Italy

I don't consider that I am being 'led by donkeys' and I am fully aware of the reality of our current predicament. I read this thread about the crisis in Italy, and then I scroll down to your cheap remark.

I suggest you investigate the truth of the 'lions led by donkeys' statement before you use it again; Gary Sheffield's book is very good, and there are others as well; they deal in facts.

I think Brendawymms is on track with the problem in Italy. The virus didn't just magically appear. It was brought to them by infected people, possibly in numbers large enough to cause much contamination. The Italian culture does bring people together. The day before covid it was charming. Now it is having to be curtailed. They need education and support. Not condemnation.

The problem also lies at the other end of the demographic range. Italy has a very low birth rate and has had fr over30 years. It has dropped by nearly two thirds since 1950 and a third since 1980. It is causing the country real ecnomic problems because the elderly now account for nearly a quarter of the population and we now see the medical problems this can cause

Rene I, too, had that same virus in November. I was ill for 3 weeks and the cough was awful. I was talking to nurse friend of mine a couple of days ago and she said she had it as well. It would be good to have the antibody test but from what I saw on tv today when an Italian dr was speaking he said it was a severe form of pneumonia and people should stop thinking it's a kind of flu!

varian the politicians are being advised by the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Scientific Officer, NHS chiefs and other people who seem to know exactly what they are talking about.

I've also noticed from your post how bad my typing Is.
Dinahmo, it take it that it's autocorrect.
Mine is shocking sometimes and I can spell - honestly!!

Sophrosyne very interesting.

Virtual hugs would be fine!

when an Italian dr was speaking he said it was a severe form of pneumonia and people should stop thinking it's a kind of flu!

Does anyone think it is a kind of flu? Doctors from all nationalities have been making that clear since Day 1 and posters on GN have also been saying this for at least a fortnight.

My typing is rubbish. The tips of my fingers on my right hand are mostly numb so my pressure on the keys is very variable. I do try to remember to proof read, but always miss some errors.

So many people saying they had a similar virus around November/December. I have never had respiratory problems before but about the middle of November developed a a non stop cough and woke in the night feeling really breathless. Had to go to the out of hours GP who told me my lungs were congested and put me on a strong antibiotic. It was very frightening. Don’tvknow how it could have been related to Covid 19 but where did it come from?
I’d had the flu jab back in September.

you think it won't get that bad here?My daughter had an eye op in Moorfields today, was supposed to have it under a general anaesthetic but had to have sedation instead as they are saving it for what is to come, they are also shortly turning a ward into a coronvirus ward. Boris has been far too slow to act, we had advance warning from China and Italy and could have acted much more strongly much sooner but they weren't listening to the experts and seemed to think herd protection would be easy and thousands will die as a result, sorry for the rant but I am so angry. The wishy washy telling pubs and restaurants to close asap only resulted in people going out for a last meal/drink, he should have closed them at least a week or two ago, not an easy decision but a sensible one.

@shortlegs I hope you are joking and not as selfish as you seem

I think it was a joke Soniah

It is also to do with fact that a vast amount of Italians smoke and consequently have damaged lungs and lower immunity to disease.

Lots of theories.

It will be interesting when this dreadful thing is finally dealt with and the results of the various investigations published based on actual scientific and social evidence to find out the whys and wherefore of it all.

I think there is quite a lot of scientific evidence now on the behaviour of coronaviruses, but each one has its own peculiarities.

One thing I would like to see is those countries whose hygiene rules regarding other species, both farmed and caught in the wild are not up to scratch or adequately policed (as this time in China) must absolutely comply with agreed rules that the WHO say should be imposed.

We may be able to guard against another species virus jump in future. Almost certainly not entirely but reduce the risk.

So many people saying they had a similar virus around November/December

I had an awful virus last year which fits the bill. It started on Good Friday with a really terrible sore throat like swallowing knives, then turned into a dreadful cough. I coughed for 5 months, strained a muscle in my chest with the severity of coughing, had 2 asthma attacks, needed 2 courses of antibiotics and 2 courses of steroids for the bad crackling in my lungs, and was X-rayed for Pneumonia... thankfully negative.

I have been coughing a little bit ever since. I definitely don't want that again (or worse!)

I did talk about this Ibuprofen issue earlier Dinahmo.
I think you will find that Suziewoozie is right regarding the advice on the NHS website and choosing Paracetamol instead.

Please can you link to where the NHS says it’s a hoax as I can’t find it.
You say ^”The NHS website says so, in so many words.^” but where?

Here’s the link to suziewoozie’s info:
www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/

Thanks Not I’m just fed up with people thinking it’s fine to give any medical advice on here without verifying it- I copied and pasted the actual text because some people just don’t open links for some reason . I’m incredibly responsible about giving factual information of any kind on GN but with CV it’s even more important.

Oh sorry suziewoozie - I thought I was being helpful. I knew you had copied and pasted it but feel so many people don’t seem to bother to check anything and just believe what they prefer.
Apologies.

Oh ok,
You are thanking me!?
You are just calling me Not!
More apologies suziewoozie!

I wonder if certain blood types are more susceptible to this virus and whether there is a preponderance of certain types in some localities?

Perhaps we may find out in months to come.

I said something similar to daughter today Callistemon. There are variables with this virus that we don't understand yet. The facts will reveal themselves, probably a fair while after it is under control. As an academic exercise, it'll be interesting to know.

Better to know now of course, but that is wishful thinking!

Sorry for confusion NotSpaghetti all clear now. Call there has been some preliminary research re blood types and CV in China but it has not yet been peer reviewed.

It may be interesting to know when it's all over, just in case there is a new round as anticipated.

I agree Call and the Chinese are doing some really interesting research as they have so much data.They are being very generous in sharing it all as well. The only caveat is waiting for any of it to be peer reviewed which will happen.