Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[Bluerover]

Don't get all envious of our PM!

As Gary Oldman said in the film:*

Because he's the leader we deserve, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll listen to him because of the idiots who voted for him. Because he's not our hero. He's a gobby etonian, a projector of waffle. A dipstick.

*he may not have said this at all.
[/QUOTE

 

[Bluerover]

Me and missus due to fly to Cyprus at end of month to join a cruise ship for a week.
Quite simply, due to arbitrary decisions being made by different organisations, can't take the risk so unless anything drastic happens we won't be going. Will lose cost of holiday but maybe worth a price worth paying to be able to make our own decisions. Tour operator to carry out screening at airport before you get on aircraft, but at present only a questionnaire.

If there os a travel advisory in the meantime from the Government, then you should get your money back mate.

 

[Mrk]

Italy is well known for having some of the best healthcare in the world

Relative to “the rest of the world” their healthcare is great, but that’s because healthcare in the rest of the world is almost none existent. Relative to other highly-developed EU countries, it is very ill-prepared for something like this, due to chronic underfunding and, clearly, poor organization.

 

[tommytowne]

If there os a travel advisory in the meantime from the Government, then you should get your money back mate.

I'm banking on that tbh. At time of writing wife has a cold. At least I hope it's only a cold! By all accounts questions on screening will ask your recent health record and if they deem you can't travel, then you get your money back from the tour operator itself.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Relative to “the rest of the world” their healthcare is great, but that’s because healthcare in the rest of the world is almost none existent. Relative to other highly-developed EU countries, it is very ill-prepared for something like this, due to chronic underfunding and, clearly, poor organization.

Italy has 23% of it's population over the age 65, personal belief, this has a major impact on this virus spread. The old fatalistic adage, Pneumonia old man's friend applies...

Italy’s Elderly Suffer Heavy Toll as Coronavirus Spreads (Published 2020)

Spikes in the numbers of deaths and cases have become the new normal in the country with Europe’s oldest population.

www.nytimes.com

 

[GwladysBlue]

My hatred for Piers Morgan knows no bounds.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

My hatred for Piers Morgan knows no bounds.

Do what I do, don't put him on. There are two people if see on TV or hear that irk me to have violent and aggressive thoughts, one is Morgan.

 

[ClausThomsen]

Finally a write up that is not just running with the apocalypse... it actually helps you realize that this thing is nowhere near as bad as we've been told and most people will be just fine. https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-coronavirus-patient-5039299-Mar2020/

But the number of people who won't be just fine with it will put a big strain on the health service which in turn has a knock-on effect for other patients. And there seems to be a rather callous disregard for those who wouldn't be just fine....but hey, I'm alright Jack.

 

[Paris]

But the number of people who won't be just fine with it will put a big strain on the health service which in turn has a knock-on effect for other patients. And there seems to be a rather callous disregard for those who wouldn't be just fine....but hey, I'm alright Jack.

Maybe it's because I'm a stoic but for me, this outbreak is yet another reminder from Mother Nature that she is in charge. Her will be done.

Que sera sera...

 

[Mrk]

Italy has 23% of it's population over the age 65, personal belief, this has a major impact on this virus spread. The old fatalistic adage, Pneumonia old man's friend applies...

Italy’s Elderly Suffer Heavy Toll as Coronavirus Spreads (Published 2020)

Spikes in the numbers of deaths and cases have become the new normal in the country with Europe’s oldest population.

www.nytimes.com

Oh, that's without question. The aging population is just another thing that makes Italy vulnerable to something like this.

Sincerely hope the measures they're taking work and they can get back on thier feet soon.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Unless he's got Harry Potter powers they'd come too late.

Maybe an emergency act of parliament authorising the compulsory conversion of the most suitable buildings in various regions into temporary hospitals. Hotels, or schools/colleges? Army barracks?
This shouldn't really need an act of parliament, it should happen by virtue of funding the NHS appropriately to manage in the event of a Pandemic. In any event, while it may be useful to use some of those places for extra bed space, they require the staffing needed to undertake the work. The current struggle is not do much where you can go to be treated, but if there will be enough staff and equipment there to do it.

Retired health workers incentivised to return to work.
This has already been done in some areas. But unsurprisingly the doctors and nurses who have retired tend to be in the most at risk category and aren't that keen on the idea.

Fast tracking of nurse/trainee doctors, pay them to interrupt their studies and serve on the front line?
This is already being done to a degree. In areas such as allowing students to undertake some of the community testing/undertake assessment. But it's a bit knee jerk to let them through on the fly as you potentially put more people at harm than good.

Talk to industry, can ventilators even be made in this country? Yes they can and they are.

I'm worried for people who need medical intervention in the coming months, friends and family amongst them.

 

[dannyboy]

Teach in Madrid so mentally prepared myself for two weeks off. Turns out they want us to come in whilst the kids stay at home. Gonna be a fun fortnight of nothingness.

 

[Jebus_lives]

Maybe it's because I'm a stoic but for me, this outbreak is yet another reminder from Mother Nature that she is in charge. Her will be done.

Que sera sera...

Haven't you heard...it's a secret super weapon made by the Chinese that got out!

 

[Tipp blue]

But the number of people who won't be just fine with it will put a big strain on the health service which in turn has a knock-on effect for other patients. And there seems to be a rather callous disregard for those who wouldn't be just fine....but hey, I'm alright Jack.

Yea there are people who wont be fine, but is that not the case with every dose that goes around? A bad dose of diarrhea could wipe out some people. I don't think it's a callous disregard it's a fact of life that the older you get the more susceptible to things like this you become. If we want a health care system that helps more and more people live into their 80's 90's and higher then we have to come to terms with the fact that we have created a population where a significant precipitant of people are weakened due to age and any virus that effects lungs will inevitability kill many of these people.

 

[alvinh]

Maybe an emergency act of parliament authorising the compulsory conversion of the most suitable buildings in various regions into temporary hospitals. Hotels, or schools/colleges? Army barracks?
This shouldn't really need an act of parliament, it should happen by virtue of funding the NHS appropriately to manage in the event of a Pandemic. In any event, while it may be useful to use some of those places for extra bed space, they require the staffing needed to undertake the work. The current struggle is not do much where you can go to be treated, but if there will be enough staff and equipment there to do it.

Retired health workers incentivised to return to work.
This has already been done in some areas. But unsurprisingly the doctors and nurses who have retired tend to be in the most at risk category and aren't that keen on the idea.

Fast tracking of nurse/trainee doctors, pay them to interrupt their studies and serve on the front line?
This is already being done to a degree. In areas such as allowing students to undertake some of the community testing/undertake assessment. But it's a bit knee jerk to let them through on the fly as you potentially put more people at harm than good.

Talk to industry, can ventilators even be made in this country? Yes they can and they are.

All excellent points and well taken. Thank you for your reply.