Coronavirus

While I agree the Financial panic is currently greater than the disease

The disease is still very real and something to truly prepare for.
This is REAL and growing exponentially (for example, a drill down to the US from the real-time metrics and status site I posted before)
United States Coronavirus - Worldometer

And yes, many go too far with purchases and hording (as many do during holidays and storms...always, foolishly so)
It's also likely true that you do not want to be out and about in large groups as it grows...
AND resources WILL get thinner by lack of supply (less shipping, trucking, stockers, servers, etc...)
So who can blame some for prepping for quarantine

I'm sorry, I've got a good memory, I've never seen this before. H1N1, etc... (only during 9/11 and hurricanes)
And I'm normally not one for paranoia...having fully ignored all other viruses etc. in the past, even really AIDS
I think most who've known me long enough haven't seen me talk about illnesses at all. (sure, pissed at Trump, Russia and other political stupidity and selfishness....but viruses???)

This one's different, bigger, faster...and the globe is reacting different.
Excessive? Financially, Maybe Justifiable. Definitely. Underestimating the risk and growth and impact? Most experts are now saying yes.

And most governments are woeful unprepared and slow to react or know HOW to react.

Again, it's good not to panic...and to be cool and collected.
But it's also good to prep, be civil, be adult and act smart.

It's not an either/or black & white scenario.
It's constant observation, evaluation, waiting, preparation and if necessary, calm reaction.
Same as if you were driving on a very busy highway going thru a big city. Eyes on the road, all senses aware, hands on the wheels, feet on quick on the break & gas.

You don't have to panic
But you also shouldn't dismiss

 

Worldometer - real time world statistics

That link has a bunch of other cool Worldometer stats on what kills people.




Also, the BBC is reporting that scientists are finding that most people show symptoms in 5 days and there is about a 1% chance you have it after exposure if you haven’t shown symptoms inside of two weeks. That’s much less than was being reported earlier, so that’s positive news.

Both Johns Hopkins and the University of Nottingham have positive news that, except for elderly people who also have pre-existing conditions, it seems the percentage of people who have more than mild/typical flu type symptoms is less than many people presumed it would be.

So while a serious thing, as the actual experts are weighing in, it seems that the real data is leaning towards a severe flu strain, not some population destroyer.


View: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51800707

 

@Herculite ...so now we know why they’re panic buying.
Which I don’t understand either

The psychology behind why toilet paper, of all things, is the latest coronavirus panic buy — CNN

I mean, I bought from the store
But I’m not wading into a mad house
Nor am I getting more TP even though I have some
I just bought more than typical because I knew I wasn’t going out as much to restaurants or events.
That would make sense.

Then again, many people don’t make sense to me.
It’s a weird world.

 

Wow, you're uninsured, ASU? You seem like such a risk averse guy that comes as a bit of a shock to me.

If you have proper training for the PPE, wear the mask whenever and wherever you want. It will never be socially acceptable to play it safe.

I am considering cancelling travel next week because I would rather not deal with being away from the kids with all this going on. I'm emotionally exhausted just knowing it's a thing.

 

How do you see things playing out around you over there in Georgia, Ralphie? Do you see a lot of people worrying in your in-person interactions?

I see a lot of panic in social media but haven't seen the worry so much in person here in Florida.

 

Actually, medical people are saying do NOT wear a mask unless you’re actually sick.

One, only the special medically trained masks are the only ones documented to prevent the virus.

2nd and most important...after 30 minutes
The mask becomes saturated and then it’s MORE susceptible to attracting, holding and giving the virus.
Because of the warmth, moisture and being near your face.

If you’re not sick
Just wash your hands
Don’t touch your face.

I don’t know about other places
But it’s starting to affect DC
You can see restaurants, clubs and gyms being very slow
And the more typical popular area are much quieter.
People, even the ones that joked before, are starting to be wary.

But it’s different in a big city
And definitely different in the US National capital
Especially with all the military and government buildings and entities around.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they went on lock down
That’s being hinted at with my connections

Every city and region is going to be different
Just read the true news. Keep aware.

 

Indeed, you know it's bad when they close Waffle House!

 

There was a lot of coverage about how quickly China mobilized temporary field hospitals to respond to this. Today it is being reported that they are able to close many of them, as the number of new cases has drastically dropped, and more and more people are recovering.

Wuhan closes makeshift hospital as new coronavirus cases in China drop sharply



Obviously the danger there isn't over, but it is a positive sign that the new infections are back down to the lowest levels since mid/late January.

 

Correct, in China it’s scale down...for now.
South Korea is doing pretty well, they’ve enacted a lot of aggressive habits...like drive thru testing
Germany doesn’t have one death yet, last time I looked...they’ve got strong insurance policies.
Russia solution is to say quarantine yourself or go to prison.

Places like the US are having a hard time.
Their culture is too dynamic and undisciplined
Italy, Iran, Spain, etc...
It doesn’t help that the US doesn’t have the best health policy.

It also depends on how the government is reacting
Or has reacted before it hit.

This thing is a doozy, different than the others
These surprisingly common underlying conditions make coronavirus worse — National Geographic

@ASU2003, yes that’s the kind of mask
The only one that can prevent the CV19 or any virus.
AND you have to be trained how to put it on.
Any incorrect wearing or seal, it won’t prevent it.

We’ll see how we do
It’s not looking so hot.
Kinda ugly as the mask...

 

Why Deaths from Coronavirus Are So High in Italy

This is an interesting read on how demographics impact the number of cases and severity, which helps explains Italy’s struggles. It also has info from South Korea showing how low the death rate really is (0.6% there) once you include lower risk and less severe cases in the stat pool.

Many employers in the US, even those like Walmart who are known not to be too employee friendly, are implementing relaxed policies towards attendance, working from home, or how quarantines will impact employment.

Walmart sets emergency leave policy for 1.4M hourly workers

 

An older population! Aha! Now Italy's numbers make more sense.
Also explains why it's hitting Japan pretty hard, since they have 28% of the population aged 65 or older.

 

So now we will see how the local government supports quarantined and sequestered people

Containment Area Planned for New York Suburb to Stem Coronavirus Spread

 

Yes older retired folks...

 

Yes, but Italy has a very dynamic and kinda rebellious nation.
Germany tends to be stricter
South Korea has been prepped for North attack for years.
Japan is also incredibly dense in population and still allows movement

China just locked everything DOWN
At least once they didn’t deny it.

Question is, the US going to lock down???
If so, then it may be better
Remember, young folk may not get sick
But they can be carriers

And from what I hear in Italy, even IF they’re not dying
The serious and critical cases are overwhelming the system.
With this thing, it’s not “just” about death, it’s harm.

Think it like comprehending the wounded in war.
Death is just one factor
There’s more