"Only the elderly/immune suppressed are at risk" - attitude of dicks?

[SylvanianFrenemies]

People who say not to worry about Coronavirus, because "Only the elderly/chronically ill/immune suppressed" are dicks.

Some of us fall into these categories. Some love people who fall into these categories. Some have some essence of humanity. Stop using "Only the xxx" to dismiss concerns. Stop conflating it with flu.

Wash your hands. Isolate yourself as required. Err on the side of caution.

YABU = I agree with these dicks.
YANBU = I am human.

Even if it is "just a cold", any normal parent is actually worried about their children catching it. No normal human being likes their kids to be sick apart from the few nutters trying to make their kids ill with chickenpox but that's another debate and even a "mild" illness is a worry, and complications are not impossible.

Most people are concerned, but like the flu, you just have to live despite the possible threat. People die falling in their stairs too.

so yes, of course YAB massively U.

I am in a vulnerable group and I say more or less the same, so yes I do think YABU. All the panic is driving me round the bend and I blame the media for whipping up the hysteria. We have had local schools closed after an Italian skiing trip, still not panicking.

it has a 9% overall death rate at the moment

No, it doesn't. The BBC reported 2.3% last night and that's the highest rate I've seen mentioned. Many experts believe it's less than 1%, because so many people get it really mildly that they don't even realise they've got it, so don't get tested. However, we won't know the true mortality rate until after the outbreak.

I would prefer it if people would not take comfort from the fact that I will die rather than them. That doesn't mean they need to be hysterical it just means they need to be a bit more fucking concerned and stop posting to say that there is no reason to be concerned

I don’t know of a single person “taking comfort” in the facts of this virus, on the contrary I see factual statements as providing information to protect the vulnerable groups. If people are aware they are more at risk they should be taking extra precautions around their contact with them. Perfectly sensible and responsible. You say they need to be “more concerned” on behalf of others. That’s exactly WHY they are promoting hand washing or staying away etc around vulnerable groups. In the same way, if you know you have German measles you stay the fck away from pregnant women. To protect them from catching it. Same with CV.

I think there needs to be a bit of appreciation of the fact that that may be necessary at some point in the future as that may be the only way to contain the virus

People are already aware of this. But right now there is no need for healthy individuals to self isolate or to panic. That serves no one. We can’t live our lives gripped with terror at what might happen in 6 months time. Spreading panic WILL cause disruption to vital services and the knock on effect will be catastrophic to the elderly and the unwell.
I’m sorry you feel upset by the facts of this virus but that is no ones fault. Viral infections don’t care about hurt feelings I’m afraid.

I would prefer it if people would not take comfort from the fact that I will die rather than them.

Firstly you do not know that you will die. Your risk is higher not a certainty. Secondly sorry but why not? Of course fit healthy people should feel more reassured that the virus isn't as dangerous for them. I do not begrudge people this. That doesn't mean they're relishing the death of older people or vulnerable people. You are being overly sensitive and frankly I'm really surprised at the inability of so many people on MN to assess risk objectively.

Most people are concerned, but like the flu, you just have to live despite the possible threat. People die falling in their stairs too.

There is a rather higher risk of dying from this versus the flu or from falling down the stairs. Obviously there can't be a complete shutdown but that doesn't mean that quite extreme measures will not be potentially be necessary in the future.

Of course fit healthy people should feel more reassured that the virus isn't as dangerous for them.

Would you appreciate an older person posting to say that they are reassured that the virus isn't as dangerous for them and will only affect children and people under 30 then? They might actually feel reassured but wouldn't you think there are bit of a dick for posting this on a forum where many people have children?

woodchuck99 omg not this from you again. people are not saying they dont care if other people die but it is not being a "dick" to acknowledge that immunocompromised people are more at risk. as is the case with most illness'. if it were primarily affecting that group then the fact would be "it is affecting children and under 30s, this group is the most at risk and need the most protection". wouldnt make people dicks anymore than what they're being accused of now. you have no point on this matter you've repeated this shit on so many threads. noone is saying dont feel concerned but that as a NATION dont go into a blind panic. FYI not everyone who is getting it, immunocompromised or not, has died. you're so wrong its unbelievable

You are being overly sensitive and frankly I'm really surprised at the inability of so many people on MN to assess risk objectively

I am too. I am probably more at risk for some things due to my age/gender/family history and less at risk of other things due to my age/gender/family history. I'm glad to be aware and live in a time when my risk for certain health issues are known about so I can take action to protect myself. I'm certainly not going to waste time getting upset or angry over people who arent at risk of the things I am. WTF would I? that makes no sense whatsoever. Whats the point of that?

" I'm really surprised at the inability of so many people on MN to assess risk objectively."

Im not It comes up in thread after thread. Both my parents are immunocompromised. I live with the knowledge (as do my parents) that if you are severely immunocompromised then pretty much anything could carry you off. It isn't a happy thing to know but it's the reality of the situation. I still draw great comfort from the fact my children and DH and i are not at great risk from dying of coronavirus. So that makes me not a human being? Bloody ridiculous.

Yanbu op
It isn't a helpful attitude to have at all.
Dd has developed cold and cough symptoms since returning from Italy with school.
We are still waiting for a call back from 111 over 26 hours later.
She won't be leaving the house and neither will I/ds until I've spoken to them. Dm will drop some shopping at the door. My work are on board as I come into contact with many elderly and very young people
Just wish they'd hurry up and call back then I know what to do.

Newjez yes and how many people use them properly ?

I'm really surprised at the inability of so many people on MN to assess risk objectively.

I'm not

No, me neither. MN is full of hysterics, panickers and people who take things far too personally. I haven't seen or heard of anyone talking about their low risk in relation to others with relish. We all have people we care about who fall into the higher risk groups, even if we ourselves do not.

if it were primarily affecting that group then the fact would be "it is affecting children and under 30s, this group is the most at risk and need the most protection". wouldnt make people dicks anymore than what they're being accused of now.

OMG not you again. For the avoidance of doubt it is absolutely fine to say that a group is at the most risk and needs the most protection. What is not fine is to state that people shouldn't worry too much as it only affects a particular group. If that particular high-risk group was anyone under 30 you can bet people would say that person was a dick if the rest of the post was about the virus being no big deal.

I think that the fact that the message distinguishes between those who are at risk of serious harm and those who are not is good. The government should be spelling out now the arrangements for vulnerable older people and the immune suppressed now, so that they can be kept safe, the rest of us must take our chance. I wonder if anyone in the vulnerable categories is already taking precautions?

Would you appreciate an older person posting to say that they are reassured that the virus isn't as dangerous for them and will only affect children and people under 30 then?

People have stated that 'they're reassured the virus isn't as dangerous for them and only affects the vulnerable?'

Or have people been saying 'let's not panic as thus far the amount of deaths has been small and then it has mostly affected the elderly and the vulnerable; ie those already more at risk and liable to be more severely affected?

It's a way of quantifying risk and trying to calm rational people down. No help for the irrational though.

@Russellbrandshair

Yes, but, if we had a German measles epidemic, and people started saying, "no need for panic, as it only affects pregnant women", you don't think people might be upset about that?

People have stated that 'they're reassured the virus isn't as dangerous for them and only affects the vulnerable?'

I know that but sometimes it is the other way round as with the Spanish flu . Wouldn't you think someone was a dick if they posted that they were reassured that the virus wasn't dangerous for them as it only affects the young and healthy? They may actually be reassured by it but if they posted that on a forum such as this people would say they were dicks.

Or have people been saying 'let's not panic as thus far the amount of deaths has been small and then it has mostly affected the elderly and the vulnerable; ie those already more at risk and liable to be more severely affected?

You do realise that by "elderly" they actually mean people over 50. As far as vulnerable as concerned that doesn't mean that they have 1 foot in the grave. Many will be expected to have a normal lifespan in normal circumstances so the fact that this virus could easily kill them is a big deal.

It isn't about an inability to assess risk. I am at risk of coronavirus and am scared by this. But contrary to what some are posting I am not really at risk of dying of other viruses. That is because I have my flu vaccination and bacterial pneumonia vaccination. So most people with my illness only live a couple of years less than the average.

That for me is the difference. I understand for some people a simple cold could kill them. It won't kill me. But this could.

And measures to protect ourselves? There is really nothing I can do except wash my hands. I don't actually think that will protect me given I have DCs, their friends come round, and people can spread the illness long before symptoms show. Also that the virus can live on surfaces for at least a few hours.

Yes, but, if we had a German measles epidemic, and people started saying, "no need for panic, as it only affects pregnant women", you don't think people might be upset about that?

Exactly. People would really upset if anyone stated that there was no need to panic because it only affects pregnant women or young children.

woodchuck99 there is no reasoning with you, I literally developed a headache last time I spoke to you about this topic. no people arent dicks for stating facts and no they are not callous for feeling reassured their group is not at risk. it's actually really weird that you want people to panic

And the amount of deaths has not been small in comparison to the numbers infected. For developed countries with infrastructure the death rate is high.

no need for panic, as it only affects pregnant women", you don't think people might be upset about that

Firstly, not a single report on CV has said “no need for panic! Only elderly are at risk of cv!”.
Secondly - yes I absolutely think if we had a German measles outbreak we SHOULD be made aware by the government that whilst it is a mild disease it can be incredibly damaging for pregnant women so those who think they are infected should avoid contact with women who are pregnant. That’s the responsible action to take. Are you saying to avoid hurt feelings pregnant women shouldn’t be informed they were at risk? 😳

Exactly. People would really upset if anyone stated that there was no need to panic because it only affects pregnant women or young children
Rubbish. Having been pregnant twice, I'd FAR rather KNOW I was in a high risk group than be blissfully unaware of it in case my "feelings were hurt". I cannot believe people are advocating for health information not to be made public in case people get their feelings hurt. WTF

Does anyone else wonder if the air quality in Wuhan province had any impact on the severity of the symptoms for those living there ?