To have not done anything about the c virus?

@Sausagewrole

Totally agree. It's like a hobby for some people.

Well said @Sausagewrole !

Corona virus disasister in Austrailia!!!


www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-51747892/coronavirus-in-australia-lorryload-of-toilet-paper-catches-fire

@Porcupineinwaiting Good Try... but its like banging your head against a wall.
Most of the UK cases so far have been caused by the "carry on as normal, its just the flu" types going on holiday and bringing the disease back with them. Further UK cases will be caused by the same lot spreading the virus as they continue to "carry on as normal".

not prepping, not concerned, but have a chronic condition, don't like lots of drama either can't be bothered with it.

We are very much business as usual. Funnily enough I was able to pick up my favourite handwash this week because it isn't branded as antibacterial (the shelf had been cleared of carex et al.). I am thinking about going back to the shop today for more loo roll and paracetamol before those shelves are completely empty.

Comparing mortality rate of corona virus with flu is fundamentally flawed. Most of the vulnerable are vaccinated against flu so either don’t catch it or have mild form so don’t figure in the mortality group.
Also it has been suggested that because many are vaccinated against pneumonia (as are babies and young children) in the uk this may protect them from critical form of illness. It is usually secondary complications of colds and flu that kill people not the virus itself.

I think the government and the media are treading a fine line between trying to get the public to take precautions while stopping short of creating panic and economic decline by shutting everything down.

I think those saying "meh, won't bother or affect me" are being very naive and also selfish as they will become the super spreaders who will pass the virus to the old, sick and vulnerable.

DH has asthma and I already have weakened lungs following a bout of double pnemonia many years ago. I'd rather not catch this as there's a real risk I could find myself with complications, needing breathing support and with no hospital beds available. So yes, it is a concern.

A few years ago the BBC did a programme called 'Contagion' which showed how pandemics spread. The irony is that they held an experiment in Haselmere, Surrey, which is where one of the first UK Coronavirus cases was logged .

I challenge anyone to watch this and not reach for the hand wash!
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p059y0p1/contagion-the-bbc-four-pandemic

Also how Frenco are people going to self isolate. Theoretically every time you have contact with an infected person are you going to isolate for two weeks. You could be looking at months of self isolation resulting with the country grinding to a halt.

I am thinking about going back to the shop today for more loo roll and paracetamol before those shelves are completely empty.

what I have noticed is that it is always other people who panic buy or get stuff in unnecessarily. Not for a good reason like me.

Why are you stockpiling? I don't understand this, what happened to delivery? If I somehow happened to get corona virus I would just get the stuff I needed delivered. I wouldn't have to see the delivery person. It makes no sense. All these toilet paper crazies are actually hilarious.

Most of the UK cases so far have been caused by the "carry on as normal, its just the flu" types going on holiday and bringing the disease back with them.

Sorry to break it to you, but I'm off on holiday tomorrow. Having carefully checked every last bit of FCO and BHE advice, having checked local forums, having packed sanitiser, etc. It's a European location that is not in Italy and seems to have its outbreak under control. None of the ski resorts are affected. We are self-catering.

I'd lose the entire cost of the holiday as insurance wouldn't cover us. Given the virus is now in three towns close to my home, I can't see that staying home is going to be a long-term solution, either.

In real life, people just say, have a nice time and take care. Only on MN is there this 'you've blood on your hands' mentality.

Presumably if 20% of the workforce becomes off sick at any one time and others are self-isolating or caring for sick relatives then there's a good chance that deliveries might be affected (fewer drivers, warehouse staff etc)? I bet some drivers will refuse to do some deliveries too.
Some of the people posting about what the illness felt like have said they were unable to walk 5m to the bathroom due to lung pain and breathlessness. Perhaps people wouldn't be able to make it downstairs for an online delivery?

Most of the UK cases so far have been caused by the "carry on as normal, its just the flu" types going on holiday and bringing the disease back with them.

The virus is already in the UK, so do you suggest we all "self isolate", really?

Also how Frenco are people going to self isolate. Theoretically every time you have contact with an infected person are you going to isolate for two weeks. You could be looking at months of self isolation resulting with the country grinding to a halt.

If people self-isolated, then you wouldn't come into contact with them, would you? Because they'd be self-isolated!

Obviously not everyone can avoid contact, but the more who do, the better for everyone.

I bet some drivers will refuse to do some deliveries too.

Only the ones that can financially afford too.

COVID-19 - It is neither the end of the world nor is it 'just the flu'.

I wonder if MN would consider changing the title of the Corona virus section to this. I am sick of the extremes of opinion , both the

' it's just flu, stop panicking, The WHO, the NHS, every eminent virologist and any other experts don't know what they are talking about . 'Flu kills more people every year' (we don't know that yet, we don't have a year of Covid-19 to compare with)' . 'Antibacterial gels don't work' (yes they do if 60%+ alcohol but they aren't essential', soap and water works better).

Or the alternative

' Panic buying large quantities of things you couldn't possibly need, even for a week or two of isolation. Calling for indiscriminate bans on travel, attacking and blaming people who are ill for being ill, for passing on the illness (despite often not realising they were even ill). Attacking people at the WHO and healthcare professionals because we know so much better what works and what doesn't to contain an epidemic . And just generally letting anxiety get in the way of being calmly as prepared as possible.

Not doing anything different here though no underlying health conditions so not particularly concerned even if I catch it. Was in the USA for the sars outbreak and the scaremongering, this is no different except we now have smartphones and social media at our fingertips for maximum panicking

There's a huge difference between preparing and panicking.
This is nothing like flu. The rate of transmission is way higher and so is the death rate.
So far out of 'completed cases' ie where people have either recovered or died the death rate is 6%. This is higher than predictions have suggested so far.
Predictions are that 80% of people may catch it.
The point with self-isolation is to slow down the spread so that hospitals have some chance of coping. 15% of those cases that are still active are 'serious or critical' if that translates when the numbers catching it are much higher that is a lot of people needing serious medical care.
What is the great hardship in wearing a mask and gloves if it saves lives? Potentially a LOT of lives. If you catch it, you will be expected to infect at least 2 others. Who will each do the same.

@bumblingbovine49

omg. bovine thank you.

Only slight concern is the bleach ran out yesterday and only have 2 loo rolls left - going shopping after work for normal weekly shop and may be run out!

Shouldn't think that stockpiled Spam and pasta is what you'll fancy eating if you catch it. Or even if you don't catch it.

Most of the UK cases so far have been caused by the "carry on as normal, its just the flu" types going on holiday and bringing the disease back with them.

Is this even true?
My understanding was that most had in fact either gone away before the outbreaks or as they were starting.

@bumblingbovine49

Nice thought. Sadly fat chance. This is a post- rational age where one pick and mixes ones facts as one wishes. Sick of experts and apparently basic maths and common sense.