The COVID-2019 Thread

[Troy]

^ You still telling people that wearing a mask serves no purpose???





Because of two factors: 1) the immune system does quite a lot of damage to its own body while trying to fight an attack; 2) this particular virus has mutated into attacking the lungs which are a very sensitive area of attack for many people such as the old, smokers, people with previous lung damage - this is especially true as pneumonia is so widespread and a massive killer (and this virus heads straight for it in the vulnerable).

I'm not fully convinced. I suffered from recurrent pneumonia as a child. I know a reasonable amount about the disease, both viral and bacterial. A complete lack of immunity due to a new strain should kill the very young and very old. There is something more to it than that. I had the impression from the article Harry posted that it was a little more devious.

Perhaps it is masquerading as something that many people have had before and they are fighting it in the wrong way amd this is leading to more severe symptoms. Perhaps those that have never seen it are fighting it in a much simpler way and this is killing it off effectively.

It is just a thought and I admit to being totally out of my depth but it explains the situation better than your theory.

[lom]

The immune system doesn't just have all purpose antibodies that can attack anything they don't like. It's much more like a lock and key fit, specific shapes need to bond onto each other to neutralise the threat (while other antibodies and immune system defences take other approaches such as increasing the body temperature in an attempt to destabilise the threat and stop it bonding with the body's own cells.

What are you talking about, the specific defense system or the non-specific? They are not the same..
The human defense system will fight against any intruder and is more successful in doing that if it is not busy fighting other diseases at the same time.
It is also more successful if the specific defense system is part of that fight.

With time the knowledge how to fight an intruder will become part of the specific defense system giving us either full or partly immunity.

[Latindancer]

Stealth spreaders have what’s known as “innate immunity”

What is clear is that those who go without symptoms have somehow developed “innate immunity” — meaning, without prior exposure, the body has somehow become immune. “You don't have time yet to make antibodies against COVID-19 ... so it requires other arms of the immune system that can make more of a stereotypic response against any virus,” says Petri. This innate response is something that researchers can use to study what’s working. “A lot can be understood as far as having to combat this by understanding what’s causing the majority of individuals to handle this infection in a really good way,” he says.

Why doctors are so worried about '''stealth spreaders'''

[misskit]

Tens of Thousand Flee Bangkok Amid Covid-19 Lockdown

In the wake of the “Covid-19 lockdown” announcement for Bangkok thousands of people have flocked to bus stations to leave the city. The mass exodus is believed to be triggered by the closures of business in Bangkok and five other provinces.


The exodus comes after almost 200 new infections were reported on Sunday. The highest one-day jump to date bringing the total number of Covd-19 cases in Thailand to 599. The number of accumulated infections is also predicted to surpass 1,000 in the next seven days.


Shortly after the Bangkok governor ordered the closure for three weeks of shopping malls and markets except those selling food and essential consumer goods, five adjacent provinces of Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani followed suit. Triggering speculation that a full lockdown was coming.





Eighty thousand people boarded buses heading out of Bangkok on Sunday. Mostly migrant workers rushed to bordering provinces aiming to go home to neighbouring countries. Above all before the Thai borders closed. At the same time, the Interior Ministry told provincial governors to keep an eye on people from Bangkok heading for their provinces. Amid fears they would further spread the disease.


On Sunday nearly 7000 Thai workers cued at the Mae Sai -Tachileik border in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province to reenter Thailand before the border closed due to Covid-19 concerns.

MORE Tens of Thousand Flee Bangkok Amid Covid-19 Lockdown Thread

[Little Chuchok]

Meet Sandy Bruford
Sandy is flash
He... - HeadQuarters Viaduct | Facebook





Meet Sandy Bruford
Sandy is flash
He stays at the Grand Millenium when he’s in town
Sandy travels the world, all the world, faster than a corona virus, because Sandy is an airline pilot .. with Emirates
Sandy arrived in NZ yesterday .. and today he came to HQ .. when questioned he refused to cooperate and beat a very rapid retreat ... so we sent men out.. and twenty minutes later we found Sandy in a Princes Wharf Restaurant
When Sandy was cornered by a 135 kg Tongan he suddenly became very cooperative and told us the full story, after he showed us his ID, ... that he and his crew just did this, they didn’t care, they came to town from global hot spots and they just went out ... cruising ... WTF he said, we’re only in town until Tuesday so who cares
That’s how useless your government and our Police are, they too couldn’t give a fuck while these reckless clowns do their best to wreck our country
Thanks Sandy ... and if you’re wondering we’ve advised the appropriate authorities including the Police so you might be getting a visit tonight ( I hope )
If you know anyone at Emirates, or in this useless government, maybe even the Police, can you get them involved so we have a chance of saving this country

[harrybarracuda]

Tens of Thousand Flee Bangkok Amid Covid-19 Lockdown

In the wake of the “Covid-19 lockdown” announcement for Bangkok thousands of people have flocked to bus stations to leave the city. The mass exodus is believed to be triggered by the closures of business in Bangkok and five other provinces.


The exodus comes after almost 200 new infections were reported on Sunday. The highest one-day jump to date bringing the total number of Covd-19 cases in Thailand to 599. The number of accumulated infections is also predicted to surpass 1,000 in the next seven days.


Shortly after the Bangkok governor ordered the closure for three weeks of shopping malls and markets except those selling food and essential consumer goods, five adjacent provinces of Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani followed suit. Triggering speculation that a full lockdown was coming.





Eighty thousand people boarded buses heading out of Bangkok on Sunday. Mostly migrant workers rushed to bordering provinces aiming to go home to neighbouring countries. Above all before the Thai borders closed. At the same time, the Interior Ministry told provincial governors to keep an eye on people from Bangkok heading for their provinces. Amid fears they would further spread the disease.


On Sunday nearly 7000 Thai workers cued at the Mae Sai -Tachileik border in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province to reenter Thailand before the border closed due to Covid-19 concerns.

MORE Tens of Thousand Flee Bangkok Amid Covid-19 Lockdown Thread

We don't want the invisible virus to spread, so keep an eye out for the people we are sending your way who may have the invisible virus.

Fucking great, that.

[misskit]

March 23


— Russia confirmed 71 new coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the country’s official number of cases up to 438.


— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has ordered all residents over 65 to self-isolate at home starting Thursday, saying each elderly citizen would receive a payment of 4,000 rubles ($50) in exchange for following the order.

MORE Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News - The Moscow Times

[Topper]

Doing my online teaching thing, I taught a Thai student today that was telling me about the sudden upsurge in cases.

Her take.....

So the government has said to stay home as much as possible because Bangkok has a lot of cases. She then reminded me that a significant number of people don't consider bkk their home so this weekend they packed into busses and trains to return home, ensuring the spread of the disease.

It gave us both a chuckle...

[misskit]

USA: There are now more than 34,000 US coronavirus cases and 414 deaths

Live updates: Coronavirus cases top 341,000 globally - CNN

[Dragonfly]

this is all useless, the sooner we are exposed, the better

leave the weak isolated at home, it's the only solution

we are making the whole situation worse, worst case scenario

[harrybarracuda]

So I see from the tracker (click on "See Latest", top right):

COVID-19 News Tracker 🔍 – Location-based news about COVID-19 in Thailand #Covid_19 #Covidtracker

#Six more #confirmed cases reports in #Phuket which are
- Thai man, age 35
- Thai woman, age 35
- Thai man, age 48, van driver
- Malaysian man, age 47, ''tour guide"
- Swiss woman, age 26, teacher
- Canadian man, 46

[harrybarracuda]

Note: If you have Windows 10, you can download Whatsapp from the Store, and use the "WhatsApp Web" option on your phone app to connect it.

WHO Health Alert brings COVID-19 facts to billions via WhatsApp

20 March 2020

Today, WHO is launching a messaging service with partners WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus.

This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it.

From government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service will provide the latest news and information on coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others. It also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.

The service can be accessed through a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi” to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.

The WHO Health Alert was developed in collaboration with Praekelt.Org, using Turn machine learning technology.

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-health-alert-brings-covid-19-facts-to-billions-via-whatsapp

[Troy]

I am using
//https/worldometers.info/coronavirus

[Klondyke]

Russia has a large number of "pneumonia" cases but they're not Coronavirus, oh no.

And they are threatening the doctor that is exposing them.

Where in the world of megalomaniac dictators have we heard that before?

And moreover, they send the help to Italy instead to own people...

Russian military planes with medics & supplies land in coronavirus-hit Italy (VIDEO)

Seven Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport planes carrying medical supplies and experts to help Italy battle its devastating Covid-19 crisis have landed at the Italian Air Force base Pratica di Mare.

The aircraft brought medics and specialists in infectious diseases from Russia, as well as equipment necessary for diagnostics and disinfection.

The teams will immediately begin their work once the Italian side clarifies areas for deployment, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Russian military planes with medics & supplies land in coronavirus-hit Italy (VIDEO) — RT Russia News

[Klondyke]

Watch: Cubans doctors arriving in Italy to help combat the coronavirus in Lombardy where scores have died.

https://twitter.com/CNN_Oppmann/stat...42771079319554

Apologies and a correction: that’s video of the doctors leaving Cuba last night where they were given well deserved applause.

(Wondering why e.g. Haiti doctors do not come for help, there have had no sanctions and blockade for 60 years as in Cuba...)


Why is it Cuban doctors are always there to help after disasters? They offered after hurricanes but are usually denied. Thank you Cuban doctors for helping
John Balans; SpoonFlag of AntarcticaFlag of American SamoaFlag of GuadeloupeFlag of GuamFlag of Macau
@johnbalans
·
20h
Because it's not a business for them. National Insurance public and free and one of the best medicine university in the world. That's called comunism..
1 more reply
Kal E
@kaleidoscope917
·

19h
The wonderfull USA Healthcare system made for rich people, the most expensive in the world, but the worst of western countries. Meanwhile Cuba with all its lacks, provides free healthcare of quality for all the population and 3rd world.
Bonus:
Total Cost of Her COVID-19 Treatment: $34,927.43
Getting hospitalized in the U.S. for COVID-19 may cost thousands. How much of that you'll pay depends on your insurance.
time.com

[Klondyke]

Italy is requesting US military support for coronavirus battle
From CNN's Ryan Browne

The government of Italy has made a direct appeal to Defense Secretary Mark Esper for US military aid in combating coronavirus, according to a US defense official.

Specifically, Italy's defense minister has asked Esper for critical medical equipment like masks and ventilators as Italy has nearly 60,000 confirmed cases and has had more than 5,000 deaths. The Italian government has requested that US military personnel stationed in Italy assist Italian authorities by providing medical personnel and field hospitals in support of Italian troops already responding to the crisis there.

Esper recently made the Defense Department’s stockpile of masks and ventilators available to civilian hospitals in the US to help respond to the pandemic. The military has activated units capable of constructing field hospitals to help relieve the burden on civilian hospitals.

The Italian plea for assistance from its NATO ally comes as the Russian military has made a very public effort to provide the Italians with assistance, using military aircraft to fly in medical personnel and equipment.

Italy is requesting US military support for coronavirus battle

[Klondyke]

'arry, just wait a bit, perhaps the figures will go up, since...
More than 15 thousand Russians returned to Russia from coronavirus-affected countries

Over 15 thousand Russians were evacuated from countries with a difficult or emergency situation with coronavirus over the past week. About this writes "Interfax" with reference to the message of the Federal Air Transport Agency .

In total, Russian airlines evacuated 19,942 people, of which 4,547 were foreign nationals. In March 20 and 21 alone, 8,256 passengers were delivered, of which 1,268 were foreigners.

The message lists the countries from which the Russians were exported. Among them are Bulgaria, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Moldova, Spain, France and Montenegro.

It is also reported that the Minister of Transport of Russia Yevgeny Dietrich asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a request to agree on March 26 the exact list of Russian citizens who need help in returning to Russia.

Earlier it was reported that Russia will limit air traffic with all countries. The exception will be flights from Moscow to the capital or other major cities.

Более 15 тысяч россиян вернули в Россию из охваченных коронавирусом стран: Мир: Путешествия: Lenta.ru

[Klondyke]

Russia has a large number of "pneumonia" cases but they're not Coronavirus, oh no.

Why does Russia, population 146 million, have fewer coronavirus cases than Luxembourg?
Posted: Mar 21, 2020 8:50 PM
Updated: Mar 21, 2020 10:36 PM

By Mary Ilyushina, CNN

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week his country managed to stop the mass spread of coronavirus -- and that the situation was "under control," thanks to early and aggressive measures to keep more people from getting the disease.

Does Russia have coronavirus under control? According to information released by Russian officials, Putin's strategy seems to have worked. The number of confirmed Russian coronavirus cases is surprisingly low, despite Russia sharing a lengthy border with China and recording its first case back in January.

The numbers are picking up, but Russia -- a country of 146 million people -- has fewer confirmed cases than Luxembourg, with just 253 people infected. Luxembourg, by contrast, has a population of just 628,000, according to the CIA World Factbook, and by Saturday had reported 670 coronavirus cases with eight deaths.

Russia's early response measures -- such as shutting down its 2,600-mile border with China as early as January 30, and setting up quarantine zones -- may have contributed to the delay of a full-blown outbreak, some experts say.

A strong record on testing

"The director-general of WHO said 'test, test, test," Dr. Melita Vujnovic, the World Health Organization's representative in Russia, told CNN Thursday. "Well, Russia started that literally at the end of January."

Vujnovic said Russia also took a broader set of measures in addition to testing.

"Testing and identification of cases, tracing contacts, isolation, these are all measures that WHO proposes and recommends, and they were in place all the time," she said. "And the social distancing is the second component that really also started relatively early.

Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's state consumer watchdog, said Saturday that it had run more than 156,000 coronavirus tests in total. By comparison, according to CDC figures, the United States only picked up the pace in testing at the beginning of March, while Russia says it has been testing en masse since early February, including in airports, focusing on travelers from Iran, China, and South Korea.

That's not to say there were no holes in Russia's defenses. Russia didn't start testing those arriving from Italy or other badly affected EU countries immediately, limiting its controls for arrivals from Europe to taking temperatures and imposing two-week quarantines. The majority of the coronavirus cases reported in Russia were brought from Italy, according to health officials.

---

Cover-up allegations rebutted by Kremlin and the WHO
Anastasia Vasilyeva, a doctor for Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny and leader of the Alliance of Doctors union, made headlines with a series of videos in which she claims the authorities are covering up real coronavirus numbers by using pneumonia and acute respiratory infection as a diagnosis.

"You see they said the first coronavirus patient that died, that the cause of death was thrombosis," Vasilyeva told CNN. "That's obvious, nobody dies from coronavirus itself, they die from the complications, so it's very easy to manipulate this."

Moscow health officials denied the accusation and said they were testing pneumonia patients for coronavirus. The WHO's Dr. Vujnovic also was skeptical about Vasilyeva's claim.

"If there was a hidden, unrecognized burden somewhere it would be seen in these [pneumonia] reports," she said. "So I do not believe this is happening, which does not say that you might not see an increase of cases in the next period, because we have seen that in many countries."

Putin himself addressed the concerns about the statistics Wednesday, saying the government might not have the full picture but is not covering up the numbers.

"Here is the thing: the authorities may not possess the full information, because people a) sometimes do not report it, b) they themselves don't know that they are sick, and the latent period is very long," he said in a televised meeting. "But everything that is issued ... by the Ministry of Health is all objective information."

This week the numbers have surged, with Russia adding 30 to 50 cases every day, and the count will most likely continue its upward trajectory as Russia expands its testing. Nevertheless, the local representative for the WHO says Russia is still doing relatively well, as the country tracks cases with epidemiological links to travel or family transmission. On Saturday morning, Rospotrebnadzor released a figure potentially more concerning than the number of confirmed cases -- 36,540 people are being monitored for possible coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the government moved to impose more sweeping measures, canceling public events and closing Russia's borders to foreigners, with some exceptions. But politics as usual continues under Putin: the President has signed a decree scheduling a nationwide referendum on constitutional amendments that could see him stay in power till 2036 on April 22. The authorities have vowed to monitor coronavirus developments but so far have not changed the date.

Why does Russia, population 146 million, have fewer coronavirus

[sabang]

So, bottom line- UK, EU, US being shown up by China, Japan, Russia, Cuba. Symptomatic of the times.

[Klondyke]

^It seems that the sanctions have worked, it has taught them...

[harrybarracuda]

So, bottom line- UK, EU, US being shown up by China, Japan, Russia, Cuba. Symptomatic of the times.

What is this obsession with refusing to accept that both Mr. shithole and Putin are inveterate liars?

(which isn't of course to excuse the fact that baldy orange cunto is one, too).

[harrybarracuda]

Cuomo says NY has 3,000 ICU Beds, and that it will need somewhere between 18-37,000 (CNN)

[NamPikToot]

Still waiting the UK Govts daily announcement which is delayed due to a COBRA meeting. Its eerily quiet in the village, no one out and about, no cars except the surreal jingle of the Mr Whippy ice cream van still plying his trade as main virus vector with his Corona Cones.

[Chittychangchang]

For all of us right now it is a challenging time while we do our best to take care of ourselves, our families, loved ones and the wider communities where we all live and work.


As a provider of essential services, I want to let you know that we have robust plans in place to support the continued provision of water and wastewater services to customers across the North West and we’re working around the clock to make sure we keep doing that. The safety of customers and our colleagues is a priority and we’re closely linked into the Government’s latest advice as it develops.


Working together to keep the taps flowing and loos flushing

• If you are due a visit from one of our teams and you’d rather postpone, we’ll completely understand and be happy to re-arrange this.
• We hope you understand that we are also checking as we arrange appointments and before we visit whether anybody in the home is ill or in self-isolation.
• If we should call at your home and you’re unwell, please let our teams know immediately so that we can take the necessary precautions to keep you and our teams safe.
• Please only flush the three Ps – pee, poo and paper (toilet paper only). Kitchen roll, wet wipes or newspaper down the toilet can cause major blockages in the sewers. This will really help our teams to focus their efforts on keeping our sewers flowing and reduce any blockages.

Keeping in touch with us


Our contact centres may be busier than usual. It would help our teams if customers only call us if you are unable to find the right information on our website www.unitedutilities.com, or if there’s an urgent issue with your water or wastewater services. You can also reach us through social media, through our mobile app, our online My Account service or web chat. We are here if you have a water and wastewater emergency and the team will be happy to help.


Finally, I just wanted to take a moment to thank my colleagues for their incredible efforts during these unprecedented times. I know that it is a worrying situation but I promise everyone at United Utilities is focused on providing water and wastewater services to all of our customers across the North West.


Please take care,



Dear Parents
I hope you are surviving at home.
I just want to say how much the staff here appreciate the actions of many parents who are critical workers who have managed alternative arrangements in order to keep their children at home. Clearly, you went to extraordinary lengths to do so. Clearly the less children we have in school, the less chance there is of spreading the virus and it protects the staff more too - thank you!
The home packs sent home on Friday should contain enough material to last at least two weeks. It would be good not to allow the children to do too much at the beginning.
I will send updates but it may not be necessary every day. However, I do like to keep you informed.
I hope the children are doing well at home and tell them that the staff are wishing them well.
Keep safe and Keep well.

[harrybarracuda]

Boris has cancelled the daily briefing.

He will address the nation at 20:30GMT.

This may well be the lockdown.

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to make statement to the country at 8.30pm | UK News | Sky News


South Africa has announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days from 26th March.

South Africa to implement a 21-day lockdown from midnight Thursday: Ramaphosa - Reuters