COVID-19 is coming to our area (Philadelphia, Scranton: homes, university, restaurants)

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

As many experts have stated, 80% of people infected get it mild. Many of us could get and only think it's a small cold and pass it on. Not much sense worrying about it unless you are one of the 20% because there is no stopping it.

Quite true. Even if you become more ill, it may be some other viral infection. My son missed four days of work recently because of a flu-like illness. It probably wasn't caused by this novel virus, but who knows. It's in the area. By the time that the first case in an area is reported, it's all over the place.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Gerania

Quite true. Even if you become more ill, it may be some other viral infection. My son missed four days of work recently because of a flu-like illness. It probably wasn't caused by this novel virus, but who knows. It's in the area. By the time that the first case in an area is reported, it's all over the place.

Here is a list of the symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019.../symptoms.html. Fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Here is where it gets tricky: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...ity/index.html. I quote: "Decisions about the implementation of community measures will be made by local and state officials, in consultation with federal officials as appropriate, and based on the scope of the outbreak and the severity of illness. Implementation will require extensive community engagement, with ongoing and transparent public health communications."

It is really out of our hands what happens if the outbreak happens in our little neck of the woods. It has hurt our financial markets and can close our schools and workplaces. Like I said before; our area counts on the vacationers and tourist and the virus can put the brakes on a lot of that revenue.

[Gerania]

People won't want to visit cities, restaurants, water parks, camping areas, and a lot of other things. It's going to be a slim and sad year for a lot of businesses.

[PAhippo]

you have to weigh the political shoulder shrug with the media panic inducing mode. The reality is somewhere in between.




I agree that a lot of touristy industries will suffer. I'm wondering if the less populated tourist spots (thinking north central to western PA) might see a bit of a boost. Not much-I think people will stay home.



Time will tell.

[Jo48]

It might have an opposite effect. People from NY/NJ wanting to escape to the Mountains. We came back yesterday from NY. At 6 PM on Sunday Night (?) the parking lots by the Delaware Water Gap Park were packed! Warm weather people want to get out of their homes. Sorry, could not see plates of where they were from.

I live in the Farms with a lot of vacation homes. Will see if they start coming back with the warmer weather coming, and the Snowbirds from Florida.

[jtab4994]

Stay healthy (exercise, get enough sleep, etc) and wash your hands.

If you are already in precarious health, don't go on a cruise or take a long airplane ride.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Jo48

It might have an opposite effect. People from NY/NJ wanting to escape to the Mountains. We came back yesterday from NY. At 6 PM on Sunday Night (?) the parking lots by the Delaware Water Gap Park were packed! Warm weather people want to get out of their homes. Sorry, could not see plates of where they were from.

I live in the Farms with a lot of vacation homes. Will see if they start coming back with the warmer weather coming, and the Snowbirds from Florida.

It is hard to say how it will all play out. NYC is considering shutting down the subway system. The stock market had another blood bath today. Of course some might find good reason to "Escape from New York" like the 1981 Kurt Russell movie? But that might lead to a faster spread of the virus in our area?

It appears to disrupt the lives and livelihoods' of all that it touches. While the flu might be killing more this year; this newcomer is spreading more fear. Part of that is because of our lack of knowledge of its full potential. I thought, when in Walmart the other day, that they were starting to experience some runs on specific items. But I could be wrong?

[animalcrazy]

It's in Chicago now and another suburb close to us. I prepared a couple of weeks ago. We are minimizing trips to the grocery store and barely eating out. It's a matter of time before we look like New York in Chicago. We'll just have to ride out a couple of boring months at home.

[DavidWebb]

You can think I'm a conspiracy nut if you want (I'm not) but I still think this was purposely created....virus's just don't appear out of the blue for any reason....I'm just waiting to hear that this was tracked down to some monkey or gorilla in Africa or a camel in Egypt....

[fisheye]

They just announced the first case in Monroe County: https://www.pahomepage.com/news/new-...monroe-county/. They did not give specifics or even the hospital where they are being treated.