Coronavirus

GagaJo, you're not a killjoy-

If you think you have symptoms you're supposed to call 111, you'll be instructed what to do-

I imagine the first step is getting tested- But if in distress call 999- Or have someone drive you to hospital if you can't do it yourself-

Callistemon, yes, defo! Bring some humour into life, that's my motto.

I do hope water will still come from the tap as we very rarely buy bottled water, rosecarmel.

Perhaps one of those portable water filtering gadgets might be useful? But why would we need bottled water?
I know it was distributed because of the floods recently though.

If we reach the point where schools are closed this will just make the problem worse because their elderly grandparents will have to look after them, putting them at much greater risk. Symptoms are apparently very mild in babies and children but get progressively worse as you get older. If the schools are kept open then the parents can continue to work and the grandparents won't all be put at risk.

Callistemon, the U.S. is vulnerable to all kinds of weather and natural disasters that could interrupt water supply- If one were to occur during a pandemic, and stores were closed, people could be left without water until?

Our infrastructure is old, water mains break and sometimes household pipes freeze when not properly insulated - A lot could happen- Better to be prepared and have water on hand than to do without it-

Mike Pence indicated that the decision to close schools will be left to states and communities to decide, and the same goes for businesses-

I imagine parents will have to remain at home if schools and childcare facilities close? Probably a lot of answers to that matter could be found on Mumsnet?

If the schools are kept open then the parents can continue to work and the grandparents won't all be put at risk

But that just puts teachers at increased risk doesnt it? Not all of them no doubt will have been anywhere near the CoVid 19 hotspots. Not all teachers are young either. There are those over sixty I think.

Over in Australia they now have 33 cases and 2 people in Sydney who had not left Australia. I think we can assume the genie is well and truly out of the bottle.
I agree with someone who posted this The virus will spread because people are too lazy or too ignorant to follow healthy practices.

Australia's screening process seemed to be better than ours too.

Unless there is random screening, which would be expensive and inappropriate, it cannot be judged how far the virus is spreading in the community at present, as many will not become ill enough to be tested I would think.

Four more cases have been confirmed now. One is a film studio worker which makes me hope it's not Pinewood where DGD1 works. It's not clear whether he lives in Kent or works there.

merlot, try not to worry so much (if you possibly can) I know it's not easy.

I think it could be the ITV Studios, merlot

merlotgran it is the ITV Studios, Maidstone

Thanks, Calli and nanaK.

Does anyone know why Italy is such a hotspot?

I did think it could just have been that they were particularly active with testing but that wouldn't explain the number of confirmed cases here that are almost all recently returned from Italy.

The latest four to be confirmed in the last hour or so have all returned from Italy, as had the doctor at Mount Vernon hospital and the teacher in Wimbledon.

The random cases which have occurred when the person has had no known contact with anyone from overseas or other contacts is puzzling.

It travels in pizza.

I do think it would be better if people were made fully aware that the number of cases include those who have recovered.
I heard someone making this same point on Question Time on Saturday . Then in my Times this morning, there was a break down of the number of cases in the uk ; by Brighton 6 (Includes the super spreader ).Surely this would give a truer picture?.

I don't think it is Callistemon. We would probably find more if everyone was randomly screened (impossible I know).
I think it must prove extremely difficult to locate, or even be aware of every single and casual contact, and as I mentioned before, many may be symptomless, or have minor symptoms.
Many of us travel through hubs such as airports, stations and busy urban sites.
I dont feel too alarmed or anxious, the majority of us by the law of averages, even oldies, will be ok. It makes sense if you have risk factors, to avoid crowded areas where possible. Thankfully children seem less at risk.

I did read that the Italian doctor who saw an early (1st?) case did not follow protocol and sent the man away with treatment for flu. In the end he was seen 4 times, of course giving the virus a good chance to get a grip in the local community. The police did an start an investigation into the initial handling although I have not heard anything since.

The random cases which have occurred when the person has had no known contact with anyone from overseas or other contacts is puzzling.
Anyone incubating the virus for two weeks or more can be in contact with an awful lot of people in that time, especially if they use public transport, eat in a restaurant or go shopping. I don't think there is any way to keep this virus under control, we can only protect ourselves with hygiene measures.

I read an interesting article by a WHO person. It seems that China's strategy of starting with the infected person and finding all their contacts has really helped to contain the spread. This is instead of just general guidance. They really focused hard on reaching and containing the contacts of infected individuals. As I said : interesting. As ever, time will tell.

Another 12 have tested positive. Total now 51.

I was in the local chemist today and a woman came and stood next to me and asked the young assistant loading the shelves if she could recommend something for a dreadful cold which had come on suddenly. The young assistant told her to ask the chemist and backed away quickly! I backed away in the other direction.
I'm sure it was just a cold.

I then came home and saw on the news an interview with a woman in Singapore who has recovered. She said she had a cold and then felt better quickly for about a week, before she fell really ill and had to be isolated in hospital