Coronavirus.

[MidlandsChap]

Interesting stats from a reasonably large sample size in China.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

 

[underbank]

Commuters/workers at risk with chronic conditions should be first group allowed/encouraged not to travel or go to work. They're at risk of potentially life threatening complications at worst, or potentially permanent damage (to lungs etc). So they shouldn't really risk putting themselves in harms' way. Employers need to be sympathetic to such staff and encourage them to travel fewer days, work from home where possible, etc.

 

[Howardh]

You'll need a visa, medical check-up and a signed statement renouncing all of Mordor, sorry Lancashire....
Oh and you owe us all a pint....

Since I wrote that our plans have changed and we're staying this side of The Great Divide tonight, which is a shame as I had my inoculations especially. Still, they're good for a few months, just in time for the Yaarkshire-hammering season AKO Crikkit.

Can't remember where the "pint" bit came from.....

 

[The Ham]

Well obviously those groups will be more worried but then those groups are also more worried about seasonal flu or a bad cold.

Well lets just hope it doesn't start mutating and we continue to be worried more about the social and economic impacts that the deaths.

The thing with seasonal flu is that there's a vaccination which would offer some protection, especially if enough people took it up to provide some herd protection as well.

 

[Busaholic]

Presumably those people who are members of the vulnerable groups have reason to be concerned (I wouldn't quite go as far as terrified!).

Well, I'm not, even though catching it would probably see me off. This afternoon I had to go to hospital for a pre-op assessment, which consisted of a series of tests, measurements and answering various questions as to my 'health history'. As I was the last appointment of the day I wasn't hurried in any way, and both the experienced nurses I met separately were quite chatty and engaging, and both brought up the subject of Coronavirus, though the second refused to use that word. They each, in their own way, deplored the way it had been handled so far at an official level, and the second nurse in particular was utterly scathing about why a variant of an influenza virus that shows absolutely no signs of becoming more than an irritant to the general populace could gain such prominence when hundreds, sometimes many thousands, die every year from 'ordinary flu'. One of the questions I was asked related to Mad Cow Disease, and whether I'd had it, which made us both laugh, as a reminder of previous panics, now long forgotten. She did tell me that a previous patient had said 'yes' to that question, and she was still deciding how to process this 'information.'

 

[Bletchleyite]

The thing with seasonal flu is that there's a vaccination which would offer some protection, especially if enough people took it up to provide some herd protection as well.

I never bothered having it until I got diagnosed with asthma, at which point it became free so I do have it (the pharmacist offered it and did it on the spot when I went in to collect some inhalers). Think the plastic bag tax regarding motivation there.

Given the low cost of it, one would think that if they offered it to everyone for free more people would, and some strains might even die out.

I would expect a vaccine will be along fairly soon, some are already in testing. This is one reason why the Government are trying to delay any major outbreak, the other being so the winter flu has died down and more hospital capacity becomes available. I don't think anyone thinks they can actually stop it entirely, particularly as you can be infectious without symptoms.

 

[Bantamzen]

I never bothered having it until I got diagnosed with asthma, at which point it became free so I do have it (the pharmacist offered it and did it on the spot when I went in to collect some inhalers). Think the plastic bag tax regarding motivation there.

Given the low cost of it, one would think that if they offered it to everyone for free more people would, and some strains might even die out.

I would expect a vaccine will be along fairly soon, some are already in testing. This is one reason why the Government are trying to delay any major outbreak, the other being so the winter flu has died down and more hospital capacity becomes available. I don't think anyone thinks they can actually stop it entirely, particularly as you can be infectious without symptoms.

Any vaccine is currently thought to be 12-18 months away, so it is not something that can be relied on for possibly the next two flu seasons.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

Do you have idiots panic buying toilet paper? Cause down here they're stripping the shelves bare.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do you have idiots panic buying toilet paper? Cause down here they're stripping the shelves bare.

In case they get the sniffles, which notably is not a symptom of COVID-19? (If there was a shortage, there's always the Asian method, some consider it more hygienic anyway).

 

[blue87]

Do you have idiots panic buying toilet paper? Cause down here they're stripping the shelves bare.

No loads left on the shelves when I did my shop the other day.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

In case they get the sniffles, which notably is not a symptom of COVID-19? (If there was a shortage, there's always the Asian method, some consider it more hygienic anyway).

In case they get isolated for 14 days.

https://twitter.com/ByrnsyDarren/status/1235147261203668999
This scene is repeating itself everywhere in Australia.

Even someone pulled a knife on someone else at the Wollies at Parramatta!

https://twitter.com/DickBong_69/status/1235146997734281217
It's like they're preparing for an asteroid to hit!

 

[Bletchleyite]

In case they get isolated for 14 days.

With the trots, which is also not a symptom of COVID-19? I only buy bog roll once a month anyway!

 

[flymo]

Do you have idiots panic buying toilet paper? Cause down here they're stripping the shelves bare.

Been happening for weeks here in Hong Kong but the panic buying has abated of late. Supermarkets now are overstocked as everyone has hundreds of the damned things. They are 'buy 1 pack - get 1' in some places to shift them.

This gem is how ridiculous it became a few weeks ago here https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...d-gang-steals-hk1000-toilet-paper-coronavirus

Nuts, totally nuts. !!

 

[Bantamzen]

Been happening for weeks here in Hong Kong but the panic buying has abated of late. Supermarkets now are overstocked as everyone has hundreds of the damned things. They are 'buy 1 pack - get 1' in some places to shift them.

This gem is how ridiculous it became a few weeks ago here https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong...d-gang-steals-hk1000-toilet-paper-coronavirus

Nuts, totally nuts. !!

You're missing a trick there!! Buy them up, get them on eBay, tidy profit!!!

 

[PTR 444]

Regarding train travel, if the virus causes all services to get cancelled or shut down by the government, will people be able to get refunds or be able to use their ticket at a later date?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Regarding train travel, if the virus causes all services to get cancelled or shut down by the government, will people be able to get refunds or be able to use their ticket at a later date?

Yes (to the former). If you decide not to travel due to a cancellation (whether that is due to Coronavirus or not) you are entitled to a full refund from your point of purchase, that is a standard thing.

 

[Bantamzen]

Regarding train travel, if the virus causes all services to get cancelled or shut down by the government, will people be able to get refunds or be able to use their ticket at a later date?

This is a highly unlikely situation as things stand. There might at some point be an advisory about travel if there is widespread infection, or if large numbers of staff report possible contraction. But otherwise plan as normal until otherwise advised.

 

[DarloRich]

Regarding train travel, if the virus causes all services to get cancelled or shut down by the government, will people be able to get refunds or be able to use their ticket at a later date?

if that happens there might be bigger fish to fry than your delay repay vouchers.............................

 

[PTR 444]

Yes (to the former). If you decide not to travel due to a cancellation (whether that is due to Coronavirus or not) you are entitled to a full refund from your point of purchase, that is a standard thing.

What about someone who purchased their tickets in January to travel at the beginning of April, either becomes unwell or finds their journey cancelled as a result of the virus. Since they would have paid an advanced fare, would a full refund still apply to them?

 

[PTR 444]

This is a highly unlikely situation as things stand. There might at some point be an advisory about travel if there is widespread infection, or if large numbers of staff report possible contraction. But otherwise plan as normal until otherwise advised.

So definitely no nationwide travel ban then?

 

[Darandio]

So definitely no nationwide travel ban then?

Erm, nobody knows?

 

[PTR 444]

Erm, nobody knows?

Well if the worst case scenario is a skeleton network to ensure no line is without a basic service, then that's not so bad. Much better than somewhere like Southampton being completely cut off from Birmingham, Manchester etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What about someone who purchased their tickets in January to travel at the beginning of April, either becomes unwell or finds their journey cancelled as a result of the virus. Since they would have paid an advanced fare, would a full refund still apply to them?

For ALL single/return tickets, regardless of when they were sold or who by, if the train you intended to travel on was cancelled you can abandon your trip and have a full refund from the point of purchase. This is a universal passenger right provided for by the NRCoT.

If you're unwell, tough luck, just like if you get any other illness, though of course you can change the date/time of the ticket for a tenner, or if it's a walk-up just refund it.

Season tickets are a bit more complex, however, and may need something specific to be arranged.

 

[Bletchleyite]

So definitely no nationwide travel ban then?

It hasn't been ruled out.

 

[Mag_seven]

I hope that all train operators that have toilets on their trains are ensuring they are well stocked with water, handwash, paper towels etc and that all handryers are operational.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I hope that all train operators that have toilets on their trains are ensuring they are well stocked with water, handwash, paper towels etc and that all handryers are operational.

And if you believe that.....

 

[Bantamzen]

So definitely no nationwide travel ban then?

It hasn't been ruled out.

Oh good grief, unless tens of thousands start falling over then travel within the country will not be restricted.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Oh good grief, unless tens of thousands start falling over then travel within the country will not be restricted.

I think the projection of 80% infected is highly likely myself.

 

[Bantamzen]

I think the projection of 80% infected is highly likely myself.

For goodness sake, are you working for the tabloid media? It is a variant of the flu virus, admittedly one that has a potential higher mortality rate amongst the most vulnerable, but nonetheless it is not so far as horrific as you want to imply.

 

[Darandio]

Who has projected an 80% infection rate?