General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[Flashback]

Just as well we left, eh! Wonder what will happen re: end of transition period, currently 31/12/2020. Seems that taking the hit if trade deals are not in place, may actually be a better solution....... most resources in central Gov have been diverted from trade talks to COVID-19 response.

Eurozone strikes emergency deal on coronavirus rescue

Accord on emergency package leaves longer-term questions on burden sharing for recovery unresolved

www.ft.com

Things starting to heat up around the EU.

 

[JessicaTam]

Eurozone strikes emergency deal on coronavirus rescue

Accord on emergency package leaves longer-term questions on burden sharing for recovery unresolved

www.ft.com

Things starting to heat up around the EU.

Paywalled - can you give a précis? I.e. not the whole article.

 

[TheRealTMA]

This is interesting.

Apple, Google bring coronavirus contact-tracing to 3 billion people

The technology will tell users they should quarantine or isolate themselves after coming into contact with an infected individual.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Flashback]

Paywalled - can you give a précis? I.e. not the whole article.

How odd, opened up fine for me - but paywall now.

Essentially they're close to agreeing a rescue package, but not clear on how it'll be paid for......

Eurogroup finance ministers have agreed an emergency rescue package aimed at responding to the coronavirus crisis but left unresolved questions on how to pay for a later economic recovery plan for the bloc.

The breakthrough on immediate economic measures supporting businesses, workers and sovereigns was achieved on Thursday night after the Dutch government backed away from prior demands that lending from the region’s bailout fund be made subject to tougher conditions.

Eurozone governments have been struggling to unlock a co-ordinated rescue package as they debate the degree of burden sharing needed to underpin economic activity across the bloc. While ministers agreed on a €500bn package of palliative economic measures in their meeting, they did nothing to lay to rest the festering dispute over how to pay for the longer-term economic reconstruction effort that will follow the crisis.

It will also show up if you open Chrome in Icognito Mode, worth a full read.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Here’s a study on US Coronavirus behaviour from mid March. ¾ of respondents were then stockpiling food! Note that because it was a social media survey the sample was not representative of the population as a whole.

US Public Concerns About the COVID-19 Pandemic

Of these 8950 respondents, 8562 (95.7%) reported making changes to their lifestyle in response to COVID-19. The most common lifestyle changes were more hand washing (8336 [93.1%]), avoiding social gatherings (7963 [89.0%]), and stockpiling food and supplies (6686 [74.7%]) (Figure, B). In addition, 1725 of 8983 (19.2%) respondents were self-isolating all of the time, while 4475 (49.8%) were self-isolating most of the time and leaving the house only to buy food and essentials.[/QUOTE]

cheers skip

 

[jase05]

Tim Brooke-Taylor of “The Goodies” fame had died from the Coronavirus aged 79

 

[Flashback]

France is pushing for the EU to have travel restrictions in place until September, meanwhile there are rumblings of Australia not opening up their borders at all for the rest of this year...

 

[PineappleSkip]

Didn’t say this explicitly AFAIK but they have made it clear the travel ban is for a long time to come
The three tests Australia will need to pass before the coronavirus restrictions end

The Prime Minister has flagged that some states and territories might start to reopen businesses ahead of others.

But he has repeatedly said social-distancing measures will be in place for at least six months and potentially longer if researchers are unable to develop a vaccine...

It's clear that when some restrictions drop, others will remain in place — particularly the ban on international travel.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said domestic travel restrictions were likely to be relaxed well before Australians were able to head overseas again.

"This is a time where, unfortunately, people can't undertake holidays and they won't be able to go overseas for some time to come," he said.

cheers skip

 

[Pushka]

France is pushing for the EU to have travel restrictions in place until September, meanwhile there are rumblings of Australia not opening up their borders at all for the rest of this year...

I tried checking but it's hard to specifically find out. Are the UK borders closed to Australians? I can't see our borders being opened up until mid January. And will be interesting to see what they do with cruise ships.

 

[Flashback]

I tried checking but it's hard to specifically find out. Are the UK borders closed to Australians? I can't see our borders being opened up until mid January. And will be interesting to see what they do with cruise ships.

No bans that I'm aware of, the FCO website would be the one to check.

 

[get me outta here]

Been there, done that :

 

[RooFlyer]

Not the Lodge meetings!

 

[RooFlyer]

Its been widely reported today that China is allowing 'wet markets' to re-open. I think the same 'wet markets' of the type in Wuhan that's been credited with originating the COVID19 pandemic and also SARS in 2003.

OK, the Chinese will do what they want.

But what is staggering is that the 'World Health Organisation' has actually supported this move by China. Not ignored or even tut-tutted, but supported it.

The view of the WHO’s regional office is that “the WHO does not advocate to prohibit wet markets because they are a source of livelihood to many people and a source of food security to many people. But it is necessary to regulate them and introduce measures to decrease the risk of transmission of diseases at them”.

Its like supporting the slaughter of rhinos and elephants by poachers in Africa because it supports the poachers' economy. Oh, but regulate the poaching.

I don't have much confidence in the WHO based on this.

Edit: Just watched SBS's report on this - their footage showed a very dead animal being carved up, not the live animals that I think were the problem. Also disappointing.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

France is pushing for the EU to have travel restrictions in place until September, meanwhile there are rumblings of Australia not opening up their borders at all for the rest of this year...

Not sure what a rumbling is ( ), but I would be amazed if our borders are opened until a vaccine has been widely rolled out and that anyone incoming has been vaccinated a set amount of time prior.pr

If, and that is still if as no one knows, people who have had CV 19 are proven to be immune then they may possibly be allowed in before that. But the government would have to be confident that 100% of those who have had it are actually immune to catching it again.

 

[tgh]

We all created the Chinese Empire and we aided and abetted it's manoeuvring and manipulation on it's way to world dominance…
... and now we want to bleat about it ???

Post automatically merged: Apr 14, 2020

I would be amazed if our borders are opened until a vaccine has been widely rolled out

Indeed.. but the wishin' and hopin' for the "magic vaccine" may lead to nought.. what will we all do then ?


This thread merging software needs the chop…..

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I can't see our borders being opened up until mid January. And will be interesting to see what they do with cruise ships.

Even stricter measures than anyone flying in as they have been proven to be capable of developing major clusters.

 

[Pushka]

Even stricter measures than anyone flying in as they have been proven to be capable of developing major clusters.

Maybe even no cruise ships until there is a vaccine.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Indeed.. but the wishin' and hopin' for the "magic vaccine" may lead to nought.. what will we all do then ?

If none are forthcoming then re-assess. Though with many different vaccines being worked on, and indeed some are already in the trial phase, a suitable vaccine would seem probable.

However it is not just vaccines that are being worked on , but treatments too. So for example if treatments can be developed that say could virtually eliminate deaths (or at least dramatically reduce the mortality rate so that it is comparable to the seasonal flu) and also possible relieve symptoms for all, then allowing everyone to catch CV 19 becomes palatable.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Maybe even no cruise ships until there is a vaccine.

I don't think is a maybe. (Though very effective treatments may be an ok substitute)

Leaving aside whether governments would allow it, how many people would be willing to sign up without one?

 

[Pushka]

I don't think is a maybe. (Though very effective treatments may be an ok substitute)

Leaving aside whether governments would allow it, how many people would be willing to sign up without one?

The numpties who ask if a November cruise in a Australia and NZ is likely, are champing at the bit to come.