Coronavirus

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In parliament a debate is going on and all parties agree that the government should take emergency powers should the need arise in the coming days.

Even though there has been a sharp rise in the confirmed cases over here, it seems to me that it is because the authorities have been extremely efficient in working out chains of infection and chasing down those who have been exposed. Obviously easier in a country with a relatively smaller population and density.

Experts reckon that by the start of the new week we'll no longer be able to trace back chains of infection. If so, I suspect the emergency powers will be adopted by the government.

[Sriram]

What does Britain know about the Coronavirus that the rest of Europe doesn't?!

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/uk/uk-coronavirus-response-boris-johnson-intl-gbr/index.html

[Gordon]

What does Britain know about the Coronavirus that the rest of Europe doesn't?!

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/uk/uk-coronavirus-response-boris-johnson-intl-gbr/index.html

Not 'Britain', Sriram, but a useless fuckwit of a Prime Minister who has all the leadership qualities of a plank of rotten wood, as does his counterpart in the White House.

Scotland's FM, Nicola Sturgeon, was well ahead of Johnson in realising that mass gatherings had to be stopped, and Johnson immediately had a go at her the other day for even suggesting this, and since then various organisations have of their own accord decided to take action. It seems Johnson has belatedly changed his mind, but this just further confirms that he is no leader.

I do hope the poor saps who voted Tory last year come to realise just what they have done.

[SteveH]

Not 'Britain', Sriram, but a useless fuckwit of a Prime Minister who has all the leadership qualities of a plank of rotten wood, as does his counterpart in the White House.

Scotland's FM, Nicola Sturgeon, was well ahead of Johnson in realising that mass gatherings had to be stopped, and Johnson immediately had a go at her the other day for even suggesting this, and since then various organisations have of their own accord decided to take action. It seems Johnson has belatedly changed his mind, but this just further confirms that he is no leader.

I do hope the poor saps who voted Tory last year come to realise just what they have done.

Measures to control the spread of the virus have to be balanced with the need to avoid panic and prevent serious economic consequences. which may be Johnson's reasoning. I don't often defend Tory PMs, but even they may sometimes get things right.

[Gordon]

Measures to control the spread of the virus have to be balanced with the need to avoid panic and prevent serious economic consequences. which may be Johnson's reasoning. I don't often defend Tory PMs, but even they may sometimes get things right.

I'd disagree -the speed of the U-Turn, which is how it s being portrayed in the headlines of the likes of the FT and Guardian, suggest he's now running to catch-up.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-in-coronavirus-u-turn

[Anchorman]

 A wee bit 'relief' from the Bee... https://babylonbee.com/news/no-greater-love-widow-puts-last-toilet-paper-roll-in-offering-plate?fbclid=IwAR04MQUj-mL3zXotEW77ZeGfvUDDO1fVVYdPl6DxdmOm_Uo2jL-Z1r39Jrw

[wigginhall]

Measures to control the spread of the virus have to be balanced with the need to avoid panic and prevent serious economic consequences. which may be Johnson's reasoning. I don't often defend Tory PMs, but even they may sometimes get things right.

But they need the virus to spread to achieve herd immunity.   That's about 70-80% infection rate.   Assuming roughly a 1% death rate, you're talking 400 000 to 500 000 deaths.   I also don't get how the vulnerable are protected.

[SusanDoris]

But they need the virus to spread to achieve herd immunity.   That's about 70-80% infection rate.   Assuming roughly a 1% death rate, you're talking 400 000 to 500 000 deaths.   I also don't get how the vulnerable are protected.

Presuming I am in the vulnerable group, 84 and having to take medication to avoid strokes and heart attacks, I am simply being sensible. I have most certainly not taken any panic action but am carrying on with my normal, quiet life and will obtain the assistance of taxi drivers and Tesco's assistance service if necessary.

[Roses]

Apart from me going to Tesco early in the morning when it isn't busy, on the days I do my shopping, my husband and I are avoiding close contact with people. Our children think this is sensible and are keeping in touch by phone, but not visiting us.

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51887510

Apparently the Catholic churches in England and Wales are preparing to suspend Mass for the time being.

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Believe it or not I spent last evening in a bar called Korona in my local town. I'm still going to do the things I do but just be more aware of what I touch and when I wash my hands etc.

[Udayana]

Measures to control the spread of the virus have to be balanced with the need to avoid panic and prevent serious economic consequences. which may be Johnson's reasoning. I don't often defend Tory PMs, but even they may sometimes get things right.

At least they have started to take this seriously.

Stopping mass gatherings will have a limited effect and I don't think all schools need to be closed. But we need to clamp down now, put in what measures are possible to protect the vulnerable to infection, then make sure the economy can take up again.

This crisis/shambles will last at least a year, maybe two at most.

[jeremyp]

I'd disagree -the speed of the U-Turn, which is how it s being portrayed in the headlines of the likes of the FT and Guardian, suggest he's now running to catch-up.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/uk-to-ban-mass-gatherings-in-coronavirus-u-turn

It’s would concern me if the government ere doing this under pressure from the mass hysteria that seems like o be infecting everybody rather than as a measured and scientifically justified plan.

[Gordon]

It’s would concern me if the government ere doing this under pressure from the mass hysteria that seems like o be infecting everybody rather than as a measured and scientifically justified plan.

Me too - my point was that Johnson is flip-flopping and has zero credibility as a leader who inspires confidence.

[Sriram]

The virus seems to be particularly virulent with a certain latitude range.

Temperature may not be an issue unlike earlier theories.  A cold country like Russia has very few cases. Strange!

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-maps-and-cases/

[jakswan]

The virus seems to be particularly virulent with a certain latitude range.

Temperature may not be an issue unlike earlier theories.  A cold country like Russia has very few cases. Strange!

https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-maps-and-cases/

The equator?

[Sriram]

There are very few cases around the equator, in the southern hemisphere and in cold places like Russia and Canada.....though Sweden and Norway  have  higher numbers. From about 30 degrees N to about 55 degrees N perhaps.

[Roses]

10 more people in the UK have died from the virus bringing the number up to 21. They all appear to be over 60s with underlying health conditions.

[wigginhall]

The arguments between locking down and herd immunity seem a bit clearer.  One of the chief arguments against the former, as in some Asian countries, is that when the lockdown is released, the epidemic starts again.   One of the points about herd immunity is that NHS is in poor shape, and cannot cope with a spike now, so delay it for months, so help the virus spread now.  Yoiks, do you feel lucky?

[Roses]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/51888491

The Japanese PM says the Olympic Games are going ahead, he isn't going to change his mind, we shall see!

[SteveH]

There's not much point in banging on about herd immunity, as we can only get that if the vast majority of the population get the virus, which is exactly what we want to avoid, and which would result in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The herd immunity we read about for measles is acquired by mass immunisation, and is threatened by the anti-vax idiots, but there is no vaccine for Covid-19 yet, nor likely to be until it's all over.

[Roses]

There's not much point in banging on about herd immunity, as we can only get that if the vast majority of the population get the virus, which is exactly what we want to avoid, and which would result in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The herd immunity we read about for measles is acquired by mass immunisation, and is threatened by the anti-vax idiots, but there is no vaccine for Covid-19 yet, nor likely to be until it's all over.

Blimey I must lie down before the shock is too much for me, I actually agree with you.

[Walter]

Believe it or not I spent last evening in a bar called Korona in my local town. I'm still going to do the things I do but just be more aware of what I touch and when I wash my hands etc.

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I woke today with a sore throat and throbbing headache , have I been infected by the 7 pints of corona I had last night ? 🍻

[Walter]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/51888491

The Japanese PM says the Olympic Games are going ahead, he isn't going to change his mind, we shall see!

i bet he wins all the medals then 😷

[SteveH]

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I woke today with a sore throat and throbbing headache , have I been infected by the 7 pints of corona I had last night ? 🍻