UK launches large-scale public advice campaign on coronavirus

[webfact]

UK launches large-scale public advice campaign on coronavirus

 

A woman wearing a protective face mask walks on London Bridge in London, Britain, March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government launched a wide-ranging public health campaign on Wednesday in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus, a day after warnings that as many as one in five employees could be off work at the peak of the outbreak.

 

The United Kingdom has so far had 51 confirmed cases of the virus, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was highly likely the number would rise.

 

Adverts informing people on how to protect themselves will appear on social media, in newspapers, on television and on billboards.

 

They warn that some viruses can live on surfaces for hours and that people should wash their hands more regularly and for up to 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

 

The campaign suggests people should wash their hands when they come in from work, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing, and before they eat or handle food.

 

"We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that’s what this expanded campaign is all about – making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing," said health minister Matt Hancock. "Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do."

 

The adverts suggest people should carry tissues to use when coughing or sneezing before binning them.

 

Britain unveiled its "battle plan" to tackle the spread of coronavirus on Tuesday. It includes possible school closures, home working and cancelling large-scale gatherings to delay the peak of the outbreak.

 

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; editing by Stephen Addison)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-04

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[Chomper Higgot]

A sensible response by the U.K. Government.

 

 

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies about iPlayer/VPN's have been removed. 

 

A post using a trolling meme has been removed. 

[overherebc]

The fact it's being taken seriously is good and not the we have it under control BS that is being spouted.

However, this is going to spread a lot more.

If I was in my 30's/40's I wouldn't even be thinking about it, but I'm not, I'm 72 and that puts me 'in the bracket'. Not much I can do about it really except try all the hand washing and stay away from the 'great unwashed' As it progresses, and it will, that will become more difficult.

On my part it's not really fear, it's resignation to accept a situation that I have very little control over.

You can carry a round with your number engraved on it in the fold of your beret but some other round may not pay much attention to it.

Edited March 4, 2020 by overherebc

[TheDark]

34 minutes ago, overherebc said:

The fact it's being taken seriously is good and not the we have it under control BS that is being spouted.

However, this is going to spread a lot more.

If I was in my 30's/40's I wouldn't even be thinking about it, but I'm not, I'm 72 and that puts me 'in the bracket'. Not much I can do about it really except try all the hand washing and stay away from the 'great unwashed' As it progresses, and it will, that will become more difficult.

On my part it's not really fear, it's resignation to accept a situation that I have very little control over.

You can carry a round with your number engraved on it in the fold of your beret but some other round may not pay much attention to it.

The way I see the risks, I believe that 50% of us will one day get the virus. No matter what we do, unless we fully isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. We'll get it or perhaps not. 

 

At 72, you have 95% chance to live it through. Only 5% chance to die of the virus. At 72, you should have already thought of you dying, multiple times in your past. It will eventually happen, so it's best for everyone of us just to make our own peace with the fact that we are all going to die one day. 

 

Fear of dying is one of the nastiest things some religions and cultures have given to us. There should not be such an thing as fear of dying. 

[overherebc]

38 minutes ago, TheDark said:

The way I see the risks, I believe that 50% of us will one day get the virus. No matter what we do, unless we fully isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. We'll get it or perhaps not. 

 

At 72, you have 95% chance to live it through. Only 5% chance to die of the virus. At 72, you should have already thought of you dying, multiple times in your past. It will eventually happen, so it's best for everyone of us just to make our own peace with the fact that we are all going to die one day. 

 

Fear of dying is one of the nastiest things some religions and cultures have given to us. There should not be such an thing as fear of dying. 

A couple of tours of active service is one of the best lessons in life. Every day you always have the feeling.

It's the main reason I can accept reality and have no time for the people who get wound up and angry about things that I see as being totally 'I am' based and feel insulted at the slightest comment that doesn't fit their way of thinking.

If I'm one of the 5% then as they say in it's Russia 'tufski s--tsky'. for me.

This whole thing is something we have 0% control over. Maybe we can slow it but sure as s--t stinks we can't stop it.

Edited March 4, 2020 by overherebc

[TheDark]

You have found your wisdom of life, which I value. The younger ones have not yet found their places and they'll keep on making mistakes, until they become a bit wiser. It's a long run for them too. Whole life of learning.

 

Each of us have our own learning processes to be completed.