Coronavirus (OLD)

Originally Posted by jfman

I don’t believe for a second that we are substantially different socially from all of those places, that we differ in terms of geographical factors. I’m sure they urban places, rural places, public transport, sporting events and all the same things we do. Nor do I believe our North European climate will save us.



Nobody has said they want to kill us all. Only that they have decided that they aren’t going to try and contain the virus for economic reasons, not health ones, and accepted some level of mortality as acceptable.

Thats enough of this stupid argument, its going round in useless circles.
If you dont agree with the decision, thats fine, stop bleating on about it, or you'll be taking yet another rest.

[jfman]

The Conservative 1922 Committee have cancelled their Monday meeting. Another event goes.

[Hom3r]

Gutted no F1 until at least May.

I ran about like a mad man on Wednesday complete the F1Dream Team for my work.

[pip08456]

Trump declares National Emergency.

[RichardCoulter]

Supermarkets have plans to ration food by working with suppliers to cut back on variety - focusing instead on their supplies of staple products.

The new supermarket contingency plans have been detailed by City analyst, Bruno Monteyne, from the investment firm Alliance Bernstein.

According to Mr Monteyne panic buying is leading to empty shelves and there could be food riots."

But he adds that retailers have "ready-made plans" to deal with disruption and move to "feed-the-nation" status.

Mr Monteyne wrote: "Yes, it will be chaotic but the industry will reduce complexity to keep the country fed."

He added that Tesco has practised simulation exercises, with different teams preparing responses to a flu pandemic.

He also said supermarkets and their suppliers would work together to agree "a major reduction in ranges," adding that the big grocers were likely "to be drawing up lists right now of which products will be prioritised".

Mr Monteyne says he would expect the army to be called in, in the event of an acute food shortage.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by pip08456

Trump declares National Emergency.

I wonder what the Surgeon General is telling him.

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by jfman

I wonder what the Surgeon General is telling him.

I would guess:

"We estimate cases are higher than expected and soon the hospitals will be swamped."

but also his political advisor

"You must be seen to be doing something - it will also calm the markets"

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by jfman

I wonder what the Surgeon General is telling him.

I wonder......you wonder........we all wonder.........but all we can do is wonder.........Ooooooh

Originally Posted by Chris

In the absence of a vaccine, allowing the virus to spread at a controlled rate through the general population, while when necessary creating buffers around the most vulnerable, is a valid and quite possibly the best way to stop it in its tracks and reduce the total number of infections. IIRC they suggested total infections could be reduced around 20% this way.

Plus they seem very worried that the worst of this virus would hit next winter in a 2nd phase and that we would be protected from this if we have this slow rollout of the virus over the summer. If that was to be the case then this decision will look brilliant by the end of the year.

[nomadking]

It frees up money and allows decisions to be taken simple and quickly.
Eg

Amongst the measures envisaged as part of the emergency response are:

• The US Health Secretary Alex Azar and health officials can waive certain laws and license requirements, giving more flexibility to healthcare providers

The 1988 Stafford Act gives the president alone the ability to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to co-ordinate a national response to "natural catastrophes" within the US.
Donald Trump said "national emergency" were two very big words, but the declaration sounds more dramatic than it is, says the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.

Originally Posted by Damien

Plus they seem very worried that the worst of this virus would hit next winter in a 2nd phase and that we would be protected from this if we have this slow rollout of the virus over the summer. If that was to be the case then this decision will look brilliant by the end of the year.

Thankfully it became clear fairly early on that covid-19 causes little more than a bad cold, for those who even develop symptoms, except in a small number of cases. And those serious cases are concentrated amongst (mostly) older people with compromised immunity or other respiratory conditions. As the spread continues, those people are easier to identify and to isolate more carefully. I don’t know if this approach could work if mortality was higher or harder to predict. But it is what it is, and it seems to me that a controlled burn is a good way of dealing with it.

[jfman]

UK to ban mass gatherings from next weekend.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...navirus-u-turn

[denphone]

Originally Posted by jfman

UK to ban mass gatherings from next weekend.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...navirus-u-turn

Yeah l just noticed that on another news site a few minutes ago as emergency legislation will be passed within days.

[nomadking]

Not simply size of gatherings, but the types and level of interactions that that place.
Eg Link

Thailand has today issued a new coronavirus warning after a spike of 13 cases were traced to a group of friends who shared cigarettes and whisky while on a night out.

So events like Glastonbury would be a disaster. Exchanging saliva is very much NOT a good idea.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Chris

Thankfully it became clear fairly early on that covid-19 causes little more than a bad cold

I think that’s underplaying it a bit. It gives flu like symptoms, and if you’re ever had the real flu (as opposed to man flu) it wipes you out totally. Even fit people.