I have the same discussion with my DH, who is all for just letting everyone die that's going to die. As a physician, I disagree. Not only because I'm in the job to keep people healthy and alive, but because there will be wider ramifications. Because it won't just be coronavirus victims. It will also be almost anyone else that needed timely emergency care (heart attacks, strokes, trauma), ICU beds (the list is too long to begin), and even those who just need supportive care and may not get it because resources are limited. Those medical care workers who are overworked and under supplied will, guaranteed, also get sick, and some will die. It takes almost a decade to train up new doctors and get them at least enough experience to be really good. Nurses, slightly less time. I've heard stats anywhere from 14-19% fatality for age 70 and older. That is a HUGE chunk of the population that would disappear, assuming that most older people will eventually be exposed to the virus. We could have 10's of millions of younger adults that survive, but with pulmonary fibrosis, needing medical care and possibly unable to work. What will that do to our economy?
So we have a huge recession/depression. But our health care system survives more or less intact and our population is overall healthier with less long term problems. And we've had time to develop a vaccine or treatment that controls the virus.
There are no good choices here. Just less awful ones.
i'm a bit entertained reading this thread. I haven't been here since March 21. So much has changed.
It boggles the mind how quickly things have changed.
Everything you warned about has come to pass - certainly in New York, and from what i hear from doctors in Michigan, there as well.
Kevin from Dreams just tweeted that all May ABDs have been cancelled.
At first when i read that ABD had cancelled for May, i thought to myself, "hmm, perhaps ABD finally woke up"...
but then i remembered that for the most part there are no flights anywhere in the world and that situation is going to continue for some time to come.
No planes, no ABD. So they didn't cancel because of covid 19, they cancelled because of the impossibility of getting wherever it is they need to get to.
So what are you guys doing about deposits you have for ABD's several months from now?
We have the Christmas market Danube cruise on hold for this December. I'm almost certain we aren't going on that because I don't feel comfortable going to Europe this year. Period. Even if things get better by then which I hope to god they do.
We are planning on moving the deposit to something in 2021 when new schedules come out in May. On that note, I wonder if anything new in May will come out to begin with.
And now you understand why i said i was going to cancel our ABD tour and
DCL cruise in October in California.
I understood then that for the two of us to travel internationally in October would be irresponsible (i live on the european side of the atlantic).
You're younger than i, so perhaps it will be safe for you to come up for air by then.
But, i'm guessing DH and I are housebound until a vaccine comes online.
They're talking here about a soft restart.
Meaning, those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s will return to work, while leaving the schools closed for the rest of the school year and most importantly, continuing to completely isolate those aged 60 and up. Total isolation. Absolutely no contact with anyone over the age of 60 (unless they are in a vital industry, e.g. doctors/nurse/etc.)
I find it hard to believe that there will be a vaccine before 2021, though i find it even harder to believe i'll be quarantined until then.
But it seems that will probably be the case.
Once they let me out, i'm never letting go of my grandkids again.
Zoom is all well and good, but it's just not the same thing as reading cat in the hat with the cuddly kidlet on your lap.