So, coronavirus...

[fishfoodie]

Situation is rapidly heading out of control in the US SW.

Hospital capacity is becoming a major concern in some areas. Austin Mayor Steve Adler told CNN Sunday that ICUs in the city will be overrun within 10 days.
Data released by the state Tuesday showed that a region that includes cities like Beaumont and Galveston, and all together has some 1.3 million residents, has a total of two open ICU beds.

Arizona was also on a trend to run out of ICU capacity in the next two weeks.

The richest country on Earth; the one that spends more money on health care than any other; will soon have Doctors needing to make triage decisions; because the Politicians in charge of their States are fundamentalist morons.

[Ovals]

Why do you think Covid is under reported? Anyone with a test positive is included, anyone who died outside of a hospital that is suspected to potentially have been covid, is included. That probably means numerous non-covid pneumonia cases have been included in as covid.

In the UK only 'confirmed' covid cases are reported in the headline figure - suspected cases are not included. So, probably missing a decent % ofcovid related deaths.

Fairly sure hospital cases are confirmed, but All Other Cases can be when the doctor only suspects covid. Care homes and the like, which are included in the headline figure.

You may be fairly sure - but you are definitely wrong.

[Ovals]

In the UK only 'confirmed' covid cases are reported in the headline figure - suspected cases are not included. So, probably missing a decent % ofcovid related deaths.

Fairly sure hospital cases are confirmed, but All Other Cases can be when the doctor only suspects covid. Care homes and the like, which are included in the headline figure.

You may be fairly sure - but you are definitely wrong.

The Department of Health and Social Care releases daily updates in briefings and on GOV.UK on the numbers of deaths in the UK, reported up to the day before, among all cases where there was a positive test for coronavirus – a broader definition than that used before 29 April 2020, when the figures for England included only deaths in hospitals and not those in care homes and other community settings. This means that deaths reported for England are now consistent with those reported the rest of the UK. The Department of Health and Social Care data reports deaths in people with Covid-19 and not necessarily due to Covid-19, and it does not include deaths in people where Covid-19 was suspected but a laboratory test was not done or was negative. Some negative tests may be ‘false negatives’ if, for example, the virus was present in small amounts, or the specimen from the throat or nose wasn’t taken correctly, or because the tests are not always accurate.

[Quade]

Some great news. A vaccine is getting close.

https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/a ... -candidate

[Raggs]

Fair enough Oval.

Florida is in trouble. 54 hospitals are already at max ICU capacity, another 30 are 90%+.

[Ellafan]

Some great news. A vaccine is getting close.

https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/a ... -candidate

That is excellent news. Hopefully they can accelerate the processes as far as possible and get this out there sooner.

PS - Derek Lowe looks like a bearded Rob Lowe with spectacles.

[Saint]

Some great news. A vaccine is getting close.

https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/a ... -candidate

That is excellent news. Hopefully they can accelerate the processes as far as possible and get this out there sooner.

PS - Derek Lowe looks like a bearded Rob Lowe with spectacles.

Sounds promising, especially as a possible generation 2 vaccine; Phase 3 not starting till next month

[Torquemada 1420]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/200 ... al-college

He's a really dubious character. And his CV is impressive if you are impressed by people who sell their souls for the cash, I guess.

His beef with the NHS? He's a privatisation fanatic, partly because he's financially motivated to be so thanks to his directorship of private medical companies, and attacked it on behalf of the Republicans in the US. On Newsnight he made that statement about communism and repeated the usual garbage about privatising it. Big promoter of "alternative medicine", as well.

He's useful to the anti-lockdown crowd for obvious reasons.

Quack, quack.

Cheers. Alternative medicine. Another to add to the oxymoron list.

Had never heard of him until that interview was sent to me. I thought it was interesting because the content was plausible and, of course, it all came back in the Panorama episode this week.

Time will tell because the death rate stats from things like cancer are far better understood and so any rise will be easy to spot and analyse attribution/cause.

[.OverThere]

Why do you think Covid is under reported? Anyone with a test positive is included, anyone who died outside of a hospital that is suspected to potentially have been covid, is included. That probably means numerous non-covid pneumonia cases have been included in as covid.

You may have had a case if the official number of covid deaths was higher than the excess number. As the official covid deaths number is only approx 66% that of the excess number, further explanation is required. Let me give you a full explanation.

The discrepency is accounted for by the number of untested / unrecorded deaths plus all others.

All others could include poor response times from ambulances for heart attack patients, or no space in hospital A&E for car accident victims, and anything else that crosses your mind.

You note that my explanation has a very distinct lack of numbers. This is because I do not have them. Why not? Because they are not being announced in any meaningful fashion. I am sure someone in the future will do a research project and will come to the conclusion that the vast majority of the excess deaths were those that happened in peoples own homes, and were probably covid 19 though not tested / recorded.

[BnM]

Doing great Donald as ever

https://www.gzeromedia.com/the-graphic- ... n-the-eus

[Biffer]

So the UK 'stimulus' plan is

1 Cut VAT for hospitality
2 Give firms a grand for each person the wait three months before laying off
3 50% of eating out Monday-Wednesday in August so long as your meal is less than £20
4 Subsidise youth employment in low wage jobs
5 Stamp duty holiday on properties less than £500k
6 Vouchers for energy saving home improvements
7 New traineeships for young people
8 The previously announced loans and grants for arts and heritage

1,3 basically assume people are willing to change their risk exposure for a few quid off a pizza. It's remarkably dumb but lets them blame the general public again.
2 just delays the redundancies
4 keeps the poor down and is basically the same thing they abolished when they got into power after the financial crisis
5 is a sweetener for the middle classes which will encourage more buy to let purchase
6 will only practically be used by middle class house owner, not really possible for people in flats to get the most out of it
7 ok fair enough
8 ok fair enough

Who'd have thought this shower would introduce something that kicks the can down the road - how far down the road? Just long enough so that the impact can be blamed on the dastardly Europeans for not giving us all the candy in a trade deal.

Transparent shower of cunts.

[BnM]

Don't underestimate the power of a freebie. I'm on a deals site and there will be deals rated super hot where the saving is only a few quid and you have to jump through hoops to get it.

[Raggs]

3 also won't help a lot of small eateries, unless people order a single course. It'll help the likes of KFC, Wetherspoons and McDonalds though. Wonder if it means meal overall, or each individual, if overall, definitely not helping the little man.

[Saint]

So the UK 'stimulus' plan is

1 Cut VAT for hospitality
2 Give firms a grand for each person the wait three months before laying off
3 50% of eating out Monday-Wednesday in August so long as your meal is less than £20
4 Subsidise youth employment in low wage jobs
5 Stamp duty holiday on properties less than £500k
6 Vouchers for energy saving home improvements
7 New traineeships for young people
8 The previously announced loans and grants for arts and heritage

1,3 basically assume people are willing to change their risk exposure for a few quid off a pizza. It's remarkably dumb but lets them blame the general public again.
2 just delays the redundancies
4 keeps the poor down and is basically the same thing they abolished when they got into power after the financial crisis
5 is a sweetener for the middle classes which will encourage more buy to let purchase
6 will only practically be used by middle class house owner, not really possible for people in flats to get the most out of it
7 ok fair enough
8 ok fair enough

Who'd have thought this shower would introduce something that kicks the can down the road - how far down the road? Just long enough so that the impact can be blamed on the dastardly Europeans for not giving us all the candy in a trade deal.

Transparent shower of cunts.

Or you could look at it another way

1&3 will help drive some additional money through hospitality, hopefully retaining jobs and that sector drives massive multipliers for the economy
2 - Similar to above - keep people in jobs, and keep them padi means more income, = more expenditure
4 - As with 2
5 - I agree with you to an extent, but property sales/purchases drives furniture and lots of pro services
6 - The point is less about insulating homes, and more about driving employment - this type of work is very labour intensive

It's not an outstanding stimulus package, but it;s certain;y not a pile of rubbish

[Saint]

3 also won't help a lot of small eateries, unless people order a single course. It'll help the likes of KFC, Wetherspoons and McDonalds though. Wonder if it means meal overall, or each individual, if overall, definitely not helping the little man.

It's 50% off per head up to a maximum of £10 per head. So if you spend £20 per head it will cost £10. If you spend £30 per head it will cost £20

[Biffer]

3 also won't help a lot of small eateries, unless people order a single course. It'll help the likes of KFC, Wetherspoons and McDonalds though. Wonder if it means meal overall, or each individual, if overall, definitely not helping the little man.

Max £10 per head discount.

It's for Tim Martin to scoop money off the taxpayer basically. Watch Wetherspoons have literature and advertising on this inside 24 hours which wouldn't have been viable to print and distribute without advance knowledge.

[Raggs]

3 also won't help a lot of small eateries, unless people order a single course. It'll help the likes of KFC, Wetherspoons and McDonalds though. Wonder if it means meal overall, or each individual, if overall, definitely not helping the little man.

It's 50% off per head up to a maximum of £10 per head. So if you spend £20 per head it will cost £10. If you spend £30 per head it will cost £20

Fair enough. Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

[ASMO]

3 also won't help a lot of small eateries, unless people order a single course. It'll help the likes of KFC, Wetherspoons and McDonalds though. Wonder if it means meal overall, or each individual, if overall, definitely not helping the little man.

It's 50% off per head up to a maximum of £10 per head. So if you spend £20 per head it will cost £10. If you spend £30 per head it will cost £20

Fair enough. Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

Does that include booze as well on the bill? If so thats gonna go horribly wrong.

[Sandstorm]

Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

Me too, but 20-somethings aren't worried and they generally eat out at this price point. Win-win for the kids in work and those looking to have some grub out with mates..

[Biffer]

It's 50% off per head up to a maximum of £10 per head. So if you spend £20 per head it will cost £10. If you spend £30 per head it will cost £20

Fair enough. Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

Does that include booze as well on the bill? If so thats gonna go horribly wrong.

No.

[Raggs]

Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

Me too, but 20-somethings aren't worried and they generally eat out at this price point. Win-win for the kids in work and those looking to have some grub out with mates..

If the local pub re-opens I'd be OK with sitting in the beer garden section I guess, want to help them out.

[Sandstorm]

Works for the little man too, still fancy only going for delivery/pickup services though.

Me too, but 20-somethings aren't worried and they generally eat out at this price point. Win-win for the kids in work and those looking to have some grub out with mates..

If the local pub re-opens I'd be OK with sitting in the beer garden section I guess, want to help them out.

My local is an ancient old inn from 1730 or something. Tiny bar, low ceilings, cosy fire-side seats, etc.

They're open again, but now you have to walk around the back through the car park and order your pint through the door in Reception. Barman walks back into the bar, pours your pint and brings it back to you. You pay by Contactless, then have to follow arrows through the one-way system alongside the conservatory and into the beer garden at the rear. Here you sit in a designated area squared off by thick yellow&black tape at a table of max 4 people, each of whom nervously sups their pint and shoots stink-eyes @ everyone at the other tables nearby.

It's the opposite of a fun time for me.

[Saint]

7 day average now into the 80s in the UK. there was a 10-11 day static period but since then it's really started dropping. By this point you're starting to see Dexamethasone impact the mortality I think

[Saint]

Also, it's looking like the US mortality rate has started to follow the infection curve. Spiked to 1,000 yesterday and today doesn't look like being much better.

Much as I despise Trump and the general GOP response to this thing I really hoped that they'd get away with this

[Koalabyte]

27 days in ICU. 6 patients died in my ward. Lost almost 15 kgs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Had a temp of 39.8. Was hallucinating for 3 weeks, have not much idea what was reality and fantasy. The worst part had to be the ventilator, like drowning every 15 seconds... really fucks with your psyche.

I have another 2 weeks to get a medical clearance to fly back to my lovely Oz.

The nurses and docs are friggin heroes.

[mat the expat]

27 days in ICU. 6 patients died in my ward. Lost almost 15 kgs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Had a temp of 39.8. Was hallucinating for 3 weeks, have not much idea what was reality and fantasy. The worst part had to be the ventilator, like drowning every 15 seconds... really fucks with your psyche.

I have another 2 weeks to get a medical clearance to fly back to my lovely Oz.

The nurses and docs are friggin heroes.

Fair play - rest up!

[Clogs]

Also, it's looking like the US mortality rate has started to follow the infection curve. Spiked to 1,000 yesterday and today doesn't look like being much better.

Much as I despise Trump and the general GOP response to this thing I really hoped that they'd get away with this

I'm with you. I hope their mortality rate somehow miraculously doesn't match the infection rate, but if it does they only have themselves to blame...

[Biffer]

27 days in ICU. 6 patients died in my ward. Lost almost 15 kgs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Had a temp of 39.8. Was hallucinating for 3 weeks, have not much idea what was reality and fantasy. The worst part had to be the ventilator, like drowning every 15 seconds... really fucks with your psyche.

I have another 2 weeks to get a medical clearance to fly back to my lovely Oz.

The nurses and docs are friggin heroes.

Rough time, to say the least. All the best in your recovery.

[Raggs]

27 days in ICU. 6 patients died in my ward. Lost almost 15 kgs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Had a temp of 39.8. Was hallucinating for 3 weeks, have not much idea what was reality and fantasy. The worst part had to be the ventilator, like drowning every 15 seconds... really fucks with your psyche.

I have another 2 weeks to get a medical clearance to fly back to my lovely Oz.

The nurses and docs are friggin heroes.

Lucky it's just a cold, otherwise you could have been really sick!

Bloody hell mate. Rest up, heal up. How's the long term prognosis looking?

[Slick]

27 days in ICU. 6 patients died in my ward. Lost almost 15 kgs. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Had a temp of 39.8. Was hallucinating for 3 weeks, have not much idea what was reality and fantasy. The worst part had to be the ventilator, like drowning every 15 seconds... really fucks with your psyche.

I have another 2 weeks to get a medical clearance to fly back to my lovely Oz.

The nurses and docs are friggin heroes.

Bloody hell. Hope the recovery goes well.

Was this in the UK?

[Torquemada 1420]

You're wrong about Imperial. It's ranked in the top 10 universities in the world by both the QS rankings and the Times Higher Educational Supplement. Those are the two main global rankings.

I know WTF Imperial is

But just as the Epic of Gilgamesh would be regarded as one of the most influential works of literature, doesn't mean most people would have a clue.

Everyone knows Oxbridge and maybe even the OU but will bet you are into diminishing returns thereafter.

[Torquemada 1420]

have not much idea what was reality and fantasy.

So you came here?

[FujiKiwi]

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery Koalabyte. Look after yourself, mate.

[Kiwias]

Koalabyte

Well done on making it through that. Wishing you a rapid recovery

[Raggs]

You're wrong about Imperial. It's ranked in the top 10 universities in the world by both the QS rankings and the Times Higher Educational Supplement. Those are the two main global rankings.

I know WTF Imperial is

But just as the Epic of Gilgamesh would be regarded as one of the most influential works of literature, doesn't mean most people would have a clue.

Everyone knows Oxbridge and maybe even the OU but will bet you are into diminishing returns thereafter.

Yeah, but anybody actually worth influencing would know what Imperial is, so trading on their name (illegally) is a big deal.

[dpedin]

Wow - Sky news article shows up UK Gov for being a bunch of useless, lying twats, no surprises there then?

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... s-12022566

[Torquemada 1420]

Yeah, but anybody actually worth influencing would know what Imperial is, so trading on their name (illegally) is a big deal.

Jesus.

"An odd thing to do because not that many people (certainly outside the UK) would have a clue about Imperial and, anyway, that's gotta be a much smaller feather than WHO."

More than the World Health Organisation?

[Longshanks]

The local lockdown in Leicester looks likes it's working, infection rate dropping by the day. If it does work out, my confidence in the government's approach will increase. Whack-a-Mole maybe the future.

I hope the same happens out in Melbourne, wouldn't wish what we've been through on anyone.

[Torquemada 1420]

Wow - Sky news article shows up UK Gov for being a bunch of useless, lying twats, no surprises there then?

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... s-12022566

I should be surprised. Shocked.

But I'm not.

[Longshanks]

Wow - Sky news article shows up UK Gov for being a bunch of useless, lying twats, no surprises there then?

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus- ... s-12022566

I should be surprised. Shocked.

But I'm not.

Ditto