Coronavirus thread

[71 dB]

Police stopped a car heading to the Lake District with a Kayak strapped to the roof!

Am I wrong thinking Kayaking is a great way to do social distancing... 

[ritter]

Boston's major hospitals so far staying ahead of high demand for ICU beds

Good news! Let's hope it continues like that. Stay safe, Karl!

Yes. And of course pointing this out does not make one a eurosceptic. More like a eurorealist, I'd say.

The policies though are dictated not so much from Brussels which is just an umbrella, but rather from Berlin and The Hague. 

Every time there's a crisis, any crisis, the end of the EU is announced. And yet, here it is, and I daresay the vast majority of the citizens of the EU are convinced that they're better off with the Union than without it.

The real present danger is IMHO some politicians using the EU as a bargaining chip in vis-à-vis their domestic voter base. For instance, Pedro Sánchez is openly saying that if the EU does not meet his demands (which I don't argue he cannot make in these exceptional circumstances, but that are unreasonable and will probably never be met), then Europe is abandoning us to our fate and failing as a concept. He thus, dangerously, plants the seeds of euroscepticism in Spain, thinking only of his own personal political advantage. Let's see how this all evolves, but I do hope (and actually think) the European "spirit" is stronger than all this.

[Florestan]

Good news! Let's hope it continues like that. Stay safe, Karl!Every time there's a crisis, any crisis, the end of the EU is announced. And yet, here it is, and I daresay the vast majority of the citizens of the EU are convinced that they're better off with the Union than without it.

I am convinced of that myself, Romania benefitted enormously from its EU membership. The last thing I'd want is EU's demise. But you have to admit things don't go well presently.

The real present danger is IMHO some politicians using the EU as a bargaining chip in vis-à-vis their domestic voter base. For instance, Pedro Sánchez is openly saying that if the EU does not meet his demands (which I don't argue he cannot make in these exceptional circumstances, but that are unreasonable and will probably never be met), then Europe is abandoning us to our fate and failing as a concept. He thus, dangerously, plants the seeds of euroscepticism in Spain, thinking only of his own personal political advantage. Let's see how this all evolves, but I do hope (and actually think) the European "spirit" is stronger than all this.

I said it before twice but you apparently avoid addressing this point: Pedro Sanchez is the head of a governmental coalition which has the majority in the Cortes so he can rightfully claim to represent the will of the majority of the Spaniards. 

[ritter]

I said it before twice but you apparently avoid addressing this point: Pedro Sanchez is the head of a governmental coalition which has the majority in the Cortes so he can rightfully claim to represent the will of the majority of the Spaniards. 

Remember, querido amigo, "the end never justifies the means".

[Mandryka]

So what's happening in the states? And people not getting intensive care? Or are more people (pro rata compared with Europe) dying in intensive care? Are more people catching the disease?

[Florestan]

Remember, querido amigo, "the end never justifies the means".

Oh, I agree --- but the crux of the matter is this: imagine the fantasies of the Sanchez/Iglesias gang could momentarily come true. How many Spaniards would reject the offer as being dangerous and unfeasible on the long term? Not enough to form a majority, methinks.

[Kaga2]

Agreed. Though not (yet) scientifically proven (never say never), I understand that it is highly unlikely that overcoming the virus wouldn't create immunity. At this point unreliable test results and a possible relapse seem more likely explanations. On the other hand it seems that the nature and more specifically the expected duration of any immune response is still unclear.

Q

SARS might be a precedent. Patients tested after a year showed almost no residual levels of antibody, but did show signs of resistance to infection.

[Karl Henning]

So what's happening in the states? And people not getting intensive care? Or are more people (pro rata compared with Europe) dying in intensive care? Are more people catching the disease?

I can't speak to details, but things are mighty rough in New York.

In Mass. Total confirmed cases ca. 21k
Total confirmed hospitalized: almost 2,000
599 deaths.

[T. D.]

I saw an interesting article about outdoor exercise:
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/belgian-study-on-safe-distancing-while-exercising-goes-viral/
Apparently moving hikers, runners, cyclists etc. have an increased "safe distance" due to aerodynamic effects, especially in the "slipstream".
That's topical in my area - rural but 3 hours from NYC, overwhelmed with renters and second home owners from the metro area. Rail trails, bike paths, hiking trails have become overcrowded and a bit scary.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Aye, I think P.D. must have been misled by the cheerful Easter pink color

I was thinking that they were Bunnies, MD and were waiting on patients.     That, and I only buy plain TP, paper towels, and napkins. 

Heard that PM Johnson is slowly getting better.  From what I remember hearing, he could only take a few steps before getting winded?

[T. D.]

I can't speak to details, but things are mighty rough in New York.

In Mass. Total confirmed cases ca. 21k
Total confirmed hospitalized: almost 2,000
599 deaths.

You can find official NY State rundown (with a lag of 1 to 2 days) at https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/views/NYS-COVID19-Tracker/NYSDOHCOVID-19Tracker-Map

In counties outside the metropolitan area, I suspect so little testing is being done that it's impossible to draw any sensible conclusions. I'll spare you any more links, but every county has one (with a similar lag of 1-2 days). For instance, Delaware County (rural county just West of me) has only conducted 353 tests to date.
[Karl, some of your music was performed in Stamford (Delaware Co.) a few years ago. I would have gone, but there was a big snowstorm.]

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks for everyone's good wishes. To add to my triumph, I've found toilet paper at the local Walmart!

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that certainly applies to the Target, the Walmart, and the Whole Foods Market. Even the apples are huge. Producers must sort by size, sending the big ones to Texas and the dainty ones to California.

Woo hoo!  Well done you!   

And, yes, I've heard that too.  Looking forward to hearing your stories about your new life there.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Recovered coronavirus patients test positive again in blow to immunity hopes

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/10/south-korea-reports-recovered-coronavirus-patients-testing-positive/

Eek!  I suspect that it's a case of people not giving themselves enough time to get well and then trying to get back to 'high gear' again?  We'll find out though.  Sorry to hear it in any event. I wish them well.     And wish the doctors/researchers much wisdom, courage, patience, and strength in fighting the good fight!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Police stopped a car heading to the Lake District with a Kayak strapped to the roof!

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/yorkshire-kayakers-turned-back-police-en-route-lake-windermere-2534791

Takes all kinds Irons!    

PD

[Kaga2]

So what's happening in the states? And people not getting intensive care? Or are more people (pro rata compared with Europe) dying in intensive care? Are more people catching the disease?

It varies by region, as one would expect. The virus takes time and contact to spread.
Some places are very hard hit. NY City and environs are the worst, but also New Orleans and Detroit. These areas were slow to distance, and had many travelers from hot spots.
Distancing has proven effective. This has led many to the conclusion the whole thing is overblown. That's a ridiculous conclusion of course.
This past week over 10,000 deaths.
Most measures are decided and mandated at the state level. Nearly every state has some sort of stay at home order, some stricter than others.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Boston's major hospitals so far staying ahead of high demand for ICU beds

Can't see the article, but sounds like good news--which we need now more than ever!   

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I saw an interesting article about outdoor exercise:
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/belgian-study-on-safe-distancing-while-exercising-goes-viral/
Apparently moving hikers, runners, cyclists etc. have an increased "safe distance" due to aerodynamic effects, especially in the "slipstream".
That's topical in my area - rural but 3 hours from NYC, overwhelmed with renters and second home owners from the metro area. Rail trails, bike paths, hiking trails have become overcrowded and a bit scary.

Sorry to hear that T. D.

When did Gov. Cuomo issue the 'stay in place' order?  And did more people travel north after that?  Are you finding that the grocery stores are a lot more crowded too and/or running out of supplies/food?

PD

[T. D.]

Sorry to hear that T. D.

When did Gov. Cuomo issue the 'stay in place' order?  And did more people travel north after that?  Are you finding that the grocery stores are a lot more crowded too and/or running out of supplies/food?

PD

Cuomo issued the order March 20. I think people have continued to travel north. Local towns have required AirB&B (hugely popular rental service) stays to run for at least 2 weeks (to avoid transient / sanitary problems) and offers for rental properties keep popping up.
Supermarkets have been horrible since early March. The urbanites have greatly increased local population, and they also hoard to an offensive degree. I go to farmstands or out-of-the-way places to shop for produce or tofu (I'm vegetarian). Fortunately, many local  businesses which would otherwise be closed have begun acting as conduits for local farmers, so the situation is improving. However, one has to make multiple stops and plan to visit only after wholesaler deliveries.

[BasilValentine]

You can find official NY State rundown (with a lag of 1 to 2 days) at https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/views/NYS-COVID19-Tracker/NYSDOHCOVID-19Tracker-Map

In counties outside the metropolitan area, I suspect so little testing is being done that it's impossible to draw any sensible conclusions. I'll spare you any more links, but every county has one (with a similar lag of 1-2 days). For instance, Delaware County (rural county just West of me) has only conducted 353 tests to date.
[Karl, some of your music was performed in Stamford (Delaware Co.) a few years ago. I would have gone, but there was a big snowstorm.]

I'm in Essex County NY. I read that in Franklin County, in addition to the small number (single digits I believe) of confirmed cases, 113 untested individuals potentially infected with covid-19 were sent home to self-quarantine. So, I believe we can draw one sensible conclusion: that the actual number of cases is vastly larger than the number of confirmed cases in the official stats. 

[Herman]

Yes, the fast biker's slipstream is a thing, particularly because speed does something to us.

We become less concerned about the slow people.

I cannot help but see dichotomies opening everywhere. Whether it's young people vs old vulnerable people, or careful, concerned people and those who need to act as if they're Lance Armstrong...