Fear is a Contagious Disease

Over the past few days we have had increasing reports of members who are struggling more than normal due to being unable to avoid the international Coronavirus frenzy. I absolutely understand that it is high on many people's minds and that if you are anything like me there is a certain fascination in the discussion of the facts and figures around it.

That said, discussion of this topic around the SF community is increasingly causing the resource that keeps many of our members safe on a day to day basis to be another source of fear and anxiety. Discussion of this particular epidemic is breeding considerable fear and while I am sure there are many that would argue that this fear is legitimate, the legitimacy of the fear does not make it more useful or more productive, especially on a support community filled with people who are already overwhelmed with anxieties, stresses and hopelessness.

I am requesting that people refrain from the discussion of coronavirus on SF (and to cover those members that will inevitably move to the 'general' discussion of epidemics and pandemics and statistical likelihoods of viral transmission then argue the semantics of the matter, this includes but is not limited to all of the aforementioned).

To highlight just a few of the problems this topic is causing:

• Severe exacerbation of debilitating OCD in response to discussion of germ spread
• Severe exacerbation of anxiety around 'means of survival' for people who cannot afford to 'stock up' in response to discussion of store closures and supply shortages
• Severe exacerbation of already dangerous isolating behaviours in response to discussion of disease transmission
• Severe exacerbation of suicidal ideation related to situational 'hopelessness' in response to discussion of “population decimation, millions of deaths and resulting economic and social collapse.” (None of which WHO or any reliable source is forecasting)

I am sure some people will argue that discussing this topic gives them support in their fears and I appreciate that discussion of this topic may provide some support to a minority of members whose coping methods for fear lie in exploring and 'bracing' for the worst case scenario. However, the discussion is not useful or productive in terms of support for most of our members and is actively dangerous and deterious for a considerable number more.

If the topic is raised in chat or on the forum by someone that has not read this notice they will be asked to change the topic and signposted by staff to this notice to understand why we are requesting that our members act with compassion and thoughtfulness toward those for whom this topic is dangerous. I ask that members who have read this notice also signpost people to it should a discussion begin in chat or on the forum that staff have not reached yet, in the interests of keeping the forum a safe space for as many people as possible.

As always, with respect, admiration and awe for all of you that take the time amid your own pain to help others and make SF what it is, thank you!

Freya

@Freya well said. And I will be sure if needed to direct people to this well written post.

this virus is so scary

Yeah, its hitting the county I live in pretty hard. There is a lot of panic around.

I never watch the news. So I don't think about it unless someone brings it up.

I definitely understand it. My country is lockdown at the moment and there's certainly a sense of anguish. But there's also a feeling of hope, it's important to remember that this is temporary and it just takes time and patient to pass. There have been other epidemies throughout centuries but humans have not been wiped from the planet. So, I do recommend not to obsess over this topic, but at the same time everyone should keep himself/herself informed from time to time, not to remain in your own world, for self safety and the safety of people around.

Don't worry. If you're young and/or don't have a bunch of chronic physical illnesses, your immune system will fight it off. High chance of it. <3
You should follow the protocol, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to worry too much. It does no good, and is unnecessary for most, even. While the virus is fast spreading, it's not as fast as a normal cold and has only a bit of a higher death rate, which also seems to mostly be based around the most vulnerable...to compare, take ebola for example, which fatality's rate was between 30 and 40...The coronavirus is 2-3% fatal ...now calculate how many % of the population are the old and sick... Even they have a good enough chance of survival....I believe (personally), the news is making a big deal more so for "entertainment"/so people watch...most countries don't even want to take any strict measures, though they're forced to do something due to panic (will eventually)...

^Some info, but mostly my personal opinion...take it as you will.

someone123, I respect your opinion but allow me to dissent on your last sentence. It's right not to freak out completely as if it were the end of the world, although people need to be aware that this is happening and not something to ignore completely because it's "exaggerated" by the media. The WHO has just declared it's pandemic and everyone needs to be careful and conscious of this. Again, this won't cause human extinction but as a person living in a country that is going through hell because this is real, I feel compelled to remind the people who are and will be experiencing the same situation, it's okay to have concern and you're not alone, we just have to be strong, because it will pass.

I did say we should still follow the protocol.

It is important to remember that Swine Flu was also a pandemic back in 2008/9 and a lot of people sadly died - 13k people or so in the USA alone. I had the swine flu and it was extremely unpleasant but it passed. I am not sure why the media are determined to make such a gigantic drama out of this that people think they need to panic buy (and why they are panic buying toilet roll of all things) but scary as it is, there are a lot of things killing a very significantly larger number of people every year. Do be careful and conscious but don't fall victim to the hysterical fear the media is apparently determined to cause. As with all things in life, take sensible reasonable precautions for your health and wellbeing but remember that the papers etc. make money by dragging people back repeatedly to their pages. Fear is excellent business for them.

This right here. Fear is excellent business for the media.

Thanks for the message Freya, I appreciate it.
Less debilitating news is great.

Couldn't agree more. Media outlets tend to ramp up the rhetoric at times like these, using weaponised language so as to keep the public hooked as it means increased circulations/hits. Similarly, some politicians will open their mouths just so as to give an impression that they are dealing with a situation, when in fact they are just sitting on their arses waiting for the butler to come and hit the flush.

Glad most of us are on the same boat here.

Best public information outlets would probably be Public Health England or NHS Choices for those in the UK, or I assume the equivalent in other countries. There's also the World Health Organisation website as well : https://www.who.int/

As it's a continually evolving situation, updates and protocols are being passed onto frontline healthcare workers for them to impement.

Anyone who gets it will probably fight it off as people here has already said its the weak, long term illnesses, bad immune systems, etc all we can do is follow every protocol and if anyone does get it I hope everyone can fight it. My immune system is bad plus I'm dealing with some serious health problems. I heard the other day a 100 year old got the virus and beat it amazing. Stay safe guys my heart is with you...

Take care and wish you good luck for your health

The panic is crazy here. And there are like a couple of maybe positives here in my State.

Walmart is sold out of rubbing alcohol, handsanitizer, toilet paper (WTF???) and soap is almost gone.

I am canceling a trip in March due to this it’s hard but sometimes we need to be safe rather than sorry