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

[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.

[jackal2]

I think I would sooner get Corona virus than read another of your posts. Actually this one wasn't too bad. It'll run its course as these things do. The media will over sensationalise it and political parties will find ways of scoring points off it. Social Media will go into melt down and everyone will panic buy everything. Thats about it really. In a couple of months it'll be onto the next thing thats going to destroy us all.

These are pretty much my thoughts too, although I think this will go on for more than two months.

Without doubt it's a significant public health issue and a threat especially to those who are older or have underlying health conditions, but history is littered with contagions like this, some of which claimed far more victims than this one probably will. Taking simple precautions is entirely sensible, but there's little to gain from over-reacting. Excessive anxiety actually has a detrimental effect on the immune system!

Again a lot of the media sensationalism and social media panic boils down to the difficulty the human race has in accepting that we are mortal and at times very vulnerable. Our reaction to threats like this is usually to busy ourselves doing things that make us feel like we can control it. To a certain degree maybe we can, but by and large nature will take its course and sadly the virus will claim a number of victims.

The phenomenon of global pandemics is obviously nothing new, but now such things are seen through the modern, 24-hour, global media environment. Imagine Sky News covering the Black Death!

[Riverleeno]

A bit of background to corona viruses - 55 seconds in - good to listen to an expert,

https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk...rt-912091.html

[drillerpie]

Take your point about 'Bozo', Driller.

Thanks Sid

[drillerpie]

Again, it's that fine line isn't it.

Anyway, I agree with Driller, let's not let this thread descend into another brexit thread. I think Driller is actually doing us all a service by providing us with as much info as possible from first hand experience of being in a country in lock down. It's pretty obvious stuff but I appreciate the input.

Thanks ncfcog

[drillerpie]

These are pretty much my thoughts too, although I think this will go on for more than two months.

Without doubt it's a significant public health issue and a threat especially to those who are older or have underlying health conditions, but history is littered with contagions like this, some of which claimed far more victims than this one probably will. Taking simple precautions is entirely sensible, but there's little to gain from over-reacting. Excessive anxiety actually has a detrimental effect on the immune system!

Again a lot of the media sensationalism and social media panic boils down to the difficulty the human race has in accepting that we are mortal and at times very vulnerable. Our reaction to threats like this is usually to busy ourselves doing things that make us feel like we can control it. To a certain degree maybe we can, but by and large nature will take its course and sadly the virus will claim a number of victims.

The phenomenon of global pandemics is obviously nothing new, but now such things are seen through the modern, 24-hour, global media environment. Imagine Sky News covering the Black Death!

I'm feeling exasperated after reading this post.

Although at first glance it seems you've written quite a lot, you've effectively written nothing. The precautions taken should be simple and sensible and not an over-reaction. Well yes, quite. That's so vague as to be meaningless. The solution to any problem should be as simple and sensible as possible while not being disproportionate (an over-reaction).

I would also point out that humans busying themselves to take control of their own mortality, or in other words 'trying not to die' is probably the biggest single factor in every single achievement mankind has ever made since we first climbed down on to the savannah, but never mind.

Then you seem to say that the old and the weak should just fatalistically accept they have to check out either because it's stressful to worry about it or because more people died of the Black Death centuries ago, and in fact they should count themselves lucky they didn't have to watch Kay Burley reporting on that. I think one or both of those statements might have been meant as a bit of pandemic-banter, but I genuinely can't be sure.

I've seen a couple of other posts that I just don't understand either. I know miserable old misanthropes are overly represented on NCM but I really hope some of these attitudes aren't commonly held among the general population.

I am a long way off the high risk age bracket for coronavirus, but I have family members and friends who are slap bang in it, and my first thought in this whole situation has never been the fixture backlog, the inconvenience to my routine, the financial loss (admittedly mine is less than other posters who have been very unlucky) or counting down the days until I can go on a riot. It has been what can I do to help the general situation and stop people from dying unnecessarily.

It also worries me, because even as something of an individualist, I always thought there was an element of "we're all in it together" in desperate times, but it seems I've taken too much for granted. It's got me thinking now: when will I stop being worth saving?

Anyway tonight at 6pm here lots of people played music on their balcony and some played instruments and sang, to relieve the boredom of the lockdown. Tomorrow at midday everyone is being asked to go out there again and do a minute's applause for the doctors and nurses.

Maybe on Monday there'll be a minute's grumbling at the fact there might not be any promotion or relegation from Serie C this year, and we'll brainstorm some ideas of how many OAPs, chemotherapy patients, and tired nurses we're prepared to see check out in order to get the pubs open again. But I doubt it.