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.

[PuzzledObserver]

Well, even the “if we do nothing” modelling has 80% of people getting it. Which means 20% won’t, and you could be one of them.

The more you isolate yourself and the more conscientious you are about hand washing etc, the better your chances of not getting it before the vaccine arrives.

I would prefer not to get it if possible.

[HairyToity]

I was told that the longer we can put off getting it, the better the treatment will be, as we will understand virus better, and know what works.

[celan]

@LilacTree1 Oh don't say that.

But it does rather show, again, that testing would be a good idea. If my teenagers (whom I have trapped at home) tested positive for antibodies, they could try to get voluntary work or jobs, for starters, rather than doing nothing (no GCSEs or A levels to occupy them now).

[OneOfTheGrundys]

I think most of us will. But I’d rather have it later than sooner so they know as much as possible.

[NearlyGranny]

Good point, Carrie! Later is better, when they know what not to do and what works best. Nobody wants to be a guinea-pig.

[pisspants]

@celan you might no care about catching it, but what if you have it and are then spreading it around everywhere you go! Please think of others!

[singingbird135]

I think the same, that we will all get it at some point although some fortunate people won't have any symptoms. I'm heavily pregnant and my husband is police so I think we are screwed.

[Aurignacian]

I’m really hoping I’ve had it already (sore eyes cough a couple of weeks ago) but it seems unlikely. I think we will all mostly get it but I’m scared now, it seems so random as to who will die

[Downton57]

@celan if you catch it, and get taken to hospita,l my beloved daughter might be one of the doctors looking after you in hospital and she might catch it from you and god forbid, she might die. Please, please don't be so selfish.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Honestly, yes. But hang on in there. Getting it in a few months time may be a whole different ball game, they are learning how to deal this virus at the moment, better treatments may be forthcoming. Also in a few months most NHS staff will have had it (sad but true) and be well again.

[PurpleThistles84]

Thanks all, sorry if posting this has upset any posters, I didn’t want to scare monger. It’s just reality setting in. Honestly, a little part of me just wants to get it and be done with it, however the much bigger part says don’t be daft, it is obviously better that it takes longer to get it for research and treatment.

It makes me wish there was a way to take all that are vulnerable and tuck them away (if that’s what they want) then all us not vulnerables as such, get it and hope for the best. Too simplistic though I know.

I suppose ultimately there is nothing to be done but observing lockdown and hand washing. Worrying doesn’t solve anything.

[LilacTree1]

I’m glad you posted it OP

I think there’s too much false hope doing the rounds re vaccine and it’s not going to do anyone any favours to be unrealistic.

[SeperatedSwans]

Ah I've come to the conclusion it's not if I'll get it, it's when. I'm doing lockdown and washing my hands, other than that I'm not worrying anymore.

What will be, will be.

[wheresmymojo]

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

You really can't compare Iceland to large European countries. They have the population of a small city here with many of them living in a handful of towns. A virus can clearly spread through that number of people quite quickly but it isn't comparable to 67 million.

Experts believe that only c5-10% of us have had it so far.

[Bool]

@LilacTree1 the sad face was for all those vulnerable who unshield themselves, get ill and then subsequently die.

[Lexijayde44]

39 of the deaths yesterday were without any known health issues. If we are all allowed to mix again in a few months imagine how many more will die without health issues.

The government will surely have to give us choices because many young fit people have asthma. Pretty much everyone over 50 I know has high blood pressure. Loads of people smoke. What about children who have had weak chests but are not asthmatic? My son has had mild pnunomia a year ago. He's 2.5 now. But he was so poorly for 5 days. He just laid in his hospital cot asleep. He's also prone to tonsilitis. Does that mean he's more at risk of this virus because he has had respiratory problems? What if innocent children can't fight it off?

As for gambling my own life. My kids need me. The rest of our family is older and has health issues. My sister's skint and has her own kids. Who would have our kids of we die? How would my partner go to work if I die? Dramatic maybe but that's what will happen.

None of us know how our bodies will react.

[Wetfloortiles]

@Lexijayde44
I'm type 1 diabetic and dont assume this will kill me

[nellodee]

Less than 1% of Austrians may have been infected. Different places will have different levels of exposure.

www.trtworld.com/europe/less-than-1-percent-of-austria-infected-with-coronavirus-study-35289

[Redwinestillfine]

It's likely a large percentage of people will get it eventually, but it doesn't follow that it's inevitable. Some people may avoid it until the vaccine especially if the reports of 6 months rather than 28 months are true. I expect hardly any of us (population percentage wise) have had it yet though.

[Travelban]

I am afraid a lot of people wjll eventually get it. Two of my children are in thr extremely vulnerable/shielding category and I have asthma but there is not much we can do, once schools are work are back..

It is not an option to keep a 12 and 13 year old boy at home indefinitely, especially when the siblings will be at school and we will be back at work. We will just have to take the risk? Hopefully a vaccine will be available soon.

[MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee]

Yes I think that once restrictions are listed those who aren’t super shielded are going to get it. The lockdown seems primarily aimed at making sure the nhs has enough capacity to deal with the cases as they arise rather than prevent the population from getting it per se.

[celan]

@pisspants and @Downton57 Don't worry - I'm sticking to all the rules, and am making my teenagers do the same. I'm just saying it is actually more difficult to catch CV than people think it is, so people need not worry quite so much about catching it via a cereal box someone else has touched etc. Some people's lives are being severely affected by their anxiety about catching it - but it's really not quite that easy to catch it. If it were, absolutely everyone would be catching it, but the vast majority of people aren't.

My point was this, rather than anything else. If I die, it will be due to the lockdown and not due to catching CV.

[Kittywampus]

I think most people will probably get it eventually, unless they find a vaccine soon.

However the later you get it, the better the treatment might be.

[MigginsMs]

The scientific advisor the other day said community transmission should be slowing down so hopefully the chances of getting it soon will be lower, I’m resigned to getting it eventually but hope by the time I do even if there is no vaccine hopefully the NHS will be less stretched or there will be some other treatments

[PuzzledObserver]

39 of the deaths yesterday were without any known health issues. If we are all allowed to mix again in a few months imagine how many more will die without health issues.

1. “Health issues” does not automatically mean they were at death’s door and had little quality of life. Most people who have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure etc live full and active lives, thank you very much. We’re not ready for our deaths to be written off as no big deal, or somehow less tragic than those of people without these conditions.
   
   
2. I know that’s the official figure, but I have reason to believe they are only counting as “no health issues” people who literally would not have anything coming up on their medical records as being of concern. Being overweight is a “health issue” - and that’s the majority of the population. Taking statins? Health issue. Managed asthma? Health issue.
   
   The other perspective comes from the recent ICNARC study of Covid patients in ITU. In that, only 5% of patients were classed as having serious pre-existing conditions.