O/T:- Are we over-reacting to COVD19?

[deadyoyomagpie]

Research carried out in 2016 showed that nine million grandparents across the UK were spending significant time looking after their grandchildren.

If the government had closed schools , the elderly exposure would have been increased to an appalling level . The most vulnerable " group" would have become even more vulnerable. By all means be vigilant, and proactive, but some measures require " thinking through"

The elderly exposure wouldn't be increased to an appalling level though, because the risk from children is because they are attending school and mixing with each other. Also, as more and more people will work from home, that figure of 9m grandparents would likely be much less in the circumstances.

[LaxtonLad]

The elderly exposure wouldn't be increased to an appalling level though, because the risk from children is because they are attending school and mixing with each other. Also, as more and more people will work from home, that figure of 9m grandparents would likely be much less in the circumstances.

That's what I thought. If the kids are not meeting other kids and teachers, only grandparents and presumably their own parents, then there is less contact with possible "carriers". Also, as you say, parents forced to stay at home will have less outside contact too. Keep it in the family, eh?

[Notsohumblepie]

The elderly exposure wouldn't be increased to an appalling level though, because the risk from children is because they are attending school and mixing with each other. Also, as more and more people will work from home, that figure of 9m grandparents would likely be much less in the circumstances.

You're assuming huge numbers of people can work from home.

According to government figures, 1.3 million now work from home, with a further 300,000 working in the same grounds or building as our homes. Another 2.7 million people said that they work in different places, but use home as a base( that means that they need to leave home to work effectively ).
Assuming you could treble that figure, out of a work force of 21.3 million , it still leaves an enormous number of people who can't work from home. That works especially for NHS staff.
You're also assuming that kids would have all quit school uninfected. Only time will tell.

[upthemaggies]

I suppose a very harsh way of looking at it would be to say that we're pushing society in the direction of widespread adversity and, if it carries on unabated, possible collapse, just for the sake of prolonging the lifespan of some (and not all) over 75s.
I've read somewhere that the average age of Italian victims is 81.

I think people would soon become very agitated at having their routines curtailed by what will be, for the vast majority, nothing more serious than a bad cold/nasty cough. Assuming it doesn't mutate into something worse, you'll have people saying "I've had it, it's nothing" in no time and I suspect we'll be seeing demands for a return to normality well before this virus has been kicked into touch.

[Notsohumblepie]

I suppose a very harsh way of looking at it would be to say that we're pushing society in the direction of widespread adversity and, if it carries on unabated, possible collapse, just for the sake of prolonging the lifespan of some (and not all) over 75s.
I've read somewhere that the average age of Italian victims is 81.

I think people would soon become very agitated at having their routines curtailed by what will be, for the vast majority, nothing more serious than a bad cold/nasty cough. Assuming it doesn't mutate into something worse, you'll have people saying "I've had it, it's nothing" in no time and I suspect we'll be seeing demands for a return to normality well before this virus has been kicked into touch.

You've just put at least half of the " Pavis" on " Death Row" !, with the attendant choking on flasks of Bovril. Keep your identity secret !

[frenchmagpie]

I suppose a very harsh way of looking at it would be to say that we're pushing society in the direction of widespread adversity and, if it carries on unabated, possible collapse, just for the sake of prolonging the lifespan of some (and not all) over 75s.
I've read somewhere that the average age of Italian victims is 81.

I think people would soon become very agitated at having their routines curtailed by what will be, for the vast majority, nothing more serious than a bad cold/nasty cough. Assuming it doesn't mutate into something worse, you'll have people saying "I've had it, it's nothing" in no time and I suspect we'll be seeing demands for a return to normality well before this virus has been kicked into touch.

I think there is too much focus on the death rate. It is the disablement rate which is the true disaster. Large proportions of the population unable to work, key workers out of action and resulting swamping of demand on hospital services. It will choke economic activity and healthcare services. It has to be stopped.

[upthemaggies]

I think there is too much focus on the death rate. It is the disablement rate which is the true disaster. Large proportions of the population unable to work, key workers out of action and resulting swamping of demand on hospital services. It will choke economic activity and healthcare services. It has to be stopped.

I don't think the virus can be stopped now, all they can do is delay it which appears to be the plan, so people who have got the virus but are not incapacitated by it (and could carry on working) are being told stay at home. Maybe that advise will change in 2/3 months to avoid a total shutdown and the government have bought enough time to be better prepared (NHS wise).
I can't see how the country can go into lock down for 3-6 months, there would be riots as people run out of supplies and grow increasingly restless.

[frenchmagpie]

I don't think the virus can be stopped now, all they can do is delay it which appears to be the plan, so people who have got the virus but are not incapacitated by it (and could carry on working) are being told stay at home. Maybe that advise will change in 2/3 months to avoid a total shutdown and the government have bought enough time to be better prepared (NHS wise).
I can't see how the country can go into lock down for 3-6 months, there would be riots as people run out of supplies and grow increasingly restless.

It may be too late to stop it now due to failings of politicians to follow advice. But the Chinese seem to be on top of it so something worked despite their inaction and slow start. They quickly started building massive isolation hospitals and sealing off areas. Sooner rather than later seems to be the advice. If politicians and the people just listened to the experts we may have a chance but the way politics works in the West everyone knows better especially you-know-who. There is a disaster slowly building in USA.