Coronavirus outbreak

[Blue Hills]

In previous advice, this is one of the issues that is modelled to reduce the peak, I think actually may have even been one of the most effective measures. It's going to happen anyway. Without a quicker/more widely applied test (see later), there are some issues around that, especially with health workers.

Not to be controversially getting everyone to be nice to everyone, but actually there is pretty much agreement across the board. The differences are cultural ones or how governments are run. The UK's advice doesn't really conflict with anything people have said about singapore or hong kong. Where the difference lies is that as in Italy, the social distancing and lockdown was widely ignored. Very widely ignored. So widely ignored in fact that it's quite interesting that peeps keep on posting about you're allowed to go out for a bike ride. I wonder why that is! This is probably not a point missed by our leaders, but is one missed multiple times by people on this thread who keep on yelling social distancing to everything and that it'll somehow magically work or that people pay attention. No one out there pays any attention to what's written here and not really too much to what Boris or anyone else says.

The disagreement is the 1 peak vs 2 or multiple peaks. For some reason and some deus ex machina some people here think after 1 peak that's it. Vallance/Witty (and actually if you watch some Italian tv it even says this on there occasionally) think they'll be 2 peaks. It's just Italy is so up shoot creek without a paddle that one's not being discussed quite so much now.

As said previously, in essence all governments have a contain method. The other disagreement with UK policy is what happens after the first phase. There are three technological solutions out there which a guy on here got incredibly argy bargy about. Chill. It isn't my view and I don't make governments' policy. Some governments do seem to be holding out on this as an insurance policy, which was why I said it. Or just hoping for the best.

Some countries have buggered up/given up on the testing though .

Can you be a bit clearer?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I don't. Ageist pigs.

You’re joking, right?

 

[Julia9054]

It doesn't really help me. I'm in an at risk group but I also have to care for my mother (shopping, principally). I"m not sure how I can isolate myself and keep on doing the shopping for her.

I am in the "eligible for a flu jab" group. Should I be going to work or not?

 

[marinyork]

Can you be a bit clearer?

Self isolating is meant to reduce.

Social distancing and getting the poplace to do stuff may have problems as we've seen in Italy (and some may argue other countries) is a very practical issue at the heart of what most of the arguments are really about.

Focus in the world and this forum is there is 1 peak and that's it. The Chief Scientific Advisor has said very often that they think the coronavirus will be around for some time, that they'll likely be a 2nd peak and worry about that hitting smack bang in winter alongside other flu. This slight subtlety is why the UK's policy seems quite airy fairy.

There are very large testing disparities. The WHO got very annoyed about this. The UK is concentrating on hospital cases and health workers. In the US the testing going on is at a very low level. In the US it appears Washington state is very bad. Some virologists think it's just they've done more testing and coronavirus may sadly be running wildly out of control in a lot of places . If this is the case deaths might start stacking up out of 'nowhere' in US states in the next couple of weeks.

 

[marinyork]

I had the idea that it was unlikely for quite some time.
It is a key question which, along with several others, our leaders don't seem to be addressing as clearly as they should.
If they don't know, just tell us.
We are adults.

London appears to have it much worse . As well as Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Glasgow (those 3 weren't mentioned).

I think it's harsh on the immunity side. I think they have tried to explain it and the 1 peakers seem to have got most of the media attention.

The bit that I think they should explain clearer and I think they are holding back on is the evidence on children. There does seem to be some evidence about children they aren't telling us. Yes, there are other obvious reasons why they don't want to close schools, but I wonder what's actually in it with children catching/passing it on.

 

[DCLane]

I am in the "eligible for a flu jab" group. Should I be going to work or not?

Same, also with asthma. I'm a wee bit concerned here. See you all in June?

 

[randynewmanscat]

It doesn't really help me. I'm in an at risk group but I also have to care for my mother (shopping, principally). I"m not sure how I can isolate myself and keep on doing the shopping for her.

Not much you can do, get a particulate mask and safety specs and keep your distance. I would not give a monkeys to my appearance to minimise risk

Madison riding will be frowned upon.

No! 1/2 wheeling too?

 

[mjr]

You’re joking, right?

Mostly. But I'm sure some 70somethings could beat this fortysomething to the shelves. Maybe I'll take my stick.

 

[randynewmanscat]

Tour De France there will be no peloton or drafting. They will have to ride a minute apart and do all the work themselves. Average speeds will drop 30%...

Tour de France 2021?

 

[mjr]

Anyone else notice that "shielding" seems to be the new name for "isolating" (itself the new name for "quarantine") because they don't want to admit this will isolate the vulnerable?

 

[Blue Hills]

Meanwhile in other news the president of the italian region of sardinia and the mayor of its capital cagliari have apparently called on the help of saint efisio.
https://www.sardiniapost.it/politic...antefisio-invochiamo-il-nostro-amato-martire/
I do hope he is self isolating, not listening, doesn"t get involved.
One of italy's more useless saints, which is saying something, in my view.
Owes his sainthood to supposedly saving cagliari from a plague.
A plague in which as much as half of the population actually perished.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

The chart below is better than a thousand words:

The chart gives us an idea who is going to be where in X days without a change in behaviour. Until this afternoon, it shows we have been sleepwalking into disaster, 5 days behind Spain, which in turn is no more than 10 days behind Italy.

An update of the number infected chart is below:

The UK number might seem to be improving during the last couple of days, but it isn't real - the government suddenly decided late last week to limit testing to hospital patients. This was queried today, but don't think the CMO actually answered the question.

FT Source.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Has anyone noticed in the UK an increase in car traffic? I think I've noticed it here in Melbourne. A lot of people who'd normally prefer public transport are now driving, so when 1 bus/tram/train carriage empties, another 50 cars are on the road.

 

[Lozz360]

Has anyone noticed in the UK an increase in car traffic? I think I've noticed it here in Melbourne. A lot of people who'd normally prefer public transport are now driving, so when 1 bus/tram/train carriage empties, another 50 cars are on the road.

If anything there seems to be less car traffic where I am. Whether this is because people are working from home where they can. On the other hand, you would expect people to avoid public transport at the moment.

 

[tom73]

I am in the "eligible for a flu jab" group. Should I be going to work or not?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults