The COVID-2019 Thread

[HermantheGerman]

Those Who Recover From Coronavirus Can Be Left With Reduced Lung Function, Say Doctors

People who recover after being infected with the novel coronavirus can still be left with substantially weakened lung capacity, with some left gasping for air when walking quickly, doctors in Hong Kong have found. The Hong Kong Hospital Authority made the findings after studying the first wave of patients who were discharged from the hospital and had fully recovered from COVID-19.

Out of 12 people in the group, two to three saw changes in their lung capacity.

"They gasp if they walk a bit more quickly," Owen Tsang Tak-yin, the medical director of the authority's Infectious Disease Centre, told a press conference Thursday, according to the South China Morning Post.
"Some patients might have around a drop of 20 to 30% in lung function" after full recovery, he said.

Those Who Recover From Coronavirus Can Be Left With Reduced Lung Function, Say Doctors

[baldrick]

notwithstanding that they have been in bed for 2 weeks

[David48atTD]

Was going to take the kids to the Trolls movie @ the Cinema.

Like the James Bond film ... now a delayed release.

But it was interested to see the seating arrangements available.

Like a Checker Board ... Social spacing ... achoooooo

[aging one]

Theaters are closed here and all across the USA

[Chittychangchang]

Was going to take the kids to the Trolls movie @ the Cinema.

Like the James Bond film ... now a delayed release.

But it was interested to see the seating arrangements available.

Like a Checker Board ... Social spacing ... achoooooo

Had to cancel my youngest cinema party today.

[Chittychangchang]

The government will pay the wages of employees unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a radical move aimed at protecting people's jobs.

It will pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on by their employer, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month.

The "unprecedented" measures will stop workers being laid off due to the crisis, chancellor Rishi Sunak said.

Firms have warned the virus could see them collapse, wiping out thousands of jobs, as life in the UK is put on hold.

Mr Sunak said closing pubs and restaurants would have a "significant impact" on businesses.

It is understood that the wage subsidy will apply to firms where bosses have already had to lay off workers due to the coronavirus, as long as they are brought back into the workforce and instead granted a leave of absence.

Coronavirus: Wages, sick pay and time off explained
Labour urges 'faster' cash for workers
Coronavirus recession not yet a depression
The chancellor said the move would mean workers should be able to keep their jobs, even if their employer could not afford to pay them.

He said they were "unprecedented measures for unprecedented times."

"I know that people are worried about losing their jobs, about not being able to pay the rent or mortgage, about not having enough set by for food and bills... to all those at home right now, anxious about the days ahead, I say this: you will not face this alone," Mr Sunak added

The wages cover, which relates to gross pay, will be backdated to the start of March and last for three months, but Mr Sunak said he would extend the scheme for longer "if necessary".

The scheme, which will be run by HMRC, is expected to make the first grants to businesses "within weeks", a Treasury spokeswoman said.

'Hugely welcome'
Employers' body the CBI said Mr Sunak's announcement was "a landmark package".

"It marks the start of the UK's economic fightback - an unparalleled joint effort by enterprise and government to help our country emerge from this crisis with the minimum possible damage," said director general Carolyn Fairbairn.

The Resolution Foundation think tank also said the package was "hugely welcome", reaching lower-paid workers that were most at risk of job losses.

But other lobby groups warned of the potential risk to firms which had to wait for the money to arrive.

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of trade body UK Hospitality, said many businesses faced rent payments before the support was due.

"Banks and landlords need to do more to help us bridge the gap towards this generous government support. Damage is being done now, so we need help now."

The Federation of Small Businesses also warned the delay in wages help - potentially until the end of April - meant many small firms would still face "an immediate, potentially terminal cash flow crunch".

'Not alone'
The government has faced huge pressure to intervene to support workers to prevent mass unemployment as anti-virus measures have seen many firms' revenues evaporate almost overnight.

The wage package is the latest in a series of government moves aimed at easing the burden on businesses and their employees.

However, there was not the same wages guarantee for the self-employed. Instead, Mr Sunak increased benefits that many will have to fall back on.

Other measures to support firms and workers included:

VAT payments by companies deferred until the end of June
Interest free cash grants to small businesses
Self-assessment income tax payments for July 2020 deferred for six months
Increase in standard Universal Credit of £20 a week, with the same rise for those still on the working tax credit scheme
Nearly £1bn for those struggling to pay rent, through increases in housing benefit and Universal Credit
Capital Economics said that it expected the unemployment rate to rise from just under 4% to about 6% due to the crisis. However, without this latest government intervention, that rate would have risen to the financial crisis level of 8%, it said.

[Bettyboo]

^ that's quite impressive. Far better to support people and businesses then to just bail out the banks later and pay endless benefits to people without jobs.

[Troy]

There is a tentative forecast that the virus in Italy will peak in two weeks. At the current rate, that is a horrendous prospect. Rough estimates and you are looking at 0.5 to 1.2 million infected and around 20,000 deaths. That's just to the peak so need to double....

Let's hope the numbers start falling off soon.

[Bettyboo]

^ indeed.

Here's a UK tracker, and it looks like London is already being hit hard.

Coronavirus UK tracker: How many cases are in your area – updated daily | UK News | Sky News


This is also worth a read, as an expert talks why there could be a steep rise in mortality rates: Coronavirus: 'What's coming is extremely big' - UK consultant says outbreak could be worse than in Italy | UK News | Sky News

"We have got sufficient for our intensive care and recovery areas at present."
The worst case scenario, he said, is when intensive care overflow areas become full too, and patients begin spilling out into corridors. "That's what you are seeing in Italy," he saidAt that stage, only the patients thought most likely to survive will be allocated the full resources.
Others, with additional medical problems, will not receive them.
"I think you will then see a really steep rise in mortality," he said.
He added that people "don't stop having heart attacks, people don't stop having strokes, but the resources will not be there for them".
It is "actually quite horrifying to think that we could be completely swamped", he said.

[katie23]

In PI: 230 cases, 18 deaths

Hospitals in Metro Manila are getting overwhelmed. There's also a lack of PPE for the frontline workers. I saw a local news report of nurses making their own face shields out of clear plastic folders, foam & rubber bands. Philippine General Hospital (a big public hospital in Manila) is now asking for donations, esp for PPE. A hospital chief said that they've ordered more PPE, but the supplies will arrive in 2 weeks!

Hospitals send SOS PGH, Caloocan hospital to get COVID cases | Philstar.com

Foreigners banned from entering PI by March 22

Foreigners banned from entering PH starting March 22 | Inquirer News

Factories closed. Only skeleton staff remaining. For workers, a big problem now is transport, since many ppl don't have their own vehicles & only a few public vehicles are allowed.

Lockdown shutters 700 Luzon factories | Inquirer News

Stand down, follow guidelines...

Duterte to LGUs: Stand down, follow guidelines | Philstar.com

[katie23]

@betty - I didn't think you were overly paranoid about this virus situation. I think in this case, it's always better to be cautious.

When there was news of the virus coming out of China in early January, it wasn't too noticed here in PI bcos Taal Volcano erupted on January 12 and that was the primary concern. Bcos of the ashfall & debris, face masks became the norm. So by late January, when the 1st confirmed case came out here in PI (from Chinese tourists), masks were already in short supply.

By then, I bought more surgical masks (you can only buy 9 pcs per person (3 packs, 3 pcs per pack) and I also had a cloth mask & N95 mask (bcos of the volcano eruption). I just continued wearing the masks outdoors - first due to the volcano eruption, then due to the virus. At my ofc, they installed these automatic hand sanitizers the evening of the announcement of the 1st covid patient. By the time I reported for work in the morning, they had the sanitizers ready. There was also a pump bottle of 70% alcohol at the entrances, with the security guards. After ~1 week, there was temp checking before entering the ofc.

I know some ppl here scoff at wearing masks, but if you cough or someone coughs, then it protects you from getting their droplets. Maybe Asians are just more paranoid regarding these things.

Malls here have temperature checks and hand sanitizers at the entrance.

I cancelled a hike that I was supposed to join in mid Feb, since I didn't want to go to Manila at that time - use public transport & be in very crowded areas. I decreased my non-essential travel, since I had holidays coming up and wanted to be well for that. Bcos of proximity to Alabang & its Chinese online casino workers, I didn't want to potentially be infected. It has worked, so far.

I just hope this sitiation levels off soon, in all parts of the world. Stay safe, healthy & sane!

[David48atTD]

Scenes of a packed Bondi Beach on Friday sparked outrage.


Crowds on Bondi Beach appearing to defy social-distancing guidelines designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 have drawn the ire of the Federal Health Minister and other officials.

Many people made the most of warm weather yesterday to descend on the tourist hotspot.

Anger over 'unacceptable' crowds at Bondi Beach amid coronavirus pandemic - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Bondi Beach ... meh ... they're all tourists

[baldrick]

they're all tourists

the carriers

[cyrille]

Just in case you think you are safe....


Yes, Young People Are Falling Seriously Ill From Covid-19

You're addressing young people?

On TD?

[Seekingasylum]

^ that's quite impressive. Far better to support people and businesses then to just bail out the banks later and pay endless benefits to people without jobs.

Lest anyone thinks that BoJo the Clown thought of this raft of financial measures protecting the leisure and retail industries and their personnel, it may be pertinent to note that Rishak has copied the Danish template, almost measure for measure, that was introduced by the Danes more than two weeks ago.

It took Bojo two bungling attempts to take control, scathing criticism from the international intelligentsia including the WHO and mounting anger from health professionals and opposition MPs including a fine intervention from Gordon Brown before he finally grasped the gravity of the matter that others saw several weeks ago.

Just saying, like, lest folk are daft enough to credit the bumbling Clown with anything.

[cyrille]

He just can't do 'concern', much less 'gravitas'.

And what is the extent of the UK's liason with the experts in China on dealing with this problem?

Minimal, one fears.

[Iceman123]

UK chronological response to Corona Virus.

1 Fancy that
2 Deary me
3 Crikey
4 Good God!

[Klondyke]

‘If I had to go to the pub, I’d go’: PM BoJo’s dad defies own son’s advice ONE day after new Covid-19 measures (VIDEO)

‘If I had to go to the pub, I’d go’: PM BoJo’s dad defies own son’s advice ONE day after new Covid-19 measures (VIDEO) — RT UK News

[harrybarracuda]

Thailand reports 89 new COVID-19 cases in highest daily jump

BANGKOK: Thailand reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday (Mar 21), with 89 new cases taking the national tally to 411.

Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman, said the new cases were linked to earlier infections from a boxing match, an entertainment complex and a religious gathering in neighbouring Malaysia.

Of those infected, 366 are currently being treated, while 44 have recovered.

Thailand has reported one death in the outbreak.

From Sunday, all travellers - both Thai and foreign - will need to acquire a health certificate before entering Thailand as the country stepped up its efforts to control the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

On Mar 19, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) issued guidelines for air operators that provide services to passengers travelling to the country.

From Mar 22, foreign nationals wishing to visit Thailand will have to present a health certificate at the time of check-in to prove they pose no risk of COVID-19 infection.

Confusion over Thailand's new coronavirus curbs left travellers scrambling on Friday as Thai citizens queued at embassies abroad to get special travel papers and foreigners faced the challenge of producing a negative test for the disease.

Thailand reports 89 new COVID-19 cases in highest daily jump - CNA

[harrybarracuda]

[Seekingasylum]

‘If I had to go to the pub, I’d go’: PM BoJo’s dad defies own son’s advice ONE day after new Covid-19 measures (VIDEO)

‘If I had to go to the pub, I’d go’: PM BoJo’s dad defies own son’s advice ONE day after new Covid-19 measures (VIDEO) — RT UK News

RT propaganda strikes again: he said that on March 17 after BoJo announced the government's cautionary advisory about frequenting public places etc. The "measures" closing pubs etc were not introduced until after yesterday's COBRA meeting, 20 March.

[Neverna]

RT published that article on 17 March. Some UK media organisations published a similar article on the same day.

[harrybarracuda]

RT propaganda strikes again: he said that on March 17 after BoJo announced the government's cautionary advisory about frequenting public places etc. The "measures" closing pubs etc were not introduced until after yesterday's COBRA meeting, 20 March.

HoHo doesn't let facts get in the way of a good story.

It's only logical that his little puppy would copy him.

[Klondyke]

China announces to help 82 countries fight COVID-19

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Friday that the Chinese government has offered help to 82 countries, the World Health Organization and the African Union in the fight against COVID-19.

The medical supplies China has sent include test kits, masks and protective clothing and many countries have already received them, said Spokesperson Geng Shuang.

In terms of medical technology cooperation, we have shared China's diagnosis and treatment plans with countries around the world, held video conferences with health experts from many countries and international organizations, and dispatched medical expert groups to Iran, Iraq, and Italy, Geng detailed.

Speaking of local government assistance, some Chinese local governments have donated materials to cities in South Korea, Japan, Italy and other countries, he said, adding that Chinese enterprises and non-governmental organizations have also begun to donate medical supplies to relevant countries.

Geng then took the examples of China's assistant to South Korea, Pakistan and Italy.

South Korea was one of the first countries to donate anti-epidemic materials to China, Geng said.

China announces to help 82 countries fight COVID-19 - CGTN

[Neverna]

I don't know if it has been posted before here but here's a location tracker for Thailand cases.

Covidtracker-Thailand