News Worldwide impact of the novel coronavirus (covid-19)

[Sideways]

It was scary and a good lesson in the psychology of mobs and panic.

I agree. I'm anxious about the supermarket at the best of times, but yesterday I was afraid. And it's because of the media coverage. Every story about how you don't need to panic buy? Is covered in pictures of empty supermarket shelves. Seriously?

Turns out that living in a low income area, lots of struggling first-generation Australian families, means people here apparently can't afford to stockpile stuff they don't need. The shelves were as full as they usually are.

But I'm glad I don't have to go back for another week. It felt incredibly tense. Some guy got tasered in Big W after an argument about toilet paper. That stuff frightens me way more than the virus.

 

[Mee]

Ah. Yes well. I don’t shop. I recently re mastered online grocery shopping. They are bringing me my NORMAL amount of toilet paper on Sunday morning .

 

[blackemerald1]

I too think I'll master the online grocery shopping when I have to an all in one go shop. I watch the lady over the road get her deliveries and she's survived quite well. At Christmas time the truck driver stacked the crates eight high on the wheel trolley and did several trips.

Also, for me, I can remember everything I need at the supermarket and shops, until I get there. Then the whole thing gets too much and I forget and though I refer to my list repeatedly it's not simply an irritating must do task anymore, it's a trial that I dread.

The panic buying is spreading and is a self-fulfilling. People have fomo that's driving them to buy stuff they don't actually want or need?

The check out lady, who knows I'm a regular shopper told me that after these panic buying events people often come back with all the crap they've bought and try to get refunds on it? Wait a minute??

 

[Muttly]

I'm not real thrilled with the grocery shopping. Like you all said, this doesn't help.

My issue... I live in the core area it's at in the US. And I'm sick. And I don't have much sick leave. I don't really have any Covid symptoms. I have the symptoms I get when I get a sinus infection. There is some wheezing, but I have asthma and often wheeze when I get a respiratory infection. I just feel super self-conscious about being sick and don't know what to do about work and life. Self-isolating for two weeks would mean I couldn't pay basic bills. It would put my work in a terrible place. And is almost definitely not necessary. But I'm not always the best judge of health issues. I have a cyber appointment with my doctor tomorrow.

And... wearing a mask makes me feel panicky. It's a ptsd thing. And add in being wheezy and it makes the panic worse. And the stupid masks we have at work wouldn't even stop the corona virus. And I hand sanitize and wash my hands like mad when sick and cover any sneezes or coughs and don't shake hands. I really try to be considerate but when you don't have sick leave .... it just gets hard. And I'm afraid to post this for people jumping all over me for considering going to work tomorrow. And working remotely is not an option. Hard to hold a dog if you're working remotely. heh.

and its all made me a bit obsessed which I don't normally get about news stories

 

[blackemerald1]

@Muttly can you get a test done to see whether you have it? That might help with eliminating 99% of your concerns.

There are numerous respiratory illnesses and conditions around that you do not need to isolate for any of them. It's good you are connecting with your doctor to discuss this.

But, if you are unwell a few days off to get on top of your illness is worth considering imo.

 

[bellbird]

I don't really have any Covid symptoms. I have the symptoms I get when I get a sinus infection.

In NZ we have a service called Healthline, which is a 24/7 phoneline to registered nurses, you can ring them up and tell them what symptoms you are having and they'll recommend next steps.

Is there something similar in your country/state?

 

[Muttly]

I did take one day off. And then it was my weekend. I would love to say I feel better but I'm about the same (or worse). I really don't think I have corona virus. The timing, given what's going on here, is just lousy.

@blackemerald1 I doubt I will get the test done. There aren't that many available. It's one of the big complaints. And since I'm not coughing (well very, very little) and have no fever and don't know of any contact with an infected person I'm low on the priority list

@bellbird Not exactly but the clinics and doctors are trying. I spent hours today trying to get online with a free service. It was just too overwhelmed though. I do have a cyber appointment with my doctor tomorrow.

 

[Friday]

@Muttly can you get a test done to see whether you have it? That might help with eliminating 99% of your concerns.
.

Our state won’t test for covid unless you’re both in a high risk group AND have had verified contact with someone who has already tested positive for covid. Essentially, the family/friends/colleagues/classmates of people who are already infected. Unless you’re admitted into the hospital/ICU. Our EDs were overrun with thousands of people wanting testing, and people with life threatening emergencies weren’t being seen; so a hard line was driven, that testing is only done at admission, not at presentation. Some doctors offices have them, but the waiting lists for appointments is insane. My doctors office? Currently has a 3 month waiting list for appointments. When they can usually see you the same week.

The problem is the 1800 people per week (in our area) that have the actual flu... Plus 3x that per week with colds... means there’s roughly half a million people, locally, with cold/flu symptoms. Who all want Covid testing. Another 150k-300k or so who are high risk in various ways. (Asthma, cancer, transplants, immunocompromised, etc.)... somtheyve abandoned the usual priority lists

The state govt has contracted with a company that is promising 1500 boxes of tests per week (500 tests per box), and may be able to upscale to 1 million tests per week... so it will be a few weeks until they’re readily available.

 

[osiris]

I'm in SE Asia. Everyone is pretty much just dealing with it. The major panic bit seems to be over here now and most things available in the shops unless you want dettol or other anti-bacterial wipes, masks or hand sanitizer (Bath and Body Works still have their mini ones available though!). Lots of companies are taking temperatures as you go in and out of their building including my T, and malls are quiet. Schools are shut in some cases and big events are off. Travel bans are in place from some countries and our plans at Easter may be off at this rate. TBH I'm more worried about my mum back home who is on immunosuppressants.
The masks trigger me though. Eurgh.

 

[blackemerald1]

Our state won’t test for covid unless you’re both in a high risk group AND have had verified contact wi

^My apologies. I didn't realise tests were so difficult to obtain.

 

[Friday]

^My apologies. I didn't realise tests were so difficult to obtain.

Pfft. It was a good idea. Good ideas don’t need apologies.

It’s simply, as almost always, public panic is worse than whatever is being dealt with. Our healthcare system is overloaded, not by the virus, but by scared people.

 

[Neverthesame]

Welp. First confirmed case in Calgary.
Naturally, everyone is freaking the f*ck out and buying up all the toilet paper, and frozen TV dinners... sigh... Well fat load of good those will be if the major infrastructures fail. I doubt they will though. Mmm mushy Salisbury steak, sounds like good enteritis... I mean eating.

I caught one driver already trying to wash his hands with bleach wipes. FFS! I know this should be taken seriously, but Jesus f*cking Christ bananas.
The hell is it with people and bleach? It ain't f*cking good for you, get it?

Hell I won't be surprised if I go into work tonight and find bite marks on the lysol can next to the bleach wipes. I swear to God, if I smell "fresh linen" on anyone's breath, they'll be in for one of my motivational "sit the f*ck down and shut the f*ck up" speeches.

I can't wait for this shit to blow over. You'd think it was a f*cking plague or something. Don't these people know excessive worrying is bad for the immune system?