COVID-19 | science, damage limitation, NO POLITICS

[Manoli]

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SKYNews (UK) covering the crisis as well, if not better, than anyone.
News, live feed, broadcast via YouTube
https://youtu.be/9Auq9mYxFEE

The shocking centre of the COVID-19 crisis
SKYNews 5 minute documentary
https://youtu.be/_J60fQr0GWo

NYT Corona virus outbreak LIVE feed
https://www.nytimes.com/news-event/coronavirus

NEJM
Covid-19 and the Stiff Upper Lip — The Pandemic Response in the United Kingdom (NEJM)

[Manoli]

In most western countries case numbers have been increasing by about 33 per cent a day, a sign that other countries may soon be facing the same challenge as Italy.  The Asian city-state of Singapore and the territory of Hong Kong are on a different trajectory in terms of the growth in case numbers. The rate of increase has so far been relatively contained through rapid and strict measures.

UK is in real trouble here. On current trends, UK could hit Italy’s death count in ~9 days. Italy locked down 10 days ago. UK is already behind that schedule.

[Manoli]

FT live blog
Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads

[armand]

https://nyti.ms/3dnAfoq

Stuff for nightmares

[LesPalenik]

Virus increasing rapidly in Italy, Spain and UK. Indeed, and also the death curves are steepening.

Interestingly, Taiwan has it under control. They instituted early the tests, and they have also the necessary protective equipment. So far, only 162 cases with 2 deaths. All this without any lockdown. The stores and restaurants are still open and kids still go to school.

[armand]

Visuals

[DP]

FT live blog
Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads

paywalled...

[DP]

non paywalled - https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

[Robert Roaldi]

There are several places to get data, here's another dashboard fyi, https://ncov2019.live/data.

They're reporting a large increase in US infections today. Might be because of better testing, so more reliable confirmations.

[Manoli]

paywalled...

I realised after I'd posted. Shame on the FT!
Anyone with access to Twitter can follow @jburnmurdoch - he's the stistician and man compiling the charts for the FT.

For an ongoing 'LIVE' blog there's also The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/22/coronavirus-news-coronavirus-live-updates-deaths-uk-italy-lockdown-spain-us-new-york-south-america

[LesPalenik]

It looks like Italy is slowly catching up to the China numbers, and USA is quickly catching up to both of them.
At the present rate, by end of the week USA could have the undesirable distinction for most infection cases.

[Robert Roaldi]

Today's numbers show that both Italy and Spain had smaller daily increases today than yesterday. I hope it's an early indication that the "lockdown" is having an effect. Still a long way from good news though.

[armand]

It looks like Italy is slowly catching up to the China numbers, and USA is quickly catching up to both of them.
At the present rate, by end of the week USA could have the undesirable distinction for most infection cases.

It will, it has a much larger population than Italy and unfortunately it doesn't look that we are that far behind in regards to spread.

[Alan Goldhammer]

Today's numbers show that both Italy and Spain had smaller daily increases today than yesterday. I hope it's an early indication that the "lockdown" is having an effect. Still a long way from good news though.

I read a technical paper the other day from a group of Italian and Greek data analysts and they are looking at the end of May for a fade out of new cases.  It's very math heavy but if you are interested, here is the link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.17.20037689v1

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

This shouldn't be about (international) politics, but it is good to see this level of cooperation. It also raises an interesting question about dealing with each country's limited hospital resources: what if we could shift doctors and supplies from country to country, as the virus spreads across the globe?

[Robert Roaldi]

I read a technical paper the other day from a group of Italian and Greek data analysts and they are looking at the end of May for a fade out of new cases.  It's very math heavy but if you are interested, here is the link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.17.20037689v1

Thnx. I'm not a subscriber so can only see the abstract. End of May is still a long way away.

[LesPalenik]

This shouldn't be about (international) politics, but it is good to see this level of cooperation. It also raises an interesting question about dealing with each country's limited hospital resources: what if we could shift doctors and supplies from country to country, as the virus spreads across the globe?

Cuba is used to provide their doctors on the loan and at a relatively low cost. However, some of their missions, especially to South American countries can be very dangerous.

Cuba has long been renowned for its medical diplomacy - thousands of its doctors work in healthcare missions around the world, earning the country billions of dollars in cash.

With more than 30,000 Cuban doctors currently active in 67 countries - many in Latin America and Africa, but also European nations including Portugal and Italy - Cuba's authorities draw up strict rules in an attempt to prevent citizens defecting once abroad.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48214513

[Manoli]

This shouldn't be about (international) politics, but it is good to see this level of cooperation. It also raises an interesting question about dealing with each country's limited hospital resources: what if we could shift doctors and supplies from country to country, as the virus spreads across the globe?

In addition , China reported to have flown in over 20,000 kgs of urgent medical supplies and medics bringing their experience to bear. Looking at he evening reports, it looks as though the UK is still woefully behind the curve - surprise at the high % of those unwilling to even follow basic ukgov guidelines.

All eyes on the UK , but Spain is increasingly, and startlingly, vulnerable and high(er) risk.

[Manoli]

NYT and Washington Post raise blood pressure (in the US) , depending which side of the political spectrum one lies. Recommend the Guardian live blog for what, so far, seems balanced, factual, reporting.

For an ongoing 'LIVE' blog there's also The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/22/coronavirus-news-coronavirus-live-updates-deaths-uk-italy-lockdown-spain-us-new-york-south-america

[armand]

NYT and Washington Post raise blood pressure (in the US) , depending which side of the political spectrum one lies. Recommend the Guardian live blog for what, so far, seems balanced, factual, reporting.

When you are in shock that can be a good thing. Idea for a study: check if the patient is republican or democrat, and if their blood pressure gets low start quoting CNN or Fox and see how long you can postpone the initiation of vasopressors.