International COVID-19 Megathread

[CumbrianLefty]

And today the UK has officially passed 40k virus deaths.

[CumbrianLefty]

New poll by YouGov across a couple of dozen countries has the UK sinking to joint bottom with Mexico regarding approval of how their governments are handling the virus.

(both are slightly behind the US, though Brazil wasn't included which is a bit annoying)

[CumbrianLefty]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-zealand-eradicates-coronavirus-at-least-for-now-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern/

New Zealand appears to have completely eradicated the coronavirus — at least for now — after health officials said Monday the last known infected person had recovered. The announcement was greeted with joy around the country and means the nation of 5 million people will be among the first to welcome throngs of fans back into sports stadiums, embrace crowded concerts and remove seating restrictions from flights.

It's been 17 days since the last new case was reported, during which time an additional 40,000 people have been tested, bringing the total number tested to about 300,000. Monday marked the first time since late February there have been no active cases.

In some ways, this was actually the easy part - if NZ manages to avoid the dreaded "second wave" then they will have done well indeed.

[CumbrianLefty]

https://nypost.com/2020/06/10/burundis-pierre-nkurunziza-may-have-died-from-covid-19/

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has died after a suspected bout with the coronavirus — which would make him the first world leader to succumb to the pandemic, according to a report.

The government announced Tuesday that 55-year-old Nkurunziza had died from a heart attack, but opposition sources say the cause of death was COVID-19, according to the Telegraph.

I suppose it's a good thing Burundi will be swearing in a new President in a few weeks, Evariste Ndayishimye...but Nkurunziza is still the first world leader to die from COVID-19 apparently.

Those reports were just saying he "may" have done, unless there has been actual confirmation since?

[CumbrianLefty]

Assuming the trial results can be repeated, one of the best bits of news since this all started.

[CumbrianLefty]

It's very varied by country or even region; the virus is in decline across most of Europe and Asia, but still very much active in the Americas, including Texas.

Though that doesn't exclude local flare-ups, as is to be expected.

[CumbrianLefty]

460 active cases in Austria as of today.

That is ca. 80-100 more than a week ago, a reversal of the month-long trend downwards.

And the summer tourism season etc. is only starting ...

You really seemed to have this beat a week or two ago.

[CumbrianLefty]

Only 15 new virus related deaths recorded in the UK today, the lowest for well over three months.

(though it could well be over 100 tomorrow, as we start weekday figures again)

[CumbrianLefty]

Lots of places (including pubs and hairdressers) are going to be allowed to open in the UK from early July. The small print behind the feel good headlines, however, shows "normality" is still a way off.

[CumbrianLefty]

But........he does press-ups and everything!

(comparisons with a certain other leader can certainly be made)

[CumbrianLefty]

Not any more it ain't

[CumbrianLefty]

UK government makes masks mandatory in shops from July 24th, with non-compliance risking a fine.

This comes just after senior cabinet member Michael Gove said he did not agree with compulsion.

Don't suppose there is any chance they could change their minds again, I suppose.......

[CumbrianLefty]

People talk about herd immunity at 60%, but even at 15-20%, the virus will slow down travel considerably.

There still isn't any really reliable way of getting a reasonably accurate take on that tho.

[CumbrianLefty]

Many lockdown sceptics say the best way to deal with the virus is to "protect the vulnerable". Fine, but how do you actually *do* that sucessfully in practice? Nobody yet seems to have managed it.

[CumbrianLefty]

Would you say AfD scores higher than average for anti-vaxxers as well?

[CumbrianLefty]

Lockdown totally *eliminating* the virus was always a pipe dream (save for a few lucky cases)

It was really about control.

[CumbrianLefty]

Exactly so. Arguments to the contrary get bizarre and almost utopian very quickly: you have expect the adherents to insist that 'rEal lOckDoWn haS nEveR bEen tRIeD'.

Though tbh cranks seem to be more notable on the other extreme, actual virus denial included.

[CumbrianLefty]

Rumours he had it himself, of course.......

[CumbrianLefty]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/26/kim-jong-un-conveys-urgent-meeting-after-suspected-case-of-covid-19

It took what seems like forever, but COVID-19 has come to North Korea...at least offically.

Odds are there were likely plenty of cases that Kim-Jong-Un just would not admit to.

Turkmenistan still fighting the good fight there, they actually banned the virus don'tcha know?

[CumbrianLefty]

Honk Kong's government now claiming things are approaching crisis levels.

[CumbrianLefty]

Complete chaos in UK government comms department in the last 24 hours

[CumbrianLefty]

Yesterday a limited number of spectators were allowed in to the world snooker championships.

Today (and subsequently) they won't be.

But don't worry, our government has everything under control

[CumbrianLefty]

A few amateur level football clubs in England have already gone bust, more are likely to follow.

[CumbrianLefty]

A few amateur level football clubs in England have already gone bust, more are likely to follow.

Anyone noteworthy?

Droylsden FC are one of the higher profile examples thus far, but there are likely to be more.

[CumbrianLefty]

Well, at least we should find out fairly soon. They may yet surprise us.