Is this whole thing being exaggerated?

[agentstarling]

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.

oh and 10 new deaths today

My 62yo father has a heart condition and he wouldn't have survived C19. He matters. Every human life regardless of the age matters.

Would you feel the same way if you were 40 and recovering from chemo
If you're recovering from chemo, please self-isolate and don't take any chances. I saw a lot of old people out shopping today. You're playing with fire. You need to lock yourself indoors. It's very irresponsible.

The rest of the world should continue.
How, when my hospital is closed because it is so full of Coronavirus patients?

Now that scares me. I think Italy had 34 deaths less than 2 weeks ago. Look at thrm now

This.

People need to look at the rate of increase, not the numbers.

You're basically saying, "oh well it's old people, who cares eh?" OP.
Will it still be OTT and exaggerated when people who are under 60 die with the same underlying health issues? Because that's what has happened in Italy.

No it's not exaggerated, it's a global fucking pandemic which will likely kill many people because our PM cares more about wealth than health.

I’m sitting here in Spain under two weeks lockdown from today. We are waiting for what feels like a firestorm to pass over our heads. I have never been unduly concerned about most things I’ve lived through during quite a few decades, but this one is different. We are not panicking but we know it’s going to be horrible

From where I’m sitting it’s being massively UNDERexaggerated in the UK if there are still, even now, people like you braindead enough to ask these questions. Do some research online for goodness’ sake - or do really need to wait and see the bodies piling up before you take it seriously? That is no exaggeration unfortunately. The UK have a window of opportunity to prepare themselves before this truly hits, so educate yourself fast. It may even save your life or somebody else’s. Everybody needs to play their part, this is NOT a drill.

I believe every life matters.

Everyone is someone’s mum, daughter, sister brother.

We are all perfect even the deemed imperfect.

My 62yo father has a heart condition
OMG please ensure he self-isolates. My mum is older and has no heart condition but she is not seeing anyone... not even me I am more likely to pass her something.
You have to take care of your old people and lock them away.

The reality is unless you are in Hubei you dont know how many it has killed and even then you would only have an estimate. Some countries may not release genuine numbers, they may not have tested everyone, they may decide if you died of sepsis related to coronavirus then your cause of death is sepsis. I know nurses in Italy who have young healthy people attached to ventilators in intensive care due to this.

I dont think panicking helps though. Most people can limit their exposure by staying in more, washing their hands and isolating if you are symptomatic. Think of the paramedics, Emergency room staff, nurses, support staff and doctors working in the many newly formed isolation wards popping up in hospitals all over the country who are risking exposing themselves to this over and over again.

The reality is the NHS has 4000 adult intensive care beds and only approximately 800 of these would be empty at this time of year. You actually have to be trained to look after these patients we cant just get your community nurse to come in and help. The government are worried that a lot of us will get sick at the same time and the NHS will not cope.

I'm not sure lockdown would help as people wont do it forever eventually they'll socialise and numbers will spike again. We cant stop it progressing now we just need to try to help the most vulnerable in society stay alive as best we can

I'm an asthmatic, I've also had part of my right lung removed during surgery a few years ago. I also have a heart condition (be it not serious). I'm petrified. Attitudes like the OP really annoy me.

don't take any chances. I saw a lot of old people out shopping today. You're playing with fire. You need to lock yourself indoors. It's very irresponsible.
Are you thick?? How can you isolate yourself indoors when you have to go into a hospital full of virus patients in order to have chemo treatment, surgery, etc? Because that is what I have to do.

How, when my hospital is closed because it is so full of Coronavirus patients?
And who's going to work in the hospitals if everyone's self isolating or taking care of their children cause the schools are shut.

Are you thick?? How can you isolate yourself indoors when you have to go into a hospital full of virus patients in order to have chemo treatment, surgery, etc? Because that is what I have to do.

No need to be rude. If you are immuno-compromised you are being very irresponsible not to take every precaution you can to avoid being infected.

It is rare that I want to tell an OP to fuck off. But here I am, saying it now. The unutterable selfishess and lack of awareness is why I think a lockdown should be imposed in the UK, as you can't trust people not to be selfish, particularly with this government and their outdated "Don't panic, Mr Mainwaring" attitude.
Fuming

Even if you're not bothered about all the elderly that will be wiped out, this will affect you too.

Say you break your leg and need an operation, have appendicitis, get a serious head injury or get into a car crash in May. Good luck getting seen by a doctor! Anyone with literally any other medical problem will be FUCKED.

Only 11 people have died SO FAR. So far projections are suggesting that 80% of people will catch this with the death rate sitting somewhere between 1-4%. Yes, most of us will be fine, but not all of us.

To put that in perspective:

In Northern Ireland last year, approx 15,700 people died (in total, from all causes, including but not limited to: cancer, suicide, accidents, flu, etc).

If 80% of our population get it (1.882 million) that means around 1.5 million will catch it. Most of those people get it will be ok. But, depending on the death rate (somewhere between 1-4% - still unclear due to the lack of testing and unknown cases) between 15,000 and 60,000 could die. Even on the lower scale, that's nearly as many deaths as every other cause of death combined last year.

This attitude of "sure it's only killed x amount of people, more have died from x y and z" is getting on my last nerve. X amount of people have died so far, that number is going to grow. We need to do our best to limit that.

That doesnt even include that lives that will be lost due to the overwhelming of the NHS. Patients of other medical needs will not be able to get the care they require because so much time/money/resources will be directed towards patients being hospitalised with CV. There is a massive knock on effect.

Alice02132354 what the hell are you talking about?

You are talking absolute rubbish. Rubbish. People with cancer including those living with leukaemia , people with heart disease, those with diabetes, those with respiratory disease and asthma. Ffs. I have COPD lung disease and I'm not a pensioner but a mum. Do you research or don't post.

you are being very irresponsible not to take every precaution you can to avoid being infected.
I have to go to hospital. What do you suggest?

My post was aimed at OP.

@NettleTea I really think you need to stop make it out to be such a drama. 'REALLY BIG SHOCK'. It's not just me carrying on as normal. Work is as normal, gym last night was as busy as normal, parkrun this morning had around 250, and that is a busy week compared to normal. Tesco's was as busy as normal, and the gym was busier this afternoon. Walking the dog at lunchtime there was lots of people about. Yes people are probably washing their hands longer and more often. But outside mumsnet, people carry on.
Above i've declared what i personally see as being a figure to justify the hype. I'd be interested to see what other peoples figures are?

to be honest i have never told an OP to fuck off, nor a poster who has displayed such a spectacular level of unawareness as the PP who said it is 'overhyped'.

Overhyped.

Can you count? We are 2 weeks behind Italy in terms of infections and death rate. we have a government who is otu of step with the rest of the world and world health experts in terms of how to handle it.

It is mindblowing to me that anyone can seriously be that arrogant to think that we, in the Uk will somehow be able to walk between the raindrops, and what is affecting the entire fucking globe is not affecting us, and everyone is being slightly pearl clutching about it.

You effing numpties.

Are you kidding, or what - it only kills old people so it's ok clearly you don't have parents and grandparents or maybe you care so little for others. if you think its a hoax look at China italy, Iran, the deaths in UK went up 110% today. It kills 30+ years but if you are so relaxed maybe you could help at the local A&E dept. as clearly you feel immune to it put your money where your stupid mouth is.

One thing is for sure. This whole thing has brought out the absolute worst in everyone.
Selfish and insensitive.