Re the Coronavirus

HunnieBunnie · Mar 25, 2020

I think this situation proves how unprepared we are in the face of this type of crisis (and many others, I am sure). Our human hubris causes us to think we are in control of nature, but a situation like this proves we are not in charge. In years gone by I screened documentaries and other programmes about how helpless we would be in a situation such as this one, as well we would be in the use of chemical/biological warfare. As bad as this is now, just think how much worse it could be if biological warfare were launched on even one country. It would spread just as quickly and would be much more deadly.

Looking back over the last few decades alone, how many times did we find ourselves in similar situations whilst governments were too gobsmacked by it to act effectively? I can think of at least a few without really thinking very hard about it---Chernobyl, Katrina, the tsunami in Japan, and now the Coronavirus.....

I went to the closest market to my home again yesterday. I was able to purchase one gallon of water, but the shelves for loo rolls, disinfectants and other cleaners, etc., were all still empty. I have not looked at the news in a couple of days, but at least 5 people in 5 counties around my state have perished thus far, and my city's government is still trying to convince non-essential shops to close down! My city's Emergency Management Office is not managing this situation very well. The mayor did not issue an order for all non-essential businesses to close and further narrow how many people can meet in one venue until last Saturday! The mayor finally said all non-essential shops had to close down and stay closed down by 6 p.m. Saturday. Of course it was still worth it to do so, but it was a bit like closing the barn door after the horses escaped.

I read this morning that Charles has now tested positive for the virus, but the Queen is said to be okay. I am sure if she and/or Phillip contract it, they will succumb to it. They are just too old now to have that great of a chance of weathering it through.

J. A. · Mar 25, 2020

As I hear news from other countries, I consider myself lucky, tbh.

I didn’t vote for our government, but they’re doing their work quite well, imo. We’re informed almost every day, they mostly take the right steps to at least keep the virus at bay.

Panic buying has stopped as well. Almost everyone stays at home, if possible.

And the best of all: this situation brings out the best in most of the people around here. They’re helping each other. My state started a platform where you can offer your help, or look for help. The platform will now go nationwide.

Although we have to keep the distance, we’re growing together.

HunnieBunnie · Mar 25, 2020

That is wonderful, J.A. There are some people doing the same here, but there are still too many people just trying to profit from all of this. Whatever will happen will happen, but it would be less stressful if people stopped panic buying. Hoarding things like disinfectants, e.g. Lysol spray, is hurting other people who need it. I do not understand why the hoarders do not see that if everyone is not combating the spread of the virus using the products available, they are just aiding the spread of the virus. It is like the tragedy of the commons. Too many people will not behave logically unless they are forced to comply.

NSquirrel · Mar 25, 2020

J.A. >>I didn’t vote for our government, but they’re doing their work quite well, imo....
As an outsider- a tourist - Austria has always appeared to be well organised and we have enjoyed several holidays there

HunnieBunnie >> I read this morning that Charles has now tested positive for the virus...
A worrying time for all families everywhere.

from the BBC 'A quarter of the world's population is now living under some form of lockdown', which is worrying in itself, but even more so for the other three quarters, many of whom still await the invasion of the virus or positive government action towards dealing with it.

HunnieBunnie · Mar 25, 2020

Agreed on both points, NSquirrel. Overall, I have always thought the UK and much of the continent had so much more orderly societies and were cleaner than the U.S.

I am worried for myself but also for many of my friends who are elderly with underlying healthy issues, and although it may sound silly to young ears, I am worried for the Queen. She is one of a few of the last of a generation who from grim experience knows this world better than most people alive today. I know she will not live forever, but I shall feel very bad whence she passes, and I hate to think that this virus might be the thing that finally claims such a courageous and dedicated woman. I would not want her job for anything in the world.

I catch my news in snippets here and there. I really try to avoid it if possible, but I noticed young people have flocked to the traditional hot spots for Spring Break, and do not care one whit for the social distancing mandate. I remarked this to a friend who replied "they do not think they can get it, and they are calling it the Boomer Remover. This generation is more screwed up than ours was." If that is really what many of them are saying, then I agree they are more screwed up than the last couple of generations. I do not blame them, though. I blame the larger societies in which they were reared as well as many parents, although not all by any means, who did not attend to many important things in the lives and development of their children.

Actually, I have said for many years now that I no longer recognise this world in which I live. I feel I have lived past my time, so maybe this virus will be timely for me.

NSquirrel · Mar 26, 2020

HunnieBunnie >> so maybe this virus will be timely for me.

The ‘exit door’ with this virus does not look good at all. Perhaps we should stick around; keep indoors and isolated as much as possible and hope the scientists and doctors, etc., who are doing everything they can, will solve it soon.

Spring is coming in the northern hemisphere so while sunshine will, as I understand it, do nothing to the virus, at least it will cheer us all up a bit.

——

I had to phone a parcel delivery company yesterday as they had dropped off the wrong parcel. The chap I spoke to sneezed, to which I commented about the safety of talking on the phone. He laughed and said it was not the virus, but hay fever. His girl friend is a nurse and when she went shopping on Sunday, flowers were given to all the nurses, which was a very nice thought. Unfortunately for him the flowers had a lot of pollen...

Pinkpoison · Mar 26, 2020

We're obeying the rules as much as possible and staying in except to buy food and we're keeping that to a minimum, but there are still idiots who just don't get how serious this is and are still getting together to socialise.

scifan57 · Mar 26, 2020

A store in Australia has found a way to stop toilet paper hoarding.

HunnieBunnie · Mar 26, 2020

"Do Not Resusciitate"

Hospitals consider universal do-not-resuscitate orders for coronavirus patients

scifan57 · Mar 26, 2020

HunnieBunnie said:
"Do Not Resusciitate"

Hospitals consider universal do-not-resuscitate orders for coronavirus patients

I can see lawsuits over this in the United States.

scifan57 · Mar 27, 2020

NSquirrel · Mar 27, 2020

Anyone noticed a big drop in the number of scam phone calls from ‘Microsoft computer virus department’, etc. recently? All these call centres must be on lockdown.

According to our newspapers, there are still a large number of scammers around, so no reason to drop our guard against any unusual calls and emails! I did have an email yesterday from ‘my friend lol’ with $147,000 in a bank waiting for me. Why they put the ‘lol’ there, I don’t know - or care. Straight into the junk folder.

scifan57 · Mar 27, 2020

It’s just been announced that Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister has tested positive for coronavirus. PM Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus