Question

Ok what am I missing about the CoronaVirus. It's only killed 6 people in the us and around 3000 globally. Influenzag has killed a lot more this year alone. So why is there a panic all the sudden ?  

Answer 1

Stores are out of everything too! Craziness!  

Answer 2

Seriously. This is insane. Bathing yourself in hand sanitizer is not going to do anything. Wash your damn hands and have good public hygiene - more than likely you will survive to see the next one. There will be a next one. Lol

Answer 3

Because big pharma wants at all cost to incite fear and then creating a life saving vaccine. Because it’s more lucrative to have tens of thousands of people getting a vaccine instead of treating the one or two cases that come up.  

Answer 4

JUST DO AS YOU ARE TOLD

Answer 5

I’m not saying that this isn’t real. It’s very real and people should take precautions but don’t stop living your everyday life because of this.  

Answer 6

I think it's situational. I have an 84 year old father with COPD and pre-existing heart condition who can receive a flu vaccine, but there is nothing for this virus that he probably would not survive since a regular cold can be dangerous for him. He depends on everyone in the community to wash their hands and stay out of the public if sick- including to make runs to the store for medications or necessities. I think it's smart to stock up on Thankslenol, soups, Gatorade, food for the rest of the family, etc. so you don't find yourself having to run out and exposing others in case you get sick yourself.  

Comments

@damle3088, oh man! Definitely scary situational for your father’s sake. Anyone with respiratory issues, even people that just smoke, are at more risk for this virus and complications from it.  

---

@damle3088 This is the exact situation that I myself am dealing with however my mother is only 72. I think if anything this is a reminder for everybody to always wash their hands. It’s the safest way to stop spreading germs, any kind of germs

Answer 7

We’ve had 5 cases in Chicago maybe. How many Flu cases have they’re been this season? In the thousands I’m sure. My family alone we all got the flu.  

Comments

Did you guys vaccinate? I believe that the vaccine missed the mark on which strain this year.  

---

@rinaldo yes we did.  

---

That must’ve been horrible. Glad you guys are better now.  

---

@rinaldo that’s my point this virus going on is a different strain from the coronavirus family. Just like the flu. They’re is a many different strains of flu virus. Those more vulnerable (elderly, babies, and immune compromised) should take more precautions. But the media likes to make a big hype out of everything. And unfortunately many people believe everything they hear or read.  

---

If people want to read info put out there, they should take the time to see if legit sources back it up.  

Answer 8

It's about how fast its spreading and how fast it mutates and there is no "cure". Once someone is diagnosed all people can do is assist them because it's a matter of time before they succumb to the disease. The disease attacks your lungs aka oxygen. You pretty much suffocate.  

Comments

That's not entirely correct. Most people who get the disease will be fine. But a larger percent of people who get COVID-19 than who get influenza will have serious to severe symptoms, leading to hospitalization. So far, people having the most severe symptoms are elderly/older and/or immunocompromised, especially people with lung issues.  

---

@loera I hope you're kidding? There have been many people released from the hospital after having this. The media is blowing everything up to scare people, statements like yours are only going to put more fear out there when there doesn't need to be

---

This is not true at all.  

---

Dont you believe things on the internet anymore. ‍♀️

---

@loera I dont know where you are getting your information. Everyone doesn’t die of this. As a matter of fact the large majority survive. Do your research before making inaccurate statements.  

Answer 9

I don’t understand why it takes something like this for people to think about washing hands and covering their mouths, etc. this should be a daily practice for everyone. You should always have extra supplies on hand in your home, be prepared for when someone in your house gets sick.  

Comments

@rinaldo people are nasty. I was at the ice rink on Sunday. I watched 4 adults openly sneeze and cough without even attempting to cover their mouths and noses. Some people act like 4 yr olds. No wonder everything spreads quickly.  

---

@trilbee292 Hart, right! That’s so gross. With all this coverage of this virus, you’d think they’d at least attempt to. This why I’m such a germaphobe.  

Answer 10

My daughter lives in Denver and went to Target yesterday to get Motrin for her 18 month old who has the flu. I understand people trying to make sure they have medicine but this is crazy.  

Comments

That is insane! They aren’t even reporting crazy high fevers with this virus. I hope she was able to find some.  

---

@lapse1 they aren’t stocked because the majority of this is made in China. As of yesterday there were over 2200 oceanliners out at sea in China. They aren’t unloading exports or loading imports. My husband works in the shipping industry and it’s a nightmare and not getting any better.  

---

@josefina, makes so much more sense now.  

Answer 11

They're just trying to distract us. What else is going on right now? Elections

Comments

@giorgio Exactly this! It happens EVERY time and yet no one ever talks about it and never makes the connection. I just roll my eyes, it’s so dumb.  

Answer 12

We just got back from Disney - my fear isn’t more so for myself - but my 5 year old who has CHD and a simple cold hits him hard and fast. This virus is hitting elderly and those with cardiovascular issues harder.  

Comments

And this is why we need to be clean and not spread our germs. Keep that beautiful boy of yours safe. ❤️❤️❤️

---

@nordic16893 my daughter has asthma and I worry more about her as well.  

---

@rinaldo we took so many extra precautions on our trip. I was more concerned with the flu, but we did wear masks on the plane since it’s all just circulating air. Tons of bathroom breaks to wash hands and hand sanitizer after every ride. Plus wiping down tables with Clorox wipes. But we still made sure to have fun and live our normal lives (just some extra good hygiene haha) It’s my BIGGEST pet peeve when people go out when they are sick. A simple cold can’t keep you in, but I’ve seen people out who DEFINITELY should have been in bed sleeping it off. Even where I work in retail. your return can wait till you’re healthy. No need to return that $12 shirt when you look like death ‍♀️

---

@abell Anderson yes! He gets asthma like symptoms when he gets even a cold. We use nebulizers and steroids to help him feel better.  

---

@nordic16893, omg exactly! Keep your sicknesses at home people!  

---

@nordic16893 same. I hear one cough and try not to freak out . inhaled steroids everyday . And carries rescue inhaler

---

@abell Anderson same!  

---

I try to not worry about coughs as much (I have a lingering cough from a cold we all had 1. 5 weeks ago). But if you have a hacking, persistent cough then I worry. Or the runny noses and you’re constantly wiping or blowing your nose. Stay away.  

Answer 13

It's the media, fear-mongering. They did the same with the Ebola virus, swine flu, West Nile, etc.  

Answer 14

From what data is showing, it seems to be hitting the elderly the worst and luckily little ones don't seem to be getting it. If you get it, you can be symptom free for up to something like 9 days before you see a first symptom. In most people it will be a mild illness unless you have an underlying issue. My fear is not for my husband and I or our healthy children. My fear is getting it and not knowing I'm a carrier and giving it to my mom or dad or someone older. We're still living our lives and will continue to wash our hands with soap and water. just like you should do every day, several times a day. and not just after using the washroom.  

Answer 15

Out of approx 90k infected, 3k have died. The more it spreads, the increase in infection and subsequent complications/deaths. Also adding to the concern are the unknowns of this virus.  

Answer 16

Copied from a friendI The fatality rate is 2% including China, 1. 4% outside of China. The flu is just 0. 05%. That’s a major, major difference. The reason the flu has killed so many is because so many get the flu. The measure of how easily spreadable a disease is called its “R” number. Currently the coronavirus is believed to be equal to slightly more transmittable than the flu based on its currently calculated R number. This is directly from the CDC. IF the coronavirus spreads as widely as the flu this year and infects the same number as the flu in the United States, 22 million. the death toll won’t be 14, 000 like the flu, it will be 308, 000 based on a 1. 4% fatality rate. I’m certainly not one saying to panic but this deserves close attention and the comparisons in the media to the flu are terribly flawed because they only work if this doesn’t end up infecting the same number of people. Today the first death from COVID19 occurred in the US, I’m sure more information is coming. I’d be glad to have my concerns all proven wrong.  

Comments

@wacke Thank you!  

---

@wacke thank you! People really are not paying attention.  

Answer 17

Because the media.  

Answer 18

And please cough/sneeze into your elbow/shoulder, not into your hands!  

Comments

I don’t care where, as long as it’s not in the air and they wash or sanitize their hands after.  

Answer 19

Media Hype

Answer 20

Anything to cause a scare

Answer 21

It’s super frustrating for our family. We’ve been ordering hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes and spray, and hand soap every month forever. Our three year old is receiving chemotherapy and we have been extra cautious for a while, long before this virus was spread. Now I can’t freaking find the supplies that are needed for him because everyone is clearing the shelves for things they probably won’t even USE in the long run, once this hype wears off. We are literally trying to keep our kid alive and protected from viruses and influenza over here! The media is causing such pandemonium and it’s ridiculous.  

Comments

I have a bulk package of Clorox wipes and a large hand sanitizer that I used when my daughter was born but only used maybe an eighth of the bottle if you need it I can give it to you. It's not much. I just checked online they have stock of the wipes at Sam's club in Joliet. I would be more than willing to let you use my membership to get more.  

---

Aw thanks you are so nice. Luckily, we have a few months of subscription orders sitting in the closet upstairs still. I’m watching it all closely and am not completely panicked just yet. Worst case we pull the kids from school and don’t go anywhere. Hopefully we can keep it under control though! I was not feeling worried until I saw today that there’s a suspected case at U of C hospital, and that is where we go for weekly labs & treatment! Luckily, we’ve always had him wear a mask and we are psychotic about hand washing and sanitizing anytime we are out of the house. Thank you for your kindness though! You are a good person!  

---

Your welcome, my offer still stands if you need it.  

---

@fifield Herzog your comment made me emotional. I truly am so sorry you are going through something so horrifying. No child should have to deal with what your child is dealing with. Many prayers for a speedy and forever, recovery for your little man  

Answer 22

I don't know but some of these people are going to make themselves and their kids sick by over sanitizing.  

Answer 23

Just like swine, Zika, lyme . huge hype and everyone finally realizing it's a part of life and shits gonna happen

Comments

@recess - agreed except for the Lyme part. I have it and it’s def not hype unfortunately  but in general I agree

---

I'm very sorry to hear that. ♡

Answer 24

Because of the media . The flu kills thousands a year and no one bats a eye .  

Answer 25

It's not a competition. Would you be mad when there's information about measles because other people die of cancer? It's not the media. It's literal information from the WHO and CDC.  

Comments

@nolpros0 media

---

@nolpros0 lets see who’s dying. mostly people with immune deprived systems. elderly etc people will get it. same as flu. but it’ll be more mild and it’ll pass. media media media they have to create a scale especially during the political time. go back and look it up. ebola. SARS etc etc everyone will die. panic panic

---

I'm the media Karen.  

---

The Illinois Department of Public Heath, the CDC, the WHO, Vice President Mike Pence, HHS, and even the Dept. of Homeland Security have specifically asked the media on all levels to widely share this information. Your issue with the dissemination of information is with the White House.  

---

Also sorry there aren't enough dead people yet?  

---

VP Pence has literally held daily press briefings.  

Answer 26

It is the media they like to create panic so they can say they reported it first.  

Answer 27

I do not understand why everybody's freaking out about it. More people have died from the flu this year than the Coronavirus. The media is going crazy with it and inducing panic

Answer 28

During election they always have something come up to distract us.  

Comments

@funches Arredondo  

Answer 29

Well see what happens is, every morning when we show up to work we get our national agenda and at the top it reads JUST INCITE PANIC so we do. I can't believe you busted us. I can't tell you who sends it though it's a secret but correct it's a huge conspiracy. Busted.  

Answer 30

Media hype

Answer 31

I guess it is a 'big deal' because the death rate is much higher than seasonal flu. Based on some oversea information, asymptomatic virus carriers can pass the virus to others. To me, this is kind of scary. I went to Costco @75th street this morning, and all toilet paper, paper towel, and tissues are gone, only napkins are left. A lot of household sanitizers have 0 stock. I have been trying to buy hand sanitizer from Target and Walmart for two week, no luck here.  

Comments

@saxon1549 I believe your info is inaccurate. This flu season alone we’ve seen deaths of almost 18, 000 compared to this strain of coronavirus is 3000 worldwide.  

---

@esthonia1914 it's not about the death count. It's about our medical system not being able to support the potentially very sick population. We don't have enough masks, let alone beds and other supplies to take care of the sick in a massive situation. We may be home bound for a time period even if we are not personally sick.  

---

@saxon1549 It has a death rate of 2% and the flu is like . 2 so that’s the difference. That’s what I read anyway. Most people who get it will recover.  

---

@breland I get that and I completely agree with it. My reply was specifically to @saxon1549 comments saying the death ratio was high with much higher than seasonal flu. Most of us who get the flu don’t get hospitalized this shouldn’t be any different unless our immune system reacts differently. 2 years from now will be a “new” strain of virus and the hype will be the same as it is now

---

@midpoint Athens I got the similar information from this video: .  
https://www.c-span.org/video/

---

@esthonia1914 You are right, not as many death as this season's flu. During the last month or so, Chinese government has shut down a big city in China, and asked Chinese to stay home and do not go outside, no holiday gatherings, postponed back to work schedule for Chinese New Year. A lot of works have been done to prevent a worse outbreak. Plus, there are deaths not been counted in or reported for corona virus, such as people who are dead but not been tested. Of course, China and US have different situations and conditions. I am just hoping the virus won't spread any more.  

---

@saxon1549 precautionary measures should be taken in China and in any other country but with the amount of cases reported in China vs the US or any other country. Measures taken seem about right to avoid more and more cases.  

Answer 32

Smart lady. It’s the media

Answer 33

Its bc its MUCH more contagious than the normal flu. They're afraid our country wont have enough meds for everyone or hospital rooms or space for the ppl who may need it. China built a NEW hospital in one week flare just to make room for the thousands it infected. Here it would take forever to build a hospital. So the fear is it spreading like wildfire and we wont be prepared. That's the problem

Comments

@malkamalkah exactly!  

Answer 34

The media will always be overdramatized no matter what. The concerning thing to me is why are all the health officials going to such extreme measures to try and keep it contained? They don’t do this for the typical cold/flu like some are trying to compare it to.  

Answer 35

Media drama trying to build up a story. They make an exaggerated statement and pitch it as fact. Pple get riled up and widespread panic starts. Leave medical statements to the medical professionals.  

Comments

@goodill which exaggerated statement was pitched as fact?  

---

@nolpros0 they imply that its going to be a pandemic, but until there is more information, they should stop the drama.  

---

@goodill the implication that it's going to be a pandemic is literally coming from the WHO and actual members of the White House task force. What part was the media's fault? The quoting the experts part?  

Answer 36

Another vaccine to push. fear mongering. Vaccines are great money makers.  

Comments

@leeleeann there's no vaccine for COVID-19.  

---

@scumble4835 the manufacturer’s didn’t make and give for free.  

---

@scumble4835 I didn’t thanks to vaccines. And I’m sorry you did. I’m not against some vaccines that eradicated diseases. But I’m very aware of how pharmaceuticals work. We all are entitled to our own opinions you have your I have mine! Enjoy this sunny day

---

@nolpros0 Not, yet.  

---

@leeleeann and not. for at least 18 months. And like every other vaccine, it's not magic.  

Answer 37

Media sells fear.  

Answer 38

Agree. over the top.  

Answer 39

The media is fear mongering. It's what they do best. The CDC and WHO have the information on their sites that is easy to read and understand. Harvard just released that Corona is a weak version of the flu

Comments

@nolpros0 thanks for letting me know!