Coronavirus Discussion Thread (See Staff Post) [UPDATE: WHO declares global emergency. See threadmarks]

[CelestialAtom]

I'll be out $1200 if policies don't change or I can't convince them to give me a break. $300 flight cancellation fee+$900 6-night hotel stay. Can I afford it? Yes, but it would break my damn heart. This was a dream trip for me.

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I'm right there right you, my friend. Been dreaming of going to Japan since I was a kid and seeing this opportunity get crushed because of a virus (of all the times for it to happen, it happens now) is heartbreaking. I know I'll have other chances in life, but this was a moment where I was able to afford it because of a great bonus they I earned at work and was able to do this trip. I just hope these airlines allow us to delay them until later this year for no cost, but I'm feeling like they won't budget.

You can try contacting them to see if they can reschedule the flight I suppose? Cite the coronavirus. AFAIK right now most flights only give free refund/ reschedule for the flights to Wuhan/ China, but if the cases get worse in Japan you may have a case. They may yet to change the policy.

Luckily for my upcoming May trip all the accomodation I've booked so far are free to cancel so I'm not too worried yet. Although my tickets are non refundable :\

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Absolutely. I will be waiting until late minute before I reach out and cancel, as it's almost guaranteed at this point for Japan to have it spread all over due to the recent news. The travel industry has to adapt to this, or there will be a huge amount of pissed off people.

 

[Linkura]

I'm right there right you, my friend. Been dreaming of going to Japan since I was a kid and seeing this opportunity get crushed because of a virus (of all the times for it to happen, it happens now) is heartbreaking. I know I'll have other chances in life, but this was a moment where I was able to afford it because of a great bonus they I earned at work and was able to do this trip. I just hope these airlines allow us to delay them until later this year for no cost, but I'm feeling like they won't budget.

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I've been twice before, but it's been 10 years, and this would be my first trip to Tokyo Disney as well as by myself.

 

[Lishi]

It's not hyperbole or sensationalism. There's literally an official Wartime Status Order:

北京市疾控中心党委发布战时状态令

www.yangtse.com

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I mean, it's not directed to all citizen, but only party member.

I'm not saying there is no curfew going around, just that the title sound weirdly a click bait.

 

[VeePs]

Good to see Changi Airport being pro-active in informing the public about their precautionary measures.

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I was at that airport about a week ago. Seem's like they've definitely stepped it up. When I went I noticed they had body heat monitors with people operating them, looking for folks with symptoms for the Coronavirus.

 

[elty]

Given the number of Chinese immigrants in Canada, the current case # looks too low to be true....

 

[Lishi]

I was at that airport about a week ago. Seem's like they've definitely stepped it up. When I went I noticed they had body heat monitors with people operating them, looking for folks with symptoms for the Coronavirus.

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uhm they had that stuff already in place last month.

 

[Rowsdower]

Given the number of Chinese immigrants in Canada, the current case # looks too low to be true....

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Yea, this is weird to me. I mean, the good news, the London case has recovered, and the two in Toronto are doing well in self-quarantine. I think the BC cases are mild so far as well. But we only have 7 confirmed cases?

I suspect it's going around, but if it's mostly mild here, people will think they have a bad cold or flu and not get tested. It is still flu season.

Also, for my friends and family in Toronto, you only go to the hospital if you really feel sick. No one I know goes to emergency for a flu like illness, unless they have a really high fever or can't breathe.

 

[elty]

Yea, this is weird to me. I mean, the good news, the London case has recovered, and the two in Toronto are doing well in self-quarantine. I think the BC cases are mild so far as well. But we only have 7 confirmed cases?

I suspect it's going around, but if it's mostly mild here, people will think they have a bad cold or flu and not get tested. It is still flu season.

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This seems rather implausible. This disease is more serious than a flu AND spread faster. If it is already going around that there should be at least a few that is sick enough to require hospitalization, and at that point they can trace more cases with mild symptoms.

.

 

[Garchia3.0]

And the sky is blue.

 

[VeePs]

uhm they had that stuff already in place last month.

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Well I guess I didn't see it then. Was in Singapore multiple times since January 6th, and had two layovers roughly 5-6 hours where I was just walking around exploring the airport.

edit: this was what I saw in my most recent visit. Didn't see it last month.

 

[ChaosZeroX]

We are truly fucked.

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Only closed for a day it seems.

 

[raygcon]

New cases found in London Lewisham ,very close to my home.

Man, I have to travel by tube for at least 1 hour every day from southeast to west London. With that amount of people squeeze into tiny train car, it's just a matter of time before this thing get spread out uncontrollably. Imagine for one unknown infected person get into there...

 

[TheOMan]

Saw this somewhere.....

COVID-19 = Chinese Outbreak Virus In December 19

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Except, it was probably October, but it was covered up.

 

[squeakywheel]

Welp going to Tokyo direct from Sydney in April for 9 days (literally been planning the trip for a year as a much needed holiday).

this is escalating and not slowing down so think ive got to cancel and pray for a refund 😟

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If you are immunocompromised then maybe. I think you can wait a bit longer to see if it trends down.

 

[Scuffed]

I suspect it's going around, but if it's mostly mild here, people will think they have a bad cold or flu and not get tested. It is still flu season.

Also, for my friends and family in Toronto, you only go to the hospital if you really feel sick. No one I know goes to emergency for a flu like illness, unless they have a really high fever or can't breathe.

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None of this is the case. ERs across the GTA have been gridlock'd for months. Gridlock is common in the GTA and people go to the ER for everything around here. There is tons of flu and corona testing is active as my wife has done it. Maybe there are a few cases incubating who knows but based on testing large sample sizes there have only been a few cases.

Maybe your family never goes to the ER but census would show that that is not common behaviour around here.

 

[Lishi]

Well I guess I didn't see it then. Was in Singapore multiple times since January 6th, and had two layovers roughly 5-6 hours where I was just walking around exploring the airport.

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Well end of January.

 

[Linkura]

And the sky is blue.

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"Administration"=US?

 

[Calamari41]

Source: https://www.reuters.com/live-events/coronavirus-6-id2921484?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=twitter

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Silver lining is that it seems most new cases in the US are happening inside quarantines, which at least shows that the policy is working as intended?

 

[Deleted member 2802]

And the sky is blue.

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"Administration"=US?

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The twitter is from a Fox News correspondent

This is literally the alternate reality news calling out the lying foreign dictatorship

 

[lunarworks]

None of this is the case. ERs across the GTA have been gridlock'd for months. Gridlock is common in the GTA and people go to the ER for everything around here. There is tons of flu and corona testing is active as my wife has done it. Maybe there are a few cases incubating who knows but based on testing large sample sizes there have only been a few cases.

Maybe your family never goes to the ER but census would show that that is not common behaviour around here.

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Some people go to ER for the dumbest of reasons.

My family lived a 3 minute drive from the ER, and we'd only go if it were an actual emergency.

 

[CelestialAtom]

If you are immunocompromised then maybe. I think you can wait a bit longer to see if it trends down.

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I think we are all waiting until middle or so of next month before we finally decide, but let's be real — it's not looking good.

 

[Garchia3.0]

"Administration"=US?

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Yep.

Silver lining is that it seems most new cases in the US are happening inside quarantines, which at least shows that the policy is working as intended?

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It seems to be, yes. Hopefully it will be contained in the US.

 

[Deleted member 34788]

We are truly fucked.

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Eh quite a few of the London cases have already recovered and the NHS has put out almost all the stops currently available to prep for a possible outbreak of the virus.

Unless you have respiratory issues, and then the qualifier is that you are old or infirm, there isn't much point in worrying, tbh. If you are not old and relatively healthy, the virus should not concern you much. If you do get it, follow the procedures already laid out.


The person who called the uber is totally fucked though. Pray their name does not get released. Read it was a Chinese national, might have to low key leave the country once they have recovered. No way people will leave them in peace. Was a fucking stupid way if doing things though,frankly.

Oh and let's not post fucking tweets from fox news correspondents.

Seriously, not everyone with a blue tick is a fucking voice worth listening to. Check the sources please.

The fucking CCP I trust more then fox news, and its coresspondents.

 

[Deaf Spacker]

Why the hell did the woman in London get a Uber?!

 

[Scuffed]

Some people go to ER for the dumbest of reasons.

My family lived a 3 minute drive from the ER, and we'd only go if it were an actual emergency.

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That's the way it should be but it is no hyperbole that here in the GTA people go for literally anything. The system wishes there were more people like you but it's free and of course it's abused heavily.

 

[Deleted member 9399]

Why the hell did the woman in London get a Uber?!

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There probably is no easy way to actually enforce this but I wish for something this serious/developing there were more concrete consequences for people who knowingly put others in danger for selfish reasons.

 

[Humidex]

Why the hell did the woman in London get a Uber?!

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Too harsh to imagine that she didn't know the local emergency number and just used her, well, smartphone?

 

[Deaf Spacker]

There probably is no easy way to actually enforce this but I wish for something this serious/developing there were more concrete consequences for people who knowingly put others in danger for selfish reasons.

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Too harsh to imagine that she didn't know the local emergency number and just used her, well, smartphone?

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Apparently she told the 111 service and they told her to wait for an ambulance, so god knows why she decided to do what she did.

 

[Deleted member 41520]

It's definitely looking like I will be cancelling my trip to Japan. With sources unknown and those individuals seeing many people per day, it's only a matter of weeks before all of those cases begin to flare up.

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Ugh ours are at the same time and my hotel is nonrefundable, and I believe there's a $300 fee to cancel the flight. :( It seems like definite fuckery if a taxi driver is getting it AND they don't know how. I may need to take a taxi on my trip! If it gets worse, I really hope airlines and hotels offer refunds or at least vouchers for future use. I really don't want to cancel but these new cases are quite concerning. Currently JAL is only offering fee-free refunds for Chinese routes.

If I don't go, I might book a trip domestically. I really was looking forward to this. :(

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A few things:
1. First world countries (like Japan) will only get stricter and safer in coming weeks. Anyone who MIGHT be infected will self quarantine. The hospitals and enforcements will be top quality. There won't be potentially infected walking around everywhere
2. To be cynical, things will be cheaper and quieter than ever for this period. Your chances of getting infected won't be high because a fraction the people will be on planes, on trains, on the street, etc. You'll get total, unprecedented, never-again access and quiet and peace when seeing sights. Someone earlier in the thread already commented some typically swamped Japanese temple is literally empty.
3. Practice good hygiene and have a face mask you're probably good anyway
4. It's very likely things will be quieter by then. The only place with a serious outbreak currently is China, and it's likely that only second/third world countries will be affected as such
5. The virus is only really a true danger if you're old or infirm (I.e. immunosuppressed).

If the latter is the case, then that's fair enough. It's the only real reason I can think it's actually worth being seriously worried about this.

 

[Humidex]

Apparently she told the 111 service and they told her to wait for an ambulance, so god knows why she decided to do what she did.

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If she was told then that the wait could be as long as 90 minutes, that's might have triggered that call...

 

[Neo C.]

Oh absolutely, definitely waiting on cancelling. I hope it gets better in the next month and a half...

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I'll probably get my money back because my flight had a stop in Shanghai. The trip to Japan is still on though, I'll wait two more weeks before I decide whether I go or not.

 

[Deaf Spacker]

If she was told then that the wait could be as long as 90 minutes, that's might have triggered that call...

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That's no excuse, there's a procedure for a reason.

 

[CelestialAtom]

A few things:
1. First world countries (like Japan) will only get stricter and safer in coming weeks. Anyone who MIGHT be infected will self quarantine. The hospitals and enforcements will be top quality. There won't be potentially infected walking around everywhere
2. To be cynical, things will be cheaper and quieter than ever for this period. Your chances of getting infected won't be high because a fraction the people will be on planes, on trains, on the street, etc. You'll get total, unprecedented, never-again access and quiet and peace when seeing sights. Someone earlier in the thread already commented some typically swamped Japanese temple is literally empty.
3. Practice good hygiene and have a face mask you're probably good anyway
4. It's very likely things will be quieter by then. The only place with a serious outbreak currently is China, and it's likely that only second/third world countries will be affected as such
5. The virus is only really a true danger if you're old or infirm (I.e. immunosuppressed).

If the latter is the case, then that's fair enough. It's the only real reason I can think it's actually worth being seriously worried about this.

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My concern is that I have Asthma, but other than that I am healthy. I just worry about infecting those that live with me and others who have weakened lungs and such. I'm hoping like hell this calms down for Japan, but it's hard to tell this early.

 

[Garchia3.0]

Good news:

 

[elty]

Hong Kong has another dinner related cluster - 5/13 people are now tested positive. The last one was 11/19 in a hot pot / BBQ dinner gathering.

 

[Falcon511]

So my co worker that is a bit of a conspiracy theorist said that he believes there is a possibility this virus could be a bio weapon. Something about markers being found in the virus. Idk. It's fun talking to him.

He doesn't get his flu vaccine either so...

 

[Neo C.]

A few things:
1. First world countries (like Japan) will only get stricter and safer in coming weeks. Anyone who MIGHT be infected will self quarantine. The hospitals and enforcements will be top quality. There won't be potentially infected walking around everywhere
2. To be cynical, things will be cheaper and quieter than ever for this period. Your chances of getting infected won't be high because a fraction the people will be on planes, on trains, on the street, etc. You'll get total, unprecedented, never-again access and quiet and peace when seeing sights. Someone earlier in the thread already commented some typically swamped Japanese temple is literally empty.
3. Practice good hygiene and have a face mask you're probably good anyway
4. It's very likely things will be quieter by then. The only place with a serious outbreak currently is China, and it's likely that only second/third world countries will be affected as such
5. The virus is only really a true danger if you're old or infirm (I.e. immunosuppressed).

If the latter is the case, then that's fair enough. It's the only real reason I can think it's actually worth being seriously worried about this.

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While I agree with you, I also fear the people are more openly racist towards me because of my Chinese ethnicity.

 

[J-Skee]

I'm right there right you, my friend. Been dreaming of going to Japan since I was a kid and seeing this opportunity get crushed because of a virus (of all the times for it to happen, it happens now) is heartbreaking. I know I'll have other chances in life, but this was a moment where I was able to afford it because of a great bonus they I earned at work and was able to do this trip. I just hope these airlines allow us to delay them until later this year for no cost, but I'm feeling like they won't budget.



Absolutely. I will be waiting until late minute before I reach out and cancel, as it's almost guaranteed at this point for Japan to have it spread all over due to the recent news. The travel industry has to adapt to this, or there will be a huge amount of pissed off people.

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I feel so bad for you guys. I was just this past September for my honeymoon & it was everything that I wanted it to be & more. I really hope it works out for you in the future. Japan is beautiful.

 

[lunarworks]

That's the way it should be but it is no hyperbole that here in the GTA people go for literally anything. The system wishes there were more people like you but it's free and of course it's abused heavily.

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More people need to understand what walk-in clinics are for.

 

[Deleted member 41520]

While I agree with you, I also fear the people are more openly racist towards me because of my Chinese ethnicity.

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That doesn't sound unrealistic :( sorry pal.

 

[Vex]

Given the number of Chinese immigrants in Canada, the current case # looks too low to be true....

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Yea my immediate thought after the outbreak was that Canada would be one of the first countries in the west to have a rapid increase in infection rates.

Bizzare. Good news, but bizarre.

 

[Snarfington]

I'm due to go to Disney World from London in May. Not expecting disruption to it just yet, but absolutely got that creeping feeling this virus will screw it up somewhere down the line, especially after I already reorganised the trip from last year due to Hurricane Dorian (which, of course, ended up scraping by & missing...). Of course, there are bigger hardships that are/would be out there due to any existing or possible future travel disruption but... Selfishly, it would stink.

 

[cjbenny]

I'm right there right you, my friend. Been dreaming of going to Japan since I was a kid and seeing this opportunity get crushed because of a virus (of all the times for it to happen, it happens now) is heartbreaking. I know I'll have other chances in life, but this was a moment where I was able to afford it because of a great bonus they I earned at work and was able to do this trip. I just hope these airlines allow us to delay them until later this year for no cost, but I'm feeling like they won't budget.

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Took the words from my mouth Shadow. I have an internship opportunity in Japan that's partnered with my college and I've been saving to pay for tuition/necessities these past few months (it starts at the end of May but I intended to go a few weeks early to explore). I'm waiting alongside you my friend, hopefully we might see signs of improvement by then. Japan has also been one of those dream trips of mine for so long.

 

[Sibylus]

I won't speculate about the eventual outcome as Canada goes, but it's much less densely populated than many of China and Japan's urban centers, and has a population roughly equivalent to the state of California. Disease outbreak could necessarily evolve differently here.

 

[Neo C.]

That doesn't sound unrealistic :( sorry pal.

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Haha, it's ok. Having the Swiss citizenship helps a lot in those cases. The Japanese also aren't actually that good at guessing who's Chinese and who's not anyway, I've experienced several times how they thought I'm Japanese and in one case Korean.

 

[Scuffed]

More people need to understand what walk-in clinics are for.

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People want answers right away. Get a test done at a clinic for anything you wait days for an answer and they might just end up sending you to ER. So people just go to the ER to get test results that day. I understand it with flu because you can't be too careful with that. If you are feverish and in a threat demo then you go to the ER absolutely. The problem is people that have indigestion or a headache for an afternoon. Or people that have shoulder pain thinking they are having a heart attack.

 

[Deleted member 41520]

Haha, it's ok. Having the Swiss citizenship helps a lot in those cases. The Japanese also aren't actually that good at guessing who's Chinese and who's not anyway, I've experienced several times how they thought I'm Japanese and in one case Korean.

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Lol, part of me wanted to ask about that but didn't want to be presumptuous/potentially racist 😂

 

[lunarworks]

I won't speculate about the eventual outcome as Canada goes, but it's much less densely populated than many of China and Japan's urban centers, and has a population roughly equivalent to the state of California. Disease outbreak could necessarily evolve differently here.

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Toronto is the 4th most populous city in North America, and it's been pretty much a non-event here. We've had three cases of it, two of them discovered a couple of weeks ago, and that's about it so far. If our crowded and extensive transit system hasn't spread it yet, I have my doubts about any major impact.

 

[elty]

I won't speculate about the eventual outcome as Canada goes, but it's much less densely populated than many of China and Japan's urban centers, and has a population roughly equivalent to the state of California. Disease outbreak could necessarily evolve differently here.

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But if you look at all the cluster case in HK/Singapore/Germany, then all you need is a few hours of dinner / meeting for it to spread to multiple people and their family.

 

[Timbuktu]

I wonder how bad it's got to get in London before firms start asking people to work from home instead.

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Looks like false alarm.

The alleged presence of coronavirus that led to the closure of a GP practice in north London was a false alarm, it is understood.

Ritchie Street surgery in Islington blamed the virus for its decision to shut in a notice on its door.

It said: "Practice is closed until 14/02/2020 due to the coronavirus. Any patients that have the symptoms should call 111 and not come to the practice."

However, no patients from or staff at the practice have tested positive for the virus, it has now emerged.

It remains unclear why the surgery management took the decision to shut.

NHS officials believe that the management may have done so as a precaution after testing a patient who suspected that they may have contracted the virus.

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With regards to the Uber driver who took the woman to hospital, Public Health England said

We are in contact with Uber to ensure the driver receives advice and information on what to do should they feel unwell in the coming days.

As the journey was less than 15 minutes, the driver did not have close sustained contact with the individual and are not considered high risk. We would like to thank Uber for their cooperation.

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