Covid 19 news

that is the best case scenario, if everyone complies and is sensible and public spirited.
maybe a high proportion of guardian readers are likely to be so; but the general public...? maybe not so many.
its like driving, there are rules of the road that everyone should obey; but part of good, defensive, driving is to be aware and anticipate that other drivers may not obey those rules.

Yes I read that too OP and agree, sensible advice when people seem to be losing perspective (I’m interested to see when I do my weekly shop later if there’s any toilet roll!)

People that panic buy really annoy me. They create the shortages and make it so difficult for everyone else.

It is all down to common sense though isn't it ?

Where do we get our recommended solutions of ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and bleach?? What is it?
If the wretched virus can survive on door handles for 72 hours it's a wonder anyone will escape infection at all.

I have tried and failed so far to find anyone to do the Wuhan Shake (feet) with me. Meanies. I've been practising with a spare shoe in front of a long mirror and am pretty good now tho I say so myself. So much more fun than elbow nudging.

Thank you for the link Dora.

I was at a function recently. A young man, luckily in front of me sneezed into his hands every five minutes for nearly an hour and a half, no handkerchief (as seems to be the usual). He got some daggers from the folk in front. It was not an occasion that anyone could tell him off. The point I want to make is, if people like him cannot follow basic hygiene,what hope do we actually have of stopping the spread? One young woman near me at the hairdressers using her phone, sneezed all over it and her hands and went on her merry way to get her hair done. This after weeks now of a handwashing/use handkerchief campaign. I hasten to add on both occasions I used my hand gel after witnessing this and then went and washed my own hands after being near these people. Are they really this thick, or, are they not taking it seriously?

I went to a funeral last night (not flu related - cancer) the girl was only 54.

There was talk (humorous) amongst the elders that we could no longer hongi, as is usual when the hosts (locals) meet and greet visitors - in this case, over 300 people.

Of course we've had no deaths here and only 4 confirmed cases of corona so far but the concensus of opinion was that such a deeply held spiritual belief surrounding the hongi, is far more important than getting flu (corona, bird, asian or just plain A, B or C).

Some newspapers have reported that Maori tribes have banned it.

Not true, it's a taupāruru, a caution - which gives people choice.
Do they think it is more important to show respect to a visitor by offering this spiritual greeting?
Or would it show more respect by just an impersonal shaking of hands, to minimise the risk of giving or getting infection?
We decided to hongi - and 300 people is a lot of folk to mingle breath with.

Few Kiwis will know that shaking hands is really a proof that you are not going to draw your sword and attack It has no spiritual meaning.

Fiachna50

I think the key word in your post is ‘young’.
They probably aren’t that worried as it won’t happen to them of course, and if it does, well they are ‘young’ and will soon get over it.

The article was amended March 7 2020:

This article was amended on 7 March 2020. An earlier version wrongly stated that “a solution of ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and bleach will disinfect surfaces”. It is dangerous to combine such substances. It now states correctly that “a solution of ethanol, hydrogen peroxide or bleach will disinfect surfaces”.

It's been determined that the virus spreads easily, faster than the flu, and can live on surfaces for at least a week-

I'm sure that many younger people think it's just like a bad cold or 'flu and aren't that worried. They think it will just affect the oldies.

Chestnut, younger people may not be concerned about themselves, but are concerned about the elderly and unwell-

I'm sure most are rosecarmel, but there will be a proportion of them who won't worry about older folk. What that proportion is I don't know.

Ellanvannin you’re so right but sadly common sense seems to be flying off the shelves as quickly as loo roll and handwash are!