I can’t stop thinking about what might happen now.

Good thread OP, well needed and well overdue

Her voice is SO soothing and calming. Be more Joanna, folks

Just said that to DH!

@HairyFloppins italy is what worries me too. I think they have huge widespread transmission. Sooo many people caught it over half term so it must have been circulating before that. So many imported cases allover the world have been from italy. Lots of people must have had it/have it now without being detected. Thats what i hope anyway x

Can anyone talk me down about the death rate in Italy and why it is so high?

Apparently they've got a higher proportion of elderly people: amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/italy-elderly-population-coronavirus-risk-covid-19

Also, anecdotally, a lot of the Italians I know are heavy smokers. I'd imagine that of those elderly people, a fair percentage smoked for years.

Yes they could have had widespread transmission before they started counting. I guess we will never know.

My MIL is a very heavy smoker.

It's just so worrying. I want my life back before all this it's on my mind all the time

People are also more physically demonstrative in Italy (I used to live there, not just stereotyping). It’s lovely, but probably not great from an infection control POV. And in cities at least, a lot of people live in apartments, so pretty close together. Again, I’m certain that would have an effect on infection rates.

Italy are demonstrative with their double kisses, but Spain too and they haven't been similarly afflicted.

I'm so worried today, the big jump in cases and the threat of widespread disruption, events, restaurants, cinemas closing etc, I know these services aren't essential but it makes it all seem so real and serious.
I am panicky and feel like life is not good anymore, I can't stop thinking about it all, I am going about my normal everyday life but in my head I am so scared and feel like nothing will be the same again.

I've had that feeling in the past about other things and it actually does go back to normal and you will take everything for granted again! Read our stats here. Even the media have shifted today and despite new cases it's not being presented as a major major story in the same way it was 2 weeks ago

Tartan. Many many people are better and this will pass and we will all be normal again.

We may have. To give up things for a short while but in the grand scheme many of us have never really suffered historically. We have been lucky to never live through a world war and have herd immunity to many what where very serious illnesses only 50 years ago.

I have been very anxious about this but I went for a drink in London after work with DH and friend s. The pub was busy and I didn't see any sign of panic or worry. I think people are taking sensible precautions but not panicking unduly (apart from some of the threads on here of course!)

Here's a thing to think of: after it is over, a whole lot of world-destroying pollution that would have been happening, won't have happened, and the world will be just a bit cleaner for all the flights not taken, oil not used. That's a plus for the vast majority who if they get it at all, won't die of it nor even suffer any long-term effects after it.

This is especially noticeable in China; I bet there will be fewer deaths from "ordinary" respiratory trouble for a while there, probably enough fewer to equal the 3,042 deaths from covid-19 when it is taken over a year.

(There have been 24 new cases in China and no new deaths during the past 24 hours.)

Been out with some friends tonight, sensible precautions taken. But, didn't think about this for a couple of hours, it was lovely. Its shame really, people need people and being at home one isn't good for trying not to think about worse case scenarios

@woodpigeons I would not worry as they have stated many young people will not have a severe case so the chances of young people taking up hospital beds are low, as once they are in the delay phase they will most likely ask people to just stay at home and self isolate if they do not feel too ill rather than putting them in hospital.

Also on the doomsday thread someone actually described a person who was talking about the symptoms as "a survivor" jesus christ if that's the case so far in life were all survivors of every other virus or disease that has reared its ugly head.

Im off to work now but will check back in soon have a good day all fellow Ebola survivors!

I agree with @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime

It feels like a dark ominous time and of course it’s awful, awful, awful to even imagine losing loved ones. But there are some small glimmers of positivity.
The lack of pollution in china. People rethinking holidays abroad therefore less pollution again etc through lack of flights (obviously terrible for anyone who loses their job though and there are always ups and downs to these things).

There’s also the reusable side - I’m thinking about switching to reusable nappies for example for DS just Incase there’s a shortage, as well as reusable sanitary pads or a moon cup. I think a lot of people will consider the same.

Then there’s food wastage - I think people are already starting for new more aware due to the feat of rationing/shortages etc. So hopefully we will all be a bit more considered.

And maybe we will appreciate what we’ve got a little more.

Bbc article this morning says the average age of those who have died is 81 and most have health conditions. Also 73% have been men!
I have to admit ive been up since 4 feeling anxious. Supposed to be taking my little boys to indoor football this morning and debating not going

Good article in the Guardian to provide some context:

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/07/coronavirus-reasons-to-be-reassured

Things like indoor football would be good surely to exercise which helps the immune system. Also they've been in school all week anyway. I

Good article, @PhilFlop

Have been very anxious this week DH been unwell with nasty bug. He's on immunosuppressants too. Coughing up brown etc high temp. Not able to get up. Etc. Thankfully is getting through it now but was a worry. Has totally set off my anxiety also. I have it too but not as bad. NHS not interested in testing as not been to one of the countries

Being positive though the children are fine and gp prescribed antibiotics so must think it it is a chest infection as usual.

It’s important to remember - the mortality rate in the over-80s (for example) is a bit less than 15% - I’m not dismissing that, Inhave loved ones in high-risk groups too and it is scary. BUT that also means that 85% of the over-80s do not die. Even for higher risk groups, the mortality rate is still not 100% - it’s not even a 50/50 chance, you still have a good chance of surviving and recovering.