CoronaVirus ==> Empty Shelves

[BobL]

Based on the experiences of the husband and wife on the cruise, a two week lockdown wouldn’t work. Maybe a month or more would be required if this biphase is happening. No economy could withstand the effects of a total shutdown for a month or more.

I wouldn't be giving give the experiences of a coupe on a cruise ship much credibility.

A two week lockdown should be long enough to determine
a) if its doing anything at all
b) how much longer to lockdown
c) to assess lifting the lockout on some areas but not others

This is exactly what China and Korea have done. And it looks like it has worked.
Interesting to see a world wide shut down of all Apple stores and a reopening of all Chinese Apple Stores.

[Lappa]

So that fact that she appears to have been re infected or the virus has laid low then recurred isn’t worth a consideration?
its now March 15 and Wuhan was locked down on the 23 Jan. A lot longer than 2 weeks.
Souh Korea didn’t lock down but tested 250000 and has the potential to test 15000 a day. Do t see a lot of testing I. Australia.
i received an email from work to state that if I show ANY symptoms at all, to self isolate, see a doctor etc. etc.
However I can only stop a student from attending if they have come from China, Italy etc recently or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive. There is nothing in the instructions to state they if arrive systematic I can refuse them entry. That’s the NSW Govt. for you

[GraemeCook]

The toilet paper fiasco is bizarre. ....

Possibly it relates to the competence of individual supermarket managers.

Local Woollies ran out of toilet paper last Friday week. Next day, Saturday, a semitrailer delivered a very large load of toilet paper. The local branch manager did three things:

1. Fully restocked all shelves,
2. Set up mid-isle stands of toilet paper, and
3. Set purchase limit of one pack of toilet paper per customer per visit.

The "problem" has gone away.

[GraemeCook]

Is this the same idiot that said, when this first started, there was no need to check the temperatures of people entering Australia or restricting flights in from countries such as China?
........

Are you referring to the gentleman who's first response to the bushfires was to pray .... and the fires immediately got worse? Did Satan respond?

[GraemeCook]

Anyone seen the ads? The ones I’ve seen are about as attention grabbing as a blank hospital ward wall, Too little, too late, too slow, too confusing, too much political backside covering, too selfish, too self serving, etc
i guess it’s business as usual?

So true. I want to hear from the Director of Public Health.

That is very different from what scotty from marketing says that the Director might have said.

The difference is credibility.

[ian]

Now your talking population numbers.

The statement of yours I questioned was “Say 1.5 times the number of confirmed cases in Canada. “

On that basis 218/197 = 1.1 not 1.5.

sorry Lappa, my bad

I meant the comparison to refer to the relative population size between Canada and Australia (which is 1.5) in comparison to the number of confirmed cases which (as of this morning in Canada) stood at 218 -- is approximately 1:1.

Of course all that is now historical.
As of 22:50 UTC on 14 March, the number of confirmed cases in Canada is 244, plus 5 probable. source Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update - Canada.ca
BTW, the Canadian data is up to date as of 5:50 PM Eastern Standard Time

As of 20:30 UTC on 13 March, there were 197 confirmed corona virus (COVID-19) cases in Australia. (as of a few minutes ago, the number of active cases in Australia has not been updated for at least 24 hours.)


In Canada updates on positive test results are published twice daily.

[Lappa]

Ian.
Now 250 and the Govt is meeting to consider closing schools

[ian]

So true. I want to hear from the Director of Public Health.

That is very different from what scotty from marketing says that the Director might have said.

unfortunately, I think the director has been nobbled.

[Lappa]

Just spoke to my sister who lives in the USA.

Her words for the situation over there are “its a clusterf#$k”
First Trump said it was a hoax by the democrats, then “it’s no worse than the flu” and now they dont have enough test kits to even test those who show symptoms.
One lady went to hospital last week to get tested and it cost her $3000.
Now Trump has declared a National Emergency but she reckons its way too late and she’s a retired anesthetist

[Bushmiller]

To my mind the time has come for absolute bipartisan status in Australia. If the effect on the economy is to be minimised (it clearly cannot be avoided) and if the well being of the the populace is to be maximised, severe strategies have to be put in place.

Albanese has in principle declared he will support this with the proviso that there had better not be any repetition of the sports rorts episode. Now I don't have too much regard for the leaders of either party, but they should not be fighting each other or demeaning each other in any way. This type of catastrophe requires solidarity and a positive plan of action. Saying that the ban on mass gatherings will only come into force in two days time is ludicrous. Sure, it is going to be financially extremely hard for many, many businesses including sporting groups: Indeed, sporting groups may be among the hardest hit.

Regards
Paul

[ian]

Ian.
Now 250 and the Govt is meeting to consider closing schools

so, at 250 confirmed Australian cases, the situation is approximately 50% worse than that in Canada.

and Canada is limiting gatherings to no more than 250, while Australia is sticking to 500




Maybe BobL can advise the statistics behind those numbers

[GraemeCook]

Lappa, it is quite interesting to see how various countries are responding.

When the Diamond Princess saga was at its peak, Japan had the capacity to conduct only 200 corona virus tests per day.

South Korea is now testing 20,000 people per day.

The cost of a test in Japan is ¥2,500 or approximately Aus$35, and gives results in seven hours; soon to be reduced to 15 minutes.

[Lappa]

So the question is - who do we test? Those with symptoms and those eno have been in contact with someone infected seems a good choice. Then what’s to say someone who has been in contact may show negative one day and positive the next (if that’s possible).
Do we test all and sundry? Seems like a waste of resources. It would be interesting to know who are they testing in South Korea.
Sounds like the USA is a basket case re testing kits.
Whats the Govts policy in Australia re testing - will they limit it to a select group or groups?

[Kuffy]

Coronavirus Australia live coverage: Massive surge in COVID-19 cases in NSW, QLD

Schools stay open. Anyone entering Australia from overseas must self-isolate for 14 days.

[Lappa]

so, at 250 confirmed Australian cases, the situation is approximately 50% worse than that in Canada.

and Canada is limiting gatherings to no more than 250, while Australia is sticking to 500




Maybe BobL can advise the statistics behind those numbers

March 14th Canada had 257 cases and 1 death.

Also, to make the Australia rate 50% worse than Canada’s, based on the previous Canadian figure you supplied of 218, there would have to have been 327 cases in Australia to be 50% worse than Canada