# How concerned are you about this Coronavirus? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 29, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164 "2020-01-29T15:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/141 "2020-02-21T19:55:36Z")
Has anyone who replied earlier in the thread with “on a scale of 1 to 10, 0”, “not much”, “not at all”, “I’m less concerned about this virus than the ordinary flu” changed their mind now that new cases of COVID-19 have been popping up all over the world? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/142 "2020-02-21T20:33:58Z")
On a scale of 1 to 10, I am still about a Meh. It sucks, but so did SARS and MERS and we managed to survive. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/143 "2020-02-21T23:37:38Z")
Server error duplicate. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/144 "2020-02-21T23:35:13Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > Has anyone who replied earlier in the thread with “on a scale of 1 to 10, 0”, “not much”, “not at all”, “I’m less concerned about this virus than the ordinary flu” changed their mind now that new cases of COVID-19 have been popping up all over the world? I am more concerned now that cases from Iran, South Korea, and in Beijing itself (as well as clusters of infections in three Chinese provinces) are being reported. It seems highly likely to spread globally now. Given that a number of the Chinese docs caring for patients with the virus (even young ones) have died, I am more worried on a personal level. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/145 "2020-02-22T00:45:08Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I am more concerned now that cases from Iran, South Korea, and in Beijing itself (as well as clusters of infections in three Chinese provinces) are being reported. It seems highly likely to spread globally now. > > Given that a number of the Chinese docs caring for patients with the virus (even young ones) have died, I am more worried on a personal level. I think the spread to healthcare workers is partly or mostly due to infectious feces. Based on my experience caring for patients with C-diff, the addition of this vector makes contamination much more of a risk. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/146 "2020-02-22T00:59:04Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I am more concerned now that cases from Iran, South Korea, and in Beijing itself (as well as clusters of infections in three Chinese provinces) are being reported. I’m more concerned that no cases have been reported from Indonesia. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/147 "2020-02-22T01:25:41Z")
I’m traveling this weekend, granted not to Asia. I survived SARS in the Middle East, but I’m not as young as I was then…get off my lawn… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/148 "2020-02-22T02:10:48Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I think the spread to healthcare workers is partly or mostly due to infectious feces. I’ve heard reports of virus in fecal samples, but not live virus or transmission from that. ? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/149 "2020-02-22T03:52:13Z")
It seems like that ship would have given them a good sampling how how diverse are seriousness of the symptoms. How many required seeking medical treatment or not. Mortality rate might be better determined from a more controlled sample such as this. For all we know maybe only 1 in 5 seeks medical treatment and are never reported. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/150 "2020-02-22T06:49:52Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > I’ve heard reports of virus in fecal samples, but not live virus or transmission from that. ? I am not aware of any confirmation of this route. Pure speculation based on the virus being present in feces. 10 minute (!) old article in _Pathogens_ “The transmission of 2019-nCoV is often spread from person to person through the respiratory droplets generated during coughs or sneezes from an infected person. Human-to-human transmission is reported in countries such as Germany, Japan, Vietnam, and the United States [12]. The confirmed cases through inter-human transmission have increased the fear and panic accompanying the 2019-nCoV outbreak. It is still unknown whether the virus spreads only through human contact **or if there is possible transmission through oral-fecal contact as well** ” Both MERS and the original SARS had a GI component, with the virus being present in feces, particularly SARS ([The Lancet 2020](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(20)30048-0/fulltext)). SARS was known to have spread via this route. My particular thoughts on this are related to the spread through hospitals and to healthcare providers. Dealing with fecal transmission, particularly diarrhea, is much harder than strictly airborne transmission. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/151 "2020-02-22T06:51:18Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > It seems like that ship would have given them a good sampling how how diverse are seriousness of the symptoms. How many required seeking medical treatment or not. Mortality rate might be better determined from a more controlled sample such as this. For all we know maybe only 1 in 5 seeks medical treatment and are never reported. I think the Diamond Princess is going to be featured in future textbooks on Public Health and Epidemiology. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/152 "2020-02-22T14:19:51Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > …Dealing with fecal transmission, particularly diarrhea, is much harder than strictly airborne transmission. That really surprises me. I would have thought that solids and liquids are easier to contain and clean up after than air. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/153 "2020-02-22T14:33:23Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That really surprises me. I would have thought that solids and liquids are easier to contain and clean up after than air. They are. Not sure why the poster thinks otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![blue\_infinity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_infinity/32/2817_2.png) [@blue\_infinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blue_infinity)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/154 "2020-02-22T16:20:23Z")
Some concerning developments in the last couple of days. A significant loss of containment in South Korea with the cases doubling each day for the last couple of days. And Iran has 28 cases, but 5 deaths. That’s an implied mortality rate of 18%. My thinking is the mortality rate is still around 2%, but there’s a couple hundred infected running around, unknown to the authorities. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/155 "2020-02-22T16:39:08Z")
Interesting. China’s only level 4 bio lab is located in… [Wuhan](https://nypost.com/2020/02/22/dont-buy-chinas-story-the-coronavirus-may-have-leaked-from-a-lab/). A quote from Xi: “A national system to control biosecurity risks must be put in place “to protect the people’s health,” Xi said, because lab safety is a “national security” issue.” In other news, [Italy is starting to shut places down in 12 cities](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/italy-towns-effective-lockdown-virus-clusters-form-69141352)in response to links to the virus. Off to buy more soap and disinfectant. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/156 "2020-02-22T17:09:08Z")
> [@blue\_infinity](#): > > Some concerning developments in the last couple of days. > > A significant loss of containment in South Korea with the cases doubling each day for the last couple of days. > > And Iran has 28 cases, but 5 deaths. That’s an implied mortality rate of 18%. My thinking is the mortality rate is still around 2%, but there’s a couple hundred infected running around, unknown to the authorities. According to the Times this morning much of the South Korean issue comes from a cultish church, where people pray close together and where you are not supposed to get sick. The members seem to have been out in public, so it will get worse. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/157 "2020-02-22T18:27:29Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I think the Diamond Princess is going to be featured in future textbooks on Public Health and Epidemiology. In the section on government officials infected with Moronavirus, no doubt. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/158 "2020-02-22T19:48:03Z")
Btw, I was on the Diamond Princess about 12 years ago. My parents, who cruise a lot, have been on it several times. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/159 "2020-02-22T20:46:59Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I am more concerned now that cases from Iran, South Korea, and in Beijing itself (as well as clusters of infections in three Chinese provinces) are being reported. It seems highly likely to spread globally now. > > Given that a number of the Chinese docs caring for patients with the virus (even young ones) have died, I am more worried on a personal level. Let me add to this: ● Italy now has at least 58 confirmed cases, making it the largest hot spot in Europe. ● Nine South Korean tourists who recently toured Israel and the occupied West Bank tested positive for coronavirus Saturday. It’s pandemic time. There will be huge economic implications around the globe. Maybe the long awaited recession trigger? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164/160 "2020-02-22T21:23:41Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > ● Nine South Korean tourists who recently toured Israel and the occupied West Bank tested positive for coronavirus Saturday. I don’t know about the Palestinians, but Israel has been spending the day quarantining anyone it can find who got within 100 feet of those Korean tourists. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-concerned-are-you-about-this-coronavirus/847164.md?page=9)