The COVID-2019 Thread

[Klondyke]

The United Kingdom is closed: Johnson shutters pubs and restaurants

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson effectively closed down the United Kingdom on Friday, ordering pubs, restaurants, theaters, cinemas and gyms to shut their doors in a bid to slow down the accelerating spread of the coronavirus.

As the coronavirus outbreak sweeps across the world, governments, companies and investors are grappling with the biggest public health crisis since the 1918 influenza pandemic, panicked populations and imploding financial markets.

Johnson said he understood just how wrenching it was to take away the ancient rights of the British people to go to the pub but that it was absolutely essential to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The United Kingdom is closed: Johnson shutters pubs and restaurants - Reuters

[harrybarracuda]

Despite this, Singapore's response has generally been lauded because they worked quickly and used all of their SARS experience.

Singapore has reported its first coronavirus-related fatalities, a 75-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man.
Singapore’s health minister, Gan Kim Yong, made the announcement at a news briefing Saturday.
"While we all know that there will be fatalities in COVID-19 patients, we are deeply saddened by their passing. I know Singaporeans will worried and anxious. We must take courage, and not give into our fears," Gan said.
Both patients had prior health conditions.
"The first patient has an underlying history of heart diseases, as well as hypertension. She developed serious complications and eventually succumbed to the disease after 26 days in the ICU. The second patient was admitted to ICU in critical condition after arriving from Indonesia. He had underlying history of heart disease, and also eventually succumbed to his disease after nine days in the ICU," Gan said.
Singapore has confirmed 385 cases of the infection, and the two deaths reported Saturday were the first in the country since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the city-state in late January.

https://www.voanews.com/science-health/coronavirus-outbreak/singapore-reports-first-coronavirus-fatalities

[HermantheGerman]

^ 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.

Social Security & pensions needs to be cut to a "Survival Level" for all.

The old people need to chip in since they are the ones that need most of our resources right now.

[HermantheGerman]

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

I was always wondering where Chinese people here in Germany got their masks from?
Three days ago in a Asian supermarket the cashier had a very fancy mask on. When I asked her where she got it from she gave me the Chinese grin.
Yesterday I talked to a doctor's assistant and she told me if they don't get masks quickly they will have to close.

[harrybarracuda]

FFS

Pubs giving away free beer after the Government ordered their closure as part of tough new measures to tackle the COVID-19 coronavirus have been blamed for a 'stupidly busy' for police in Devon and Cornwall.
Control Room Supervisor Mike Newton said: "Tonight was going to go one of two ways. Sadly it’s been stupidly busy.
"Reports of pubs giving away free beer, resulting in large groups of teenagers across Devon fighting and generally being a nuisance. Unreal.
"Licensing reviews could be interesting.

Coronavirus beer giveaway blamed as police kept 'stupidly busy' - Plymouth Live

[sabang]

Will there be riots?

[harrybarracuda]

Will there be riots?

I think it will settle down once people realise supermarkets are being restocked and nothing essential is going to run out.

Real issues would arise if electricity and water go down.

[Dragonfly]

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.

Italy will probably have 30,000 deaths within 1 month, and at least 10 millions affected, again the issue is not the overall number but how many people hospitals can take

worst estimate is 300,000 deaths for countries like Italy,

another wave is expected for October, this is going to take 12months to absorb

[kmart]

Social Security & pensions needs to be cut to a "Survival Level" for all.

The old people need to chip in since they are the ones that need most of our resources right now.

Great idea, and when would full pensions be reimbursed?

Don't know about Germany, but UK State pensions are only just "survival level" as it is.

[Klondyke]

After all, aren't the sanctions to help the population against their dictators?

U.S. to Iran: Coronavirus won't save you from sanctions

WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) - The United States sent Iran a blunt message this week: the spread of the coronavirus will not save it from U.S. sanctions that are choking off its oil revenues and isolating its economy.

Iran is the Middle Eastern nation worst hit by coronavirus, with its death toll climbing to 1,284 and one person dying from it every 10 minutes and 50 becoming infected every hour, the health ministry said.

The United States, which argues that its “maximum pressure” campaign to curb Iran’s nuclear, missile and regional activities does not stop the flow of humanitarian goods, imposed new sanctions this week.

The Trump administration blacklisted five companies based in the United Arab Emirates, three in mainland China, three in Hong Kong and one in South Africa for trade in Iran’s petrochemicals.

“Washington’s increased pressure against Iran is a crime against humanity,” an Iranian official told Reuters. “All the world should help each other to overcome this disease.”

Some analysts suggested the Trump administration should do more to speed the flow of humanitarian goods into Iran, though they saw little evidence to suggest this was in the offing.

“Our policy of maximum pressure on the regime continues,” Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iranian Affairs, told reporters. “U.S. sanctions are not preventing aid from getting to Iran.”

On Monday, China called on the United States to give Iran sanctions relief for humanitarian reasons but U.S. officials, foreign diplomats and analysts saw no signs of this.

“While Iran is an epicenter of this virus outbreak and facing true economic catastrophe ... there will be no relief on sanctions,” said Elizabeth Rosenberg of the Center for a New American Security think tank.

Hook said Washington sent a diplomatic note to Tehran offering help with coronavirus “and it was quickly rejected.”

He also blamed Iran’s leadership for its coronavirus woes, saying that Iran “spends billions on terrorism and foreign wars” and that if it spent one tenth of this “on a better health care system, the Iranian people would have been much better off.”

In what might be a gesture to Washington, Tehran released U.S. citizen Michael White from its custody though he must stay in Iran.

Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution think tank said Iran allowing White or other detained U.S. citizens to fly home might appeal to President Donald Trump.

U.S. to Iran: Coronavirus won't save you from sanctions - Reuters

[misskit]

March 20


— Russia confirmed 54 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the country's total number of infections to 253.


— There is "no need" for President Vladimir Putin to take a coronavirus test because he hasn't shown any symptoms of the illness, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.


— The Russian Armed Forces' spring draft will go on as planned despite the coronavirus, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a military meeting. All new recruits will be checked for the virus, he said.


— Russian public figures, doctors and citizens have launched a petition urging the government to take urgent action against the coronavirus as the country’s number of confirmed cases continues to climb, including postponing the April 22 vote on President Vladimir Putin's constirutional amendments.

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News - The Moscow Times

[Bettyboo]

March 20

— There is "no need" for President Vladimir Putin to take a coronavirus test because he hasn't shown any symptoms of the illness, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News - The Moscow Times

That's interesting, insomuchas it's a very strange statement to make. Maybe Mr Putin won't be seen making many appearances soon...

[Troy]

Italy will probably have 30,000 deaths within 1 month, and at least 10 millions affected, again the issue is not the overall number but how many people hospitals can take

worst estimate is 300,000 deaths for countries like Italy,

another wave is expected for October, this is going to take 12months to absorb

I was only forecasting two weeks ahead at a progression factor of 1.2 (low) to 1.32 (current mean). Obviously if it carries on for another 4 weeks it'll be crazy numbers. The death rate is hard to predict because there are so many factors involved. I was using a conservative 1.16, based on previous data.

Is South Korea on a second wave already? Why are the figures starting to rise over there?

[bowie]

Don't know if this was reported on TD yet...

http://www.pattayamail.com/featured/...navirus-292087

Chonburi province in Thailand reports first 6 cases of coronavirus
By Pattaya Mail March 21, 2020

Chonburi’s order to close down the province’s bars and entertainment venues came after six residents contracted Covid-19.

Gov. Pakarathorn Thienchai, flanked by top deputies and public-health officials, said March 19 that Chonburi was no longer free of coronavirus, with six reported cases. No details were given on how the victims are or how they contracted Covid-19.

In addition to confirmed cases, 486 people are under surveillance with another 288 people in self-isolation after high-risk encounters or travel. Of those, 191 people passed their first test but 97 others are waiting for test results.



My personal observations on the basis of my local - northern Nonthaburi Province. A rural area off the beaten path with a great deal of traffic from greater Bangkok to the Suphan Buri farms.

Seems my local Thai neighbors have a fairly cavalier attitude concerning Covid in general. I do have a rather large Mall that I visit occasionally. At the Mall I do notice a large increase in face masks. A month ago maybe 10-20% and primarily on the basis of dust/particulent pollution. Most recent trip last week, about 90% wearing masks, along with hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Some were even being used.

We are minimizing travel and shopping. Today we hit one of our local open air markets. A farmers type market that has much produce carried by pickups from the Suphan Buri farms. Around noontime and quite busy. And, quite distressing - only about half of the people were wearing face masks. And, of the ones that actually were wearing their face masks, quite a few were positioned below the chin (why bother putting it on at all).

[HermantheGerman]

Great idea, and when would full pensions be reimbursed?

Don't know about Germany, but UK State pensions are only just "survival level" as it is.

Belief you me, there are more then enough not deserved social security or call it what you want recipients in the U.K.

[HermantheGerman]

U.S. will soon stop reporting confirmed covid-19 cases !

....just my opinion

[Dragonfly]

U.S. will soon stop reporting confirmed covid-19 cases !

....just my opinion

best way to do it,

[Neverna]

That's interesting, insomuchas it's a very strange statement to make.

Because there was no context given to the statement. The context appears to be a response to a question at a press conference. In that context it seems perfectly reasonable.

"Has President Putin taken a coronavirus test?"

"There is no need for President Vladimir Putin to take a coronavirus test because he hasn't shown any symptoms of the illness."

[OhOh]

here's a location tracker for Thailand cases

At last, thank you.

[OhOh]

if electricity and water go down.

Their control rooms are solid and well equipped. Emergency repair teams likewise.

[OhOh]

Mr Putin won't be seen

The "doubles" sit around for years. Time to step out onto the stage.

[OhOh]

The old people need to chip in since they are the ones that need most of our resources right now.

They have been "chipping in" all their lives. They are group who created the communities that the babies are now indulging themselves in.

Interesting to see the numbers clogging up the hospital waiting rooms, by age.

Some were even being used.

Looking around locally it's the groups that are informed by social media or local gossips.

FIL has some masks he uses when crop spraying. He's yet to wear it to the market.

not deserved social security

UK pensions are paid based an individuals tax payments. Other social programs are political promises by candidates at election time.

[Cujo]

[HermantheGerman]

UK pensions are paid based an individuals tax payments. Other social programs are political promises by candidates at election time.

Math & Economics ! Did you pass 6th Grade ?

Too many old farts hanging around getting too many expensive operations, ruining the social security system & health care system and unwilling to depart from our planet.

covid-19 seems a blessing from God!

Does this sound harsh ? You bet!

Do I mean it? Of course not, because I'am planning of sucking the system dry myself .

But think about it

[OhOh]

Too many old farts hanging around getting too many expensive operations, ruining the social security system & health care system and unwilling to depart from our planet.

Don't forget.

As a group they actually turn out and vote.

They fought for the right to vote and social equality, or some remember stories of the previous system.

Go and have a chat with you grandparents.