Does anyone else think this whole thing has been blown up out of all sensibility by the nmdia. Look at it this way, we live in a population of about 67 million people in the U.K. About 370 people are known to have contracted this virus and six have died. That is so small a percentage it's almost impossible to calculate. Also those who have sadly died have been elderly with an already existing medical condition. The media coverage has led to panic buying and people being frightened to go out. How long is this going to go on for ? By all means take sensible precautions as far as cleanliness goes but no matter how often you might wash and scrub your hands, if you meet someone who is infected then that's not going to prevent the virus passing in the air. As someone has already posted, it's only a form of flu. More people die each year in the UK from diabetes than have died so far.Are we diabetics meant to hide away ? Be sensible but do not for gods sake panic. Chances are that if you get it you will feel unwell for a few days but unless you have a major respiratory health problem you will be OK. Both my in-laws are G.P's and they say the whole thing has been blown up out of all proportion. Don't forget, bad news sells papers better than good news.
Please do not dismiss the genuine concerns of others.
There is a huge difference in perspective between those who are in the high risk groups (these include age, obesity, heart and breathing conditions, etc. etc not just diabetes) and those who are not in those high risk groups, and who seem unable to empathise.
For each co-morbidity that people have, their risk of complications increases, and while numbers remain comparatively small, the doubling of cases every few days is showing no signs of slowing. Doing the maths on this means that health care services may, in time, become overwhelmed - just like they have in China and Italy.
Speaking from my own personal perspective, I do not not anticipate COVID-19 being dangerous for myself.
The same most definitely does not apply to family members. We have 3 people in the most at risk groups (a combination of age, heart disease, asthma, COPD, history of pneumonia, as well as diabetes). I have a particular concern that my parents will both become ill at the same time and be unable to care for themselves and each other. Since we live 250 miles apart, this will involve me travelling to stay with them to nurse them - with serious consequences to my work and own family. Another family member, also in high risk groups lives locally. So we can visit and help there - unless I have to travel to nurse my parents, or we are asked to self isolate (my husband's job has high exposure to the public). In such circumstances, who takes priority? Difficult decisions.
Bearing this in mind, I feel that many people are casually and insensitively dismissing very real risks that exist for others.
The same people may also not feel it necessary to wash hands, etc. since they don't realise that if they infect others, they may place those others at real risk. Of course, the same applies to flu, norovirus, etc.
I feel that most of the reputable media sources are trying to be both informative and cautionary.
Social media on the other hand... often very unhelpful