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[Baronage-Phase]

Coronavirus mutates into second strain which is more aggressive and contagious

Scientists from Peking University said they had found that two main types of the new coronavirus could be causing infections

www.google.com

This doesn't look good

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Anyway, life is going on quite normally here in Northern Italy.

Literally two minutes later:

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Literally two minutes later:

About time

 

[Flavour]

For fuck's sake. Ok, good timing. I continue to argue that such measures are completely pointless because the kids will a) continue hanging out with each other outside their houses in public anyway and b) probably have to spend more time with grandparents as parents can't take time off work to look after kids. So putting the elderly in more direct contact with the young than they might otherwise have had in the time period, meaning elderly grandparents get infected more often too. At the risk of being lumped in with the section of the population that thinks it's all a big fuss over nothing, I genuinely don't think this will do much to contain the outbreak in the country.

 

[2hats]

Coronavirus mutates into second strain which is more aggressive and contagious

Scientists from Peking University said they had found that two main types of the new coronavirus could be causing infections

www.google.com

This doesn't look good

The journalists are failing (wilfully or otherwise) to notice that the research authors use the term 'aggressive' to describe the transmissivity and/or replication rate of the virus (the so-called L type being more so than the S type). They do not use it to characterise the fatality rate, nor indeed the degree of lack of wellbeing of those infected. Original paper is DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa036.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Coronavirus mutates into second strain which is more aggressive and contagious

Scientists from Peking University said they had found that two main types of the new coronavirus could be causing infections

www.google.com

This doesn't look good

I don't understand that headline, as the article suggests 2 strains from the start, but the more aggressive one has decreased since the start of the year.

The preliminary study found that a more aggressive type of the new coronavirus associated with the disease outbreak in Wuhan accounted for about 70% of analysed strains, while 30% was linked to a less aggressive type.

The prevalence of the more aggressive virus decreased after early January 2020, they said.

 

[extra dry]

Properly on 5th gen right now in states, 3 days away from weekend

 

[Wilf]

Italy claim now rolled back to 'considering' closing schools and unis':

Italian educational institutions close as Covid-19 deaths pass 100 – as it happened

Outbreak continues to spread with Italians in India testing positive. This blog is closed

www.theguardian.com

I don't think we are there yet, but at some point different European states are going to copy their neighbours on things like this. Not so much an evidence thing as a politics-risk-scared to do nothing thing.

 

[sheothebudworths]

UK confirmed coronavirus cases jump by 34
The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has jumped by 34 in a day, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 85.

 

[sheothebudworths]

No idea how many of those will be the impact of beginning testing patients in intensive care (rather than focusing solely on travel-related cases).

Ah - eta...

UK confirmed coronavirus cases jump by 34
The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has jumped by 34 in a day, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 85.
The Department for Health said that the figures include 2 patients in England.
The department added in a statement: “29 patients were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation.”
“Three additional patients contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad. This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun.
“The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 80. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 85.”

Plus...

Britain’s Department of Health added that it will no longer be tweeting information on the location of each new case from today, due to the number of new cases.

“Instead, this information will be released centrally in a consolidated format online, once a week. We are working on this now and plan to share on Friday.”

 

[rookwood]

No idea how many of those will be the impact of beginning testing patients in intensive care (rather than focusing solely on travel-related cases).

Ah - eta...



Plus...

I’m assuming people have considered that this may reflect that there is significant community transmission in a particular area and the government is seeking to avoid panic, which given my prior criticisms of their comms strategy I should add may actually be a sensible precaution at this point...though having said that a quick look at the replies below the tweet implies otherwise.

 

[sheothebudworths]

I’m assuming people have considered that this may reflect that there is significant community transmission in a particular area and the government is seeking to avoid panic, which given my prior criticisms of their comms strategy I should add may actually be a sensible precaution at this point.

Oh, I'm totally assuming it's to avoid spreading panic, too - although it could just as well be that that's down to the spread being wider, I guess?
Either way, they're not telling - but it's ridiculous to pretend that 35 extra cases (which I'm not at all surprised to hear about, fwiw) becomes too much work to list - and I don't think that that helps, in itself, cos it feels like one of those times where a lack of information can do as much damage, in terms of panic, as open sharing of info might.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Oh, I'm totally assuming it's to avoid spreading panic, too - although it could just as well be that that's down to the spread being wider, I guess?
Either way, they're not telling - but it's ridiculous to pretend that 35 extra cases (which I'm not at all surprised to hear about, fwiw) becomes too much work to list - and I don't think that that helps, in itself, cos it feels like one of those times where a lack of information can do as much damage, in terms of panic, as open sharing of info might.

Yep. The government saying "don't panic", when everyone has access to world news on this... just makes them look inefficient. And that will lead to further panic and anger.

 

[sheothebudworths]

Yep. The government saying "don't panic", when everyone has access to world news on this... just makes them look inefficient. And that will lead to further panic and anger.

They're not even saying that (out loud) either - they're literally saying that 35 new cases is such a huge surge (lol) that it makes it too difficult for them to list locations, which is obviously utter bullshit - so then you have people reading all sorts into that.
It's also not very reassuring, even if you took it as it was written - omg, we can't keep up!

There was a poll posted the other day - here, I think - 97% of the UK population have heard about coronavirus - y'know, you can't just put it back in the box.

Out of interest, what have other countries been doing in terms of reporting the spread? Has this been a thing elsewhere?

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Over here they announced a second person in the east of the country had been diagnosed. She had travelled from Italy. They just say that they are trying to track down anyone who might have been in close proximity with her...just like the first case.

Varadkar keeps going on about not banning parades. Like as if st patricks day parades are something we all feckin want.
We could all do withour that crap for a year. Its only for the tourists anyway. I suspect the gov is only interested in not losing business and money. And are doing a balancing act.
...with the nation's health literally in the balance

Then you've got Mary Lou at home with her kid who was in the school that had to ckose for 2 weeks because the first case attends there.

No fucking government.
Nobody making decisions.
Ah sure it'll be alright attitude...and sure if a few thousand die well sure what can we do?
Wankers.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Some great examples of how shit the entire profession of journalism is on this thread.

 

[rookwood]

They're not even saying that (out loud) either - they're literally saying that 35 new cases is such a huge surge (lol) that it makes it too difficult for them to list locations, which is obviously utter bullshit - so then you have people reading all sorts into that.
It's also not very reassuring, even if you took it as it was written - omg, we can't keep up!

There was a poll posted the other day - here, I think - 97% of the UK population have heard about coronavirus - y'know, you can't just put it back in the box.

Out of interest, what have other countries been doing in terms of reporting the spread? Has this been a thing elsewhere?

Yeah, on reflection there is no putting this one back in the box. Have had a look at some of the comments on it and people are reacting pretty strongly.

 

[sheothebudworths]

Some great examples of how shit the entire profession of journalism is on this thread.

Yeah, that Dublin Live one is appalling - the shocker headline doesn't relate to the content in any way.

 

[weltweit]

kalidarkone Try to explain the pace of cases will be rapid and without training for staff on where the green zone and red zone is in a hospital things will get worse even quicker

Here's yesterday's Washington Post article on Italy:
..
Italy within two weeks is already calling up student nurses

Yes, I heard an Italian doctor on the radio basically saying take action now, don't wait until it is too late!

 

[weltweit]

Found an interesting web site today:

Coronavirus Update (Live): 129,471,257 Cases and 2,828,154 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

Live statistics and coronavirus news tracking the number of confirmed cases, recovered patients, tests, and death toll due to the COVID-19 coronavirus from Wuhan, China. Coronavirus counter with new cases, deaths, and number of tests per 1 Million population. Historical data and info. Daily...

www.worldometers.info

It isn't only about coronavirus, there are also stats on all sorts of things.

 

[sihhi]

Italy claim now rolled back to 'considering' closing schools and unis':

Italian educational institutions close as Covid-19 deaths pass 100 – as it happened

Outbreak continues to spread with Italians in India testing positive. This blog is closed

www.theguardian.com

I don't think we are there yet, but at some point different European states are going to copy their neighbours on things like this. Not so much an evidence thing as a politics-risk-scared to do nothing thing.

It has an evidence basis from China & Vietnam this time around plus the Spanish Flu epidemic.

It needs efforts to manage it of course. I asked about this in China and was told where a family has both parents involved in essential work e.g. police and nurse couple others usually neighbours in some block look after children.

Doing nothing or watching and waiting can not be any option for a civilised society.

 

[baldrick]

Out of interest, what have other countries been doing in terms of reporting the spread? Has this been a thing elsewhere?

I saw this morning on Twitter a great visualisation & map of the current situation in South Korea. I've just had a look through my feed and can't see it but I'll keep looking. I very much had the impression it was an official government source, however I know there are a lot of people in South Korea making apps that track it so it might have been one of those. Surprise surprise the location of cases and so on is public information and updated daily. I really don't know what the DoH are expecting to achieve with their stance.

 

[Marty1]

Been stocking up on loo roll for the past 3 months...since Brexit shit. Most loo roll is imported here.
Currently have 60 rolls.

I asked the gf for an update on Tesco’s loo roll stock - she says there’s no sign of any shortages.

 

[Jennastan]

People taking precautions on the transports.

 

[cupid_stunt]

People taking precautions on the transports.

There's a specific thread for these sort of images, away from this serious thread.

Coronavirus meme/panic/fear mongering general thread

The other thread in p&p is serious and has been attracting more attention lately, so this thread is for anything trivial, funny, conspiracy bull, etc Let's start with the people trying to cash in on the outbreak :facepalm:

www.urban75.net

 

[D'wards]

My mum and stepdad going next week to Rome.
He runs a one man printer supply business. If they are quarantined the business will go under.
Should they go?

 

[Tankus]

Isn't that the point in the Us...10 dead on current mortality rates means there may be a 1000- 1500 running around shedding untested

I cant understand why they are charging for tests in the USa for the uninsured

Just seen some Aussie documentaries on life in China in the lockdown zone One was four corners
Holy shit...doors to apartment blocks being welded locked , corpse's being picked up on the streets ...medical staff having full on breakdowns.

 

[elbows]

My mum and stepdad going next week to Rome.
He runs a one man printer supply business. If they are quarantined the business will go under.
Should they go?

I often shy away from answering that sort of question.

However, when its about a country that is closing all schools, playing sports behind closed doors, and whose PM has said ‘Our hospitals, despite their efficiency, risk being overwhelmed, we have a problem with intensive-care units’ then perhaps I should just come out and say that they should have a very serious think about the likely picture there in the weeks ahead, and here too. I would only go myself if I was the sort of person who would find holidaying in a war zone to be an interesting experience.

(source of quote Schools and universities in Italy to close over coronavirus spread )

 

[Part-timah]

My mum and stepdad going next week to Rome.
He runs a one man printer supply business. If they are quarantined the business will go under.
Should they go?

No.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

Isn't that the point in the Us...10 dead on current mortality rates means there may be a 1000- 1500 running around shedding untested

I cant understand why they are charging for tests in the USa for the uninsured

There will be thousands if not tens of thousands infected at the moment in the US, and it will escalate dramatically. The health system as it is there is very bad at dealing with, well, basically anything, without explicit governmental powers being invoked, and signs point to them not being, for political reasons.

The problem is that while "letting poor people die" is a practical if evil mechanism of rationing healthcare in many cases, when it comes to infectious diseases it doesn't work so well.