Scrutable

shpalman wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:44 pm The only people being tested for the virus here are those who show symptoms and have had contact with people known to have had it. This is because we just can't test everyone. Obviously if you only test people who have serious symptoms, then the rate at which the virus provokes serious symptoms is going to look much higher than it really is.

Testing figures

As of today (26th February 2020), a total of 7,132 people have been tested: 7,119 have been confirmed negative, 13 have tested positive. 8 people have now been discharged from hospital.

"they'd met up with some students in Paris this week"

lpm wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 3:55 pme) people stupid enough to think they are going to win the lottery should be ten thousand times more certain they are going to die

shpalman wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 4:44 pm

But given that last week I was in a room with a guy who goes to the same sports club (but not playing the same sport) as the Italian "patient one" (we still don't know who patient zero was) I wouldn't be surprised at all if I had it.

A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, in what authorities say is the first such case.

The woman, in her 40s and a resident of Osaka in western Japan, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains, the prefectural government said. She first tested positive on 29 January and was discharged from the hospital after recovering on 1 February, before testing negative on 6 February.

The health ministry confirmed the case was the first in Japan where a patient tested positive for coronavirus for a second time after being discharged from hospital, Japanese media said.

Though a first in Japan, cases of second positive tests have been reported in China.

[...]

“Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs,” said Professor Philip Tierno at New York University’s school of medicine.

He said much remained unknown about the virus: “I’m not certain that this is not bi-phasic, like anthrax,” he said, meaning the disease might appear to go away before recurring.

dccarm wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:22 am A girl (10yo) in my son's class has been sent home to self-isolate for two weeks. The reason? - she was at the rugby in Rome last weekend.

Woodchopper wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:26 am

dccarm wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:22 am A girl (10yo) in my son's class has been sent home to self-isolate for two weeks. The reason? - she was at the rugby in Rome last weekend.

Denmark's first case has just been confirmed, which is a man who was on a skiing holiday in Italy.

dccarm wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:22 am A girl (10yo) in my son's class has been sent home to self-isolate for two weeks. The reason? - she was at the rugby in Rome last weekend.

Woodchopper wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:49 am According to the Guardian, there have been 139 cases in Iran, and 19 deaths.

That's a case fatality rate of 13.7%, which is very high. Suggests to me that there are a lot of unidentified cases. Which will make containment difficult.

headshot wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:41 am

Woodchopper wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:26 am

dccarm wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:22 am A girl (10yo) in my son's class has been sent home to self-isolate for two weeks. The reason? - she was at the rugby in Rome last weekend.

Denmark's first case has just been confirmed, which is a man who was on a skiing holiday in Italy.

Presumably not in Rome...

Woodchopper wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:19 pm

nefibach wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:43 pm

Pucksoppet wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 3:11 pm Aren't masks mainly meant to be worn by people showing symptoms to limit the spread of infected secretions? Medical personnel treating patients need high quality (N95?) well fitting masks replaced regularly, but the general population don't need that - is that not correct?

If you want to limit how much you touch your own face, wearing sunglasses and a large bandanna worm over the nose and mouth Saturday-afternoon Western style, tucked into the collar of your shirt or blouse would probably work.

You are correct. Masks show some usefulness when worn buy people who are ill and symptomatic, with properly fitted respirators for medical personnel. The general population do not benefit from wearing masks when out and about.

If you want to limit your chances of getting sick then:

• Learn how to wash your hands effectively from this NHS guide. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-bo ... our-hands/
• Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating and after touching door handles or other hard surfaces that may harbour the virus.
• Use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol if handwashing facilities are unavailable.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and immediately throw it away.
• If you do not have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your elbow.
• Practice touching your face less.
• Do not shake hands or kiss cheeks when greeting others - use an elbow-bump or avoid contact completely.
• Push lift buttons with a knuckle instead of a fingertip.

What do people think about these suggestions for what an employer could do if the situation worsens:

- Encourage hand washing - eg distribute hand sanitizer, put up notices reminding people.
- Prioritize washing door handles, elevator buttons etc.
- Discourage handshaking - eg via notices and leadership taking the lead.
- Remove sources of infection - eg shared bowls of fruit, nuts, chocolate etc.
- Postpone or cancel seminars, conferences or other large gatherings of people. Would require informing clients etc about changes to planned activities.
- Postpone or cancel international travel, especially to affected areas.
- Allow lengthy periods of remote working (eg at a home office) so as to allow people to avoid crowded areas such as stations, trains or buses.
- Anticipate that to a greater extent than usual, employees may be on sick leave for long periods, or may need to spend lengthy periods caring for others (will affect planned completion of work for clients etc).

Any you'd add, remove or edit?

As mentioned, they'd be needed if things got worse, I'm not suggesting that all are done tomorrow.

Brightonian wrote:And using self-service tills at the supermarket? I'm doing these things now on the assumption that it would help, but I don't really know.

Vertigowooyay wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2020 2:31 pm

Brightonian wrote:And using self-service tills at the supermarket? I'm doing these things now on the assumption that it would help, but I don't really know.

Using touchscreen self checkouts at the supermarket doesn't sound great. Like those touchscreen order points at fast food places - even under normal circumstances, do you really want to use one of them before you sit down to eat with your hands?