Coronavirius Situation in GB

[Jessiealan]

There was something contradictory in Boris Johnson's speech about Britain's response to the coronavirus on Thursday.

Flanked by the country's chief scientific and medical advisers, the Prime Minister announced that his government was moving to the "delay" phase of its plan to tackle the outbreak, and warned Britons that they were facing their "worst public health crisis for a generation" and should be prepared "to lose loved ones before their time."

And yet, faced with such grave prospects, would the UK be taking the same stringent precautions as other affected countries? No, was the answer. At least not for now.
The British government has repeatedly said it does not believe that banning large-scale gatherings and closing schools -- like Italy, France, Germany and Spain have done -- would be effective in preventing the spread of the disease.

This comes despite the fact that parts of the British Isles, including the Republic of Ireland and Scotland (which is in the UK but has a separate healthcare system), are now emulating their continental neighbors.

The reason the UK has held off stricter "social distancing" measures appears to be rooted in the government's prediction that the outbreak may not peak until 14 weeks from now -- and that people will not be willing to drastically alter their ways of life and stick to the new rules for over three months, so there's little point imposing more restrictions just yet.

The latest recommendation for Britons is to self-isolate for seven days if they begin to experience a persistent cough or high temperature, and to continue with rigorous hygiene like frequently washing their hands and disinfecting surfaces.

Government ministers claim their decisions are being led purely by science. That science, they say, currently suggests that it would be beneficial for the country to build up some sort of herd immunity to the novel coronavirus strain in the long run. In short, authorities do want some Britons to get the bug, especially since for many, its symptoms will not be particularly debilitating.

The approach has divided opinion in the medical community. Some experts have accused Johnson of failing to grasp the severity of the situation, while others have praised the government for refusing to bow to continent-wide pressure to clamp down on the public's movements.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases in the UK stood at 798, with 10 deaths. However, the government's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance has admitted it was possible that 5,000 to 10,000 people may already be infected. And with testing capacity now about to be ramped up to 10,000 people a day, numbers will surely rise.

read more here
www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/uk/uk-coronavirus-response-boris-johnson-intl-gbr/index.html

[mouse]

I think the way its been handled is the correct way..because its true no one would adhere to a three month lock down.. totally impractical and impossible to enforce
the people I know are being sensible those with underlying problems staying away from groups such as theatres and resturants.. others who are healthy just carrying on as normal
son and daughter inlaws 6oth birthday travel for the end of April has been cancelled … daughter has a holiday booked for Jersey[Channel islands]booked for May has as yet not been cancelled

[toby1]

I reckon that a vaccine will be found before long and that's because whoever finds and markets a vaccine will make a lot of money and nothing talks louder than the bottom line/

[fretslider]

Filter what the MSM is telling you.

It hits older people most because older people have a greater chance of having an existing 'underlying condition'.


Common sense is the best advice. The question then becomes who has any common sense?

[beth]

Mar 14, 2020 8:37:12 GMT -5 fretslider said:

Filter what the MSM is telling you.

It hits older people most because older people have a greater chance of having an existing 'underlying condition'.


Common sense is the best advice. The question then becomes who has any common sense?

Most everything that can close down is taking that option … from 2 weeks to a month.  Most colleges have not closed yet, but lower schools are out for 2 weeks and then counting on spring-break to give them another week.  

The doctor's offices are absolutely swamped … not even time for a phone call.  Well patients are being asked to reschedule in a month or so.  

People who think this is a "hoax" are totally off the mark.  

[Dex]

Mar 14, 2020 7:15:10 GMT -5 toby1 said:

I reckon that a vaccine will be found before long and that's because whoever finds and markets a vaccine will make a lot of money and nothing talks louder than the bottom line/

Nice sentiment Toby. I hope you're right.

In the mean time my wife and I have talked our parents into staying home and out of crowds for the time being. We are making the grocery runs for my folks and hers are depending on delivery.

[josephdphillips]

Mar 14, 2020 9:45:54 GMT -5 beth said:

People who think this is a "hoax" are totally off the mark.

You have yet to present evidence that it's not.

All we know for sure is how easily millions of people are duped into believing anything they want to believe.

[josephdphillips]

Mar 14, 2020 8:37:12 GMT -5 fretslider said:

Common sense is the best advice. The question then becomes who has any common sense?

Not the Democrats, that's for sure.

[Sysop3]

Well, I don't think it's common sense to try to turn the Coronavirus into a Political tug and pull.

Trump seems to feel like has to do it, what else can we expect from him. Not much.

At least the president, who was exposed twice, was tested and says it came back negative. I'll take his word for now but wonder why his doctor didn't give out the results. Time will tell.

[mouse]

Mar 14, 2020 7:15:10 GMT -5 toby1 said:

I reckon that a vaccine will be found before long and that's because whoever finds and markets a vaccine will make a lot of money and nothing talks louder than the bottom line/

seems imperial college have won the day.. success with mice.. jist trying it out now on monkeys,,, if it works,,,, should be available in a couple of months....but the down side is mutation of the virus.....

[mouse]

Mar 14, 2020 10:10:31 GMT -5 Dex said:

Mar 14, 2020 7:15:10 GMT -5 toby1 said:

I reckon that a vaccine will be found before long and that's because whoever finds and markets a vaccine will make a lot of money and nothing talks louder than the bottom line/

Nice sentiment Toby. I hope you're right.

In the mean time my wife and I have talked our parents into staying home and out of crowds for the time being. We are making the grocery runs for my folks and hers are depending on delivery.

that's what we have been doing.. having a family confab... and trying to avoid problems and find solutions...we think we have covered eventualities

[fretslider]

Mar 14, 2020 23:38:28 GMT -5 Sysop3 said:

Well, I don't think it's common sense to try to turn the Coronavirus into a Political tug and pull.

Trump seems to feel like has to do it, what else can we expect from him. Not much.

At least the president, who was exposed twice, was tested and says it came back negative. I'll take his word for now but wonder why his doctor didn't give out the results. Time will tell.

I don't think it's common sense to try to turn the Coronavirus into a Political tug and pull


Yet, no matter what the crisis, that's precisely what politicians do and it isn't unique to the US.


Here the 'tug and pull' is Herd Immunity.


If you thought we have death committees in our health system, you'll love this latest theory.


Coronavirus: science chief defends UK plan from criticism - www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/coronavirus-science-chief-defends-uk-measures-criticism-herd-immunity

[josephdphillips]

Mar 14, 2020 23:38:28 GMT -5 Sysop3 said:

Well, I don't think it's common sense to try to turn the Coronavirus into a Political tug and pull.

Too late. The Democrats saw to that.

You didn't see Democrats demanding the U.S. economy be tanked during the H1N1 pandemic.

Why? Because the Dark One was President.

[josephdphillips]

Actually that Vallance guy has the right idea. A pity he's not handling the problem over here, which is minor.

[beth]

Mar 15, 2020 5:35:53 GMT -5 mouse said:

Mar 14, 2020 10:10:31 GMT -5 Dex said:

Nice sentiment Toby. I hope you're right.

In the mean time my wife and I have talked our parents into staying home and out of crowds for the time being. We are making the grocery runs for my folks and hers are depending on delivery.

that's what we have been doing.. having a family confab... and trying to avoid problems and find solutions...we think we have covered eventualities

Yesterday, I called my in-laws to see what  they wanted me to pick up for them from the market and also from Walgreen's (prescriptions).  I didn't get an answer from the house phone, so I called the cell.  MIL answered from Cracker Barrel where they were having lunch.  I was stunned and didn't want to fuss on the phone, but think we are going to have to have a talk about the risks for the elderly.