SARS didn't do the markets a lot of good - what about Swine Flu Epidemic

michaels

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8018356.stm

Wish it wasn't the weekend - I would be offloading my airline shares bought as a recovery punt if the markets were open right now.

More generally the last thing the world economy needs right now is a flu pandemic...

Generali

michaels wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8018356.stm

Wish it wasn't the weekend - I would be offloading my airline shares bought as a recovery punt if the markets were open right now.

More generally the last thing the world economy needs right now is a flu pandemic...

I spent a few days in Singapore at the height of the SARs epidemic.

One evening I went to the hotel bar to wait for Mrs Generali while she plucked her fingernails or painted her nostrils or whatever it is women do to get ready for a night out.

While I was drinking my beer someone sat on a seat next to me. He was coughing and sneezing. Then his mobile rang. I ignored him for a bit but he got louder and louder until I couldn't help but listen:

"Look, I don't care if she's in quarantine, I just want to see her. She's my mother after all.........I know she's sick, I've been looking after her......"

Oh hell......

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Generali wrote: »

I spent a few days in Singapore at the height of the SARs epidemic.

One evening I went to the hotel bar to wait for Mrs Generali while she plucked her fingernails or painted her nostrils or whatever it is women do to get ready for a night out.

While I was drinking my beer someone sat on a seat next to me. He was coughing and sneezing. Then his mobile rang. I ignored him for a bit but he got louder and louder until I couldn't help but listen:

"Look, I don't care if she's in quarantine, I just want to see her. She's my mother after all.........I know she's sick, I've been looking after her......"

Oh hell......

:rotfl:

Did you have time for an extra beer then?

Too late to worry by then!
:beer:

Generali

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

:rotfl:

Did you have time for an extra beer then?

Too late to worry by then!
:beer:

TBH, I wasn't that worried - it was clear by then that only carers were being infected. It was in my mind for quite a while though. I was still a smoker in those days and every time a coughed I thought back to my 'friend' at the bar.

I did get a week off work as 'quarantine' when we got back which was nice. Especially as one of the local gyms had put a 'try us free for a week' flyer through the door (Holmes Place IIRC).

amcluesent

Clown's always saying 'it started in America' so I suppose he had to be right just the once!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

amcluesent wrote: »

Clown's always saying 'it started in America*' so I suppose he had to be right just the once!

* aided & abetted by the UK

chucky

michaels wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8018356.stm

Wish it wasn't the weekend - I would be offloading my airline shares bought as a recovery punt if the markets were open right now.

More generally the last thing the world economy needs right now is a flu pandemic...

i would be more concerned about the number of people dying and families going through an extremely difficult time than making money from shares...

michaels

Entirely true but I didn't want to get relegated to the 'Arms' as off topic

chucky wrote: »

i would be more concerned about the number of people dying and families going through an extremely difficult time than making money from shares...

zappahey

chucky wrote: »

i would be more concerned about the number of people dying and families going through an extremely difficult time than making money from shares...

Unless you can personally do something to ease their difficult time, why would it not make sense to minimise your personal exposure to risk, whether that risk is to your health or your finances?

PasturesNew

I know somebody who has just taken 3 months off work to go on some trek thingy, some whole east coast of the americas extravaganza... starting somewhere in South America. When she was in Thailand a few months ago the whole airport was shut down due to that sit in ... I think it's all her fault.

Generali

chucky wrote: »

i would be more concerned about the number of people dying and families going through an extremely difficult time than making money from shares...

There's only a problem in profiting from the situation if you do so at the expense of someone else. It is perfectly possible to be concerned at the plight of others while making money.

There are some nasty individuals who will try to profit from others' misery of course. Apparently after the Victorian bush fires, investors were calling estate agents looking for very cheap property. From what I heard, lots of them were using a line like, "Look you must know someone who's desperate. How much do I need to pay you for you to tell me who really needs to sell?".