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why panic?

104 replies

John470322 · 13/03/2020 20:48

In 2018, there were 6,507 suicides registered in the UK,
Statistics on reported road casualties in Great Britain for the year ending June 2018 show there were 1,770 reported road deaths.
In the construction industry an average of 36 fatalities to workers and five to members of the public each year over the last five years;
That is an average of 542 suicides every month,147 deaths on the roads and three construction workers killed. Combined that is 693 deaths each month or about 23 deaths every day.
The 2019–20 coronavirus disease was confirmed to have spread to the United Kingdom on 31 January from China when the first two cases with the respiratory disease COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, were confirmed in Newcastle upon Tyne.
That is about 6 weeks so while ten people have died from coronavirus about 743 will have committed suicide and 202 will have been killed on UK roads.
Since coronavirus started there have been 10 deaths in the UK, less than half the number of deaths from suicide and RTA in a single day. It is approximately the same as the average number of construction workers killed in six weeks but that is never mentioned.
Why is all the reporting on every news channel about the one virus and not about the deaths from other causes?
I hate to quote him but Corporal Jones in Dad’s Army seems to have the right idea when he says “Don’t panic”.
Take sensible precautions, wash your hands. Pay attention and don’t use a handheld mobile when driving, if you feel stressed ask for help. Use safety gear when working at heights.
There is nothing new, you do not need 100 toilet rolls, you just need to take sensible precautions.

OP posts:
Fannia · 13/03/2020 20:52

Thanks but even Boris said many of our loved ones will die.

Selfsettling3 · 13/03/2020 20:53

Italy has over 1000 covid 19 deaths and Iran is digging mass graves.

Gilead · 13/03/2020 20:55

Panicking about Covid 19 does not preclude concern about other things.

LuckyMarmiteLover · 13/03/2020 20:55

The government think 1/2 a million people will die from this virus in the uk this year, so I think that’s why there is a feeling of panic. I don’t think you’ve understood what is about to happen.

Spied · 13/03/2020 20:55

It's the lack of control.

Nofoolfornoone · 13/03/2020 20:56

@John470322 the virus isn’t anywhere near its peak in the uk yet. There will be many more deaths sadly. And The big difference - suicide and rtas are not contagious

Joyfulljenny · 13/03/2020 20:56

There is currently 80 ICU beds available in the whole of the U.K.

In the next months there are going to be a lot of very poorly elderly people who will need to go in to those beds because of this virus. Plus the people who need them because of road accidents and other serious issues. There is not enough beds. We’re going to have even more people dying in corridors. Do you want that for a elderly family member of yours?

It’s not even started to get bad yet. Why dont you look at what’s happened in other countries and see how it’s effected their hospitals instead of reposting facebook memes

ErrolTheDragon · 13/03/2020 20:59

Suicides and RTAs have don't have an R0 of >2, John. Do you understand exponentials?

LynetteScavo · 13/03/2020 21:01

Because if my FIL goes to the pub or shopping it's not likely to lead to his death by suicide. Statistically, if he is now likely to die within the next year due to coronavirus unless he manages to avoid going out or visitors until there is herd immunity.

BilboBercow · 13/03/2020 21:02

How patronising

AParallelUniverse · 13/03/2020 21:03

Because this is just the beginning. And for those of us with underlying health problems, it's a worry 🙄

MashedPotatoBrainz · 13/03/2020 21:03

Don't panic? Do you realise that hundreds of thousands of people are going to die? Sacrificed on the alter of 'herd immunity'.

Really12345 · 13/03/2020 21:07

So the CMO admits he thinks that up to 80% of the population will get it, and up to 1% of them will die (so around half a million people) IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. Half a million people dead by August. Just think a bout that.

Careersytype · 13/03/2020 21:07

But we have mental health teams, wellbeing professionals, hotlines... for people who are thinking of suicide.

People have to undergo a rigorous driving test, we have smart roads now, police that stop and charge people for driving dangerously.

We DO take those things seriously.

Connie222 · 13/03/2020 21:08

My biggest bugbear in all this are the people who say “this many people die on the roads” or “this many people die from heat attacks”.

You can not compare any other forms of death to a fucking virus that is new and has no vaccine.

I’m sick of it.

Legoandloldolls · 13/03/2020 21:08

All of your listed deaths will happen PLUS covid-19.
Car crashes, heart attacks, cancer, stabbings. None will politely stop just for a pandemic. The NHS will drown. Drs, midwives, nurses off I'll for a month, experts dieing.

If that doesn't scare the shit out of you right now then the shock will hit hard in a month.

Never in my lifetime have multi countries locked for "it's just the flu" people are going to die before their time ON MASS in weeks in the UK

Inkpaperstars · 13/03/2020 21:09

Why is all the reporting on every news channel about the one virus and not about the deaths from other causes?

Because for one thing deaths from the virus are and will be growing exponentially. The other causes won't.

www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/exponential-growth.html

bellinisurge · 13/03/2020 21:10

I thought people trotting out this nonsense had gone quiet.

Tonz · 13/03/2020 21:11

Yes people die of other things. We know this. If u really don't understand the difference with coronavirus then lucky you ignorance is bliss. Take a look at Italy right now... Absolutely heartbreaking.
That is us soon and I for one am terrified for my elderly family friends and neighbours.

MrsWolf2 · 13/03/2020 21:11

Because the news you about things that are new.

The other things you mentioned are awful but not new.

Legoandloldolls · 13/03/2020 21:14

If 80% of the population catch it, and 1% die as Gov predict, that's 550,000 deaths. In the UK. Within months. So if you have a heart attack, or a severe stroke, or a really bad car crash, our expert Drs will not have resources to fight against the odds for your life. You will be a number who's odds arent worth that ICU bed. You could pay 100 icy beds if you was Boris, but no money will buy your ICU staff. They take years and years and years to train up.

Mordred · 13/03/2020 21:15

"All of your listed deaths will happen PLUS covid-19."

This exactly. You really are a bit of a dick, John. You should change your name to RIchard.

Alonelonelyloner · 13/03/2020 21:17

Stupid and facile post of the day award to you OP! Congratulations!

Slow hand clap.

Legoandloldolls · 13/03/2020 21:18

550,000 people wont just politely die at home either. They will need ICU beds while Dr and nurses fight for them. Plus a further 15-25% of that 80% of the infected population will need hospital care and icy even if they dont die.

We have how many beds? Are they all just sitting empty? Do the maths. This is game changing shit hitting the fan stuff.

puds11 · 13/03/2020 21:22

Fucking Jesus. It’s not comparable FGS.

People shouldn’t panic, because nothing good comes from mass panic, but people should take it seriously and get rid of the stupid as shit attitude of ‘well the flu/cars/suicide/some other non comparable bollocks kills n amount of people a year so it’s fine.’. It’s not fine, it is serious and it is a worry.