If you're worried about this do your friends and family think you are being ridiculous?

[Comps83]

No one I know in real life is taking this seriously and think I'm overreacting. Fell out with DH as he doesn't understand why I'm worried and thinks it's just because I haven't got enough to occupy my mind . Friends don't understand why I don't want to make plans that involve possibly losing large amounts of money if this gets bad .
I'm not even stockpiling or locking myself in the house or anything extreme I'm just voicing my worries and constantly being made fun of for it .

I’m a bit worried, I think the best way to describe how I feel is that I feel very aware that we’re basically on a countdown towards the peak and the path is clearly marked at current to follow a similar trend to other countries that are ‘ahead’ of us in terms of infection/transmission. So when I see how those countries are, I am pretty much writing off the next month or so at the very least (in terms of ‘normality’ - I have stocked up, and not making any plans to go anywhere other than necessary).

Most of my family aren’t doing this, but some of them are concerned. One of my parents is totally relaxed about it all! The other isn’t sure if they should be worried or not. So I haven’t explained the extent to which I am concerned and that I’ve stocked up (it’s not a wild amount, but will ensure we’re okay for a bit if needed), because I know they’ll think I’m being weird. Most people we know don’t seem too worried and aren’t stocking up, apart from the usual absence of hand gel in shops.

DH is totally on board and was actually first to say we should stock up so at least we’re on the same page. DH is immunocompromised so that contributes to why we’re so alert to it, and my parents are young and healthy so don’t count themselves in the older risk category. I think it’s harder for some relatively young and/or healthy people to perceive the risk - not just for themselves, but for instance in being a carrier. I’m young and healthy but I’m looking to cancel some plans over the next month as I don’t need to increase the risk of catching/spreading what might be a rubbish sickness for me but terrible for my DH and for our elderly, sick neighbours, for instance.

They did until a few days ago. Then all of a sudden I got lots of interested questions about which masks to buy and what else to stock up on.

I've cancelled summer holidays and my family, while not thinking I'm totally ridiculous, think I should have just sat it out a bit longer to 'see what happens'.
I haven't told my friends. They will definitely think I've over-reacted. Only yesterday they were discussing their plans when on their holidays and saying they couldn't wait!

OP how much are you talking about it to others though? They may just be sick of hearing it if you talk about it often.

I don't say much about it, but obviously I'm keeping an eye on things as I'm immunosuppressed and there are cases of it where I live, but it's not consuming my thoughts in any way at all. Ultimately if I get it, it's just bad bloody luck.

I’m being careful for the same reason that I now wait for the green light before I cross the road. When i was young I ran through the traffic without a care, but I’m older now and know I’m not immortal. DH and I also have elderly relatives and health conditions, so we would be irresponsible if we didn’t take precautions.

We’re cancelling any unnecessary journeys, as we use public transport. I’m trying to lose the habit of often pushing my hair out of my eyes, as you’re warned not to touch your face. Better get my hair cut! We’ve got plenty of food in anyway, and it’s not a stomach bug so we don’t need 50 loo rolls.

No point panicking, but it’s better to take more precautions than not enough.

I can honestly say I haven't talked to people about it apart from voicing worry when I've been asked to part with cash for events. So it's not that they're sick of me going on it's that they just aren't taking it seriously

No my family are as worried as I am and preparing. We have talked about various possible scenarios and how we will manage them. I guess we are a family of preppers even at the best of times (which this most definitely is not).

I had a colleague yesterday saying that if they were me, they'd be panicking and isolating themselves due to the immunosuppression. There is absolutely no sane reason for me to panic and isolate myself. I was more or less accused of not taking it seriously, as my attitude to this is as I said, if I get it, it's bloody bad luck.

Yes, I listen to what's being said on the news (with my hysteria filter switched to maximum) and take a considered view on things, but life still has to go on and I have to get stuff done.

My OH works in a senior health position and I'm not worried about my health, but I am worried for members of my family with health issues which make them both more susceptible to bring badly affected by the virus and also being badly affected by a very overburdened NHS system. It's a worry based on facts, figures and realistic predictions of what's coming our way in the next couple of months. I'm also very worried about my income which will grind to a halt due to my profession and for which I'm self employed.
People are confusing 'panic' with ' 'worry' and also not worrying about the right thing - the wider impact it's going to have on society. It's an insight into peoples 'I'm alright jack' ways of thinking I'm afraid.

I'm on a group chat with some friends and we were discussing it as there are 2 local cases. Then one of the girls was aghast that we are discussing the whereabouts of a case and not going out to check that the family need anything etc.

I think it's only normal to talk about these things when they are so close to home.

Despite everything that's on the news DSIS and MIL still think it's all a load of rubbish, more people die of flu on a daily basis and the media are over exaggerating.

Neither have or use hand sanitizer, haven't stocked up on anything and are carrying on as normal!

I was laughed at in work and accused of "panic buying". I'm not they'll be the ones panic buying!!

The issue will be getting people to comply with advice / restrictions. So many "I'm alright Jacks" who will think the rules don't apply to them.

I'm relaxed about it, as in I'm not panicking, however I am calmly following preventative measures ie being extra cautious about hand hygiene, avoiding large crowds etc.

We just don't know how bad this is going to get. We may as well be prudent in regards to preventative measures under the current circumstances. It doesn't require much effort but can have a massive impact.

DH has changed his tune tonight . I think he is starting to worry too . Says the schools are going to close early before Easter

Yes.
I'm not panicking & running around shouting that the sky will fall in, but I am concerned.
I was scoffed at for suggesting that maybe at work we should prepare some contingency measures for if staff need to work from home (ensuring that the VPNs on the laptops all work, at the moment they don't). Thing is, hopefully it won't be that bad but I don't see the harm in having a plan B...
Also at work (more of a Petri dish really) colleague was telling me today that he thinks "people wash their hands too often, that's the problem". Everyone constantly has a cold, probably partly due to the habit certain members of staff have of coughing and sneezing all over the place and never using a tissue.

What are you worrying about?

My own health worries me. DH's family think I'm being over cautious, but my own parents who spent time at consultant appointments discussing the medication that has left me immunocompromised understand.
As much as everyone bandies around "it's just a flu"....to lots of people it isn't.

Ok I'll admit I pulled a sicky today. I intend to tomorrow too. I only work Tuesday Wednesday Thursdays with school kids many of whom haven't long returned from Italy ( has it always been this popular??) And every time anyone coughed or rubbed their nose Tuesday my anxiety went through the roof. Can't handle it. I've kept my 3 year olds off nursery all week too as their dad had a holiday day Tuesday. Btw I tutor an extra curricular hobby type thing on a self employed basis and all events and exams etc finished Tuesday so only thing really missing out is my bank balance. I'll admit I've lost any sense of perspective.

I’ve now altered my work times so I’m not using the tube at peak hours and could work from home if necessary however I’m not sure when would be the right time to do that if this thing goes on for months?

I’ve got autoimmune issue of psoriasis, DH is diabetic. He can’t self isolate as he’d lose his job and I worry about him all the time. He’s had a residual cough last few weeks from a cold he had last month and I’ve got a tight chest with occasional cough. What on earth to do? Whole thing is so surreal. Supposed to be visiting my 77 year old father at Easter who is being very blasé about the whole thing ‘oh it’ll all blow over’ and when I say to remember to wash hands I just get a ‘yeh yeh’ response. He lives alone away from anyone so probably imagines it won’t affect him. Would probably tell us we’re completely overreacting if we l our visit to see him but as we live in London the last thing I want to do is risk any possibility of dad catching it from us!

Back to question - at what point does one decide to work from home and for how long??

If we cancel our visit to see him ...

I'm worried. Very worried

My partner isn't at all...

We both have very serious health complications

I hate that anyone NOT saying ‘oh it’s just the flu’ is automatically seen as a panicked.

Can’t we be concerned without being made out to be stark raving mad?

All of a sudden everyone at work has a bloody medical degree and can announce it’s nothing. Grrrrr.

My best friend is an emergency dispatcher and she thinks it's not a big deal. I'm shocked how it's being downplayed.

I've felt this too. The same people often also blaming the press for blowing things out of proportion. It's surprised me actually.

I’m getting more worried everyday as the week goes on as more office buildings are being evacuated and deep cleaned and further measures are being put in place in my office, can’t get a food delivery over the weekend this morning so thinking about how much I can carry back on the bus from the supermarket today.