Gransnet forums

Chat

Corona virus and self-isolation

(72 Posts)
MamaCaz Wed 29-Jan-20 08:39:17

I was half-listening to the news earlier, and I heard them say that those being airlifted from Wohan will be examined, and those showing no symptoms asked to self-isolate for two weeks (because I wasnt fully listening, I'm not sure which nationality this related to).

How would that work? It already seems to have been established that this virus spreads before symptoms are present, so it's quite likely that some of those people will be infected (even more chance of that after they fly home together!)
How many of those people will have a home to go to where they will be totally alone? How will they get to that home without putting others (taxi drivers?) at risk? How many will fully observe this self-imposed isolation if feeling ok?

To me, this feels like a ticking time bomb!

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 17:51:13

We used to self-isolate , didn't we notanan

Children with chickenpox and other childhood diseases, and years ago measles , etc were kept home, people with flu stayed at home and didn't go to A&E unless advised by a GP.

I do remember 'mumps parties' though.

I don't think I would want to be on a plane with other people who just might be incubating this disease.

Chestnut Wed 29-Jan-20 18:02:21

Franbern: It does seem as if this virus has a high risk of being passed around, but fatality rate is extremely low.
Dr Hilary said on TV that there is a mortality rate of 50% for anyone over 60 years.
That is serious for our age group.

BlueBelle Wed 29-Jan-20 18:34:13

I believe UK is isolating returnees from Wohan in a military establishment for 2 weeks anyone arriving from other parts of China will be asked to self isolate
There is a lot of hype Franbern is right we have been here before with Bird flu, Sars, Ebola outbreaks and I remember all the terrible news over mad cow disease and beef burgers and imagining all the young kids eating fast food beef products were going to be badly effected

I m sure the mortality rate for all types of flu and pneumonia in our age group is about the same figures chestnut
All the people so far tested in Uk have been negative Let’s keep it in perspective it’s serious but not here at the moment
An expert talking on Radio seemed to think it will peak in about a week so fingers crossed

quizqueen Wed 29-Jan-20 18:42:29

Malaria kills thousands of people every year; people don't stop travelling to those countries where it is rampant. All types of flu also kills thousands every year. Nothing new.

suziewoozie Wed 29-Jan-20 18:50:53

You don’t catch malaria from other people and everyone I know who goes to countries where there is malaria takes medication. Hardly a relevant compamarison

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 19:43:00

Chestnut does Dr Hillary have evidence to back up that claim?
So far there has been a 3% death rate over all age groups but the information coming out of China may not be up to date.

humptydumpty Wed 29-Jan-20 19:48:18

Surely this is an excellent opportunity for the international to hone their policies ahead of a more serious pandemic, which appears to be a likely occurrence, so the experts say - it's not really a deal-breaker how dangerous this virus is?

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 20:01:07

The WHO are the ones to declare if this new coronavirus is a pandemic.
They will be convening again tomorrow.

suziewoozie Wed 29-Jan-20 20:13:00

A spokesman from WHO today said we should be very grateful to China for their response. It’s easy to sneer about panicking when we’re still not directly affected and none of us is a public health expert. I expect a 17th century version of GN would have criticised Eyam. The fallacy of the don’t panickers position is that it’s not founded on what would have happened if preventative strategies had not been out in place - the same with BSE

MamaCaz Wed 29-Jan-20 20:23:10

suziewoozie
A spokesman from WHO today said we should be very grateful to China for their response. It’s easy to sneer about panicking when we’re still not directly affected and none of us is a public health expert. I expect a 17th century version of GN would have criticised Eyam. The fallacy of the don’t panickers position is that it’s not founded on what would have happened if preventative strategies had not been out in place - the same with BSE

?

Chestnut Wed 29-Jan-20 23:19:44

Callistemon: does Dr Hillary have evidence to back up that claim?
He is a well qualified doctor, not just a GP, and I have always assumed he knows what he's talking about.
www.drhilaryjones.com/about-doctor-hilary-jones/

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 23:28:18

He is a tv doctor and probably well qualified, but is he a specialist in infectious diseases, does he have information directly from China or the WHO?

Fiachna50 Thu 30-Jan-20 03:01:57

They are treating this with the same arrogance they treated Ebola and we missed a complete disaster with that by the skin of our teeth. They have known about Coronavirus for months, they knew it was in Wuhan for months. People were allowed to fly all over the place and carry on as usual. Nothing like shutting the stable door when the horse has bolted. To me, no point worrying about it as none of the authorities in this country ever seem to bother anyway. There is a definite ' it won't happen here' attitude in this country. You will be fine if you wash your hands, the health professionals answer to every crisis.

Callistemon Thu 30-Jan-20 17:06:22

Who are they who knew about novel coronavirus Fiachna?

Did the Chinese Authorities know for months and not inform the WHO? Or were the WHO informed and did nothing?

As far as I was aware, it was not identified until late December, although rumours were circulating in the medical world in December about a new, mysterious, illness.

Callistemon Thu 30-Jan-20 23:30:58

none of the authorities in this country ever seem to bothered

A GP on QT has just informed us that the Government has sent out a lot of information to the medical profession about this new disease and the procedures to put in place.

The press is not always right.

suziewoozie Thu 30-Jan-20 23:34:53

Call I heard a GP saying exactly the same thing on the radio on Monday I think. Flachnas post was just an ignorant rant.

janipat Thu 30-Jan-20 23:42:12

The WHO has declared the virus to be a global health emergency, but has emphasised this is in no way an indication of no confidence in China.

SueDonim Fri 31-Jan-20 00:44:18

Some of my dd’s medic friends are currently being trained to deal with an outbreak of coronavirus so things are being done.

janipat Fri 31-Jan-20 00:54:33

SueDonim that's reassuring to hear, although no more than I'd expect. Some people are pontificating, others are taking action.

fiorentina51 Fri 31-Jan-20 01:05:46

I am currently on holiday in New Zealand. Due to the Chinese new year celebrations there are a huge number of visitors from China over here, some wearing face masks but most not. Keeping my fingers crossed that non of them are carrying the virus.....for their sakes as well as mine. ?

JenniferEccles Fri 31-Jan-20 08:47:39

This virus is affecting people in all sorts of ways.

A Costa ship is docked at Civitavecchia as two Chinese on board are possibly showing signs of the virus.

Of course this time of year it could just as easily be flu but meanwhile none of the passengers are allowed to disembark.