Don't recall either SARS or MERS being an issue anywhere but on the news...
because it has handled better ,information was PROMPTLY shared,the UK and other countries traced and quarantined and kept ahead of the problem.
unlike this time,information was late being shared (though we all knew about it by january
)
then they didn't plan, didn't quarantine people entering the UK, did a poor job of tracing
(I'm sure we all remember the footage of the coach drivers with no PPE who where going home to their families for a few weeks off
)
then gave up, said to everyone keep calm and carry on going to work etc because we will all build up "herd immunity "
so a few weeks of the population spreading the virus everywhere ,then realize that due to their lack of planning and preparation, the health service wouldn't cope , and the population probably wouldn't be happy with 5% of their relatives dying from it
let alone 7% or more (13.5% tested die current inaccurate figures) 40000 estimated dead so far
maybe we (the UK) should admit we f**ked up and give out better advice ...
like wearing masks or face coverings
despite the shortage
get UK manufacturing our own ,instead of buying from China ,who started this worldwide monumental apocalyptic shit-storm
and yes, I agree ,the NHS and key workers should get priority for proper masks
BUT, who doesn't have an old sheet or something to fold into a triangle ,to make a face covering from