Its already here anyway. Saddle up and enjoy the hysteria of the UK press corp!

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

What happens if we do all that with the massive personal and financial costs involved and it still doesn’t not contain it?

Scientific rationale and epidemiology go out the window in the face of multinational and media hysteria.

The current response is a much much bigger issue than the disease in almost every aspect. It is an interesting insight into the human psyche and the misconception that we can control everything now we are in the twenty first century. The very best we may be able to do, but at a massive cost, is to slow down the spread. 

Edit: I totally agree with your points Peter.

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

Former chair of the Global Health Council: ‘The worst-case scenario for coronavirus is likely’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/the-worst-case-scenario-for-coronavirus-dr-jonathan-quick-q-and-a-laura-spinney

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

In the interview he appears to say "increasingly likely" which could be interpreted differently.

The large increase in the UK could be because of more of testing. If not it suggests we should rapidly move up the league table.

I continue to think in the UK this will peak with infections measured in thousands or tens of thousands and deaths in hundreds. However, we eagerly await the daily update from Italy. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

What happens if we do all that with the massive personal and financial costs involved and it still doesn’t not contain it?

Scientific rationale and epidemiology go out the window in the face of multinational and media hysteria.

The current response is a much much bigger issue than the disease in almost every aspect. It is an interesting insight into the human psyche and the misconception that we can control everything now we are in the twenty first century. The very best we may be able to do, but at a massive cost, is to slow down the spread. 

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

In the interview he appears to say "increasingly likely" which could be interpreted differently.

The large increase in the UK could be because of more of testing. If not it suggests we should rapidly move up the league table.

I continue to think in the UK this will peak with infections measured in thousands or tens of thousands and deaths in hundreds. However, we eagerly await the daily update from Italy. 

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

What happens if we do all that with the massive personal and financial costs involved and it still doesn’t not contain it?

Scientific rationale and epidemiology go out the window in the face of multinational and media hysteria.

The current response is a much much bigger issue than the disease in almost every aspect. It is an interesting insight into the human psyche and the misconception that we can control everything now we are in the twenty first century. The very best we may be able to do, but at a massive cost, is to slow down the spread. 

Edit: I totally agree with your points Peter.

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

Former chair of the Global Health Council: ‘The worst-case scenario for coronavirus is likely’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/the-worst-case-scenario-for-coronavirus-dr-jonathan-quick-q-and-a-laura-spinney

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

If you read that interview, he’s actually referring to it becoming a pandemic and I think anyone thinking rationally would expect that’s highly likely.  He also says a pandemic in the sense that the WHO define it!  

 “The worst case is that the outbreak goes global and the disease eventually becomes endemic, meaning it circulates permanently in the human population.”

Originally Posted by: Caz 

The impact on the logistical extravaganza which keeps the good denizens of this country stocked up with pies, iPhones and giant tellies and the reaction of these people are what interest me.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

Italy seem slow reporting today. Perhaps a recount has been requested?

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

I thought we would have to wait for the entertainment until Jan 2021, but it could be happening in the next few weeks!

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

Aim higher, imagine a proper virus epidemic next winter combined with a no deal brexit. Biblical stuff! 

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

Easter school  holidays are in 5 weeks so I wouldn't be surprised to see a UK wide school shut down in  2 or 3 weeks so we get a 4/5 week Easter holiday. School closures are a very good way of slowing down the contagion.  But I agree with others that we can't stop this now but if we can get to summer when the NHS is under less pressure it might/ hopefully will be able to cope with all the Covid19 patients.  Unprecedented times!

Originally Posted by: Ally Pally Snowman 

Indeed, it must be more than 3 years now that I have stopped carrying cash and rely mostly on my phone for payments.

Interesting what you say about door handles, I've always tried to avoid touching door handles and the taps in toilets (I use paper), it sounds excessive & hypochondriac, but touching them does increase the risk of getting bugs. It's funny seeing people washing their hands and then touching the taps and the toilet door handles, people who don't wash their hand at all are probably better off!

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

They put alcohol hand cleanser in the "bogs" at work but as you say, it only works if everyone uses it  and doesn't contaminate the bog door handle !

Personally I think it would be better to put the cleanser in the kitchenettes where people prepare their lunch.

With respect to shops, I think they are a major hazard.  I've  been shopping on-line for basic groceries for  well over a decade but still use the "local shops for local people" for meat, veg and fruit.   A week ago some b*stard dampened the back of my neck by sneezing on to it

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

I'm liking the sound of that. 

Even if they just keep the kids off, I'll be happy to just go in and look after my woodland and gardening areas  

Assuming of course I don't succumb to the virus myself...

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 

I am reflecting on what it would be like for working parents to have to adjust to this situation if it does develop to a worst case outbreak. A few times in my teaching career we had to close school because so many teachers were affected by 'flu, never mind the kids who were down with it. That was disruptive enough, as 'flu is over "relatively quickly" in most instances. Parents found it difficult. The thought of closed schools and kids at home for several weeks is a worrying one. Whole families could find themselves quarantined.

With this unfamiliar virus we simply do not know what lies ahead. Makes planning difficult.

Roger

Originally Posted by: Roger Parsons 

Yes it would be a very difficult situation Roger. I teach in a special school and we have many children with very challenging behaviour. For the parents and carers of these children, school serves not only as a place of education but as a means of respite. 

On one of our sites we also have many children with underlying health problems and it's scary to think of the consequences of a widespread outbreak for them. Before Christmas we had loads of children and staff off ill and with the nature of the children we look after - no understanding of hygiene issues etc - infection is so easily spread.  

Originally Posted by: Northern Sky 

Yes. Correct. I read the interview before posting the link. Wonders never cease.

Originally Posted by: Justin W