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Initially, I was broadly supportive of the government policy regarding this virus, but over the days such confidence has been undermined. For example, why is 10 Downing Street so out on a limb in their strategy (exceptional) compared with the rest of the world and their experts, who no doubt have as admirable CVs as our CMO and CSA. The simple messaging for the masses and reliance on modelling brings to mind the possibility that it is not the scientists pulling the strings.

In regard to your first point, I did not read the twitter comments/advice. The second point is relevant in respect of how the the uk policy is developing.

I read eight, valid, questions in regard to UK policy. Apart from that, I have not read or heard any satisfactory explanation as to why the policy plan to increase tests to 10,000 per day, exponed last Monday, has suddenly shifted to only testing hospital admissions.

For the avoidance of doubt, and with reference to your railing against BBC reporting; This latest reading was taken at a monitoring station on Seymour Island, part of a chain of islands off the same peninsula, at the northernmost point of the continent. Although the temperature is a record high, Mr Schaefer emphasized that the reading was not part of a wider study and so, in itself, could not be used to predict a trend. "We can't use this to anticipate climatic changes in the future. It's a data point," he said. "It's simply a signal that something different is happening in that area." Antarctica temperature exceeds 20C for first time WWW.BBC.CO.UK The temperature was recorded on an island off the Antarctic continent's northern tip.

Ultimately, imo of course, the success or failure of the UK strategy will be judged not by numbers of those infected but on the ability to keep the recovery rate high and the mortality rate low. That depends on the effectiveness of an under-resourced NHS under pressure.......

While I fully support the current management of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, maybe there should be greater transparency concerning the amount of community transmission that the testing reveals or is modelled..

You undoubteably know more than I do. Whatever, it seems like the virus will pervade and without a vaccine the best advice is to handwash, use gels as appproriate and social distance.

Well yes, the NHS is apparently pulling out all stops now in view of the global crisis. Why were ill patients left lying in corridors previously due to insufficient staffing, bed availability and inadequate social care?

Completely coincidentally, I have a large stash of W5 lens wipes. Could be a handy source of sanitiser, but I can't find out the alcohol percentage. Anyone know?

Even if that fatality rate is anywhere accurate, it is unlikely to be distributed equally between different age groups.

A hard frost at first light this morning, -5C. Turned out decent enough with the frost quickly melting. Some convective clouds this afternoon, but nothing spectacular.

Not seen anything either, but it is well documented that obesity does impair lung function. Could well be an underlying condition which would affect outcomes.

The link below was posted here several pages back and might go some way to dispel any notion that the elderly might be responsible for the spread of the illness. The majority of confirmed cases were in the age group 30yr - 69yr. Of course, the impact of the illness has greater impact on the 70yr + age group. • China: age distribution of novel coronavirus patients 2020 | Statista WWW.STATISTA.COM According to a medical analysis based on 44,672 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in China published in February 2020, most patients aged...

Yes, I have had experience of good French medical care. And no, I know nothing about the Italian circumstances and would't presume to do so.

No need to shout. Or do the ???? thing etc. Some try to give relevant info. I ( old) was was referring back to basic infection control in operating theatres, which may, or may not be relevant now. No-one is co-cerced or has to follow that advice if they think they know better.. It may be out of date advice or irrelevant in the current situation?

I agree. It is responsible, on a personal (older person) and community level, to avoid cluster areas. And I don't think publishing locations is onerous for officialdom, after all they will be in possession of that information anyway. Credible transparency reduces concerns. Again, on a personal level, I have postponed making holiday arrangements until I assess travel risks - which btw won't depend on NW opinions regarding concerns. On two picky notes, the omnipresent official advice on hand washing has not emphasised the importance of washing under rings and wrist-watches, and also what do you do with a tissue if you cough/sneeze into a tissue in a supermarket, public transport, theatre etc.

It is not known whether or not CV will die down over the summer (ref previous posts and the net) - or die down and re-emerge next winter in a mutated form. The scientific consensus is that a vaccination will not be available within 12 months. This has implications for older or vulnerable persons now and next winter. I don't know what you mean by travel restrictions, but the benefit of closing borders has been deemed as of uncertain benefit in contolling spread. The most significant issue, here, in effecting control is to trace the contacts of the two people affected by community spread. The situation is uncertain.

Yes, this thread's been there and gone there for weeks, reference multiple stats and previous posts. The jury's out as to how the virus will develop.

@101_North Hope she stays safe until rescued. Extreme weather events may be exciting, but sometimes there are extreme consequences. However, here, a very nice afternoon for a walk, sunny and warm, well just 9C. The fields are beginning to dry out, but I’m not confident that it won’t take much rainfall for the quagmire, together with tractor difficulties, to return. Daffs coming on. Fetterie in the sun .

Info regarding pets Can I catch coronavirus from my pet? - Vet Help Direct VETHELPDIRECT.COM Can dogs, cats or other pets carry coronavirus? In this blog, we’re going to look at the evidence, and suggest ways you can protect your pets and yourself

Yes, social media is a hot-bed of fake news. But my experience is that the majority of older people are more wised up than to believe any old nonsense. However, I would find it very concerning if a government set a precedent in directing the content of storylines in soaps.(not that I watch them, anyway) I'm fairly sure that there will be multiple official information campaigns put out there regarding 'basic hygeine' etc. available to all.

That's a rather sweeping statement. From what I read on here, I see no evidence that older persons are more likely to believe misinformation than younger ones, perhaps the reverse.

Yes, it appears that immunosenescence is inevitable. There is conflicting evidence as to whether lifestyle ( sleep, exercise, avoiding stress, healthy diet, special foods) can delay these changes, but perhaps such issues are more relevant to health-span as opposed to life-span.

From what I read, ( on reliable sources hopefully) I don't think this "novel' virus will wipe out all humanity, but it is a grave warning for the future.