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Sorry DF, but not all viruses work like that. The closest virus to COVID19 is Sars CoV (and the lab name for COVID19 is in fact SARS CoV2). SARS CoV does not produce eternal immunity according to the latest research. It seems to provide early immunity that decreases within a year. And SARS CoV had a final mortality rate of 10% after the 2003 outbreak. We still have no vaccine for SARS CoV, although there is a lot of research towards that end which may be helpful in developing a working vaccine for COVID19. COVID19 shares 69.7% of its DNA with SARS CoV. So it is far too early to assume immunity comes with the virus. In addition, this is a virus that can mutate, and the concern is of a second wave that differs from the first wave. No immunity in place then. The more the virus spreads, the more likely that mutation is. And risking that before we have effective treatment (or a vaccine) is too much of a risk. Finally, on the issue of herd immunity. In most cases, that has only really been achieved with the help of a vaccine. We did not develop herd immunity to measles because most children got it. Every child is born without immunity to many things. And measles is a very dangerous virus. Millions of people dying from anything is the reason why we create vaccines and try to prevent pandemics. And as PN says. Suddenly having 18% of the population (which seems to be the percentage of people who need ICU care to recover) needing hospital treatment, would mean the NHS being overwhelmed with a million plus patients at any one time. That inevitably would lead to more people dying than need to. We have been lucky in the West, to have avoided a real pandemic for 100 years. Asia, Africa and the Middle East however, have not been so lucky, which perhaps explains why they also are faster to respond, knowing exactly what needs to be done.

We had some things delivered this week that would usually require a signature, but drivers are not doing that which is sensible. I agree with Sue. Online shopping is a good way to keep business going with minimal risk. Most people are at home to take in parcels the moment they are left on their doorsteps. And in theory,it is easier for factories and warehouses to operate social distancing than a shop which has public footfall. And we have to consider mental health too. Many people will be occupying their time with home improvements, which can include a new lampshade among other things. We don't have to stop everything to get through this.

I would say either mid morning, or mid afternoon. That way you avoid the cold early morning and cooling early evening. In the summer, you want to miss the midday heat, if that makes sense.

Celebrity deaths are always reported, irregardless of what they die from. Why would that be any different during a pandemic?

Tonsillitis often requires antibiotics to clear and can induce complications in the sinuses and ear if not treated, or peritonsillar abscesses which are pockets of infection outside of the tonsil area. If you feel your GP is not responding in an appropriate way, and speaking with another GP at the practice is not an option (for another diagnosis), then absolutely go to A+E. Treatment of all other conditions has not stopped because of COVID19.

Penguin, I know all of that. But some kind of measurement does exist, with all its flaws, because without it, there would be no recognition of what constitutes a pandemic vs just a very bad flu season. And a person can be tested for influenza A virus just as easily as any other virus if a medical measurement needs to be made of that. I also disagree that referring to present data is meaningless. It is what enables a measure of the risk level of the virus. It also enables a comparison of how different responses and resources compare. Where I would agree with you is in that only once antibody tests can be done widely, will we get an essence of the true spread of the virus before the lock down measures came in. But for now, it is enough to know that it spreads easily and sends too many people to hospital needing intensive treatment.

Sorry Worldwiser, but that is just not how mortality rates are measured. Comparing mortality to cases presenting themselves for treatment however, IS, how mortality is calculated. So if 3% are fatalities, that is 30 times more than the 0.1% for seasonal flu. It is frustrating to see the playing down of the seriousness of this by the argument around non-diagnosed and therefore, uncounted for, cases. 3% (and the global average may well get closer to 10% by the time this is over) is millions of people. This SARS virus sees 18% (from data so far) of those developing symptoms, needing ICU care. And some people, with no underlying conditions are dying. So let's just accept that this is a serious global pandemic, and that until we have effective antiviral treatment, and/or a working vaccine, this is something we need to keep under control as far as we can. Let's hope the virus doesn't mutate between waves too.

Eggs last at least three to five weeks in a fridge and up to a year in the freezer dbboy.

Yes, I pointed out the FDA approval for trials in a reply above. The Plasma works to kick start antibody production in already ill patients. So might be the only effective treatment for some patients until an effective drug treatment emerges. The USA is heading for the worst figures on infection and deaths so far.

I would say the probability is high if the US trials give positive results. And yes, group O blood can receive plasma from any other blood group.

The are a range of risks (plasma has more risk than other types of blood transfusion). Serious adverse reactions include acute lung injury, circulatory overload, and allergic/anaphylactic reaction. Less common risks include transmission of infection, febrile non-hemolytic reaction, RBC allo-immunization, and hemolytic reaction. Fortunately, all of those things can be treated, but this kind of treatment has never been used in place of a vaccine, mainly because any benefit it creates is temporary. Hence it being useful for helping those fighting the infection (as a form of treatment), but would require repeated shots to work like any vaccine. It would never be offered to anyone not in a high risk group.

This is not a simple process and carries all kinds of risks. Plasma transfusion of any kind has no guarantee of working. The only way this would be tested, is in patients who have no other way of recovering. There are a whole range of trials any treatment has to go through before it can be licensed for wider use. The story has made the newspapers because the FDA in the USA has cleared the trial of convalescent plasma for use in extreme cases where the patient?s life is seriously or immediately threatened. It would be some time, and require much more comprehensive research before any such treatment would be on offer anywhere.

Prince Charles was eligible for testing because of his age. He was treated by the same policy all people over 70 and displaying possible symptoms are currently treated by the NHS.

lol yes, there will be a lot of bored new owners of gym equipment at the end of one month.

The stats for any pandemic change all the time during the pandemic itself. Only at the end can any definitive figure be given on mortality. BUT is it enough to know that this is not flu, that this virus is twice as infectious and 30 times more deadly. That in itself should be enough to understand why this is not anything like a bout of seasonal flu.

Hi Fleur, follow all the advice above and hopefully you can tap into a local volunteer network. If not, come back to the forum. Someone will step up to help you.

Yep, this is not going to be over in one month. But on a lighter note, I will be offering a half price home cross trainer when the gyms reopen :D

I agree sweetgirl. A lock down involves police enforced curfews and the other stuff. BUT, people were warned and failed to heed the advice given. The PM had no choice.

I went jogging today and crossed the road if I came across anyone I needed to pass. Easy to do in an area like ED.

Yes, the messaging from the top has been confused, but that is because they are populists and not science based professionals. Science based facts have a habit of undoing populism. On this, Sue is right. This is a real full scale pandemic (according to all the medical definitions). We ALL have a duty to save lives through our own behaviour. And we do not need to wait for government to act to do the right thing. Listen to the medical professionals...they trained for exactly this kind of scenario. And lobby any politician who is slow to the mark x Edited to add; we have an issue with people who think the MSM is fake news. This rebellion was a seed sown by the lack of censorship on social media, and has been exacerbated by Brexit. THIS is why the messaging is failing.

I agree with all of that blackcurrant. Leave the professional masks for the health professionals, who come into contact with the virus every day. For everyone else, it is about finding the best way to make everyone put the advice given at the fore. A lot of that is about changing behaviour. Not an easy thing to do but we are getting there.

Agreed. But there are some online suppliers that are not raising prices to be fair. Because of demand, it means the cheaper versions of things are selling out fast. But you don't need expensive equipment to work out and youtube is full of great routines you can follow to keep up any previous gym or exercise routine. I just wanted a cross trainer because that was my most effective piece of gym equipment for High Impact Training. I already have bar and dumbells and a weights bench, and a cycling machine. For most people, they can find whole classes online, they can do in their own home, with very little equipment needed. Maybe we should start a new thread to share links for useful at home exercise? Exercise is a great thing for combating depression too.

No issues here. Can not see why any internet providers would struggle to cope to be honest.

Everyone in Asia started wearing masks right away and they flattened their curves very quickly. Sometimes, a public shared behaviour sends out the right message, whether it scientifically has an impact or not. In other words, if everyone were wearing surgical masks, everyone would be aware of the virus and transmission. Surgical masks are cheap to produce, and are a cheap way of raising public consciousness and therefore changing behaviour, especially in a West that isn't used to seeing them used. This for me is a trick missed by Western governments early on. Had everyone been told to wear masks, you can bet they would have been more consciously abiding by the other advice.

I completely agree Alison and mental health is going to be a challenge over the coming months. This is why I think government should have a think about internet access for those who don't have it. There are now 4G and 5G modems that require no cables (plug and play). It won't be the answer for everyone, but getting as many people online as possible would be a huge help in sharing mental health treatment and solutions.