Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Intensive Care Specialist Warns People Why The Coronavirus Is No Joke, Even If You’re Young
4.2K

Intensive Care Specialist Warns People Why The Coronavirus Is No Joke, Even If You’re Young

ADVERTISEMENT

The global coronavirus pandemic causes more than just bodily complications and death. It is also an issue of having enough medical resources to manage the pandemic. This is besides the resources and common sense needed to manage the chaos of hoarding happening in stores these days.

Adam Visser, an intensive care specialist from Toowoomba, a small city in Queensland, Australia, recently took to Facebook with a rather poetic and spot-on rant on why everyone should stay home and stay safe, despite the virus primarily being the greatest threat to those of older age and with chronic illnesses.

The coronavirus is more than just being sick—it’s also great stress on the healthcare system

Image credits: dreamingofariz (not the actual photo)

Visser explained that the coronavirus isn’t “just like the flu.” Yes, it is most dangerous to those with chronic illness and those over the age of 80, becoming progressively less dangerous with each decade below that threshold. However, these aren’t the only factors that make the pandemic a threat.

What is equally crucial is to not let people outside of this risk zone—the young and the healthy—get comfy and let their guard down. They may not have problems recovering from the coronavirus, but they may run into overcrowded and understaffed hospitals that are unable to treat them.

ADVERTISEMENT

Visser took to Facebook and said it best:

An IC Specialist gave a spot-on explanation that everyone—not just those at risk—have to stay safe

Image credits: Adam Visser

ADVERTISEMENT

Visser gave a clear-cut example from his own situation that spoke volumes. He currently houses 7 beds with life support machines, hoping to increase that to around 25. Increasing isn’t a matter of more equipment or more money—it’s about other resources such as staff and preparedness.

ADVERTISEMENT

Imagine having those same 25 beds in a city where just a 5% infection rate would amount to 3,750 people barging into your hospital, requiring immediate care. This is what many unprepared nations, most notably Italy and Iran, have to face these days.

The idea is to flatten the curve—to stay safe so as to reduce the viral case count and the stress on hospitals

Image credits: CDC

This is why it is important to stay safe, stay home, and flatten the curve (shown above). The curve refers to minimizing the pandemic count by intervening as much as possible so as to not put stress on the system by overcrowding hospitals, clinics, and care centers. Yes, it will take longer, but it will also be much more manageable.

Obligatory PSA time: wash your hands frequently, maintain social distance, avoid touching the face, work from home if possible, and stay informed on your country’s recommendations and instructions. You can learn more by reading the World Health Organization’s basic protective measures against the coronavirus.

In a separate post, Visser expanded upon these recommendations: “Society can stop this going from bad to worst. Wash your hands. Don’t go to large events, or even medium events. Stay home if you’re sick, even just a little—you’re already infectious. Stay completely away from your elderly or chronically unwell friends and relatives unless truly necessary to help them out, and if it is then keep your distance and wash your hands.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Many praised this clear-cut rundown of the situation and supported the idea

Here is how the rest of the internet reacted

ADVERTISEMENT
Share on Facebook
Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Read less »
Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Author, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
Jo Choto
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nowhere has enough beds. That's why we're reading stories in Italy about medical professionals having to choose who lives and who dies. I fear that by the time people really understand this message, it will be too late.

Chris Jones
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't be selfish - it isn't just about you. Think of anyone who may be vulnerable and follow the advice being given. Wash your hands properly and stay in unless you really have no other choice.

Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are nowhere enough beds nor enough medical professionals for everyone during this pandemic. Wash your hands, don't hoard resources and, if you can, please stay home

Load More Comments
Jo Choto
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nowhere has enough beds. That's why we're reading stories in Italy about medical professionals having to choose who lives and who dies. I fear that by the time people really understand this message, it will be too late.

Chris Jones
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't be selfish - it isn't just about you. Think of anyone who may be vulnerable and follow the advice being given. Wash your hands properly and stay in unless you really have no other choice.

Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are nowhere enough beds nor enough medical professionals for everyone during this pandemic. Wash your hands, don't hoard resources and, if you can, please stay home

Load More Comments
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda