Must Read WHO declares global emergency as China virus death toll reaches 170

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, Curt1591 said:

Yes; the common flu kills tens of thousands, every year, mostly the old, the very young, and others will weakened immune systems. 

Now, I'm not a virologist. But, "the flu" does come and go every year. However, once in a while, one strain catches the eye of "experts". This time it is coronavirus. They are very concerned.

Now, for the young, strong, healthy folks, it may come and go like any other flu. But, does Buck Studly really want to bring it home to Grandma, or that cute little infant that may be in their lives?

Long before this "mass hysteria", when out and about, in crowded environments, such as public transportation and shopping malls, we wear masks. I can't begin to count the number of times people have coughed or sneezed directly on or at me. This is Asia. Covering a cough is prectically unheard of.

If you wish to ignore any precautions, more power to you. But, if you do come down with a "common flu", would you please wear a mask - not for yourself, but for those around you. 

Strange and interesting comment.  Since you constantly get coughed and sneezed on ( I rarely , if ever do) can you tell us your top 2 locations? 

[Salerno]

8 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Coronavirus is not related to the influenza virus but to the common cold...

Quote

 

“If it was no worse than the common cold, we probably would not be terribly concerned,” he said. “But about 25 per cent of people infected so far are getting severe illness and require hospitalisation. This is higher than influenza and much higher than the common cold, hence the international concern.”

Professor John McBride, an infectious diseases physician at James Cook University

 

 

[webfact]

China virus death toll tops 200 as WHO declares global emergency

 

Police officers wearing masks are seen at at the Tiananmen Square, as the country is hit by an epidemic of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The death toll in China from the new coronavirus reached 213 on Friday, with overall cases worldwide rising rapidly in an outbreak that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.

 

The death toll in Hubei, the Chinese province at the centre of the epidemic, had risen to 204 and there were 9,692 cases of infection nationally as of Thursday, Chinese health authorities said. About 100 cases have been reported in at least 18 other countries, with no deaths outside China.

 

Even as the WHO said cases had spread to 18 countries, Italy announced its first confirmed cases, in two Chinese tourists.

 

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the government had decided to close all air traffic between Italy and China, a more drastic measure than most countries have undertaken.

 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the organization "doesn't recommend - and actually opposes" restrictions on travel or trade with China.

 

Nonetheless, foreign governments have been flying home their citizens from Hubei and holding them in quarantine, while airlines including Air France <AIRF.PA>, American Airlines <AAL.O> and British Airways <ICAG.L> have stopped flying to mainland China.

 

Airlines are facing mounting pressure by cabin crew to stop all flights due to unease about exposure to the virus.

 

Stocks around the world have tumbled on fears of the economic fallout from the outbreak in the world's second-biggest economy.

 

LOCKDOWN IN WUHAN

Some 60 million people in Hubei province are living under virtual lockdown.

 

There had been a further 1,220 cases detected in Hubei by end of Jan. 30, taking the total for the province to close to 6,000, Hubei's health commission said.

 

Tedros praised China's response in a news conference in Geneva on Thursday evening but said the WHO was declaring a global health emergency because it was concerned about the virus spreading to countries that did not have the resources to deal with it.

 

"The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in China but because of what is happening in other countries. Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems," he said.

 

The WHO move will trigger tighter containment and information-sharing guidelines to all countries, but may disappoint Beijing, which had expressed confidence it can beat the "devil" virus.

 

China's U.N. ambassador, Zhang Jun, said Beijing was assessing the declaration.

 

"We are still at a very critical stage in fighting the coronavirus. International solidarity is extremely important and for that purpose all countries should behave in a ... responsible manner," Zhang said.

 

(Reporting by Brenda Goh and Muyu Xu in Shanghai, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Michelle Nichols at the U.N.; Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Stephen Coates)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-31

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[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, Forethat said:

I think your post above is despicable. It's not even worth replying to your so called arguments. Lowest I've seen on here for a long time, to be fair.

 

 

 

What's despicable is to understate the seriousness of a worldwide epidemic.

[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, petedk said:

Just spoke t my girlfriend about this, to which she replied, "Thailand has it under full control. No new outbreaks for two days."

 

Why on earth have they stopped releasing official figures?

 

The head of the military junta has stated that he has it 100% under control, so they won't let the facts contradict that ...

 

Death toll in China is now reported as 212 ... it was 162 yesterday ... I wonder how many are not counted, or are dead in their homes?

 

 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2020 by AlexRich

[Skallywag]

2 hours ago, Curt1591 said:

However, once in a while, one strain catches the eye of "experts". This time it is coronavirus. They are very concerned.

Now, for the young, strong, healthy folks, it may come and go like any other flu. But, does Buck Studly really want to bring it home to Grandma, or that cute little infant that may be in their lives?

Well said.  Best to take precautions from catching any flu no matter what age or physical condition your body is in.  Any flu can kill the young and especially older men who have other existing respiratory and health conditions.   

Edited January 31, 2020 by Skallywag

[rabas]

6 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

 

The head of the military junta has stated that he has it 100% under control, so they won't let the facts contradict that

 

He misspoke, it was lost in translation. He actually said he has it 100% certain but the doctors are treating him now.

 

Edited January 31, 2020 by rabas

[rabas]

1 hour ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

'Spreadability??? Can you define that?

R0, basic reproduction number. That's why after just a couple of weeks China has more than 20,000 confirmed + respected cases.  It grows fast. R0 was used to calculate the predictions on page 2 showing more than 1,000,000 dead by Feb 21 (22 days from now).

 

It will not rise that fast forever though as it eventually runs out of new people, and containment may help slow it down.  

Edited January 31, 2020 by rabas

[Pravda]

3 hours ago, Forethat said:

I think your post above is despicable. It's not even worth replying to your so called arguments. Lowest I've seen on here for a long time, to be fair.

 

 

 

A hug from Hilary Clinton is in order.

[NCC1701A]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html

 

Travel Advisory
January 30, 2020

China - Level 4: Do Not Travel

 

Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China.

 

On January 30, the World Health Organization has determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.

 

Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus. 

 

In an effort to contain the novel coronavirus, the Chinese authorities have suspended air, road, and rail travel in the area around Wuhan and placed restrictions on travel and other activities throughout the country. On January 23, 2020, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Wuhan. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Hubei province.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning for all of China.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 hours ago, Kelsall said:

Too late.  We all knew this was a global emergency a week ago.

Yes, I remember seeing some talking head of the WHO saying they were not going to make it an emergency. I have yet to hear of an apology.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"Declaration of an international emergency will undoubtedly sharpen governments' focus on protecting citizens," Farrar said. The needed public health measures would be a "challenge" for all countries, but would be especially difficult for lower-income countries, he added.

Other than banning all inbound travel, what can they do, exactly? The virus can be infectious without symptoms for up to 10 days, or so I'm informed. Unless quarantining every traveler for 10 days, how do they expect to stop it crossing borders?

[graemeaylward]

The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Although there is not universal consensus regarding where the virus originated, it spread worldwide during 1918-1919. It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million. This was during and after the WW1 when servicemen were moving around the world by ship.  Although we are far more advanced medically and communication wise these days, the spread of any virulent strain of virus can occur rapidly due to our mobility, especially by air! The Chinese Government and WHO are correct to be seriously concerned about this outbreak of Novel Coronavirus and everyone should take sensible precautions to halt the spread!   

Edited January 31, 2020 by graemeaylward
Wrong size and wrong word

[crabbie2020]

My hope is that once the 'social credit' system really kicks off in China then it will be hard for most Chinese to travel overseas. It will help us enormously e.g. we won't be exposed to their viruses due to their filthy habits, hotel and condo prices will settle down again and I won't have to put up with their poor habits here in LOS. Just need something to stop the Indians travelling enmasse now!!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

5 hours ago, petedk said:

Just spoke t my girlfriend about this, to which she replied, "Thailand has it under full control. No new outbreaks for two days."

 

Why on earth have they stopped releasing official figures?

 

In part, because for some reason, the Thai government has a growing backlog of suspected/possible virus cases that they haven't/claim they haven't completed lab testing on...a backlog that's been steadily growing for the past 10 days from single digit numbers to now up to 140 or more potential cases.

 

It's kinda like the roach motel slogan analogy -- the potential cases go into the Thai system, but final confirmations or clearances don't come out!

 

No public acknowledgement of the backlog thus far, or any government/public health official explanation of what's causing it, or what's being done about it.

 

And yet when Japan evacuated their citizens from Wuhan earlier this week, a jet with 200 people on board, from what I read, they did coronavirus testing on almost the entire group and had the results back in less than 24 hours.

Edited January 31, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the government had decided to close all air traffic between Italy and China, a more drastic measure than most countries have undertaken.

 

Calling Thailand???  Thailand, oh Thailand??? Where are you Thailand???

[thaibeachlovers]

23 minutes ago, graemeaylward said:

everyone should take sensible precautions to halt the spread!   

If every government stopped all outward travel, or quarantined every inward traveler, the uproar would be heard on the moon, IMO.

Short of either of those, I think the stable door is being closed after the horse has long departed.

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

10 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If every government stopped all outward travel, or quarantined every inward traveler, the uproar would be heard on the moon, IMO.

Short of either of those, I think the stable door is being closed after the horse has long departed.

 

Thailand could take an easy and practical step in that direction by actually doing what they started considering yesterday, and that's ceasing to offer visa on arrivals to Chinese citizens -- regardless of where their incoming flight is originating from. That would significantly curtail the volume of incoming Chinese tourists to Thailand.

 

Of course, cutting routine, direct commercial air travel between China and Thailand until the virus situation is brought under control would be another option, which is already happening with other countries and multiple airlines ceasing flights to/from China for the time being.

Edited January 31, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ThaiBunny]

Just now, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

with other countries and multiple airlines ceasing flights to/from China for the time being

Voluntarily

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Voluntarily

 

The countries like Italy made national policy decisions to protect public health.

 

In the cases of individual airlines, yes, they voluntarily chose to cut or reduce their China flights, to protect their own employees, their customers, and the general public.

 

[ThaiBunny]

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

they voluntarily chose to cut or reduce their China flights, to protect their own employees, their customers, and the general public

Gosh and there was I thinking it was to protect their profits in the face of declining passenger numbers. No point in flying half empty aircraft

Edited January 31, 2020 by ThaiBunny

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here's one recap of countries that have enacted bans/restrictions on Chinese tourist arrivals... Obviously, it's a rapidly changing landscape with each passing day... (The same article also has a recap of airline flight reductions):

 

https://qz.com/1793858/wuhan-virus-borders-closed-airlines-cancel-china-flights/

 

Here’s a list of moves to restrict entry for Chinese nationals:

• Mongolia: Closed China border crossings
• Philippines: Halted visas on arrival for Chinese nationals
• Hong Kong: Closing direct trains and ferries; closing some border crossings; Beijing to halt individual visitor permits starting Jan. 30
• Kazakhstan: Closed all transport links and stopped visa issuance to Chinese nationals
• Macau: Suspended individual visitors from mainland China; suspended ferries to Hong Kong
• Nepal: Sealed border with China for two weeks from Jan. 29
• North Korea: Closed its borders to all foreign tourists
• Russia: Banned Chinese tour groups, closed Far Eastern borders; suspends e-visas for Chinese nationals
• Taiwan: Barred entry to most Chinese nationals
• Vietnam: Closed border crossing at Lao Cai to Chinese tourists; visas on arrival suspended for mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong residents

 

As usual, Thailand, which is more impacted and more at risk than most of the other above countries due to its volume of Chinese tourism, is leading from the rear.

 

Edited January 31, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

26 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Gosh and there was I thinking it was to protect their profits in the face of declining passenger numbers. No point in flying half empty aircraft

 

Try this. It's not just about airline economics. They have pilots, employees and customers involved as well.

 

Quote

 

Pilots union sues American Airlines to stop U.S., China flights

Jan 30, 2020 9:39 PM EST 

 CNN

(CNN)—The Allied Pilots Association, a union representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots, has sued the company to halt the carrier’s U.S.-China service, citing “serious, and in many ways still unknown, health threats posed by the coronavirus.”

The union asked the court in Dallas County for a temporary and immediate restraining order halting the flights as the virus spreads.
 

“The safety and well-being of our crews and passengers must always be our highest priority — first, last, and always,” APA President Capt. Eric Ferguson said in a statement. “Numerous other major carriers that serve China, including British Airways, Air Canada, and Lufthansa, have chosen to suspend service to that country out of an abundance of caution.”

 

 

Quote

Ferguson said the union was also instructing all American Airline pilots to decline any assignments to operate flights between the United States and China.

 

https://www.abccolumbia.com/2020/01/30/pilots-union-sues-american-airlines-to-stop-u-s-china-flights/

 

[sawadee1947]

It sounds somehow strange for me.... 

Why NO emercency for measles or typhus e.g? Or flu? ????

 

 

[placnx]

3 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Here's one recap of countries that have enacted bans/restrictions on Chinese tourist arrivals... Obviously, it's a rapidly changing landscape with each passing day... (The same article also has a recap of airline flight reductions):

 

https://qz.com/1793858/wuhan-virus-borders-closed-airlines-cancel-china-flights/

 

Here’s a list of moves to restrict entry for Chinese nationals:

• Mongolia: Closed China border crossings
• Philippines: Halted visas on arrival for Chinese nationals
• Hong Kong: Closing direct trains and ferries; closing some border crossings; Beijing to halt individual visitor permits starting Jan. 30
• Kazakhstan: Closed all transport links and stopped visa issuance to Chinese nationals
• Macau: Suspended individual visitors from mainland China; suspended ferries to Hong Kong
• Nepal: Sealed border with China for two weeks from Jan. 29
• North Korea: Closed its borders to all foreign tourists
• Russia: Banned Chinese tour groups, closed Far Eastern borders; suspends e-visas for Chinese nationals
• Taiwan: Barred entry to most Chinese nationals
• Vietnam: Closed border crossing at Lao Cai to Chinese tourists; visas on arrival suspended for mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong residents

 

As usual, Thailand, which is more impacted and more at risk than most of the other above countries due to its volume of Chinese tourism, is leading from the rear.

 

Unfortunately I don't see Burma a/k/a Myanmar on this list. This will become a huge problem for Thailand due to the inadequate health care in Burma.

[SkyFax]

4 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

No public acknowledgement of the backlog thus far, or any government/public health official explanation of what's causing it, or what's being done about it.

In the Bangkok Post yesterday 30JAN, lab tests results on the 202 patient backlog, conducted by the Department of Medical Service and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, were anticipated within two days according to Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

Edited January 31, 2020 by SkyFax

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, SkyFax said:

In the Bangkok Post yesterday 30JAN, lab tests results on the 202 patient backlog, conducted by the Department of Medical Service and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, were anticipated within two days according to Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

 

Thanks for that... Hadn't seen that report...

 

What I do know is, the backlog number has been steadily and quickly rising daily over the past 10 days from when it started out in single digits and now as of yesterday was up to 220....

 

I'm waiting to see if/when the backlog number starts going DOWN, instead of UP!  And that hasn't happened yet!

 

PS interesting that that BKK Post report you reference from yesterday made mention of "rumors" about two taxi drivers who had not been to China being suspected of having the virus.... And presto, out comes the announcement today of ONE taxi driver being confirmed, the first person to person transmission here.

 

 

Edited January 31, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[stevenl]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Calling Thailand???  Thailand, oh Thailand??? Where are you Thailand???

That's the advantage of having a non elected government. Here common sense can prevail over social media uproar.

[curlylekan]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Here's one recap of countries that have enacted bans/restrictions on Chinese tourist arrivals... Obviously, it's a rapidly changing landscape with each passing day... (The same article also has a recap of airline flight reductions):

 

https://qz.com/1793858/wuhan-virus-borders-closed-airlines-cancel-china-flights/

 

Here’s a list of moves to restrict entry for Chinese nationals:

• Mongolia: Closed China border crossings
• Philippines: Halted visas on arrival for Chinese nationals
• Hong Kong: Closing direct trains and ferries; closing some border crossings; Beijing to halt individual visitor permits starting Jan. 30
• Kazakhstan: Closed all transport links and stopped visa issuance to Chinese nationals
• Macau: Suspended individual visitors from mainland China; suspended ferries to Hong Kong
• Nepal: Sealed border with China for two weeks from Jan. 29
• North Korea: Closed its borders to all foreign tourists
• Russia: Banned Chinese tour groups, closed Far Eastern borders; suspends e-visas for Chinese nationals
• Taiwan: Barred entry to most Chinese nationals
• Vietnam: Closed border crossing at Lao Cai to Chinese tourists; visas on arrival suspended for mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong residents

 

As usual, Thailand, which is more impacted and more at risk than most of the other above countries due to its volume of Chinese tourism, is leading from the rear.

 

Meanwhile in Thailand, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore" ... and eat, shop and spend you great Chinese citizens. We welcome one and all no matter your health condition

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Here's one recap of countries that have enacted bans/restrictions on Chinese tourist arrivals... Obviously, it's a rapidly changing landscape with each passing day... (The same article also has a recap of airline flight reductions):

 

https://qz.com/1793858/wuhan-virus-borders-closed-airlines-cancel-china-flights/

 

Here’s a list of moves to restrict entry for Chinese nationals:

• Mongolia: Closed China border crossings
• Philippines: Halted visas on arrival for Chinese nationals
• Hong Kong: Closing direct trains and ferries; closing some border crossings; Beijing to halt individual visitor permits starting Jan. 30
• Kazakhstan: Closed all transport links and stopped visa issuance to Chinese nationals
• Macau: Suspended individual visitors from mainland China; suspended ferries to Hong Kong
• Nepal: Sealed border with China for two weeks from Jan. 29
• North Korea: Closed its borders to all foreign tourists
• Russia: Banned Chinese tour groups, closed Far Eastern borders; suspends e-visas for Chinese nationals
• Taiwan: Barred entry to most Chinese nationals
• Vietnam: Closed border crossing at Lao Cai to Chinese tourists; visas on arrival suspended for mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong residents

 

As usual, Thailand, which is more impacted and more at risk than most of the other above countries due to its volume of Chinese tourism, is leading from the rear.

 

 

And as of today, you can add Singapore to the above list of countries banning entry of Chinese nationals...

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/wuhan-virus-singapore-expands-travel-ban-to-all-china-passport-holders-100729231.html