I think we all need to get a grip.

[Bulb1976]

I know Coronavirus is scary, the constant media scaremongering hasn’t helped either. But let’s get this into perspective, the majority of us will be fine and whilst those of us who fall into the at risk category are anxious it’s still important to realise that there is still a good chance we can recover from this.
But the food stockpiling, sending your kids to school when you know you shouldn’t (yes I know people have financial obligations but if you are really worried about Coronavirus then surely the health of your kids comes first). The threads on MN are sounding pretty hysterical and we aren’t helping each other instead we are creating group hysteria.

Step away from the phone and just calm down and get some perspective. We can’t control this, just have to keep going.

@janeskettle I agree, best of luck and also best of luck to all the people working in frontline healthcare.

Yeah, let's suggest that the media focuses only on the positives
Then what happens? Even more idiots stop taking precautions, end up getting the virus, passing it onto people who are in the front line and trying to keep things going, 1 in 7 then end up in hospital, turning a bad situation into a disaster

Hope all end up ok janeskettle

Me too Marsha. I was close to turning into an emotional mess last week but the news of some fairly common drugs showing promise really lifted me. It’s not a miracle cure but it’s something.

Jai so what do you think would be best? Running around spreading it, stay at home - other?

It’s really really disturbing, and even when you try to post something pragmatic they either ignore or attack, much preferring the drama of it and feeding each other’s hysteria

100%.

If you question the panicking, the response is, oh you're not crying all day because this is "worse than our wildest nightmares" (that's a real quote from another thread!) – you don't understand what's coming!

I think we all need to get a grip.

So patronising.

Did you read the post from the Nurse recently? Want to respond to her with "get a grip" ?

People are losing their jobs.

People can't buy food that they need.

People are using self-isolating as an excuse to keep their kids off school and abuse them!!

Adults who are severely mentally ill do not understand what is happening or why they have to SI. They are getting aggressive and upset.

Not to mention the people dying... and the mental health effects on being so isolated from other people.

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom the imperial report someone has linked has explained why the govmt did an about turn and are now working on suppression. on a positive note, they did quite a quick about turn.

I think the shops should step up with rationing, using security to help the poor clerk at the till. Also they should keep aside stock for nurses/doctors so they can shop when coming out of their shift. Or do hospital deliveries.

Well take your grip and bugger off then.

No virus is cured because for the most part we get through them with our immune system. Cancer gets cured this will not. However there are many options for treating it to help the body recover and get better and that is looking good at the moment.

And the Covid 20 thing frustrates me - there has always been strong evidence that these things come in waves and they could be a second or even a third wave but it would still be Covid 19

How do you know they haven't all already seen it, Falanga?

I don’t panic buy, I just get what I need to get through the next couple of weeks.

I have noticed that products such as polenta, bulgar wheat and lentils are still freely available where I live. Wheat and corn flour aren’t the only flours - go to an Asian store and you will find many others.

I have found that in my local Sainsbury’s that the staff regularly restock the shelves with all the products they have taken from the early bird panic buyers. I got big bags of pasta and rice yesterday.

ICU beds across the country are full. Ventilated ICU beds are at capacity in London. There is currently no where to put CV patients needing ventilation in London.

You know the reports from Italy where Doctors were having to basically leave patients to die - if you have a pre existing condition, you will go to the back of the line for ventilated beds compared to someone without a pre-existing condition.

This happening now in London. It will be happening across the country in the next few days.

These things are all happening, absolutely, Straycat, and yes, it's scary out there, but how do you think they will be better dealt with? What do you suggest?

I think that people need to look at the actual data rather than the media images and straplines. This is available on the ONS site. Approx. 600k deaths per year. Most of these are from respiratory and pulmonary causes. Most are in the over 60s. It’s important to contextualise how many deaths NHS expects every year during this time of year, in specific age groups, and how many have occurred.

No I won't get a "grip" thank you very much.
There are many many people out there who are not taking this seriously, who are carrying on as before thinking they'll be fine. They may be, but their risk to others who may not be fine is huge. We are only as strong as our weakest link.
Unless everyone stops unnecessary social contact and starts real social distancing, this virus is not going to go away. THAT is the message I want to media to be shouting to everyone.

And for those who compared this to scaremongering over Brexit, you do realise that we are in the transition period where nothing has changed? There is still a high risk of a hard Brexit, and all the consequences of that. Which couple with this current crisis is going to fuck us up good and proper.

I’m pretty sure those who are saying it’s scaremongering are those responsible for the virus spreading so fast.

Panicking and stockpiling DOES NOT HELP.

She's right, everyone needs to get a grip. Stop panicking... there is NOTHING you can do.
The whole problem stems from the belief that nothing is being done so you have to take the lockdown and stockpiling into your own hands.
You don't. Just follow government advice and stop feeding the belief that the gov are out of control.

Yes, do pop off, over 60's and the chronically ill, you're just the usual casualties. Nothing to see here.

@MarshaBradyo - I'm not in the UK, and have been unwell with a cold, sore throat, etc for a month so have been naturally self-isolating, and my OH and I are "socially distancing" ourselves as much as possible. His company has told all their employees to work from home, and I am a layabout. I thought schools in the UK should have been closed to all but those whose parents were key-workers a while back and that people should socially distance themselves as much as possible. I was thoroughly shocked at what seemed to me to be the irresponsibility of the herd immunity without vaccine suggestion.
@diminishingmarbles - thank you. I have seen mention of this speedy U-turn but I don't know how it worked and I heard nothing of an actual retraction by the CMO.

BarleyLemon interesting stat, do you think the worldwide effort to radically change the outcome is the right thing to do?

I’m pretty sure those who are saying it’s scaremongering are those responsible for the virus spreading so fast.

The reason it's spreading is because many people who have it are free of symptoms, and because of the high density of living in our cities. And air travel.

And lack of testing and tracing back and forward (as it were).

The reason it's spreading is because many people who have it are free of symptoms, and because of the high density of living in our cities. And air travel.

That’s why they’ve said stay inside. And stopped air travel. So if people don’t dismiss it as scaremongering at actually do what is asked then it won’t spread as much.

There are positives.
China had no new cases yesterday.
The drug mentioned in the Guardian says it shortens the illness period of mild to moderate cases.
There will be a vaccine within the next 12-18 months.

But, in the meantime, the truth is the truth. The UK is on a slightly faster and harder projectory than Italy if you look at the data. (yesterday's Telegraph had some useful graphs)

I'm not panicking. I haven't panicked once. But I am keeping myself informed. From reputable sources. And doing the things my govt tells me.