Ask HN: Are you worried about the coronavirus?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22339369

by tempsy • 6 years ago

4 6 6 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I'm having a very hard time figuring out what to believe. Are you personally concerned at all about the coronavirus? What are you doing, if anything, to prepare?

topmonk• 6 years ago

I'm in Taiwan and for various reasons don't want to move, so somewhat concerned. I don't think I'll be able to avoid it, so I'm exercising more so my body is in better condition to fight it.

I'm also making sure to be stocked in non perishable food, rice, etc.

pettycashstash2• 6 years ago

New England area of United States. Planning on minimal stocking basic items such as bottled water and foodstuffs. Maybe 1 weeks worth. No panic but my gut tells me to be prepared for something. It just makes me feel better

maxharris• 6 years ago

I'm quite concerned about it. I went to the hardware store to pick up some N95 masks, and I made sure that I have things in the kitchen that won't rot (rice, beans, meat in the freezer).

mindcrime• 6 years ago

Considering that there hasn't, last I checked, been a single confirmed case yet in my state (North Carolina), I'm not too concerned right this minute. My concern is also tempered by the knowledge that this virus, so far, does not seem to be exceptionally deadly. That said, I'll be keeping my eye out on the news reports as things progress, for sure.

Prepare? Well, I'm admittedly a little bit of a "prepper" anyway. Not to an extreme degree, but I stockpile certain supplies, practice some bushcraft / wilderness survival techniques, and read the occasional book/magazine/website on the topic of survival and prepping. So far, not taking any specific extra actions related directly to the coronavirus thing. But I may make it a point to stock up on some over-the-counter medicines... the kind of things that don't cure any disease, but can at least treat some of the symptoms so you can sleep - e.g. Nyquil, Mucinex, etc., as well as disinfectant wipes, and things of that ilk.

I can't imagine this getting so bad that I'd be tempted to flee into the wilderness just to try and avoid human contact until it blows over, so I'm not going out and stocking up on trail mix, ammo, snare wire, waterproof matches, Bic lighters, etc., etc., yadda yadda yadda.

ggm• 6 years ago

The worst thing you can do is panic. The second worst thing is read indirect sources. I suggest you avoid social media which is full of a lot of toxic hidden agenda and stick to things like promedmail.org and virological.org. they cite prime sources.

tim333• 6 years ago

I'm kinda concerned. I'm in Singapore and there have been cases quite near though it's still a small percentage of the population. I'm near the biggest red blobs on the ourbreak map: https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-singapore-map-sh...

Slightly eccentrically I ordered some chloroquine (because https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001359446/anti-mala...)

Re whether to worry in the west I'd keep an eye on Singapore because they have pretty good controls here. If it levels out things will likely be ok. If it goes exponential the the rest of the world will probably follow.

Ask HN: Are you worried about the coronavirus?

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