I play the organ once a week for the folks in a retirement village so that they can have a church service. We intinct for the residents at communion with just one person handling the elements and carefully hand cleaning first. The residents don't get to touch the elements at all which seems to work ok. Many of them are too frail and immune compromised to have the more traditional communion. Maybe some other church services could try this.
If you put an incompetent moron who facilitated an HIV outbreak and doesn't believe in evidence or science in charge of a public health emergency then you deserve everything you get.
The majority of the American voting public voted AGAINST Trump, including me. Do all of us deserve to get sick, too?
I believe that nobody deserves to get sick, even Trump supporters, which include some of my close family members.
Trump put Pence in charge, and he deserves covid-19 and a whole lot more. That was my point.
Given the rush on toilet paper in Australia, I am considering becoming a Guru of the Bathroom, giving classes in the local community centre entitled, "Paper free Bathroom Hygiene". I'm going to make a killing!
Another factor is that the majority of people show mild or no symptoms. The 2% or 0.7% mortality rates are of people whose symptoms were serious enough to be specifically diagnosed.
Do you have supporting evidence for that statement? I find the way the mortality rate is calculated to be one of the big missing pieces in this puzzle. I imagine the most sophisticated models extrapolate on the basis of not having detected all cases.
Yeah but Addenbrookes is hardly the top dog it often claims to be. Cutting edge - yes. Basic nursing care - rubbish.
Until recently I taught ophthalmic nursing there...
Anyway, Papworth is a separate hospital based at Addenbrookes, it moved there recently from its rural location. I believe it is the same trust though.
Comment from bitter experience of a number of patients. One case involved an 8 page letter of apology from the Director of Medicine plus the dismissal of a Consultant for lying.
Papworth is the same trust. Unfortunately IME the hospital shares the general air of arrogance about the town.
Here is a chart comparing this Coronavirus to other outbreaks at least in my lifetime.
That chart shows the position as at 30 Jan 2020. Since then cases have jumped from 8,000 to 94,000, and deaths have jumped from 170 to 3,000.
In terms of fatalities it's gone from 9th out of ten for worldwide fatalities, to 3rd out of ten. That's in the space of five weeks. I find that worrying, rather than reassuring.
Also, that chart shows the coronavirus has having been confined to 20 countries on 30 Jan, compared to 70 now, putting it in second place out of the ten listed.
Yeah but Addenbrookes is hardly the top dog it often claims to be. Cutting edge - yes. Basic nursing care - rubbish.
Until recently I taught ophthalmic nursing there...
Anyway, Papworth is a separate hospital based at Addenbrookes, it moved there recently from its rural location. I believe it is the same trust though.
Comment from bitter experience of a number of patients. One case involved an 8 page letter of apology from the Director of Medicine plus the dismissal of a Consultant for lying.
Papworth is the same trust. Unfortunately IME the hospital shares the general air of arrogance about the town.
Point taken, but, as I said previously, hospital experiences are inevitably subjective! Not that that absolves hospitals from taking complaints seriously, and addressing (and solving) problems which arise.
As someone who used to work for an NHS Ambulance Trust, I do sympathise with those who feel that treatment doesn't come up to scratch. All healthcare professionals are under great pressure at times, and something like the Coronavirus - should it really take hold in the UK, which God forbid - will make it necessary for EVERYONE to be as forbearing as possible.
Is there any particular reason for that, do you think?
Serious question.
A plurality are from a single old folks' home. Best scientific guess right now (according to the Tacoma News Tribune) is that the virus has been in the state for weeks, but all of the deaths have been reported from a single hospital in Kirkland, about 50 miles (ca. 80 klicks) north of here. Given the spotty availability of testing kits, perhaps they just have been testing more patients.
Have just learned that a friend of mine who returned from a trip to Europe is being tested for coronavirus, although doctors think the chance she has it is very slight. If she does, she may be "Patient Zero" here on our so-far-uninfected island. Am very much hoping she is not, not only for her sake but because she served supper to 25 people at our church's soup kitchen before realizing she might have been a carrier.
UK regional airline Flybe looks as if it has collapsed, a demise no doubt hastened by Coronavirus and probably not the last corporate one. That is already a big hole to fill (for aviation geeks, the last flight, BE2111, is still in the air at the time of posting).
Flybe had effectively collapsed in January, saved at that time only by the government not pursuing unpaid tax and promising to cut air passenger duty - but the government couldn't legally cut duty for one business and not others. All of that before covid-19.
I think that will cause the government a few more headaches when the regions start agitating to get their connections back. (Plus a lot of grumbling about ATOL not applying and insurance not covering the collapse.)
I did notice that the big official coronavirus signs at work (hospital) have been augmented by smaller ones giving instructions on how to get to the 'pod' that explicitly include 'don't go in the building'.
I think Dragonlet 2's nursery (on site) has gained a few more hand sanitizer points, whilst Dragonlet 1's school have been drilling them in 'using a tissue or your sleeve for coughs and sneezes, not your hands'.
Flybe had effectively collapsed in January, saved at that time only by the government not pursuing unpaid tax and promising to cut air passenger duty - but the government couldn't legally cut duty for one business and not others. All of that before covid-19.
This is true, but I think covid-19 pushed it over the edge. And that will be the case for many, many companies without much cash in hand. I very much doubt Flybe will be the last airline to go bankrupt due to this, and I'm worried about the various events firms I work with.
There are lots of businesses that are struggling on the edge of going under, and any perturbation of their business could push them over the edge. And, as the current covid-19 epidemic gets worse (which it will) that may affect many businesses in unexpected ways. Hospitality and events face particular difficulties as restrictions on people gathering together are introduced, or people simply feel safer at home than going down the pub or eating out. For other businesses it may simply be a general slow down in the economy that's the final push.
In the UK at the moment, covid-19 isn't the biggest driver to business slow down and failure, Brexit has managed far more damage than that. The situation would need to get worse than the swine 'flu 10 years ago for it to be the final straw for a lot of businesses.
Boris was talking about "taking it on the chin", that is, allowing the virus to circulate without draconian measures, (BBC). I don't know what that means really. I suppose the govt are reluctant to have travel bans, school closures, and so on, but a lot of this will happen anyway. If your office records a case of the virus, surely they are going to close temporarily? We are a bit nervous about going on holiday, in England that is, but staying at home seems grim.
Preventive closures and quarantining make sense during "phase 2" containment measures, which are designed to slow the spread of the virus. They make much less sense during the "epidemic phase", during which the risk is more that of closures due to staff shortages.
Chief medical officer estimates the death rate at 1%, and states that higher figures often omit the mild cases, or those without symptoms. I couldn't help thinking of Clint Eastwood, "do I feel lucky?" Not particularly.
There are lots of businesses that are struggling on the edge of going under, and any perturbation of their business could push them over the edge. And, as the current covid-19 epidemic gets worse (which it will) that may affect many businesses in unexpected ways. Hospitality and events face particular difficulties as restrictions on people gathering together are introduced, or people simply feel safer at home than going down the pub or eating out. For other businesses it may simply be a general slow down in the economy that's the final push.
In the UK at the moment, covid-19 isn't the biggest driver to business slow down and failure, Brexit has managed far more damage than that. The situation would need to get worse than the swine 'flu 10 years ago for it to be the final straw for a lot of businesses.
Point well made.
And it's especially true in the case of FlyBe. Covid-19 may well have been the final straw but Brexit was the majority of the pre-existing bale. If you run a business that makes revenue in Pounds but has expenses in dollars or Euros (fuel and aeroplanes for example...) then a permanent drop in the value of the pound like the one caused by Brexit is going to hurt your profitability a lot.
I look forward to Digby-Jones (for example) apologising for saying that not a single job would be lost due to Brexit.
South Africa's Health Minister has confirmed the first case of Covid-19 to test positive (despite media reports and rumours) and that tracking teams have been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to identify other possible carriers. The patient is a man of 38 who arrived back from Italy travelling with a group of 10, went through the international airport in Johannesburg unchecked and headed home via the airport in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He is now self-isolating while anyone who may have had contact with him is asked to report in.
There are lots of businesses that are struggling on the edge of going under, and any perturbation of their business could push them over the edge. And, as the current covid-19 epidemic gets worse (which it will) that may affect many businesses in unexpected ways. Hospitality and events face particular difficulties as restrictions on people gathering together are introduced, or people simply feel safer at home than going down the pub or eating out. For other businesses it may simply be a general slow down in the economy that's the final push.
In the UK at the moment, covid-19 isn't the biggest driver to business slow down and failure, Brexit has managed far more damage than that. The situation would need to get worse than the swine 'flu 10 years ago for it to be the final straw for a lot of businesses.
Point well made.
And it's especially true in the case of FlyBe. Covid-19 may well have been the final straw but Brexit was the majority of the pre-existing bale. If you run a business that makes revenue in Pounds but has expenses in dollars or Euros (fuel and aeroplanes for example...) then a permanent drop in the value of the pound like the one caused by Brexit is going to hurt your profitability a lot.
I look forward to Digby-Jones (for example) apologising for saying that not a single job would be lost due to Brexit.
AFZ
Far from apologising, I think the virus will now be blamed for the economic fallout caused by Brexit - an ‘opportune’ excuse one might say. I’ve already read somewhere of a Brexiteer saying that our preparations for a no-deal Brexit puts us in a stronger position for coping with Coronavirus!
In one way, Trumps remarks on death rates are hilarious. WHO figure of 3 to 4% is a "false number", and "he has a hunch" that it's below 1%. But also irresponsible. He is not an epidemiologist.
There is talk of playing UK football behind closed doors. Ouch.
One thing I notice is that on TV the scientists, medical officers and epidemiologists are clear, concise and honest. The politicians are woolly, evasive and probably dishonest. So it was, so it shall be, to the last syllable of Newsnight.
One thing I notice is that on TV the scientists, medical officers and epidemiologists are clear, concise and honest. The politicians are woolly, evasive and probably dishonest.
When Anthony Fauci, clad in a white lab coat, invited an “NBC Nightly News” correspondent into his offices this week and described the coronavirus as an “outbreak” that was reaching “likely pandemic proportions,” the immunologist was acting as he long has during public health crises: delivering a fact-based warning to the public.
But at the White House, the more politically minded officials overseeing the administration’s response were irritated that Fauci — the veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — had used the word “pandemic” without giving anyone on Vice President Pence’s staff a heads-up, according to two people familiar with the situation.
When all you have is a hammer PR department, everything looks like a nail PR problem.
Anyone else remember when swimming pools, libraries, schools, public areas in general were al closed because of polio, measles, rubella? It was serious stuff. I recall twice that school classrooms had 1 or 2 less kids in them after the bans were lifted.
Myself, I had full on influenza once. I was really seriously ill for 5 weeks, and not fully recovered for about 4 months.
In one way, Trumps remarks on death rates are hilarious. WHO figure of 3 to 4% is a "false number", and "he has a hunch" that it's below 1%. But also irresponsible. He is not an epidemiologist.
Trumps grasp on reality was never very good. It is getting worse. What the utter fuck does it matter what his "hunch" is? Someone as utterly incompetent as him even has really bad hunches.
One thing I notice is that on TV the scientists, medical officers and epidemiologists are clear, concise and honest. The politicians are woolly, evasive and probably dishonest. So it was, so it shall be, to the last syllable of Newsnight.
Generally, this is true. It is good that the scientific and medical voices are getting a say, and not just being interpreted by the politicians (who are corrupt, manipulative and deceitful)
Sequoia Capital are giving guidance to their companies to start laying off people:
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Sequoia Capital are giving guidance to their companies to start laying off people:
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Oh good, so it will be another opportunity to sack people, dismiss part-timers, abuse the staff.
Sequoia Capital are giving guidance to their companies to start laying off people:
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Oh good, so it will be another opportunity to sack people, dismiss part-timers, abuse the staff.
Sequoia Capital are giving guidance to their companies to start laying off people:
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Oh good, so it will be another opportunity to sack people, dismiss part-timers, abuse the staff.
Well we all need that.
And make the remaining 40 personnel do the work of 80.
Sequoia Capital are giving guidance to their companies to start laying off people:
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Oh good, so it will be another opportunity to sack people, dismiss part-timers, abuse the staff.
Well we all need that.
And make the remaining 40 personnel do the work of 80.
We live in a sick society which lionises people who work 90hr weeks whilst others are unemployed.
That is a good article for all seasons. Way back when I was about 18, I switched from glasses to hard contact lenses. Those things were sensitive to the tiniest bit of dust so I got used to never touching my face or allowing a hair to cross it. I get a cold about once every ten years. My husband and son get several every year -- they are constantly running their hands through their oily hair, making their fingers tacky, then touching everything, then touching their face, over and over a thousand times a day.
In other news, another Princess Line Cruise is in trouble. That business is probably over. I have a brother who constantly watches the stock market. He's been crying for weeks now. The crash may ultimately hurt far more people than the virus.
The CDC, today, has put out a list of good cleaning products to use. (Buy Clorox stock! ) What I don't like about the list is they include spray disinfectants and cleaners. Last year they informed us that daily use of those sprays can harm the lungs as much as smoking a pack a day. Lets not throw out the baby with the bath.
I was desperate not to catch a cold or flu when we went the first time to visit Boogielet Baby. So I started the hand washing, not touching communal surfaces, not face touching thing then and have continued.
Let’s reduce staff to the minimum, 3 seconds before a fifth of our workforce goes off sick - this will in no way affect our business continuity ...
I assume the idea is: make a contingency plan for how your business would run if 20% of staff went off sick - if it turns out your business would manage fine, then, once this is over, sack them.
Not saying that's morally right, but it's a bit more logical ...
Daily Mail has a cheery headline, 15 million to die under best case scenario. I suppose the tabloids will get off on this. They cite a death rate of 3.4 %, but this is false surely, as it omits mild cases.
I can honestly say I haven’t done any panic buying at all. My stash was built up months ago, and just rotated thereafter. When I brought out a couple of bottles of hand sanitiser today Mr Boogs said “that was lucky”. No it wasn’t, it was good planning in case of emergency - and in case of people starting to panic buy.
Brexshit was the motivation, I didn’t expect a virus epidemic!
Comments
Trump put Pence in charge, and he deserves covid-19 and a whole lot more. That was my point.
Comment from bitter experience of a number of patients. One case involved an 8 page letter of apology from the Director of Medicine plus the dismissal of a Consultant for lying.
Papworth is the same trust. Unfortunately IME the hospital shares the general air of arrogance about the town.
That chart shows the position as at 30 Jan 2020. Since then cases have jumped from 8,000 to 94,000, and deaths have jumped from 170 to 3,000.
In terms of fatalities it's gone from 9th out of ten for worldwide fatalities, to 3rd out of ten. That's in the space of five weeks. I find that worrying, rather than reassuring.
Point taken, but, as I said previously, hospital experiences are inevitably subjective! Not that that absolves hospitals from taking complaints seriously, and addressing (and solving) problems which arise.
As someone who used to work for an NHS Ambulance Trust, I do sympathise with those who feel that treatment doesn't come up to scratch. All healthcare professionals are under great pressure at times, and something like the Coronavirus - should it really take hold in the UK, which God forbid - will make it necessary for EVERYONE to be as forbearing as possible.
Is there any particular reason for that, do you think?
Serious question.
{{{{{mousethief}}}}}
A plurality are from a single old folks' home. Best scientific guess right now (according to the Tacoma News Tribune) is that the virus has been in the state for weeks, but all of the deaths have been reported from a single hospital in Kirkland, about 50 miles (ca. 80 klicks) north of here. Given the spotty availability of testing kits, perhaps they just have been testing more patients.
I did notice that the big official coronavirus signs at work (hospital) have been augmented by smaller ones giving instructions on how to get to the 'pod' that explicitly include 'don't go in the building'.
I think Dragonlet 2's nursery (on site) has gained a few more hand sanitizer points, whilst Dragonlet 1's school have been drilling them in 'using a tissue or your sleeve for coughs and sneezes, not your hands'.
(I just saw my cat rub up against one of my dogs in friendly greeting - awwwww)
This is true, but I think covid-19 pushed it over the edge. And that will be the case for many, many companies without much cash in hand. I very much doubt Flybe will be the last airline to go bankrupt due to this, and I'm worried about the various events firms I work with.
In the UK at the moment, covid-19 isn't the biggest driver to business slow down and failure, Brexit has managed far more damage than that. The situation would need to get worse than the swine 'flu 10 years ago for it to be the final straw for a lot of businesses.
Point well made.
And it's especially true in the case of FlyBe. Covid-19 may well have been the final straw but Brexit was the majority of the pre-existing bale. If you run a business that makes revenue in Pounds but has expenses in dollars or Euros (fuel and aeroplanes for example...) then a permanent drop in the value of the pound like the one caused by Brexit is going to hurt your profitability a lot.
I look forward to Digby-Jones (for example) apologising for saying that not a single job would be lost due to Brexit.
AFZ
Far from apologising, I think the virus will now be blamed for the economic fallout caused by Brexit - an ‘opportune’ excuse one might say. I’ve already read somewhere of a Brexiteer saying that our preparations for a no-deal Brexit puts us in a stronger position for coping with Coronavirus!
There is talk of playing UK football behind closed doors. Ouch.
He's quite right. There won't be a single job lost due to Brexit - there'll be hundreds...
Well, as honest and clear as they can be and still keep their jobs.
When all you have is a hammer PR department, everything looks like a nail PR problem.
Myself, I had full on influenza once. I was really seriously ill for 5 weeks, and not fully recovered for about 4 months.
This is useful: https://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/stop-touching-your-face-virus-germs
Trumps grasp on reality was never very good. It is getting worse. What the utter fuck does it matter what his "hunch" is? Someone as utterly incompetent as him even has really bad hunches.
Generally, this is true. It is good that the scientific and medical voices are getting a say, and not just being interpreted by the politicians (who are corrupt, manipulative and deceitful)
Thousands
"Headcount. Given all of the above stress points on your finances, this might be a time to evaluate critically whether you can do more with less and raise productivity."
Oh good, so it will be another opportunity to sack people, dismiss part-timers, abuse the staff.
Well we all need that.
Capitalism's response to everything. *rolleyes*
AFF
And make the remaining 40 personnel do the work of 80.
We live in a sick society which lionises people who work 90hr weeks whilst others are unemployed.
In other news, another Princess Line Cruise is in trouble. That business is probably over. I have a brother who constantly watches the stock market. He's been crying for weeks now. The crash may ultimately hurt far more people than the virus.
The CDC, today, has put out a list of good cleaning products to use. (Buy Clorox stock! ) What I don't like about the list is they include spray disinfectants and cleaners. Last year they informed us that daily use of those sprays can harm the lungs as much as smoking a pack a day. Lets not throw out the baby with the bath.
I have stayed cold-free all winter! 👏🏼👏🏼
I assume the idea is: make a contingency plan for how your business would run if 20% of staff went off sick - if it turns out your business would manage fine, then, once this is over, sack them.
Not saying that's morally right, but it's a bit more logical ...
Brexshit was the motivation, I didn’t expect a virus epidemic!