Coronavirus

It's not flu! Might have some flu like symptoms but not flu. I think that it's right to be concerned but really no point in panicking.

I noticed a few empty shelves in Aldi this morning but that's normal as it's a small supermarket and they are constantly stocking up.

I've been stocking up as well. Not because I'm overly concerned, well, not for myself but DH has been struggling to recover from last year's long stay in hospital due to sepsis and subsequent heart failure. He's very anxious about catching anything let alone Coronavirus. One way of reassuring him is to keep telling him that as we live in an isolated property he's unlikely to come into contact with anyone who is infectious and if I have plenty of food and drink in the house, I don't need to go out either.

I've never known him so paranoid. He's normally telling everyone else not to make a fuss.

Our lovely district nurse told him this morning, when he went for a routine blood test, not to get worked up about a forthcoming outpatients appointment but to phone and ask for a chat with the consultant instead. Apparently they are happy to phone back. I didn't know that and it would be a good solution.

According to DSiL, the military take on it all - considering there are many heading off for deployment, is it's 'flu'. If your immune system isn't compromised in any way this is no more of a threat than any other outbreak of 'flu'

I hope he's right.

Our town is flooded and three shopping centres closed so not much chance of stockpiling here! Our train line closed also, so perhaps we are inadvertently self isolating! Some roads still open.

We're a bit short of loo paper, but if food is in short supply perhaps we won't need it

Fortunately Mr SW takes his wine stocking duties very seriously, Coronavirus or not.

I ventured to a big out of town Sainsbury’s today to buy some bedding. I wandered around the food dept and the shelves were on the empty side they had either not been restocked or the stockpiling has begun. The checkouts were busy with lots of full trolleys.

I stocked up on wine......just in case

Do you ever listen to LBC maddy? This morning James O’Brien discussed this issue of being paid if you had to be in quarantine or self isolate. He learned a lot about how many people would suffer financially. I began to think that if you had to stay at home because of the risk you might pose, there should be some government system to compensate you or your employer.

Economically it’s pretty dire for the whole world. Companies will lose massive amounts of money, and how will people fare who are expected to quarantine themselves? Will they still be paid? A lot probably won’t, it’s going to lead to some very difficult times for a lot of people.

I am also becoming a bit more concerned to be honest, I’m wondering how far it will spread, and for how long. I’m concerned about the possibility of my 92 year old mother catching it, if it arrives here, in the part of England where we live. I’m concerned for everyone who is vulnerable, both here and abroad.

I feel concerned about the illness as opposed to frightened also we just have to be extra vigilant with keeping our hands clean and covering mouths when coughing etc.
It was appalling this morning to see a man coughing badly near the bus stop,no tissue or handkerchief to hand.
My friend who works at a local travel agents said booking are way down for holidays and she expects it to get worse over the next few weeks.
Many is the time I have come off a flight and the first few days I have felt poorly possibly due to germs picked up from the air conditioning on board but am not sure if it has been connected.

PS I meant to say regarding keeping surfaces clean, the coronavirus, unlike some other more delicate viruses, will survive even on dry surfaces including skin for three hours so cleaning matters.

Seriously I am getting a bit more concerned ( I think that’s the word I mean not frightened or worried but concerned).

I have to say I find him very intelligent and I have always found intelligence a real turn on.

Like for diarrhoea germs, the top preventive is hand washing especially if you are keeping stuff clean for a family or for an institution like a restaurant, school, or old peoples home.

Normal good domestic cleaning of kitchen and bathroom surfaces is also quite important.

Unlike for instance some disease germs, the coronavirus, like many other viruses, is also spread by invisible droplets from coughing or sneezing or even breathing. If you want to be very very safe, stay away from enclosed spaces with other people in them.

General natural immunity is a good preventive. Get enough rest and sleep and some exercise as suits you especially in open air. Drink enough fluids. Don't smoke. Eat nourishing food.

1 large Hôtel on lock down in Tenerife

Common signs of the newly identified coronavirus have been listed by the World Health Organization (WHO):

Coughing
Breathing difficulties, wheezing and shortness of breath
Pneumonia
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Kidney failure

Only joking.

Of course you do Suzie

I mean this in the most correct way, but if I lived in London, I would have offered him my spare room.

Ooh, we’ve got the Rory Stewart fan club here, I like him too.

PS I like RS very much indeed

I don’t think it’s fair to say there is no preparation. But it’s probably fair to assume that a service so stretched and with staff shortages simply could not be prepared for many cases. If the worst happens, the first thing that will happen will surely be cancellation of all non emergency NHS treatment to free up resources and beds.

I have a lot of time for Rory Stewart too. Says it like it is.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the truth is there are no preparations .

Which experts daisymae. In the interest of keeping an open mind I’m happy to read their opinions. Please post link.

Good idea grannypauline I'm minded to do the same. Rory Stewart (I've always rated him) was on Today prog this morning saying that the government should be much more upfront about the preparations they are making for a major outbreak in the UK.

He said that he thinks people are more reassured, and not panicked, when they have information about the preparattions being undertaken.

I agree with him and think this is where, IMO true leadership by our PM will show, or not.

I see on the news this morning that a hotel in tenerife is on lockdown because of the corona virus we have lots of friend in Tenerife at the moment. I suppose we have to be thankful at this time for staying home due to my present condition .