Coronavirus.

[DerekC]

I see we have now got Jet2 turning back several flights to Spain in mid air and leaving passengers waiting for a return flight to the UK stranded. That seems like a real panic overreaction.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I see we have now got Jet2 turning back several flights to Spain in mid air and leaving passengers waiting for a return flight to the UK stranded. That seems like a real panic overreaction.

With no-one actually telling us WHY they turned back!
Did the Spanish authorities refuse entry?
Did the airline worry about it's planes and crews being stranded on landing?
Preventative measure in consideration of the passengers on the plane and not putting them in the face of danger?
Or plain knee-jerk over-reaction not based on science, official guidance, legislation or regulation?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I see we have now got Jet2 turning back several flights to Spain in mid air and leaving passengers waiting for a return flight to the UK stranded. That seems like a real panic overreaction.

I would certainly be interested to know what is going on there. I do wonder if they'll do rescue flights. They aren't known for being an airline that leaves people stranded - they did for example put on coaches (and put them in their booking system as flights) when the ash cloud thing was going on, to which (in international travel terms) this has a fair level of equivalence.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Anyway, a report from the rails...on the 1316 Bletchley-Rugeley, front coach, and there has been no more than 3 other people there. Guard still doing tickets though. That said, Saturday early afternoon is always a quiet time on the railway, it's Sunday evening that will be telling. I don't predict a riot, as it were.

I may well go to London on Monday and if so that will also be telling.

 

[flymo]

Still quite a few Jet 2 flights heading for the Canaries though.

 

[Mogster]

With no-one actually telling us WHY they turned back!
Did the Spanish authorities refuse entry?
Did the airline worry about it's planes and crews being stranded on landing?
Preventative measure in consideration of the passengers on the plane and not putting them in the face of danger?
Or plain knee-jerk over-reaction not based on science, official guidance, legislation or regulation?

Seems like a total overreaction.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Seems like a total overreaction.

I think if I was Jet2 I would explain why - unless they have been told they can't of course.

 

[GB]

There has been a rise of 1500 confirmed cases in Spain in the last 24 hours alone with their death toll currently around 120. The government has ordered all restaurants, shops and activities to close effectively locking down the country.

 

[GB]

With no-one actually telling us WHY they turned back!

Who is "us"?

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Who is "us"?

The reader of the story.
To forestall your next point.
If I don't need to know WHY they have been turned back, I don't need to know they have been turned back either. Either report the story in full, or don't report it at all.

 

[GB]

You haven't linked to a story so I have no idea what or where you have been reading...however perhaps it was a breaking and developing story and all the facts were unknown... as is often the case with breaking news.

 

[Howardh]

I'd like to know if anyone is altering their daily leisure routine as a result of Covid-19?

The only difference to me is I'm visiting less-full pubs so I can sit away from everyone but today I pulled out of my hockey team's game - worried that if I catch CV I could unwittingly pass it on to the elderly at my late mum's club that I still attend. There's a lot of physical contact in hockey, and a lot of spray from the mouths of players. It's probably a slim chance of infection; but a risk that needn't be taken.

I was due - and to date I'm still going - to the Whitby Annual Goth Festival at the end of April. As all hotel rooms are booked, if the organisers cancel it (no large venues involved, just a lot of stuff individually eg specialist market, gigs in pubs etc so currently there's no need) then I reckon the majority will still go anyway, unless there's a total shutdown of pubs, public transport etc.

So the situation is - currently the venues can prepare with extra sanitation etc; whereas if it's cancelled thousands could still arrive but not have the sanitation in place.

Somewhere like Glastonbury is a different case - hundreds of thousands packed into a small(ish) area so the virus has a better chance of spreading - and out in the countryside taking up medica recourses that could be used elsewhere.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd like to know if anyone is altering their daily leisure routine as a result of Covid-19?

Not at the moment, but I have very little contact with older, more vulnerable people. If I did, particularly in the same household, I think I might be thinking differently.

 

[Howardh]

Those jet2 flights "turned back" - if some were close to final approach and were turned back, then they would have to land somewhere to take on fuel. In practice planes to Spain should have enough fuel to abort landing, return and get at least half-way back or more, but they certainly don't carry enough to return to the departure airport.

 

[rg177]

I have, perhaps as I'm pretty healthy and 21, ended up continuing with my wee break to Glasgow and Arran the past two days.

It's been pretty busy as usual up in Scotland but my train back to Manchester is noticeably quiet and people are spacing themselves out.

My own university has suspended face to face teaching following seven confirmed cases of the virus and once I return to Sheffield this evening I'll be staying indoors as much as is practical. I'll happily save my money now until things have calmed.

I'm also not returning to Newcastle for the moment as my father is taking medication for cancer.

 

[Howardh]

Not at the moment, but I have very little contact with older, more vulnerable people. If I did, particularly in the same household, I think I might be thinking differently.

As I alluded to, I like to visit my late mum's club so if I thought I had been near someone with the virus that would have to stop.

One thing that is annoying is that it's difficult to be intimate with new "dates", not even a cheek kiss.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I'd like to know if anyone is altering their daily leisure routine as a result of Covid-19?

The only difference to me is I'm visiting less-full pubs so I can sit away from everyone but today I pulled out of my hockey team's game - worried that if I catch CV I could unwittingly pass it on to the elderly at my late mum's club that I still attend. There's a lot of physical contact in hockey, and a lot of spray from the mouths of players. It's probably a slim chance of infection; but a risk that needn't be taken.

I was due - and to date I'm still going - to the Whitby Annual Goth Festival at the end of April. As all hotel rooms are booked, if the organisers cancel it (no large venues involved, just a lot of stuff individually eg specialist market, gigs in pubs etc so currently there's no need) then I reckon the majority will still go anyway, unless there's a total shutdown of pubs, public transport etc.

So the situation is - currently the venues can prepare with extra sanitation etc; whereas if it's cancelled thousands could still arrive but not have the sanitation in place.

Somewhere like Glastonbury is a different case - hundreds of thousands packed into a small(ish) area so the virus has a better chance of spreading - and out in the countryside taking up medica recourses that could be used elsewhere.

Advice is to carry on as normal unless you show symptoms.

There is a big fuss about Bath half-marathon (tomorrow, Sunday 15th) NOT having been cancelled. Yet the Midlands Grand National is on at Uttoxeter today - with no-one suggesting it should be cancelled and the same with Stafford half-marathon also tomorrow.

Mass hysteria is breaking out. Some people have stopped listening to the expert advice. It will soon become unstoppable and every organised event will be cancelled whether needed to be or not due to media/peer pressure.

 

[Howardh]

My own university has suspended face to face teaching

Pity Alex Ferguson doesn't manage Man U any more, I'm sure the players would be relieved not to suffer his "face to face coaching" for a few weeks!!!

 

[Howardh]

Some people have stopped listening to the expert advice.

They stopped listening in 2016.

 

[JonathanH]

There is a big fuss about Bath half-marathon (tomorrow, Sunday 15th) NOT having been cancelled.

I'd like to think that people taking part in that refrain from spitting which is far too prevalent in physical (and not so physical) activity these days.

Advice is to carry on as normal unless you show symptoms.

Presumably the continuation of that advice will depend on whether the rates match or get ahead of the government's strategy and modelling.

I think the government should probably put the number of deaths from Coronavirus in the context of the 1250-1500 deaths expected in each day of March based on recent trends.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I'd like to think that people taking part in that refrain from spitting which is far too prevalent in physical (and not so physical) activity these days.



Presumably the continuation of that advice will depend on whether the rates match or get ahead of the government's strategy and modelling.

I think the government should probably put the number of deaths from Coronavirus in the context of the 1250-1500 deaths expected in each day of March based on recent trends.

Agreed, but the government is no longer in control of the agenda. In charge of official advice re mass gatherings, yes, but in charge of who tells whom which events ought to ahead, no. That has been taken over by social and other media. How dare X continue to hold their event when Y have cancelled theirs. How irresponsible X is.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Agreed, but the government is no longer in control of the agenda. In charge of official advice re mass gatherings, yes, but in charge of who tells whom which events ought to ahead, no. That has been taken over by social and other media. How dare X continue to hold their event when Y have cancelled theirs. How irresponsible X is.

Yep, the pitchfork brigade have taken over resulting in a load of stuff cancelled unnecessarily.

 

[Mogster]

I think the government should probably put the number of deaths from Coronavirus in the context of the 1250-1500 deaths expected in each day of March based on recent trends.

Yes, I do find the fact that 1500 people die every day not being mentioned strange. It’s almost as if the government doesn’t want to remind us of the fact. People, mostly older or with underlying conditions, die in large numbers of infectious disease every day, even in Western countries with good healthcare.

One of the reasons the Philippines has been slow in reporting Coronavirus cases is that they have a serious Dengue Fever problem at the moment. 100s of thousands of cases, many 1000s of deaths around 50% infants. People in the UK are stressed because they can’t buy bog rolls...

 

[DarloRich]

Advice is to carry on as normal unless you show symptoms.

There is a big fuss about Bath half-marathon (tomorrow, Sunday 15th) NOT having been cancelled. Yet the Midlands Grand National is on at Uttoxeter today - with no-one suggesting it should be cancelled and the same with Stafford half-marathon also tomorrow.

Mass hysteria is breaking out. Some people have stopped listening to the expert advice. It will soon become unstoppable and every organised event will be cancelled whether needed to be or not due to media/peer pressure.

Agreed, but the government is no longer in control of the agenda. In charge of official advice re mass gatherings, yes, but in charge of who tells whom which events ought to ahead, no. That has been taken over by social and other media. How dare X continue to hold their event when Y have cancelled theirs. How irresponsible X is.

Yep, the pitchfork brigade have taken over resulting in a load of stuff cancelled unnecessarily.

I agree. The government are losing control of the message and credibility but I don't agree with your analysis as to why. I told you above why. None of you agreed.

It isn't hysteria ( can we try and find a grip please?) It is people looking at what the government have said ( worst public health crisis in a generation & many people will die before their time) and compared that with the actions taken ( don't go on a cruise. Stay home if you have a sniffle) then compared that with actions elsewhere ( full shut down/closed borders/flight restrictions/home quarantine), thought a bit about Johnson and his history and then thought hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm not sure and taken steps to prepare to look after themselves and their families.

The government have left decisions about things like football to the governing bodies and they have thought better safe than sorry. I cant really blame them for that!

I will say that IF you listened to the full press conference the decisions made make perfect sense. Most wont have heard that. They will have heard soundbites and made their conclusion. That conclusion is that the government haven't done enough. That was the chat on the train on the way to work yesterday. That was the chat in the pub. That was the chat at the society I went to today. Confidence in the message is lower than it should be. That is a bad situation to be in at what we are told is the early stages of mitigation.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, I do find the fact that 1500 people die every day not being mentioned strange. It’s almost as if the government doesn’t want to remind us of the fact.

But that isn't the important point. The important point with Covid-19 is that is easily transmittable, dangerous to certain sections of the community, has no real treatment, no cure, we have no in built immunity and we don't know anything about it. The other issues you mention are known to us. There are diagnostic tests, treatments and perhaps cures available.

BTW the very serious risk is mutation. That is what is thought happened with Spanish flu and why it killed so many in two distinct waves

 

[RichT54]

More young patients being admitted to hospital, Italian doctor warns

“The type of patient is changing,” Luca Lorini, the head of anaesthesia and intensive care at a northern Italian hospital, has said.

“They are a bit younger, between 40 to 45 years old and the cases are more complicated.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...le-hospital-luca-lorini-bergamo-a9402531.html

 

[Domh245]

the cases are more complicated

That's the interesting bit there. My reading of that would be that it's younger people with pre-existing conditions or issues. Nothing particularly surprising as it's known to affect those people more than healthy people.

 

[Esker-pades]

From an Asian perspective on this, well a Geordie living in Asia, we've had this thing in Hong Kong now for well over 2 months and life still goes on. People are going to work though it should be noted quite a few do still work from home, people will self isolate if ill, restaurants and shops are getting back to normal but some are still slow or closed (particularly in the Central business district), supermarkets are mostly well stocked and can't give loo roll away now but flights to/from HK are still decimated. Cathay Pacific had only 32 flights in the air around the whole word this afternoon (normally nearer a hundred) and over half or these 32 were cargo. Domestic transport is still a little disrupted, bus companies are parking buses up and giving staff unpaid leave - due to fewer commuters and no school kids, MTR trains are less frequent off-peak and schools remain closed til after Easter. As it stands schools may open for older students around Apr 20-ish. China is starting to open up also if only a little and factories are getting things done.
The Gov't here is now enforcing a quarantine for all incoming passengers from most of Europe, except UK - at least for now. They are more worried about imported cases now rather than home-grown as the domestic situation is fairly stable now. Long story short, this place is still basically locked down and little way in or out (nowhere to fly to !! ) but life within these walls is showing some semblance of normality, people are still working etc, and more returning to work week by week.
I do watch Sky News every day (The BBC stuff we get overseas is pants by comparison) to get the latest info on what is going on in UK and I honestly believe this is only the start based on what happened here. It will get worse there before it gets better but life will still go on, it has to.

Slightly off topic, but I honestly find the BBC World Service a far better source than the BBC domestic news. I'm not sure if that's what you're referring to though.

 

[miami]

I'm finding it concerning the number of things saying "we're shutting down until April 3rd". This feels like the "finished by christmas" ww1 attitude.

People will think that in a few weeks, maybe early april, maybe mid april, things will start "getting back to normal", and at that point we'll have a massive spike in cases, but won't have the nuclear "shut everything down" option.

I'd like to know if anyone was not reassured after watching the full press conference (the one with Spock and McCoy - the chief scientist and the chief medical officer -- the guy in the middle was the womaniser with the dodgy hair). I was very reassured that the scientists were in charge and Johnson wasn't.

 

[Mathew S]

I'd like to know if anyone is altering their daily leisure routine as a result of Covid-19?

Yes. Working from home when I can, and driving to the office when I have to be there rather than travelling by train. Those are both steps I've taken by choice, but because they're easy, relatively painless things for me to do, and cost me nothing.