Coronavirus only highlighted because it effects the rich

[Sunshineandcake]

I am rather annoyed today with a good friend. We ended up having a heated debate. She said Coronavirus has only been highlighted because It effects the rich. She said those who have money and went skiing are now amongst those who have tested positive. Also, affluent areas of London have people who tested positive. Finally she said various famous people are in self-isolation. All who have money. I think this is a pathetic argument. Coronavirus does not select wealthy/poor victims. It attacks all. Also, I am angry at the suggestion, that we would not have had the publicity had it not been for “rich” persons life being effected. AIBU to be so annoyed?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Your friend is an idiot. CV is being highlighted because a horrifying number of people will die if it isn’t.

The virus doesn’t check your bank balance.

[sleepyhead]

We only know about the wealthy/famous testing positive because they paid for testing.

Of course it doesn't discriminate but the rest of us have to take a best guess about whether we're affected.

[sleepyhead]

That should be infected - we're all affected.

[NoMoreDickheads]

The people it will most effect are the poor- pensioners, disabled people, and people who can't understand/follow the advice.

[PotsOfPebbles]

You're friend is an idiot.

You can't argue with stupid, so just ignore whatever rubbish comes out her mouth.

[PotsOfPebbles]

*Your

[GrumpyHoonMain]

I kind of agree. People (mostly children) die of Malaria in the hundreds of thousands every year but it doesn’t get reported because the victims are brown and poor.

[Sunshineandcake]

CBA, thank you. I agree with your comment. Coronavirus has been highlighted because of the number of deaths around the world and to prevent further deaths.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

I have lost entire parts of my family tree to Malaria.

[ChequerBoard]

Oh well, at least you now have cast-iron proof your 'friend' is an idiot. I'd start your social distancing right there....

[Dontsweatthelittlestuff]

She is stupid for thinking that it has only been so highlighted because the rich are also effected. Everyone one is equally at risk but for once the rich can’t use their money to sod off for two weeks in the Bali or somewhere else until it all dies down. Of course it is easier for them to self isolate but they too are stuck at home whilst we all ride it out.

[YeahWhatevver]

Hahahahaha

Pretty sure coronavirus doesn't care about how much money people have. Your friend is an idiot with what sounds like a massive chip on her shoulder

[PinkiOcelot]

Your friend is a tit, but I wouldn’t bother arguing.

[Sunshineandcake]

Agree with comments, thank you. GHM yes malaria should be highlighted more.

[Tootletum]

Her specific point was pretty dumb, but there is a broader point that we only see this as the worst thing ever because we are all affected. People in poor countries die of preventable diseases like diphtheria and cholera. Women in African countriesare raped and infected with AIDS - these are all tragedies.

[Mintjulia]

Your friend is daft.

But presumably you already knew that so no need to get annoyed with her. Just laugh at her nonsense and change the subject.

[contentedsoul]

Eh
Hmm....Don’t think we need to say much about your friend.

(Rolls eyes)

[Papoy]

What @chequerBoard said

[JellyfishandShells]

Your friend is a fool.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

On a serious note. What the hell does she think will happen if CV unchecked hits sub-Saharan Africa. It’s already in North African countries, South Africa and some sub-Saharan countries.

[ErrolTheDragon]

The publicity has been there for anyone who takes any sort of sensible interest in world news right from when it was nearly all in Wuhan province. Does you friend think the people there are all rich?

[DIYBother]

The average annual wage in Wuhan is under £10k so yeah, your friend is an idiot. Time for some targeted social distancing.

[BeNiceToYourSister]

It’s obviously not as simple as your friend says, but there is definitely truth in this:

I kind of agree. People (mostly children) die of Malaria in the hundreds of thousands every year but it doesn’t get reported because the victims are brown and poor.

[CountFosco]

Completely agree with the comments about malaria.

While in this country there won't be much difference in the care you receive for Covid-19 based on your bank balance in other countries without healthcare services there will be more deaths among the poor. And the rich will have more financial stability to cope with the economic turndown.

[Cadfaelfan]

There is a degree of truth in it, I think. This is going to be an pandemic which affects the richer parts of the world, more thant the poorer, partly because the fatality rate is so much higher amongst older people. The median age in sub-Saharan Africa is under 20. People don't reach their over 80s that often. Symptoms in the under 20s appear to be very mild, so while lots of people may get it, it seems likely far fewer will become ill with it. Also people in general travel much less. Travel is the prerogative of the rich nations of the world. The less travel there is, the less spreading between communites, so it probably will be easier to contain.

The malaria figures are terrible, 440,000 people a year dying from it. Most of them young children in Africa but it doesn't make the day to day news at all.