To have not done anything about the c virus?

[bingbangbing]

Despite a member of my household being in an at risk group?

We always washed our hands anyway.

We haven't bought hand sanitiser. We haven't started stockpiling. We're still going to work etc

I think the current coverage is irresponsible. It's mainly causing people with underlying anxiety issues to panic.

[Tinabn]

TOtally the tweet was aimed at the USA, maybe the virus will be seen as a positive in the future as the wake up call that saved the NHS. I’ve got more soap because I have a glut of bathrooms and hate having to play swapsies to make sure there is soap in the main ones. I have also bought surgical spirit and aloe Vera to make hand gel if necessary because DH goes into care homes and DM is 83, but that is a last resort thing (but it does make your hands feel lovely!). And coffee, I have got more coffee, in fact I would buy a years worth if I had the space. I am trying to get DC to make sure they have enough supplies in their cupboards to feed them for a week rather than shopping on the way home from work but that is a long term battle.

[Astrabees]

I'm in my 60's but fit and well, so I'm carrying on as normal with extra attention to handwashing and if I had any major events to attend, such as a football match or concert i think i'd not go.

If I was 10 years older i'd be only going to quiet places, do my shopping very early in the morning and I'd probably give the gym a miss.

If I was in my 80's i'd probably self isolate to a certain extent until it had all blown over. I'd have all my food delivered, cancel any social commitments and only go outdoors at night when there is no one around.

I think we all risk assess according to our age and health and yes, OP , for most of us no changes are needed at the moment.

[HoffiCoffi13]

I am concerned as I actually think everyone should be... as a PP says, people’s loved ones are going to die from this. I am not in a high risk group, one of my daughters has asthma but is otherwise healthy, but I know plenty of people who are elderly, and who are in high risk groups, and I’m concerned for them. I’m also concerned about any societal impacts it will have.
However, I haven’t actually done anything. Other than be meticulous around hygiene I’m not sure what else we can do.

[thecatsthecats]

I’m not sure if it’s because I didn’t read the news as much or what, but I don’t remember SARS/swine flu etc being this heavily reported.

Maybe it was just because I was one of the earlier infections for swine flu, but I think it was pretty heavily reported.

I'm the COO of a small business. It's my responsibility to be ready with a functioning action plan for this situation developing that's ready to go immediately if necessary.

These threads remind me of the Millennium Bug. A lot of people proudly displaying their ignorance and determined to show that they are somehow better than those taking small, sensible and measured preparations.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

there were shortages which were starting to stabilise, no chance of that continuing now.

That’s not necessarily due to people buying it up. The biggest factor is likely to be that a significant amount of paracetamol is manufactured in India and they have restricted the export of it due to the virus.

OP, hand santitiser isn’t ineffective. It’s not necessary at h,e or somewhere where you have access to soap and water but it is useful in public areas where it might not be easy to access that.

[GinDrinker00]

Just seen YouTube videos of China officials beating citizens in the street and spraying them with disinfectant. 😳 and people claiming they’re taking ALIVE infected people and burning them alive in body bags... it’s worse than they’re making out that’s for sure. I’m stocking up I think people are being unreasonable not taking precautions.

[Buyitinbamboo]

I'm burying my head in the sand a bit. My DS has a consultant appointment next week so I'll raise it then and see what he thinks. I know it doesn't affect small children as much but my DS has ended up in hospital on oxygen with every single cold he has ever had.

[GinDrinker00]

Pressed post to quick. For anyone interested you need to be signed into YouTube else you can’t find the videos. It’s called China Uncensored.

[LouMumsnet]

Morning, folks. We're going to move this thread over to the Coronavirus topic now. Thanks.

[Shandied]

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay perfect storm of both, even if it's not due to people buying it up the result is the same. If you use it even occasionally it's worth picking up a pack when you see one.

[Rubyroost]

@bingbangbing the WHO have been very irresponsible throughout this though, I don't think taking their advice is the best. They refused to call an international emergency and then woukdntbkabelnit a pandemic. They're idiots. Don't really know what @Porcupineinwaiting said wrong either!

[Meruem]

The problem is that they need to keep up with the coverage to convince people to take it seriously. Yes a side effect of that is that the anxious panic more, it's unfortunate but it is necessary. We do need to limit our contact and be prepared. Being prepared isn't "panic". Limiting your unnecessary travel if you or your loved ones are in a high risk group, or you don't get sick pay and couldn't afford to self isolate or be off sick with this, is sensible. Ignoring it completely is not sensible.

[spongejack]

I'm with you OP!

[sleepingpup]

I haven't seen any evidence of panic in rl. My local supermarkets still have plenty of paracetamol. The shoppers are not pushing trolleys piled high with long-life foods and toilet roll. Kids are in school as usual, everyone's going about their normal business.

Having said that, I don't see what's so silly about stocking up a bit. It is likely many people will get ill. Having more supplies to tide you over if you're stuck at home for a while is perfectly sensible and does not constitute panicking.

Totally this.

These threads remind me of the Millennium Bug. A lot of people proudly displaying their ignorance and determined to show that they are somehow better than those taking small, sensible and measured preparations.

Yep so true.

I also need paracetamol. Why are people panic buying that? Very wierd!

Hilarious!

I’ve not been stockpiling either - if I caught coronavirus (as I would with the flu), I’d get what I need delivered.

Classic MN

And yes OP 60% plus hand sanitiser is effective as an interim method inbetween soap and water hand washing.

[AhoyMrBeaver]

determined to show that they are somehow better than those taking small, sensible and measured preparations.

Yes, this is what irks me about these sorts of proclamations. If something doesn't apply to you, then quietly don't do anything.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

if I caught coronavirus...I'd get what I need delivered

Good luck w that sweetie.

[HeronLanyon]

Well
Buying paracetamol yesterday in a Boots (I use it for final few days of migraine pain) I was questioned closely as to why I needed it at payment counter - felt as though purchases were quietly being monitored.
Currently the only thing I’ve done differently is possibly cancelling plans this evening. Have not felt well yesterday and now today - 100% not worried about Coronavirus - but meeting someone with recent cancer diagnosis and given everything I think maybe this could be rearranged.
No stockpiling but I always have plenty of food and ‘stuff’ in anyway.
Shops local to me have obvious gaps on shelves.
As for Matt Hancock assurances have never had any confidence in him and desperately wish we had someone else as health secretary right now.

[Lweji]

Yanbu if you already take regular precautions for respiratory illnesses.
Most people should be aware anyway.
The problem is that it goes from 0 to 100.

I think it also depends on what media you follow. Tabloids and equivalent will make a mountain out of a mole hill always.
People with anxiety are better off following only more sensible media. Even though it's heavily reported, they do tend to present less of doomsday scenarios.

[Kazzyhoward]

@Waxonwaxoff0 you can wash your hands more often, you can stop shaking hands with people you meet, you can sit away from other people if public transport isn't rammed full or take a quieter earlier/later bus/train, you can shop at quieter times. Every little helps to stop the spread.

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

I've bought Marmite, I am not running out of that.

[CroissantsAtDawn]

We live in a free society so you can react to this virus how you please.

I am not panicking. But I am ensuring my cupboards stay full (we always have a good stock cos you never know - so many things can cause supply chain problems).

I always have a good medicine supply because unfortunately my 8 year old and I suffer from various health problems and we need painkillers to function (plus other prescription meds).

[AlternativePerspective]

I think that SARS/swine flu was quite heavily reported on in the press, but the internet and especially social media wasn’t as prevalent then so the panic wasn’t as easily spread.

At the moment the internet is a bit like chinese whispers in that one thing is reported e.g. someone has been tested positive in a particular area, and by the time it’s passed through the hands of about ten people on facebook the entire area has been put on lockdown and deep cleaned.

The hospital I attend for cardiology appointments has had two confirmed diagnosis as confirmed on the BBC. Next we hear is that the local hospital (which is attached to the one in London) has “definite” confirmed cases, moreover the person who came on to gossip about this on our local fb page proclaimed that “I am a healthcare worker in so I can absolutely confirm that it’s true and people have tested positive. Clearly they’re using the statement “I am a healthcare worker” to sensationalise a bit more not to mention the fact that it’s not exactly a great example of someone adhering to confidentiality. And the responses were along the lines of “we should all be told where the infected people are so we can avoid them....”. .

[GetawayfromthatWelshtart]

I'm with you OP.

I have diabetes and bowel issues so my immune system is buggered but we wash our hands and no hand sanitiser in sight. Luckily I WFH (day off today).

I don't stockpile. If we get ill we just eat what we have in cupboards and fridge/ freezer. Food gets delivered anyway as we don't drive.

About 600 people die from flu in the UK each year.

When my sister died from complications from Flu no one went mad and stockpiled stuff. No one started to wash their hands for 20 seconds and "self isolate". No one really gave a crap that Flu had killed her.

[Didntwanttochangemyname]

Just seen YouTube videos of China officials beating citizens in the street and spraying them with disinfectant. 😳 and people claiming they’re taking ALIVE infected people and burning them alive in body bags... it’s worse than they’re making out that’s for sure. I’m stocking up I think people are being unreasonable not taking precautions.

What!? I don't believe this for one second. Please provide a link to a source for this. Its exactly the sort of shit that is going to send someone with health anxiety over the top.

[Awkward1]

I think 20% of people who are diagnosed needing hospitalization and 6% critical of which many have died.
How exactly do you think hospitals can cope with that level of demand?
The gov have said many who could have been helped won't get it because the hospitals will be full.
That is why other countries have tried to lock down and spread it out.
Look at world meter there are 30000 not recovered (yet)
The Drs may have to make hard choices