Rajflyboy

sorry Billy 👍

CAT7RDR

In all seriousness, check the CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

55murray

Yet another "I'm afraid of" thread. The answer to all of these is and always has been the same: Rule 5.

livedarklions

That's probably true, except I do a lot of things on a long distance ride I normally wouldn't do, like stop at a convenience store bathroom and buy lunch from counters, etc.

My job doesn't allow me to isolate myself even if that's going to be something people find effective, so if things progress as they appear to be doing, I calculate it's probably a matter of when I get exposed, not if. I doubt I'll be modifying my behavior much.

Basically, as I see it, this thing looks mostly like a pneumonia that spreads as fast as a cold, and containment has basically failed already.

It's probably too soon to get really specific on what behaviours other than the obvious should be avoided, but I find it very hard to believe that actual bike riding is going to be one of them.

livedarklions

Unfortunately, there is so little actually known at this point that almost everything starts with "It is thought..."

I think we're at the point where we have to consider the difference between vigilance (necessary) and panic (worse than useless).

Flip Flop Rider

just repeating what I've heard so correct if able

It's not an airborne disease, so you have to have contact. Touching something then touching your mouth, nose, eyes is how you get it. Or getting coughed or sneezed on and then touching those same areas. And that masks don't work

very similar to the flu, which many people die from each year

CAT7RDR

At one time there was concern by epidemiologists that the HIV virus would mutate and could be transmitted by vapor. Perhaps since this is a new virus, speculation can run wild and this creates panic. I live in an area where there are charter buses to LAX just purposed to travel to China. I expect to get exposed to the Corona virus. My immune system is not compromised but my parents and other relatives and a friend are.

Cycling seems like a respite from exposure versus numerous other activities that could lead to contact with a vector.

livedarklions

700 people testing positive on the same ship would indicate that there is more than enough reason to be concerned about airborne and casual contact transmission, so I don't see the relevance of your HIV example.

I'm basically paying attention as things develop, but as of right now, I'm not modifying my behavior. I went to visit my son at UMass Amherst this past weekend, and we were all over the communal dining. I didn't give it a second thought..

SactoDoug

Wow. A clear and concise single warning. If only there was consistency in these things people would know what to expect every time a mod posted.

Paul Barnard

I recommend a bubble suit. You can't be too safe you know.

CAT7RDR

The concern is Mutation. We already know it is airborne.
Perhaps this article might better elucidate how the corona virus is already mutating:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/h...on-spread.html

Daniel4

I'd be more concerned about riding with bad drivers around. There's already two threads about quitting riding on the road.

Phil_gretz

You're back!!!

Phil_gretz

I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you...

tomtomtom123

Riding your bike outside instead of riding the train packed with people will be much safer. Especially when other people on the train want to purposefully cough in your face.

I boarded a train and stood by the door, then a guy in a business suit sitting next to the door stood up and coughed in my face with his saliva splattering on my face. Then he sat back down. I never understood why. I thought maybe when the doors opened, the hot air from the undercarriage came in and blew across his neck so he thought the I must have breathed on his neck.

AlmostTrick

And right off the bat with the very first reply too! (which was obviously missed when purging posts)

Rajflyboy

hey now

those Trials riders are pretty darn good and they don’t use a seat

livedarklions

The point of that article was not that mutation may be changing the method of transmission but rather that the mutations may make it easier to trace the path by which it spread. Two seemingly unrelated cases in Washington state had the same rare mutated virus in their system which they were hypothesizing means there's a common exposure source they haven't accounted for.

The biggest unknown right now is how many people without symptoms are spreading the virus.

Viruses mutate constantly--imagining all possible mutations isn't the task at hand.

zjrog

Common cold, flu, people can die from those. Even if they don't kill you, they can kill others. The human condition is nothing but risk. Mitigate the risk as much as you can, yet risk will always be there looking for that one little crack in your armor, or armor of others.

Me, I'm glad I work in the desert, away from vast numbers of other humans. And my smallish town is way too close to a much larger city. A city I have need to visit but once a week. But, I have to, and have to interact with other humans... Ugh. Other humans.

Wileyrat

I just got home from a 7 day Caribbean cruise, I'm still alive ( I did catch a cold though).

Funny thing, nobody died on the cruise, but three of the six in our group returned to Seattle, where they are dying from coronavirus.

trailangel

I don't ride with spitters......And watch out for those macho dudes that hawk a loogie out the window of their vehicle because they are afraid to swallow.
Don't use public toilets. Use credit card instead of cash. Don't go out to eat.. especially buffets.
Binge buy all dry goods at Costco so others won't get anything and you won't have to go into a store for a couple of months.

rumrunn6

reminds me about using tongs for cheese, fruit, cookies etc. we're not supposed to use our hands to select the tidbits we want on out plate & we're asked to use the tongs. but then, everyone is touching the tongs. where's the logic?

phughes

I think you need to calm your anxiety. You have been listening to too many fear mongering media heads. You are not going to catch Covid-19 from someone exhaling in a passing car. On a bicycle, you are probable less at risk, since you are outside, in the "fresh" air, and not near people or licking doorknobs.

I am more at risk. I travel back and forth to cruise ships, usually weekly, and entertain on them. I feel much better outside on my bicycle. Even so, I generally don't get sick, and even if I do get the current virus, I am not of the demographic that is at risk of death. I will get sick, and recover. I am not worried about it, just as I wasn't worried about the Swine Flu, or SARS.

Relax, and enjoy your ride. Take common sense precautions like washing your hands, and not sticking your fingers in your mouth, nose, or eyes unless they are clean.

CAT7RDR

^^^^ "The biggest unknown right now is how many people without symptoms are spreading the virus."

Yes, and the mutation that brought the virus from animals to humans I believe is of importance with regards to prevention. Do not eat bats or anteaters.

UniChris

While obviously far from desirable, if you didn't then eat with your hands it might actually work, though who eats a cookie with a fork, or uses one on a cracker and cheese?

Of course there's also the breathing on (and worse) aspect, which is why food service establishments are supposed to have a shield at face level.

One thing I'm not clear on is how hospitable foodstuffs actually are and how susceptible we are to say eating a piece of cheese with droplets on it, vs the known issues of breathing them in directly or rubbing dried droplets/fluids picked up off the stainless tongs into our eyes.