Wuhan virus update.

Despite the wide disparity in the figures, this new epidemic seems poised to eclipse the scale of the 2003 SARS epidemic, and is already well outside of the reach of simple control measures.

Hong Kong University virologist Guan Yi, who was part of the team that discovered the SARS virus, tells the Washington Post that the epidemic is so out of control now that "a bigger outbreak is certain." He said that even with a conservative estimate, the outbreak could be 10 times bigger than the SARS epidemic -- with a reach of more than 80,000 cases.

Speaking on background, other SARS veterans tell me there may already be "many thousands" of infected individuals in China.

Because authorities initially downplayed the seriousness of the outbreak instead of implementing swift control measures, people have traveled to and from Wuhan -- a major transportation hub with a population of 11 million people -- and unwittingly carried the virus with them.

[Hidden]

Being one who is very disinclined to panic I am currently engaged in a worried conversation with my fellow volunteers at Shakespeare's Schoolroom in Stratford. We have regular groups and individual Chinese visitors. There are 2 of us with bronch who work there, another colleague is just getting over shingles and there are several other vulnerable people who work there. Of course, there are at least 5 other heritage houses plus the theatre in Stratford and we are wondering what their vulnerable staff and management are thinking.

What do you all think? Do we withdraw until it bliws over?

If it weren't for the fact that we do have a lot of Chinese visitors I would be simply watching the situation but hmmmm?🤔

[skischool in reply to Hidden]

I would personally withdraw my services until the situation is more controlled in China,as much as you want to entertain and educate our foreign visitors there is no way of knowing how many already infected people have travelled,particularly as tourists in the recent past before controls were being put in place.?

[Hidden in reply to skischool]

Spot on. That is what has been concerning me.

[shouty in reply to skischool]

I'm a bit concerned as my new job at a college has multiple Chinese students who are going home for Easter break. I heard one of their guardian's asking them if they were worried about it & they talked about wearing masks

[Redrum46 in reply to skischool]

Don’t take chances stay away and u will b safe

[jackdup in reply to skischool]

And now they have said people are contagious before they have any symptoms so one could easily come into contact with someone that is infected but not know it.

[Caspiana in reply to Hidden]

Withdraw Hidden . It's just not worth the risk. Just my two cents. xx 😐

[Hidden in reply to Caspiana]

Thahks Caspiana. How worrying is it in Japan? Are people taking precautions?

[Caspiana in reply to Hidden]

Yes, we wear masks a lot here during winter in general, but everyone is more careful. ANA our #1 airliner has stopped all flights between Wuhan and Japan indefinitely. But I doubt that will help much. We have to date, three cases in the country. I am staying away from touristy areas for the time being. People have been advised to curtail any unnecessary travel to China. I think this is going to be massive. So we must all look out for ourselves . xx 😟

[Izb1 in reply to Hidden]

Think I would give that a miss for the moment Littlepom, its just not worth the risk x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

Thank you. I am at work atm and we have been discussing it. We had a family in from Hong Kong. They have been away from there for 2 weeks and are scared to go home.lol

[Izb1 in reply to Hidden]

What a shame, can understand their fears. We have a big chinese community here in Manchester and was too worried to go to the New Year celebrations this weekend so gave it a miss x

[HungryHufflepuff]

Until recently this virus was something that I only ever heard about when I was awake in the middle of the night and it would be on the radio in among reports from Malaysia about plastic recycling and financial markets in Japan and other non panic-y stuff. Suddenly it’s the top story on every news bulletin every hour. According to the World Health Organization the virus hasn’t been classified as an epidemic because it “only” affects people with a pre existing condition. So that’s all of us then. And very selfishly I am starting to panic because in a few weeks I’ll be traveling to visit family, passing through 5 airports on the way and 6 on the way back. That’s a lot of opportunity to encounter a virus. I know our wonderful Caspiana is currently visiting family and she hasn’t expressed any panic at all, yet here I am panicking about travel I haven’t even undertaken yet. I know we can’t worry about every eventuality otherwise we’d never do anything or go anywhere. Any worrying about things that might never happen is a waste of energy because there are so many things that might happen but never do, and there’s enough to think about as it is, and I try to not worry about those things either because worrying is exhausting. But I must say I’m quite worried about this virus. 😟

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Many are getting this virus. It’s killing the people with illnesses. Weak immune systems. My son is going to visit Vietnam soon and I’m worried about that. He is the type of personality that feels nothing bad will ever happen to him. He assures me he will wear a mask and be careful, but I know he won’t.

[Caspiana in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hi Huff. I don't panic as a rule about anything much. 😑 I just keep my mask on, I wipe down EVERY surface I touch with alcohol wipes, restaurant tables, spoons and forks, airplane seats , cups , literally everything when I am out and about. People give me funny looks but that's the least of my worries. I was my hands a lot. I understand your worry though. Will your flights be domestic? Or international? xx 😊👋

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Caspiana]

Some flights are domestic and others are international. You're a very courageous person to not panic about things. I try not to because it doesn't achieve anything and just creates more anxiety but it's not something that's easy to control. I don't think, I'll do some panicking now. It's somehow beyond my control. I do try though. But, I am looking forward to visiting my brother and being in the beautiful place he lives with mountains and trees and wild animals so I'm really looking forward to that. 😊

[Caspiana in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Hello Huff. I will clarify, I worry but I don't panic. So, not really courageous at all. Just take loads of precautions, even if it seems excessive. It sounds like you are going to have a wonderful time there! It must be so idyllic. xx 😊💕

[Susan1200]

I am flying to Germany next week,worrying about flying

[zube-UK]

Withdraw pom, we are at a great disadvantage with such long term bronchiectasis, not worth the risk, please take care there.

[Happyhare]

It is a dilemma isn't it? We all want to lead a normal life ,but to put that life at risk seems counter productive! I wish we could predict the future, but based on our current level of knowledge I would think that the situation re the virus is still being downplayed by authorities in China and if I was in your shoes I would think twice about going. Take care.