The panic is worse than the disease!

[eider]

panic buying in my UK town today. paper goods, pasta, rice shelves all empty.
But masses of meat, biscuits, bread...

Folks are preparing for self-isolation or sickness. Hence they are buying more than usual. My wife was instructed to put in purchase orders for three month's supplies for her very large organisation........ panic buying or preparation for difficulties?

 

[User Name]

The thing is, with so many companies looking as if they will be shut down, millions of folks will be on sick-leave or emergency benefits incomes. All shops apart from medical and food will be closing in areas of high peaking virus, etc etc..... This will affect many more people than just the high risk groups.

I maintain that most of this is unnecessary and will create a variety of stressors that will cause more suffering and perhaps even more death than the virus itself.

 

[7djengo7]

Folks are preparing for self-isolation or sickness. Hence they are buying more than usual. My wife was instructed to put in purchase orders for three month's supplies for her very large organisation........ panic buying or preparation for difficulties?

Panic preparation for difficulties.

 

[Arthur Brain]

I maintain that most of this is unnecessary and will create stressors that will cause more suffering and perhaps even more death than the virus itself.

Agreed, at least in part. In the UK there's several places that are limiting product purchase to a certain amount of items per customer now.

 

[eider]

I maintain that most of this is unnecessary and will create a variety of stressors that will cause more suffering and perhaps even more death than the virus itself.

Fair enough.
If you had governed your country, what would you have done... or not done?

 

[WYRose]

With all the flying, travel, holiday, sports cancellations a lot of people are going to be laid off or go short time which will make for financial difficulties and that will have knock-on effects as banks demand businesses remain liquid or close down.
Trying to ration people will not work as they will just go to all other stores to get what they think they will need. That will mean more contacts and germ spreading.
I noticed the panic buyers are stocking up on junk food and ignoring fruit and veg which boost immune systems.

 

[eider]

Panic preparation for difficulties.

But it would be hard to know (or judge) what preparations are not 'panic' actions.
If all shops are services close down around you, or you get quarantined, and you only have a week's supplies at home then you will get accused of being irresponsible, especially if you're trying to cadge stuff off your neighbours who you could have accused of being panickers.... interesting.

Buying for a fortnight's (or month's) isolation is not panic. Bulk buying in fear is panic.

 

[eider]

Agreed, at least in part. In the UK there's several places that are limiting product purchase to a certain amount of items per customer now.

True!
I often buy Hall's mentholyptus cough sweets, every week. I got a very judgmental look yesterday at Sai--bu-ys for trying to buy just two.... it's one per customer now!

Keep well........

 

[eider]

With all the flying, travel, holiday, sports cancellations a lot of people are going to be laid off or go short time which will make for financial difficulties and that will have knock-on effects as banks demand businesses remain liquid or close down.
Trying to ration people will not work as they will just go to all other stores to get what they think they will need. That will mean more contacts and germ spreading.

It will be worse than that.

I noticed the panic buyers are stocking up on junk food and ignoring fruit and veg which boost immune systems.

Yes........ Fruit and veg have a shelf life, but that's great for you...... you can buy what fruit and veg you need each day with no problems.....

 

[User Name]

Fair enough.
If you had governed your country, what would you have done... or not done?

I would have followed the recommendations of the CDC.

I'm not an expert of any kind. I started this thread with my opinion which was based strictly on common sense. I just stumbled across this video by Dr. Drew Pensky, and he is echoing my thoughts in this thread:

 

[eider]

I would have followed the recommendations of the CDC.

I'm not an expert of any kind. I started this thread with my opinion which was based strictly on common sense.

Absolutely! And your CDC will be introducing some very very severe measures quite soon.
In the UK it may soon be law that everybody over 70 years will isolate themselves for up to four months.
Spain has just ordered all shops, cafes, bistros, restuarants, public buildings and businesses to close, apart from healthcare providers. All of Spain is in lockdown, and household must remain in isolation.
France has closed down..... literally.

That's why I guess they were buying extra provisions...........

 

[User Name]

Absolutely! And your CDC will be introducing some very very severe measures quite soon.
In the UK it may soon be law that everybody over 70 years will isolate themselves for up to four months.
Spain has just ordered all shops, cafes, bistros, restuarants, public buildings and businesses to close, apart from healthcare providers. All of Spain is in lockdown, and household must remain in isolation.

I had just seen that in the news about isolating everyone age 70 and above. Brian May, who is 72, is outraged by it, as he should be.

I will change my answer from CDC to the consensus of medical experts who work outside of government.

 

[eider]

I had just seen that in the news about isolating everyone age 70 and above. Brian May, who is 72, is outraged by it, as he should be.

I will change my answer from CDC to the consensus of medical experts who work outside of government.

Brian needs to understand that an age had to be picked, and since 70+ is the high risk area I can see why it was picked. Brian will be able to ignore the request when it comes, if he wishes, but those who want to isolate cannot be criticised if they do..... That is how it would work.

Medical experts can pick holes in anything, and have no responsibilities for getting it right or wrong.

Most countries are closing schools but the UK and Oz are keeping ours open. Getting stuff right can be difficult and hindsight is 20/20.

 

[User Name]

Medical experts can pick holes in anything, and have no responsibilities for getting it right or wrong.

That's why I call for a consensus of experts who work outside of government. They are not subject to political pressures and panic, and so cannot be pressured or manipulated to say what vested interests want them to say.

 

[User Name]

"People are losing jobs, businesses are closing, supply lines are being disrupted, medications are being disrupted, because--not because of the virus, because of the panic. Take reasonable precautions, know your risk, listen to the CDC. That's it!" -- Dr. Drew Pensky

"I and other people without chronic illnesses are going to do just fine with the coronavirus. Why get all worked up about it?" -- Dr. Oz

 

[eider]

"People are losing jobs, businesses are closing, supply lines are being disrupted, medications are being disrupted, because--not because of the virus, because of the panic. Take reasonable precautions, know your risk, listen to the CDC. That's it!" -- Dr. Drew Pensky

"I and other people without chronic illnesses are going to do just fine with the coronavirus. Why get all worked up about it?" -- Dr. Oz

Oh yes........ British Airways is actually closing down and laying most staff off for now.... one example of how everything from travel, entertainment, cafes, clubs, sports et al is about to close. Whole countries going in to lockdown. All flights to the USA are closed down from UK and Europe(already) from tomorrow midnight.

Well, maybe the governments of nearly every country in the World care for their elderly and infirm? But my friend has a daughter (11yrs) with cystic fibrosis and if she contracts this illness she won't make it. There are many thousands of kids who can die from this for various reasons.

It's just tough luck on everybody, many may die, many will lose love ones, and many will be irritated by it all. Choose your group, I guess.

But in any event I hope that you fare well through all of this crisis. All the best to you and yours.

 

[User Name]

Well, maybe the governments of nearly every country in the World care for their elderly and infirm? But my friend has a daughter (11yrs) with cystic fibrosis and if she contracts this illness she won't make it. There are many thousands of kids who can die from this for various reasons.

"Take reasonable precautions, know your risk..." For non-smokers in generally good health, this is just a bad flu. And we've all had bad flu before.

Your friend with the 11yo daughter with cystic fibrosis is also in jeopardy from the ordinary flu. So nothing has changed in that sense.

 

[eider]

"Take reasonable precautions, know your risk..." For non-smokers in generally good health, this is just a bad flu. And we've all had bad flu before.

Your friend with the 11yo daughter with cystic fibrosis is also in jeopardy from the ordinary flu. So nothing has changed in that sense.

What can I say? The leaders of the World are leading the World.
I treat life as a kind of chess game, I just have to play the game that is on the board. I don't scream and shout at the other player, but just make the best move that I can perceive. That's what I'll do now and during the next few months...... because it is going to be months....... each day a new amazement.

But whatever you do......... do get a few extra items in with your shopping, 'cos if you get isolated somehow (and you probably will be) then you might need those few extra items. Don't panic, just buy a few extra stores, eh?

 

[Ktoyou]

This is just a bad flu. And we've all had bad flu before.

see what i mean nutty?:dunce:
Do you also, like Trad, what old people like me to "shuffle off this mortal coil"?

 

[User Name]

From a few days ago....

https://media2.kgov.com/files/covid-19-20200311.png

Is there a website or webpage from which you got this graphic?