Worries about the Coronavirus 29

[gnomeisland]

Last thread about to finish.
(Long time Lurker)

Is Boris doing a statement today?I missed Nicola's

Tedros WHO briefling on bbc news now.

Everyone in my small town was out and about today, sitting in coffee shops, pubs etc. Crazy.

"London is facing a lockdown, possibly before the weekend, as Boris Johnson prepares sweeping new measures — including school closures — to tackle the rapid spread of the coronavirus."

From the FT app (which won't let me share a link as I only have free registration, non subscriber access.)

32 more deaths in England www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/mar/18/uk-coronavirus-live-boris-johnson-pmqs-cbi-urges-government-pay-businesses-directly-saying-350bn-loangrant-package-not-enough

I don't know if it's to do with who they are testing or who's caught it, but our initial death rate does seem high.

Scotland and Wales are shutting schools on Friday. Why can't Boris?

Sky News Breaking - 'NHS England has confirmed 104 people have died in the UK after testing positive for covid-19'

norman smith -'Latest data from France and Italy shows "young people are getting seriously ill" says US #coronavirus coordinator.'

@lannister Ed-sec announcement to come this evening, so we might yet.

Highest jump in deaths and cases x

WHO statement making me so tense.

TUC recommendations:

1 - Wage subsidies for people who have lost work. “Just like in Germany, Denmark and Sweden the government should subsidise wages for reduced hours and help working families,” the TUC says.

2 - Sick pay to be available for everyone, with the rate increased from the current £94 per week.

3 - Better support for parents who need to take time off work to look after children.

4 - A further significant economic stimulus. “The government must help people meet their rent, mortgage and debt payments, give people living on benefits and pensions a significant bump in income,” the TUC says.

5 - A taskforce combining employers and unions working together to avoid mass unemployment.

I would expect Boris to do exactly none of these based on his current track record.

I think to cover people in crisis with no money going forward they should give money to all those who pay no tax,

Easily identifiable and quick.

Anyone who doesn't need it could opt to give the money to their local foodbank.

Otherwise desperate people will have to get food any way possible, including looting. Or starving.

Education gadgee to make a speech at 5pm.
I cannot fathom what he might say...🤔🤔

@MangePasTesOnglesVilain That would definitely be a good idea. They could also perhaps temporarily increase child benefit to help with the extra costs of children staying home.

I agree that if lots of people start to run out of money at once (and bear in mind the psychological effects of lockdown too), things could get ugly.

I cannot fathom what he might say.

After how long its taken so far to make a statement on closing them even if it was just to send everyone else home and ensure children of front line workers were the only ones attending a part of me honestly wouldn't put it past them to still say it wasn't the right time.

My 3dc are entitled to free school meals and having them home every day needing lunch and wanting snacks is going to put a strain on my supplies. I always struggle to think of lunches for them. Dds dad has lowered the maintenance so I'm down over £100 a month thanks to that. They aren't seeing him either and that amount is based on him seeing them EOW and half the holidays. It will be interesting to see if they offer any help to those in a similar situation as me.

Do we maybe think young people are getting seriously ill in France and Italy because all the media coverage says they won't? So many MNers even keep saying 'kids don't get it'. I had to have stern words with my 19 year old who seems to think if he gets it he will be fine. I think the press has a lot to answer for on that one.

Guys stock up on sanitary pads etc..
This is apparently the biggest sell out now..

www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-works-with-charities-to-galvanise-covid-19-volunteers

The move follows a forum of 40 leaders from across the civil society sector last week, chaired by Minister for Civil Society Baroness Barran, where representatives from charities, disability groups, faith-based groups and the voluntary sector discussed their response plans to the Covid-19 outbreak and their willingness to support the Government’s efforts.

Attendees included the British Red Cross, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Small Charities Coalition, Locality, Interfaith Network, Muslim Aid, The Scouts Association, UK Youth, Sustain, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action.

Many charities – such as FareShare and the British Red Cross – are already organising to support those affected by Covid-19.

I think increasing child benefit temporarily is a good idea and an easy way to quickly get additional money to parents who are going to have the additional unexpected cost of feeding children now at home instead of school. It’s all already set up, it’s just the amount they would have to change.

I still don’t get the WHO border advice. Particularly passenger travel. Loads doing it now but why not at the outset.

norman smith '"Its not racist. It comes from China." @realDonaldTrump
defends referring to #coronavirus as a Chinese virus.'

I think to be fair younger patients in France/Italy/Netherlands are the 30-50 years old

Our number of deaths does seem high.
Does anyone know how that compares with other countries for a similar amount of cases?
I’m sure I seen a pic on here at some point that compared but the threads moved so quick I can’t see it?