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Original poster

This pandemic may be short

247 replies

cornishdreams1 · 24/03/2020 06:30

I wanted to share with you the article published today in the Times. Professor Levit a Nobel prize winner no less, and a mathematical genius has estimated after looking at the numbers that this pandemic will be short, and can be controlled. If we observe the restrictions now we can expect it to be over quickly.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pandemic-can-be-controlled-says-scientist-michael-levitt-bp7qd39lv

The whole world of medicine is working on an antidote, there have been some very encouraging progress, the vaccine is being tested now (after skipping other stages because it is so urgent)

nypost.com/2020/03/18/japanese-flu-drug-clearly-effective-in-treating-coronavirus-officials-say/

There is every reason to believe that this is not going to be the new normal, but a short blip until we are able to get find a solution. The world economy is banking on a quick fix, so lets hope it will be with us soon.
WE may change in the process, the country may change in many ways after this, but this is not going to be our lives forever.

We should prepare mentally for a long lockdown, but for those that need at least a flicker of hope that we will be peaking soon, and back on the downward trajectory and back to some sort of normal, there is science behind that as well. Look at HK, China and S.Korea.

Pandemics may become regular, or this may never happen again, but the sun is shining this morning and we are all well enough to post on here.

OP posts:
Lovely13 · 25/03/2020 21:23

And now might be the time that the very powerfully rich Murdoch lifts the paywall off his site so we can all read it! Sure it’s good though!

allanaw929 · 25/03/2020 21:32

From what I've read, making a treatment/vaccine isn't so much of a problem, it's mass producing that vaccine or cure in sufficient quantities for it to have the desired effect, which experts seem to agree could take a year or more. So while I understand the need to cling to good news, it's not a good idea to tell people that this could be over in weeks because while that may happen whilst we are in isolation, as soon as restrictions are relaxed we will absolutely see more and more peaks.
I'm not normally a pessimistic person, but I've read a fair bit on the subject now and it seems that we are definitely in this for the long haul, it seems to me that it could be much longer than people would like to admit.

ELWild30 · 25/03/2020 22:23

Cornishdreams1 Thank you so much for this, I needed to see something positive tonight ❤

Scorpio99 · 25/03/2020 22:40

you just need to register, you don't need to pay

Scorpio99 · 25/03/2020 22:44

I may be confused, I thought you were posting about the need to pay for THIS site. Sorry.

keffie12 · 25/03/2020 22:57

@HPFA there was and still isn't any specific treatment for ebola that has been approved. You can check that yourself through Google if you don't believe me.

MERS, SARS, Ebola and Swine Flu: there has no approved treatment ever found for them. My dear friend works alongside the W.H.O (World Health Organisation) and I have had many discussions with her to get the correct and sensible facts.

They don't know when it will be over. They don't know if a cure will be found. I am not being an angel of death, nor am I being an angel of hope. I am just dealing.

We only have this moment; treat it as our last. If someone had told any of you we would be on lockdown a month ago you would have laughed.

No one knows what's around the corner. Live in the day is the most useful advice I was given. The reason people are screaming is they are full of fear and don't know what to do.

We are blessed this has happened at the time it has as we have the digital world to connect with people through. Imagine how it would have been without it.

Dealing with what is in front of us is about today, for me. Ofcourse I have been anxious, I do suffer from anxiety. I am also looking at ways to help myself. You tube is full of meditations and spiritual speakers who can help change your perception on life.

It does feel like the universe has sent us all to our rooms to think about what we are doing to ourselves and the planet we live on.

We can choose to let this break us or make us stronger. I choose the later

MadamePewter · 25/03/2020 23:50

So... optimistic views on ending lockdown..??

UYScuti · 26/03/2020 00:03

antibody test might help things if/when we can can get it to work 🤷🏽‍♀️

HPFA · 26/03/2020 06:39

There should be a licensed treatment for Ebola soon - trials have been successful.

www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l5371.full

Nothing is certain but there doesn't seem to be any feeling within the scientific community that there won't be a treatment or vaccine at some point. The lockdown is needed to buy time for that.

Francesthemute · 26/03/2020 07:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jillybeanclevertips · 26/03/2020 09:29

WE all want this to be correct. Hopes and prayers are with all of you at this time. BTW I don't understand about the whole toilet paper thing ?I can't be the only one. Lets hope it is over quickly and then all the greedy folk can sit at home and look at their mountain of T.P. soap, etc. And find they don't have enough money to buy bread.

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 26/03/2020 09:35

Hi there

This is a good news placemark

Off for a shower

The1andonly11 · 26/03/2020 09:44

THANK YOU OP for this positive post. I have been feeling so scared and down as every news report has been so negative. This has given me a boost. I know people have been through worse (war etc) but it doesn't take away being totally terrified for elderly and frail relatives.

Original poster
cornishdreams1 · 26/03/2020 10:04

So we have a very encouraging update this morning:

Over three million tests will be rolled out within DAYS across the UK, so that we are able to test whether we have had CV or not. This is a game changer for our front line medical staff, as the test will enable them to have some confidence when treating patients if they do indeed have the antibodies, and they can also protect those that do not.

It is also very helpful for other parts of the economy, as those that can safely continue work and support others will be able to do so.

This article was found in the Times but can also be seen in other places:

We have every reason to feel more confident that we will beat this in the coming months, we will keep going with every positive update, so please feel free to add yours, please always provide links.

We can do this. I know we can. A big salute to our wonderful NHS on here today:

www.newscientist.com/article/2237475-coronavirus-latest-news-covid-19-antibody-test-ready-in-days/

metro.co.uk/2020/03/24/uk-buys-3500000-antibody-test-fight-coronavirus-12450702/

OP posts:
UYScuti · 26/03/2020 10:50

Perhaps it would help to look at this as a training exercise for the next pandemic?
As i understand it South Korea was able to get on top of the situation more quickly in part because of their previous experience with SARS and mers.
Lessons learnt now will benefit us all in the future.

sarahangel778 · 26/03/2020 11:30

Thanks for posting this. It’s my first post here. I have had an account for a while so get the email subscription.

I am from Manchester but I live in Massachusetts. Most people are taking note and staying home but the idiots prolonging this pandemic, I feel like drop kicking them. It’s hard when you literally have no job (I sub teach) no access to emergency help and are completely alone. I want this to be over! Thanks for the hope!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 26/03/2020 13:24

That looks very promising, Justaboy, thanks for posting the links.

Ilovecandlez · 26/03/2020 19:35

Can someone explain why people say the sooner everyone stays indoors, the sooner we can all go out again. Won’t it just kick off again as soon as we leave our homes and we’ll all need to go on lock down again a month or so later? I don’t fully understand

Butterymuffin · 26/03/2020 19:45

As I understand it, fewer people going out cuts down the chances the virus has to spread and circulate. So then it'll just stop with some people because they won't pass it on, and fewer people will get it overall. It's what this gif is about I think
twitter.com/lassehmadsen/status/1241623460335489024?s=19

JustInCaseCakeHappens · 27/03/2020 00:44

Until scientists have found out if you can, or can't, catch it twice - or both strains several times, it's a bit early to be celebrating.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/03/2020 02:57

As Jack Reacher says, plan for the worst, hope for the best...

And keep your toothbrush in your pocket . . .

Original poster
cornishdreams1 · 27/03/2020 07:42

ilove as I understand it we won't be able to return to normal life fully until the vaccine is ready. By locking down now, we will stop the infections spiking and overwhelming our hospitals.

When the peak is over, we will gradually see a decrease in numbers infected, at some point we will very gradually reduce restrictions. I don't think anyone expects this to be done quickly. China are now easing their workforce back into action by doing staggered shifts, and not interacting - they are still unable to do certain things in large groups but they are having a better time of it now they can walk around and work again.

If you can flatten the curve (the numbers) by isolating the population you will have a better chance of treating/saving those that have a bad case of Covid19, and for more people to make a full recovery. Without doing this the loss of life could be horrendous if hospitals are overwhelmed.

I see that Sweden are following the herd immunity model - all schools open, normal life continuing more or less.

OP posts:
SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/03/2020 07:44

I see that Sweden are following the herd immunity model - all schools open, normal life continuing more or less.

It will be interesting to see their figures in a few weeks.

Iknewyouwerewaitingforme · 27/03/2020 07:55

I work in fashion/retail. Last week our stores in China started opening again- that gave me a massive boost too,