Topic: COVID-19:VERIFIED news sources, 0 politishit, 0 CONSPIRACY SHITE

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Restrictions will obviously impact life and be uncomfortable for some, but they won’t kill folk.  Whereas the virus may.

Put it down to ignorance but if it is serve enough to shutdowns lasting months, beyond the economic impact, could there not be shortages of food and medicine?

[TSC]

Austria has now stopped all trains coming out of and going to Italy.

Panic buying in Italy now reported due to strict quarantine measures.

[BobPaisley3]

Panic buying in Italy now reported due to strict quarantine measures.

Is right. My Mrs went to the supermarket earlier and they were queuing 30 deep. No bottled water or fruit.

[TSC]

Put it down to ignorance but if it is serve enough to shutdowns lasting months, beyond the economic impact, could there not be shortages of food and medicine?

Probably I’d imagine over the medium to longer term, although the priority  now will be to prevent/alleviate the spread in the short term.

[FaitAccompli]

Again I have no experience or knowledge of this but is it really possible that this lasts up to then? I mean that's 4 to 6 months.

Surely having 4 to 6 months of major restrictions to travel and the general public is just as damaging as the disease itself.

Looking at the timeline for SARS, the index case was traced back to November 2002, and it wasn't until February 2003 when the WHO were alerted. After that it was another 5 months until the epidemic was classed as over.

The Corona outbreak started in December and China have responded better this time around (although still not great), so that may help matters, but assuming a similar timeline to SARS then that leads us up to August.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Probably I’d imagine over the medium to longer term, although the priority  now will be to prevent/alleviate the spread in the short term.

And I am not saying it is wrong, just saying if it's as bad as lasting months and months, it's going to be awful.

Mainly I was just wondering how real a possibility it is that this shutdown extends to the medium and long term

[killer-heels]

There were reports a few days ago that in two to three weeks we will know if a treatment/vaccination is effective. I think its being carried out by Japan alongside WHO officials. China is also conducting tests using another treatment.

[TSC]

And I am not saying it is wrong, just saying if it's as bad as lasting months and months, it's going to be awful.

Mainly I was just wondering how real a possibility it is that this shutdown extends to the medium and long term

Unfortunately that remains unknown as this is a new virus and, beyond individual immune systems, has no cure.

[Red Eyed]

WHO won't admit it until the very last minute but it's clearly going to become a pandemic if it isn't even already. What's happening in Italy could easily have been over here and likely will be in not too long.

[killer-heels]

WHO won't admit it until the very last minute but it's clearly going to become a pandemic if it isn't even already. What's happening in Italy could easily have been over here and likely will be in not too long.

But surely in those circumstances governments would just completely halt all travel between countries?

[Stockholm Syndrome]

But surely in those circumstances governments would just completely halt all travel between countries?

Which in itself causes problems.

From what it sounds like it is a tightrope, with problems happening no matter what.

[TSC]

WHO won't admit it until the very last minute but it's clearly going to become a pandemic if it isn't even already. What's happening in Italy could easily have been over here and likely will be in not too long.

I don’t know how the WHO define a global pandemic but there are now cases on every continent.

[killer-heels]

I don’t know how the WHO define a global pandemic but there are now cases on every continent.

They must be under severe pressure as the impacts economically would be huge. But most people seem to be questioning why its not being classed as a pandemic now.

The Italy and Iranian situation could very well be the tipping point. If in Italy the rate spikes to the same speed as the past few days then travel could very well be suspended.

[Red Eyed]

But surely in those circumstances governments would just completely halt all travel between countries?

We apparently import half of all of our food so you can see the issues that would bring up. A big part of the fear is the damage to the economy which is why it will usually be downplayed by governments, they don't want people panicking.

[killer-heels]

We apparently import half of all of our food so you can see the issues that would bring up. A big part of the fear is the damage to the economy which is why it will usually be downplayed by governments, they don't want people panicking.

Does its pass through food or products? Or is it just person to person?

Whilst the economic issues would be severe, in this age governments would be wary that if the economy was prioritised over public health then their people would not forgive them for it.

[Red Eyed]

I don’t know how the WHO define a global pandemic but there are now cases on every continent.

WHO defines it as 'The worldwide spread of a new disease.' but there are 6 phases, we've already passed the first 4 going from first infection to small clusters and human-to-human transition.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way

So looks like we're in phase 5 with phase 6 being pandemic.

[Red Eyed]

Does its pass through food or products? Or is it just person to person?

Whilst the economic issues would be severe, in this age governments would be wary that if the economy was prioritised over public health then their people would not forgive them for it.

It can live for many days without a host so you could become infected by touching a doorknob that an infected person used days ago. It could live in the same way on food after preparation, and if it passes from humans to livestock (unknown but possible) then it will of course be in meat and dairy. I believe it's killed with heat though.

[CHOPPER]

Thank the baby Jesus we have Brexit to save us from this terrible Johnny foreigner disease.

[TSC]

WHO defines it as 'The worldwide spread of a new disease.' but there are 6 phases, we've already passed the first 4 going from first infection to small clusters and human-to-human transition.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way

So looks like we're in phase 5 with phase 6 being pandemic.

Depending on the geography defining WHO regions and definition of  ‘community’ we may be in phase 6?

[aggerdid]

Haven’t read any news in 4 or 5 days so was surprised to find out its escalated in italy. 152 cases and 3 dead

[Red Eyed]

Depending on the geography defining WHO regions and definition of  ‘community’ we may be in phase 6?

Unsure about that as well. Not even sure what the declaration of a pandemic will really change but I'd advise keeping an eye on it to get supplies in before the mass panic buying, if it comes to that.

[[new username under construction]]

There were reports a few days ago that in two to three weeks we will know if a treatment/vaccination is effective. I think its being carried out by Japan alongside WHO officials. China is also conducting tests using another treatment.

Just reading about that now, seems they have a few of them and all going into testing stage already in Australia, fingers crossed

[Dench57]

Thank the baby Jesus we have Brexit to save us from this terrible Johnny foreigner disease.

actually know someone who's stopped getting Chinese takeaway "til all this blows over"

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Hearing from friends that live abroad that flights that are normally rammed - are pretty empty

[davidlpool1982]

My missus works in an international school in Munich and came over for the half term last week. Probably just coincidence but both the flight here and the flight back on Saturday were dead compared to normal. Empty rows and seats all over the place.

I think the fact we're an island may help. it's bad on the one hand due to our food needing to be imported but on the other it's easy enough for us to metaphorically pull up the drawbridge. With the open borders in mainland europe and (especially) if it reaches the African continent it might be difficult to stop determined people travelling.

[killer-heels]

50 people in Iran dead (disputed by Iranian officials) and a 4th Italian has died.

Kuwait and Iraq have confirmed their first cases, albeit they are believed to be Iranian's who travelled over before the borders were shut.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Cruise ships are refusing to let people from China and surrounding area from boarding. They are also stopped people who have visited those areas from boarding

- with full refunds.

[PhilV]

actually know someone who's stopped getting Chinese takeaway "til all this blows over"

I would strongly suggest disassociation from that person as a healthy course of action, they sound contagiously stupid.

[killer-heels]

5th Italian has died.

Honestly, hone up on your sniper ability. Postmen will make good target practice.

[Red-Soldier]

Glad I don't live in a big city.

[KillieRed]

Was in Tesco yesterday and someone had dropped a box of corona with the beer spilled all over the aisle. I so wish i`d had my phone to take a pic.


On a serious note, it`s really hard to tell whether we should be taking this more seriously (as a government and citizens alike) than we are. I don`t get how people have been able to fly (back home) from all over the world when they could be treated where they are. Latest from The Guardian is that we are at a "tipping point" as to whether this becomes a pandemic.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Hearing from friends that live abroad that flights that are normally rammed - are pretty empty

Probably best to avoid unnecessary travel though. Even if the region you're coming from/going to has no reported cases, airports are ideal for spreading infection

[classycarra]

Was in Tesco yesterday and someone had dropped a box of corona with the beer spilled all over the aisle. I so wish i`d had my phone to take a pic.


On a serious note, it`s really hard to tell whether we should be taking this more seriously (as a government and citizens alike) than we are. I don`t get how people have been able to fly (back home) from all over the world when they could be treated where they are. Latest from The Guardian is that we are at a "tipping point" as to whether this becomes a pandemic.

Government's taking it extremely seriously. Or at least the public sector people working for them are

[soxfan]

Reading about the efforts to turn people away from flights and cruises reminds me of the Pandemic flash games I used to play. Same principle. Can you seal off countries before the disease takes over the entire world? Real life copying the imagined.

http://pandemic2.org/

[Circa1892]

Think I'll be taking a raincheck on my trip to Venice next week. Kind of hoping the government advises against travel so I can claim on it on the insurance...

[filopastry]

Think I'll be taking a raincheck on my trip to Venice next week. Kind of hoping the government advises against travel so I can claim on it on the insurance...

Yeah the missus was meant to be heading to Milan as well and is hoping for much the same outcome!

[killer-heels]

Yeah the missus was meant to be heading to Milan as well and is hoping for much the same outcome!

Wouldnt the airlines pay out?

[filopastry]

Wouldnt the airlines pay out?

Only if there is clear official guidance not to travel there I would have thought (or they just cancel flights themselves)

[killer-heels]

6th Italian has died.

[filopastry]

6th Italian has died.

Death rate for Italy seems high so far, maybe blind luck, maybe a lot of at risk people exposed, maybe just a lot more cases there than have been diagnosed so far