Coronavirus - are you afraid?

[Lilias]

Well, whaddyaknow.

[gaggedLouise]

Well, whaddyaknow.

Mmm. *nods* Spain is another afflicted country - the virus is spreading fast there, they now have nearly 3.000 cases and 84 dead - and they also happen to be a country with fairly low handwashing frequency...

[HairyHeretic]

https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0312/1121820-coronavirus/

That's the latest here. Schools, colleges and creches closing from tonight til the end of the month.

[Iniquitous]

Just so I'm getting this right, will the ban mean that

1) anyone who's an EU citizen, excepting UK and dual national US/EU citizens would be refused entry into the US at airports, harbours etc

2) any visas issued for the same range of people become invalid for the coming month ?

Because unless both of those are in place, just about any random European could just fly to Canada and then continue from there - most cars, trains and buses entering the US from Canada are not checked at the border, AFAIK, and people are not asked to show their passports.

To quote a news article this morning..

The administration’s travel restrictions will take effect Friday midnight and they only apply to foreign nationals, and not U.S. citizens, green card holders or the families of U.S. citizens, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

[legomaster00156]

It's only a matter of time before my workplace is infected. I work at a fast food restaurant in a major shopping district. Though my city has no confirmed cases yet, we are right between two major cities that do. It's a very convenient stop between the cities.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/upshot/coronavirus-biggest-worry-hospital-capacity.html?referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwAR1rc5VrC8HYlcXfXfLzEF6L7HeWalOqsCBilyCEVLqJ1WoA9TWlzyIguFY

This is a pretty good article about what is going on with Italy and predicted to happen here.

[Oniya]

This is another good article.  I've been seeing the graphic pop up frequently in the past week and went looking for it after seeing Lil's post:

https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/09-03-2020/the-three-phases-of-covid-19-and-how-we-can-make-it-manageable/

[Lexandria]

Rep. Katie Porter got the head of the CDC to commit to cover costs of testing for COVID19 for anyone who can't pay. It's not in writing, but it was on national television, and he does have the power to make that promise.

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5e6a7676c5b6dda30fc53d2a/amp?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004&__twitter_impression=true

[Chasing Dreams]

Today while I've been at work, I had to do an X-Ray on a patient that is being tested for COVID-19. I'll know in the next couple of days.  If the patient tests positive, I'll be seeing more patients in the next couple of days. I'm taking all the necessary precautions though.  Only time will tell.

[Mechelle]

In the United Kingdom, we seem to be adopting a different route from the rest of Europe, with next to
no general school closures, and big sporting events mostly still taking place. At my workplace, we have made contingency plans to work from home (although the laptop I took home tonight, as a test, wouldn't log in!), but that is more of a plan for the future.
This seems to be more of a plan to introduce emergency measures step by step and slowly, so people don't get bored and tired and ignore them if they go on too long. That has some merit, I think, although it's unfortunate that the doctor (and government adviser?) who explained why this would be a good idea had been introduced as the psychologist which he was, rather than let everyone assume he was a doctor of medicine.

[Eikichi]

People should use their common sense and make their own decisions.

The mortality rate isn't too bad, and the fact that it targets one demographic at a higher rate than others means that if you are healthy and young there's less risk. But as far as government and other closing down large gathering areas.. I agree but also disagree.

In an ideal world, yeah, people should use common sense. But we live in a world where people get in street bawls over fucking toilet paper. All it takes it one idiot at an event to spread it to dozens of people, who then risk spreading it to their family. For people that live with their parents, or take care of them, that would be a devastating thing to happen.

[Iniquitous]

The reason for closing down schools, games, museums, concerts, etc. is really for several reasons.  The biggest one is to, as the image above says, flatten the curve.  In simple terms, slow the transmission of the virus so that the hospitals are not utterly overwhelmed and unable to handle everyone. (see Italy)

The next big reason?  Because you have people who flat refuse to believe it is serious and flat refuse to be responsible and stay out of the public - thus spreading the virus. The lawyer in New Rochelle NY?  He infected FIFTY people. That is a HUGE R0.  If you can't trust people to be responsible and do the right thing then you make them do it. (EX: a father exposed to the virus by his child having it broke quarantine to take his daughter to a father/daughter dance.)

Lastly, there are people who are just not right in the head and WANT to infect as many as possible.  Sporting events, conventions, concerts, etc are perfect places to infect as many as possible.  Shutting them down stops those who want to infect others.

Personally, the more I hear people bitch, whine, and complain about the measures being put in place to try and flatten the curve the more ticked off I get.  The more I hear people try to say this is not serious, it's all just media hype, the more pissed off I get.

[TheGlyphstone]

Today I learned that my supervisor at work believes this is a Chinese bioweapons project gone rogue. The fact that it's a terrible weapon is neatly explained away by it being released accidentally before development was finished.

[Mr Quixotic]

Today I learned that my supervisor at work believes this is a Chinese bioweapons project gone rogue. The fact that it's a terrible weapon is neatly explained away by it being released accidentally before development was finished.

We had one of our my well-known (ex) sports over here claim today that Covid19 wasn't real; its all just a conspiracy to force people to get vaccinated against their will!

Australian Formula One Grand Prix was cancelled this morning, and news just came through that as of Monday, public gatherings of over 500 people will be banned.

Also, though we only have one confirmed case in my city, when I popped into my local shops today, there wasn't a single roll of toilet paper or a paper towel to be found! I'm not sure why I find that so amusing, but I do; people sure are preparing early!

[Mr Quixotic]

Reading the actual wording, I should amend my previous post to say that the Federal Government has issued 'formal guidance' that gatherings of 500 people should not go ahead as of Monday, rather than implemented an outright ban.

[Polymorph]

Today I learned that my supervisor at work believes this is a Chinese bioweapons project gone rogue. The fact that it's a terrible weapon is neatly explained away by it being released accidentally before development was finished.

Obviously rubbish. It's been reported that bears are coming out of hibernation early this year. The virus was clearly engineered by the bears and they are now massing for a global takeover.

[Humble Scribe]

Also, though we only have one confirmed case in my city, when I popped into my local shops today, there wasn't a single roll of toilet paper or a paper towel to be found! I'm not sure why I find that so amusing, but I do; people sure are preparing early!

For ten thousand years humanity counted wealth in livestock and grain.
For three thousand more wealth was counted in gold and silver.
But now, behold the currency of the new millennium:

[AngelicFaith]

Since yesterday, more serious messures have been made where I live, The Netherlands.
Our neighbouring countries have far stricter messurements than we do. Right now, people are asked to work from home if they can, which resulted in way less traffic and use of public transportation. Gatherings of over 100 people are no longer allowed. Universities and High schools have closed down, while other schools such as middle schools are still open. I do expect that after the weekends, they might close all schools.
And yes... people are buying toilet paper like crazy here, which I think is hilarious. Even if there's absolutely no need to. All super markets will still be supplied well.

People are being made afraid in my opinion. Yes, it's a nasty virus, but mostly when you already have a bad health, or are elderly. Honestly, I'm curious to see how this will evolve, but I'm not really afraid.

[Dashenka]

The whole 'nuchterheid' is what I LOVE about the Netherlands. There could be a nuclear war and everybody will still go about their business :)


Getting the Dutch citizenship was one of the best things I've ever done. Hopefully one day I get the opportunity to leave England and go back to Amsterdam. It's just better :)

I wasn't surprised at all that they were one of the last countries in Europe to install guidelines and all that. Bless 'em :)

[AngelicFaith]

Hahahaha... oh yes... we are indeed a 'nuchter volkje'
LOL

[elone]

Went to the store last night to avoid crowds, every roll of toilet paper was gone. People are stocking up. No hand cleaner/sanitizer, no alcohol, no disinfecting products. Food is plentiful though. One can't use the toilet, but you can eat well.

[Lustful Bride]

Seems like china is now looking for a way to turn a natural disease into justification for future actions.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/chinese-diplomat-promotes-conspiracy-theory-that-us-military-brought-virus-to-wuhan/ar-BB117L5m?ocid=spartanntp

Honestly the idea of them using it as casus belli scares me more than the virus itself. The media there is totally controlled by the government, and if blaming us makes the PRC look better, they will start putting it into history books and make it their truth.

Still its funny that they think the US under Trump is actually competent enough to pull this off.

[Dashenka]

This news comes days after 'the US' claiming that China developed th virus as a bioweapon. It was mentioned earlier in this thread.

Honestly this kind of news says more about the news outlet, MSN and CNN in this case, than the actual news itself and is proof to me that there currently is another man made virus threatening the world on a much more serious level than Corona ever will.

[Lustful Bride]

This news comes days after 'the US' claiming that China developed th virus as a bioweapon. It was mentioned earlier in this thread.

Both claims are wrong, its just a natural virus. If one of our politicians said it was a bioweapon then they are an idiot. I will admit, I'm no virologist but I've listened to a few talk about the conspiracy theory and according to them its actually easy to prove if a virus is manufactured or natural, and the Coronavirus is a natural one that jumped to infecting humans.

Honestly this kind of news says more about the news outlet, MSN and CNN in this case, than the actual news itself and is proof to me that there currently is another man made virus threatening the world on a much more serious level than Corona ever will.

Is it misinformation? I'm not sure what you're referring to. I dont see how it says alot about MSN and CNN as well? They are reporting on what happened.

[Dashenka]

I mean fear and panic :)

The world's gone mad in panic for what is essentially a bad flu. The panic and fear is way more dangerous than the actual virus.