Thread by @pmdfoster

Some key takeaways:

1) LOOK at the death rates by age group. Under 50s death rate is 0.1% from 803 deaths. Even 50-70 is low. 70+ it bites hard. Takeaway: be responsible. Protect elderly relatives from infection. /2

Next. The ‘good news’ is that the pneumonia experienced by critical cases responds to standard treatments in the standard way. Ventilation, either ‘invasive’ (ie tube) but also some ‘non’ invasive. ICU medicine knows how to do this /3

Next. The critical thing is to be able to provide intensive care beds to everyone who needs one. @DrMCecconi says that is happening in Lombardy and the hard-hit bits of N.Italy/4

And that ventilator capacity CAN be boosted. For example using ventilators from operating rooms - which NHS is prepping for. That’s why regular surgery will get cancelled. /5

Next. This is NOT normal flu. WAY more people than usual need critical care; but when they get it, as noted above <50s recover. At the upper end obviously the numbers are grim. /6

So @DrMCecconi advice is 1) prepare - build ICU capacity. Medics need to learn how to use protective gear. And practice this. 2) take aggressive steps to reduce strain on service. As a citizen you must self-isolate. Minimise risk to elderly - parents and neighbours/7

What we DONT need is mad, selfish panic buying as @MichaelAodhan of retail consortium has been reminding people. /8

We also don’t need appocalyptic media - let’s get with the programme people. Watch the video. The hysteria is insulting doctors like @DrMCecconi who is in the eye of the storm, and ice-calm. “Chapeau”, Sir, whatever that is in Italian. /9

Where does this end - hard to know. These numbers show infections still rising. But we do know what we can all do. Let’s do it. ENDS

PS. May now be branching into #CoronaVirusUpdates #coronaUK threading industry.

Ps. Posting this video link here. Thread broke. Watch this video