To think that we must stop stressing about coronavirus

[Booboostwo]

Because stress and panic risk causing more deaths in and of themselves.

I know the WHO is still labeling this containment phase but it is quite clear that the virus transmission is very close to being out of control. It will then spread everywhere because it spreads easily, there isn't much you can do to avoid catching it and people can be asymptomatic, have few symptoms or take up to a month to show symptoms.

To repeat, we are all getting this, sooner or later.

Prepers, sorry, but unless you can stay away from other human beings for a few months until a vaccine is developed and produced in adequate numbers so that you can get one, you are also getting it.

And yes, my DS who is 5yo is asthmatic, I have elderly relatives and a friend who is immunosuppressed. But stressing and panicking will not help them either.

We all need to keep calm. Stop raiding the supermarkets, stop freaking out and depressing the economy and we need to make sure that scarce medical resources are kept free and accessible for those who will genuinely need help because of the virus.

That is the only helpful and effective thing we can do.

How bad is it going to get?

Until other countries with more resources are dropping bags of flour and oats by helicopter to us so we and our children maybe have a tiny hope of survival?

Puts the various famines ongoing around the world at this precise moment in perspective.

Unlike SARS, CJD etc, the global financial markets are panicking and crashing over COVID-19
e.g. FTSE 100 plummeting and Wall Street having its biggest ever fall

Globally, investors have lost about $5^ trillion^
That may have real consequences for many of us
e.g. UK pension funds have lost 5% of their value

China has put many of its towns and cities into lockdown

Their exports by sea are down to about 10% of where they were - that's not a fall of 10%, it's a level of 10%

China provides masses of things we take for granted, both manufactured goods and raw materials
e.g. raw materials for many drugs - so some medicines are in short supply already
Many manufacturers of all kinds around the world may be experiencing shortages

This is very likely leading to a global crash about the size of the 2007/8 Global Finanical Crisis

The Prime Minister has called a called a COBRA meeting tomorrow.
No doubt panic buying will start.

Best strategy is to do what you can to lower personal risk
e.g. good hygiene and handwashing habits

and also prep in case you need to stay home for 2-3 weeks

Then, knowing you've done what you can, keep listening for any new government advice, but get on with life

twitter.com/richardosman/status/1233419291401297920?s=21
It says "I know we are all too cool and rational about Coronavirus to start stockpiling provisions. But, let’s be honest, we all added some emergency loo roll to our last shop."
Which I strongly suspect represents all the naysayers on here.

Wow. This epidemic has since December made 65000 people ill and 1380 have died worldwide! In a world population of 7.8 billion! Scare story.

Is hubby being unreasonable to tell me he prefers me not to go to see one of my friends who is about 30 tube stops away from me (he wants me to avoid all unnecessary social travel on public transport across London)…