I know we have had some serious discussion on this topic as well as some light hearted banter, and i think everyone does take this seriously, but the question still remains what action can we take.
**Washing hands properly and often,and avoid touching your face etc.
**sneezing into tissue and discarding it properly.
**Keep distance from other people, both for their good as well as your own.
**Avoid crowded places.
**And self isolation.
being the main ones.
The problem I see is in the self isolation, because I am not sure self isolation will do any good at all, unless everyone does self isolation.
The problem I see with this is this, say I self isolate for the next 2-3 months, and it keeps me from getting the virus, the moment I leave my house i am then just as vulnerable as when I started my self isolation, in fact it could be argued I am more vulnerable especially if the virus has become more virulent during my term of isolation. In could also be argued it would be better to get the virus now whilst it is weak, when there is more efficiency in the NHS and probably a better chance of a ventilator, if needed.
I am self isolating at the moment, as one of my Grand Daughters has a cough, so I thought it wise to stay in, which to be honest is no problem for me, and in a way i was forced into doing it, rather than doing it voluntary. But as the schools are closing down today and many parents are left in a dilemna now, about who looks after them if they are at work, especially on what seems likely to be a long term problem, and of course the cost if wages are lost etc.
The other question is, is it sustainable, and of course we won't know this until there is further information about the virus itself, but lets say self isolation lasts for 6 months, how many could actually stay in for 6 months, or not work for 6 months, we are already being told the schools will not probably not re-open until after the summer break which is is September, that is 7 months away. This will obviously cause problems with food distribution and as most of the European countries have closed their borders, and we get a lot of our food from abroad, there may be a problem with quantities of supplies.
A lot of what we are about to face will be down to the actions of the Government, so basically out of our hands, we will need to rely on them to keep basic services going, such as gas, food, medicine and electricity supplies, and hopefully the staff needed to maintain them, same with the NHS and other medical systems, Police Armed forces..
This is one of the few times when having a community spirit will be the last thing you want, as the less people you come into contact with the better you will probably feel, and one can only hope that the vulnerable ones in our society don't suffer because of this.
