The COVID-2019 Thread

[Dillinger]

A stark contrast to Thailand

Malaysia will hand out 24.62 million masks, four for each household, while advising people to only use them if they have symptoms, Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement Wednesday.

Mask or No Mask? Why the Guidance Has Been Shifting: QuickTake

The global stance on wearing masks has started to shift over the past few weeks. Neighboring Indonesia ordered citizens to wear face masks when they leave the house, while Singapore changed its advice last week to say it will stop discouraging people from wearing face masks in public. The World Health Organization maintains medical masks should be reserved for healthcare workers.

Malaysia has imposed an increasingly restrictive lockdown until April 14 to contain the pandemic. The country reported a total of 4,119 people infected with the coronavirus and 65 dead as of Wednesday, according to the health ministry.

While nations including the U.S. and the U.K. struggle with a shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, Malaysia isn’t facing a similar issue, said Noor Hisham Abdullah, director-general of health. The country, home to the world’s biggest glovemaker, has an ample supply and has seen no medical staff catch the infection from treating patients, he said in a Wednesday briefing.

That last part will be bullshit


Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

[David48atTD]

U.S. Recession Model at 100% Confirms Downturn Is Already Here


The novel coronavirus has spurred what will likely be the worst recession in generations as the U.S. economy grinds to a halt and millions lose their jobs.

100%

Chance of Recession Within 12 Months

Bloomberg Economics created a model last year to determine America’s recession odds. The chance of a recession now stands at 100%, confirming an end to the nation’s longest-running expansion.


Good Article here ... Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

[harrybarracuda]

Why does this appear to have brought out the retardation in some people?

Police are hunting for two men who reportedly licked their hands in a supermarket before wiping them over meat, fresh produce and fridge handles amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The pair entered the Sainsbury's store in Lancaster Road, Morecambe, at about 1.45pm on Saturday, where they contaminated food products, police said.
Although the store was thoroughly disinfected, the food had to be destroyed.
Inspector James Martin, of Lancashire Police, said: "That anyone could think this sort of behaviour is appropriate or amusing even in normal times is beyond me, but at this time of crisis when many people have been faced with empty shelves in some shops is flabbergasting.

Manhunt after pair 'lick hands and contaminate products' in Sainsbury's amid coronavirus crisis | London Evening Standard

[harrybarracuda]

U.S. Recession Model at 100% Confirms Downturn Is Already Here


The novel coronavirus has spurred what will likely be the worst recession in generations as the U.S. economy grinds to a halt and millions lose their jobs.

100%

Chance of Recession Within 12 Months

Bloomberg Economics created a model last year to determine America’s recession odds. The chance of a recession now stands at 100%, confirming an end to the nation’s longest-running expansion.


Good Article here ... Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

The IMF beat them to it.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the global economy to a standstill and plunged the world into a recession that will be “way worse” than the global financial crisis a decade ago, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Friday, calling it “humanity’s darkest hour.”
The IMF’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, speaking at a rare joint news conference with the leader of the World Health Organization (WHO), called on advanced economies to step up their efforts to help emerging markets and developing countries survive the economic and health impact of the pandemic.
“This is a crisis like no other,” she told some 400 reporters on a video conference call. “We have witnessed the world economy coming to a standstill. We are now in recession. It is way worse than the global financial crisis” of 2008-2009.

Coronavirus: IMF says world recession will be ‘way worse’ than 2008 crisis - National | Globalnews.ca

[David48atTD]

On a positive note ...

Peaks of Himalayas visible from India for first time in decades as pollution drops amid lockdown

Indian residents can now see the towering peaks of the Himalayas from Punjab for the first time in 30 years, after a massive drop in pollution caused by the country's coronavirus lockdown.

[David48atTD]

Australian coronavirus (new) cases under 100 for the first time in three weeks

For the first time in three weeks the number of Australians testing positive for COVID-19 has fallen below 100, but the Government has warned the fight against the virus is far from over.

As of Thursday afternoon Mr Hunt said there were:

• 6,068 Australians with the virus
• 51 deaths
• Approximately 260 people in hospital
• 82 in intensive care units
• 35 on ventilators

He said the numbers of people in hospitals and on ventilators were particularly promising.
"All of those numbers are down from where they have been at their peak," he said.

Above is a Logarithmic Graph

---

In raw numbers below ...

Australian coronavirus cases under 100 for the first time in three weeks - Politics - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Dragonfly]

it's a worldwide conspiracy to have the COP22 achieve its CO2 targets

[HermantheGerman]

Why does this appear to have brought out the retardation in some people?


Manhunt after pair 'lick hands and contaminate products' in Sainsbury's amid coronavirus crisis | London Evening Standard

Look like muslims.....

[Seekingasylum]

And what is the Thai contribution to the public health campaign today?

Yep, sale of alcohol ban in Bangkok.

Truly, the world is fucked.

[misskit]

Favipiravir to be distributed to hospitals around Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) - Even though there is still no vaccine nor official treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, doctors in many countries have reported successful treatments using existing drugs, one of which is Favipiravir. Thailand has already received 100,000 Favipiravir tablets which will be distributed to hospitals.


The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) ordered the 100,000 Favipiravir tablets from China, and plans to administer them to COVID-19 patients in serious condition.


The GPO’s Deputy Managing Director Sirikul Metheveerungsun, said today the GPO now has this delivery of Favipiravir tablets at its warehouse, preparing to distribute them to hospitals across the country.


A task force has been set up, chaired by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) secretary general, and the GPO Managing Director as the vice-chair. This task force is responsible for the allocation of the drug to hospitals as appropriate.


The GPO Managing Director Withoon Danwiboon, said today the Ministry of Public Health had already received 87,000 Favipiravir tablets, which have already been distributed to hospitals.


The tablets were purchased from a Chinese company, which manufactures the drug under license from a Japanese company.


In late March, the GPO placed an additional order for 200,000 tablets from China and Japan, expecting to receive a total of 287,000 tablets in April. 515 patients with COVID-19 have so far been given this drug in Thailand. The GPO will be placing new orders continuously to maintain the inventory of this drug for treatment.


National News Bureau Of Thailand

[misskit]

Tighter measures considered as COVID-19 infection rate remains unsatisfactory

New COVID-19 infections in Thailand took a nosedive from 111 yesterday to 54 today, as two more related deaths, both elderly people, were officially recorded.


The CCSA’s spokesman, Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, said that 54 new cases, though less than half of yesterday’s, was not satisfactory, as he hinted at more stringent measures.


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired a CCSA meeting today to assess the performance of all concerned in the efforts to fight coronavirus, and to discuss whether the current night time curfew should be prolonged.


Dr. Taweesin said the CCSA decided to continue the current curfew, but pleaded with members of the public to follow advice to stay at home and to observe strict social distancing. He also stressed the need for mandatory quarantine at state facilities for anyone arriving from abroad, and home quarantine for those leaving Bangkok for the provinces.


Accumulated infections in the country have reached 2,423, with Bangkok and its neighbouring province of Nonthaburi claiming the most, at 1,217. People aged between 20 and 29 account for most of those infected.


One of today’s fatalities was a 74-year old French man, who developed symptoms on March 27th and was admitted to a hospital in Chon Buri. X-rays showed a lung infection, and he subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The second was an 82-year old Thai man who was hospitalized in Samut Prakan on March 25th.


Of the 54 new cases in 16 provinces, 21 are in Bangkok, 11 in Pattani, 3 each in Chon Buri, Pathum Thani and Phuket, 2 in Yala and 1 each in Chiang Mai, Chaiyaphum, Trang, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Phitsanuloke, Lampang and Samut Prakan.


Dr Taweesin praised Phuket provincial administration’s use of active and widespread screening measures for contributing to the decline in the new infection rate there.


As far as medical personnel are concerned, he said that 80 have been infected, accounting for 3.4% of the national total.


The Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, reported that about 12,000 Thais, of the 14,664 who have registered their intention to return to Thailand, have already arrived. On top of that, there are as many as 10,000 more who have not registered.


Dr. Taweesin said that only about 200 will be allowed to return each day, considering the current capacity of state quarantine facilities.


Tighter measures considered as COVID-19 infection rate remains unsatisfactory – Thai PBS World

[Troy]

And what is the Thai contribution to the public health campaign today?

Yep, sale of alcohol ban in Bangkok.

Truly, the world is fucked.

You'd have thought free alcohol each night delivered to the door would keep people at home. Lots of it would keep them home all day as well...hic

[Seekingasylum]

The problem with most Thai under the age of, say, 40 is that they they are profoundly stupid, reckless and mostly unthinking unless sex, money or free food/drink is in the equation and certainly their awareness of social distancing is on par with a fucking hibernating gerbil's understanding of nuclear fusion.

Twice now I have been to my local Family Mart and felt that brooding presence of a chickenhead hanging off my shoulder as I pay at the counter. They have more chance of training a fucking kwai to stay behind the floor marker while waiting for service.

Stupidest people on the planet.

[OhOh]

An informative article regarding the German solution.

Pass the salt: The minute details that helped Germany build virus defences

Pass the salt: The minute details that helped Germany build virus defences - Reuters

[OhOh]

ASEAN ministers to hold special video meeting on coronavirus next Tuesday


" Southeast Asian ministers will hold a special video conference on April 14 to discuss how to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam’s foreign ministry said on Thursday. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 15,000 people and killed 548 across the Southeast Asian region.

“The event will demonstrate the determination of the ASEAN in preventing and fighting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Nguyen Quoc Dung, deputy foreign minister of Vietnam, which is chairing the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

“ASEAN has also planned to set up a fund, a medical supply storage and a public medical network to jointly combat the pandemic,” Dung added.

Vietnam earlier said ASEAN’s 36th summit had been rescheduled from April to end-June due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus. "

ASEAN ministers to hold special video meeting on coronavirus next Tuesday - Reuters

Better late than never.

[Seekingasylum]

They do love the bumfluffery of their intergovernmental meetings that festoon the very air with lofty platitudes most if not all of which come to nothing....unless self interest can be served, that is.

[taxexile]

S.A.

Twice now I have been to my local Family Mart

family mart eh?

must be feeling the pinch.

i would have thought villa or central would have been your preferred stomping ground.

[harrybarracuda]

Look like muslims.....

Oh god, it's an undiscovered ISIS attack.

Well spotted Jerry.

[Edmond]

In raw numbers below ...

Australian coronavirus cases under 100 for the first time in three weeks - Politics - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

That really shows just how well Trump has managed it.

The same number of infected as countries number 2, 3 and 4 combined.

Though it could be down to testing numbers. How many have the US tested compared to the other top 5 countries?

[Warwick]

Though it could be down to testing numbers.

Or it could have something to do with the fact that the US population is larger than Germany, France, Italy and Spain combined. But let's not allow a trivial detail like that bother us.

[bowie]

Or it could have something to do with the fact that the US population is larger than Germany, France, Italy and Spain combined. But let's not allow a trivial detail like that bother us.

Now, now ,now Warwick, you should know better than using facts or logic on TD...

[OhOh]

US population is larger

I agree, the number of infected/number of a country's citizens+ registered foreigners, would be the best and showing the most efficient management.

[Edmond]

Or it could have something to do with the fact that the US population is larger than Germany, France, Italy and Spain combined.

That's true.

[Seekingasylum]

S.A.



family mart eh?

must be feeling the pinch.

i would have thought villa or central would have been your preferred stomping ground.

Central Festival for weekly shop, a joint op by both the wingman and me, assorted sundries as and when from local Tesco/Big C/market by the wingman flying solo, but milk and beer from local FM by me replenishing stocks daily.

As you know one can never source entirely from one venue here but the day these clowns can actually organise a real supermarket the sky will crack and the archangel will trumpet last orders.

[baldrick]

Or it could have something to do with the fact that the US population is larger than Germany, France, Italy and Spain combined

in kilograms ?