Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

Boris Johnson answers a question on schools by saying more action will be taken "imminently".

Closed from today?

Taxis ranks full everywhere. Didn't see a passenger in a single taxi that was moving.

Taxis could be infection hotspots. Poor taxi drivers (really).

Pretty obvious right but makes me anxious.
Still haven’t seen any breakdown of fatalities for Italy

Trays of buffet left over sandwiches in our office. Mmmm, no thanks.

Had to send a mildly “Stay the fuck home” message to my 74 yr old father in law - showing early onset dementia and has Type 2 diabetes - to avoid the temptation to see his three grandkids “because we won’t see them for a while.” The 8 year old, sharp as a tack, said, “But papa, we’d rather see you alive in a wee while rather than dead in a few weeks.” Luckily the grandad took it on board and they are all staying put. Kidz r da future.

Am I correct in thinking that as this test checks for the RNA of the virus rather than the presence of antibodies then it is zero use in working out if you've had COVID-19 already?

https://privateharleystreetclinic.com/products/covid-19-test

Thinking about the weather. watched a forecast last night. Promise of a lovely Spring with beautiful blossoms and Spring flowers out there. Will be like rubbing salt in the wounds as summer comes closer and we're locked in doors.

Though being optimistic, would warmer weather reduce the virus spread?

would warmer weather reduce the virus spread

Too early to say, but based on experience with other viruses and other coronaviruses in particular, probably. Won't wipe it out, but will reduce infection rates.

would warmer weather reduce the virus spread?

Some evidence it would but very small sample size: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3551767

twitter thread: https://twitter.com/ActuaryByDay/status/1239554333710172161

What's the spread rate like in Australia?

The Netherlands will aim to develop immunity to coronavirus among its population by allowing large numbers to contract the illness at a controlled pace, prime minister Mark Rutte announced in a national address on Monday.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/coronavirus-dutch-adopt-controversial-herd-immunity-strategy-1.4204578?mode=amp&utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

Confirmed infections only in the 100s range, so too early to say. I'm not sure what the testing rate is either, so there could be lots of untested positive cases.

Awesome kid

My partner got a WhatsApp message about 'garlic water' being a cure for Corona virus.
So she made me drink a glass full this morning...Strangely enough, left me feeling a bit better from a cold/fever yesterday .

If you've got a car Stanmer is good for dog walks and, by all accounts, not too busy.

Salt and garlic done - they'll be on to old favourite 'diluted bleach' soon.

Welsh and Scottish schools closing at the end of this week (Welsh by Friday, Scotland after Friday).

England "unlikely" to follow. copypasta error!

England "unlikely" not to follow.

Though being optimistic, would warmer weather reduce the virus spread?

It doesn't seem to be helping in Australia. They're behind where we are but cases are going up rapidly and according to a friend who's over there at the moment people aren't taking it very seriously. Someone literally said to her "Coronavirus? Oh that's a city thing".

It reduces the strain on the health system though which leaves us better equipped to deal with it.

Laura K tweet says "unlikely not to follow", i.e. COBRA likely to decide this PM to close English schools as well.

Given how we're climbing the walls on day 5 of self-isolation, I can't say I'm massively looking forward to it...

Yep. Also if we're all social distancing but still allowed to go for walks/bike rides it's really going to help.

Yup, fucked up copypasta. Fixed now.

Looking forward to taunting my 10yo with home schooling.

Although I did say we'd work on a computer game in Scratch on her Kano.

Yes defo. Get out and exercise, keep the immune system up but stay away from close contact.

Sounds good.

she made me drink a glass full this morning

Sounds like coronavirus should not be your biggest worry just now

On BBC news they've just shown a little old lady making use of the early hour at Iceland to buy 2 packs of 24 Andrex loo roll. Obs she’s regular!!