Coronavirus

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It should be obvious. If people can’t go to the game, they’ll watch it on the telly.

In a pub.

Italy’s economy is almost certainly in a death spiral thanks to the measures they are taking. The deaths and hardship that will result from that may outnumber the coronavirus deaths.

I’m not saying that it’s wrong to start banning sports events etc, I’m just saying there is a lot more to figuring out the best course of action than panicking. Personally, I think the British government advisors have a better handle on it than you or I do.

Talking sense!

[Nearly Sane]

It should be obvious. If people can’t go to the game, they’ll watch it on the telly.

In a pub.

Italy’s economy is almost certainly in a death spiral thanks to the measures they are taking. The deaths and hardship that will result from that may outnumber the coronavirus deaths.

I’m not saying that it’s wrong to start banning sports events etc, I’m just saying there is a lot more to figuring out the best course of action than panicking. Personally, I think the British government advisors have a better handle on it than you or I do.

The advisors that a govt chooses to listen to, you mean?  Or are you saying all govt policy is based on great advisors?

[jeremyp]

I thought that statement was irresponsible. What she bases that figure on, I don't know. Of course, being ready for a worst case scenario is a different thing.

The British models are apparently based on an 80% infection figure (for the worst case scenario).

[jeremyp]

The advisors that a govt chooses to listen to, you mean?  Or are you saying all govt policy is based on great advisors?

Why would they not listen to the most qualified advisors they have?

If they get things wrong, perhaps millions of people will die, and not just coronavirus victims. Imagine needing life saving treatment but the hospital is full of coronavirus victims or the doctors are all unavailable because they are self isolating.

I can't see any way to gain political advantage from this except by doing the right  thing. Even then, the government may be screwed because it could get really bad.

Let's turn it around. Do you know of any evidence that the Italian government is doing the right thing? They stopped sporting events a while ago and the virus is  definitely not under control there.

ETA: When I say "do the right thing" I do not mean to imply that I know what the right thing is. At the moment, my feeling is that the government response is about right, but it is just a feeling.

[Nearly Sane]

Why would they not listen to the most qualified advisors they have?

If they get things wrong, perhaps millions of people will die, and not just coronavirus victims. Imagine needing life saving treatment but the hospital is full of coronavirus victims or the doctors are all unavailable because they are self isolating.

I can't see any way to gain political advantage from this except by doing the right  thing. Even then, the government may be screwed because it could get really bad.

Let's turn it around. Do you know of any evidence that the Italian government is doing the right thing? They stopped sporting events a while ago and the virus is  definitely not under control there.

ETA: When I say "do the right thing" I do not mean to imply that I know what the right thing is. At the moment, my feeling is that the government response is about right, but it is just a feeling.

Do you think the govt has listened to the most qualiified advisors on the past?

[jeremyp]

Do you think the govt has listened to the most qualiified advisors on the past?

Yes

[Nearly Sane]

Yes

So that's why Brexit is working?

[Nearly Sane]

Good article


https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca

[jeremyp]

So that's why Brexit is working?

You didn’t ask me if the government always listens to the best advisors.

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51846923

The White House idiot has suspended all travel from Europe for the next 30 days, but not from the UK. That is much more about politics than the virus, imo.

[Nearly Sane]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51846923

The White House idiot has suspended all travel from Europe for the next 30 days, but not from the UK. That is much more about politics than the virus, imo.

It's a little more nuanced than that - it's banning people from travelling to the US from within the Schengen area if they are not U.S citizens.

[Nearly Sane]

Tennis season cancelled till May

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/51841130

[Nearly Sane]

Brutal stock market losses.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51829852

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51850811

The Republic of Ireland is to close all schools, colleges and other public facilities until March 29th.

[wigginhall]

Peston is talking about herd immunity (ITV website), hopefully he has misheard this, as with this virus, that would kill a lot of people.  It does sound a bit like Boris, and "take it on the chin". 

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Here in Finland public gatherings of 500 or more are now cancelled until the end of May and I think there are some restrictions travelling abroad. Probably more measures to come during the next few days. Confirmed infections broke 100 today.

[Udayana]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51846923

The White House idiot has suspended all travel from Europe for the next 30 days, but not from the UK. That is much more about politics than the virus, imo.

That decision doesn't make much sense for preventing spread or politically. They could stop all non-essential flights except from covid-19 free countries.

I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of weeks the USA is in a much worse state than Europe given their delayed reaction and testing problems.

[Roses]

That decision doesn't make much sense for preventing spread or politically. They could stop all non-essential flights except from covid-19 free countries.

I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of weeks the USA is in a much worse state than Europe given their delayed reaction and testing problems.

But as Trump claims to be doing such a fantastic job of keeping the virus at bay that couldn't possibly happen, YEH RIGHT!

[Udayana]

Peston is talking about herd immunity (ITV website), hopefully he has misheard this, as with this virus, that would kill a lot of people.  It does sound a bit like Boris, and "take it on the chin".

He doesn't give a source for that "herd immunity" govt. plan. If that is what they are thinking then it is seriously misconceived - I find it difficult to believe that Whitty (Chief Medical Officer) or Vallance (Chief Scientific Adviser) would support it - but it might explain the 80% infection figure that was used.

Much, much better to try and keep the spread as low as possible and thus minimise deaths until we have a proven safe vaccine and/or cure.

[Udayana]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/health-expert-brands-uks-coronavirus-response-pathetic

A leading public health expert has launched a devastating critique of the government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, saying it is too little too late, lacks transparency and fails to mobilise the public.

Prof John Ashton, a former regional director of public health for north-west England, lambasted a lack of preparation and openness from the government and contrasted Britain’s response to that of Hong Kong.

“Right at the beginning of February, they [Hong Kong] adopted a total approach to this, which is what we should have done five weeks ago ourselves. They took a decision to work to three principles – of responding promptly, staying alert, working in an open and transparent manner,” he told the Guardian.

“Our lot haven’t been working openly and transparently. They’ve been doing it in a (non) smoke-filled room and just dribbling out stuff. The chief medical officer only appeared in public after about two weeks. Then they have had a succession of people bobbing up and disappearing. Public Health England’s been almost invisible.

[Roses]

North Wales has the first reported case in Wrexham, our daughter is a vicar in one of the churches there.

[jeremyp]

That decision doesn't make much sense for preventing spread or politically. They could stop all non-essential flights except from covid-19 free countries.

Donald Trump has a load of golf courses and a hotel in the UK.

I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of weeks the USA is in a much worse state than Europe given their delayed reaction and testing problems.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was already in a worse state. In a country where going to the doctor costs money, prolonged medical care may bankrupt you and staying away from work may get you fired, under reporting will be a problem.

[Roses]

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian PM, is self isolating as his wife appears to have the virus symptoms.

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Donald Trump has a load of golf courses and a hotel in the UK.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was already in a worse state. In a country where going to the doctor costs money, prolonged medical care may bankrupt you and staying away from work may get you fired, under reporting will be a problem.

Indeed. I feel sorry for ordinary Americans. Here, if a doctor says you should be in quarantine the government gives you full pay.

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NHL season has been suspended and it looks like the football European Championships will be too.