WHO declares Pandemic

I have a heart block, diabetes, history of strokes, along with a number of other health problems. Am I anxious about this virus? Yes I am, but more so by the attitude of others. The virus isn't funny, or a joke and a significant chunk of the population are at risk of serious secondary infections. I've even read arguments that it might be one way of reducing the welfare bill.

So me? I not only fear the virus, but fear that I or my husband will be put on the scrap heap.

Statement by Prof John Ashton, a former regional director of public health for north-west England, who has launched a devastating critique of the government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, saying it is too little too late, lacks transparency and fails to mobilise the public.

He accused the government of failing to understand public health, which has been undermined over the past 10 years by cuts in funding of 30% to local authorities, which were given responsibility for it under policy changes made by Andrew Lansley, the former health secretary.

There were no strategies for protecting the vulnerable and there had been a failure to engage the public. “We have a superficial prime minister who has got no grasp of public health,” Ashton said. “Our lot are behaving like 19th-century colonialists playing a five-day game of cricket.

“This virus will find the weak points. You can’t just plan this from an office in Whitehall. It’s pathetic. The government doesn’t seem to understand classic public health. You need to be out and about. You need to get your hands dirty – though preferably gloved and using frequent gel,” he said.

He warned that the NHS was not in a position to cope with the large numbers of people who could become seriously ill. “It’s a joke when they put up people to say they are really on top of it and if it spreads at a community level the NHS will cope, it’s always coped. The hospitals are full at the moment, A&Es are full, beds are full, intensive care is full.”

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/health-expert-brands-uks-coronavirus-response-pathetic

We're currently on holiday for a week in Lanzarote. We were informed yesterday by a tour guide that there is no Corona virus on the island as it's too warm and dry. Last night we had a message from our daughter telling us that if we wanted to take back some gifts from our holiday that we should buy toilet rolls, pasta and paracetamol. There is a lovely display of glass jars full of pasta in the hotel restaurant so we suggested to the waiter last night that maybe they should be locked away in case British holidaymakers decided to snaffle them! ?

Margs surely people are stocking up on the vegetables that are easy to store if people need to be housebound for a couple of weeks. It doesn't mean those same people aren't also buying fresh food too!

DoraMarr I think you are missing the point..

Had an e-mail from a lovely beauty-spa I occasionally use for facials. It is in lovely environment and location. E-mail states just for precautionary measures the Spa has gone on lock-down (from 11 March).
They are saying they may find a temporary place to do some treatments and will let clients know if they do.
I think the reason could be that situated around the location are some very exclusive retirement houses and maybe they do not want people coming in and out of the spa in case of infection. Looks like I will have to take my Mothers Day facial elsewhere.

What could govt have done?
Temperature testing at airports for visitors from lockdown areas.
Declined Trump's kind offer to have UK as only European country US will accept planes from (as this means mainland European visitors to US will fly via UK)
Increased cleaning requirements in govt/council buildings, and encouraged shops etc to do the same
Talked planning to hospitals and supermarkets sooner
Had 1st COBRA meeting several weeks sooner
That's taken me 5 minutes to think up. I'd expect a more comprehensive list from govt!

Tickingbird approximately 0.006% of the population of the UK (66,800,000) were infected as of yesterday. (To put it into perspective, there is a 1 in two million chance of being knocked down by a bus.) Wash your hands, get some exercise, eat well and don’t panic.

Thank you Tillybelle...

well i think that gb is thinking it cant happen to us .thats why the government not doing anything .after all you cant shut up every venue where there are people.i a just letting things ride.as before we have had swine flu ,asian bird flu and good old flu.there wasnt this panic as there is now.my daughter and i have had really bad cough/temperature/breathing probls .was that corona virus? i have underlying health problems .but its gone now and we are well agaIN .MY DOCTORS RESPONSE WAS ITS ONLY FLU GET OVER IT

I went shopping for sawdust this morning, for my sons guinea pigs and couldn't believe the panic buying. I had to go to three different shops before I found some. (Are people planning to use buckets in the garden?). I overheard a conversation at the checkout that after the cobra meeting today, all shops will close and we will all be told self isolate. This was obviously their excuse for three trolleys full of food! Really?? I must admit though that when asked if I would like my receipt, I said yes. You never know, we might need them when the toilet roll runs out!

Tillybelle Thank you so much for your lovely post to me. It's so appreciated and it has touched my heart. Bless you x

I had a shingles vaccination yesterday and the nurse told me that the horse had already bolted and did it over a week ago!

tickingbird. With your phobia you will naturally feel threatened by this flu.

Please try to calm yourself as much as possible. The probability of your developing pneumonia as a result of catching this virus and being unable to breathe is practically zero. It does not warrant worrying about. A day worrying about something that won't happen is a day wasted. Just keep doing the sensible things. Looking at the worst scenario: My mother died of a deep chest infection. She had Alzheimers. She was in no discomfort at the end. I tell you that because that is the bottom line - the worst that can happen. BUT - a big but - it is such a low chance it will happen to you there is no need for you to think about it any more! I forbid you to worry about it from now on!!
With love, Elle x

I must just make a confession to all! I have just taken delivery of one of my "subscribe and save" Amazon items. I am expecting my home to be raided any minute. It is a huge pack of ....... Toilet rolls!! They were 12 rolls for the price of 9 but not available any more sorry!

China went into immediate lock down, built hospitals for 1000’s patients, made 1000’s ECMO machines available, and as we can see even these measures were not really enough. UK USA EU haven’t done anything but tell us to wash our hands ( when it could be airborne) . It’s atrocious and who will pay the price of this.

I felt bad cancelling going to parties and a lunch but ...

We have decided to “social distance” from now on, avoiding groups/public spaces, unfortunately we have my brother staying who goes everywhere and until he is able to get home to Spain, we can’t really be thorough. And I have a hospital appointment on Monday evening which I need to keep as I won’t get another chance for treatment for maybe 3 months!

I think the big problem in this country is the lack of testing. They have no idea how it is spreading in the community. Italian doctors have said they missed the chance to slow it down initially because the were only testing people who had been arriving back from certain areas. We are doing the same thing here, if you have symptoms unless you have travelled back recently from certain countries or been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed positive then no testing for you. The figures they are publishing every day are quite frankly meaningless. I am immuno suppressed and my DH is diabetic. I am not panicking but definately worried.

Margs what a mean tweet - folk are stocking up for a long term siege? How long will fresh food last? Easy to be disdainful of others’ fears. A couple of weeks ago Gransnet full of those saying the virus was nothing to worry about, completely missing the public health implications. If 10% of those infected need hospital care (and that is one scientific opinion) that is a lot of folk crowding out an NHS that we have squeaked to the bone and usually running on 90+% bed occupancy. If NHS flooded, other acute illnesses will not be treated. And staff numbers will be affected as some will be isolating because they are infected. We are looking at maybe 4-10 weeks disruption, supply lines may fail. I am not sure I have met a cauliflower that lasts that long...

I nipped in to use the loo in Marks & Spencer yesterday and while I’m washing my hands, singing the happy birthday song twice (in my head!) at least three women came out, “washed” their hands, and used the only hand drier there, all before I finished singing! Don’t think some people are taking it seriously. ?

Margs I agree and something I was reading yesterday was advising healthy diet ie plenty of fresh veg and vitamin c and vitamin D. Also good quality sleep. All these things help to boost the immune system.

Strangely, there's no panic buying of fresh vegetables, plenty to go round. The gannets pounce on tinned and frozen veg., frozen pizzas, multi-packs of crisps etc, anything that doesn't require something called "a little effort."

I just guess that if you show the average millennial a big fresh cauliflower they'd be scratching their heads as to what to do with it until Kingdom come......

farview. I feel for you, and others with a similar dilemma, When your family are abroad and need you at this time it is such a difficult decision. I do hope you find a resolution that is right for you all.

As for the WHO giving pandemic status to this flu, it kind of makes me chuckle. Of course it underlines how widespread and how virulent it is. But it does not change anything! Corona virus will do what it's doing whatever status we afford it.

anniezzz09. I found your information really interesting. Thank you. I haven't seen the G. yet. It is with this knowledge that we/government should make decisions on how to prevent further infection. I would be quite drastic and have a severe restriction on movement, gatherings and would possibly close schools. It might need changing dates of exams. We need to take control and do what we can until it passes. I know it is not severe for the majority but there remain an inexplicable few who are young and fit who do die, as with the brave Doctor in China.

Meanwhile to all, good luck, keep in touch here, it raises my spirits to have our community to support each other, I am sure others probably feel the same!

I've decided if they don't close down education buildings as of monday i won't let my sons go to college or uni as they're in higher risk groups with neurological condition& asthma.I too have neuro& heart problem,so its just not worth the risk..i don't care what education authority do to me.its just not happening.??

Yes it is ageism but in the case of Italy where they are overwhelmed, doctors are having to make difficult decisions ie which to save, the 87 yr old or the 52 yr old with a younger family? It's a dreadful situation and I hope and pray it doesn't come to that over here. I have a real phobia about not being able to breathe and I do have underlying health issues. I'm ok and pretty fit but I am getting anxious as I think if I get it, I'll be in a bad way.