To think this coronavirus hysteria is completely OTT

[tacosplease]

I’ve just read that the NHS has declared the coronavirus “situation” a level 4 incident - the highest level of emergency.

There are only 51 known cases in Britain out of a population of 66 MILLION. None of these people have died. In the extremely unlikely event that you do catch it, the chance of death is just 2%.

So, I simply don’t understand why people are getting so hysterical about this. Far more people catch the common flu every year and no one starts panicking over that. Every time you use your car you have a 1/20,000 chance of dying yet people still drive and don’t think twice.

AIBU?

it is very unknown, it is Novel, it is very worrying.

OP, the worry (not panic) is that if containment fails, then a high % of the population will be infected. It is very early days to estimate an accurate death rate, but it is far more deadly than flu and extremely contagious. So, yeah, health care experts are worried. Which is sensible.

Of course, the 2% is the average. People with existing conditions involving the immune system (not just the old) can be as high as 10-15% risk of death if they catch it. That's very high and includes "normal" people such as parents of young children, all kinds of workers, etc. Lots of younger/middle aged people have respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, etc etc who are at very high risk of death or long term health issues which may render them unable to work and/or needing carers for themselves and their dependants.

Low risk people not taking precautions because they don't think they'll die of it are increasing the risks of people around them, as they may pick it up at work or busy places like public transport, and then pass it on to friends, family, neighbours, etc.

Personally, I think everyone needs to take it seriously, if not for them, then for all the vulnerable people they come into contact with.

It only seems crazy if you're considering it in terms of the impact to you as an individual. Once you start considering the overall impact (on general healthcare and economy) you start understanding why it's a big deal.

I think anyone who can’t see how this has the potential to cause massive issues is a bit naive.

Agreed!!!

Too wrapped up in their own little worlds to consider wider issues and consequences.

I’m sure when all these parents on here whose children’s schools close down and need urgent childcare or they can’t get to work will be quick enough to be in uproar and wonder why nothing is in place to fix it for them

But for many people it wont require hospitalisation just self isolation. The death rates for flu are worse. I think its being whipped up into a frenzy of hysteria. Warmer weather will help too.

Ffs there's a Coronavirus section
These threads need quarantining

We’ve been told that the cases are likely to increase now. I think it’s going to get much much worse. I’m hoping I get to spend my birthday at home, because work/schools shut down 🤣🤣🤣

YANBU but YABU posting in AIBU when theres a specific Coronavirus section for these threads

I had no idea - sorry. Will ask MNHQ to move to the coronavirus section...

I work for a large acute NHS trust that has spent a large part of this winter in critical incident, as have other the trusts in our region. Frontline staff are already on their knees and there is just no capacity to deal with a sudden influx of high dependency patients.

One of my main concerns is what will the impact be on other pathways eg cancer diagnosis and treatment if this really takes hold.

Low risk people not taking precautions because they don't think they'll die of it are increasing the risks of people around them, as they may pick it up at work or busy places like public transport, and then pass it on to friends, family, neighbours, etc.

Personally, I think everyone needs to take it seriously, if not for them, then for all the vulnerable people they come into contact with.

This!

We're just moving this one over to the right topic now.

It only seems crazy if you're considering it in terms of the impact to you as an individual. Once you start considering the overall impact (on general healthcare and economy) you start understanding why it's a big deal.

Exactly this! Also I'm not seeing hysteria, more concern and people preparing a bit

These threads are making me panic, I really think drastic measures need to be taken, like a 2 week quarantine for everyone, stay at home, everything shut down, on a set date so it can be planned. I KNOW it sounds crazy and it won't happen but something drastic needs to, or there are so many lives at risk! What scares me is if my family all get it together, who will care for my dc if I'm ill with it?

Hate it that people buy into the mass hysteria and start stock piling groceries. Went into my local Aldi today to pick up a loaf of bread, and barely any bread on the shelves! The woman at the till said the place had definitely been a lot busier than normal this week. In situations like this people who are normally pretty rational act crazy. I’m betting in 2 months time it will all be a distant memory.

2% is really high actually. Scary numbers. I’m not panicking but I’m definitely worried.

Thanks @LilyMumsnet!

I’m betting in 2 months time it will all be a distant memory.

I think (and hope!) so too!

YABU
Countries across the world are not reacting this way for no reason.
I trust their judgement rather more than the 'I'm alright Jack' people.
@mindutopia you have explained that so well.
8 million could require hospitalisation, 1 million could die. Then those impacted that don't have it but need the nhs who will suffer because the NHS are too busy. If this is over the spam of a year it's still awful.

Saw this on YouTube - make up your own minds!

I did think similarly at first, but now they are estimating that worse case scenario 80 percent of the population will get it and that it just hasn’t got to that point yet, it will happen over months and people who have had it can be re-infected so it could take a while to run it’s course. Most people know at least one person who has a compromised immune system and there is no vaccine and no cure for them and you can pass it to people before you even have any symptoms. They are also now saying that around a fifth of workers could be off work at the same time- that’s going to mean less doctors and nurses whilst the nhs not to mention the impact on schools and every other service we rely on! 2 percent of 80 percent of 66 million is a lot of deaths - could be around a million if it goes the way they are warning about, so I think you are being a bit naive if you think the chances of you getting it are tiny.

@Tacosplease it's a level 4 emergency for the NHS. This doesn't means everyone should start panicking, it means the NHS are taking it seriously and putting plans to place so they're prepared for what might happen. They're putting it top of the agenda for where they're putting their efforts.

The NHS plan for pandemics and are well aware of the potential impact this could have. So they're giving consideration now to all the operational details to make sure they're as ready as they possibly can be if this does turn into a pandemic

Rates in China are in decline now

could be around a million if it goes the way they are warning about

True, but let’s not forget that as you said earlier in your post, that’s absolute worst case scenario.

There will be a lot of people off work with mild symptoms. Others who are seriously ill. And others who die. There will also be Others off work looking after ill relatives. Others off work because their mother/father/partner/child is seriously ill. Others off work because their parent/child/partner has died and they are bereaved.

It’s got far more of an impact than 2% of 80% (or whatever figure you use) who actually die.

No man is an island.

@PickleaSturgeon what is that all about?