I’m way past my twenties and although I’m the right side of 80, if a virus gets me, so be it.  I’d rather the younger generation not be affected economically and socially just to (maybe) save me in my dotage.  I’d rather risk the virus than dementia drag me down. 

Originally Posted by: Caz 

I had you as much younger from your views and posting style, let's say you look pretty young digitally 

It's a pleasure to have you on the forum!
 

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

I had you as much younger from your views and posting style, let's say you look pretty young digitally 

It's a pleasure to have you on the forum!
 

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

I see the first British person has died. He was on the Diamond Princess cruise. I wonder if his family has grounds to sue?

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

 Watch out, Caz - this is how stalking begins

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

I'm 50 and agree with these sentiments. After all what can I do other than what I am already doing? Washing hands etc. as I said weeks ago is something I have always done. Worrying about the virus and shrieking hysterically on internet forums is only likely to make matters worse for one's self and others. If my relatives in northern Italy can stay calm (but worried of course) then why the hell shouldn't I?

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

On the other hand, it does appear to be extraordinarily easy to catch corona virus simply from visiting the region - from CNN this afternoon:

"A woman from Cannes has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the Côté d’Azur region in the south of France.

The 23-year-old was admitted to a special isolation unit in the hospital in Nice after being found to be carrying the Covid-19 virus on Friday following a visit to Milan in Lombardy.

The authorities are waiting for the results of tests on a second person from the area."

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Watch out, Caz - this is how stalking begins

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

   Quite right!  As they say, ‘there’s only one thing in life that’s certain and that’s death’.

Was it you who posted on the first thread, that there’s evidence that panic and stress weakens the immune system?  It sounds like us older ones are indeed the wiser ones!  

Originally Posted by: Caz 

It sounds like us older ones are indeed the wiser ones!  

Originally Posted by: Caz 

It is not the logical answer.

Doing nothing will still mean 20% of people need ICU which will be intolerable for the NHS.

Younger people still get sick en masse which will also have a knock on economic impact. And those who are at the lowest risk, female teenagers and those in their twenties are the not that economically active anyway.

It's not one or the other. Delaying and flattening an epidemic will also reduce the economic impact.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

Contrary to the myths that arose from WWII, the Italians are generally a calm and sensible lot. They are also resilient. The English, however, are likely to become hysterical should this virus get a grip here. I expect full shelf-stripping madness by people of orange hue.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Not everyone over 80 has dementia!

Originally Posted by: howham 

Knock knock.

Who is there?

Sue.

Sue who?

?????????

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Italy is a composite county "cobbled together" by  Garibaldi, so I'm supposing there are many  Italian "types".  

Having worked for a time  in Rome, I have to say, the driving style would certainly be described as "flamboyant"  on the other hand Italians I have worked with all seemed  pretty level headed and sensible.

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

Not everyone younger than 30 doesn't have it either.

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

Italy is a composite county "cobbled together" by  Garibaldi, so I'm supposing there are many  Italian "types".  

Having worked for a time  in Rome, I have to say, the driving style would certainly be described as "flamboyant"  on the other hand Italians I have worked with all seemed  pretty level headed and sensible.

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

Some helpful stats to get this into perspective:

COVID-19 Fatality Rate by AGE

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

That is incorrect.  You are assuming that 'serious' equates to requiring intensive care.  Additionally the current figure is 18% not 20%.

The stats I saw from China suggested 5% became critically ill, which I think better equates to requiring intensive care. Also bear in mind that the stats are dominated by China and that a lot of progress has been made in the last two months to understand which treatments work and to identify people earlier.  Obviously the sooner treatments are started the better the outcomes.

Some helpful stats to get this into perspective:

COVID-19 Fatality Rate by AGE:

*Death Rate = (number of deaths / number of cases) = probability of dying if infected by the virus (%). This probability differs depending on the age group. The percentage shown below does NOT represent in any way the share of deaths by age group. Rather, it represents, for a person in a given age group, the risk of dying if infected with COVID-19.

The higher rates in those 70 and above almost certainly links to the higher risk with pre-existing conditions:

PRE-EXISTING CONDITION DEATH RATE
Cardiovascular disease        10.5%
Diabetes                            7.3%
Chronic respiratory disease  6.3%
Hypertension                      6.0%
Cancer                               5.6%
no pre-existing conditions    0.9%

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Incidentally to Saint, I suspect part of the reason I post the way I do is because I'm an only child who has no elderly relatives: my parents and grandparents are long since gone, even though I'm only 40. I also have no children, no partner and no desire for either: I'm happy on my own.  It gives a different perspective from most, who'll have parents, spouses, siblings, children etc to worry about.

Originally Posted by: Retron 

I just added up the active cases outside of China (excluding Iran as their figures are not to be trusted) and checked how many were serious/critical. Assuming they are the ones that require hospitalisation then the percentage is 3.6% (not 20%).

Originally Posted by: speckledjim 

Yeh if Aberdeen or Glamorgan is quarantined.

But what if the far more likely scenario that London ends up getting it?

If there is an epidemic in the UK things will get bad quickly because the healthservice will be overwhelmed and the economy will collapse.

Originally Posted by: Quantum 

I'm sure Quantum will be along soon to lecture you about why your sums are wrong.

Originally Posted by: Saint Snow 

Makes you wonder how civilisation has lasted 1000's of years and not come to a complete standstill ,😵

Originally Posted by: Zubzero