Keep calm and carry on. Why?

[Lua]

Sure, keep calm. But why carry on?

I am from a different culture and am really trying to understand why are we all supposed to behave like nothing is happening? Can anyone explain why this is such a strong thing here in the UK?

If we were fighting a war, or terrorists, I do understand that showing it does not affect our behaviour is important. But this is a virus! It doesn't care how optimist we remain?!

I received message from PTA today asking to help in an event planned for next week, which involves 1000s of people. It is not going to happen,or at least it really shouldn't happen. Why do we all have to keep carrying on?

Have been shot down on PTA mailist, and expect will be here too; but can anyone explain the rationale for this approach in relation to an epidemic, where avoiding unecessary contact is the best we can do to protect the vulnerable?

*quote

This is eaxctly my point!
Why is it hysteria to be concerned and changing your behaviour if there are good reasons to do so?
Why is it hysteria to discuss an issue if you feel confused or unsure?
Hysteria is when peoplestart loittering supermarkets and pharmacies...
That is precisely the "upper stiff lip", bear and grin, just carry on attitude that makes people cannon fodder....
I just don't get it!

A lot of people mistake freezing for "keeping calm" and confuse panic with taking considered, direct action to protect oneself.

They also see others' direct action as a criticism of their own freeze response. This can lead to anger.

The 'keep calm' message was in terms of building society's stoicism.

The enemy didn't literally see how people were conducting themselves (just as the virus doesn't know). But the people who were dong it all reaped the benefits of acting together and believing they can cope.

The UK is out of line with most European countries.

I'm in Portugal and we've just closed schools and universities. Pretty much any events with crowds or groups are being cancelled.
Non essential work is being reduced, and employers are increasingly sending people to work from home.
This will be for 4 weeks.

We are still at the beginning and hope to avoid a crisis like Italy. I'm worried about the UK.

@vikingvolva Stoicismis a good attitudewhe we can't doanything about it,but at the moment we can do lots.Why take it in the chin?

Equally nobody thinks themselves as panic buying when collecting industrial amounts of toilet roll. They probably think it's considered direct action.

If someone is immunosupressed and asmathic and decide is too risky to go to the supermarket once 70% of the people have the virus (as per government plan), is that panic or preparedness?

People were / are crying out for govt to cancel mass events and to wfh

Govt said wash your hands and self isolate if mild symptoms - so far.

But events are being cancelled now and businesses cottoning in to wfh anyway so we’re still left with two key messages still.

Schools will shut but not yet, if not through govt, then when teachers are self isolating.

What else? Travel bans. Too late.

Lweji we've just done the same in Ireland. We're two weeks behind Italy and I really hope we are learning their lessons.

from another thread...people being required by governamental agencies (DWP to bring a doctor's note to justify their absence in some sort of benefits scheduled interview.....nothing like bringing the sickin contact with the unwell....
There is so much more the government should be doing!