O/T Coronavirus Thread

[kentmillerman]

As a precaution I have told the wife no more tongues and no more shaggin till the all clear siren is heard.

[John2]

It's strange to me that the people who so easily buy into media hysteria around Brexity stuff are so dismissive of what represents a huge and very real threat to millions of lives, not just as a consequence of the virus itself but also the economic impact.

[Pattylallacks2]

As a precaution I have told the wife no more tongues and no more shaggin till the all clear siren is heard.

Well, I suppose your missus is thinking it's an ill wind...

[flourbasher]

This virus is not flu.

It is particularly dangerous for four reasons:

1. It is readily transmitted from one person to another;
2. It is possible for infected people to transmit the infection before they themselves show signs of illness;
3. Most flu strains will have been around before, which means that there will be a significant number of people who have acquired immunity. Covid-19 is a novel infection that human populations have never encountered before, which means that few, if any, people will have immunity;
4. It carries a significant mortality rate.

Collectively, points 1 to 3 mean that it will spread more easily, creating a capacity for to hit in a wave of infection that will overwhelm the ability of health services to provide care for the critically ill.

I hope that I am completely wrong.

It is a concern but much of the above is also true of strains of influenza.

Flu is easily spread in offices and on aircraft. Anywhere where there is air management, door handles, kitchenette surfaces and an open plan environment will lead to a lot of becoming ill.

Many people who have flu feel ok for the first 24-48 hours during the virus incubation period. They can still transmit it to others during this period.

Many flu and cold strains are new ones so producing vaccines is difficult hence the reason why it's so difficult to eradicate them.

According to the WHO theres a risk to the elderly and those with existing medical conditions and not a risk of death to the general public. This is the same as flu hence why the elderly and infirm are encouraged to receive a vaccination against known flu strains.

At the end of the day we have 163 cases in the U.K. which will undoubtedly increase but how many people in the U.K. Have flu. Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, a few million. Who knows but it will be a lot.

I'm not trying to dismiss the potential risks here but flu has killed 600 or so people so far

[mikemiller]

Additional information - WHO has said that producing a coronavirus vaccine will take a minimum of 18 months.
(Don't know if any current anti-viral drugs have been tried on the patients - doesn't seem to be any information released about that)

[Pattylallacks2]

Additional information - WHO has said that producing a coronavirus vaccine will take a minimum of 18 months.
(Don't know if any current anti-viral drugs have been tried on the patients - doesn't seem to be any information released about that)

Apparently the Chinese have developed a Covid-19 vaccine that should be ready for clinical trials next month

[CAMiller]

University of Washington Medical Center had one developed here about 3 weeks ago but have stated it will take up to 12 months of trials before they know it's full suitability. I think tests have already started.

[mikemiller]

University of Washington Medical Center had one developed here about 3 weeks ago but have stated it will take up to 12 months of trials before they know it's full suitability. I think tests have already started.

Yes - I think the "18 months" in the WHO statement meant including all the clinical trials, sorting out legal requirements, large scale production of the vaccine etc, etc, before it could be routinely used. Not all viruses can be beaten by vaccination though (some mutate too rapidly), so let's hope this one can be zapped

[CAMiller]

Just reading an article on the BBC about the psychology of panic buying. The funny thing is the article is accompanied by photos of people coming out of Costco stores here in the US with shopping trolleys piled high. Do they not know Costco is a bulk warehouse and you have no option but to buy 24 toilet rolls, 48 cans of Coke, 25lbs of rice, 6 cucumbers... The pictures I see are of just a normal Saturday afternoon at our local Costco. I'm not saying panic buying isn't happening, it is, but don't show pictures of a normal occurrence.

[Pattylallacks2]

Just reading an article on the BBC about the psychology of panic buying. The funny thing is the article is accompanied by photos of people coming out of Costco stores here in the US with shopping trolleys piled high. Do they not know Costco is a bulk warehouse and you have no option but to buy 24 toilet rolls, 48 cans of Coke, 25lbs of rice, 6 cucumbers... The pictures I see are of just a normal Saturday afternoon at our local Costco. I'm not saying panic buying isn't happening, it is, but don't show pictures of a normal occurrence.

It may be an everyday occurrence Cam but it's hardly normal. Six cucumbers? Sounds like a trip by Brin to the *** shop.