Prepping for a pandemic...3

[wheresmymojo]

Third thread on prepping for a pandemic and following the risk of a NCoV pandemic.

General NCoV Info

The estimated replication rate is R= 2 to 4.8 based on latest expert estimates. This means each infected person spreads the virus to between 2 and 4.8 people. This means it's a fairly contagious virus, probably around the level of swine flu or more.

Around 15-20% of cases are thought to be severe - that is resulting in the need for hospitalisation. Around 3-5% requiring ventilation.

The estimated mortality rate is around 1-2% at the moment. This may change as it is very difficult to estimate mortality.

Children tend to have milder symptoms. Those over 60 with underlying health issues and a history of smoking are more likely to be severe (although not exclusively this type of person).

Spread of NCoV

It is estimated that the average incubation period is 3-5 days but can be as long as 24 days.

It can be spread with no symptoms.

It can be spread via droplet (cough/sneeze), aerosol (breathing same air in very close quarters), bodily fluids, fecal/oral route and formites (via surfaces, up to 28 days in the right circumstances but up to 3-5 days in more typical circumstances).*

Updates*

As this is a novel virus and knowledge is constantly being updated - I will post updates as they become available with links to source.

I am not a medical expert so any opinions or conjecture of my own should be taken with a pinch of salt!

Is it cheaper to use bleach than say Miton or chlorine tablets? Definately looks good and is easy as most of us have the bleach already.

Hand gel sold out in the tesco down the road from work. Bought some more paracetamol and two boxes of cat food (we buy fresh from the butcher but always keep a box in).

Work prep - had new advice from PHE so need to read through that later, notices they want us to have full sleeve length waterproof gowns (not just flimsy aprons) as well as the FFP3 masks, so may need to order some. No FFP3 issued yet but local CCG say we all need fit testing and they need to train trainers and send out fit kits, so no idea how long this will take!
Patient this morning due to go to Vietnam next month and was very unsure about it. I would be too!

I'm going to pack a work bug out bag for next week, with anything I may need if I get caught up in a quarantine. Would be dreadful to not have at least a change of clothes, medication and a charger! Have already told DH to prepare mentally for the unlikely possibility that I may not come home from work one day if I end up exposed (current aim is to keep potential Covid19 patients away a from the surgery so we can continue to provide normal health care, but there's always people who don't follow advice!).

Yikes - I go out for a walk and we need a new thread...will get one going shortly

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8004013/amp/Coronavirus-chaos-Heathrow-EIGHT-planes-lockdown-runway.html?ito=amp_twitter_share-top&__twitter_impression=true

From the Mail: Coronavirus chaos at Heathrow: EIGHT planes are put on lockdown on the tarmac after passengers are suspected of having the killer disease

we are out of all masks where i work

ironically they are made in china so not sure if we will even get anymore in anytime soon!

i have a work colleague due back to work next week after a month off visiting new zealand/malaysia and india

as his manager i don't know what to say.....self isolate?

My PILs (70 & 77) are due to go to Vietnam & Cambodia in 3 weeks.

They are fighting fit with no underlying health issues so feel slightly better because of that.

Things are moving quite quickly so I'm hoping in another 3 weeks it will be clearer as to what to do.

I ordered masks at the end of January when I first started these threads and they haven't arrived. I've queried and had no response and have come to the conclusion that I will never get them.

ofwarren nobody else is reporting 8 planes locked down at Heathrow other than the DM with its "fred off the flight said" style of reporting.

I've started a new thread

Prepping for a pandemic...4 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/preppers/3822854-prepping-for-a-pandemic-4

That's true Hasa it's probably sensationalising

My masks arrived a while ago but I can't imagine using them now if they add little protection.

LoveNote only Malaysia has an advisory on it. I don’t believe the UK government are telling people to self isolate unless they feel unwell.

I have loads of masks, I've always used them when the DC have tummy bugs so I have a stash.

I'm going to pack a work bug out bag for next week, with anything I may need if I get caught up in a quarantine.

I’ve just found a box of FFP3 masks in my loft. I remembered buying them for the swine flu epidemic and didn’t end up using them (I got swine flu anyway) so they may come in useful. I was a bit paranoid around swine flu as my DC were very young and I was breastfeeding at the time, so bought out all the masks in my local DIY store. DH was (to be honest, he still is, but I’ve managed to convince him to carry hand sanitizer as he works in central London).

Gammeldragz I am in a similar situation, work in a GP surgery. We are told masks and protective gear are ordered but not seen yet, have a room cleared to isolate any suspected sufferers (but by that point they'll have probably coughed on all the waiting room and half of us, local hospital staff (even those not patient facing) all being fitted for masks but we've not heard anything.
I too have all the PHE advice to read this weekend (yawn)
Are you planning to leave your bug out bag there or carry it about with you?

@scousadelic I will just keep it in the car I suppose. Though maybe it should be in the building. Highly unlikely to be needed, most likely situation is patient thinks they have it, causes a panic and lock down and then it turns out they don't. Our surgery is near a base of that Servomex company, so many patients are assuming they are high risk despite as far as we know none of the local employees went to the conference.

wheresmymojo fingers crossed you get them. Did you purchase them from abroad? Places abroad like China for instance, can take a few weeks.