OT. Schools...normality and Coronavirus.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I'd guess somewhere between 90 and 95%

[ramAnag]

So, first day the schools open and seven members of staff at Derby’s Arboretum Primary test positive for Covid.
Doesn’t bode well.

[swaledale]

So, first day the schools open and seven members of staff at Derby’s Arboretum Primary test positive for Covid.
Doesn’t bode well.

So they have flu and your point is?

[ramAnag]

So they have flu and your point is?

Testing positive for Covid isn’t to ‘have flu’ is it?

The point is, it’s a worrying ‘cluster’ of cases that needs explanation. Have those seven all spent a great deal of time together, either recreationally or preparing the school, over half term...or is this something that has developed since the teachers were last in touch with vulnerable children or the children of ‘key workers’ ten days earlier?

Also it’s not the greatest of news for parents already very reluctant to allow their kids to return to school.

[MadAmster]

Possible first breakdown in Dutch discipline? Monday there was a protest planned in Dam Square, Amsterdam, against racism and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd. The organisers said they were expecting between 300 and 500 people to attend. When police and the mayor did an online check there were 1200 "registered as interested". It's well known that a huge % of those who indicate interest for an event don't turn up. The number rose through the afternoon to 2200. Still not an issue really as you could get that many on Dam Square with 3m spacing. In the end an estimated 5K turned out and maybe 20% to 30% weren't keeping to the 1.5m social distancing. 95% were wearing face masks. I hope we don't see a spike in 2 weeks time. More about the consequences later.

There was a 2nd yesterday on the Maliveld in the Hague which was attended by another 4K. The Maliveld is huge, often has concerts with 40K so there was no spacing issue they say but the paths leading to it aren't massively wide...... again I hope there's no CV backlash.

Another one planned for today in Rotterdam. That too is planned for a huge open space allowing proper distancing....... hopefully.

The Mayor of Amsterdam has been criticised for not sending the police in once the numbers grew rapidly. She, in discussions with the Justice Minister decided a) as well as the CV rules there is the right to protest enshrined in Law b) the numbers were already way too large that sending the police in would lead to trouble c) they wouldn't send in the police although some police did start asking demonstrators politely if they wouldn't mind going home.........

A top lawyer has come out and said that the actions by Mayor and Minister yesterday show randmoness in the application of the CV rules and that anybody who has been fined the €395 for breaking lockdown/social distancing rules now has a great argument to appeal and have their conviction quashed and the money refunded..... that's around 14000 people........

Also, the same top lawyer said that if somebody gets CV and the source is tracked to the demonstration that they could sue the City and the government for failing in their duty to protect and win a shedload of money in the court case.

Amsterdam council has called a special meeting for tomorrow evening in which the Mayor will have to defend her actions.......

[mistaram]

Some of the symptoms are indeed flu like but that's where the camparison ends, really. The number of flu patients who end up in the ICU is small. Here in the Netherlands we had about 1900 COVID patients in ICU. Before COVID there were 950 ICU beds in the country and about 50% were in use at any one time. The excess was for eventual pandemics or other health crises...... they are looking at what the "standard excess" should be, going forward.

Further, the average stay in the ICU was, pre COVID, 3 to 4 days. The vast majority of COVID patients are there 3 to4 weeks and some have been there longer.

Doctors are learning more about the virus and its effects through their daily experience with it. They have learnt that CV-19 attacks the lungs leaving permanent damage......... FLU DOESN'T

They have learnt that CV-19 causes thrombosis for about half of the CV-19 patients in the ICU and that leads to renal failure, heart problems, lung problems............... FLU DOESN'T

So, although there are some similarities between Flu and CV-19, they are most definitely not the same.

Not often I disagree with Swales but MA you are spot on There maybe flu like symptoms to start with but that changes rapidly . Having had my niece in an induced coma at 15 . I know first hand how rapidly this virus can destroy you . Of course thousands have had it with hardly any problems Lots of scientists working on it maybe we will find some answers soon Just a foot note I've been in the Syrian government web site they are telling the inhabitants don't drink camel milk or camel urine

[AdiSalisbury]

Just a foot note I've been in the Syrian government web site they are telling the inhabitants don't drink camel milk or camel urine

Didn't realise the had Carling over there!

I don't think Swale is likening the virus to flu medically, but more it's impact on society.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Not often I disagree with Swales but MA you are spot on There maybe flu like symptoms to start with but that changes rapidly . Having had my niece in an induced coma at 15 . I know first hand how rapidly this virus can destroy you . Of course thousands have had it with hardly any problems Lots of scientists working on it maybe we will find some answers soon Just a foot note I've been in the Syrian government web site they are telling the inhabitants don't drink camel milk or camel urine

Oh bother, and here was me looking forward to a long cool draft of camel's piss tonight. It does, as Adi notes, taste far better than most lager. Most? No, all lager

[Ram59]

My local council is now erecting permanent type street signs on lamp posts saying keep 2m apart, just in time for it to be reduced.

3 workers and a pick up, how I love to see my council tax wasted.

[Geoff Parkstone]

How can they socially distance 3 people in a pick up?