The COVID-2019 Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Oh no, 'arry doesn't like the concept of queues, or that people might elbow their way to the front.

I believe some of the vaccines have been developed by private companies without government funding. If they wish to extract a wad of cash from the rich to get vaccinated first, does that offend you?

It's not doing my portfolio any harm.

[jabir]

I believe some of the vaccines have been developed by private companies without government funding. If they wish to extract a wad of cash from the rich to get vaccinated first, does that offend you?

It's not doing my portfolio any harm.

Doesn't offend me in the least, it was you that made some sort of point by being offended by the "queue."

[harrybarracuda]

Doesn't offend me in the least, it was you that made some sort of point by being offended by the "queue."

How did I do that then?

"elbowing their way to the front of the queue"?

What queue?

[harrybarracuda]

Some good news to go with the other good news going on in Washington.

UAE Carriers Launch IATA’s New COVID-19 Travel Pass

Both Etihad and Emirates will become the first airlines globally to trial the new travel pass from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This mobile app will help travelers to ensure their pre-travel test and/or vaccination records meet the needs of the destination to which they are traveling.

For airlines like Emirates and Etihad, reopening international travel is crucial to their business models. With limited opportunities for short-haul activities within their region, carriers in the UAE rely on shuttling passengers between east and west through their hubs.

As such, anything that can make it swifter and easier to get people onto the plane again will be welcomed with open arms. Therefore, it’s not a great surprise that both Emirates and Etihad have jumped at the chance to become the launch customers for a trial of a new Travel Pass from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Both airlines will be rolling out the Travel Pass in the coming weeks. For Etihad customers, the Pass will initially be offered to passengers on selected flights from Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of the year. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, commented,

“COVID-19 tests and vaccinations will be key to get the world flying again. Since 1 August 2020, Etihad is the only airline requiring a pre-departure negative PCR test result for all passengers worldwide, and again on arrival in Abu Dhabi, giving our guests the added assurance of safety when they travel with us.

“A high priority for Etihad is for our guests to have an easy, secure and efficient way to identify and verify their information. Being one of the first airlines globally working with IATA as a pioneer partner on the IATA Travel Pass is a big step forward for Etihad’s guests and for the industry.”

For Emirates, prior to a full rollout of the Pass, the airline will be implementing what it is calling ‘phase 1’ in Dubai. This will allow it to validate COVID-19 PCR tests before departure. Expected to begin in April, this will give passengers the opportunity to send their COVID-19 test status to Emirates before reaching the airport, saving time and hassle on site.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, noted that, “While international travel remains as safe as ever, there are new protocols and travel requirements with the current global pandemic. We have worked with IATA on this innovative solution to simplify and digitally transmit the information that is required by countries and governments into our airline systems, in a secure and efficient manner. We are proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to pilot this initiative, which will provide an enhanced customer experience and conveniently facilitate our customers’ travel needs.”

What is the Travel Pass?

Developed in house by IATA, the Travel Pass provides a centralized, app-based ‘digital passport’ to collect and verify all the pre-travel requirements passengers might need. Within the app, passengers will be able to verify that their test and/or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination they want to travel to, and can even share their vaccination or test certificates with the relevant authorities to enable travel.

As well as this, it provides support for passengers both before and during the travel experience. Passengers can, at a glance, find accurate and up to date information on the testing, vaccine and travel requirements for their journey, and can even help them locate a suitable testing center or lab which meets the standards for vaccines or tests required in their destination.

Some of these labs will even be able to securely send test results or vaccination certificates directly to passengers via the app. Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, added, “This is the first step in making international travel during the pandemic as convenient as possible giving people the confidence that they are meeting all COVID-19 entry requirements by governments. As borders re-open, IATA Travel Pass will be further enhanced with more capabilities to meet all governments testing or vaccination verification requirements.”

With the assistance of these two UAE airlines in trialing the app, IATA will be able to gather crucial information and feedback from users, helping it to tailor the Travel Pass to be the ideal solution to restarting travel.

UAE Carriers Launch IATA's New COVID-19 Travel Pass - Simple Flying

[Joe 90]

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned there will be "tough weeks to come" as the UK reported another all-time high of daily coronavirus deaths.

A further 1,820 people have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test, according to government figures.

It means the total number of deaths by that measure is now 93,290.

Mr Johnson said there was now a "race against time" to vaccinate the vulnerable but he hoped there would be a "real difference" by spring.

In an interview with broadcasters, he said the high number of deaths was "appalling" and a reflection of the peak infection rates seen a couple of weeks ago.

He said: "I must warn people there will be tough weeks to come, but as the vaccine goes in and that programme accelerates, there will be, I think, a real difference by spring."

'How do you prepare for people dying and dying?'
How will the UK vaccinate millions of people?
Patel: UK should have closed borders in March 2020
Just under half of the newly reported deaths occurred on Tuesday, while a further quarter took place on Monday or Sunday with the remainder last week or even earlier.

The previous highest number of daily deaths was the 1,610 reported on Tuesday.

[Joe 90]

I know 7 people personally in ICU and too many to count who have had Covid.
We're just not going out now, not worth the risk.
To top it all we've got flood warnings and evacuations nearby.
Happy 2021.

[panama hat]

Happy 2021.

Couldn't be worse than 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . they said.

We're just not going out now, not worth the risk.

Agree . . . my business partner has been in the UK for over four months now to be with his daughter as she studies in the UK - he's very concerned about going out - he stays in a hotel close to his daughter's uni accommodation and that is worse as quite a few people go in and out.

It's a shame that the PM only decided that c-19 was serious after he almost croaked from it

[Mandaloopy]

There were some pretty sizable protests here yesterday afternoon then went well into the late evening. A few days a ago a lady who had just given birth tested positive for COVID. She was woken in the middle of the night and forced to wait in her hospital gown and slippers for a ride to the quarantine facility with her newborn. There was national outcry over this and three prominent MPs were sacked, including the teetotaling and socially super soviet mayor of UB, so something good game of it! Also a lot of anger about online classes, only 40% of children can access the lessons in the state sector and there is a big push for learning to be back to face to face. Only two people in ICU here, so the decision could go either way. Will have to wait and see, one of the other MPs who got given the boot was the minister of health.

[Latindancer]

I know 7 people personally in ICU and too many to count who have had Covid.
We're just not going out now, not worth the risk.
To top it all we've got flood warnings and evacuations nearby.
Happy 2021.

Good luck, Joe...with 1800 people dying every day in a population of 65 million (or so), I wouldn't go out either. I hope you have laid up enough food...

[jabir]

Couldn't be worse than 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . they said.

Agree . . . my business partner has been in the UK for over four months now to be with his daughter as she studies in the UK - he's very concerned about going out - he stays in a hotel close to his daughter's uni accommodation and that is worse as quite a few people go in and out.

It's a shame that the PM only decided that c-19 was serious after he almost croaked from it

Of course it'll be worse than 2020. Who knows anything - any offers?

Who thinks we're not being sold out, in the name of science? Come on you noisy minions, tell us why we must do what our glorious leaders tell us because it's science. Let's start with masks, everyone knows why we must wear masks under threat of fines and or jail and or social ostracism, even though honest mask producers have added a notice/warning/legal disclaimer on their boxes to the effect that their masks do not eliminate risk of any disease or infection. But wear a mask anyway, and stay a metre apart in line under WHO recommendations, or 2m if you’re in India, or 1.5m in Canada and Switzerland, and be thankful because before it was 2m for the Swiss, or in UK 1m which became 2m then 1m and then an unspecified >1m, while Australia, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal have variously insisted on 1m and 1.5m of physical distance, while the US and South Korea opted for specific distances of 1.8m and 1.4m, even though it’s established that water droplets can travel 1.5-2m and up to 3m with a breeze. And if you need to know more, The Lancet announces without fear of contradiction, since nobody actually knows and anyone professing something else will be beaten down, that within 1m a person has a 13% risk of infection, but only 3% beyond that distance and an extra 50% reduced risk for every extra metre up to 3m; but no mention if those impressive scientific numbers refer to mask wearers or naked faces. Fact is it’s guesswork, based on limited and often unreliable data, and there isn’t a scientist in the world that knows more than you do about sensible practical procedures and distancing for social distancing.

But they need to do something to let you know they're on it, so they lock you up at home and stop shops selling 'unessential' goods and services while closing the restaurants, but don’t fret if we and our mates go to that cute French place, it’s only $200 a meal, we can do as we please but you lot can sit in lockdown, because it didn’t work before so let’s do it again and you can trust us, we gave you not one but two impeachments and a few bucks, now clasp your hands together for the new saviour.

When you sit down at a restaurant during those hours that some are allowed to stay open, they allow you to eat without a mask on, but when you stand up you must put that mask back on because now you become a danger to Humankind. These are the same dumb, incompetent, arrogant, narcissistic, corrupt low-life freaks that told you to hide under a desk if we hear the 4-minute warning.

And while they lock you up at home, for your own good, and shut more small business, because they care about your welfare, the larger stores will stay open, but don’t worry there’s a scientific reason to close small businesses and let the biggies get all the customers, even if you can’t see it, because you didn’t suck your way into the privileged classes. Oh yes I forgot, we're a democracy, there’s no class system. Right.

Everyone's an expert knowing what they want to know, but nobody has a clue what's going on as we’re bumped from one narrative to the next, and lap it up as the world goes from mad and madder. UK locked down again, did I say again? No not again, the first lockdown ended with promises that worked terrific didn't it, no it didn't work and that's why we must do it again, and believe me this time it'll work.

The first global lockdown was bad enough last year, so where are they going to get the money from this time? Oh yes let’s print some more, just a few trillion backed by nothing like the other 5 trillion, and we can give a few $$ to the voters, that’ll keep them happy enough to believe whatever we tell them is 'science'.

Here's a good one you'll like this, even the economists have come out to give us the benefit of their learning and experience, the first wave of bankruptcies is over so that’s behind us but let’s look forward to the second wave in 2021, which won’t be as bad as 2020 because many of the small businesses are already dead. Yes and believe us unlike you dumb fcuks we economists know the correlation between the number of businesses and those that go bankrupt, and as there are fewer it follows that fewer will die this year. Remember that, when the liars and thieves you elected announce the fantastic news that bankruptcies are down year on year.

Rant over, for now, fcuk off squirrel!

[Mendip]

^ If everyone in the world self-isolated for the next three weeks, this pandemic would be completely over by the middle of February. This virus depends on human to human contact to exist.

But that is clearly impossible, so a compromise has to be reached. Social distancing of 5m wold be great, but that is just not feasible. The actual distancing suggested/imposed is obviously a political decision based on what a government considers is realistic and on what people will adhere to. Too strict and the rules will be ignored (depending on the country), too lax and the virus will continue to spread unabated. But surely any distancing is better than no distancing... regardless of whether it's 1m, 2m 2.5m etc etc. This is not an exact science with all the potential environmental factors to consider, but so long as people have to continue interaction it's damage limitation.

Masks surely help in preventing the spread, but again it's not an exact science and whether there's actual definitive figures to the level of prevention offered is irrelevant... surely any measures taken are better than none? There are an awful lot of people dying from this disease.

I'm no lover of politicians but they are up against it when you see how stupid so many people are. There are still a lot of people out there who refuse to accept that Covid even exists, let alone appreciate just how deadly this disease is proving to be.

[panama hat]

Masks surely help in preventing the spread, but again it's not an exact science and whether there's actual definitive figures to the level of prevention offered is irrelevant...

Absolutely, the government here just recently suggested mask-usage, a typical diversion from their previous 'no research of usefulness' idiocy. Again, the reason NZ is covid-free in the community at the moment isn't by design, it's sheer luck . . . and the fact that it's an end-destination island at the arse-end of the world where you close two airports and *presto*, cut off.

I'm no lover of politicians but they are up against it when you see how stupid so many people are.

Looking at it from here it is simply astounding to see so many Americans and to a lesser extent Brits, Germans, Spaniards etc... deciding that not even masks are worth wearing as that would be an infringement of their so-called civil liberties. Again, same here when we were in 'lockdown' . . .

[harrybarracuda]

Of course it'll be worse than 2020. Who knows anything - any offers?

Who thinks we're not being sold out, in the name of science? Come on you noisy minions, tell us why we must do what our glorious leaders tell us because it's science. Let's start with masks, everyone knows why we must wear masks under threat of fines and or jail and or social ostracism, even though honest mask producers have added a notice/warning/legal disclaimer on their boxes to the effect that their masks do not eliminate risk of any disease or infection. But wear a mask anyway, and stay a metre apart in line under WHO recommendations, or 2m if you’re in India, or 1.5m in Canada and Switzerland, and be thankful because before it was 2m for the Swiss, or in UK 1m which became 2m then 1m and then an unspecified >1m, while Australia, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal have variously insisted on 1m and 1.5m of physical distance, while the US and South Korea opted for specific distances of 1.8m and 1.4m, even though it’s established that water droplets can travel 1.5-2m and up to 3m with a breeze. And if you need to know more, The Lancet announces without fear of contradiction, since nobody actually knows and anyone professing something else will be beaten down, that within 1m a person has a 13% risk of infection, but only 3% beyond that distance and an extra 50% reduced risk for every extra metre up to 3m; but no mention if those impressive scientific numbers refer to mask wearers or naked faces. Fact is it’s guesswork, based on limited and often unreliable data, and there isn’t a scientist in the world that knows more than you do about sensible practical procedures and distancing for social distancing.

But they need to do something to let you know they're on it, so they lock you up at home and stop shops selling 'unessential' goods and services while closing the restaurants, but don’t fret if we and our mates go to that cute French place, it’s only $200 a meal, we can do as we please but you lot can sit in lockdown, because it didn’t work before so let’s do it again and you can trust us, we gave you not one but two impeachments and a few bucks, now clasp your hands together for the new saviour.

When you sit down at a restaurant during those hours that some are allowed to stay open, they allow you to eat without a mask on, but when you stand up you must put that mask back on because now you become a danger to Humankind. These are the same dumb, incompetent, arrogant, narcissistic, corrupt low-life freaks that told you to hide under a desk if we hear the 4-minute warning.

And while they lock you up at home, for your own good, and shut more small business, because they care about your welfare, the larger stores will stay open, but don’t worry there’s a scientific reason to close small businesses and let the biggies get all the customers, even if you can’t see it, because you didn’t suck your way into the privileged classes. Oh yes I forgot, we're a democracy, there’s no class system. Right.

Everyone's an expert knowing what they want to know, but nobody has a clue what's going on as we’re bumped from one narrative to the next, and lap it up as the world goes from mad and madder. UK locked down again, did I say again? No not again, the first lockdown ended with promises that worked terrific didn't it, no it didn't work and that's why we must do it again, and believe me this time it'll work.

The first global lockdown was bad enough last year, so where are they going to get the money from this time? Oh yes let’s print some more, just a few trillion backed by nothing like the other 5 trillion, and we can give a few $$ to the voters, that’ll keep them happy enough to believe whatever we tell them is 'science'.

Here's a good one you'll like this, even the economists have come out to give us the benefit of their learning and experience, the first wave of bankruptcies is over so that’s behind us but let’s look forward to the second wave in 2021, which won’t be as bad as 2020 because many of the small businesses are already dead. Yes and believe us unlike you dumb fcuks we economists know the correlation between the number of businesses and those that go bankrupt, and as there are fewer it follows that fewer will die this year. Remember that, when the liars and thieves you elected announce the fantastic news that bankruptcies are down year on year.

Rant over, for now, fcuk off squirrel!

It's all about probabilities. Reduce the chances of the virus transmitting and you reduce the virus.

Big supermarkets have more space so social distancing is easier.

Masks reduce transmission, even if they can't stop a particle the size of the virus (the virus doesn't float around on its own, it's in droplets that you exhale that *can* be trapped even by a non-surgical face covering).

Take your mask off to eat, but put it back on the rest of the time you are out. Say it's 80% of your time, that's 80% of the time you are reducing transmission.

I look forward to the next collection of dull fucking angry white cliches you've got off the Daily Mail comments section.

[Dillinger]

If everyone in the world self-isolated for the next three weeks, this pandemic would be completely over by the middle of February. This virus depends on human to human contact to exist.

How did we get it from bats then?

Available evidence suggests that the virus is predominantly transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and close contact, but there are also examples of transmission between humans and animals. Several animals that have been in contact with infected humans, such as minks, dogs, domestic cats, lions and tigers, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.6 Nov 2020

[Switch]

^ If everyone in the world self-isolated for the next three weeks, this pandemic would be completely over by the middle of February. This virus depends on human to human contact to exist.

But that is clearly impossible, so a compromise has to be reached. Social distancing of 5m wold be great, but that is just not feasible. The actual distancing suggested/imposed is obviously a political decision based on what a government considers is realistic and on what people will adhere to. Too strict and the rules will be ignored (depending on the country), too lax and the virus will continue to spread unabated. But surely any distancing is better than no distancing... regardless of whether it's 1m, 2m 2.5m etc etc. This is not an exact science with all the potential environmental factors to consider, but so long as people have to continue interaction it's damage limitation.

Masks surely help in preventing the spread, but again it's not an exact science and whether there's actual definitive figures to the level of prevention offered is irrelevant... surely any measures taken are better than none? There are an awful lot of people dying from this disease.

I'm no lover of politicians but they are up against it when you see how stupid so many people are. There are still a lot of people out there who refuse to accept that Covid even exists, let alone appreciate just how deadly this disease is proving to be.

Absolutely correct. Ask of your citizens that which is possible, yet still allows a degree of individual freedom and choice. Bear in mind the economic impact of any such decision, so that there is a future to look forward to.
The inconvenience and long term effects need to be balanced, or people will revolt.

[harrybarracuda]

How did we get it from bats then?

Because the chinkies ate them.

[jabir]

It's all about probabilities. Reduce the chances of the virus transmitting and you reduce the virus.

Big supermarkets have more space so social distancing is easier.

Masks reduce transmission, even if they can't stop a particle the size of the virus (the virus doesn't float around on its own, it's in droplets that you exhale that *can* be trapped even by a non-surgical face covering).

Take your mask off to eat, but put it back on the rest of the time you are out. Say it's 80% of your time, that's 80% of the time you are reducing transmission.

I look forward to the next collection of dull fucking angry white cliches you've got off the Daily Mail comments section.

Did you see those comments in the DM? Good for you, I didn't, I don't read the DM.

[harrybarracuda]

Absolutely correct. Ask of your citizens that which is possible, yet still allows a degree of individual freedom and choice.

Unfortunately there are mentally deficient individuals that think wearing a mask is "infringing on their rights". So they have to be told to do it, which should be unnecessary.

Masks protect others, so if everyone wears one they are in effect protecting themselves.

[nidhogg]

All those questioning masks and lockdowns need to ask themselves why China, the epicenter of the outbreak, had around 90,000 cases over the whole outbreak so far, while the US has had nearly 25 million cases.

Deaths in China 4,000 and some change. Deaths in the US 400,000 and some change.

Simply put, when China locked down, it locked down HARD. Anywhere that locks down hard, breaks the transmission (see Melbourne).

Many places around the world that bit the bullet are back on track.

America places personal rights over societal responsibility. And it is paying a heavy price for that.

[Mandaloopy]

The protests are still going on. The Prime Minister just quit. What a 2021!

[harrybarracuda]

All those questioning masks and lockdowns need to ask themselves why China, the epicenter of the outbreak, had around 90,000 cases over the whole outbreak so far, while the US has had nearly 25 million cases.

Well they had the added fear factor of being "re-educated" or "disappeared"....

[nidhogg]

Well they had the added fear factor of being "re-educated" or "disappeared"....

I am sure that such a threat certainly focuses your mind on keeping your f*cking mask on.

[harrybarracuda]

I am sure that such a threat certainly focuses your mind on keeping your f*cking mask on.

And staying in except for solo visits to buy essentials.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Some good news to go with the other good news going on in Washington.

Greece presses case for Covid vaccine passports but other EU states wary...
"The proposal is being pushed by the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, but there are serious doubts in other EU capitals about the wisdom of the move. Concerns were aired during a recent meeting of EU health ministers, and key capitals including Berlin are wary of any system that discriminates between those fortunate enough to have received the vaccine and the rest. "
Greece presses case for Covid vaccine passports but other EU states wary | World news | The Guardian

Personally I think it would only , and rightly so, discriminate against those who on their own will have chosen not to be vaccinate , just like everything else in life, choices create opportunities and consequences. Return on investment is always directly proportional to risk accepted.
For those who for medical reasons, and or other legitimate reasons can not be vaccinated , I am sure contingencies for exceptions can easily be developed.
The Vaccine passport is proposed for this summer, which is seven months away , and by that time most of those who want to be vaccinated should have the opportunity to do so.
IMO such system should be adapted, and if by this summer something happens and most people who want are not vaccinated it can always be delayed or modified.

[harrybarracuda]

"key capitals including Berlin are wary of any system that discriminates between those fortunate enough to have received the vaccine and the rest. "

Oh get fucked. It's not the airlines that will decide how the vaccinated are treated, and all these eurotrash jobsworths will achieve is to make both passengers and immigration officers lives more difficult, just to justify their pointless, vapid existences.

It's the countries of destination that will tell the airlines who they can and cannot land and what prerequisites are required.

If the squareheads don't want to make their citizens lives' easier, that's their problem.

Fortunately I have no intention of flying to or from squareheadland or on any of their carriers, so they can go and fuck themselves.