Prepping for a pandemic 2

[wheresmymojo]

Second thread on prepping for a potential Coronavirus pandemic...following the latest news and information as well as prepping info.

When quoting estimates like mortality rates, replication rates, incubation periods and similar I try to stick to evidence based, scientific studies and will link to sources (unless already linked to them previously).

Generally speaking I use reputable sources of information like well regarded news outlets for other information and will provide links.

Sometimes I may post things outside of this as 'interesting' or such like. I will always caveat these as to be taken with caution.

As much as possible I am attempting not to link to fake news. It's an evolving picture so may not be 100% successful but if something is later shown to be incorrect I will post a correction.

They should have closed the borders to anyone from mainland China, Hong Kong Singapore and other affected area long time ago.

I seem to recall utility workers were considered essential staff in China and carried on working. I can't imagine it would be any different here.

How many of us on here think they'd have to work if it got a lot worse. DH would certainly have to work. I have two jobs, one would shut it's doors fairly quick, the other would still be operational and germs everywhere.

I read germs stay on surfaces up to five days. Just wondering if that would apply to face masks, is they could be reused a few days later especially if they've been hung up to air.

I suspect if anything I'd expect to see non-urgent surgeries hospitals cancelled, and companies encouraged to allow people to work from home if possible. Reduced public transport at some point maybe. I think any measures introduced will be to slow the spread to give the NHS more of a chance of not completely buckling from the off.

I don't think schools will close until we have a sudden spike of new cases. It's half term here next week anyway.

I have a child off school today anyway with... a nasty dry cough and a mild fever 👀. I hasten to add I'm sure it's just the seasonal virus that's been going round as I had it too last week!

Interesting...

"Under the measures, people can now be forcibly quarantined and will not be free to leave."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51442314

I'm glad about the enforced quarantine. I'm hoping that isn't the only measure announced

Half term is coming at a good time.

I'm expecting restrictions on flights.

I don’t think the new ‘serious and imminent’ thing means anything more than someone has attempted to leave quarantine and they’ve needed legal powers to detain them.

I don’t think the new ‘serious and imminent’ thing means anything more than someone has attempted to leave quarantine and they’ve needed legal powers to detain them.

Possibly. But do you really think they'd spook the whole country because of that? I think they're trying to change behaviours before things get much worse.

The serious and imminent threat level is apparently a direct response to an individual who wants to break the quarantine contract that people had to sign when they were repatriated from Wuhan.
This is to put the legislation in place to prevent it. The law wouldn't have allowed authorities to stop this.

Where have you heard that bellinsurge

Seems perfectly plausible that the law doesn't work to stop quarantine breaking threat.

I cant imagine how they will enforce quarantine in the UK. Austerity has meant we essentially control ourselves. There are no police where I live. You only see them in town after a crime or accident. Never ever on the beat. If they start to enforce movements ( how? It's impossible in reality) that does increase the possible need for a grab bag

"I don’t think the new ‘serious and imminent’ thing means anything more than someone has attempted to leave quarantine and they’ve needed legal powers to detain them."

I've just heard on Radio 4 that this is exactly the situation. The actual risk hasn't changed from moderate.

@ofwarren , on Radio 4 just now.

They’re trying for containment at the moment. What I’m finding difficult to get my head around is the possibility of a slow build to this, so that it comes here in, say, October.

My major worry is my sons gcses. He is in year 11. His mental health couldn't take sitting them next year

@Legoandloldolls , it is a direct response to legal loophole in respect of tbe quarantine. It is not an attempt to corral the public

I am amazed that anyone would accept repatriation and then attempt to break quarantine! So, you accept it's bad enough to flee the country you live in but you are happy to potentially spread it around in another country?! Madness.

we have public exams in our family this year too lego (DC in years 13 and 11). I’m assuming exam boards will accept lots of mitigating circumstances.

Lego. I wouldn't worry too much about GCSEs. As the weather gets warmer, the spread of the virus will naturally decrease, so by May I think it is unlikely to be a major issue.

@Legoandloldolls , in the Far East they are encouraging home schooling. Not comfortable or convenient but I would presume something similar here in tbe unlikely event it comes to that.

I'm a bit concerned following this change to "serious and imminent" as I'm pregnant so there's limited medication I can take and I also have asthma. I work for a statutory service where people will still attend appointments even if they're unwell, because the risk of not attending is too great for them. DD1 has asthma and chronic lung disease. If this becomes more widespread I worry about how this might affect her if she were to get it.

With that said, we will still go about normal day to day life and continue with thorough hand washing. I'm just a bit more concerned than I was.

@AvocadoOwl , I can actually understand someone getting "cabin fever" about feeling cooped up and it affecting good judgement.

I think the latest change in UK is related to the WHO director general saying last night that countries need to step up measures. And that we may have only seen the 'tip of the iceberg.'

twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1226629014648971264?s=19