800 deaths in Italy today alone with 6600 new cases. At this rate, by early next week Italy will surpass the total number of cases and have double the total number of deaths reported by China.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Stinkman wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2020 1:38 am 800 deaths in Italy today alone with 6600 new cases. At this rate, by early next week Italy will surpass the total number of cases and have double the total number of deaths reported by China.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

After watching the tv program last night on how the Nigerian mafia have taken over a whole Italian seaside city, and with all the new arrivals by boats , it's understandable that this virus is going to be hard to control in some of those countries.

I'm guessing that a lot of people will start heading out to the provinces once this kicks in. Is there any news of such happening so far?

Provinces and roads very quiet as well. I think people are just generally staying at home. I expect the government to announce a sort of curfew soon. I saw a video with the Canadian PM yesterday and apparently they're going to lock down for 6+ weeks, as the two week isolation thing won't cut it. I can't help but think some people are shorting stocks like crazy and making tons of money off the fear.

we had both our build crews just call in. they are going home for an early KNY and until things get past the rumor stage.

BREAKING NEWS: Three Cambodians in South Korea Infected with Covid-19: Ambassador
22/03/20 13:08
Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 22 – At least three Cambodian citizens in South Korea have been infected with Covid-19, Cambodian Ambassador Long Dimanche told Fresh News on Sunday.

The trio include: a 23-year-old Cambodian woman married to a Korean man; a three-month-old son; and her 46-year-old mother.

The Kingdom has confirmed 53 cases of Covid-19, according to the Ministry of Health’s press release dated on 21 March 2020 (updated as of 9 p.m).
=FRESH NEWS

Username Taken wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:07 pm How dumb can they possibly be? Or, was it intentional? This is just dumb.

The Ruby Princess cruise ship docked in Sydney yesterday. After docking, two people are taken away by ambulance after testing positive to CoVid-19.
They then tested 13 other people which showed 3 passengers and 1 crew member testing positive. Between the time of testing and awaiting the results, they let 2700 disembark and disappear (go home or elsewhere in the country).

That, folks, is how not to contain a virus!

Coronavirus in Australia: 18 infections from Ruby Princess contribute to largest daily rise in cases
Australia reaches 1,316 confirmed cases, 213 of them recorded in the past 24 hours, after large rises in several states
Ben Doherty
Sun 22 Mar 2020 06.20 GMT
Backpacker parties in Bondi and the Ruby Princess cruise ship which docked in Circular Quay have been identified as key vectors in a record rise in Covid-19 infections in NSW, as Australia recorded its largest single-day increase since the outbreak began.

Victoria added 67 to take its total 296, Western Australia recorded 30, to bring its total to 120, and the ACT added 10 cases, more than doubling its total to 19.

Across Australia there are now 1,316 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 213 new cases in 24 hours. Seven people have died.

NSW now has 533 confirmed cases, Queensland 259, Tasmania 17 and the Northern Territory five.

More than 2,700 people were allowed to disembark from the Ruby Princess at Sydney’s Circular Quay, despite more than 150 cases of illness being logged onboard. So far, 18 people from that ship have tested positive, including some who caught domestic flights across the country after disembarking.

NSW Health released statistics showing 97 new cases of Covid-19 had been diagnosed in the state in the 24 hours to Saturday night. The total number of cases in NSW is 533, 40% of Australia’s total.

“Several new diagnoses of Covid-19 have been made in backpackers in the Bondi area,” NSW Health said in a statement.

“There were two recent parties that some of the cases attended where the cases may have acquired their infections. People who also attended these parties should be on alert for symptoms of Covid-19 and immediately isolate themselves if any symptoms develop.”

NSW Health cited the Boogie Wonderland party at Bucket List, on Bondi Beach, on the evening of Sunday 15 March, and a party at Club 77 in Darlinghurst, from midnight Sunday to 4am Monday.

Bondi Beach was the centre of global attention after more than 20,000 packed the beach on Friday in defiance of social distancing measures urged by health authorities and a ban from the federal government on all gatherings of more than 500 people.

In response, the NSW government closed the beach. Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches remained closed on Sunday with shorelines fenced off, and the lockout enforced by police.

The Ruby Princess was one of four cruise ships that had been allowed an exemption to an Australia-wide 30-day ban on foreign ships, and authorities made the decision to allow passengers to disembark after assessing there was a “very low risk” of coronavirus.

Passengers were allowed to go home, on condition they self-isolate for 14 days. Some flew on domestic flights, including to the Northern Territory. Now 18 passengers have tested positive for Covid-19.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... rise-cases

Freightdog wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 5:23 pm

VindalooPoo wrote: dirty shiny

I’m hazarding a guess that giggle transmute doesn’t work so well with Bangla...

In the last 3 days, I’ve endured 3 different country’s approach to this Chinese Lurgy, and some of the less pleasant human attitudes that go along with it.

Firstly, flying cargo seemed like a safe bet- the least disruption. But a couple of hours before departure, the French postal route was shutdown. I was surprised as we were carrying some pretty heavy loads, but ground staff were visibly fewer. I wonder if our status as key workers (supply lines, infrastructure, etc) is somewhat hampered by other parts of the process simply having no staff?

Our normal hotel in France decided to close its doors, and off to the hotel we abandoned several years ago due poor service. In true mercenary style, they lived down to their prior reputation and tried to scam us for providing food.

France. 1 metre spacing between people. Now you get to see how education has poorly prepared folk. A walked towards a shop worker (also key workers, infrastructure) to ask a question. Hand up, ‘respected la distance’ she yells at me! From 3 metres away.
So paranoia and fear are on the increase.

Anyway, with ops suspended, we get redirected to a different operation, in neighbouring Belgium. With many flights being cancelled, but trains operating, it was a joyous journey from Paris to Brussels to liege to Maastricht. (Yes, I know. Maastricht is not quite in Belgium, but our usual hotel in Belgium is closed, and this is the best option.)
Belgium, 1.5 metre spacing between people

Due to trains being cancelled en-route while the journey is in progress (last minute train swap in Lille) there was much confusion. But wait, they have helpful staff to answer questions. Standing behind a table. There’s a Tensa Barrier in front of that to ensure us zombies don’t get within 1.5 metres of them. But as I stepped forward, this fella lurched backwards, started gesticulating wildly and stammering ‘Deestonce, deestonce.’ I wondered if I shouted ‘boo’ if he would leave a cartoonesque hole in the brick wall that he was nearly pressed up against.

And onwards to Maastricht, where the staff in the hotel are pleasant, people are laid back taking it in their stride, and as much as they can manage on reduced staff and with restrictions in place, can muster up some ‘customer service’.

For the first time in a few days, I have the energy to take in some new news, as opposed to the regurgitated old news.
I hear the UK is locking down.
Did I hear in Germany, 2 meter spacing between people?


The human race is doomed.
I predict

Return of arranged marriage, following an end to dating, intimate candlelit dinners.
No problem at the wedding- the Bride’s side and Groom’s side will be isolated by a minimum safe distance of 3 metres between pews, so the new in-laws can’t slug it out, and likewise later in divorce court.
An end to new children. Even the healthiest teenage male is unlikely to muster sufficient hydraulic pressure to reach the intended target, if we maintain isolation safety protocols.

On the upside-
All those tightwads who rarely if ever buy a round have a fair excuse now, and for one or two of you who embarrassingly find yourself fondling more than you expected having secured a ladyboy, it’s a thing of the past. Admire from a distance.

If they order distancing of 4+ meters in countries like San Marino or Monaco a good part of the population will end up in Italy and France.

Having brushed off coronovirus threat south east Asia begins to confront it.






Having brushed off coronavirus threat, Southeast Asia begins to confront it
By Richard C. PaddockThe New York Times
Sun., March 22, 2020timer4 min. read
BANGKOK—For months, many Southeast Asian countries played down the threat posed by the new coronavirus. Some officials said that prayer would keep the disease away. Others expressed optimism that the tropical heat would slow the spread of the virus.

Life continued as usual. Malaysia allowed large religious gatherings. Thailand kept open its hugely popular Muay Thai boxing stadiums. In countries with struggling health care systems, like Indonesia and Myanmar, testing for infections was minimal.

Now, with the belated realization that the virus is encircling the globe in its relentless spread, countries across Southeast Asia have begun to impose strict measures, including lockdowns in the Philippines and Malaysia and the widespread closure of schools, businesses and entertainment venues in Thailand. The delays are proving dangerous, as some nations face a worrisome rise in cases without a health care system that can deal with a major outbreak.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW


The Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, has admitted that he misled the public about the dangers of the disease caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19, to prevent people from panicking.

“There is that which we disclose and there is that which we withhold because we do not want to create worry and panic among the society,” he said Friday.

Joko refused Monday to disclose the results of his own test for the virus, telling reporters to ask his doctor.

The Indonesian transportation minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, has tested positive, and as many as a dozen other officials have been tested for infection.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW


Joko declined to disclose those results, too.



Health officials on the island of Bali said they learned that a British woman being treated there had tested positive only after officials in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, announced her death to the news media.

Before that, the first two patients with confirmed infections discovered that they had contracted the virus when the president announced it to the country.

In the Philippines, critics have accused President Rodrigo Duterte of using the virus as cover to pursue his oft-stated ambition of imposing martial law.

“Whatever his personal preferences, the president should not consider authoritarian methods,” said Etta Rosales, a former chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines. “Authoritarianism is no cure to the virus.”

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW


After Budi, the Indonesian transportation minister, tested positive, Joko became more attuned to the problem, ordering the closure of schools and encouraging residents to work from home.

Other countries remain in denial about the dangers of the virus. The chief spokesman for the Myanmar government said Friday that the absence of positive tests was proof that the virus has not reached Myanmar.

“COVID-19 is still not present in Myanmar,” the spokesman, U Zaw Htay, told reporters. “The lifestyle and diet of Myanmar citizens are beneficial against the coronavirus.”


Some Buddhist figures have been promoting nonmedical remedies. One famous monk said that eating a lime and three palm seeds would keep the virus away. Another monk recommended seven ground peppercorns.

Even some doctors are optimistic that the pandemic will bypass Myanmar because of its religious practices.

“Myanmar is still lucky because it’s a Buddhist country, and senior monks are always praying to be safe,” said Dr. Win Thandar Phyu, chief of North Okkalapa General Hospital in Yangon.

The concern is that the lackadaisical approach has allowed the virus to spread largely unnoticed, setting the stage for a disaster in countries where the health care systems are underfunded and poorly equipped.

Indonesia’s rate of testing has increased in recent days, but it is still one of the worst in the world, about 8.5 tests per million people. The first positive patient was detected March 2. Now, it has confirmed 172 cases.

In a letter to the president, an association of scientists called the Indonesian Young Scientist Forum pressed for immediate action. The group pointed out that confirmed cases have grown at an exponential rate since early March.

“Indonesia is in a dangerous situation because the delayed action to halt the spread of the virus makes it difficult to control,” the scientists said. “The delay could make the epidemic situation similar to Italy and Iran or even worse.”

Some countries are seeing a rapid rise in the number of confirmed cases.

Many are connected to an international gathering of 16,000 Muslims early this month in the Malaysian city of Selangor. Participants returning home have taken the illness with them to Singapore and Brunei, where nearly all of its 40 cases were linked to the meeting of the revivalist missionary movement, Tablighi Jamaat. An additional 700 participants returned to Indonesia, where there has been no effort to track them.

Malaysia has seen a surge in cases tied to the event. On Monday alone, 95 of 125 new cases were connected to the event. It now has 673 cases.

The World Health Organization urged nations in Southeast Asia to adopt aggressive measures as the number of confirmed cases rises.

“The situation is evolving rapidly,” Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, director for WHO’s Southeast Asia region, said Tuesday. “We need to immediately scale up all efforts to prevent the virus from infecting more people.”

Several countries are now scrambling to impose the kinds of travel restrictions and quarantines seen in other parts of the world.

In the Philippines, about 60 million people — more than half the country’s population — are under lockdown. In Malaysia, mass gatherings are banned through the end of the month; schools, businesses and places of worship are closed; and Malaysians are prohibited from leaving the country. In Thailand, the prime minister announced the postponement of Songkran, a festival that is held each April to mark the Thai new year.

But for Indonesia, which is already playing catch-up, dramatic action like that of its neighbours appears to be off the table.

“Lockdown is not an option,” said Achmad, the Indonesian spokesman.




https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/20 ... nt-it.html