Off Topic Coronavirus

This virus would probably have killed hundreds of thousands if left unchecked. I understand what you are saying about the effect of locking people down on the economy etc but I feel they had no choice.

 

You're absolutely right that all elements need to be taken into account.
The "bill" for this particular episode will not ever be fully known - the associated deaths, misery, mental health, lost future opportunities, even educational deficiencies, it will be impossible to fully attribute root causes.
Although not one country came even close to being fully prepared for this, it is clear which ones have made a better fist of it and who are likely to come out best. It is no secret that those countries are the ones that take a much longer term view on their politics.
Not particularly well known but out of the "true" Scandinavian trio, Sweden has not been performing particularly well, was in much more of a need to keep the economy going than Norway or Denmark. The assistance provided to its people from NOR and DK was immediate and without any excess of bureaucracy, very, very few persons were caught in the no mans land, that you have had to face.
There have been parts that could have been conducted better, these have been dealt with in a transparent, open and clear manner.
The EU Procurement story is a case in point - It was never expected that the approach would be able to secure volumes immediately - the first consignments are ready in 10 days. These are in preparation for final part of phase 1 and for the more than likely phase 2 of this outbreak.
This was led by Germany and has included many countries outside of the EU, who gladly took up the offer. I will reserve comment as to what the Civil Service did on this (maintaining Cumming's letter of law).

As for the previous Flu epidemic(s) - it's again all quite boring really - those that have looked after their prized assets such as health, education, key industries, social equality with a long term perspective - fared much better.
Sorry, I can't answer better, monstrously busy (don't mean that as a pisstake) - I could write for hours on this.
Can tell you that no European is enjoying the lack of leadership and clarity that the UK is suffering - they genuinely do care, at least on the levels I'm interacting on.

Please stay safe, your dilemma is not of your own making, and for God's sake all stay well.

 

On a conference call, bored out of my mind, I love the Germans and Danes but they are boring, here's a poem I wrote last month when I was just in one of those meetings;

Dearest, dearest Corona
So many people scared of ya
They say you’re taking our loved ones
Please don’t let it be tonnes

We have to stay at home
Yet we’re still on the phone
Let’s be with the family and start talking
Absolutely no walking

Corona, you were born in China
It might as well have been California
You see, we’ll never learn
Whilst what’s important is what our pensions earn

People are fighting over toilet rolls
Probably because they’re talking so much out of their arseholes
This is the end, a calamity
It will all be alright with an up on the DOW or the FTSE

They say in Venice ,they can see fishes
We of course send them our best wishes
Some beautiful stories of humanity
All the goodness and love comes for free

Oh Corona, will we heed
What it is we really need
Oh Corona, will we learn
Or allow ourselves to crash and burn.

 

The topics of population densities has come up a few times, so thought I would have a quick scamper through to find a couple of links to the data.

Population density by country:
http://statisticstimes.com/demographics/countries-by-population-density.php

Population density by cities (2018 timeline but suitable enough):
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-density-125.html

It’s an interesting mix when it comes to countries. And I’m not entirely it tells the complete story (if anything at all).
The city densities are interesting. However without the Covid data to link to each city it is difficult to compare.
Of course, as has been said before, the factorisation of Health service capability is an important indicator; as would the factorisation of approach to containment and control.
Nevertheless, I though it was interesting to see how many UK cities were so high (London, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow).

Probably offers more questions than answers.

 

Danish have you turned into tEd

 

Nurse Jenny Mcgee has put those ridiculous rumours to bed regarding the PM in hospital.
She has been asked to do many interviews but refused she did one and one only. She was cleared like the other nurse to do it.
Hopefully now those slugs on twitter and social media that tried to make out he was faking it, will go back under their stones.

 

So having quiet skies for 3 weeks, (except for a police helicopter last Sunday that was chasing a stolen car)...last night there was a huge great Chinnook helicopter heading over our house and again this morning. I suspect the army are distributing something.

 

After the amazing job they did in setting up the Nightingale Hospital, I am surprised that they weren’t put to the task of zonal testing, firstly for NHS, then for frontline workers and care homes and wider. They would have had it planned an organised in weeks.

 

Yes you Beth! With all your alleged knowledge they are kidnapping you

 

I sense a hint of sarcasm there jefferey

 

You joke Jeff, I am worried .I just got this, this morning

Dear Professor Bethan,

How are you?

I hope you are okay and with your family and be very careful with the COVID.

Hereby I sincerely invite you and your family to visit China at the end of this year or the beginning of the next year if the COVID-19 can be controlled successfully. If you cannot come to visit China in person, it is also possible to attend some online academic seminars. Since now the business in China is going to be fully recovered, there will be more opportunities to be honarary scientific advisor for scientific companies and universities located in China and Japan or co-develop some projects. Any of your ideas or suggestions will be valued and will be compensated financially. We try to bridge your new methods with Chinese population, laboratory facilities and funds. If you have some good projects, we can also help you to set up company in mainland of China and may be in the future to become listed company in PRC or Hongkong.

Another important thing, is that, now is global pandemic of COVID virus, and because I am a medical doctor and get access to many masks resources and diagnostic kits of COVID virus of manufacturers in China and India, I hope I could help find resources such as the masks and other personal protective materials to support your home country for this difficult and urgent period.

I am waiting for your message.

Best and take extremely care.

Dr. Morris

 

I got a letter today Beth,

Dear Mr Bobmid,

We here at 10 downing street are requiring your services as a plasterer and checking availability of services.
We are in desperate need of somebody to plaster over the cracks that have appeared in our response to the Covid19 pandemic.

Yours sincerely, BJ

Ps. Cough cough

 

Ooh that hurt Ellers

 

It is OK, I do realise it is a scammy scam....probably by Jeff

 

Cant be, he never writes more than he can be arsed with!

 

Turns out that plaster wont quite cover their cracks. I've recommended a structural engineer!

 

I see Bob a job has answered for me then, should’ve kept him on ignore & will now, haven’t got time for geezers like that

 

Some more fantastic input Jeff. Bet your the life & soul at a party!

 

Postmortem to be carried out on my step brother in 10 days. Until then, we are totally non the wiser as to cause of death.

 

Sorry to hear that Bob and having a post mortem just prolongs the grieving process too.