Does the whole COVID-19 response seem a bit Twilight Zone-ish to you? Why?

Somewhat of a ghosty sensation with a lot fewer people around the streets and less vehicle traffic as well as so many stores,  restaurants,  bars, etc. closed up and shut down. 

The weather and I think everything else is behaving normal. 

Wait till April 1st and somebody shouts "APRIL FOOL'S.. IT'S ALL OVER NOW!"

You make a good point there.


~

It's very surreal.  We've heard about things like this in history books , and we've seen it in movies (which we know aren't real).  Yet we've never faced it personally.  So naturally we think it can't happen.  Even if/when it affects us directly (as individuals), it still won't feel real.

I think Shuhak has it right. This is something that no one who's currently alive has ever experienced. It's completely new and it's alarming so it seems a bit surreal. I do think the precautions are making it seem worse than it is, though. 

We are so used to the media sensationalizing things that I think I have a subconscious idea that this is just more hype.

Everything is closed and everyone is locked down, stir crazy and paranoid. Worse, there are no sports on...

Does it seem only a matter of time ‘til the zombie army rolls in, or the asteroid hits?

Seriously, the overarching aura of dread that no end is in sight, is palpable; the disease is spreading, there is no treatment, and the news is always worse than yesterday.
It sure would have been a difference maker -at least here in the states- had competent, effective and responsive leadership been present before and during the onset of this disaster. The want of it now amid the blame shifting and mixed messaging from those in power have not provided either significant comfort nor sanity to the growing malaise... 

... oh, and no toilet paper. 

Rod Serling couldn’t have written this any better....

This post was edited by Don Barzini at April 2, 2020 12:10 AM MDT

It is a strange situtation.
And the reaction is overkill.  We know where the large number of cases. It makes sense there. It does not make sense in a county/town with 1 or 2 cases. Shutting down all businesses.  

I get that it is contagious. But 95% of the cases are mild.  The ones that are not generally have other medical issues. If people have  issues....they should take extra precautions. 

I think the inauthentic feel is a combination of feeling that it is an over reaction, causing financial stress, emotional stress and seeing it politicised.

I think it's fun. (sicko) Last week I had downtown to myself. I was the only car and I saw three people.

Anything is possible. It's not really healthy for me to allow myself to go down those rabbit holes, so I avoid giving it much thought. 

One thing I know for sure is that those who have the most resources, will be the least affected. Those who already struggle to survive will be the most affected. 

I'm speaking in general terms, not suggesting that the wealthy are immune from the actual disease. 

Another thing that is scientifically believed to be certain is that this started because of humans eating animals. The hypocrisy of those who point fingers at a people who eat a particular animal versus any other species is almost laughable to me. 

It felt surreal to me a few days ago, now it's all too real, I'm on my own so not having human interaction or contact is death in of itself, I'm a very social person.  I'm phoning a friend nearly every day but it's definitely NOT the same. To top it off I've got neighbours who clearly do think it is the end of the world and so anything goes, getting drunk, shouting and heavy metal music blasting out of the windows day and night. My adjoining neighbour has got dementia and her family have left her here alone, so I've had her up all night long, and sleeping all day, I had to call the police the other day because she threatened to knife her son for stealing from her account, (none of which is true as she is constantly making accusations of people stealing from her or spying on her which is the paranoia that comes with certain types of dementia), so her fifty year old son has left.  So I've had to get in touch with social services, my landlord and the police because she is unable to care for herself, she has no one to put a routine in place doesn't eat, sleep or bathe when left here alone, and she's a hoarder and has hoarded herself out of much of her property so lives and sleeps in the one room that adjoins my bedroom. So less twilight zone and more,  "I've had enough of it all ready." This post was edited by kjames at April 2, 2020 12:11 AM MDT

The fact that the numbers of infected persons rises by leaps and bounds daily and that deaths also rise daily should be enough to tell you that there's no overstating the danger of this virus or how easily it's spread.  If people choose not to believe what the hospitals are trying to cope with, then they are in denial.  I feel bad for those who are in critical professions and have to go to work.  The number of hospital and healthcare workers and others who must be out to keep our cities running being diagnosed is increasing every day.  Doctors will soon have to decide who lives and who dies based on lack of available respirators.  That is a decision that will weigh very heavily on all who care for sick patients and I can foresee a rise in the number of people who will need mental health assistance - something akin to PTSD. This post was edited by SpunkySenior at April 2, 2020 12:11 AM MDT