Covid 19 aka Coronavirus

[Craven]

Here in the UK politicians are totally opposed to the general public using a face mask when out, but I think that when they need to lift the lockdown the mandatory wearing of a mask will be a necessary measure to prevent the much feared second outbreak. So a good supply of masks should be a high priority on their to do list.

[vincereynard]

Here in the UK politicians are totally opposed to the general public using a face mask when out,

Are they? First I've heard of it. Where did you get that information from?

[Craven]

Just listen to the daily Downing Street broadcast, they have great concern that if they suggest this there will be a shortage of masks available for front line workers.

[The Veg]

Just listen to the daily Downing Street broadcast, they have great concern that if they suggest this there will be a shortage of masks available for front line workers.

Here in the US of A we've had a shortage for weeks for several reasons, including people panic-buying and hoarding stuff. Same reason we can't get toilet paper, hand sanitiser, etc. Another reason is our for-profit healthcare system which operates on a just-in-time inventory system like any modern business, which of course leaves no room for contingencies. People across the country are sewing non-medical-grade masks, many doing s in large quantities to give to medical personnel as an additional barrier to extend the life of the one N95 mask they are being issued per shift (and less frequently than that at some facilities). Lots of stuff going around online about making improvised masks from coffee filters, aircon filters, etc.

And as stated already, our poorer folks are getting hit harder, thanks to the way our for-profit health system works. I think the administration in Washington is allowing this to happen because poor people tend to vote Democratic.

[alan.barker]

I think in many countries there is such a big shortage of Masks. This is the reason why they are saying not everyone needs to wear them to stop a panic.
The problem with holding a big stock is the Accountant who doesn't like spending money on things that are difficult to prove they are needed. A little bit like preventitive maintenance .
In the USA are things worse since Trump got into power and started removing Obama Care. By the way is Trump still shaking hands
I just hope things start to calm down and i can go for a nice drive along the Coast in "Little Lo" soon. Her Twink is ready to sing with the Birds and get on Cam
Alan

[elanfan1]

The UK total deaths are now over 10,000. Does not sound too bad as a stark figure does it? To put it into perspective that’s like losing the entire population of the town of Caernarfon. That’s shocking indeed. Imagine when that’s 20 towns.

[alan.barker]

I think in USA there have been more deaths than Italy
Alan

[JonB]

And now some proper grim news. Running out of body bags.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52205655

[billwill]

I think in USA there have been more deaths than Italy
Alan

Nearly all the figures quoted are not comparable with each other but journalists don't seem to really care.

Italy has a population of about 60.46 Million and (in one table i looked at) had 20,300 deaths attibuted to corona virus. USA has a population of around 328.2 million and deaths attributed to corona virus of 22,106

So to make them more comparable, 'normailse' the figures to a population of say 50 million.

Italy : 16,788 deaths per 50 million population
USA: 3,368 deaths per 50 million population.

Then again the degree and type of testing can severely change the figures.

It's a sad situation no less, but it's not helped by the exaggerating of fear with sloppy reporting.

You could normalise them by square miles of area instead to make them more comparable perhaps square miles of built-up area might be the most applicable.

[h20hamelan]

Trump is still in power, so good old US of A numbers likely to increase for some years.
If the stats are correct, from any China, Brazil, Russian, Saudi news. The US is in for way, way more deaths. And I highly doubt, the worlds poor have a chance. So, the virus/disease will propagate/change. And we will be still talking about this in two years...tough times I believe.

As Noam Chomsky points out, the Brazil criminal gangs and underworld sort, are looking after the poor. Guess they probably still want the addicted. Or, maybe its a beautiful thing.

[elanfan1]

We’ll all be OK now, just bought some Dettol and hypodermic needles.

[jk952]

A neighbour, Police escort and all; ...but what is with the balloons??


A covid style drive up retirement celebration; he worked for the local Funeral Home!

Admittedly a bit of dark humour.
In spite of the slightly telephoto lens looks like some a bit close for social distancing; but hey at least they’d get a discount!...lol...

Jack

[69S4]

Nothing like getting the neighbours worried
Woke up yesterday morning to an ambulance outside our neighbour’s house and the paramedics going in and out covered in plastic. We all thought the virus was finally working its way down our road and worry levels started to escalate. It took a few hours to find out it was a long-standing intestinal issue flare up and all the protective equipment was just std practice. Even in the days of the virus normal life goes on.

[baileyman]

Resurrecting this thread to recommend this guy

https://twitter.com/yaneerbaryam

who seems to be doing an amazing job projecting variant growth in the USA, the UK variant. The basic problem is that the original strain is being out-competed by the UK variant and is subsiding, but the variant is in exponential takeoff right now in many places. This guy, I suppose, is curve fitting based on replication numbers, and the fits sure look good. I notice that Canadian government speech is quite emphatic about the dangers of the next few months, while USA government speech is rather less urgent. FYI. John

[elanfan1]

Interesting rereading this thread with hindsight