Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
COVID-19 news update for 3/6/2020
Hello everyone who reads these. I'm going to begin with the news from around the world. Normally, I would exclude the US but, in the last article, that orange menace got me angry. (I really hate that man) I put it on there in case anyone would miss this.
The Times of Israel:
El Al cancels flights to San Francisco, Europe amid ‘unprecedented’ virus crisis
Israeli airline, hit hard by spread of coronavirus, combines flights, will use smaller planes as global travel slumps
El Al on Friday cancelled a flight to San Francisco and several others to a number of European cities amid a global drop in travel over fears about the new coronavirus, with a senior company official calling it “an unprecedented crisis.”
Flights that left for San Francisco Friday morning were combined, according to El Al, due to the low number of passengers on each plane.
In Europe, the Israeli airline was cancelling some flights to Berlin, Barcelona and Zurich. All three cities are located in countries which Israel began restricting the entry of non-nationals to on Friday as part of efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/el-al-cancels-flights-to-san-francisco-europe-amid-unprecedented-virus-crisis/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-03-06&utm_medium=email
Israel weighs barring Americans, quarantine for Israelis coming back from US
Official says government blocking move thus far over fears it could harm economic, political ties with United States; National Security Council to take over coronavirus decisions
Israel on Friday was reportedly considering barring entry to citizens of a number of additional countries and forcing returning Israelis to self-quarantine, including from the United States, amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus.
The Health Ministry has been pushing to add the US to a list of destinations from where travelers entering Israel must be quarantined for 14 days, but other unspecified ministries were blocking the move over concerns it could harm political and economic ties with Washington, an unnamed senior government official told Hebrew media.
Amid tensions between various branches of government over how to handle the crisis, Economy Minister Eli Cohen told Channel 12 that Israel’s National Security Council would begin coordinating the response to the virus from Friday.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-weighs-barring-americans-quarantine-for-israelis-coming-back-from-us/
AIPAC warns Congress that two conference attendees have coronavirus
Pro-Israel lobby group sends notice to congressional offices and all 18,000 who were at annual confab, including Pompeo, Pence, Bloomberg, other lawmakers
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) warned Congress, the Trump administration, activists and others that at least two people who attended the lobby’s policy conference have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The annual conference, which ran from February 28 to March 2, drew 18,000 to Washington, DC.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/aipac-warns-congress-that-two-conference-attendees-have-coronavirus/
Israeli airline, hit hard by spread of coronavirus, combines flights, will use smaller planes as global travel slumps
El Al on Friday cancelled a flight to San Francisco and several others to a number of European cities amid a global drop in travel over fears about the new coronavirus, with a senior company official calling it “an unprecedented crisis.”
Flights that left for San Francisco Friday morning were combined, according to El Al, due to the low number of passengers on each plane.
In Europe, the Israeli airline was cancelling some flights to Berlin, Barcelona and Zurich. All three cities are located in countries which Israel began restricting the entry of non-nationals to on Friday as part of efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/el-al-cancels-flights-to-san-francisco-europe-amid-unprecedented-virus-crisis/?utm_source=The+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=daily-edition-2020-03-06&utm_medium=email
Israel weighs barring Americans, quarantine for Israelis coming back from US
Official says government blocking move thus far over fears it could harm economic, political ties with United States; National Security Council to take over coronavirus decisions
Israel on Friday was reportedly considering barring entry to citizens of a number of additional countries and forcing returning Israelis to self-quarantine, including from the United States, amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus.
The Health Ministry has been pushing to add the US to a list of destinations from where travelers entering Israel must be quarantined for 14 days, but other unspecified ministries were blocking the move over concerns it could harm political and economic ties with Washington, an unnamed senior government official told Hebrew media.
Amid tensions between various branches of government over how to handle the crisis, Economy Minister Eli Cohen told Channel 12 that Israel’s National Security Council would begin coordinating the response to the virus from Friday.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-weighs-barring-americans-quarantine-for-israelis-coming-back-from-us/
AIPAC warns Congress that two conference attendees have coronavirus
Pro-Israel lobby group sends notice to congressional offices and all 18,000 who were at annual confab, including Pompeo, Pence, Bloomberg, other lawmakers
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) warned Congress, the Trump administration, activists and others that at least two people who attended the lobby’s policy conference have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The annual conference, which ran from February 28 to March 2, drew 18,000 to Washington, DC.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/aipac-warns-congress-that-two-conference-attendees-have-coronavirus/
Kuwait Times:
Kuwait to dispatch $3 million worth of medical supplies to China: Ambassador
KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait’s Ambassador to China Samih Johar Hayat announced yesterday that the Kuwaiti Cabinet decided to dispatch medical supplies to China to back up the nation’s efforts for containing coronavirus (COVID-19). Ambassador Hayat said in a statement to the press that the $3 million donation would be in the form of urgent medical aid, to be delivered in coordination with the Chinese government. He has also expressed admiration of the measures that have been taken by Beijing “in the war on the novel coronavirus.”
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah received yesterday Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang, discussing with him issues pertaining to the bolstering of ties. Sheikh Dr Ahmad said, during the meeting, that Kuwait would continue to support China in all fields especially during the current fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
He affirmed that it was important to coordinate international efforts against the global-spreading virus. Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador commended Kuwait’s stance with China against COVID-19. Senior officials at the Foreign Ministry attending the meeting.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/kuwait-to-dispatch-3-million-worth-of-medical-supplies-to-china-ambassador/
Saudi Arabia risks fallout with coronavirus curbs on holy sites
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is treading a tightrope as it bars Muslim pilgrims from Islam’s holiest sites to contain the coronavirus, rolling out restrictions that while essential could prove both expensive and politically perilous. The kingdom has suspended the “umrah” year-round pilgrimage over fears of the disease spreading to Makkah and Medina, raising uncertainty over the upcoming hajj-a key pillar of Islam.
The pilgrimages, which pack millions of people into relative small religious sites, could be a major source of contagion and the move mirrors a precautionary approach across the Gulf to cancel mass gatherings-from concerts to sporting events. But the issue is still a potential powder keg in a volatile region where it risks riling fringe hardliners for whom religion trumps health considerations. And some devout Muslims view the pilgrimages as an important rite of passage, whatever the risks.
Already reeling from slumping oil prices, the kingdom also risks losing billions of dollars it earns annually from religious tourism as it tightens access to the sites. Its management of the crisis also shines a spotlight on the Saudi role as the custodian of the holy sites-a pillar of its political legitimacy. The coronavirus turmoil gives its critics and regional rivals fresh ammunition to “raise questions about Saudi control over Islam’s holiest sites”, said Middle East expert Yasmine Farouk from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/saudi-arabia-risks-fallout-with-coronavirus-curbs-on-holy-sites/
KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait’s Ambassador to China Samih Johar Hayat announced yesterday that the Kuwaiti Cabinet decided to dispatch medical supplies to China to back up the nation’s efforts for containing coronavirus (COVID-19). Ambassador Hayat said in a statement to the press that the $3 million donation would be in the form of urgent medical aid, to be delivered in coordination with the Chinese government. He has also expressed admiration of the measures that have been taken by Beijing “in the war on the novel coronavirus.”
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah received yesterday Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang, discussing with him issues pertaining to the bolstering of ties. Sheikh Dr Ahmad said, during the meeting, that Kuwait would continue to support China in all fields especially during the current fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
He affirmed that it was important to coordinate international efforts against the global-spreading virus. Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador commended Kuwait’s stance with China against COVID-19. Senior officials at the Foreign Ministry attending the meeting.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/kuwait-to-dispatch-3-million-worth-of-medical-supplies-to-china-ambassador/
Saudi Arabia risks fallout with coronavirus curbs on holy sites
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is treading a tightrope as it bars Muslim pilgrims from Islam’s holiest sites to contain the coronavirus, rolling out restrictions that while essential could prove both expensive and politically perilous. The kingdom has suspended the “umrah” year-round pilgrimage over fears of the disease spreading to Makkah and Medina, raising uncertainty over the upcoming hajj-a key pillar of Islam.
The pilgrimages, which pack millions of people into relative small religious sites, could be a major source of contagion and the move mirrors a precautionary approach across the Gulf to cancel mass gatherings-from concerts to sporting events. But the issue is still a potential powder keg in a volatile region where it risks riling fringe hardliners for whom religion trumps health considerations. And some devout Muslims view the pilgrimages as an important rite of passage, whatever the risks.
Already reeling from slumping oil prices, the kingdom also risks losing billions of dollars it earns annually from religious tourism as it tightens access to the sites. Its management of the crisis also shines a spotlight on the Saudi role as the custodian of the holy sites-a pillar of its political legitimacy. The coronavirus turmoil gives its critics and regional rivals fresh ammunition to “raise questions about Saudi control over Islam’s holiest sites”, said Middle East expert Yasmine Farouk from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/saudi-arabia-risks-fallout-with-coronavirus-curbs-on-holy-sites/
Al Jazeera:
Palestine declares state of emergency over coronavirus
The Palestinian Authority has declared a state of emergency in the occupied West Bank over the coronavirus epidemic after seven people tested positive.
The Israeli army has sealed off the city of Bethlehem and Palestinian officials have ordered the Church of the Nativity to close.
Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reports from the occupied West Bank.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/palestine-declares-state-emergency-coronavirus-200306152947868.html
All you need to know about coronavirus cases in India
At least 31 people, including 16 Italian nationals, infected with COVID-19 as India scrambles to contain its spread.
New Delhi, India - The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased sharply from six to 31 this week, as the epidemic that originated in China has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide.
Authorities in the capital, New Delhi, on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of primary schools until March 31 to prevent local transmission, while the central government made universal screening mandatory for all international passengers arriving in India.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-cases-india-200305091138840.html
The Palestinian Authority has declared a state of emergency in the occupied West Bank over the coronavirus epidemic after seven people tested positive.
The Israeli army has sealed off the city of Bethlehem and Palestinian officials have ordered the Church of the Nativity to close.
Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reports from the occupied West Bank.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/palestine-declares-state-emergency-coronavirus-200306152947868.html
All you need to know about coronavirus cases in India
At least 31 people, including 16 Italian nationals, infected with COVID-19 as India scrambles to contain its spread.
New Delhi, India - The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased sharply from six to 31 this week, as the epidemic that originated in China has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide.
Authorities in the capital, New Delhi, on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of primary schools until March 31 to prevent local transmission, while the central government made universal screening mandatory for all international passengers arriving in India.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-cases-india-200305091138840.html
DW:
Opinion: Will the new coronavirus spell the end of globalization?
Will the new coronavirus accelerate a general, Donald Trump-inspired shift away from globalization? DW's Henrik Böhme believes that we can at least expect a new global division of labor.
...Bottleneck scenarios are currently being analyzed by many companies in Germany and beyond. Carmakers are dealing with this issue, and so are machine builders, small- and medium-sized businesses, and DAX-listed firms. The topic has also gone viral in Germany's health care system, where the new coronavirus has exacerbated an already simmering drugs shortage.
Many people are asking whether we're seeing the beginning of the end of globalization. Do we have to reassess the global division of labor? Do nations have to bring production back home? Is there a working alternative to the global factory that's been built over the past three decades?
Repatriating production
Here's some disappointing news for all those who believe that all current problems in the world are caused by globalization: There are no easy solutions. On the one hand, globalization has led to an enormous increase in wealth and well-being, and not just in industrialized nations.
Some nations have been able to leave their status of being developing countries and have become emerging economies, lifting millions upon millions of people out of dire poverty.
https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-will-the-new-coronavirus-spell-the-end-of-globalization/a-52660788
Italy to give Diamond Princess coronavirus quarantine captain its highest honor
Gennaro Arma will receive the Order of Merit for his conduct as leader of the ship that was quarantined for nearly a month. He was the last to leave the ship just a few days ago.
The Italian captain of the Diamond Princess cruise ship will be given his country's highest honor, the Order of Merit, by President Sergio Mattarella, the president's office confirmed on Friday. Gennaro Arma has been widely praised for the care and concern he gave to the crew and passengers on the quarantined cruise ship, and for being the last person to leave the ship.
"Thank you very much to President Matarella," Arma's wife Marianna said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, "Later I will talk to Gennaro via Skype, like we do every evening, and we will rejoice together."
Arma is still in Japan, where he is in temporary quarantine until local health officials are sure he is not carrying the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
https://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-give-diamond-princess-coronavirus-quarantine-captain-its-highest-honor/a-52669982
Coronavirus in Germany: Health care system under pressure
Michael Kegler wasn't expecting to go viral for his coronavirus tweets. On Monday, the 53-year-old translator who lives near Frankfurt posted a tweet that has since been shared over 2,000 times.
"I'm currently experiencing firsthand how seriously [the state of] Hesse is taking the coronavirus: Yesterday I found out from Portuguese media that an author with whom I worked in Povoa de Varzim has been infected with COVID-19," he wrote.
What follows is a thread describing Kegler's odyssey with German health authorities — how he called the coronavirus hotline set up by the state of Hesse's Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration as well as Germany's nationwide hotline for out-of-hours care, followed by the Frankfurt University Hospital, his local health department, the doctor they recommended, and his own general practitioner — all in an effort to get tested for the virus.
The saga went on for days until his local health department called and had him get tested after all. As someone who'd come in contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient, Kegler told DW he expected to be sent straight away to get tested.
"In the end, I was shocked and amazed that it wasn't as easy as I'd thought," he said.
https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-in-germany-health-care-system-under-pressure/a-52663510
Few Germans afraid of coronavirus
Most Germans are not overly worried about the coronavirus outbreak and feel the country's health officials have the situation under control. But they're more divided on accepting refugees and Germany's political makeup.
Medical face masks and disinfectant have become hard to come by in Germany lately. It's no wonder as growing numbers of coronavirus infections are being reported in the country. Few people in Germany are bulk buying food– even though demand for pasta, canned food, wheat, oil and toilet paper has shot up.
Read more: When will 'hamsterkauf' become an English word?
While fear of contracting the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has increased in recent weeks, most Germans (76%) remain calm, a representative survey shows. The study was commissioned by public broadcaster ARD, and carried out in March by pollster infratest-dimap.
https://www.dw.com/en/few-germans-afraid-of-coronavirus/a-52657642
Will the new coronavirus accelerate a general, Donald Trump-inspired shift away from globalization? DW's Henrik Böhme believes that we can at least expect a new global division of labor.
...Bottleneck scenarios are currently being analyzed by many companies in Germany and beyond. Carmakers are dealing with this issue, and so are machine builders, small- and medium-sized businesses, and DAX-listed firms. The topic has also gone viral in Germany's health care system, where the new coronavirus has exacerbated an already simmering drugs shortage.
Many people are asking whether we're seeing the beginning of the end of globalization. Do we have to reassess the global division of labor? Do nations have to bring production back home? Is there a working alternative to the global factory that's been built over the past three decades?
Repatriating production
Here's some disappointing news for all those who believe that all current problems in the world are caused by globalization: There are no easy solutions. On the one hand, globalization has led to an enormous increase in wealth and well-being, and not just in industrialized nations.
Some nations have been able to leave their status of being developing countries and have become emerging economies, lifting millions upon millions of people out of dire poverty.
https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-will-the-new-coronavirus-spell-the-end-of-globalization/a-52660788
Italy to give Diamond Princess coronavirus quarantine captain its highest honor
Gennaro Arma will receive the Order of Merit for his conduct as leader of the ship that was quarantined for nearly a month. He was the last to leave the ship just a few days ago.
The Italian captain of the Diamond Princess cruise ship will be given his country's highest honor, the Order of Merit, by President Sergio Mattarella, the president's office confirmed on Friday. Gennaro Arma has been widely praised for the care and concern he gave to the crew and passengers on the quarantined cruise ship, and for being the last person to leave the ship.
"Thank you very much to President Matarella," Arma's wife Marianna said in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, "Later I will talk to Gennaro via Skype, like we do every evening, and we will rejoice together."
Arma is still in Japan, where he is in temporary quarantine until local health officials are sure he is not carrying the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
https://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-give-diamond-princess-coronavirus-quarantine-captain-its-highest-honor/a-52669982
Coronavirus in Germany: Health care system under pressure
Michael Kegler wasn't expecting to go viral for his coronavirus tweets. On Monday, the 53-year-old translator who lives near Frankfurt posted a tweet that has since been shared over 2,000 times.
"I'm currently experiencing firsthand how seriously [the state of] Hesse is taking the coronavirus: Yesterday I found out from Portuguese media that an author with whom I worked in Povoa de Varzim has been infected with COVID-19," he wrote.
What follows is a thread describing Kegler's odyssey with German health authorities — how he called the coronavirus hotline set up by the state of Hesse's Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration as well as Germany's nationwide hotline for out-of-hours care, followed by the Frankfurt University Hospital, his local health department, the doctor they recommended, and his own general practitioner — all in an effort to get tested for the virus.
The saga went on for days until his local health department called and had him get tested after all. As someone who'd come in contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient, Kegler told DW he expected to be sent straight away to get tested.
"In the end, I was shocked and amazed that it wasn't as easy as I'd thought," he said.
https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-in-germany-health-care-system-under-pressure/a-52663510
Few Germans afraid of coronavirus
Most Germans are not overly worried about the coronavirus outbreak and feel the country's health officials have the situation under control. But they're more divided on accepting refugees and Germany's political makeup.
Medical face masks and disinfectant have become hard to come by in Germany lately. It's no wonder as growing numbers of coronavirus infections are being reported in the country. Few people in Germany are bulk buying food– even though demand for pasta, canned food, wheat, oil and toilet paper has shot up.
Read more: When will 'hamsterkauf' become an English word?
While fear of contracting the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has increased in recent weeks, most Germans (76%) remain calm, a representative survey shows. The study was commissioned by public broadcaster ARD, and carried out in March by pollster infratest-dimap.
https://www.dw.com/en/few-germans-afraid-of-coronavirus/a-52657642
BBC:
Coronavirus: Italy reports biggest daily jump in death toll
The death toll from the new coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began.
Officials said 49 people had died in 24 hours, while more than 4,600 cases have been reported in total.
The country has now reported the most deaths outside of China, where the virus emerged in December.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51777049
Coronavirus: What misinformation has spread in Africa?
As cases of the coronavirus increase around the world, there's been a flurry of misleading or false news stories emerging, as well.
There have been relatively few confirmed cases of the virus in Africa so far, but the authorities in some countries in the continent are still having to deal with misinformation.
1. No, you don't need to shave your beard to protect against the virus
...2. Nigerian preacher fighting coronavirus
...3. False posts about a taxi driver
A story about the Nigerian driver of a man diagnosed with coronavirus was posted on social media and shared by WhatsApp users - but is untrue.
...4. Kenya training session audio causes alarm
In Kenya, the government has had to put out a statement denouncing "fake news" about the coronavirus, which includes an audio recording, circulated on WhatsApp, claiming to be an official press briefing on the virus.
...5. Cures
In Nigeria, a preacher posted a video and a poster claiming that pepper soup is a cure for coronavirus. The claim was also shared on WhatsApp.
There is no cure or specific treatment for coronavirus and the claim gives few details about the medicinal properties of pepper soup - a traditional spicy Nigerian dish.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51710617
Coronavirus: Vietnam's handwashing song goes global
Authorities around the world are trying to hammer home the message that we have to wash our hands to protect against the spread of the new coronavirus.
In Vietnam, they've produced a music video along with a dance challenge - the tune has taken the country by storm and has since gone global.
Video by Andreas Illmer. (Video at the link)
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-51764846/coronavirus-vietnam-s-handwashing-song-goes-global
The death toll from the new coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began.
Officials said 49 people had died in 24 hours, while more than 4,600 cases have been reported in total.
The country has now reported the most deaths outside of China, where the virus emerged in December.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51777049
Coronavirus: What misinformation has spread in Africa?
As cases of the coronavirus increase around the world, there's been a flurry of misleading or false news stories emerging, as well.
There have been relatively few confirmed cases of the virus in Africa so far, but the authorities in some countries in the continent are still having to deal with misinformation.
1. No, you don't need to shave your beard to protect against the virus
...2. Nigerian preacher fighting coronavirus
...3. False posts about a taxi driver
A story about the Nigerian driver of a man diagnosed with coronavirus was posted on social media and shared by WhatsApp users - but is untrue.
...4. Kenya training session audio causes alarm
In Kenya, the government has had to put out a statement denouncing "fake news" about the coronavirus, which includes an audio recording, circulated on WhatsApp, claiming to be an official press briefing on the virus.
...5. Cures
In Nigeria, a preacher posted a video and a poster claiming that pepper soup is a cure for coronavirus. The claim was also shared on WhatsApp.
There is no cure or specific treatment for coronavirus and the claim gives few details about the medicinal properties of pepper soup - a traditional spicy Nigerian dish.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51710617
Coronavirus: Vietnam's handwashing song goes global
Authorities around the world are trying to hammer home the message that we have to wash our hands to protect against the spread of the new coronavirus.
In Vietnam, they've produced a music video along with a dance challenge - the tune has taken the country by storm and has since gone global.
Video by Andreas Illmer. (Video at the link)
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-51764846/coronavirus-vietnam-s-handwashing-song-goes-global
CBC:
COVID-19 outbreak: 'Think twice' before taking a cruise, top health official warns
Canada's chief public health officer is warning travellers, especially the elderly and those with fragile health, to reconsider going on cruises after cases of the coronavirus were confirmed on a cruise ship which has Canadians on board.
"Think twice about going on cruise ships," said Dr. Theresa Tam on Friday, noting they "present environments where COVID-19 can spread easily given close contacts between passengers and crew for significant periods of time."
Tam said that even if people on a cruise do not contract the virus they could be quarantined by destination countries for extended periods of time, increasing the risk of infection.
State officials on Thursday quarantined the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California over fears of a possible outbreak. There are 235 Canadians among the 3,500 passengers and crew on board.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coronavirus-cruise-grand-princess-1.5489320
B.C. ramps up coronavirus response, activates provincial pandemic co-ordination plan
Social Sharing
B.C. is ramping up its response to the coronavirus outbreak, outlining a wide-ranging provincial pandemic co-ordination plan to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The plan focuses on "delaying, containing and preparing the province to minimize serious illness and economic disruption" — first by identifying and containing cases, and then, in its second phase, escalating government co-ordination to quickly direct resources.
Premier John Horgan, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided the update just after noon on Friday, in a media briefing that has become routine, as the virus spreads.
The plan prepares for the use of emergency powers set out in the Emergency Program Act and Public Health Act, though Dix said the province is "not at [that] point yet."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/coronavirus-bc-update-march-6-1.5488650
Trump defends U.S. COVID-19 response, calls Wash. governor 'a snake' in scattershot CDC visit
Social Sharing
U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday turned into a scattershot defence of his administration's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, veering into political score-settling, exaggerations and talk harking back to his impeachment.
With financial markets sliding and the virus spreading, Trump tried once more to quell the growing alarm that has prompted travel to be curtailed and events to be cancelled from coast to coast. But Trump, wearing his "Keep America Great" campaign hat while discussing the global worry, repeatedly detoured from his message of reassurance.
Trump called Washington state's governor, who is dealing with the most serious outbreak in the nation, a "snake." He said he'd prefer that people exposed to the virus on a cruise ship be left aboard so they wouldn't be added to the count for the nation's total number of infections. And he falsely claimed that a test for the virus was available immediately to all who want it.
He also suggested the accuracy of the coronavirus test was "perfect — like the letter was perfect." With that, Trump was making a comparison to the July phone call with Ukraine's president that led to his impeachment. Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate last month, has insisted he did nothing wrong.
Before departing Washington, Trump signed an $8.3 billion US coronavirus response funding bill at the White House and instructed the public: "Be calm. It will go away."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-cdc-coronavirus-covid-19-1.5489645
Canada's chief public health officer is warning travellers, especially the elderly and those with fragile health, to reconsider going on cruises after cases of the coronavirus were confirmed on a cruise ship which has Canadians on board.
"Think twice about going on cruise ships," said Dr. Theresa Tam on Friday, noting they "present environments where COVID-19 can spread easily given close contacts between passengers and crew for significant periods of time."
Tam said that even if people on a cruise do not contract the virus they could be quarantined by destination countries for extended periods of time, increasing the risk of infection.
State officials on Thursday quarantined the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California over fears of a possible outbreak. There are 235 Canadians among the 3,500 passengers and crew on board.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coronavirus-cruise-grand-princess-1.5489320
B.C. ramps up coronavirus response, activates provincial pandemic co-ordination plan
Social Sharing
B.C. is ramping up its response to the coronavirus outbreak, outlining a wide-ranging provincial pandemic co-ordination plan to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The plan focuses on "delaying, containing and preparing the province to minimize serious illness and economic disruption" — first by identifying and containing cases, and then, in its second phase, escalating government co-ordination to quickly direct resources.
Premier John Horgan, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided the update just after noon on Friday, in a media briefing that has become routine, as the virus spreads.
The plan prepares for the use of emergency powers set out in the Emergency Program Act and Public Health Act, though Dix said the province is "not at [that] point yet."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/coronavirus-bc-update-march-6-1.5488650
Trump defends U.S. COVID-19 response, calls Wash. governor 'a snake' in scattershot CDC visit
Social Sharing
U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday turned into a scattershot defence of his administration's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, veering into political score-settling, exaggerations and talk harking back to his impeachment.
With financial markets sliding and the virus spreading, Trump tried once more to quell the growing alarm that has prompted travel to be curtailed and events to be cancelled from coast to coast. But Trump, wearing his "Keep America Great" campaign hat while discussing the global worry, repeatedly detoured from his message of reassurance.
Trump called Washington state's governor, who is dealing with the most serious outbreak in the nation, a "snake." He said he'd prefer that people exposed to the virus on a cruise ship be left aboard so they wouldn't be added to the count for the nation's total number of infections. And he falsely claimed that a test for the virus was available immediately to all who want it.
He also suggested the accuracy of the coronavirus test was "perfect — like the letter was perfect." With that, Trump was making a comparison to the July phone call with Ukraine's president that led to his impeachment. Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate last month, has insisted he did nothing wrong.
Before departing Washington, Trump signed an $8.3 billion US coronavirus response funding bill at the White House and instructed the public: "Be calm. It will go away."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-cdc-coronavirus-covid-19-1.5489645
Calling our Governor a snake? Because he's actually doing SOMETHING about this outbreak? God, I hate 45! I simply HATE that man! He's more worried about the number of COVID-19 cases than the humanity!
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
