Getting a little fed up with the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 asking the same question knowing full well the person they are asking doesn't have the answer.
If it was that easy why do the News presenters not get out and do some testing. As far as I can tell Currently the only reason to Test is for NHS workers to get back to work. I am not sure if I would like someone with the Flu never mind Corona Virus looking after me !!
It won't be until after this is all over will we know who had it right and who had it wrong. Even then it won't be easy, like the population divided by the deaths attributed to Corona to see the % and then how good is a countries Health Service lots of variables in this. Oh and of course the LIES from different countries. It's all up in the Air !!
Stay Safe Stay Well
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Prada47
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I must admit I'm with you on this one Prada. The constant bickering about what isn't being done along with all the negativity surrounding this virus is making us all scared. I've started to limit myself to one news bulletin a day delivered by the wonderful Tom Bradby. There are so many things that we are doing right in what has only been 2 weeks of lock down. Let's have some more good news stories.
In a way that’s the point. We would be much better informed about whether we are getting anywhere with this problem, if we test.
Currently, we have no idea of the real numbers, of who’s infected and who’s not, and the trends, telling us how effective our strategy is.
IE whether the numbers infected are increasing or decreasing, and by how much.
Just as importantly, for the future, we need to know who is immune. Apparently the levels of immunity vary, and how long it lasts varies. Good immunity will mean knowing who could return more safely to front line NHS work.
The world health organisation said 'Test, test and test again' .
South Korea and Singapore followed their advice - rigorously.
As a result - No lockdowns, shops and factories all open, no panic buying, no mass unemployment and no coffins being hastily assembled. No spending vast amounts of public money on temporary hospitals. Life goes on pretty much as normal.
Without testing there can be no measurement. Without measurement there can be no control. Without control there cannot be direction.
How many people live in Singapore 5 789 000 UK 67 690 000 now if you would like to work out tests to population as a % you will start to understand what your not talking about " Like for Like "
Stay Well Stay Safe
To many variables at this moment Singapore may still experience an Outbreak as may South Korea !!!
Looks like China may be heading for a second wave, don't forget there is No Cure no matter what country you are from. Herd immunity is the Only Current Way forward well that's what the Swedes believe.
Trouble is there is so much shit going around how it started china food market man made bio weapon in wuhan also the 5g tower there putting up..Corona virus has been around for years as a bio weapon and wot I dont get is the peoople covering the media dont have gloves or masks on
They are just waiting until they can catch it then blame Matt Hancock or Boris for not having PPE. The media in this country are still upset over losing Brexit and can't get over using everything in a Negative Way !!
Personal Opinion Only do not expect people to reply or agree
S. Korea has a population of 51.3 million. They are rigorously testing, analysing and controlling. Their factories and shops are humming along nicely and vast amounts of cash have not been spent on temporary hospital building. this is currently the 'Gold standard'
Sweden has a population of 9.9 million and is currently going for 'Herd immunity', no testing.
Their government has made a very brave choice and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds as 90 % of the population will have to be infected for it to work.
Germany is currently testing 500,000 a week with a population of 83 million.
Personally I think that S.Korea picked the right path and stuck to it. The next few weeks should start to show results for Spain and Italy. Is it a super flu or something much dangerous?
So you need to look at some differences. How many people travelled to South Korea from China or other High infected area and when did they shutdown their Airports ?? Not trying to pick a fight just trying to understand what is different !!
I have just read a report showing the effectiveness in slowing the spread of coronavirus in countries where people are encouraged to wear face masks.
I have also just seen the health Secretary saying that there is no reason for people to wear masks.
When all this is over the incredible incompetence of governments like the USA and UK in dealing with this crisis and the unnecessary loss of lives will be huge.
Not carping at all, just stating the obvious and that is that the excellent work undertaken by the medical community in trying to control the virus has been seriously undermined by the government's response.
Borders not closed, poor enforcement of social distancing and lock down measures and the ridiculous situation in regards to the lack of testing are just examples of where the government has failed.
Listen to all the so called experts you want to but for your sake not the ones from the UK, Europe and the USA.
Face masks are not recommended for public use to protect you from catching the coronavirus is what you stated.
If they offer no protection then why are the medical staff treating patients using them?
Your blind acceptance of what you are told is worrying. If the so called experts knew what they were doing we wouldn't be in this situation.
Countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore have all seen a decline in their infection rates and they all advocate the use of masks.
Countries like the UK, USA and Europe who have ignored this advice have seen numbers spiral out of control and their health systems over run and no matter what Professor whoever says to save his job the numbers do not lie.
The WHO has not advised the general public to wear masks.
Do you feel the WHO is wrong?
Masks have to be used properly or you can infect yourself as stated by the WHO.
The staff treating infectious patients are taught how to put on their personal protective equipment PPE and then remove it with great care.
The removal of their protective clothing including masks is the time when they can become infected.
Wearing PPE is very uncomfortable
One other consideration people in Japan , South Korea, and other countries commonly wore masks before the outbreak of the pandemic.
South Korea has been notable with how they tested many more people and traced all contacts with an infected person and made those people self isolate for 14 days.
It is as the WHO who said it is all about testing. All countries need to test, test test.
In the meantime we all need to stay at home and ensure we wash our hands properly.
I do think covering ones mouth and nose is sensible ( us angina sufferers are use to it tbf). And wash the item used. I do agree masks can provide a false sense of security. However, there are people that are asymptomatic that are carrying the virus 🦠 so it would be responsible in the current climate for people to cover ones orifices. Furthermore, I think the WHO need to have a complete re- think after this pandemic and lead the global effort from the front rather than being 2 steps behind everyone else.
The masks are of no use if your eyes are exposed! Plus, I believe one of the issues with masks are they are ill fitting, they don't seal tight and therefore are of little use, which can lull people into a false sense of security and then perhaps become a bit lax on the very important hygiene issue.
The WHO have been leading the response with very good advice learnt from the Ebola virus outbreak.
Unfortunately there was inertia at first from many governments. In particular about the importance of testing, contact tracing and imposed self isolation of those with the coronavirus
Once the dust has settled I am sure there will be a review of the Government's and society's response to the pandemic.
Hmmm, I agree the Chinese government are not known for their transparency. However, to the credit of Chinese scientists, as soon as they cracked the virus coding there shared it with the world.
I think we can learn a lot from North Korea, they haven’t had one reported case of the virus 🦠. You can’t say there not open and honest on the world stage 😏
My overarching point is the WHO should transcend political discourse.
I just watched a Leading Virologist from Cambridge University who said there is no reason to wear a face mask, if you are not wearing body and eye protection !! The information on wearing face masks is coming from an advisor based in Hong Kong who advises the WHO.
Yes you are right I have lived in New Zealand for 25 years but I am English and my 90 year old mother and my mother, father and brother in law all live in the UK so yes, I have an interest.
The New Zealand government moved quickly once our numbers began to rise and closed our borders to none citizens, recommended social distancing and enforced a lock down 10 days ago.
Despite a doubling of tests, our numbers are steady and there is very little evidence of community transmission so hopefully the lock down will end in a couple of weeks.
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