Thread by @RobertBohan

Thread: By just reviewing online posts & broadcasts regarding #Coronavirusireland you’d be forgiven for freaking out. Quite a bit of the factual info is either very technical or can lead to confusion. So let me put on my lab coat & we’ll do a fact check.

▫️The correct name of the illness is COVID-19. This is TRUE. It is a strain of a family of viruses called Coronavirus. Other members include the common cold, for instance.

▫️It’s the end of the world posts. This is NOT true. The best way to think of the virus is as a more potent version of flu. Everything being said about Covid-19 should be thought of in that light. Between 200-500, mainly elderly people, die of flu every year in IRL.

▫️Covid-19 is more contagious than flu. This is CORRECT. Best estimates are it is 10 times more contagious. However most people will at worst develop flu-like symptoms. Also by following advice that rate will be reduced. For those who need to be hospitalised see below.

▫️20% of people will die. This is NOT true. A lot of misinformation is based on unreliable Chinese statistics. For instance everyone who had ordinary flu-like symptoms is in their data. Non hospitalised were mostly not. Currently European experts expect 1% or less fatalities

The Chinese Covid-19 numbers include many thousands who were NOT given a blood test to confirm they had Covid-19 (Coronavirus). As a result their data is unverifiable & experts need to wait until blood tests become standard to confirm hospital & fatality rates.

▫️Everyone will get really sick. This is NOT true. In fact respected French & other EU experts think the vast majority may have no symptoms or mild or flu-like symptoms. They believe well under 20% might be hospitalised & estimate it will likely be under 10%.

▫️Populations will be decimated. This is NOT true. Even including the suspect Chinese data the current maximum estimate is 2.3%. As testing highlights more asymptomatic people, experts believe that will fall under 1%.

▫️I could die! This is highly UNLIKELY. Fit, able-bodied people who are not elderly & do not have underlying health conditions are highly unlikely to need either hospitalisation or to worry about death.

The data on those who died shows that it was dominated by people with underlying health conditions (immunosuppressed or immunocompromised) or who were v elderly. In these cases if you fit that description you should contact your medical doctor & ask for advice.

Even elderly & people with health conditions need not overly worry as long as the able-bodied follow Public Health Service guidance (wash hands, self-isolate with symptoms etc) & they avoid crowded areas or people with flu-like symptoms.

▫️Face masks will stop me getting the virus. This is NOT true. Medics wear them as they are intimately involved with the sick & change masks every 20 mins. Only those with symptoms might & usually wear them wrong & even then they should be at home.

Covid-19 was grown in a lab. This is NOT true. Scientific analysis of the virus shows it was picked up from animals. This is a common trope of conspiracy wingnuts - they said this about HIV, SARS etc. Genetic analysis can identify the history of a virus.

Covid-19 is broadcast from 5G towers. This is NOT true. To be fair, if like a certain Dublin female failed far right political candidate you believe this - then I have a bridge to sell you!

I need to panic! This is NOT true. Understandably some have little faith in the HSE - check out the NHS or CDC websites instead (see below). People who are more at risk (health conditions or v elderly) are not the ones being dramatic. Put your worries in perspective.

Panic & fear sells newspapers, grows online clicks & increases viewership. Don’t get caught up in it. This is a serious virus but with washing hands, self-isolation & consideration towards our neighbours we can reduce its impact.

Many are getting their information from US sources. Unless it is a respected university or the CDC be aware that even medical information there is politicised. Additionally I’ve noted a number of medical doctors taking Chinese data as if it were fact.

I understand how scary this can seem. It is worrying but mostly just for immunosuppressed & elderly people. I’m one of those immunosuppressed people & to be fair ordinary flu might carry me off so I’m just being sensible & giving dirty looks to those panicking! 🧐😉

I’ve shared other data this week to allay people’s fears & what was striking was the reaction of some Irish (!) people who were VERY angry I was bursting their ‘we’re all doomed, doomed, I tell you’ bubble. If you wash your hands & avoid crowds you should be OK 😉

Oh & don’t touch your face before washing your hands. And like my mammy always says ‘wear a vest’ & ‘have you got clean underwear on you before you go out’!.

Here’s an expert (but understandable) discussion between some world renowned virus experts from France 24. Watch it - it will put your mind at rest.

Here’s the HSE guidance: www2.hse.ie/conditions/cor…

Here’s CDC: cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…

Here’s World Health Organisation (where an Irish Doctor, Michael Ryan, is the executive director in charge of responding to Covid-19. He even went to University College Galway):
who.int/emergencies/di…

Some perspective:
Deaths by Cause for Ireland (2014)

Cancer (8,880)
Heart (8,899)
Flu (200-500)
Even if Covid killed 20 times seasonal flu - 10,000 - more likely MAX estimate is 5,000 over several months.

OK, I know & you know you’re Irish but check that voice inside your head that says ‘but whatabout’ & also the one that says you have to take the opposite side of the argument. Just BE. If you’re anxious make a plan on how you’ll help sick neighbours. Projects are good 😉

Oh & there’s meditation. And if you’re just popping by to share your anxiety you’ll have to buy one of my artworks first before we’re at that level of intimacy! 🤧I also have Generalised Anxiety Disorder so if I can be calm so can we all. Did you check you have clean pants on?!

If you’d like to learn to relax get Áine Tubridy’s book, When Panic Attacks which has a CD with this meditation track. It’s recommended by professionals. It works & you’ll either fall into a deep sleep or be mellow:

Here’s an overview comparison of flu v Covid-19 from the New York Times (their reporting has been sensible & balanced): nytimes.com/2020/02/29/hea…

Pregnancy: I’m not a medical doc so do call your GP & get their advice! There’s a report published in the Lancet (12/2/20) on 9 pregnant women with Covid-19. All survived & so did their babies. It looks like pregnant & non-pregnant women have the same risk. Ask your GP.