I am choosing not to post this on Coronavirus section if that's ok because I feel like there may be a broader section of views here. Just wondering who IBU / if anyone is, in this scenario or what to think really.
Like most people I'm very conscious of Covid19 and have been upping my hand hygiene which I'm always very conscious of anyway. My workplace was temporarily shut down, I am pregnant and I regularly use public transport so I'm taking as many precautions as I can. That said, I'm trying really hard not to worry or get into a panic, because I dont think it will do any good. I'm also unsure if a lot of the media reporting and social media chat is a bit OTT. I recall working in a university when swine flu happened and the same conversations were happening then- although I do appreciate this does seem to be worse. Basically I'm trying to live in a balanced way, being sensible, taking precautions but also listening to the measured advice of experts and knowing that this could not be as bad as some are predicting. I have seen a senior consultant obstetrician as part of my antenatal care and they were very measured about it all and told me not to worry.
On the other hand, my 50yo brother is very worried indeed and I'm not sure what to say to him or whether he's taking things too far. Our mother is in her 80's and lives in a rural coastal area, with our father who is in his 70's and a bit more fit and healthy. Obviously she's on our mind as she's naturally vulnerable, and she is aware and taking precautions. If she got Covid19 it may well be fatal, as is the case with most octogenarians, although this could also apply to other infections. My DB is talking about if the worst happens and we have to go to her village and organise a funeral it could be a nightmare because the government is surely going to stop all public transport and we don't own cars (as we both live in a city). He said all the hire cars will get block booked in advance and we'll be stuck in our city with no way to move anywhere. He also is worried because his 7yo son lives with my DB's ex wife in a neighbouring county and the ex wife is obese. DB thinks she would be at risk because of her poor health and that, again, if the worst happened he would need to take full care of his DS but would be unable to travel to where is son lives and collect him / look after him because if the transport shut downs.
I've heard of transport shutdowns in Wuhan, and I know the government's 'contain' plan potentially involves temporarily stopping large gatherings, but do people think the stopping of all public transport and the subsequent restrictions for people without cars is likely? I feel like my DB is over worrying to an extent. I'm the pregnant one and I feel like I'm less worried than he is! He disagrees and said that he is simply planning ahead. But he did say he's been "very very worried".
What are people thoughts on this? AIBU to think it won't come to that?