Prepping for a Pandemic... 15

[FuckThisWind]

A lot of us have been here before. We Prepped for Brexit. Some of us are Heathcare workers. We prepare for the worst every day. It's difficult to predict what will happen in our lives. In our lifetime. Will we get Cancer? Will a huge meteorite wipe the world out?

One thing is for sure, this new virus is either affecting us, or is going to affect us all very soon. You are all already onboard. I hope you are prepared and much as you can be. And in the meantime this thread is here to support us all.

This week will bring many new challenges. We are almost certain to have some sort of lockdown. Like other parts of Europe. We aren't special. We aren't different. We are all
fragile souls. But I hope we live to tell the tale.

God Speed.

Thanks everyone. Managed to get a live stream in the end.

Does anyone else think they have seen a massive increase in cases today (I.e tomorrow’s numbers), there was lots of emphasis on ‘we will now start to see very rapid growth’?

Also bit of a cop out on the mass gatherings, won’t be policed etc but not actually banned.

All very wishy washy to me and no mention of why we aren’t testing more, despite WHO’s very clear message earlier!

Does anyone know what the results are from the headteachers meeting the education secretary please? Especially as they still aren't shutting schools but no mass gatherings ... Mass gatherings?

@RhubarbTea true this anxiety is all consuming. Try to distract yourself with your daily duties and your favourite hobbies etc. I know it’s hard but whatever keeps the stress out it’s good anyway. I’m prepping my mind now - sooner or later we might endure lot of panic and anxiety so we should be more strong and be physically ready.
In my case I have resorted spiritually - I fully believe everything comes from Lord Narayana himself and goes back to him too. Considering the brilliance of this virus accepted by the virologists all around , I personally think it’s a god particle by itself with powers that goes beyond human control. I have accepted if the divine action is this, so be it. That relieved lot of the burden and anxiety it was causing me. I also believe its our duty to act intelligently at this situation.

@Readyme I am doing the same already but it’s getting me paranoid so I am now planning to buy fruits that can be cooked if needed like cooking apples plum punnets etc

Keenly listening to bj’s speech now. He says to avoid gathering (however small) but the schools aren’t closing? What does that mean?

Chris Whitty

Still saying mortality rate a bit less than 1% (this isn't what other countries or the WHO think)

Stressing need not to overwhelm NHS due to indirect deaths not from CV but because they couldn't get treatment for other things

Over 70s or younger but with significant health condition - to take greater care so they don't need to go to hospital

Adults who would be advised to have flu vaccination like chronic heart and lung disease and women who are pregnant (this is a precaution for the preggos just because we don't know much about this disease yet).

Later will give a list of conditions.

Mild and moderate cases shouldn't use 111 - use online service.

But if deteriorating then should use 111 or other health services.

Now on Q&A won't be able to type quickly enough to get the questions so will just capture key points

Enforcement?

Are you closing bars etc? Giving strong advice that shouldn't be visited up to proprietors. Have powers if necessary

Are you stopping visitors to care homes? Take from what said that no unnecessary contact with over 70s don't want to see people unnecessarily visiting care homes

WHO said test, test, test.?

Agree that testing is critical. We have testing in ICU, in hospitals and in GP network testing in community.

Should recognise scale of testing so far. Will continue to scale up testing.

I think we should have a thread to encourage people who are social distancing themselves for the overall welfare of Nhs and the community themselves so the information and help available locally can all be in one place

I’m now wondering where I stand as a HCP with a health condition that requires me to now stay at home for 12 weeks.
Off to phone my colleague!

Keeping all measures under review.

When will London peak? Important thing that it's ahead, measures are to suppress that and push peak out

How many now carrying virus? Doubling every 5 days or so...didn't give a number like the 5-10k gave last time

Voluntary measures - some countries have made criminal sanctions, are you prepared to do this if necessary?

We already have tremendous powers but most people would accept that we are a mature grown up democracy where people understand the advice being given to them

Health service uncomfortable that no testing of health service workers with symptoms?

Will do this when have capacity to do this - so can go back to work if not COVID. As fast as we can practically manage - no timelines given.

Support measures for pubs, cinemas, etc?

Will be considerable challenge for businesses, we will do everything we can to support them.

How many ventilators can we get into hospitals and do you regret not doing this earlier?

Lots of work going on to make sure NHS has all kit it needs and huge strides being made.

G7 and financial stimulus?- widespread agreement that we will jointly need to give some kind of fiscal stimulus. Lots of work going on.

Re: immunity

Believe at the moment nothing to suggest there is anything more than an occasional case that don't have immunity after it, this would be the case with any disease.

Even if not long period of immunity a short period of immunity would be enough to get through a season.

Economy -

Obvious that this is going to be a severe blow but if we get it right and work together then can ensure a short term problem. No systemic problem in the economy so as long as can flatten peak the economies worldwide should come roaring back.

Timing -

Marathon not a sprint. Won't be a couple of weeks - think of a minimum of weeks to months. Could be longer. Got to see as a long game.

Please some advice, I'm supposed to.go to my local ( v big ) hospital tomorrow for an appointment about high cholesterol ( it runs in my family). After seeing those figures from Italy today, I'm terrified of going to a hospital. Would you still go?

Would you class your 3 year old doing one cough every half hour roughly as persistent?

I wrote earlier on this thread, that we need to prepare for the medium to long term for this.

If anyone is still doubting that, today’s news should dispel that comprehensively.

Preggos - just because very early in what we know about this disease. Just in case there are additional risks that we don't know yet. No evidence that makes us think it's particularly risky for pregnant women. It's just a precautionary measure. In hindsight may turn out to be overkill but would rather be cautious.

Would you class your 3 year old doing one cough every half hour roughly as persistent?

Yes

Boris is no diplomat is he. He's basically said most of the rest of the world is immature and undemocratic.

He's a disgrace. We can't rely on people to do the right thing and follow advice. We should but he knows that won't happen.

The measures to protect vulnerable people that might be taken at some unspecified future date. They need to include all household members. It also sounds like it's too late to protect vulnerable Londoners?

Have they confirmed the number of deaths yet?

What about low paid households?

We will be bringing through all measures we can - SSP and benefits payable as soon as possible. General principle is that no-one should be penalised for doing the right thing.

No news of today’s deaths yet AFAIK

So what if my dd has mildly high temps / should all stay at home for 14 days? Will that be authorised by schools? Also if I get the temps after a week is that again 14 days for everyone?

@Destinysdaughter No advice but I know how you feel. I've got a monitoring appointment coming up and I don't want to go. I'm hoping they'll cancel it to be honest.

Is it possibly something that could be done at home? Home blood test or telephone consultation? If my appointment's not postponed I plan to wear gloves and a mask (to hell with looking silly) and I'm going to change my clothes as soon as I get home.