Coronavirus outbreak

[Shut Up Legs]

Finally some good news (for Australia, at least):

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/h...ive-coverage/495a807739e273d0f8e69641c584e8e5

Researchers are claiming that the total number of coronavirus infections in Australia could actually start to drop from about mid-April, *provided* everyone here continues to follow the distancing rules and laws. Australia has had one of the lowest infection rates, and death/infection rates, in the world, so we've avoided the worst impact of the virus (so far, anyway ).

I hope these researchers are correct, because I could use some good news for a change.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Aye, nothing like a few thousand deaths to score cheap political points.

Our preparedness for this, and the response to it, are matters of policy.

They are, therefore, by definition, political.

Attempts to deny the politics of this, are also political.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

It's impossible to prepare in any detail for an extraordinary event.

Taiwan managed it.

 

[Venod]

Same name as London one? Would have thought it’d have a different name to avoid confusion.

London Nightingale Hospital.
Harrogate Nightingale Hospital

Sounds different to me.

 

[Pale Rider]

Our preparedness for this, and the response to it, are matters of policy.

They are, therefore, by definition, political.

Attempts to deny the politics of this, are also political.

Time and a place for everything.

The time to spank Johnson's arse is certainly not when he's trying to lead the fight against the virus.

The place to do it is at the ballot box.

The blame for this lies squarely with Johnson and Hancock.

Do you honestly think there would be fewer deaths if we'd elected a different prime minister a few months ago?

There's a danger here of simply blaming the incumbents.

Had Labour been in charge, I suppose you'd have excused them all responsibility because they'd been bowled a curved ball.

 

[Unkraut]

Aye, nothing like a few thousand deaths to score cheap political points.

I don't think anyone should be trying to score cheap political points over this issue. I've just read someone blaming the loss of sovereignty to the EU for Spain and Italy having such a bad time. That is beyond pathetic and it bothers me that anyone could even think like that. Perhaps think like that is being too generous.

The cost, in terms of illness, makes this a far more serious issue than the normal stuff of political debate. I think even a hardcore Conservative supporter would have every right if not duty to heavily criticise the government for its initial handling - or lack of it - of this.

 

[Unkraut]

Finally some good news (for Australia, at least):

Also from here, though very tentative. The infection rate has almost got to R = 1 which indicates the 'curve' is flattening. It looks as though the restrictions are starting to have an effect, which I hope will at least encourage everyone that it does actually pay off.

Not yet out of the woods though by any means.

 

[Mugshot]

Time and a place for everything.

The time to spank Johnson's arse is certainly not when he's trying to lead the fight against the virus.

The place to do it is at the ballot box.



Do you honestly think there would be fewer deaths if we'd elected a different prime minister a few months ago?

There's a danger here of simply blaming the incumbents.

Had Labour been in charge, I suppose you'd have excused them all responsibility because they'd been bowled a curved ball.

Do you know if the government are going against WHO advice and if they are why?


View: https://twitter.com/PoliticsJOE_UK/status/1246143219718553602?s=20

 

[Wobblers]

Do you honestly think there would be fewer deaths if we'd elected a different prime minister a few months ago?

There's a danger here of simply blaming the incumbents.

Had Labour been in charge, I suppose you'd have excused them all responsibility because they'd been bowled a curved ball.

That is whataboutary. I've never hidden my opinion that Corbyn is an inept dolt. Had his government been just as useless as the Johnson government, damn right I'd be pointing out his failings. But it is not Labour who are to blame for the chaotic debacle that CV-19 testing has descended to. Nor was it Labour who declined to participate in the EU's plan to procure vitally needed respirators. It was Johnson's government who then gave the simply risible excuse that "the spam filter ate the email" - despite the fact it had been rejected earlier on what I can only assume to be ideological grounds. This disorganisation comes straight from the top. It is a direct consequence of Johnson first failing to understand the gravity of the situation, then his inability to organise an appropriate response .

Frankly, I don't care about the political complexion of the PM - more that they understand that, in the absence of a vaccine, our best hope to get out of this ghastly situation is to urgently implement testing of all suspected CV-19 cases, isolate those who test positive and rigorously track down their contacts to reduce continued spread. Johsnon's not doing that. I think that Margaret Thatcher would have grasped the issues far sooner, and cracked heads together to get the required level of organisation throughout the whole government and NHS.

 

[Pale Rider]

The response looks well organised to me.

In such a complicated task, keeping cock ups to a minimum is the best you can hope for.

Did whatever happened with that email knock us back to any great degree?

As Gove said in one of the briefings, we've been buying ventilators all over the place, including from the EU.

There's been some problems with protective clothing, but if the demand for anything spikes significantly there will be shortages.

Our manufacturing companies have proved themselves adept at turning their hand to making stuff they don't usually make.

Examining the alternatives is not whataboutery, it's a valid part of assessing performance and what could be expected.

Chuck Johnson and Hancock in the Thames if you like, but there's no point in doing that unless there is or was something better to put in their place.

The chancellor should also get an honourable mention.

Brilliant job by him and his staff to come up with two huge rescue plans in such short order.

 

[winjim]

Aye, nothing like a few thousand deaths to score cheap political points.

Well shoot, and there was me blaming the government when it was only a few hundred.

Hindsight tells us some measures could have been taken earlier, but I haven't seen a coherent argument against the measures themselves.

It's not hindsight when people were screaming at them to do something long before they actually did it.

 

[Salty seadog]

Presumably, by attack on the NHS you mean more money should have been spent on it during the last 10 years.

Had that been done it would have been of very little benefit in treating Corona because it would have, quite properly, been spent on patient care at the time.

It's impossible to prepare in any detail for an extraordinary event.

If, after Corona, we make sure we have plenty of ventilators to hand, it's guaranteed the next emergency won't need them, but some other gadget.

Having kept public spending under control does at least mean we can raise the money to pay for Corona measures.

As regards the response, I doubt any other politician else could do any better.

Boris and Hancock are figureheads to a degree, articulating the views of the scientists.

The response largely comes down to their expertise, which most people rate highly.

Hindsight tells us some measures could have been taken earlier, but I haven't seen a coherent argument against the measures themselves.

Whilst I agree you cannot be fully prepared for every eventuality a property funded health service would be in a much better position with greater numbers of staff, equipment and all round ability. The lack of funding had been a political choice. It is the very first institution in the sights of any Tory government that gets elected. The worst stats on healthcare without exception come under their stewardship. So yes political points are very much up for grabs as the wilful negligent is laid bare.

Oh, and don't forget the lies they're spouting.

Don't forget the lies.

Fudging the testing figures so they present a wholly dismal picture instead of the disastrously dismal truth.

Lying about missing an email from the EU. As if that's all they did, send an email. This lie was after the PM's official spokesman confirmed they would not be taking part in a joint EU purchase plan for equipment because we are not in the EU and would go our own way.

Domestic manufacturers of ventilators selling their stock overseas as the government declined their offer of supply.

The same with the supply of necessary chemical components (reagents) for testing.

Flowery words and constant promises of jam tomorrow/next week /next month. All the while sitting on their hands.

This government is a disgrace.

I feel it is more than a little to do with the centuries old ingrained class system we have.
Why help the proles.?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The response looks well organised to me.

Sure it does.

Changing strategy mid way through the response, appealing on TV for ventilator manufacturers, testing 10x less people than Germany (and repeatedly failing promises to change that) are all signs of excellent organisation.

 

[Salty seadog]

As Gove said in one of the briefings, we've been buying ventilators all over the place, including from the EU.

Oh that's OK then.

Hang on a minute,

Oh,

Gove said it, the oiliest of an oily bunch. Must be true.

Get a grip.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The infection rate has almost got to R = 1 which indicates the 'curve' is flattening.

Source?

Seems contradicted by the info I've seen:

https://www.ft.com/__origami/servic...le-down&quality=highest&source=next&width=490