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I suspect many will be unwilling to disclose their identity for fear of blame/backlash.

Nor did HIV, Ebola, Ecoli bacterium, Plague, Famine etc, etc or CJS (I know that is not a virus but still relevant). Instead of inciting a blame game with all the racial ramifications, international community should be investing in research, education and aid.

Apart from the fact that Trump has appointed a science sceptic to be in charge of the Covid-19 issues in the USA, of course he was right to advocate handwashing etc as a means of personal precaution from Covid infection, or indeed other infections such as flu. Dr Tedros and our own ‘experts’ have confirmed that. However, having kept an eye on WHO pronouncements over the weeks, I see no other statements which would suggest that Dr Tedros does not consider Covid-19 to be a serious global threat, mainly because (as has been stated umpteen times on here) there is no vaccine available and no herd immunity. It’s enlightening to note that some think an additional xK elderly or infirm persons are simply expendable because they, the some, believe that the novel Covid-19 is just another additional seasonal flu.

I wasn't actually commenting on the value or otherwise of deep cleaning, but presumably the authorities were advised from above to carry this out.

I understand the school has been closed for a 'deep clean'. Whether it remains closed or not, I suppose, will depend on the outcome of contact tracing/testing or the ever changing 'official' advice.

With regard to the actions some schools have taken in closure or temporary closure, the head teachers were surely acting responsibly towards their students and the wider public, at least until they clarified the rather confusing advice given by Hancock yesterday, ascertained whether or not any children/staff/ family members were showing signs of illness and felt sufficiently informed to provide official advice to those concerned. The undermining of the serious nature of Covid-19 or containment precautions may be more of a problem than sending a few children home.

I would tend to agree with Norrance above. I was in Ballater and Tomintoul last Thursday, albeit before the weekend snow event, and the snow cover around there was quite sparse. A peek at the Cairngorm webcams this morning indicates quite a snowy scene there at present, and so maybe the area between Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey would be worth considering, and as has been said, is a good starting point for exploring further west.

Not forgetting about all those nasties which require to be washed off American chicken carcasses on account of gross husbandry practices over there.

I understand the MERS virus actually thrived in hot weather. And so I suppose it is a question of wait and see regarding Covid-19.

After an early morning of rain/sleet it has been heavily snowing fat wet flakes for the past hour or so. They are catching on the grass, but turning the perma-puddles in the yard into sludge. I suspect the local roads will have quite a covering, which is annoying as I have to go out, soon, on the important mission of posting a birthday card for eldest grandson.

A wider perspective on the consequences of the topic; Analysis: Coronavirus has temporarily reduced China’s CO2 emissions by a quarter WWW.CARBONBRIEF.ORG As China battles one of the most serious virus epidemics of the century, the impacts...

I didn't realise the NW threads were 'private' discussions. And yes, this particular side-issue should end in the ignorance.

Well, please enlighten me as to the thrust of your argument?

But your argument is that a particular susceptibility to coronavirus respiratory infection may have some sort of genetic link to ethnicity and to date there is no evidence for that. It would be a very bad genetic adaptation for humans/Asians in regard to survival if that were the case.

In simple terms because the adaptive genetic mutation is passed on through generations.

EXCLUSIVE: Possible Fife coronavirus cases probed as tests carried out in the community - The Courier WWW.THECOURIER.CO.UK A Levenmouth woman is among a number of Fifers who have been tested for possible coronavirus symptoms. It is reassuring to know that, hopefully, robust procedures are in place in order to contain, as far is possible, potential spread.

A beautiful day in Aberdeenshire and Moray; feeling rather chilly but mainly sunny with a couple of snow showers, breezy at times and a temp ranging -2 to +3C. Corgarff Castle snapped from The Lecht during a snow shower.

Snowbuntings at The Lecht today Finders Keepers The ringed one

Travelled by train from Montrose to Glasgow today. Between Dundee, Perth and Stirling, the water levels were about as high as I have ever noticed. Purely observational, of course, but the outer Tay, at almost high tide, appeared to have been contained by the sump/pumping work etc east of Perth, but westwards the Earn has flooded acres of agricultural land. It was odd to see a Gooseander swimming in a field. Fortunately, no homes which I passed by were affected, although the Allan Water looked rough passing through Bridge of Allan. Anyway, Glasgow was mild and drizzly, with the usual grumpy taxi drivers. Edit: Of course, I didn't mention there was a sprinkling of snow on the Ochils.

Beavers cut flooding and pollution and boost wildlife populations | Environment | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Five-year study of animals in Devon finds measurable benefits to wildlife and people

I've been looking around too as I need to get to Aberdeen tomorrow. Their website does not appear to have been updated since yesterday, but it states that replacement buses are running between Glasgow Q ST and Aberdeen/Inverness. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/242775.aspx

I think conspiracy theories along these lines were posted and dealt with in the first few pages on this thread. And, yes, a quick glance at a ‘paper’ without considering the quality of information can lead to false conclusions, just as reliance on the experts and their opinions wheeled out on MSM to assuage joe public can so do. For the avoidance of doubt, I have never suggested that Covid-19 is a mortal disease to which all may succumb worldwide, but the spread and potential impact of a novel virus is of major interest for now, and for the future.

Grey, soggy and blowy this morning, thoroughly unpleasant; not even my enthusiastic doggy, fed up with trotting around the garden on her ownsome, can persuade me to venture out-of-doors for a walk.

On the other hand......what? Please explain.

No offence either, but can you direct me to any of my hysterical posts? Most have been grounded on medical opinion. Please explain what my hysteria meter is or where it is faulty,?