DON'T PANIC.... well, maybe a little bit.

[dafluff]

The window for anyone who wants to leave to Malaysia has passed.

Malaysia closed all borders to visitors, bans Malaysians from leaving the country, bans all mass gatherings, including religious, closes all schools, closes all business except for food/essential services.

 

[Dave70]

I wonder what "businesses/premises to shut", does it include factories producing export goods? I know it's Malaysia, but Indonesia may follow what the other side is doing.

 

[BPNBound]

With Qantas announcing they are closing 90% of flights at the end of the month, i think i may have to sneak home until the dust settles

 

[make_batik_great_again]

Situation in Italy is very worrying. Almost 350 deaths within the last 24 days. Whole country is locked down. There are fines for people who are outside if they do not go buying food or medication. But of course, due to incubation time, those measurements will affect the numbers earliest 14 days later or so. I really hope for them that those measurements will be effective so that less people get sick or critical and also the doctors and nurses will get some rest. Unbelievable what they are providing these days although it must be terrifying if you have to decide which patient you try to help or give a life-keeping device and who not Hope they will be able to deal well with that psychologically. Probably, except the patients noone would like to switch positions with doctors or nurses these days.

 

[BPNBound]

Situation in Italy is very worrying

It is worrying but I still don't understand why Italy is taking such a big hit compared to its neighboring countries.

Other countries have had it longer and transmission rates seem to be a lot lower

 

[jstar]

Italy has a large elderly population. Almost 25% is over 65. (As comparison, that number is 8% in RI.)

Also pollution, smoking and obesity seem to play a role. (Respiratory issues.)

France is in lockdown for two weeks. Others will follow.

 

[gemima]

It is worrying but I still don't understand why Italy is taking such a big hit compared to its neighboring countries.

Other countries have had it longer and transmission rates seem to be a lot lower

Italy has a huge Chinese population in the area where they are hardest hit (something like 300,000 people - its a manufacturing hub needing lots of workers). The disease was likely brought in early and spread around undetected (they never found patient 0 so this is not proven fact but I find it a likely explanation).
When the Italian government decided COVID-19 was a problem and closed schools/ etc. many Italians enjoyed family time together where their children infected their grandparents. Also, in their culture people hug and kiss and the area is densely populated so its a perfect place to spread a respiratory virus.
Many European countries are following the same infection path as Italy, just 7 - 14 days behind them as the virus took longer to start circulating in some countries. Hopefully they can learn lessons from the Italians and flatten their infection curves.

 

[make_batik_great_again]

Yes, I also thought about that...why is the number of deaths so much higher in Italy? I also thought of pollution, smoking, etc. and the demograpy in Italy is different from China and other asian countries. Even for a European country, Italy has many people in higher age.

Furthermore, Italy was the first country in Europe that got a bigger problem with the virus. Probably, they were a bit of surprised and, therefore, took the necessary actions too late. Another assumption of me is that maybe the mentality of Italian benefits a fast and wider spread? Italians are very sociable and the greeting (within family for example very warmly...few little kisses on the cheek, left and right, sometimes on or close to the mouth etc.) might also trigger the infection to another person easier than a handshake or a little hug - I am not a virologist, just my non-professional assumption that all those little things contribute to a wider spread Edit: I just noticed that gemima posted (parallel to my post) the same assumption. So, I am not alone with my assumption

Another assumption why there are far less death cases for example in Germany so far although they also have an aging society and many older people in their population: After a very few China-visite-related cases, most cases appeared in Nordrhein-Westfalen which is one of the German regions where carnival is celebrated extensively. Experts tell that the virus spread so quick lately in Germany because of carnival infections. Since, in Germany, carnival is celebrated mostly by younger people (or at least less than 60 years or so), it might be that especially younger people got infected in Germany. And since the people are aware of the situation in Italy, they tend to be more careful (go to a doctor in an early stage, stop meeting older relatives, etc.) so that, even until now, a smaller share of infected people are in an older age (compared to Italy).

 

[harryopal1]

There are few things more satisfying than having one's prejudices confirmed. From the outset I was very sceptical about the massive spraying done everywhere. It seemed to be more about showing people that your government is doing everything possible to save you while serving a primitive need to appease the Gods with endless rituals.

A few minutes ago there was a TV news clip of Borobodur being sprayed.

Here is a link that raises interesting questions about the value of spraying.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/...y-disinfectant-tunnel-bleach-2020-2?r=US&IR=T

But then great business for the chemical and equipment suppliers and it seems we are desperate to find ways of stimulating economies.

 

[Chiron]

Nanjing, China apparently went from 93 cases to 0, but if you're like me, watching the following video from a Japanese guy living there, you'll wonder how we'll all manage things until the vaccine becomes available. The total and extreme measures they've taken are quite extraordinary. In any case, I did pick up a couple interesting points along the way - so worth a watch.

 

[atlantis]

I have just received a message from my embassy which says that Indonesia is about to close its borders to people having travelled in France, Spain, Germany, UK, Swiss and Italy uin the past 14 days.
The decision will also concern foreign resident in Indonesia who would like to come back home. I have friends who won't be able to return and join their family here.

 

[jstar]

Yes, and also this can be very bad news for people who are about to leave one way or the other:

The heads of government of the EU countries will discuss the next steps for a joint approach against the spread of the new corona virus by video link starting at 5 pm today. The 'electronic summit' was organized by EU President Charles Michel.

The 27 will discuss the European Commission's proposal to close borders for travelers from outside the EU to the 26 countries in the Schengen zone for at least a month, unless their trip is essential. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday that leaders expected the clearance ban to be approved.


Even if you could return to your home country, it will still be incredibly difficult with canceled flights, extra tests, quarantaine, etc. etc.

 

[nd_eric_77]

Even if you could return to your home country, it will still be incredibly difficult with canceled flights, extra tests, quarantaine, etc. etc.

In other words, "Shelter in place" wherever you happen to be at the moment, regardless of where "home" is.

 

[make_batik_great_again]

And I have to return for work to my EU home country in a few months. Could become tricky...

 

[Euc-]

I wonder what "businesses/premises to shut", does it include factories producing export goods? I know it's Malaysia, but Indonesia may follow what the other side is doing.

I think Indonesia will do the exact opposite, just to show that they're "different".

As much as I hate to say this, Anies was heading in the right direction with his decisions, he now seems to have been put on a leash by the central government with the president "reminding" local governments that any policies should be going through the task force first.

The lack of action by the central government is horrible and will have huge impacts on this country.

 

[nd_eric_77]

And I have to return for work to my EU home country in a few months. Could become tricky...

If this level of response is still in effect a few months from now, we could have much bigger problems than traveling for work. For what it's worth, I have mentally prepared to cancel my trip to the US in May / June, but have not pulled the trigger on refunding the tickets yet.

 

[jstar]

Same for me for the European trip. Luckily the airline is very flexible and allows postponing/vouchers/.... three days before the travel date.

 

[make_batik_great_again]

Same for me for the European trip. Luckily the airline is very flexible and allows postponing/vouchers/.... three days before the travel date.

I don't care so much about the flight ticket, but about the reaction of my employer if I have to tell them that I have to extend my work-free time because I cannot travel back home. But on the other hand...I have no influence on future political decisions...therefore, I think they would (have to) understand my situation, and they probably would not be able to fire me because of that.

 

[ChrisTex]

I woke up to this from the US Embassy

Health Alert – COVID-19 Update #6 (U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia) March 16, 2020

Location: Indonesia

Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout Indonesia.

The government of Indonesia has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travel restrictions could be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit Indonesian Immigration’s website for additional information about current travel restrictions and quarantine measures.

The Department of State has advised U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Please visit Travel.State.Gov for more information.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Consulate General in Surabaya, and Consular Agency in Bali have implemented social distancing measures but remain open for Consular Services. If you require Consular Services but are unwell or believe that you may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, please call instead of coming in person.

Visitors can expect that local governments may begin to close public places and schools, cancel large gatherings, and limit mass transport. Indonesia’s health system has limited capacity to test for the virus causing COVID-19 and to manage treatment of persons with severe COVID-19. The Indonesian Ministry of Health has set up a COVID-19 information hotline at +62-21-5210411 or +62-82-1212119.

Actions to Take:

• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Indonesia.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

 

[Dave70]

I think Indonesia will do the exact opposite, just to show that they're "different".

You are right. In Indonesia, "cured" COVID-19 patients are exposed. On the front page of Kompas today are the faces of Case 1, 2, and 3. In China, recovered patients are also exposed but their faces are blurred so their identity remains a secret.