Is it just a matter of time until infection?

[PurpleThistles84]

My family and I have been observing lockdown since two weeks before it even began. I know it’s daft but it only really hit me yesterday that it’s really a matter of time until we get it, isn’t it? I went into lockdown with the attitude of, we stay in and we won’t get it, but we will really won’t we? Just a case of later rather than sooner. I am posting because I guess I’m hoping someone will tell me I’m wrong?

Just to say, we are not in the vulnerable category, however I have had pneumonia twice and it was horrific so I am quite frightened about catching it.

[Zantedeschia]

So keeping away from people, keeping cleaning is still worthwhile.

[TheDailyCarbuncle]

I think you're confusing viral load with viral dose @Zantedeschia. It isn't clear whether different levels of exposure result in different severity levels, though the research suggests not. This article is a good one about that: www.newscientist.com/article/2238819-does-a-high-viral-load-or-infectious-dose-make-covid-19-worse/

[Bool]

Yes around 65% of us need to get it to stop it spreading. The point of lockdown is to slow that down so we don’t overwhelm the NHS. My worry is that London will gain that immunity and then we open up as a whole country and whoosh it will peak in other areas. This is why everybody braying at herd immunity will eventually realise that this is the reality unless we have a vaccine or unless they wish to avoid contact with the outside world until then. By the way I know many people who have had it at varying degrees of symptoms. Remember that the media is publishing the worst cases. It’s shit. Yes it’s shit. But I think this is what everybody is beginning to realise now.

[BreatheAndFocus]

I don’t think we’re all going to get it. Ideally, we’d delay getting it (if we get it at all) until they have some already established drug treatment that works to ameliorate the effects of the virus.

Also, of course, experience and knowledge about it will grow and hopefully the serious illnesses and deaths can be kept to a minimum until we have the vaccine as we learn more about it and more about the best way to treat it.

[Appiandterri]

I don’t think we’re all going to get it

I really hope not. DH is in the extremely vulnerable category and wouldn’t stand a chance.
I saw something today that indicated a possible vaccine by September but I don’t want to get too hopeful because they initially said 18 months.

[Thisismytimetoshine]

I know of a couple who came back from Cheltenham and had no symptoms but tested positive
How (and why) were they tested, Zantedeschia?

[Lexijayde44]

I don't like the idea of this. My dad's in his early 60s but has lung damage due to working with asbestos 40 years ago!

He's just retired and he can't just get this virus. I'm sure it would kill him. He's not classed as vunerable. He has to go to Sainsbury's as there's no slots! My mum can't go as she can't drive and has health issues. I can't help as I have no car and kids.

It's very upsetting to think of this virus getting us all. My best friend also is diabetic. She's super fit but this could kill her.

[shesgrownhorns]

Imperial college's Neil Ferguson has always worked on just 15%, he said yesterday !

[Lexijayde44]

Also there's billions in China. Not even a million have been tested positive. Maybe it won't infect all of us!

[Polly02]

Yes. We are all, or most of us anyway, going to get this at some point. Of course.

[amicissimma]

I think we're all potentially going to get it, but AFAIK, there has never been a disease that 100% of the population developed.

It's early days yet and there's been little comprehensive testing of populations, even in South Korea, but a sample of 80% tested in the German town of Gangelt found that about 15% had been infected. On the Diamond Princess where most people were tested, about 20% were positive.

Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that a very large proportion of people who are infected by Covid-19 have mild or even no symptoms. Of those on the Diamond Princess who tested positive just over 50% had no symptoms. Certainly if I have to venture out there seem to be a very large number of people who appear fit and well at the moment.

[CloudsCanLookLikeSheep]

Its lockdown until a vaccine, or release the lockdown and most people get it.

I don't think they will do a serious lockdown for much more than another 6 weeks max

[GabsAlot]

I read around 80% of us will get it either asymptomatic or mild-medium level

theyre also working on which drugs can illeviate symptoms as well as the vaccine

[Snowflakes1122]

If we are all doomed to catch it, then this is a worry for vulnerable/extremely vulnerable - I don’t want to be resigned to the possibility my loved ones whom are vulnerable might die

[Keepdistance]

I agree snowflakes.
Im asthmatic, sister asthmatic. Mum copd dad previous cancer. We are all 40+ and parents 70+ and pil over 65. So there is high likelihood of one at least dying.

China 80% were mild but of those 40% were including pneumonia. 20% hospitalised and of them 5% ventilated.

[Bool]

But why can’t we lock down the most vulnerable?

[LilacTree1]

Bool “ But why can’t we lock down the most vulnerable?”

Well, they have rights too.

[Bool]

@lilactree yes you are right. They have the rights to decide whether to stay safe or expose themselves. Nobody is stopping them exposing themselves. :-(

[LilacTree1]

Bool, why the sad face that vulnerable and shielding have rights?!

[Millicent10]

I am obeying the lockdown rules but work in an open plan office 5 days a week and visit the supermarket every week, I am resigned to getting it and hoping for the best.

[Straycats]

Iceland tested 10% of its population and found 50% were infected and these ones showed no signs, given its population is so tiny and more spread out, I'd hazard that at least bare minimum 60% of UK, European and Americas population have the virus and like the flu the remaining should within a week or two be infected also. We've stayed in, but I honestly can not see the reasoning for to. Yes I have family members who have had it and aren't on any list stating so. Fed up with hysteria.

[celan]

OP, I have gone out of my way to try to catch CV. I don't care if I die, as lockdown is a living Hell for me.

However, I have not caught it despite doing nothing other than hand-washing before handling food etc, which I would normally do anyway.

I have tried going to supermarkets etc, but I don't even get to touch a door handle, as the masked and gloved assistants are counting people in, sanitising trolley handles, holding doors open etc.

(I'm not in a household with people at risk, so I can afford to be cavalier).

So I would say there is a fair chance that you wouldn't catch it even if you wanted to.

[NataliaOsipova]

The aim of the lockdown isn't to stop people from getting it, it's to stop people from getting it all at once.

Absolutely. Yes - most of us will get it as there’s no wider immunity in the population.

[LilacTree1]

Millicent here’s hoping for an end to open plan offices.

[LilacTree1]

celan you might have had it and been asymptomatic.