Coronavirus

[ardcarp]

Here's a moral dilemma.

Two 'children' at different univesities, both approx 200 miles from home. Number 1, who doesn't drive, was collected and brought home yesterday (Sunday) because parents suspected a lockdown was imminent. Number 2, who does drive and has a car, didn't come home on Sunday but rang to ask if driving home overnight Monday/Tuesday would be OK. Both from big cities. 'Home' is in the countryside.

Further dilemma.

Both parents over 70 though in good health.
Number 2 living with boyfriend (regarded as part of the family).
Boyfriend's home has family member with serious health problems.

What would you do in parents' situation? Head or heart?

[Dave2002]

A few points I picked up from an article today, which might be helpful to high level planners. Things to think about.

One interesting comment about face masks - if everyone wears them, it is not possible to easily identify people who may be ill. Oddly this is a good thing, as it stops people being stigmatised. Otherwise people might be forcibly taken away, who knows where? - or beaten up. The idea is to get seriously ill people to go for treatment voluntarily, rather than using force, and to avoid social violence problems.

Another, which I hadn't specifically thought about is the design of hospital facilities. Rooms (wards) should have an entrance and an exit - distinct and physically separated by some distance or barriers - so that protective clothing used by health workers (or indeed anyone who goes in) is put on at the entrance end, and taken off at the other - presumably for cleaning or disposal. This reduces the chances of cross contamination. This approach was taken with Ebola in Africa.

I don’t know if this is done in the UK at present.

[teamsaint]

That looks extremely good - my ancient electric cooker is reaching senility now, the two smaller of the four hobs starting to crumble away. That little item could do me fine!

We have the Scotts of Stowe model, which I would recommend.A multi layer veg steamer ( or an electric one) is a good idea as it only has the two hobs. I think there are slightly cheaper versions with the same oven capacity, but we have been pretty pleased with ours, which we sometimes use as a summer “substitute “ .

[Pulcinella]

I've just received a text message from UK_Gov entitled CORONAVIRUS ALERT telling me I must stay at home.
After a link to information and exemptions it says:
Stay at home.
Protect the NHS.
Save lives.

Here's hoping that people follow the advice.

[oddoneout]

We have the Scotts of Stowe model, which I would recommend.A multi layer veg steamer ( or an electric one) is a good idea as it only has the two hobs. I think there are slightly cheaper versions with the same oven capacity, but we have been pretty pleased with ours, which we sometimes use as a summer “substitute “ .

One thing to be aware of with such devices is that the capacity to run all functions is limited by the advantage of plugging in to a 13A socket, the choice is usually between hot plates or oven. I looked into this option last year in the face of continuing lack of facilities in my kitchen.I have gas hob and multifunction oven in place but have been unable so far to get anyone to put in the necessary electrical connections, the gas is plumbed in but a safety feature means it can't be lit without the electric bit. In the end I decided that the dual option wasn't the best solution - there was only one space for it and the hotplates would then be too high for me to use easily or safely - so I've split the functions.

[oddoneout]

I've just received a text message from UK_Gov entitled CORONAVIRUS ALERT telling me I must stay at home.
After a link to information and exemptions it says:
Stay at home.
Protect the NHS.
Save lives.

Here's hoping that people follow the advice.

They have to get it first, which may take a while in the absence of a national messaging service such as the Netherlands have.

[LMcD]

Serious question: will I still be able to cultivate my garden? I share the area with one other woman - and a dog [hers] !!!!

Government advice/instruction is to stay 'at home', which, I would say, can be seen as including gardens and balconies as long as you observe the 2-metre rule. If we're told to stay indoors I would obviously behave accordingly. Gardening can, of course, legitimately be considered a form of exercise.

[Andrew]

They have to get it first, which may take a while in the absence of a national messaging service such as the Netherlands have.

I've just received a text, linking me to the advice given last night in the "Boris broadcast", which is pretty comprehensive. I presume it's being sent to every email address and mobile number H.M. Government have ever used.

[teamsaint]

One thing to be aware of with such devices is that the capacity to run all functions is limited by the advantage of plugging in to a 13A socket, the choice is usually between hot plates or oven. I looked into this option last year in the face of continuing lack of facilities in my kitchen.I have gas hob and multifunction oven in place but have been unable so far to get anyone to put in the necessary electrical connections, the gas is plumbed in but a safety feature means it can't be lit without the electric bit. In the end I decided that the dual option wasn't the best solution - there was only one space for it and the hotplates would then be too high for me to use easily or safely - so I've split the functions.

Yes, you are right , I haven't used ours for a couple of years, and had forgotten that . An electric steamer therefore seems a good option. Nonetheless, I do still think they make a good alternative/stop gap.

[kernelbogey]

With ghastly timing my gas oven has packed in! Engineer came round and can't fix it so I need a new one asap. Are online deliveries still able to be made? Anyone know?

Pet, I have had a good report of the service by AO. No personal experience, nor financial interest!
kb

Edit: I bought a Panasonic combined microwave/grill/oven in 1993. It has worked 99% perfectly for 27 years: one trip to a service agent to check out (and solve) a strange noise. I hardly ever use my 'main' oven as a result. Use it several times a day.

[oddoneout]

I've just received a text, linking me to the advice given last night in the "Boris broadcast", which is pretty comprehensive. I presume it's being sent to every email address and mobile number H.M. Government have ever used.

Many of the relevant people will indeed be already 'in the system', but it will still be a piecemeal hit and miss process.The irony is that the benefits of a centralised system were agreed some years ago apparently.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/23/government-ignored-advice-set-up-uk-emergency-alert-system

There will be those who fall through the net through lack of a device or up to date postal address - but that is always the case.

[Pulcinella]

They have to get it first, which may take a while in the absence of a national messaging service such as the Netherlands have.

I possibly got it because, when I moved to York and registered with a new GP, I said that I was happy to receive general alerts (appointment reminders, flu jab, etc) by text message.

[Beresford]

This graph from John Burn-Murdoch (via FT) summarizes the world situation very well:

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1237748598051409921

or

https://www.ft.com/coronavirus-latest

[johnb]

This graph from John Burn-Murdoch (via FT) summarizes the world situation very well:

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1237748598051409921

or
https://www.ft.com/coronavirus-latest

Yes that is the graphic I posted a link to earlier - it is very good.

The FT link is the most up to date version and shows the progression after countries reach 10 deaths and it shows the UK curve beginning to swerve towards the lower 33% mean as more measures are brought in. Bear in mind there is time lag of roughly 14 days before any measures will be reflected in the data, i.e. the graphic reflects the infection rates some 14 days or so earlier.

The older version on twitter is from 100 deaths and upwards - which explains some of the differences.

[LHC]

I possibly got it because, when I moved to York and registered with a new GP, I said that I was happy to receive general alerts (appointment reminders, flu jab, etc) by text message.

I think the messages are being sent out by the mobile phone networks at the Govts. request, so everyone with a mobile should receive it during the course of today.