It seems that the Secretary of State for Health has been doing other things these last few months instead of ensuring the NHS has enough equipment to deal with an unavoidable epidemic. I already knew that Matt Hancock is mediocre. We can know be reassured that he’s a moron. This is one reason for the delaying strategy; the NHS is hopelessly short of being prepared.
"If you produce a ventilator, we will buy it. No number is too high."
Health Secretary @MattHancock says "the thing the NHS needs now more than anything is more ventilators", and the has been "buying as many as we can".
Italy is reporting that 368 people died over the last 24 hours. In Spain, 97 people have lost their lives and there are 2000 new Covid-19 cases. The numbers everywhere are increasing rapidly. Switzerland reports 800 new cases.
Germany will impose temporary controls on its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg on Monday to stop coronavirus spreading.
Other EU states are also taking radical action, with Austria banning gatherings of more than five people from Monday.
The Republic of Ireland is asking all pubs to shut until 29 March and schools in the Netherlands are to close.
The moves follow strict measures taken by France and Spain on Saturday.
The Stereophonics gigged in Cardiff last night. Bath held a half-marathon today. All involved are out of their minds. The first line of defence, and the strongest, is every one of us. How we all behave has the greatest potential impact. Everyone should be keeping away from everyone else already, as much as possible. We all have to nip to the supermarket, but gigs and fun runs are not essential.
A lot of people are losing their minds over British schools and colleges not (yet) being shut down. Who knew that we had so many expert virologists?!
Caveat blogger: I have no idea if schools should be closed. I am not remotely qualified to judge. But the people who are qualified, and who are leading government policy, say that they will close, but not yet. Even though it has been explained why they are still open, a lot of people seem to have not got the message. I’m not surprised; the government’s communication has been appalling.
So a man out there made this helpful little video to explain the strategy. It’s a brilliant piece of communication, but then he didn’t spend 4 years studying Communication at university.
When amputee Shreya Siddanagowda was offered new hands, the Indian student did not hesitate – even though they were big, dark and hairy, and once belonged to a man.
Now, her new hands have not only become more slender but also changed colour to match her skin tone, mystifying the doctors who carried out the 13-hour transplant.
I admit to a little chuckle at a young woman waking up with big hairy man hands. Come at me. But the medicals are fascinating. They are now daintier lady hands and have changed to match her skin tone. Did anyone know that is a thing? And how does that work? Hormones?
SKY NEWS: A doctor has described the last moments of coronavirus patients, saying they remain lucid until the end and ask to talk to their loved ones by phone as they realise they are dying.
Gee, thanks for that.
I’ve seen more photos of scared people wearing face masks than is really necessary. Every story has them because a story isn’t enough. The striking visuals are needed to draw us in as much as a headline. And I’ve read more than enough doom too. Sky News has always been trashy. When I last looked at the Daily Mail website, two days ago, the top twenty stories all had the same underlying message, that being that WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!
So no more sensationalist media for me. I want simple facts only from now on. I know where to find them and I can add all the doom I want by myself.
Coronavirus cases in Spain have risen by 1,500 to more than 5,700, reports the BBC. These are confirmed cases. We can assume that tens of thousands have contracted it. According to Reuters:
Spain decided Saturday to follow Italy in declaring a nationwide lockdown to slow the accelerating spread of the coronavirus epidemic, Spanish media reported.
Spain’s decision came as European countries took ever more severe, though widely varying, measures to reduce contact between their citizens and slow the pandemic […]
According to a copy of the royal decree seen by The Associated Press, Spain’s government was to announce Saturday that it is placing tight restrictions on movement for the nation of 46 million people while declaring a two-week state of emergency.
It looks like the numbers are about to explode. Maybe health care capacity is reaching limits. Jet2, a British airline, turned back seven flights en route to Spain this morning. Why people are still packing their bags now eludes me. No doubt reports from Spain will update later.
ATW regular Paul McMahon lives in Pamplona. Everyone sends their best of course to the McMahon family. This is coming to everyone, and very soon.
Another week done at the coalface of capitalism. This canola virus appears to have knocked Greta off the front pages. Yep, we know what really matters.
We like to push the boundaries on the Friday night jukebox, but I admit I might be pushing them a touch too much here. Nevertheless I like this dark, dark tune. I have no idea what it’s about but there’s something immersive about it. Normal service shall soon be resumed.
Have a great weekend, whatever you’re up to. All the football and most of the rugby is off. Blimey, we’ll have to learn to talk to each other. As always, feel free to share your top sounds down below –
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You do not defeat terrorism by rewarding terrorists, regardless of how many bleeding heart liberals argue otherwise. Want to know where that flawed approach leads to? Read UNIONISM DECAYED 1997-2007 - It's my first book and it explains what happens when you seeek to appease terrorists and call it peace. It's available right now for ATW readers so make sure you get your copy by emailing the editor! This is the book that dissents from the herd mentality that doing wrong can lead to being right. It doesn't and this book spells out WHY.
