Worried about coronavirus thread 23

[ofwarren]

Welcome to thread 23
Here is a link to the previous thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3845520-Worried-about-coronavirus-thread-22

Jespers I wouldn’t even be considering it.

I think some of the UK has its fingers in its ears about the seriousness of it. DH (office based) had his Italian colleague crying on the phone to him this week pleading with him to take action to try to prevent what is happening in Italy. A grown man crying during a business meeting telling him Italian doctors are now having to choose the more worthy to receive limited healthcare.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51845861

Interest article trying to second guess today’s meeting. Basically that we will most likely continue delay, with some restrictions.

This concurs with what was said by the very attractive .(sorry 😳) Professor Balloux this morning on BBC, that we need to have a slow build not to overwhelm the health service.

Princess cruises are voluntarily and temporary of its global ship operations foe 60 days .

Secondary schools have been asked to prepare "home learning packs" for their students with a deadline of completing these by Friday (tomorrow). Rumours are circulating that schools will shut next Friday, the 20th, for 4 weeks (2 weeks early, then 2 weeks of Easter holidays). I believe behind the scenes preparations are being made but it would be really helpful if the government was a bit more open with this so that people can make preparations such as arranging childcare, working from home etc rather than getting stressed that out government arent listening and just care about singing happy birthday.

Sorry that was muddled

Princess cruises are halting operations for 60 days

@Easilyanxious Letter from who?

Princess cruises are halting operations for 60 days

About time!

@AHippoNamedBooBooButt I agree. I would like to know whats happening, even if it's in a weeks time.

Honestly the fixation on toilet paper buying habits is doing my nut in.

I would imagine the vast majority of people who have bought extra - not necessarily stock piling - were simply trying to be pragmatic.

If you're going to be isolated, then suddenly not being able to wipe your arse and not being able to just pop out potentially to grab another four pack is just sensible - it's about normal hygiene and convenience.

Maybe a small number of people do find a stash of loo rolls a good alternative to a comfort blanket, but that in itself is a sad thing surely, not worthy of the amount of ridicule being heaped on people.

People seeking to profiteer from bulk buying are a different matter and restrictions at the point of purchase is the already implemented answer.

But this implication that we think loo rolls are instrumental in virus prevention is beginning to feel quite insulting.

*Sorry if this has been asked before, but a question about self-isolating.

If I have symptoms, my understanding is that I have to be off work and self-isolate for 7 days. But I won't be tested, as I have no travel contact, so I won't know if it's coronavirus or not. So then what? Do I go back to work after a week, when presumably I'm still infectious if it is Covid-19?*

I have the same question. Currently off work with a cough and a fever but won't be tested as haven't travelled or had direct contact afaik so do I go back next week when feeling better (hopefully!)

@Fourducksate I have a few friends who work as school admin. They are conflicted because parents are already self isolating with their kids and schools are being pressured to treat absences as unauthorised. But on an individual level, some parents really have food reasons for it.

Pmk. Good thread @ofwarren. You are missed on the preppers one!

Switzerland has 215 new cases for a total of 867 and a rare of 100 cases per million of population, which is on the high end of the scale.
2 new deaths in the last 24 hrs for a total of 6 deaths .

*rate not rare

I think it is interesting seeing how the UK is responding to this compared to other countries.

I think our approach is to protect vulnerable people (the elderly and immunocompromised) but let it spread in the rest of the healthy population who will, mostly, be fine. I think our government is taking a long-term approach looking at increasing herd immunity. It is just a delicate balance between ensuring the rate that the virus infects the normal, healthy population means the NHS can still accommodate the minority of cases that will require intensive care.

In contrast, strict measures to shut schools now will mean barely anyone catches it now (so no herd immunity). But it means when schools reopen, we will be in the same boat as we are in now. You have to think in the long-term. This virus is here to stay and we need to bide time until a vaccine is developed.

Thanks RedLentil
It got to the point where I was overwhelming the prepping things with my posts.
There is so much information to share now that I didn't want it to take over.

I have just had an email from ds’s secondary school saying at this time they are following the advice from phe and have no plans to close but anyone who is thought to have been in contact with a confirmed case will be notified. Younger ds came home with a letter yesterday from school asking all parents check their contact details are up to date but nothing else

DH returned from shopping and reports that supermarkets well stocked, even on Market Day, apart from loo roll and wipes.
Loo roll still available by mail order from a well known ubiquitous supplier or a specialist firm.. for those who can, it makes sense to leave the smaller packs in the shops for those less able to buy in bulk.
Somehow, more reassured by hearing Prof Balloux's words instead of some politician (nothing to do with me agreeing with Fourducksate )

What's actually the point of shutting schools/banning flights? OK, we put it off for a month. Then when we re-open, we instantly get reinfected and same problem. Schools and businesses can't close indefinitely. So herd immunity is the only solution really.

It's a long game.

I think our government is taking a long-term approach looking at increasing herd immunity.

This approach would make more sense if we knew that infection resulted in long term immunity. We don't know that.

Also, a vast number of people would have to die in order to achieve herd immunity without a vaccine.

I don't see that this plan is a goer myself.

We've finally come to a decision. Will be pulling dc out of school from tomorrow. Heartbreaking as they've made so much progress.

Obviously would be great instead if something substantial was mentioned in todays announcement but I have no faith anymore that it will be.

I think my dc would be far more disadvantaged by having lost a parent then by learning at home for a while.

Blimey having trouble keeping up this thread is moving so fast
Must be my age getting on a bit Have been on Gransnet but a few posts nothing like this

@BeijingBikini I think it's so the infection is delayed so as not to put extra pressure on the NHS during their already busy period. Not sure though.

I dont think the Government are underestimating I just think they have a certain approach to it. And whose to say whose approach is right but they are working towards a slow build not an overwhelm or a contain.

Now isnt the time to change your mind on the delay phase though due to what others are doing or what people think you should be doing because no one knows what will work