For those of us who can afford to not shop during this upcoming COVID19 wave, I'd encourage everyone to consider just entirely sitting it out. One major thing (just talked about in the first question of tonight's CNN Democratic debate) that health officials and experts fear is the overwhelming of our hospital system and not having enough beds/ICU units/ventilators, etc. for the anticipated/estimated number of people SOON needing that care.
If the numbers are right, this is taking place in weeks. Italy just went from 1,400-ish to 1,800 deaths overnight. If they start having 1,000 die a day, that would be hard to watch. The U.S. is tracking Italy's case growth curve with a lag. So, unless the curve is flattened, we may end up like Italy soon.
If people who can afford to stay home just stay home and we self-isolate, practice social distancing, and good hygiene/sanitation, we can perhaps flatten the curve enough to NOT have the feared scenario of sick people overwhelming our healthcare facilities.
COVID19 has a much LOWER death/fatality rate than SARS. But, it transmits at a much higher rate. The concern should not be death, but rather hospitalization in most of the severe cases. BUT, if we don't have the room and we strain our health systems, I worry there could be some who don't get the best treatment we could offer and unnecessarily die.
For those who have to go out and work, it's totally understandable. I know it must be tough too. No one wants to put themselves in the line of the virus' attack, but many may simply need to for the pay. I do hope the Trump administration and Congress can do more than just push guaranteed COVID19 sick leave pay. That means many still have to work until sick. I'd prefer a lockdown with guaranteed income for all during this crisis.
Nonetheless, for those of us who can afford to not shop, do consider helping society by limiting human contact during this time. And for those who must shop, stay safe and do call (before showing up) your local doctor/urgent care center if symptoms develop. Hopefully, Congress makes it so all COVID19 medical debt is waived (as proposed by Biden/Sanders both tonight and, I believe, Trump previously, as well).
Stay vigilant and safe everyone!
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/2020 02:14AM by shoptastic.