Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[Gups]

All safe and well thanks. The boy (who Shelf met when he was a baby, damn time flies) has had A-levels cancelled, he's not sure whether he's pleased or not. 

Wow.

Have they explained what's going to happen for A-levels yet?

Teacher assessment goes to OFQUAL (or whatever their called). Option of taking in Sept/Oct or next Summer. He has his heart set on Manchester but needs ABB which is a stretch for a lazy party animal

[Gups]

Bit more detail on that. Does sound like potentially the best bit of news we've had for quite a while

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/25/uk-coronavirus-mass-home-testing-to-be-made-available-within-days

Good to metaphorically "see" you Gups.

And I agree as well; this may be the best bit of news in a while.

It sounds like a test NHS workers should be taking every day, though, if I read how it works correctly - so I do wonder whether they've ordered enough for the general public as well. We have a distinct tendency towards underestimation in this country.

They are saying 3.5m arriving in "days" with millions more on order. Will go to vulnerable and key workers first and then on offer to general public. Question is whether we can trust joe public.

[Zanza]

Antibody tests would be a game changer as it would allow to find all the hidden asymptomatic cases.

[Iormlund]

I was in London until the 10th, went to the office one last time on the 11th and have been working from home since the 12th. More shopping early on, now it is only groceries. It is amazing and frightening how fast the world changes within two weeks...

Even days - my behaviour hasn't changed much from pre-lockdown to now, because I was following the advice. But psychologically it just feels like a different world, which is in, what, two or three days.

I actually feel much less stressed out now.

A couple weeks ago I was still trying to get my employer to see what was going to happen and that I needed to distance myself from the rest of the staff. Nobody thinks I'm a lunatic anymore. If anything, most people have gone past me into full hysteria mode.

[Legbiter]

How long has Spain been in total lockdown? Feels like eons ago.

[The Larch]

How long has Spain been in total lockdown? Feels like eons ago.

It'll be two weeks next saturday.

[Syt]

Our lockdown is in its second week. The government said that they will be able to give an update on potential timelines/further measures on Friday when they have two weeks' of lockdown data to work with.

We're scheduled for lockdown till 13th April, but it will likely last longer, and any lifting of it would be bit by bit.

[Sheilbh]

I was in London until the 10th, went to the office one last time on the 11th and have been working from home since the 12th. More shopping early on, now it is only groceries. It is amazing and frightening how fast the world changes within two weeks...

Even days - my behaviour hasn't changed much from pre-lockdown to now, because I was following the advice. But psychologically it just feels like a different world, which is in, what, two or three days.

I actually feel much less stressed out now.

A couple weeks ago I was still trying to get my employer to see what was going to happen and that I needed to distance myself from the rest of the staff. Nobody thinks I'm a lunatic anymore. If anything, most people have gone past me into full hysteria mode.

This is fair - reminds me of a Chinese meme I saw that was circulating back in January:

[Legbiter]

2 more weeks until the fatality peak then roughly speaking. If control measures have been somewhat effective.

[Legbiter]

We're scheduled for lockdown till 13th April, but it will likely last longer, and any lifting of it would be bit by bit.

That might make sense. Ease up slowly in the least affected areas.

[celedhring]

How long has Spain been in total lockdown? Feels like eons ago.

It'll be two weeks next saturday.

It wasn't in full effect until Monday.

[Fate]

Antibody tests would be a game changer as it would allow to find all the hidden asymptomatic cases.

Also those people with antibodies can go back to work.

[Sheilbh]

Antibody tests would be a game changer as it would allow to find all the hidden asymptomatic cases.

Also those people with antibodies can go back to work.

Especially in the healthcare/key sectors.

Also we'll have far better information about how many people are asymptomatic/mild which could wildly change the estimated impact.

It's just a huge missing piece of info about this virus is illuminated.

[Legbiter]

Someone needs to go full gunboat and seize some rubber plantations. 

Malaysia's medical glove factories, which make most of the world's critical hand protection, are operating at half capacity just when they're most needed, The Associated Press has learned.

Health care workers snap gloves on as the first line of protection against catching COVID-19 from patients, and they're crucial to protecting patients as well. But medical-grade glove supplies are running low globally, even as more feverish, sweating and coughing patients arrive in hospitals by the day.

Malaysia is by far the world's largest medical glove supplier, producing as many as three out of four gloves on market. The industry has a history of mistreating migrant workers who toil over hand-sized molds as they're dipped in melted latex or rubber, hot and exhausting work.

https://www.journalgazette.net/news/health/20200325/malaysias-virus-efforts-hurt-medical-glove-supply

[Sheilbh]

Edit: Oh and Brits:
https://www.goodsamapp.org/NHS

Can sign up to be an NHS volunteer.

One thing that I do find positive in the news is the response of people and communities - both the little acts of kindness and people rallying to help.

So heartening to hear they've had 170,000 people sign up in the couple of days since this site went live.

This has gone up to over 400,000 since yesterday - which is really great.