COVID-19, the fear of the flu

@Erinmfs - It was discovered last year. Its name is Covid- 19. But the contagion didn't become a problem until this year:- as far as I'm aware. It will take about a year for a vaccine to be available according to news reports. Do you have any knowledge that there were cases last year?

@Erinmfs- This is the best update on Covid-19!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/~/media/934B29A088B146D2AA7D41AB02EA12EE

No, my point is, covid-19, is a flu type illness. People get the flu, for years, and die from the flu if their health is already compromised. Covid-19 is an exercise of fear generated by the media, what can happen when medical technology meets social media.

@Erinmfs- Yes it is a type of flu, but a very lethal one. The CDC overrides the media. I am following what the recommendations are. And that's what I am hopefully encouraging here.

@Erinmfs I agree with the CDC also and merpreb brought it to our attention here on connect. This is a flu but more leathal then the reg. flu The CDC wouldn't be involved if it was just the flu. So heed the warning and stay safe this hoording though is rediculus for this to will pass but we don't know when and how many will die from it . So heed the warning and listen to the CDC website not the media yes that's there job news .

The CDC is involved with 'just the flu', theres a flu shot. Theres not accurate data right now to definitively say that this covid-19 is more lethal than just the flu. Not enough test kits available. I've run statistics professionally. Not enough accurate data available. You merely regurgitated the fear broadcast in the media.

@Erimfs Everyone to there own opinion but as a professional myself I er on the side of caution

@Erinmfs- A lot of people feel the way you do. I can not pursue any type of political discussion on Connect. I feel that I have done the best job possible as a mentor for Mayo Clinic Connect in passing on information that I have from what I believe is accurate sources, including from Mayo Clinic so that people can make decisions themselves. I am not a statistician, nor am I a scientist. It will be up to those in positions of more complete viral knowledge to make sure that America is getting the truth.

Yes, we are all doing our best. My background is that I had a family member, my mother, with copd. My children would infect her with the latest bug from the daycare. We had the worst flu in our homes, we called this covid-19 type situation with the flu or pneumonia back then. We didnt have the flu shot yet. I worked in post acute care for awhile, and yes, folks with compromised health situation are more susceptible to a viirus. Is the death rate really higher,? We didnt have social media in the 1990s to spread fearful information like we do now. I've had walking pneumonia, maybe it was covid-19 back then? New technology, scaring people in 2020.

Thanks Merry for your posts. I appreciate what you write and also agree whole heartedly with what Lioness also posted. Most members in the Mayo Connect groups have one or more serious chronic health issues. It only makes sense for each of us to safeguard our health to the best of our abilities.

As an elder with serious health issues, I approach most personal lifestyle decisions now with much more caution than before my diagnoses. Wishing us all the best going forward with the health challenges that brought us to this very helpful support group.