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

Good luck!

In other news, I'm trying to get seconded back to my old team to do the actual health protection and surveillance that are required for contact tracing etc.

contact tracing

Haven't we stopped contact tracing now we're in the delay phase?

Like a 'proper' detective?

Excellent call.

Just about the only thing left;)

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Best world food aisles in the borough.

Apart from maybe housewives cash and carry on deptford high street

Why would you bother with sathyam around the corner?

https://emcrit.org/ibcc/COVID19/

This, genuinely, is just about the best medical summary I have found so far. It is regularly updated, from a trusted source, and one I have always turned to during my training. Their podcast is brilliant- and is transcribed for those who can't access podcasts.

There are a few bits I'm wary of (ie the inevitable inclusion of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)- but we all need a bit of levity now and then, I guess).

I though sathyam was Indian only...

Nah its a mix, heavy on indian, best bombay mix aisle in the borough

Well that escalated quickly ... the entirety of Spain is being told to stay indoors from 8am Monday. The only permitted reasons for travelling are to buy food, go to work or go to hospital.

I’ve a feeling I’m gonna get very good at Mariokart.

Nice. I can't believe I haven't been. You're not the first person to recommend it. Might pop down now actually.

I haven't seen anybody claiming to be an expert.

Some people are definitely less experterer than others though.

I felt I was able to say that simply because so many public health and infectious disease specialists have said the same thing.

Why not quote them rather than the unattributable source who happens to be mate?

I think it’s pretty clear what I am saying. The Uk’s response is in stark contrast to those countries that have successfully beat the virus.

Why would I need to be qualified to say that?

Please report back.

These are uncertain times.

i think criticism of the UK policy is valid, however, I also think given how fucking dumb and selfish a significant percentage of our population now is (reflecting generations of the same economic policy that has shaped a particularly callous outlook on the pandemic) it's probably also the most realistic.

There's such a large percentage of people in the UK that are so entirely unable to limit their activities even over the immediate future that expecting them to do so in the medium or long-term is absolutely hopeless. If we wanted genuine containment then we should be doing what Norway and Denmark are doing by cancelling everything and closing off schools/tourism and testing the fuck out of everyone getting ill. I think it's fair to say that more socialist-minded countries will find this easier to enforce.

But what the fuck do I know, just another crank on the internet etc.

I'm like the Pryzbylewski of health.

Which countries have beaten the virus?

Because it seems this is long from over...even for those countries, possibly.

Imagine how tetchy we’ll be after 4 weeks confinement

Because I didn't feel that I needed to, given the density of reporting of concerns over the UK approach.

That’s true, it might come back with a vengeance or it could fizzle out and disappear. We don’t know, but they’ve bought themselves some time and brought down the number of new infections and deaths.

Well even the WHO doesn’t understand why we’re the only country banging on about herd immunity.

Can you please point me to where "we" are banging on about heard immunity?
Here's your starter for ten: http://gov.uk/coronavirus

I heard we don’t know how effective the virus is at mutating (is that the right word?) or if it can at all. But what is the likelihood that a virus would mutate? Is it rare? The flu is the only one I have heard of doing it but I know zilch.
Weirdly we have a mouse problem in our flat- brought on by our neighbors doing renovations it seemed- and I find myself a bit freaked out by the germy little fuckers in a way I am sure I wouldnt be in normal circumstances. With a modest stockpile of rice and bags of pasta due to the virus the situation is putting significant pressure on my Tupperware collection!