Thread: Corona Virus

I have every confidence that SA will be able to nip this outbreak in the bud.
It is a small outbreak, it was discovered early and the authorities acted swiftly and decisively

Here is some disturbing news from Germany. Should mass testing take place.?;

"We just got results back for a young man who was scheduled for surgery," said Orth. "He had the highest viral load we have ever measured here, and he had no symptoms at all." Mass testing would flag such cases, he said."

The lockdown is essential to take control of the virus, a small price to pay , considering the USA just passed 250,000 deaths, and 76,830 Americans were hospitalised on Tuesday. The Mayo Clinic has a shortage of staff, due to the virus, and is asking retired nurses to return. This is definitely not what we want to see here, whatever it takes we should do it without complaint.



In the last two weeks alone, about 900 employees have received a Covid diagnosis in Rochester, in the system’s 20 community hospitals in Wisconsin and Minnesota, or in the outpatient clinics it operates there. Both states are experiencing sustained surges in cases that are far worse than at any previous time in the pandemic, with Minnesota reporting nearly 6,000 new cases on Tuesday.
Most of the infections among the Mayo Clinic staff have occurred from community spread, Dr. Williams said, while a few have been traced to exposure from other employees when eating together unmasked. “We’re really not seeing exposures from patient to staff,” she said.
Live Covid-19 Updates: NYC Public Schools Will Close Indefinitely on Thursday - The New York Times

Meanwhile, France bends the curve, again.

France bends the curve, again

After a summer lull, France faced a terrifying second wave of coronavirus infections this fall that hit most of the country at the same time and put intense pressure on its hospitals. This week, the country became the first in Europe to surpass two million confirmed cases and the number of hospitalized patients reached a record high.

And yet, a nationwide lockdown that was put in place last month seems to be turning things around.

“Our collective efforts are starting to bear fruit,” Jérôme Salomon, a top health ministry official, said yesterday at a news conference.

The New York Times

France is one of the first countries in Europe to re-enter lockdown, but the restrictions this time around are less harsh than in the spring.

Restaurants, bars and cinemas are once again closed, public gatherings are banned and movement outside the home has been limited. In most French cities, the wearing of masks is mandatory in enclosed public spaces. But parks and schools are still open, restrictions on visits to retirement homes are not as tight and a wider range of businesses are allowed to remain open.

New cases have come down by 32 percent over the past two weeks, and the number of deaths also seems to be stabilizing — an encouraging sign.

The New York Times

Officials say some of the latest restrictions may start to be lifted next month, and small businesses might be allowed to reopen during the run-up to Christmas. Still, the authorities plan to reverse the lockdown slowly, and only if the positive trends continue.

“Your efforts are starting to pay off, you must definitely not stop them,” Olivier Véran, the health minister, told the BFM TV news channel yesterday. “Yes it’s long, yes it’s difficult, but that’s the price to return to a normal life.”

Originally Posted by rick130

No vaccine or drug is completely safe, you know this mate

Every drug and vaccine has contraindications, some people will react in some way, but doesn't the fact we don't know everything about the virus indicate a decent vaccine is even more important to have so that people don't have to suffer the unknown effects of the virus?

With a bit of luck it may even improve you olde guys Hardness Factor.



Oh, hang on a tick.

Originally Posted by 4bee

How in the hell can someone working in the food supply chain also be a "Security" Guard in a Medi Hotel?????

The mere fact that that person works at a facility should preclude them from any other work that gives them contact with the public & or food, IMHO.

Rights should go out the window in such cases.


Eevo, that doesn't surprise me at all about Coles. I saw a cartoon in one of those WW2 hardcover information books "Soldering On" or "Khaki & Green" years ago but have never forgotten it.

Scene: Two Japanese Soldiers sitting against a Palm tree somewhere up north with the bloke on the left with a big smile on his face, saying to his mate. "Remember Pearl Harbour?".

As he is speaking presumably, a Digger has tossed a Hand Grenade over the clearing which lands in front of these two lads. Remember Pearl Harbour indeed. The moral of this wee tale as I took it was, "Don't be unprepared"

Sounds like Coles Patrons (& others) could take a message from that as it is not as though we haven't been here before is it?
I saw a report & photo & some TV footage of one guy wanting to return to a Supermarket for a refund, rolls & rolls (Cartons) of Dunny Paper & Kitchen Paper & many litres of Hand Sanitiser. The Owner & his son told him in no uncertain terms that it was due to people like him that created the shortages in the first place, so "****off, no refunds & Goodbye."

Personally, we have always tried to be in tune with what is going on & during times of "easy" purchasing( mainly since last time) have a heap of basic stuff in bulk. ie. Powdered Milk, Rice, Pasta etc etc etc. Dunny paper has always been stored as a matter of course like most people. Excellent & plentiful supplies of good water, sheep (not ours) in the paddock but could be eaten if really needed. The next in line for emergency Foodstuff would be 'er indoors but I doubt she would forgive me if I approached her with her Best Chef's Knife with a glint of mayhem in my eyes.

"Mr Bee please put the knife back I've told you before it's only for special use"

Sorry, what was the question?

They're casual workers, they don't have any rights, or security of work. So most casuals have multiple jobs because they need them to pay the bills.
You really need to catch up with how 40% of the workforce is being screwed and turned into the working poor, just like in the USA.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

They're casual workers, they don't have any rights, or security of work. So most casuals have multiple jobs because they need them to pay the bills.
You really need to catch up with how 40% of the workforce is being screwed and turned into the working poor, just like in the USA.

Only 7% of the working people are considered to be living in poverty.

The workforce for a large part is screwing itself.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

They're casual workers, they don't have any rights, or security of work. So most casuals have multiple jobs because they need them to pay the bills.
You really need to catch up with how 40% of the workforce is being screwed and turned into the working poor, just like in the USA.

Apparently it is bugger all to do with that. The Police Commissioner explained it away as it was a "popular" question by the media in the briefing room today.
The cop could have been a dead ringer for Lee Marvin if he'd had a Crew cut. No really.


Not sure if he could mount a horse while it was leaning against a tin shed though but he might be capable of that & singing Wandering Star at the same time.