Coronavirus Thread III: The Show Must Not Go On (READ OP)

[Rojava Free State]

This virus was the result of a containment breach at the Wuhan lab so the CCP tried to cover it up, the aftermath is our fault but we can't forget the source of the pandemic.

At least it wasn't smallpox.

Is that confirmed? I thought tests had (somehow) confirmed it was a 'natural' disease occurring in an animal?

That doesn't mean it didn't come from a lab. The test confirmed this isn't a bioweapon, in the sense it wasn't generically engineered to kill people.

[Vetalia]

[
Is that confirmed? I thought tests had (somehow) confirmed it was a 'natural' disease occurring in an animal?

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

[San Lumen]

[
Is that confirmed? I thought tests had (somehow) confirmed it was a 'natural' disease occurring in an animal?

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

That’s scary if true and you should send your plan for reopening to every state Governor

[Bombadil]

[
Is that confirmed? I thought tests had (somehow) confirmed it was a 'natural' disease occurring in an animal?

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

May 1st is the start of a week long holiday in China so everyone's back on the loose given the government has loosened travel restrictions. I guess we'll see if they've contained it as much as they say in a couple weeks time.

[Albrenia]

[
Is that confirmed? I thought tests had (somehow) confirmed it was a 'natural' disease occurring in an animal?

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

Well shit.

So the rumours of the people working there selling the animals that die in testing to meat markets might be true? That would be deeply concerning, and paint the CCP in an even more directly responsible light than 'merely' covering up an outbreak and silencing the whistleblowers.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

That’s scary if true and you should send your plan for reopening to every state Governor

What, the lock down hospitals and nursing homes plan? I don't think so.

[Vetalia]

That’s scary if true and you should send your plan for reopening to every state Governor

Not as scary as the weaponized anthrax in Sverdlovsk or the Marburg/Reston breaches.

Or smallpox...what is saddening is the fact that the last samples of this virus will never be destroyed, ending it forever simply because they are maintained in two different countries.

[Vetalia]

That’s scary if true and you should send your plan for reopening to every state Governor

What, the lock down hospitals and nursing homes plan? I don't think so.

This is the most effective and common-sense plan there is.

[San Lumen]

What, the lock down hospitals and nursing homes plan? I don't think so.

This is the most effective and common-sense plan there is.

Yes I agree and you should send it too every governor

[Rojava Free State]

It seems very likely based upon recent reports from multiple intelligence agencies and China's actions lately once we started looking more closely at the Wuhan lab.

The most plausible explanation is that it was a natural virus that the lab was working on and engineering for legitimate medical purposes but someone screwed up and it got loose.

Well shit.

So the rumours of the people working there selling the animals that die in testing to meat markets might be true? That would be deeply concerning, and paint the CCP in an even more directly responsible light than 'merely' covering up an outbreak and silencing the whistleblowers.

At that point, China would be almost totally to blame. Covering a disease up is one thing, but selling the diseased remains of animals to markets is a whole new thing.

Also the whole animal testing thing kinda disturbs me, but that's a debate best left for another time.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

What, the lock down hospitals and nursing homes plan? I don't think so.

This is the most effective and common-sense plan there is.

You didn't address my objection. The staff who work in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care live in the general community. You can't keep the virus out of those places without locking the staff in 24/7.

Plus, plenty of vulnerable (eg old) people live in the general community. Including with families. Please address that too.

[Ohkhos]

I mean really? we can stay open for a little longer, I guess, if I catch anyone selling corona I will execute them immediately,
you can count on intellinegent decisions from this country.

[Rojava Free State]

I mean really? we can stay open for a little longer, I guess, if I catch anyone selling corona I will execute them immediately,
you can count on intellinegent decisions from this country.

Like B O I.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

I mean really? we can stay open for a little longer, I guess, if I catch anyone selling corona I will execute them immediately,
you can count on inelegant decisions from this country.

The General forum is OUT OF CHARACTER. Impersonating a psychotic dictatorship here is just likely to get you a warning. Eg for trolling.

News yesterday had a story about people selling infected blood (not blood plasma, blood) on the internet. I'd agree those people should be tracked down and punished. I'm thinking jail not execution though.

[Gormwood]

This could have all been prevented had he not disbanded the pandemic response team Obama created. It could have been possibly been contained in China.

Do you think that an American team could have gone to China and convinced Chinese authorities to do the right thing in December ?

I have my doubts on that.

They wouldn't be disappeared by the CCP and could have gotten in advanced warning that some strange new shit popped up in Wuhan.

[The land of colmecti]

Bananas are tasty

[Bombadil]

Do you think that an American team could have gone to China and convinced Chinese authorities to do the right thing in December ?

I have my doubts on that.

They wouldn't be disappeared by the CCP and could have gotten in advanced warning that some strange new shit popped up in Wuhan.

Given how the US has handled the pandemic I'm not sure they'd be particularly useful.

To be fair China shared the DNA with WHO very quickly, in December I think, although the fact they were able to do so that quickly does suggest it was already decoded, lending some support to the accidental release theory.

The problem with China is that they kind of weirdly ignored it, they decided there was no human-to-human transmission, told the WHO that and carried on normally. The Mayor of Wuhan even organised a world record attempt for the largest shared meal ever. Even when people in Wuhan were asking 'what the fuck is going on' the government blithely ignored it until.. BAM, total shutdown of some 11M..

..essentially, as the Mayor of Wuhan said, he simply cannot make a decision under the administration of Xi Jinping, the degree of fear and top down management means no one will do anything until it comes to the attention of Xi.

It's why I contrast to HK, where the government also fucked up but the people completely ignored them and took matters into their own hands - it shows the degree to which top down authoritarianism is inherently poor by design, and why those countries lending to authoritarianism have suffered worse than others.

[The Alma Mater]

Please call Trump and tell him that. His response to this pandemic was 100 times worse than the disease itself.

This could have all been prevented had he not disbanded the pandemic response team Obama created. It could have been possibly been contained in China.

Even the most competent pandemic response team would still have had "I do not listen to experts because I am smarter than all of them" Trump as president.

[Maineiacs]

Bananas are tasty

Best. First. Post. Ever.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

It's why I contrast to HK, where the government also fucked up but the people completely ignored them and took matters into their own hands - it shows the degree to which top down authoritarianism is inherently poor by design, and why those countries lending to authoritarianism have suffered worse than others.

Hmm. Is that analysis based on all countries, all countries with good data, or just your guess based on HK and Singapore?

'cos I'm looking at infections per capita and seeing a bunch of Western democracies ahead of Singapore ...

[Nobel Hobos 2]

Bananas are tasty

Best. First. Post. Ever.

Just an alt trying to bury something I think.

[Bombadil]

It's why I contrast to HK, where the government also fucked up but the people completely ignored them and took matters into their own hands - it shows the degree to which top down authoritarianism is inherently poor by design, and why those countries lending to authoritarianism have suffered worse than others.

Hmm. Is that analysis based on all countries, all countries with good data, or just your guess based on HK and Singapore?

'cos I'm looking at infections per capita and seeing a bunch of Western democracies ahead of Singapore ...

Singapore screwed up because they house migrant workers in large dormitories and basically ignored them. They also didn't bother wearing masks.

Taiwan and HK took to wearing masks immediately. Taiwan is helped by being about the largest manufacturer's of masks and HK simply ignored their government who said they weren't necessary. Taiwan closed its borders to China immediately and the HK medical community had to go on strike to force the HK government to do the same.

Actually Macau should get credit for similar.

Look at Brazil, Russia, China, USA.. lol.. in Uzbekistan they went so far in their denial they arrested anyone wearing a mask.. though god knows we'll never know how they're coping.

Actually look at progressive countries with female leaders and you're pretty much looking at well-managed responses.

EDIT: Not Uzbekistan, one of the Stans though.

[Australian rePublic]

I'm calling that we're allowed to take a little time and be selfish about things we're gonna miss this year. If you want to go on a purely selfish rant about what you'll miss this year, go for it. I'm calling that get one selfish rant. (Note, having lost families or income to Covid should not be considered selfish)

Here's my selfish rant- snow. I should have travelled to the Blue Mountains to see snow today. I can't because of lockdown. I was going to travel to the Snowy Mountains and have a snowy holiday this year. It's looking like it'll possibly be Australia's best snow season in terms of weather in my life so far. I probably won't be able to travel to the snow. This is going on my long, long list on things which I will never forgive the Chinese government for. Granted, this is probably toward the bottom of the list of things I'll never forgive the Chinese government for, but still nonetheless, on the list. Considering when all this shit is over, well after the ski season has ended, when we can travel overseas again, people like me who impatiently want to see snow will travel overseas and spend their money there, rather than in Australia. Considering that this is not only an excellent snow season, but the ski resorts also desperately need our money due to bush fires, I sincerly hope the operators of our ski resorts are less forgiving of the Chinese government than I am. I also sincerely hope national cabinet takes this into consideration when deciding how to ease lockdown restrictions. I was going to start a business, but can't because of Covid. I was finally going to have my own, independent income, but I can't because of Covid. That's higher on my list of things that China will never be forgiven for

Anyway, selfish rant over...

On to other news, I cannot provide a source for this, because I heard it on the radio. If I could find a way to link radio interviews, I certainly would. The NSW police commissioner has stated that across the country, and in California, USA, as there are fewer cars on the road due to global lockdowns and social distancing orders, thus causing an increase in incidents of extreme speeding. I could imagine that is happening in places beyond just Australia and California. Despite significantly fewer cars on the road, speeding has gone up 27% (I think that was the figure). This means that more of the people on the road are also speeding.

Again, something else I heard on the radio, and thus don't have a source for. Some prominent business person in Australia has told Scomo to not shatter our relationships with China because it'll be bad for the economy. Scomo said that he'll leave foreign affairs matters to foreign affairs experts and business matters to business experts. Go Scomo! I'm glad the government finally starting to stop putting with China's shit

Ah yes, here's a source about the speeding:
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-w ... -c-1010384

[Gormwood]

Best. First. Post. Ever.

Just an alt trying to bury something I think.

Probably Banana Boy again.

[Nobel Hobos 2]

This could have all been prevented had he not disbanded the pandemic response team Obama created. It could have been possibly been contained in China.

Even the most competent pandemic response team would still have had "I do not listen to experts because I am smarter than all of them" Trump as president.

If I have to pick sides, I'd say Xi handled outbreak WORSE in his country than Trump did in his.

Democracy has some advantages: we can dump Trump and get on with it. But one-party rule has it's own advantages: the cost to the West to get rid of the CCP is absolutely horrendous, we're stuck with them for decades to come. I'd rate the cost to the Chinese people, of getting rid of Xi even (let alone the CCP) as pretty damn high too, could be a hundred million dead

Anyway, selfish rant over...

On to other news, I cannot provide a source for this, because I heard it on the radio. If I could find a way to link radio interviews, I certainly would. The NSW police commissioner has stated that across the country, and in California, USA, as there are fewer cars on the road due to global lockdowns and social distancing orders, thus causing an increase in incidents of extreme speeding. I could imagine that is happening in places beyond just Australia and California. Despite significantly fewer cars on the road, speeding has gone up 27% (I think that was the figure). This means that more of the people on the road are also speeding.

That kind of "news" annoys me. They're tut-tutting about the increase in speeding, but not saying anything about bad consequences of speeding. If there is more SAFE speeding then good luck to them, pay their fine and speed again tomorrow. I like safe speeders, they're paying for road improvements!

Are there more accidents than this time last year? Are there more speeding-related accidents as percent of total?

Those would be genuine concerns.

Again, something else I heard on the radio, and thus don't have a source for. Some prominent business person in Australia has told Scomo to not shatter our relationships with China because it'll be bad for the economy. Scomo said that he'll leave foreign affairs matters to foreign affairs experts and business matters to business experts.

.

It was Andrew "Twiggy" Forest. Mining magnate.