Im sure it was our initial plan of herd immunity that allowed the virus to run free, in a similar way to Italy. Then, when we changed tack, it was impossible to control.
Hong Kong and Singapore have similar population densities - not sure the phrase Id use is a 'matter of maths'. Id be more interested to know how they dealt with it. I think we ignored their experience.
The thing that stands out for me is countries which advocate the use of masks seem to have better outcomes. HK announced yesterday it would give every citizen a mask for the next phase when they exit lockdown.
HK, Singapore, South Korea and, dare I say, China all fell back on their experience of MERS and SARS. They know the risks and methods to protect themselves and quickly slip into mode.
They've had procedures in place since the SARS outbreak in 2002. Temperature is tested at airports and border crossings, there is continual advice on washing hands, wearing masks and advise on self isolation if you show symptoms.
Im sure it was our initial plan of herd immunity that allowed the virus to run free, in a similar way to Italy. Then, when we changed tack, it was impossible to control.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52540266
No surprise really.
Apologies if it’s already on, I miss some posts on this thread
This is the kind of thing that happens when folks blame the chinese entirely for the pandemic Howdy...
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...risis-11979388
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
Could coronavirus have been circulating in Europe in late 2019, many weeks before it was officially recognised and declared a threat there? That is the suggestion being made after a French doctor has revealed that he treated a patient in Paris with all of the symptoms of coronavirus just after Christmas.
How does this change what we know about the pandemic? It might be that the test result is an error and so does not change a thing.
But it if is correct, it could mean spread of the disease was going unchecked in Europe while all eyes were on the East in Wuhan.
Certainly, any laboratories in Europe with samples from patients sick with similar symptoms around that time might want to run a test for coronavirus to see what it reveals so that we can learn more about this new disease.
Same is happening here Roly. Maybe it didn't originate in Wuhan, China but data seems to indicate it did. Does that make all Chinese culpable, of course not but there will always be some who will be unable or unwilling to separate the two e.g. white supremacists who have been behind many of the attacks in Chinatown here in Seattle. Is it any different to many people incorrectly believing all football fans are hooligans?