Coronavirus

[Enki]

Unfortunately the complexities that arise from this pernicious virus and how we deal with it can create many situations where choices have to be made which can be so difficult to deal with.

As an example, my grand daughter(who is 21) has a condition called ulcerative colitis which is kept in check by using immunosuppressant drugs, so that, normally, she has no problems. However she learned yesterday, via a government text, that she is in the high risk category and it is recommended that she self isolate. The problem is that as part of her caring work she helps and guides two strongly autistic young adults  on a daily basis and with whom she has developed a trusting relationship. She has asked my wife and myself as to what she should do and it is obvious to both of us that she is emotionally torn between carrying on or self isolating. We have given her the facts and potential risks as we see them, but in the end she knows she has to come to her own decision. Whatever it is, we will support her.

It's a worrying time for many, many people. 

[SteveH]

Could it happen?

I'd be doubtful since I can't see the opposition parties getting involved unless the Brexit transition is extended: then again, this crisis might become so bad that Brexit is put on the back-burner for quite some time.

https://tinyurl.com/tcznorp

I've been thinking that a coalition government might be necessary.

[Sriram]

The mortality rate for the Coronavirus infection seems to be very different in different countries.  In China about 3.5%, US about 1.5 %, France about 5%, Spain about 7% and Italy about 10%.  Australia about 0.5%, UK about 5%.

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

[ProfessorDavey]

The mortality rate for the Coronavirus infection seems to be very different in different countries.  In China about 3.5%, US about 1.5 %, France about 5%, Spain about 7% and Italy about 10%.  Australia about 0.5%, UK about 5%.

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

I suspect that's more about the level of testing going on rather than a real effect.

[jeremyp]

Could it happen?

I'd be doubtful since I can't see the opposition parties getting involved unless the Brexit transition is extended: then again, this crisis might become so bad that Brexit is put on the back-burner for quite some time.

https://tinyurl.com/tcznorp

We have a government with an absolute majority. It might not be a very good one, but it is one. Why do we need a coalition? Perhaps these early words in the article tell us.

Senior Conservatives are questioning whether Boris Johnson will need a national unity government or emergency cross-party council to share responsibility for the coronavirus crisis if the situation worsens.

They don't want the buck to stop with the Tories. Or maybe I am just being too cynical.

One Tory MP said there was a political argument that Johnson may be keen to “drag Labour in” so the public do not associate the crisis solely with the Conservatives, if the situation worsens.

Oh look. At least one Tory is as cynical as me.

[Aruntraveller]

They don't want the buck to stop with the Tories. Or maybe I am just being too cynical

No you are not.

[SteveH]

We have a government with an absolute majority. It might not be a very good one, but it is one. Why do we need a coalition? Perhaps these early words in the article tell us.

They don't want the buck to stop with the Tories. Or maybe I am just being too cynical.
Oh look. At least one Tory is as cynical as me.

But otoh, if a coalition government's measures were a resounding success, they couldn't claim all the credit.

[jeremyp]

I suspect that's more about the level of testing going on rather than a real effect.

Or how you record the deaths. The wording on the gov.uk website goes like this

As of 1pm on 23 March 2020, 335 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

If you are positive for coronavirus and you then die for whatever reason, you are in the British figure. It's possible that another hypothetical country where they wish to downplay the effects of the virus - let's call it the Federated Counties of Vinland - might record the immediate cause of death e.g. somebody who tested positive for coronavirus and who then died of pneumonia would be recorded as having died of pneumonia and not counted.

[jeremyp]

But otoh, if a coalition government's measures were a resounding success, they couldn't claim all the credit.

I honestly don't think that anything the government can do will be regarded as a resounding success. This crisis is too difficult to come out of it smelling of roses.

[Aruntraveller]

If you are positive for coronavirus and you then die for whatever reason, you are in the British figure. It's possible that another hypothetical country where they wish to downplay the effects of the virus - let's call it the Federated Counties of Vinland - might record the immediate cause of death e.g. somebody who tested positive for coronavirus and who then died of pneumonia would be recorded as having died of pneumonia and not counted.

This is a problem that has existed for years with Clinical Coding in hospitals. If you have ever seen the volumes linked to ICD10 you will know what an intricate and difficult task coding can be. In the past that was made worse by coders having to decipher consultants writing. It is better now with the move to computerised notes, etc., but even then the system is open to "interpretation" at several levels. In normal times it is hard enough to get a fully accurate picture of reasons for death. Now, it is probably impossible.

[Spud]

On the positive side:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution

Satellite images show a huge reduction in pollution.

A bit like this event, maybe?

2 Chronicles 36:20-21
And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill three score and ten years.

[Spud]

Noise pollution is down too - without the noise from the M26 1 mile from me, it's like living in the countryside.

[ProfessorDavey]

On the positive side:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/23/coronavirus-pandemic-leading-to-huge-drop-in-air-pollution

Satellite images show a huge reduction in pollution.

True and certainly in China it is likely that there have been more lives saved through reduced pollution than lost to covid-19

A bit like this event, maybe?

2 Chronicles 36:21
To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill three score and ten years.

Nope

[Spud]

True and certainly in China it is likely that there have been more lives saved through reduced pollution than lost to covid-19
Nope

A lock down every seven years might help though!

But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land--a Sabbath to the LORD.

[Roses]

A lock down every seven years might help though!

But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land--a Sabbath to the LORD.

That guy isn't doing anything to help eradicate the virus if he is still alive and kicking!

[Aruntraveller]

Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid 19.

Hopefully for once in his life he will serve a purpose in that it will bring home to the public that anyone can get this.

[ProfessorDavey]

A lock down every seven years might help though!

How on earth would locking people down every seven years help, unless there is a reason to do so, i.e. a pandemic?

[Spud]

How on earth would locking people down every seven years help, unless there is a reason to do so, i.e. a pandemic?

Ideally it would be permanent, but since that would be unrealistic before the New Heavens and Earth, a seventh-year lock down policy might enable the planet's atmosphere to recover, similar to how leaving the ground fallow for a year enables it to.

In case it wasn't clear, God set the seventh year no-ploughing rule for Israel, but because they apparently didn't apply it he sent the Babylonians to take them out of the land so that it could 'enjoy its sabbath rests' - 70 years, one year to represent every seventh during a 490-year period.

I think Littleroses might disagree, but I wonder if the virus is sent by God to enforce his law that we look after the planet. He said after the flood that the seasons would continue without sending another flood to destroy the earth; but he still has to intervene if we don't look after it.

[Nearly Sane]

Ideally it would be permanent, but since that would be unrealistic before the New Heavens and Earth, a seventh-year lock down policy might enable the planet's atmosphere to recover, similar to how leaving the ground fallow for a year enables it to.

In case it wasn't clear, God set the seventh year no-ploughing rule for Israel, but because they apparently didn't apply it he sent the Babylonians to take them out of the land so that it could 'enjoy its sabbath rests' - 70 years, one year to represent every seventh during a 490-year period.

I think Littleroses might disagree, but I wonder if the virus is sent by God to enforce his law that we look after the planet. He said after the flood that the seasons would continue without sending another flood to destroy the earth; but he still has to intervene if we don't look after it.

Your god is a fucking psychopath

[Spud]

How on earth would locking people down every seven years help, unless there is a reason to do so, i.e. a pandemic?

It also makes us face our mortality and take God seriously.

[Nearly Sane]

Prince Charles has tested positive for Covid 19.

Hopefully for once in his life he will serve a purpose in that it will bring home to the public that anyone can get this.

Though he shouldn't have travelled to Balmoral

[Spud]

Your god is a fucking psychopath

Swearing just means what we are saying isn't true, so we need some way of emphasizing it to make people believe it.

[Aruntraveller]

It also makes us face our mortality and take God seriously.

Not sure I can take seriously a God who sends a plague to kill people that he supposedly loves. (And for Steveh I am only replying to Spuds specific assertion that God may have sent the virus - he said it not me).

Sounds as usual that God is a reflection of the posters views rather than any serious theological thought taking place.

[Gordon]

Swearing just means what we are saying isn't true, so we need some way of emphasizing it to make people believe it.

I think the point is, based on what you posted earlier, that as portrayed by what you posted your 'God' is indeed a fucking psychopath, Spud.
 

[SusanDoris]

I am very sorry to hear that Prince Charles has it.

I phoned the local Town Hall and spoke to someone who gave me the number of a Councillor who has taken on the task of co-ordinating local help group. Left a message and she phoned back. They are getting organised as quicly as possible so that sounds promising.