1. #3676
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    Just curious- which national governments have handled the CV crisis better than the UK, and how? They all seem to have obfuscated at first, at great cost.
    So far the Asian govt's of Sing, Jap & Kor seem to have been the best. China would be there too, except for the delay in getting their heads around the situation and acting.
    But every western government I can think of- Fail.
    And even when we get it under control, the basket cases will remain- Pakistan, India, probably Brazil, etc. Maybe the US too. So certain restrictions on movement will likely remain.
    It will be interesting to compare our Lockdown results & fatalities to the likes of more open Sweden & Belarus, when it's all said and done.

  2. #3677
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    ^
    Accepting a few minor hiccups at the beginning that will inevitably happen, I think Australia is doing a fine job of managing the pandemic on both a health and economic front.

  3. #3678
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    I'd be interested in how much of the government money paid to childcare providers flows to the franchise corporate

  4. #3679
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I note that the reported deaths in the UK are only those who die in hospitals. Care homes, in particular, are not included. Bearing in mind a high percentage of reported deaths in Spain and Italy are from care homes, I wonder what the true figure is.
    I think all figures are suspect and no more than an estimate, including official deaths which should be easy to tally as a final outcome, but in fact may include those that died both with and due to CV, which is not the same.

    China has clearly been lying all along, though I expect they'll get away with it, UK as you say are not providing true numbers while other countries may also be massaging their figures for political/economic preference, while nobody or model can more than guess at the infected by country or region since these relate only to those tested and confirmed, with any unknowable number of self isolated and infected with or without symptoms.

    Iow a mess, and maybe around this time next year or the year after we'll see something closer to an accurate tally.

    PS: Not trusting one word from WHO any more than I would if it came from China; those at the top have clearly been infected by Chinese money, and when this is over I expect, no, hope, that part of the swamp is thoroughly disinfected.

  5. #3680
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    ^^^ Except for the Cruise ship fiasco! That has cost us about 500 infections and counting, and you've now got the NSW gov't and Australian Border force in this big war of words, blaming each other.
    But they certainly still shine compared to the US- dunno what is gonna happen there.

  6. #3681
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Just curious- which national governments have handled the CV crisis better than the UK, and how? They all seem to have obfuscated at first, at great cost.
    So far the Asian govt's of Sing, Jap & Kor seem to have been the best.
    I'd agree with that.

    The Germans also seem to have acted with the quality of common sense in their early testing and tracking, but mostly 'common sense' seems to be somewhat uncommon.

    Let's say this happened 60 years ago...what would have been the reaction? OK so there would stil have been foot dragging in Europe when it was as far away as China. However once the thing had hit Italy then I would have thought testiing tracking and distancing would have been the common sense reaction and it would have been initiated far faster.

    Nowadays it seems that social conscience has taken a back seat to finding out what will go over best with the electorate. We don't have leaders anymore, we have people with sheaves of stats as long as their arms about what the focus groups say should be their reaction. I'm thinking particularly of the UK here, for the US it's difficult to analyse beyond the fact that the president is clearly totally out to lunch.

    Whilst much may be wrong with leaders in Singapore, Korea etc. they do at least seem capable of taking the difficult decision.

  7. #3682
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Singapore have done an excellent job in most expert opinions. After SARS they put together a proper response plan and were able to execute it quite early on.

  8. #3683
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    Let's say this happened 60 years ago...what would have been the reaction? OK so there would stil have been foot dragging in Europe when it was as far away as China.
    But they would have had time, because there wouldn't have been millions of bat munching chinkies flying around the world spreading the fucking thing.

  9. #3684
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Singapore have done an excellent job in most expert opinions
    a very pliant population content to consume media corp propaganda

  10. #3685
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    SARS
    Yes, this seems to suggest that there's still only one way humanity truly learns...the hard way.

    Other factors in Singapore have been a highly educated populace and an awareness of surrounding countries that is essential because of the country's size, location and lack of resources.

    We need little further proof that in England and Australia, for example, a significant sector of the population is as dumb as a post.

  11. #3686
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    Nothing new about pandemics, they've been happening throughout history, and the only thing everyone should know for sure is the next one will be along shortly.

    So if world leaders are not prepared, or worse prepared but stunned into inaction by political expedience, no excuse, out you go, next...!

  12. #3687
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    A timelapse of how the chinky infestation has spread since Jan 20th.



  13. #3688
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    Interesting that Hong Kong, with it's large dense population and proximity to ground zero for this thing has been able to keep the numbers relatively low, (804 infections and 4 deaths).

  14. #3689
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo View Post
    Interesting that Hong Kong, with it's large dense population and proximity to ground zero for this thing has been able to keep the numbers relatively low, (804 infections and 4 deaths).
    They were the first to get the original SARS from the chinkies, so they've probably got a lot of experience to draw on, too. Plus, of course, the chinky stooge in charge is probably lying about the numbers so as not to enrage the locals.

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    Although a little common sense goes a long way.

    The city’s tally increased to 765 on Wednesday, as two more people who went to a karaoke lounge in Tsim Sha Tsui tested positive for Covid-19, along with five of their friends, who were confirmed on Tuesday.
    Going to KTV as a group FFS. The new generation needs a lesson.

    Coronavirus: Hong Kong social-distancing rules likely to continue, government adviser says, as officials warn beauty parlours could be next to close | South China Morning Post

  16. #3691
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Prayut orders halt to arrivals from overseas to curb virus spread



    The government is focusing its attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus on Thais and foreigners entering Thailand from overseas as the 104 new infection cases were reported today with three deaths.


    The Foreign Ministry has been assigned to work out measures to restrict their arrivals for the next two weeks, according to Dr. Thaveesilp Wissanuyothin, spokesman of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).


    Thaveesilp said Thais who returned from overseas and foreign visitors are partly responsible for the continuing rise in the number of new infections.


    “Though the number of travelers from overseas has significantly declined, the prime minister believes more need to be done to stem overseas arrivals in order to further flatten the curve,” said Thaveesilp.


    He said the prime minister wants to see stringent measures imposed on overseas arrivals for the period between April 2-15. The Foreign Ministry has been tasked to find out ways to implement the directive from the prime minister.


    When asked whether the government is moving toward imposing curfew to enforce its “stay at home” measure, Thaveesilp said “just wait for what the prime minister will have to say today.”


    In his daily update of the COVID-19 situation, the spokesman said 104 new infections were reported today with 3 deaths, bringing the overall number of infections to 1,875.


    He said four of the six Thais who recently returned from Italy were tested positive for the coronavirus with another 50 people who have come into contact with them being quarantined.


    As many as 47 of the 132 Thai Muslims in southern Thailand who returned from a religious function outside Kuala Lumpur last month were tested positive. Four of them have died. More than 1,000 people subsequently had to be quarantined as a resulted.


    Four executives of the CP Group returned recently from negotiating the Tesco deal and one of them died after being infected with the virus.


    Thaveesilp said these figures only reinforced concerns that the spread of the deadly virus cannot possibly be curbed if people from overseas continue to be allowed in without more stringent screening.


    He said the prime minister had told the Foreign Ministry to further tighten restrictions on Thais planning to return from abroad, by asking them to postpone their trips until after April 15. This new measure, he said, applies to all Thai citizens abroad, including American Field Service exchange programme students who are living in the United States with their host families, with the exception for those already issued with permits to return to Thailand.


    Any Thais who may have questions about this new measure can seek more information from Thai embassies or consular offices in their respective countries.


    Restrictions were previously imposed for Thai returnees from abroad as well as foreigners. These include the requirement for all Thais to get a “fit-to fly” doctor’s certificate and mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days after their arrivals. Foreign arrivals are required to also produce US$100,000 health insurance and mandatory quarantine at state-designated hotels for 14 days.


    Thaveesilp also reported results of a state online opinion survey conducted during March 24-25 with 150,000 people in 71 provinces regarding how they protect themselves in wake of the virus pandemic. The survey shows that 94 percent of the respondents said they wear face masks every time they are outdoor; 90 percent said they often wash their hands with soap and 64 percent said they observe social distancing.


    He said that the military, which is responsible for monitoring daily commuting, reported that commuting in the city on weekdays has dropped only 20 percent. “The result doesn’t sound very good,” he said.


    He pleaded with employers to seriously comply with the work from home directive to reduce the need for their employees to travel.

    Prayut orders halt to arrivals from overseas to curb virus spread – Thai PBS World

  17. #3692
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    China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19 Effect Dips


    China Coronavirus: China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19 Effect Dips

  18. #3693
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    Trust me, no one will be buying bats.

  19. #3694

  20. #3695
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo View Post
    Trust me, no one will be buying bats.
    If they are fucking dumb enough to eat them in the first place, they'll be fucking dumb enough to eat them now.

  21. #3696
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    Southeast Asian Workers Struggle Financially as Social Distancing Kills Business

    The coronavirus pandemic is leaving many workers in Vietnam and Laos unemployed as businesses have been shut down to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, while Myanmar struggles to deal with large numbers of returning migrant workers who lost their jobs in neighboring Thailand and China.


    Southeast Asia had appeared to be relatively untouched by the virus until mid-March, when a sudden rise in cases prompted governments in the region to suspend flights and close borders.


    When numbers continued to climb, nonessential businesses were ordered closed, leaving hundreds of thousands out of work.


    Since Vietnam’s first confirmed case on Jan 23, over 153,000 workers have filed for unemployment benefits, according to the Ministry of Investment and Planning.


    The ministry also reported that millions more in the textile, shoe, tourist service, and restaurant industries are experiencing a temporary loss in income.


    The government is working on a plan to support citizens facing economic hardship due to the virus, which Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared a nationwide epidemic on Wednesday as the country’s confirmed cases rose above 200.


    A nationwide social distancing campaign prompted South Korean automaker Hyundai and its Japanese competitor Honda to close down their Vietnam-based manufacturing facilities starting Wednesday for two weeks.


    Ford and Toyota also announced they were halting production at their plants in the country.


    Meanwhile the Quang Ninh Newspaper in Quang Ninh province will suspend publication of its printed version from Thursday, following in the footsteps of Vietnam News, which shut down on Monday when one of its reporters tested positive for COVID-19.


    The Quang Ninh Newspaper will however maintain its online publication as well as its channels on Facebook and Youtube.


    As of Wednesday, Vietnam has reported a total of 218 confirmed cases, 16 more than Tuesday’s total, with 63 recoveries and no deaths.


    Businesses close in Laos


    In Laos Wednesday, factories, shops and restaurants were shut down, leaving many workers without jobs.


    “Our operation has stopped as of today in compliance with the government order,” a Vientiane garment factory owner told RFA’s Lao Service.


    The factory owner said that the plant had stopped producing shirts for export to the Netherlands, Germany and France, leaving more than 800 workers out of jobs and staying at the factory’s dormitory. They will continue to receive food allowances through April 11, and a daily salary of 46,000 kip (U.S. $4.60) between April 12 and 19.


    Another garment factory that supplies military and police uniforms in the capital has also suspended the production.


    “We closed up shop yesterday,” an employee at the factory told RFA.


    “Some departments are still working. The shipping department is still sending out our products to Europe,” the employee said.


    The employee added that his plant employed more than 1,000 workers who have now all gone back home. They will receive an average of 1.2 million kip ($120) per month prorated through April 19.


    A small Polo factory that employs only 20 workers also shut down operations through April 18.


    “It’s been temporarily closed for almost two weeks now, but unlike the larger factories we can’t afford to pay the workers we laid off,” the Polo plant owner told RFA. He urged the government to allow the workers to apply for social insurance benefits, or welfare.


    An official of Laos’ Industry and Trade Ministry told RFA Wednesday, “We’re discussing these benefits for laid-off workers. During the shutdown, we’d like to request that the employers continue to pay their workers.”


    With social distancing in full effect, the restaurant industry has also been hard hit.


    A restaurant owner in the capital told RFA Wednesday, “We’re closed until whenever, but our kitchen is still open, cooking food for delivery. We take orders on Facebook and apps.”


    Few if any shops remained open in the capital’s marketplaces.


    “Yesterday many markets like the Morning Market and the Khouadin Market were closed because the authorities started disinfecting places,” a store owner in Vientiane told RFA Wednesday.


    Myanmar border closures


    Myanmar’s government temporarily closed its border with Thailand for two weeks starting Wednesday to prevent the further spread of the virus from migrant workers returning home.


    The decision was made after a returning migrant tested positive for the virus after crossing the Maesot-Myawaddy No. 2 Friendship Bridge.


    “All gates are being closed. Myanmar’s foreign ministry warmly asked workers [who want to return home] to wait until April 15,” Wai Lin Maung, Myanmar’s ambassador for workers, told RFA.


    “There will be preparations to monitor returning migrants for a 14-day quarantine,” Wai Lin Maung said.


    The country’s health ministry also warned that the large numbers of migrant workers at the border were at a risk of infecting each other.


    “While they are in Thailand, they need to get a letter from the Thai government declaring them virus free, then after seven days, they must pass through four checkpoints,” Myanmar Government Official U Moe Gyo told RFA.


    But there are those who worry that the migrants might attempt to reenter Myanmar unofficially, by simply crossing the border in areas other than border checkpoints.


    Pado Saw Tar Do Muu, a leader of the ethnic armed group known as the Karen National Union, told RFA that their main concern was to control the unnecessary movement of people, and to prevent people from crossing the border over streams.


    He added that taking action against illegal border crossers might vary by region, with possibilities including 14-day forced quarantine or a 300,000 kyat ($215) fine.


    According to Myanmar’s health ministry, between March 19 and 28, more than 23,000 migrants returned from Thailand.


    China’s Yunnan province also closed its border with Myanmar Wednesday, forbidding all but truck drivers to cross.


    U Okka of the Muse district administrator’s office told RFA Wednesday, “On March 31st, China informed us about the temporary closures of border checkpoints in northern Shan State starting today.”


    “Authorities from Muse are going to discuss with Chinese authorities from Shwe Li, China,” he added


    In the Muse border area, only cargo transports headed to Manwaing and Kyin San were permitted to cross today.


    “China is only allowing drivers with ID cards issued by Northern Shan state to cross. It is difficult for the drivers from other cities to cross the border,” U Win Aung Khant of the Shan State Traders Association told RFA.


    China has also placed restrictions on citizens of Myanmar traveling to Yunnan since Sunday, allowing only those with Muse township ID cards.


    “Only one driver was allowed to enter today, so migrant workers returning from China and traders are facing challenges,” Ko Kissana, a Muse merchant told RFA Wednesday.


    Myanmar’s government announced several limitations on travelers Sunday, including a decision to prevent citizens of China from entering the country.


    Myanmar citizens returning from China will be allowed entry and the government promised to treat those who appear to be sick when they cross.

    Southeast Asian Workers Struggle Financially as Social Distancing Kills Business

  22. #3697
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    If they are fucking dumb enough to eat them in the first place, they'll be fucking dumb enough to eat them now.
    Either way it's now not thought it came from eating bats.

  23. #3698
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iceman123 View Post
    ^
    Accepting a few minor hiccups at the beginning that will inevitably happen, I think Australia is doing a fine job of managing the pandemic on both a health and economic front.
    Maybe they developed some sort of immunity from all that bush fire smoke in their lungs.

  24. #3699
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    Quote Originally Posted by Latindancer View Post
    China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19 Effect Dips


    China Coronavirus: China Reopens Markets Selling Bats, Pangolins After COVID-19 Effect Dips
    Bastards !

  25. #3700
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cujo View Post
    Either way it's now not thought it came from eating bats.
    That's correct but, well, see above.

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