Topic: Corona Virus Panic/Discussion Thread

@JohnnyShoulder Haven't you noticed? The fact that they revealed the PS4 in February is definite proof that the exact same thing should have happened this year.

@KratosMD I do think we should take it very seriously, but it's a good reminder that it's mostly the elderly and very young who are in danger. Most of us experience nothing more than a common cold, and that's it. I'm all for taking the best possible precautions, but we also have to be realistic, this won't turn into a zombie apocalypse.

But seeing how it has pretty much spread everywhere, I don't think there's much we can do about it anymore.

That’s the problem with physical, it runs out. Digital ftw.

@KratosMD Interestingly I got an email from the supermarket I order my weekly shop from saying they're running out of delivery slots quicker and people are making larger orders than usual. Clearly some people are in panic mode and switching to ordering online rather than going to a physical shop, which is ridiculous. Luckily I have a little food stockpiled from when I stocked up before the October Brexit date.

@KratosMD Having an extra stockpile of food can't hurt if you can afford it. Think of it like this, if you have get a stockpile of long-lasting food and keep it, you'll always have it. Worried something could happen? Cool, you're already prepared. Finances are extra tight and things are getting hard to pay for? You have extra food already so you can worry less about that part of the budget. Nothing left in the store because everyone is panicking? Bunch of slowpokes don't have extra food already? 😂 (and you don't have something to munch on while you wait for the stores to restocked)

@KratosMD @Jaz007 Might just be me but sometimes I really can’t be arsed cooking and a tin of beans and sausages sounds really good. That is also a valid reason to stock up on tinned food. And I’m a so called foodie 😂

Ugh. We had a trip planned in September that would have brought us into Washington, but we just pushed that back to May of 2021. It's all over that state, and I'm not going to risk my mother getting this thing and dying.

1% of people that caught the virus have died from it. That means that 99% have made a full recovery from it. Doesn't sound too bad now. Most of those 1% are in China where the virus first started.

Here in the UK some people panic buy at stupid stuff like the first sign of a bit of snow. Really does my nut in.

Yeah when you’re looking at only 90000 cases worldwide and 80000 of those are in China I don’t think it’s time for panic stations just yet.

I mean, perspective is needed when it comes to it. I think, when it comes to the death rate, yes it is at 1% but it is still double that of Flu. That also negates the number of people that have severe symptoms and need hospital symptoms. That is something like 10-15% (if memory serves). That means to recover, they need assistance which means they need doctors/nurses/facilities. Plus the death and severe illness rate is higher in healthcare professionals. So of, what 68 million people in the UK, let's say the expcted 40% infection rate occurs over the next year, you are looking at 27,200,000 infections over the course of the year. Of this, you can expect 1% death rate 272,000 deaths give or take. So more than the population of Milton Keynes. On top of that you can expect 2,720,200 potential patients needing medical care to stay alive just for this one virus. Now my numbers are no doubt wonky because, estimates, lots of assumptions, regional variances etc.

My point isn't one of panic, but of disruption and why the whole containment thing is important. If you can slow or spread out the impact of the virus, the less disruption there will be. My main fear is the disruption to the supply chain and economy. Even if people have mild symptoms you can assume a week or two off so big disruption, especialy if you have kids that get it or ar at risk. Then you have the impact of the big exporter countries that supply us with a lot of what we use everyday also having the same issues, indeed possibly worse due to our good healthcare system.

That is why I am in currently watching all this on monitors, 40 stories below sea level, in a bunker.

@Rudy_Manchego I think it's also important to keep in mind that healthy people aren't the ones at risk. So whilst there is a 1-2% mortality rate over the whole population of infected individuals, it's relatively higher for the risk groups; elderly, people with impaired immunity and the very young. Then it does become an even more significant percentage; and chances are that you will know someone that will die of it if everyone gets infected at some point.

Additionally, we have no idea how many unregistered cases there currently are. So any precautions are good in this case. Just don't go hoarding food, that's pointless.

@Rudy_Manchego After a decade of severe underfunding our healthcare system really won't cope if that many people need hospitalising at once given hospitals already struggle when there's a bad flu season. My main concern is now anyone with a sniffle of cough will worry they have it, potentially clogging up GP surgeries, NHS 111 or even A&E departments and making it that much more difficult to treat those that really need it.

@mookysam To be fair though, if things do kick off and since it does start with a sniffle and a cough, you can't blame people for thinking they might have it. But anyway, it's gunna do what it's gunna do, an unstoppable force of nature, unless you plan on living in a bubble for the rest of the year you're at risk so bring it on I say.

I'm hoping I just get it mildly and nice and early so I can recover and kick back and watch it all unfold.

@Octane Exactly - mercifully, young children 'seem' to have very mild symptoms but the elderly and vulnerable are at high risk and they are people too. My father has had lung problems and is at high risk - a severe case could make him very ill or die.

@mookysam Also agree - some people are sensible and follow guidelines but plenty will just ignore it because they are worried about themselves or perhaps go to the docs and not even realise they have it.

@kyleforrester87 Your logic is sound except for the getting it early. No evidence that you get immunity from having it - so possible you could get it again.

Does anyone want to join my gaming commune? We all live in our rooms but interact online. Perfect for pandemics.

@Rudy_Manchego believe me, you get immunity from getting it early. Foxdie on the other hand, that’s what we should be worried about.

@JohnnyShoulder, @Rudy_Manchego, while I genrerally gree with your points, where do you get only a 1% mortality rate from?

Based on confirmed numbers it's currently sitting at just above 3%, and even if that's slightly up above the real number (due to Wuhan's health system being overrun, and due to potential mild cases not being reported), even taking those things into account the CDC & WHO are still saying it's likely around 2%.

@kyleforrester87 I mean, thinking about it, you make a good point. That is just good science.

Foxdie is worrying but luckily, I don't have DNA so they can't target my specific DNA. So all good there for me.

@RR529 Well, at this stage, all figures are estimations etc. I got mine from the Guardian where outside of Wuhan and in western countries, the rate is below 2% and closer to 1%. Of course, at this stage, who really knows and it is all projections. Iran, for example skews numbers since only 4 people there have it but hundreds have died (or whatever).

@RR529 It was on the BBC news this morning. I know that figures have varied daily, and for instance China keep changing how they report who has it etc which makes reporting on a definite figure tricky. Which wasn't my intention really, just to prove a point that it is a bit silly to start panicking here in the UK just yet.

I'm gonna put stats on the next comment as else it will be bottom of the page.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases:
92,871

Deaths:
3,168

Recovered:
48,469

ACTIVE CASES
41,234

Currently Infected Patients
34,072 (83%)
in Mild Condition

7,162 (17%)
Serious or Critical

CLOSED CASES
51,637

Cases which had an outcome:
48,469 (94%)
Recovered / Discharged

3,168 (6%)
Deaths

This is a respiratory virus which has never been seen to act in this manner. We can all argue about the stats but the death rate is at 6% of closed cases with 17% of current cases in serious or critical condition.

If we survive this one, the next time a devistating virus appears chauffeuring carrier's from ground zero should be stamped on. The Who are proving to be inept at dealing with the coronavirus as its traits have never been seen before. Common sense is screaming stop what we are doing and reevaluate, close the shop, ban travel and go home for a fortnite. But every country is just waiting for the excrement to hit the fan.