worried about coronavirus (covid19) part 15

[usernameishistory]

Helpful links

WHO media speech for world plan of action

updated data on this page every day at 2pm until further notice.
www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#number-of-cases

It's not just like flu www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/yes-it-is-worse-than-the-flu-busting-the-coronavirus-myths

Why WHO not declaring a pandemic www.newscientist.com/article/2235342-covid-19-why-wont-the-who-officially-declare-a-coronavirus-pandemic/

Worldometer www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

BNO News bnonews.com/index.php/2020/02/the-latest-coronavirus-cases/

Link to WHO report www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The Lancet coronavirus hub - latest research and comment www.thelancet.com/coronavirus

JAMA coronavirus research centre jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert

NicePud, it has been explained on here a lot that there is a limitation to testing - only so many people trained, only so much equipment etc. I honestly think some people really don't grasp how stretched every area of the NHS is. There is really no point in extending the criteria for testing when there isn't the resources yet to facilitate it! Remember these 20k+ tests done so far are in addition to the Laboratories usual work, clearly they are working flat out. Well done them.

My son was in hospital at Christmas with confirmed flu. He's 3. There wasn't sight of any form of additional protective wear at all on any of the medical staff.

That’s shocking

Is it really? The health staff would probably have had the flu jab so would be unlikely to catch it, that's why covid-19 is different to the flu, as no one is vaccinated against it.

All the nurses on my ward are vaccinated against the flu and we still wear full protective gear when going into a flu patient’s room, as do the doctors.

Virologist Chris Smith, presenter of the BBC radio talk show The Naked Scientists, told the BBC in a Q&A with members of the public that, at the moment, the level of circulation of coronavirus in the community in the UK was “extremely low”, and thus the risk of catching it currently “remains extremely low”.

Not sure how he can say that when there's no community testing going on!

More and more I think the daily updates from countries aren't 'who has the most cases' but 'who has done the most tests'.

Anyone know if there are more up to date figures available on testing levels by country? The Worldometer ones haven't been updated since Monday and I'd be interested to have a look.

He added that asthma sufferers taking steroids, which compromise the immune system, should take active steps to avoid catching coronavirus because they are at increased risk of developing severe illness. This was easier said than done, he admitted.

Yes, those who are on the type of steroids that depress the immune system should take step to avoid getting ill BUT those type of steroids are no joke and people take them because they need to and that's why he said avoid getting sick not reduce your meds - just in case anyone gets twitchy.

I’m sorry @unluckyagain if you thought I was implying that you were dismissing the virus as the flu as that wasn’t my intention. I don’t think you do at all. I think the vast majority of people on my Facebook are, and it’s annoying.

He can say that because a) there is community testing through the sentinel programme. There’s enough testing to give an indication. And b) if there was significant community spread hospitals would be seeing related admissions. There will be a stage when there’s widespread community transmission but we’re not there yet.

I went shopping today and am completely disgusted at the empty shelves - people on here proudly saying they have a years worth of vitamin C tablets, 6 months worth of loo roll etc. Absolute disgrace. I will never understand how people can be so selfish. I can understand having 2-3 weeks of food to get by, but buying months and months worth of stuff is ridiculous. I would be feeling very ashamed right now if I had done it.

I haven't seen anyone with 6 months of loo roll, I dread to think how much that would be in this house, suffice to say it would be a fire hazard.

Not sure how he can say that when there's no community testing going on!

Have they stopped community testing? One hundred GP surgeries/hospitals were testing everyone who presented with flu like symptoms to monitor the 'general population', has this stopped then? I hadn't heard that.

I wouldn’t have anywhere to put 6 months of anything. I have about a months worth which I do at the start of every month

Fourtea, plenty of people saying so on these threads, with tips on how to store it included

Confused, tbf these people do have ingenious ideas for storing stuff, under beds, on top of cupboards, walls of loo roll next to wardrobes, someone described stuffing them in suitcases

Jesus, that's too much toilet roll.

Yes, have some consideration who cannot afford to stock pile or who cannot get out so frequently to the shops.

Panic buying may well deprive the vulnerable - who are often the least able to think or plan so far ahead - of basic necessities and of OTC medicines that would help them.

There is absolutely no need for panic buying of any kind. Its sensible to have two - three weeks of food in the house, but other than that it is unhelpful at best and selfish at worst.

Mrs, most people in here have been buying gradually for years.

It's panic buyers that do it.. Very selfish to buy so much. Stores should be rationing it

Queen, I agree, we still wear full PPE for flu cases even if we are vaccinated. The vac is only 'so good' anyway! We always barrier nurse patients who are even suspected to have flu, nevermind confirmed.

I am so glad you guys agree! I wonder will they have to start to ration stuff?

Eg I have 10 packs of 9.

I've always brought them up on offer over preceding months.

ShanghaiDiva, I saw an elderly couple today very upset as there was no loo roll in Lidls, they were down to their last roll. Not everyone can easily access lots of different shops

Have they stopped community testing? One hundred GP surgeries/hospitals were testing everyone who presented with flu like symptoms to monitor the 'general population', has this stopped then? I hadn't heard that.

I'm not sure it's actually started yet. This is definitely the plan but since the vast majority of the cases have a travel history, it doesn't look like community testing has begun yet. For example, I can't believe not a single ITU patient in the whole of the U.K. has CV but none of them have shown up in the figures yet.

Jumping, I know what you mean, it is the people buying up vast amounts in the last few weeks causing this. Hopefully you will help out elderly neighbours if they need it though, since you have 90 rolls?

The gov may have to be send out lorrys soon distributing loo roll to the needy from the back.

Oh I see justchecking! I work with GPs and was told it is happening, but not in their surgeries..... so it may not be the case at all!