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Is this whole thing being exaggerated?

396 replies

agentstarling · 14/03/2020 13:14

Coronavirus seems to only affect mostly older people with already compromised immune systems. So far we have had only 11 deaths some being 80 even a ninety-year-old. The press is whipping people up into a hysteria in my view I have a degree in biology I am not a doctor but I would say that some of this is ridiculous.

OP posts:
swishthecat · 15/03/2020 18:21

Flipping heck agentstarling will you knock it off. Entire countries don't shut up shop and risk their economies tanking for a bit of flu. If anything, I think that we're not being told the whole truth about how serious this could be if urgent action isn't taken.

ChequerBoard · 15/03/2020 18:26

I think people need to understand the difference between 'a bit of flu' and a SARS, which is what this is.

1000s of extra ventilators are needed and governments are asking industry to switch their productions to build more as we just don't have enough. That's not a response to 'a bit of flu'.

redwoodmazza · 15/03/2020 18:31

Interesting article here:-

August1980 · 15/03/2020 18:34

I am also of the view it’s been hyped up. I think there are some people who are higher risk, those with underlying issues, and the elderly but I think the majority of us will be fine. My husband is a doctor and if I fell into the panic I would not let him
Go to work to do what he needs to do. There are certainly some people more at danger than others but for the majority who are otherwise healthy we should be ok. I going to speak to my cleaner and dog walker to see how they are feeling. Both rely on income from me so even though they are relatively safe with us health wise I am goi g to give them the option if they want to come in or not. I also spent the day sanitising my house like a crazy person although hubby didn’t let me stockpile -so we have what we have and will need to go out to get stuff. The neighbours on my street in London also agreed we will walk dogs and run errands, food shop cook etc for those in need on our street!

trenchy24 · 15/03/2020 18:34

Maybe check out the obituary pages in newspapers from towns in Italy. And maybe then imagine being a doctor in Italy having to select who gets treatment and who willbe left to die. And then have a rethink.

Jay135 · 15/03/2020 18:41

Another 368 deaths and 4000 cases in Italy says not and they have shut down! 1800 deaths and 24000 positive cases is serious. We haven’t done anything of note

daisypond · 15/03/2020 18:42

I am goi g to give them the option if they want to come in or not.
And will you still pay these people who rely on you for income if they can’t come in? I assume you will.

CarolHasAnotherUTI · 15/03/2020 18:42

I think the majority of us will be fine

Yes, the majority of us will be fine.

Nobody is saying otherwise.

You are missing the point. The problem is that the health service will be under more strain than ever and will struggle to cope, which is why we need to take measures to slow down the spread.

The NHS struggling will not only affect people with COVID-19, but anyone that needs urgent treatment, or who's non-urgent treatment will be delayed as a result of the increase on resources.

Doctors in Italy have to choose effectively who gets treatment to support them and gets a much higher chance of survival, and who gets left without the needed ventilation.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/14/coronavirus-outbreak-older-people-doctors-treatment-ethics

If we slow the spread of the virus, we can give the NHS a chance to cope so that everyone gets the treatment they need.

MacBlank · 15/03/2020 18:55

Every winter so many hundreds die from, old age, the cold, from a cold, the flu, pneumonia... Winter related deaths. So what's new?

Most of the vulnerable group should've had a pneumonia injection (which should last as long as you do!) and of course yearly the flu jab. Of course a certain percentage refuse to have it.... And possibly are the ones who die each year from winter things!

This year we know the virus affecting people, where's most years they guess what it is ... It's that guess that leads to the choice of stuff in the injections. FLU JAB DOES NOT GIVE YOU FLU, it's a dead sample of the virus, that tells your body to get ready to fight that particular virus.

I've said all along that this is pure hype n histeroa, JIST because it started in China. I do t think it's racist but more ignorance, as to why it's got to this level.

I also think the WET WIPE MOTHERS, are not helping the next generation fight off germs, and that generation and the one preceding it will in years to come that'll be wiped out from a real pandemic. They won't have any immunity against normal germs. Let them get dirty, let them.play on the mud and with worms (scientifically spring, playing with worms gives kids a particular enzyme that actually BOOSTS their immune system).

Stop panic buying, stop leaving toilets with dirty hands, stop bleaching everything within an inch of your life! Eat a healthy diet... It's really not that expensive.... I know, I'm on disability benefit... Be happy, smile and enjoy what ya got!

CarolHasAnotherUTI · 15/03/2020 18:59

The pneumonia vaccination protects against bacterial pneumonia, not viral.

The flu jab protects against influenza, not coronavirus.

payens · 15/03/2020 19:00

My daughter IS a doctor, and no it is not an exaggeration.

loopylindazdaughter · 15/03/2020 19:02

No fucking way you have a degree in
Biology, no fucking way!!

Kathygnome · 15/03/2020 19:04

A correction: COVID19 doesn't primarily affect older people with compromised immune systems, it primarily KILLS those people. It affects everyone and data from China and Italy show that half the people who end up in Intensive Care units are under 50. It's just that with proper medical care they recover eventually.

SinkGirl · 15/03/2020 19:04

MacBlank i lost count of the number of errors and fallacies in your post.

Where to even start?

daisypond · 15/03/2020 19:06

@MacBlank. How is what you have said about pneumonia and flu relevant?

MrsBobDylan · 15/03/2020 19:06

How can people think the flu jab will protect against the flu virus? I'm honestly surprised.

Cohle · 15/03/2020 19:06

So far we have had only 11 deaths some being 80 even a ninety-year-old.

Oh well who cares then? Hmm

35 British people have now died, including a 59 year old. Reports suggest that in France over half of the patients requiring ICU care are under 60.

CarolHasAnotherUTI · 15/03/2020 19:08

How can people think the flu jab will protect against the flu virus? I'm honestly surprised

Is that what you intended to say?

CBsDad · 15/03/2020 19:09

I can't believe people are asking this.
Although I think we are used to media creating hysteria and then not feeling the effects, I think everything we know strongly points to this not being overhyped. I am genuinely worried for my parents, both of whom have had cancer recently one who has asthma and the other has diabetes and even simple colds knock him for six.

People I know are also talking about this 'just being a bad cold' but if you're in an 'at risk' group this is absolutely terrifying.

M2B19 · 15/03/2020 19:16

The NHS is overwhelmed and struggling for beds at the best of times. This isn’t going to be easy for our NHS to manage. It will result in millions of delayed/postponed/missed appointments and elective surgeries which may take years to claw back to accommodate the virus infected patients now. It will have a knock on effect for years to come. That accompanied with an already massive shortage of doctors and nurses (as well as others) does not make coping with this, easy, in the slightest. I am genuinely concerned for my colleagues facing this uncertainty. It is going to be incredibly stressful and risky for them. I’m sure some of the things they are about to witness will stay with them for life. So no, personally, I don’t think it’s being over exaggerated.

Oldandwise · 15/03/2020 19:21

The situation is not being exaggerated! It is the most serious threat to our health and our lives that we will ever experience! We must follow all instructions to the letter!

MrsBobDylan · 15/03/2020 19:21

No I meant Covid 19, well spotted. I have the flu jab every year because I am a carer. It will make not a jot of difference to this virus.

winniestone37 · 15/03/2020 19:24

You actually asked this question? Ridiculous stupidity.

maddiemookins16mum · 15/03/2020 19:26

Up until countries started closing down and flights stopped all over the world, I thought it was all a bit over-egged, but not now.
This has been a really odd weekend, thankfully I don’t suffer from any serious anxiety issues but have felt unusually tearful this weekend.
I do think stepping away from Social Media might help me a bit.

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