International COVID-19 Megathread

[Mike88]

Another grim day in Portugal: Almost 11,000 new cases, 10,947, and another record in new deaths, 166. The number of hospitalizations grew to 4,653, 93 more than yesterday, and 638 in ICU's, 16 more.

Plus, more data shows, like I posted above, that the country isn't confining that much. On the 1st day of the March lockdown, 61% of the population stayed home, this time just 39.5% stayed home. A number that confirms the movement and aerial footage I posted above. Schools being open, of course makes that the total number of people in lockdown drops by a lot.

[parochial boy]

Because polling is always fun - from Sotomo/SSR, 41% of Swiss people want to be vaccinated "as soon as possible" (up from 16% in October); and 24% don't want to be vaccinated at all (down from 28%).

But when you look at the crosstabs, well, guess which party isn't like the others?

[Sir Mohamed]

Death toll has surpassed the 2 million mark this week

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Because polling is always fun - from Sotomo/SSR, 41% of Swiss people want to be vaccinated "as soon as possible" (up from 16% in October); and 24% don't want to be vaccinated at all (down from 28%).

But when you look at the crosstabs, well, guess which party isn't like the others?

Oh well. UDC being so divergent and so rabidly against the vaccine is completely unsurprising. But to be fair I also find unsurprising that the Greens are the most skeptical of the vaccine among the other parties (albeit much, much more mildly).
Italians being the most pro-vaccine linguistic group I suppose has mostly to do with the UDC's weakness in Ticino?

[parochial boy]

Oh well. UDC being so divergent and so rabidly against the vaccine is completely unsurprising. But to be fair I also find unsurprising that the Greens are the most skeptical of the vaccine among the other parties (albeit much, much more mildly).
Italians being the most pro-vaccine linguistic group I suppose has mostly to do with the UDC's weakness in Ticino?

Still below the national average, but yeah, the Greens are still the party of the kooky natural living types, so it isn't surprising that they'd be a bit higher than the other parties.

I suspect the low rejection among italophones is largely down to Ticino having been the worse hit canton, basically as badly hit as Lombardy, back in the spring. So the Lega, who have never been reflexively anti-government intervention like the UDC have at least had the sense not to go around screaming about how the economy needs to be reopened now! and the like. Plus the most prominent Ticinese UDC figure is Marco Chiesa, who used to run an nursing home, so naturally has quite a different perspective to that of the more conspiracy inclined party supprters in German Switzerland.

[Tender Branson]

1.073 new cases in Austria in the report today is the lowest number since early October.

29 new deaths is also much lower than at the peak of 150 daily deaths in late November.

Things seem to be stabilizing, but at a high cost: the lockdown will likely be extended until mid-February at least, which will lead to destruction of many businesses later in the year ...

At the end of all of this, Europe and the US will be so broke that the Chinese will bail us out and take over our economy (which was probably their intention with this virus).

[CumbrianLefty]

UK vaccination does seem to be going pretty well, rumours of shortages not borne out thus far.

[Mike88]

The media here is reporting that Portugal is already the worst country in Europe in terms of new cases daily per one million, and the 2nd worldwide.

The government will convene tomorrow in a emergency cabinet meeting to probably announce more restrictions.

[Mike88]

Portugal update:

The government will convene tomorrow in a emergency cabinet meeting to probably announce more restrictions.

More additional measures for the "2nd lockdown" announced a while ago by Costa:

- Sale or delivery of products by wicket are forbidden in non-food stores;
- Sale of any kind of drinks is also forbidden by wicket and in any other places;
- All restaurants in shopping malls will be closed;
- All store campaigns of promotions and sales are forbidden;
- It's forbidden to sit or stay in public places, like public gardens;
- Mayors are mandated to limit and end gatherings;
- Circulation between municipalities is forbidden during the weekend and any kind of stores need to close by 8pm, 1pm during the weekend expect supermarkets and similar stores that can stay open until 5pm;

However, the PM didn't said when these additional measures will come into effect.

[Silent Hunter]

By wicket?

[Mike88]

By wicket?

Isn't that the right word? What I mean is this:
https://www.revistasauda.pt/SiteCollectionImages/RS/Farm%C3%A1cias%20Portuguesas/header_braganca.jpg

The sale of products by a small door in order to avoid any contact.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Italy's numbers seem to have stabilized, which is pretty bad since they are still too damn high, but fortunately not nearly as high as e.g. United Kingdom or Portugal.

Ah also restrictions now are officially regionally-based, with regions divided into "zones" (from the strictest to least, red zone, orange zone, yellow zone, and maybe a white zone will be introduced as well?) based on how badly the outbreak is looking in each one.
Liguria is in the yellow zone right now, which means restrictions are quite loose but there are still funny things like a 10 pm curfew about doing stuff in general and a 6 pm curfew about eating and drinking inside establishments, and what can I say, it feels completely random.

Liguria entered orange zone a couple days ago, which is so annoying since I can't eat and drink inside establishments at all and there are weird and complicated rules about leaving one's municipality.

I just don't get it, it doesn't look to me that our rates are getting worse these very days.

[Mike88]

Another grim, very grim day in Portugal.

218 new deaths and 10,450 new cases.

The good news is that there are 10,282 new recoveries.

[Mike88]

Seriously, my country is getting crazy:

In Barcelos, there are people renting animals just to have an excuse to leave their houses.

In Cascais, there are people walking with leashes but with no animals and when asked what are they doing, some say they are searching for their lost pet.

Jesus! Anyway, the new measures announced yesterday by Costa will start taking effect Wednesday at midnight.

[Former President tack50]

Seriously, my country is getting crazy:

In Barcelos, there are people renting animals just to have an excuse to leave their houses.

In Cascais, there are people walking with leashes but with no animals and when asked what are they doing, some say they are searching for their lost pet.

Jesus! Anyway, the new measures announced yesterday by Costa will start taking effect Wednesday at midnight.

Ah, I see good old picaresca is a thing across the border in Portugal too

Keeping with the letter of the law, not the spirit of the law

[Mike88]

Seriously, my country is getting crazy:

In Barcelos, there are people renting animals just to have an excuse to leave their houses.

In Cascais, there are people walking with leashes but with no animals and when asked what are they doing, some say they are searching for their lost pet.

Jesus! Anyway, the new measures announced yesterday by Costa will start taking effect Wednesday at midnight.

Ah, I see good old picaresca is a thing across the border in Portugal too

Keeping with the letter of the law, not the spirit of the law

Yep, and like we say here, jokingly É proibido mas podes fazer, só que é proibido, mas podes fazer.* (It is forbidden but you can do it, only it is forbidden, but you can do it.) xD

*From this famous comic sketch mocking Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's anti-abortion campaign in 2007:

[President Johnson]

As expected, Germany has extended the lockdown to February 14. Schools will also remain closed and the government is looking for decrees to extend working at home wherever possible. Cases recently dropped, but still 11,000 news cases yesterday.

[Middle-aged Europe]

As expected, Germany has extended the lockdown to February 14. Schools will also remain closed and the government is looking for decrees to extend working at home wherever possible. Cases recently dropped, but still 11,000 news cases yesterday.

The proposed nightly curfews have been shelved though due to resistance from (mostly) SPD minister-presidents. Considering the federal system that was a somewhat unsurprising development, I might add. Merkel aside, nationally mandated curfews were supported by minister-presidents of states who had already them in place for weeks. They were opposed by minister-presidents of states who don't have curfews so far. In the end this stalemate was resolved by just leaving everything as it is.

[President Johnson]

As expected, Germany has extended the lockdown to February 14. Schools will also remain closed and the government is looking for decrees to extend working at home wherever possible. Cases recently dropped, but still 11,000 news cases yesterday.

The proposed nightly curfews have been shelved though due to resistance from (mostly) SPD minister-presidents. Considering the federal system that was a somewhat unsurprising development, I might add. Merkel aside, nationally mandated curfews were supported by minister-presidents of states who had already them in place for weeks. They were opposed by minister-presidents of states who don't have curfews so far. In the end this stalemate was resolved by just leaving everything as it is.

Yeah, though it's still in place in my state (BaWü) as far as I know. I'd prefer that be taken back because I seriously doubt it has a meaningful effect, but causes more confusion than use.

[Mike88]

Portugal update:

The government seems likely to announce the closure of schools during tomorrow.

[Mike88]

Portugal update:

The government seems likely to announce the closure of schools during tomorrow.

It's now official: In the 3rd change of lockdown restrictions in one week, Costa will announce today the closing of all schools by Friday.

[Mike88]

Portugal update:

The government seems likely to announce the closure of schools during tomorrow.

It's now official: In the 3rd change of lockdown restrictions in one week, Costa will announce today the closing of all schools by Friday.

Costa just announced that all schools will be closed for 15 days; no homeschooling will be implemented during this period; all non urgent matters will be suspended in Courts; some public services will close while others will only be available by appointments.

The Catholic Church in Portugal has also announced that masses and other religious activities will be suspended. 

[CumbrianLefty]

Just under 1300 more virus related deaths announced in the UK today. It says something about where we currently are that this will be considered a relatively "good" figure.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Some problematic polling numbers in Germany.





How much are the coronavirus restrictions straining you? (compared with December)
Very strongly 18% (+6)
Strongly 31% (+7)
Less strongly 42% (-3)
Not at all 9% (-10)





Same numbers broken down for age groups.

18-to-39-year-olds: 59% "very strongly/strongly"
40-to-64-year-olds: 49% "very strongly/strongly"
older than 65: 37% "very strongly/strongly"





How satisfactory is the coronavirus crisis management of federal and state governments?

Very satisfactory 5% (-5)
Satisfactory 41% (-6)
Less satisfactory 33% (+3)
Not at all satisfactory 21% (+9)





Satisfaction broken down for party supporters.

CDU/CSU: 74% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
Greens: 52% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
SPD: 52% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
Left: 42% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
FDP: 20% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
AfD: 7% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"
No party: 42% "very satisfactory/satisfactory"



So, older CDU voters are truly the only happy demographic group right now...?

[Tender Branson]

Portugal now the worst affected country on the planet (ignoring Gibraltar) in terms of cases.

UK, Portugal and Czechoslovakia with the highest deaths per capita.