Coronavirus in the UK - news, lockdown and discussion

[iona]

I understand in China they used lots of ECMO machines (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) in their intensive care, as far as I know they haven't been mentioned here as being in short supply in the NHS, do any NHS practitioners know more about this?

There's something like 20 in the whole country.

 

[Azrael]

Well personally I'm glad to hear freedom of movement will still continue in London for a little longer, though i'm under no illusion it will last, not least because BJ is a professional liar. Particularly good for tradespeople I think. Once it stops thats income over for them too.
Looks like the next step is closing "pubs, restaurants, shops and gyms ". This weekend? London only?
If people have nowhere to go other than the chemist and superbogrollmarket I dont really see a need to stop freedom of movement

Really not sure if lockdown's coming now, Johnson used a ton of political capital denying it, and a second policy u-turn in so many days would be disastrous for him. Even if he thought his administration could take the hit, may well have decided they lack the resources to enforce it.

If they're not gonna lockdown, they've gotta shutter pubs, coffee shops and restaurants (many are shutting down themselves but far from all), close the tube to general use, and institute a mass testing, tracing and quarantine programme.

 

[gentlegreen]

Blimey - sort of dialysis ...

 

[Azrael]

They are a tiny resource in the UK.

Coronavirus: England only has 15 beds for worst respiratory cases

NHS says system will struggle if more than 28 patients need artificial lung treatment

www.theguardian.com

Remember a report on these in 2009, around the same numbers were mentioned. Incredible, given what they knew was coming.

 

[weltweit]

They are a tiny resource in the UK.

Coronavirus: England only has 15 beds for worst respiratory cases

NHS says system will struggle if more than 28 patients need artificial lung treatment

www.theguardian.com

There's something like 20 in the whole country.

20 does not seem like many.
I wonder if I can find the article about how many the Chinese had.

 

[Nine Bob Note]

Work has agreed to pay anyone who has to isolate themselves in full for their contracted hours, and they've sent home anyone 70 or above for a period of three months, also on full pay. Probs the only thing they've ever done that I approve of

 

[xes]

Just gathered up some Mensa puzzles for a work college, she wants her kids to be unboredificated but learning.

 

[weltweit]

Incidentally I just heard on the news that lots of UK companies have come forward to make ventilators including F1 .. I assume a team or two. So that seems good. No mention of boosting existing producers, what do I know - I did earlier see some enterprising people print a solenoid valve for use in a ventilator and I also saw the beginnings of an initiative to repair faulty ventilators in numbers rather than junking them when they are faulty.

 

[Nine Bob Note]

Just gathered up some Mensa puzzles for a work college, she wants her kids to be unboredificated but learning.

Colleges are good for that

 

[gentlegreen]

I swear I once did enough of those Mensa-type exercises to score a high IQ , but the other day I had a go and lost the will to live after half a dozen ...

 

[xes]

Really not sure if lockdown's coming now, Johnson used a ton of political capital denying it, and a second policy u-turn in so many days would be disastrous for him. Even if he thought his administration could take the hit, may well have decided they lack the resources to enforce it.

If they're not gonna lockdown, they've gotta shutter pubs, coffee shops and restaurants (many are shutting down themselves but far from all), close the tube to general use, and institute a mass testing, tracing and quarantine programme.

I give it a week 2 max before this is all out of hand and he's got no choice.

 

[xes]

Colleges are good for that

now you see why I'm giving them away. Little wooden bastards sitting there, mocking me.

 

[klang]

UK companies have come forward to make ventilators including F1

they gonna be well fast

 

[Azrael]

I give it a week 2 max before this is all out of hand and he's got no choice.

Him, or his successor ...

 

[gentlegreen]

Does every county make its own ventilators ?
Since EU connections haven't been mentioned, I'm guessing they do - or no one trusted the UK to make parts for theirs ...

 

[xes]

Him, or his successor ...

just...everything.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Sorry, but imo it's gotta be a lockdown, and now. A lot of people will be prepared already. We've been expecting it.

 

[weltweit]

Does every county make its own ventilators ?
Since EU connections haven't been mentioned, I'm guessing they do - or no one trusted the UK to make parts for theirs ...

It is a good question, I believe there is/are UK manufacturers and larger ones in Ireland. I have also seen that there are German manufacturers and my bet would be that there are also components made here.

 

[xes]

Does every county make its own ventilators ?
Since EU connections haven't been mentioned, I'm guessing they do - or no one trusted the UK to make parts for theirs ...

On a related note... Anyone know what companies are making this equipment and are they needing workers? I'd happily switch jobs to make things that are needed.

 

[Cid]

Incidentally I just heard on the news that lots of UK companies have come forward to make ventilators including F1 .. I assume a team or two. So that seems good. No mention of boosting existing producers, what do I know - I did earlier see some enterprising people print a solenoid valve for use in a ventilator and I also saw the beginnings of an initiative to repair faulty ventilators in numbers rather than junking them when they are faulty.

I suppose the way they might be looking at it is either using production line capacities of other companies in final assembly, or using them to manufacture specialist components that aren't readily available but could potentially be made using rapid-prototyping stuff that wouldn't really be viable in normal manufacturing chains, but might be on this basis. F1 teams are likely to have a range of very sophisticated machinery on that level, and ridiculously over-qualified engineers. And, of course, they're all on down-time with races cancelled.

 

[Treacle Toes]

Sorry, but imo it's gotta be a lockdown, and now. A lot of people will be prepared already. We've been expecting it.

I am conflicted. I see the need, sure. I also feel that so many people are now working at home or isolating the risk in terms of numbers on the street are, even here in London, like everyday is new years day or something. Commuter trains empty, buses through out the day empty, the streets too. Density only around shops, people queuing or buying etc.

...and whilst i'm well I still need to go to work because even though I am not a medical health worker, I am doing front line stuff which has meant my referrals have rocketed over the last week. So many people aren't prepared, especially those who work and are still working because they are responding to the increased need and haven't been able to.

 

[weltweit]

20 does not seem like many.
I wonder if I can find the article about how many the Chinese had.

There is an article here: ECMO, mobile CT play big role in treating COVID-19 patients: official - Xinhua | English.news.cn

which says that

China has sent 67 ECMO machines to Hubei, said Luo Junjie, an official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, adding that the ministry will import more ECMO machines for Hubei and Wuhan, the capital city of the province.

 

[editor]

There's an interesting post in the Hamlet forum about the likelihood of pubs/businesses successfully getting insurance cover for lost revenue from the virus. 'Very unlikely' seems to be the opinion.

Dulwich Hamlet and Coronavirus

Looks like Dulwich Hamlet have made the decision before (inevitably) The National League does. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/news/covid19-statement--16th-march-2020-2522327.html

www.urban75.net

 

[treelover]

Sheffield now has 36 confirmed coronavirus cases, which is the most outside London and the south

Sheffield now has 36 confirmed coronavirus cases, which is the most outside London and the south

The number of coronavirus cases in Sheffield has leapt to 36, which is the most in the north and more than anywhere outside London and the south.

www.thestar.co.uk

 

[gentlegreen]

I suppose the way they might be looking at it is either using production line capacities of other companies in final assembly, or using them to manufacture specialist components that aren't readily available but could potentially be made using rapid-prototyping stuff that wouldn't really be viable in normal manufacturing chains, but might be on this basis. F1 teams are likely to have a range of very sophisticated machinery on that level, and ridiculously over-qualified engineers. And, of course, they're all on down-time with races cancelled.

I was amazed recently to see video of this 80-something year old toolmaker in Japan working from a small workshop making metal components to incredible precision - Samurai sword-style - but still deemed a viable option in their advanced manufacturing industry in the 21st century ...

 

[SpookyFrank]

I give it a week 2 max before this is all out of hand and he's got no choice.

What did the u-turn on schools take? Four days?

 

[editor]

This is disgusting

A hotel worker said he will have to sleep in a tent after he was sacked this afternoon, alongside a number of other employees who were staying in staff accommodation.

Spanish national Alvaro Garcia said he had been working at the Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel for the past two years, but was this afternoon handed a letter telling him his “services are no longer required”, and to “vacate the hotel accommodations immediately”.

Management blamed the controversial move on the coronavirus outbreak, but it has sparked outrage from locals – with one councillor saying it made him “ashamed to be Scottish”.

Mr Garcia said due to the short amount of time he has been given to leave, he is preparing to camp in a tent.

He explained that he intends to fly to his home country of Spain, but said he feels fearful it may be extremely difficult to do so due to international travel restrictions brought on by the global pandemic.

He said around 13 other people at the hotel were also told they were fired today.

Sacked staff left homeless after north hotel orders them to ‘vacate immediately’

A hotel worker said he will have to sleep in a tent after he was sacked this afternoon, alongside a number of other employees who were staying in staff

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

 

[gentlegreen]

Jesus wept - and incredibly naive - given the power of Internet reviews.....

And it has begun already ...

Google Travel

www.google.com

 

[Nine Bob Note]

That wasn't meant to be a like btw

 

[xes]

What did the u-turn on schools take? Four days?

Prexactly.

This is such a fluid situation, changing by the hour. I want to pack in work, it's about as non essential as you can get. (been ready to quit for a few weeks) This could have been handled differently. We should all be in lockdown for a month. Starting 3 weeks ago. Fuck the economy, freeze it or something. Just press pause. It'll be fine. Food deliveries gratis from the gov. And streamed lynchings of people hoarding stuff the NHS need.