The COVID-2019 Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Dumbo you missed the point. The "test" they use would show positive for Covid 19 for a Corona not seen in the world for a hundred years. You really are dumb as a rock mainline your rachel maddow and BBC bullshit all day hahaha

Congratulations on being as sharp as a beach ball.

It seems you not only don't understand what I wrote, but what you actually posted yourself.

Still a fucking moron then.

[harrybarracuda]

(Reuters) - Europe surpassed 100,000 daily reported COVID-19 cases for the first time on Thursday, after countries such as Russia and United Kingdom saw no respite in the mounting number of infections every day in the past five days.

Europe records 100,000 daily coronavirus cases for first time | Reuters

WHO daily cases set new record at more than 350,000

WHO daily cases set new record at more than 350,000 – as it happened | World news | The Guardian

[harrybarracuda]

The last million infections took a mere three days.

Covid-19 Live Updates: White House Doctor Says Trump Is No Longer Contagious - The New York Times

[HuangLao]

The last million infections took a mere three days.

Covid-19 Live Updates: White House Doctor Says Trump Is No Longer Contagious - The New York Times

The usual upsurge in the U.S., U.K, Europe and India -
Especially, the U.S and U.K - where the growing numbers are commonplace and still continue to mangle it up big time - politics and society aren't learning.

[jabir]

Just think, we could have a share of that if our glorious leaders follow through in saving the tourism industry, though several accounts suggest it's between icu and a temple bbq.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Just think, we could have a share of that if our glorious leaders follow through in saving the tourism industry, though several accounts suggest it's between icu and a temple bbq.

Us much as I would like to get back to Thailand, I pray they don't succumb to pressure from that sector. Other than the tourist situation and travel restrictions, From what I see other than that, life is pretty normal in Thailand.
Greece and some other countries reopen their tourism industry and now they have daily deaths and thousands of infections, and hospitalizations. I have family and friends there and they all thay the same thing. "They lost a lot more than they gained".
Stay the course a few more months. until a vaccine becomes available.

[HuangLao]

Us much as I would like to get back to Thailand, I pray they don't succumb to pressure from that sector. Other than the tourist situation and travel restrictions, From what I see other than that, life is pretty normal in Thailand.
Greece and some other countries reopen their tourism industry and now they have daily deaths and thousands of infections, and hospitalizations. I have family and friends there and they all thay the same thing. "They lost a lot more than they gained".
Stay the course a few more months. until a vaccine becomes available.

Makes more sense than not - as these engaged protocols/policies are appearing to work throughout Asia....they handled it correctly from the beginning and continue on with such practices.

Some of us can wait - even if it's a few more months.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Makes more sense than not - as these engaged protocols/policies are appearing to work throughout Asia....they handled it correctly from the beginning and continue on with such practices.

Some of us can wait - even if it's a few more months.

There is a lot of money invested in the tourism industry in Thailand, and I am sure there is a lot of pressure on the government from some of the fatcats to reopen, But as important as tourism is to Thailand, if I understand this correctly. it only comprises less than 20% of GDP , a significant percentage for sure, but not a fatal one.
So if we put aside the health concerns and look at it from an economics angle , Even if opening turism was fantastically successful there will only be a marginal improvement to the Thai economy. Regardless of what Thailand does, 100% of that 20% tourism sector GDP will not come back because other countries that will provide the tourism are also affected, So if the sector was to improve, it will only improve by a percentage much smaller than 20%
-If tourism opens right now, the only ones who will benefit will be the fat cats involved in the tourism industry. Any benefits derived from the average Thai will quickly evaporate from loses in the remaining 80% of the economy that will be affected by an increase in infections.
Not to mention the suffering of those infected and those who will have social distance again.

IMO , stay the course, you are almost there.
I am only sorry I decided to stay in the west when this whole thing started thinking I will be safer there.... I am in Florida LOL , we have 729,000 infections and 15,185 death, every time we go out of the house , my wife makes me take off all my clothes and shoes in the garage and leave it there to get washed. and I have to go and take a shower.
I am sick of taking showers, sometimes even when I need to go out I don't because I don't want to take another shower . Brother do I wish I was in Thailand!! Those of you there you don't know how lucky you are,
YouTube video of the Ton Tann night Market on Mitepab road in Khon Kaen last month, while I am afraid to go out in Farangland. It brings tear in my eyes to watch it.

[OhOh]

they handled it correctly from the beginning and continue on with such practices.

It appears The Lancet holds a similar opinion.

China's successful control of COVID-19

• Talha Burki

Published:October 08, 2020

DOI:Redirecting

"While the world is struggling to control COVID-19, China has managed to control the pandemic rapidly and effectively. How was that possible?

Talha Burki reports.

On Sept 22, 2020, US President Donald Trump gave a combative address to the UN General Assembly referring to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the “China virus”. He demanded that China was held accountable for “unleash[ing] this plague onto the world”. Chinese premier Xi Jingping, who addressed the General Assembly after Trump, urged nations affected by COVID-19 to “follow the guidance of science...and launch a joint international response to beat this pandemic”. He added that “any attempt of politicising the issue or stigmatisation must be rejected”. 9 days later, Trump tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

According to a July survey by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans believe that China has done a bad job dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clearly not an opinion shared by WHO. In a press conference in September, Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, offered “deepest congratulations...to the front-line health workers in China and the population who worked together tirelessly to bring the disease to this very low level”.

As of Oct 4, 2020, China had confirmed 90 604 cases of COVID-19 and 4739 deaths, while the USA had registered 7 382 194 cases and 209 382 deaths. The UK has a population 20 times smaller than China, yet it has seen five times as many cases of COVID-19 and almost ten times as many deaths. All of which raises the question: how has China managed to wrest control of its pandemic?"

Continues here:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30800-8/fulltext#coronavirus-linkback-header

or

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...inkback-header

[HuangLao]

It appears The Lancet holds a similar opinion.

China's successful control of COVID-19

• Talha Burki

Published:October 08, 2020

DOI:Redirecting

"While the world is struggling to control COVID-19, China has managed to control the pandemic rapidly and effectively. How was that possible?

Talha Burki reports.

On Sept 22, 2020, US President Donald Trump gave a combative address to the UN General Assembly referring to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the “China virus”. He demanded that China was held accountable for “unleash[ing] this plague onto the world”. Chinese premier Xi Jingping, who addressed the General Assembly after Trump, urged nations affected by COVID-19 to “follow the guidance of science...and launch a joint international response to beat this pandemic”. He added that “any attempt of politicising the issue or stigmatisation must be rejected”. 9 days later, Trump tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

According to a July survey by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans believe that China has done a bad job dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clearly not an opinion shared by WHO. In a press conference in September, Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, offered “deepest congratulations...to the front-line health workers in China and the population who worked together tirelessly to bring the disease to this very low level”.

As of Oct 4, 2020, China had confirmed 90 604 cases of COVID-19 and 4739 deaths, while the USA had registered 7 382 194 cases and 209 382 deaths. The UK has a population 20 times smaller than China, yet it has seen five times as many cases of COVID-19 and almost ten times as many deaths. All of which raises the question: how has China managed to wrest control of its pandemic?"

Continues here:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30800-8/fulltext#coronavirus-linkback-header

or

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...inkback-header

....and the success stories are numerous, whether some Euro-hardliners wish to comprehend or not.
The fact that most of broader Asian societies [outside of India] handled/contained this whole mess very comfortably brought on shame and embarrassment to the "always superior" West - with the exception of New Zealand and Canada who deserve kudos.

Most of the "highly developed" [not] West are politically and societally struggling to find their asses during these turbulent times.

Comes around in mysterious ways, doesn't it.
And yet, not recognized.

[hallelujah]

....and the success stories are numerous, whether some Euro-hardliners wish to comprehend or not.
The fact that most of broader Asian societies [outside of India] handled/contained this whole mess very comfortably brought on shame and embarrassment to the "always superior" West - with the exception of New Zealand and Canada who deserve kudos.

Most of the "highly developed" [not] West are politically and societally struggling to find their asses during these turbulent times.

Comes around in mysterious ways, doesn't it.
And yet, not recognized.

It's pretty simple, Jeff. Asians generally conform and follow the crowd. For better or worse, Europeans and North Americans often don't.

It also helps to maintain order when you can be arrested for merely criticising the government/monarchy, let alone breaking any rules, as is the case in China, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia etc.

Do you think this is a good thing?

[misskit]

Thailand to Manufacture and Supply AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

(Reuters) - Thailand has agreed to manufacture and supply AstraZeneca Plc’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine in the southeast Asian country and other nations in the region, the British and Thai governments said on Monday.


The announcement by the British embassy in Bangkok did not specify how many doses of the vaccine candidate, AZD1222, would be distributed in Thailand. It also did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.(bit.ly/3lPxBLB)

MORE Thailand to make, supply AstraZeneca'''s COVID-19 vaccine | Reuters

[baldrick]

colourful stamp

does that mean not black ?

[pseudolus]

AZD1222

Human trials of Oxford coronavirus vaccine paused over ‘spinal-cord disease fears’ | The Week UK

get it whilst your spinal cord still functions.

[misskit]

Boris Johnson shuts pubs in U.K. hot spots as virus spreads

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions to control the surge in coronavirus, with bars and pubs closing in the worst-hit parts of England from Wednesday.

Johnson set out his plan for a three-tier system of covid alert levels, set at medium, high, and very high, to simplify the imposition of lockdown measures.

The toughest measures will be brought into force from Wednesday in the Liverpool city region of northwest England, where the outbreak is spreading fastest, the prime minister told Parliament on Monday. Bars will only be able to open if they serve "substantial" meals, Johnson's office said later.

”I take no pleasure whatsoever in placing restrictions on these businesses," Johnson said. "Nor do I want to stop people enjoying themselves. But we must act to save lives."As well as pubs and bars being forced to close, households in the Liverpool region will be banned from mixing indoors and in private gardens. People will also be advised against traveling into and out of the area, except for work, school or in transit.

Johnson said he wants similar restrictions to apply in Greater Manchester, where cases are also soaring, but indicated local leaders have not yet agreed.

Talks will continue with local leaders in the coming days and weeks, the premier said. He did not mention new restrictions in London, but the capital's Evening Standard newspaper said it could be moved to the "high," or second, level in the coming weeks.

Lawmakers will debate and vote on the new three-tier system on Tuesday, with the measures coming into force on Wednesday if they are approved.

Johnson immediately ran into criticism from his own side, including from Andy Street, the usually loyal mayor of the West Midlands, who said he is "very disappointed" his region has been placed in the "high" tier. He warned pubs and restaurants will be hit by a ban on households mixing."This is not something regional leaders supported, nor what I believed would be happening following extensive conversations over recent days," he said in a statement.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said the system of local lockdowns has not worked so far during the pandemic and clashed with Johnson over the "serial failure" of the test and trace system.

"I'm now deeply skeptical the government has actually got a plan to get control of this virus," he told Parliament.

Johnson said he is determined to avoid a second national lockdown, which would hit the economy and threaten the country's ability to fund medical care and other public services. But he said the rising infection rates mean action must be taken immediately.

Earlier on Monday senior medical officials painted a grim picture of the resurgent outbreak, pointing to rising cases, hospital admissions and deaths, especially in northern England. Three so-called Nightingale overspill hospitals are being put on standby to cope with an expected surge in admissions.

Some local MPs said they were given little or no notice about the restrictions, despite government promises to keep them informed. Some were traveling by train to Parliament and were told to join a government briefing minutes before it started. Labour's Louise Haigh said she was told after the call had begun, while Wigan MP Lisa Nandy said she wasn't told at all.

Elsewhere in Europe, several other nations are preparing additional steps to contain the virus. German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted a cabinet-level meeting Monday, though there are unlikely to be any decisions on new measures until she meets with the premiers of the country's 16 states on Wednesday.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to order new restrictions targeting nightlife, social events and amateur sports, while urging companies to boost remote working. Under a decree that could be issued as early as Monday evening, bars and restaurants may have to close by midnight, and people could be prohibited from gathering outside between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

In the Czech Republic - the European country with the worst outbreak per-capita - the government plans to approve more stringent distancing rules. The steps under consideration include further curbs on outdoor gatherings, more limits on opening hours for restaurants and restrictions on alcohol sales.

Boris Johnson shuts pubs in U.K. hot spots as virus spreads

[HuangLao]

It's pretty simple, Jeff. Asians generally conform and follow the crowd. For better or worse, Europeans and North Americans often don't.

It also helps to maintain order when you can be arrested for merely criticising the government/monarchy, let alone breaking any rules, as is the case in China, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia etc.

Do you think this is a good thing?

And the deluded apologists continue on with their highly fanciful and deep seeded perspectives and illusional worldview.

[OhOh]

does that mean not black ?

I'm not sure which post you are referring to. When I select my post in your comment above I receive a "You've been banned for this thread" message.

However, it was pointed out to me recently, "coloured" is the accepted wording for UK northerners of a certain age and skin tone in the UK.

[hallelujah]

And the deluded apologists continue on with their highly fanciful and deep seeded perspectives and illusional worldview.

Unfortunately, Jeff, your contributions are generally rendered irrelevant on the basis that you are a fucking idiot.

[pseudolus]

Has Dillinger died of Covid?

[harrybarracuda]

Meh

The study of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine has been paused due to an unexplained illness in a study participant.

A document sent to outside researchers running the 60,000-patient clinical trial states that a “pausing rule” has been met, that the online system used to enroll patients in the study has been closed, and that the data and safety monitoring board — an independent committee that watches over the safety of patients in the clinical trial — would be convened. The document was obtained by STAT.

Contacted by STAT, J&J confirmed the study pause, saying it was due to “an unexplained illness in a study participant.” The company declined to provide further details.

“We must respect this participant’s privacy. We’re also learning more about this participant’s illness, and it’s important to have all the facts before we share additional information,” the company said in a statement.

Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine study paused due to illness

[Chittychangchang]

Has Dillinger died of Covid?

Poor bastard has probably had a heart attack with all the stress and hard work of living in England.

Can't be easy for him after spending a decade galavanting about the posh hippy beach bum.

No doubt he'll make an appearance when Man Utd win a game or two

[Switch]

Unfortunately, Jeff, your contributions are generally rendered irrelevant on the basis that you are a fucking idiot.

Harsh but fair. My thinking regards your earlier post on the sheep like qualities of the Thai population are broadly similar.
I have to say though, the police check points during Songkran seem to have little impact on the high accident rates during the mass diaspora of home bound travel for this holiday, or the incidence of alcohol impairment associated with such checks.
The dictatorial issues obviously have some impact in general, but some cultural issues are very difficult to suppress.
Here in Indonesia, the exhortation of the government for people not to head home after Ramadan, was also largely ignored by cultural edicts, mote powerful than government advice to the contrary.
In Bali, where the population is predominantly Hindu, ingrained cultural behaviors have taken precedent over central government advice. The local population stibbornly refuse to get tested, due to the stigma attached to a potential positive test result.
I understand that quite severe restrictions are placed on travel and other personal behavior in the Philippines under Duerte. Perhaps Katie or Topper can enlighten us on the cultural reaction in a predominantly catholic population?
The freedoms of western nations to debate and question government edicts may be taken for granted, but if freedom of thought and expression get carried away by imposed restrictions, people will soon get fed up of personal freedoms being ring fenced without justification to their widely differing viewpoints. The populations are already divided over the efficacy or otherwise of government sponsored rules. Consider the differences in approach in Europe, the US and Australia/New Zealand?

[katie23]

@switch - in PI, the rules re: lockdown & covid are mainly followed. We've been in some form of quarantine for almost 7 months now. I live in a suburb relatively near Manila, so there's face masks outdoors, and face shields indoors (banks, supermarkets) and in public transport. The people I've talked with (colleagues & shop vendors) are tired of lockdown, but we generally follow. Call that "sheeple" if you wish. The reality is, most of the ppl are poor & cannot afford to get ill. We're afraid to get ill, so we follow the rules. A covid test costs 70 to 120 usd here - which is a big amount for poor ppl, considering that minimum wage is ~10 usd/ day.

I've seen some vlogs that in the deeper provinces, the rule on face masks are not really followed - especially if they live in the boondocks & there are no officials to implement the laws.

I've seen some complaints from expat vloggers (usually from US) that they think their freedoms are restricted, etc. But they live here as guests (and they're here for the cheap living or girls), so they have to shut their trap & follow the rules. To go to a different region/ level of quarantine (general quarantine, enhanced quarantine, etc) - you need a travel pass & medical certificate. It's a bother to get one, so I haven't left my province.

For traders (e.g. fruit & veg sellers), they have this DTI (Dept of Trade & Industry) pass that they present at checkpoints. This is accdg to my regular veg seller - she gets goods from Baguio city, which is in the north & in a different region.

Re: public schools (K-12), learning is modular for this year. Parents get the modules from the school & return them too. Kids are supposed to study at home. Private schools with online facilities started in August, while public schools just started this month. Many parents transferred their kids from private to public schools this year, due to lack of $$.

Pres Duterte has declared that PI is in a state of emergency until September 2021. Whether it will be lifted earlier or they'll allow foreign tourists in, remains to be seen. Local tourism is slowly being encouraged, following set guidelines. However, accdg to a report, around 40-50% are unemployed (including OFWs who were laid off), so there's not much $$ for local travel. The tourism industry is hurting (just like in other places) and I don't know if they'll be able to have a summer 2021 high season. For sure, Christmas season 2020 is a goner.

[harrybarracuda]

Amazing how they were crowing about being the first to "have" a vaccine.

Russian Hospitals Near Capacity With Coronavirus Patients

Russian Hospitals Near Capacity With Coronavirus Patients - The Moscow Times

[OhOh]

The Moscow Times