O/T:- Are we over-reacting to COVD19?

[jackal2]

Financial Times pushing the idea that half of us may have had Covid already so the death rate could be as low as 0.1% and, basically we can all go back to work and carry on as normal. I hope they're right, but until we get testing sorted out it's just another theory.

Albeit at various speeds, the major European countries have implemented virtual lockdowns in line with the scientific advice. Most would say in this situation that it is better to follow the scientific advice than any other 'noise' and to keep the message to the public as clear as possible, but of course there are no guarantees that it will work.

Over the past couple of days the number of new cases emerging in Italy has reportedly begun to fall, suggesting that the lockdown there may gradually be reducing transmission, but how long can you realistically maintain such a lockdown before the economic effects start to bite deep into people's lives? And what happens to the infection and death rate when the rules are officially eased, or when people in desperation begin to break ranks of their own accord?

Human nature when facing a scary natural phenomenon is to seek ways we can 'control' it, so what we're seeing from scientists and governments at present is perfectly understandable on a social and political level, but it could be a long time yet before we are able to assess whether these actions genuinely reduced the impact of COVID-19, or simply re-phased it. Can we in effect 'beat' nature?

Incidentally, the same website that provides latest statistics on the COVID-19 outbreak…

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

… also offers a separate page illustrating the daily growth in the world population, which will barely be touched by current events …

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

If you believe that human activity is the driving factor behind global warming, then with the population increasing at this rate we're all knackered anyway.

Sorry! It's being so cheerful that keeps me going!

[LEPiePie]

Prince Charles has Covid 19 then? He won't be receiving any preferential treatment tho, yeah righto. Seems he's had it since the 12th of this month. I'm coming to the conclusion that there is more than one strain. A mild one and a nasty aggressive one.

You are correct Strain L and Strain S with L being the nasty one.
What they are worried is both could again mutate which will make it almost impossible to create a vaccination despite it being 18 months or so before they'd have one anyway.

[upthemaggies]

You are correct Strain L and Strain S with L being the nasty one.

Think is still very much up for debate, some are saying the differences are so small its' just muddying the waters. Saw a report somewhere that one person got both strains simultaneously. It's hard to keep up with it all, but this is why it's described as a "novel" virus. It's as new to the scientists as it is for the rest of us in many respects.

[TheBlackHorse]

So do you think the government have handled this situation well Horsey?

... Snobhead 1 ... just because the gov havn't followed an agenda that suits you they must be wrong. Show me a war that was executed perfectly to plan. BJ/the gov have established their priorities and dealt with issues systematically. They get some things wrong. No country is/was ever properly equipped to fight a war. The British Army started WW2 with WW1 Lee Enfield rifles. We do not have enough respirators; but we'll get there. The UK has so many spineless morons who have to be told what to do ... COYP

[upthemaggies]

21 year old British female with no underlying health issues dies after contracting COVID-19.
Hopefully an isolated case, but just goes to show nobody is 100% certain not to become seriously ill with this thing.

I'm often seeing the whole of "The Midlands" being lunped together as the 2nd hot spot behind London, but Nottingham with 16 cases per 100,000 people is half that of Wolverhampton on 32. Sheffield is at 23 per 100k. The county of Notts is at 10. Manchester, surprisingly is only 8. So the outlook for us based on those figures isn't great but some other cities will be worse.

[Elite_Pie]

... Snobhead 1 ... just because the gov havn't followed an agenda that suits you they must be wrong. Show me a war that was executed perfectly to plan. BJ/the gov have established their priorities and dealt with issues systematically. They get some things wrong. No country is/was ever properly equipped to fight a war. The British Army started WW2 with WW1 Lee Enfield rifles. We do not have enough respirators; but we'll get there. The UK has so many spineless morons who have to be told what to do ... COYP

You could have saved yourself a lot of time and simply said "No".

[countygump]

405,000 people have signed up to be NHS volunteers in the 24 hrs since volunteers were asked for. Makes you proud of the people in this country.

[navypie]

405,000 people have signed up to be NHS volunteers in the 24 hrs since volunteers were asked for. Makes you proud of the people in this country.

Here here. My wife's been saying how quiet it is at work at the moment, the calm before the storm no doubt. Anyway, I've told her if she brings it home with her.....she can sod off !

[jackal2]

I'm often seeing the whole of "The Midlands" being lunped together as the 2nd hot spot behind London, but Nottingham with 16 cases per 100,000 people is half that of Wolverhampton on 32. Sheffield is at 23 per 100k. The county of Notts is at 10. Manchester, surprisingly is only 8. So the outlook for us based on those figures isn't great but some other cities will be worse.

I remember from my childhood the days of BBC "Midlands" Today with Alan Towers and Kay Alexander, when virtually every news item seemed to have happened within a few miles of Birmingham and Nottingham virtually didn't exist. If it didn't take place in Solihull it didn't matter. I thought I was a Brummie for about 10 years!

[Pies4u]

... Snobhead 1 ... just because the gov havn't followed an agenda that suits you they must be wrong. Show me a war that was executed perfectly to plan. BJ/the gov have established their priorities and dealt with issues systematically. They get some things wrong. No country is/was ever properly equipped to fight a war. The British Army started WW2 with WW1 Lee Enfield rifles. We do not have enough respirators; but we'll get there. The UK has so many spineless morons who have to be told what to do ... COYP

It isn't surprising really. Those with an agenda against Boris Johnson and/or the Government just love to make these accusations and criticisms as though they are sitting here as the sole arbiters of how an unprecedented and savage set of circumstances caused by an incredibly contagious virus is being handled. It must be wonderful acting as such a pious "judge and jury". Most countries, if not all, have been caught out by this situation in so many respects.

Even the leaderless Labour Party have been magnanimous in Parliament and recorded their support and thanks for the swift & sweeping action and support & advice that has been provided generally and particularly for the adversely affected workers in commerce and industry. That, it seems is "not good enough" for the high and mighty brigade on here who will decide, when it's all over, whether critical decisions taken day by day and week by week - as they have to be - were right! Jesus wept, it is a pity some on here have not aspired to become leading figures in authority before now - they know best, after all! The answer to the question is "yes" the Gov't are doing an incredibly difficult job pretty well in the most arduous and demanding of circumstances. Not perfect, maybe - but adjusting the tactical approach in the light of ever changing conditions is certainly not a weakness!

Johnson has clearly shown that he has been guided by medical and scientific specialists - but that,apparently, isn't good enough either. The mind boggles.

I do agree with Elite that the time for a completely rational assessment and any overall praise or recrimination, if appropriate, is a long way off yet!