Spikecollie

A troubling piece of reporting from BFMTV that I have just watched over lunch which suggests that France is in the wake of Italy if you look at the evolution of the number of cases. The only difference, the piece points out, is in the number of deaths so far in France compared to the same stage in Italy.

Travellers in tears in Amsterdam airport Gavin Lee BBC Europe reporter "Amsterdam Schipol Airport, one of the biggest transport hubs in Europe, now feels like a small regional airport because of the lack of passengers. There is one notable queue, at customer services, and it chicanes right around the side of Departure Hall 3. These are people trying to work out how to get home, and how to travel to the countries that are closing their borders. One significant travel ban is the US one imposed by President Trump, which has been in force since the early hours. It means airport staff here must turn away anyone who has been in one of the 26 European countries that share a passport-free travel agreement known as the Schengen Zone over the past two weeks. Although US citizens are exempt, I’ve spoken to a large group of American students in the queue who were backpacking around Europe but have cut their holiday short by two weeks to try to get home now. Karen, 21, from Seattle organised the trip. She lifts her face mask to tell me there had been many arguments between the group about whether they should leave or stay. They ultimately voted to go in case of any further restrictions. Further back in the queue, Stefania, an Italian studying in Bulgaria, is trying to return home to Sicily, but all flights to Italy are cancelled. She’s trying, like many in the queue, to get a refund, and then to work out another way to travel. In the past 48 hours there has been a domino effect on countries around the world imposing full or partial travel bans for foreign citizens - India, Russia, Norway, Israel and Argentina to name a few in a growing list. I’ve seen several people in tears here as they leave customer services. There are so many questions for the staff here. There’s now a 90-minute wait for those at the back of the queue. It’s an enormous task for the airlines, which are dealing with an unprecedented crisis." (Source:BBC online) What a misery...

1500 more cases in Spain (Source BBC online)

Many French people, including those with young children, are trapped at Marrakech airport after flights were suspended between the two countries. This is the less palatable side of a travel ban.

I saw that and really have no idea what it is about.

The announcement of cases in very fragile places like Rwanda and Sudan, for example, is very sad and potentially a humanitarian disaster.

Yes, a "double-edged sword" contagion and mis-representation of political/democratic intentions. The local democratic context here in France is a very important one, with Maires being very powerful figures and all levels of local democracy wielding very strong budgetary and strategic power. Yes, the elections should be deferred. You know as well, they happen over two Sundays - tomorrow and next. Two opportunities for damage...

Interesting one from the French Health Minister advising against the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibruprofen or Corticosteriods as they enhance the virus in the body. I knew this generally but had not thought about it specifically in the COVID-19 context. Paracetamol is recommended for fever and pain associated with the infection...

Some hints of potential problems with the elections here in France tomorrow, the Interior Minister has been talking about measures to ensure that there are enough "scrutineers" for the process. There are also shortages of hand gel for voters. My opinion is that it is a major mistake allowing voting to go ahead. Many older people I have spoken to take their right to vote very seriously and while some have a postal vote, others do not trust the process or they want to be physically present and seen. Not a good contagion scenario...

Jet2 cancels all holidays in Spain, Balearic and Canary Islands with immediate effect - LIVE updates - Manchester Evening News WWW.MANCHESTEREVENINGNEWS.CO.UK It is understood at least half a dozen flights are affected Here's our explanation!

What's your source for this?

I'm going to bed now - I need to switch off from this. Nice music, warm and relaxed dog beside me...it's cold outside -2c! and a good hard frost this morning too.

A case in the FMI now (International Bank) in Washington, all on "teletravail" working remotely from home.

Quit it! Fake news or not, we need to focus on the now.

Crikey, I don't know. As I said earlier, my OH was in an awful way last night. He had cold symptoms but let panic get to him. No cough, just snuffly, blocked nose and feeling grotty. The aches and pains and cough would ring alarm bells for 'flu with me but given the times we are in just be careful that everything gets better rather than worse. No one can tell you whether you have COVID-19 unless you are tested. If you feel worried enough call the NHS...

I think the problem is that because we had a 'flu peak round about then, people can easily identify with the symptoms and make a false mental positive when it is suggested that COVID-19 could have been around. No one knows when it started outside China - do they? There are lots of suggestions around about symptoms too - everything from pneumonia to a cold-like affair. Let's face it, if you are not tested while you are infected you will never know. No point in speculating when it started - it is here now and we need to keep ourselves and those who are most vulnerable around us safe. Wash those handies after any external contact - I've gone completely mad on this. I shopped today and did my hands with gel before handling each item as I had touched the trolley handle. Yes, people could have touched the item before me but I think it's a less likely source of infection than the trolley. OH pointed out how skanky most supermarket baskets are too - full of nasty brownish gunk in the bottom. Maybe time to clean them up bosses...and yes, bosses, get stuck in and help your employees here, get your (often) fat pink hands dirty.

Silly bugger. He should spend his energy facing the crisis in his own country rather than grandstanding.

That is awful. No time for political divisions - a sick Mum is a sick Mum - if Mrs Dorries is still in self isolation, it must be so horrible to know that Mum is sick and that she can't help...

It's just so awful, Nick. We had everything nearly sorted out. The house in the UK is ready to sell and the OH has done all the little bits and bobs that were needed. I have a CDI over here, exactly what I needed and it's a job that I love. Now we are faced with months of uncertainty. Added to that, the OH is sick and took the day off work over there. I'm 99% sure it's just a normal cold but he got into a complete panic yesterday evening and it took an hour on the phone to calm everything down. I#m not enjoying this. Never mind, I'm getting on with the "immatriculation" of our UK car here in France and the OH's residency stuff. And I'm going to enjoy this sunny and warm weekend. Today was lovely but I missed it because I was working - I did get a good ball game with Mylo this afternoon and a run at sunset this evening. The sky was amazing - it's nice to focus on mindful things. That's what running and doglet activities do for me.

London Maraton postponed until October. Keep training any of you who were doing it...

Covid-19 now in Creuse, Haute Vienne. All the old départements of Limousin are now affected. Lots of my clients are very, very nervous. Why did this damned thing have to come among us....

800 more cases in France and now 79 deaths...another "not a good day"

The Eiffel Tower has been closed for an indeterminate period (Source: BFMTV live)

Another example is someone with a fear of flying. They'll look out for aviation accident stories and reinforce their fear with the. Natural disasters too for some people.

It's called negativity bias and is really quite bizarre. If you are really frightened about something, you seek it out despite your fear and use it to reinforce that fear. We are weird animals!