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* Your current level of concern about COVID-19? Make sure to explain, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:14 pm
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Previous Post: Justice Charles Freeman
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With my white blood cell count very low, the wife as put me in solitary. It stinks. But all in all. Not too concerned.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:16 pm
Not very concerned. There are relatively few cases, and it’s nothing like HIV/AIDS was, a death sentence for so many who were infected. The fatality rate for COVID-19 is thankfully low. We just have to take precautions, which is sound advice even for colds and flus. But older people need to really be careful, as they suffer the most.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:20 pm
Low, while I’m certainly not a teenager, it seems to really have a detrimental effect on those in the higher age range. I don’t see data from China or anywhere else that 30-40 year olds are falling over and dying from this.
The biggest concern I see is the carrier issue. Too many people will have this, think it’s just a cold or mild flu not get checked out and give to someone who has a compromised immune system.
Comment by Frank talks Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:23 pm
I am booked on a trip to Paris with my wife at the end of the month. I’d rather not be quarantined overseas. I waived the travel insurance (which stinks), but discovered this situation likely wouldn’t be covered by the insurance anyway (which is..less stinky?).
We will most likely still go if they haven’t closed the borders yet. Coming back might be trickier.
So my level of concern is rising but well short of freak out mode.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:23 pm
Not concerned for ourselves but I am very concerned for our community. We live in an area with an aging population - the average age here is probably over 65. We’re younger than that and relatively healthy and not in the high risk category. Incidentally, my wife went to a store today and in talking to the clerk she was told that they are sold out of hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. We had 2 cases of possible Coronavirus reported yesterday.
Comment by Stones Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:24 pm
Not particularly concerned. Beyond following the common sense protocols to avoid illness there’s not much that can be done. I’m more concerned about irrational responses and/or a lack of transparency from our government. If this situation brings more attention to the need for a better approach to affordable public health care and sick leave it may ultimately be a good thing.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:26 pm
Not at all concerned. I’m otherwise healthy and tend to recover quickly from viruses on the rare occasions I catch them. My understanding is most healthy people who contract COVID-19 are sick for about a week then recover. I asked a few acquaintances at my local health dept. if I should be more concerned than I am and they said “no”. They feel as though it’s being blown a bit out of proportion.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:26 pm
deeply concerned cause of panic others and empty shelves. Target on Saturday in some meds sections was terrifying.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:31 pm
Medium. As I said in the other post, we are about to learn the true impact of our country’s lack of investment in universal healthcare and paid time off.
This would be a lesser problem if folks could afford to seek treatment/testing and could stay off work. But, you know, America. We’re definitely going to lose a substantial number of elders and folks with suppressed immune systems due to others not being able to avoid transmitting it to them.
Comment by lakeside Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:38 pm
Not very concerned. The manner that it’s spreading now shows that a lot of unknowing or non symptomatic people are not being counted in the tally of the sick. Probably quite more widespread than the count indicates.
Comment by Rural Survivor Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:39 pm
Concerned enough to track the news but not in any kind of panic yet.
All this is indicated by our ages, 67 & 71, and pre-existing conditions that, I’m sure, put us into a higher risk category. But we also are generally healthy overall with all our conditions under control, so it is mostly just concern for now … just wish there was a bit more factual information available about contributing risk factors.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:41 pm
Feeling pretty certain that it will sweep through the country, with a death toll north of 50K. Read A Journal of the Plague Year to get a clue. Those able to isolate themselves had a much better survival rate.
Comment by Groundhog Day Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:49 pm
4/10. Doing sensible things like delaying or cancelling travel, keeping away from groups and coughing people, washing hands a lot, stocking the fridge. Not hiding indoors or building an ark. Things will spread, but perhaps local outbreaks can be delayed by health control measures until warmer weather, which might help. Hopeful for a vaccine before it pops up again next year.
Comment by Jibba Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:56 pm
There was an article I read earlier today that stated a Harvard trained epidemiologist thought 50-70% of all people will become infected but most will have minor symptoms and probably won’t even get tested. I’m not worried for me personally but am worried about those, like my uncle, whose health is not the best.
Comment by L.A. Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 3:59 pm
Concern Level (1-little 10-great)
COVID-19: 2
State & Local Response: 3
Federal Response: 8
Public Response: 6
Comment by Abu Iskandr Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
On a 1-to-10 scale, I was a 1 probably until midday Friday, and I’d say now I’m probably a 2.5. I work for a fairly large international company which imposed a ban on international travel (crossing any borders, including U.S.-Canada). That affects business and could not have been an easy decision so it got my attention. Hearing the increasing number of cases and deaths within the U.S also raised my attention. With that said, I’m overall healthy, practice good handwashing, and have limited use of public places. With that said, an international team from my company decided to use the satellite office I’m visiting today to skirt the rules imposed Friday. Not cool.
Comment by Father Ted Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
I’m a lot concerned. I’ve been following this for a few weeks, and the situation in China is dire to say the least. While I believe the death rate will be low, they’re estimating 20% of infected will need to be hospitalized, which will completely paralyze our health care system, so those who otherwise fall ill will not be able to receive treatment.
Comment by Seriously? Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:01 pm
Major social disruptions and economic disruptions seem likely.
Comment by Thomas Paine Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:02 pm
Not worried personally - taking basic measures like washing hands often, not chewing my nails (V DIFFICULT). My larger concern is for others who don’t have insurance, who have no PTO, who may fear health professionals to begin with, et al. Have ZERO belief that Trump or Pence understands anything. About anything.
Comment by LoyalVirus Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:05 pm
Tracking the news but not going into panic mode. Also washing my hands much more frequently.
I’m a platelets donor, but I haven’t gotten a call for an emergency platelets donation yet.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:08 pm
Concern for my own health is moderate to small; concern about collateral impacts is greater. Stock market, supply chain, travel will all be tremendously impacted.
Comment by Nova Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Not freaking but concerned, for two reasons: I’m a part-time caregiver for an elderly person, to whom I do not want to transmit the virus (or to anyone else), and also concerned about overwhelming the medical system, medication availability, lies from the federal government, racial discrimination, walking around large gatherings in the rotunda. So, more than two reasons.
Comment by Nicki Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:13 pm
Moderate. I think it is going to spread pretty widely. If it really is highly contagious, and has a 2% fatality rate, a country of 330,000,000 could be looking at a million or more deaths.
Comment by Titan Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:16 pm
With 10 at the high end, I’m at 4. I’m older, but not old. I have asthma and COPD, and work in a public school, but I remain optimistic.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:18 pm
Low concern personally. I do think the virus is highly contagious and in its early stages may not be distinguishable from common flu or not even noticeable at all for some people who have it. At the same time there is no possible way that every person with the sniffles can be tested for coronavirus. Some additional temporary restrictions on air travel and border crossings would be OK with me while CDC gets a better handle on transmission.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:20 pm
Moderate, glad I sit in the back to the Metra train in the morning where it is significantly less crowded. Don’t really have that option going home.
Between my commute and the wife’s health care work, kind of figure it is going to hit us at some point. More a matter of when in my mind vs if. The way it might have spread in Washington State is a bit concerning.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:21 pm
I am as worried as I am about getting a cold or the flu. I wash my hands and think about what I am touching.
What worries me is the community and government response. We do not shut down for the flu, and I haven’t seen evidence indicating we should shut down for COVID-19. The aforementioned problems in China and the markets are related to the response rather than the illness.
What would be a good response is universal, free health care, and paid sick leave. That would allow sick folks to get tested and then stay home and recuperate.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:24 pm
I am worried about this when it hits the nursing homes. Those places are generally petri dishes for bacteria and viruses.
A friend informed me that smokers and ex-smokers are particularly vulnerable to this virus as it impacts those with lung ailments in greater percentages.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:24 pm
Fairly concerned. We know it is easily transmissible. We know it started in a totalitarian country that was afraid of economic impacts and probably have been less than truthful. Now that it is in some less restrictive countries we will get a better handle. Kids, seem to have no worries. I am mainly concerned for the elderly. This is going to be a significant jolt to the country.
Comment by Southern Illinois Mayor Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:35 pm
I am at a moderate level of concern. At this moment I am 30 minutes from Sacramento Ca. Wednesday I fly to Seattle Wa. Closed confines of an aircraft cabin, lot of travelers from everywhere and I have seen how airplanes are cleaned between flights. Clorox wipes before I sit or touch.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:03 pm
Moderately concerned. It’s been interesting to watch CNBC the last several weeks. *Every* physician they have had on says something along “this is going to be significant- this is going to impact daily life” and the hosts all downplay it. I am not terribly concerned for my own safety, but I know many people who are obese, who are diabetics, who have long term illnesses. I think the general public will finally ‘click’ when large sporting events start to get cancelled in 4-6 weeks
Comment by jimbo Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:04 pm
Fairly concerned, not because of Illinois’ response, but at the national level.
The fact that the U.S. has nearly 30 million people who are uninsured, and an estimated 80 million who are under-insured, means that many symptomatic individuals will not get tested or seek out medical care for financial reasons.
The fact that millions of Americans have no provision for sick leave means that even individuals who are ill will be compelled to work - and in doing so, spread COVID-19.
The fact that a test can cost between $2000 and $3000 is prohibitive for the majority of Americans.
And the fact that the CDC did not update its site with current numbers is worrying indeed.
Comment by dbk Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:06 pm
On a scale of 1 to 10, I am at a 9. My greatest fear is COVID-19 panic will be used as a cover to pass truly awful legislation. Remember, never let a good crisis go to waste.
Comment by Angry Republican Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:17 pm
Good article in the New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-coronavirus-is-causing-a-global-panic-but-thats-a-good-thing . This is the bit that stood out for me, Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, estimated that between forty per cent and seventy per cent of the world’s roughly five billion adults will get the virus.” That’s a lot of us. So concerned about elderly and disabled family members, and the huge pressures on the health care system, but not particularly afraid.
Comment by AnnieH Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:26 pm
Age correlated with higher mortality rates, but the bigger worry is any pre-existing pulmonary, cardio, or kidney problems.
I am sorry to say Wensicia that your COPD puts you at much higher risk than your age.
My mom is a 70 y.o. ex-smoker with high blood pressure so this epidemic places her at high risk of death not just this year, but every year for the rest of her life.
Also worried about Rich…mortality rates among men are higher.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:30 pm
Probably a 2 or a lazy 3 out of 10 for me, personally.
For “family”, the elderly, children, the most vulnerable and susceptible I’m probably a firm 4 of 10, but that’s solely because of being unable (personally) to control things we all can’t control.
Listening to smart folks who understand pandemic type situations and medical emergencies, I feel less worried and more in a position to feel the need to be vigilant far more than anything else.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:39 pm
Using the trusty 1-10 scale, I started the weekend at 2 and am now at 4 with expectations of going higher.
Concerned for my wife, who must travel and be in larger groups for work. That’s a problem for me, as being older than she by some years with some mild health issues might make me more vulnerable. Have begun taking “tier one” sort of precautions but am not yet bathing in hand sanitizer. Hoping that modest consumption of good ryes will have a prophylactic and/or palliative effects.
Deeply concerned (but hardly surprised) over disorganization and mismanagement at federal level, elevation of political interests above public interests. Encouraged by IL state government’s announcement re insurance that state-level responses are underway.
Also deeply concerned that mixed signals re contagiousness, variability of symptoms, and uncertain incubation times are creating a bimodal response — too many people underestimating and too many exaggerating what we’re facing. So much we don’t know, and that’s the most worrisome.
Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:43 pm
Well the newest cases of concern, (patients and their contacts) have all been in my neighborhood and local elementary school. A lot of concern in a town hall with seniors I had this morning, but a general assumption we would do the right things.
Comment by walker Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:13 pm
Cautiously optimistic that this won’t be a medical nightmare of epidemic proportions. Fairly certain it will be a political nightmare of epic proportions. Blame will be slung around unmercilessly.
Comment by Bruce (no not him) Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:42 pm
We have a cruise to Alaska booked for late June out of Seattle so I am concerned about travel to that area. We are hoping for warm weather to put an end to this just like the flu season every year but who knows at this point.
Comment by Nieva Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:52 pm
Hoping to look back on an unrealized outcome. Concerned that the level of concern expressed here is too low.
Concerned about lack of testing and data. Upticks in number of cases will happen and the extent of disease will be greater than many expect.
Blue Dog Dem for you it is good idea. It may become so for the rest of us.
Good luck to those that find this particularly troubling and those who do not.
We need to remember to help each other out the best we can.
Comment by lost in the weeds Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 7:35 pm
I have a moderate amount of concern, but mostly because of the financial and economic implications of the likely pandemic.
Comment by Glengarry Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 8:12 pm
Not concerned for myself — but if you were wondering if this is a really, really crummy time to have an elderly relative who’s fighting cancer in a Seattle area hospital, let me assure you, it is.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 9:07 pm
==Moderate. I think it is going to spread pretty widely. If it really is highly contagious, and has a 2% fatality rate, a country of 330,000,000 could be looking at a million or more deaths.==
The mortality rate is likely to be much lower than currently being reported. My level of concern is low at this time.
Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 8:48 am
I’m more concerned about possibly being a carrier and infecting my 97 year old grandfather, 75 year old father or 69 year old mother (both parents being cancer survivors). My immune system is pretty high, I take public transportation daily, hubby is a truck driver and my daughter is a teacher which increases possible exposure unfortunately. Due diligence of hand washing has been paramount.
I do wish my employer was pushing employees to work from home but at this time they are not. We have imposed some travel bans but I’m sure that’s happening at most places right now.
Comment by ktkat1 Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 9:05 am