.This is the thread for non-political news and events.
German police detain suspect after deadly shooting outside synagogue
Two people were killed in a shooting in the eastern German city of Halle on Wednesday and police said they had detained one person.
Mass-selling daily Bild said the shooting took place in front of a synagogue, and that a hand grenade was also thrown into a Jewish cemetery. An eyewitness told n-tv television that a perpetrator had also fired shots into a kebab shop in Halle.
All the synagogues in the neighborhood of Queens I live in didn’t have Sabbath services, except for the one I go to. I think the Rabbi’s decision was made under an advisement that the congregants, given our Jewish-internal demographics didn’t have as much risk of being exposed to the people who tested positive. People had ad hoc outdoor synagogues, including one in the parking lot behind my apartment, which is mainly used by Orthodox Jews anyway.
Is the risk of allowing commuters to share a bus that much lower than allowing commuters to share a train?
Not really but my point was more that essential workers could survive with one part of the service removed.
I don’t think any of us are miles apart on what should be done but it’s just my observation that some of the public clamour seems to be for the image of visible things ‘being done’ a lot of the time. A bit more on ‘gut feel’ than a scientific risk assessment.
What should be focused on is getting hand sanitation stations in as many places as possible (which prevents panic buying) and make access to testing as easy as possible with set plans on how to treat and contain. These are the things that Hong Kong and Singapore had set up very early. It’s all a lot more measured and less into grand gestures.
They are probably counting the ones that have been absolutely confirmed to be the Coronavirus through testing. There are probably those who actually Have it but haven’t been tested and thus, not part of the reported total.
So it might be a lot more infectious than they are saying. But if it is, then it’s also a lot less deadly than they are saying. So, swings and roundabouts…
What should be focused on is getting hand sanitation stations in as many places as possible (which prevents panic buying) and make access to testing as easy as possible with set plans on how to treat and contain. These are the things that Hong Kong and Singapore had set up very early. It’s all a lot more measured and less into grand gestures.
Completely agree that those would be good measures.
Just as a final note about sports games – let’s not forget that in order to get to large public events, people also have to travel, and many of them use public transport. I know that when there’s a big football match here, the trains are completely crowded with fans. And after getting together with those thousands of people, many of these people will travel back to different parts of the country and potentially take with them an infection.
When it comes to shutting down public transport, the hurt that that would cause to the functionality of working and living would be far greater than shutting down entertainment events. But who knows, maybe they’ll take that step, too. Right now, it feels like anything can happen – I mean, look at Spain.
Hey, who looks after all these kids turned away from shut down schools? Assuming the parents are still working… grandparents? Which is the most vulnerable demographic? Could it be… grandparents?
While trying not to take things things too lightly, David, have you heard of a thing called telecommuting? I know it started after 1979 but it is very effective in many industries. I heard that they even have some where you can even see you co workers while working from home.
My sister is a social worker on a psych unit for elderly patients. She says management has only advised staff on safety measures they can follow in hospital (such as washing hands) but haven’t given any guidelines about measures to take at home like social distancing. Every profession should be offering these guidelines but especially ones that service the elderly!
I’m not normally one for mob justice, but I would share zero tears if this guy’s neighbours strung him up and set him on fire
<p class=”css-exrw3m evys1bk0″ style=”margin: 0px 0px 0.9375rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 1.875rem; font-family: nyt-imperial, georgia, ‘times new roman’, times, serif; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%;”>On March 1, the day after the first coronavirus death in the United States was announced, brothers Matt and Noah Colvin set out in a silver S.U.V. to pick up some hand sanitizer. Driving around Chattanooga, Tenn., they hit a Dollar Tree, then a Walmart, a Staples and a Home Depot. At each store, they cleaned out the shelves.</p>
<p class=”css-exrw3m evys1bk0″ style=”margin: 0px 0px 0.9375rem; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 1.875rem; font-family: nyt-imperial, georgia, ‘times new roman’, times, serif; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%;”>Over the next three days, Noah Colvin took a 1,300-mile road trip across Tennessee and into Kentucky, filling a U-Haul truck with thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer and thousands of packs of antibacterial wipes, mostly from “little hole-in-the-wall dollar stores in the backwoods,” his brother said. “The major metro areas were cleaned out.”</p>
HAPPENING NOW: Matt did not answer our calls so we went to his storage unit. The AG’s office was on the scene facilitating with the donation. This is the 3rd stop they’ve been to this morning to gather the sanitizer. @WRCB https://t.co/SLOaEwJLOj pic.twitter.com/REJPNhiSbS
— Hunter Hoagland (@HunterHoagland) March 15, 2020
From today organised gatherings of 500+ people are forbidden here. For some reason they waited until today meaning the weekend’s sports matches went ahead – pretty irresponsible. The St. Patrick’s day parade and festivities still went ahead yesterday – also foolish.
Our PM was originally intending to attend the footy on the weekend to cheer on his “beloved” Cronulla Sharks (it’s all an act), but bailed at the last minute, blaming media scrutiny.
Schools here are still open, though there’s word they might close them midweek. Unfortunately the nation’s chief medical officer isn’t the best communicator and it’s being suggested he’s politically compromised instead of being a pure public servant. A federal minister has been diagnosed after returning from the US where he met with Ivanka and AG Barr. Most of the cases in Australia now that are traceable to overseas arrivals have come from the US now.
This a really cool little demonstration of how different measures can affect the spread of an illness:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
Our Principal Solicitor/Managing Partner has just announced that the firm will be split into two teams (a “red” and a “green”) and the teams will rotate weekly working for home for the immediate future.
I think the intention is to implement it later this week or next week. I hope I’m on the first shift because working from home means sleeping in.
The major supermarket chain here has introduced priority shopping for the elderly and disabled – they’ll be granted access to shop 1 hour earlier than everyone else, as all this hoarding and bulk purchasing often sees household staples gone from the shelves within minutes.
They’ve also been forced to close early this week so that they can fully restock shelves and clean the premises.
Wife and I ducked in to grab a few items this evening; many people had full trolleys, some had two.
Some people are going to die as a result of this assfoolery
Some people are going to die as a result of this assfoolery
But it’s most likely going to be the “healers”, so it’s not all bad?
Some people are going to die as a result of this assfoolery
But it’s most likely going to be the “healers”, so it’s not all bad?
That actually happened in… I think it was Congo during the Ebola outbreak. Religious services ran including a laying of the hands, the ministers contracted Ebola and died, but passed it to many members of their congregations beforehand.
And apparently the biggest outbreak of Coronavirus in South Korea was identified as someone who went to religious services before getting tested after they noticed symptoms.
And apparently the biggest outbreak of Coronavirus in South Korea was identified as someone who went to religious services before getting tested after they noticed symptoms.
The story behind it is actually lot weirder than that. The church in question is a bit of a Moonie style cult and the leader demands his followers go out and drag foreigners in off the street so he can do photo ops of how is word is spreading to all nationalities. If they don’t do it he fines them and the translation the foreigners are given of the service tones down all the whacko bits. The acolytes are also tasked with gatecrashing other more conventional churches and trying to get people to join his.
So the theory is they must have dragged in some poor sap from Wuhan off the street, and then spread it through multiple churches with their evangelising. That’s why they had a really massive spike very quickly which they seem to have managed now.
Some people are going to die as a result of this assfoolery
Some “trad cath” vloggers are going mad about churches being closed. They think it’s a sign of the Apcalypse or something like that.
Which could pose a problem later down the line when they’re trying to achieve things that depend on that kind of trust.
Of course, who was it that did so much to undermine trust in government?
Wait.. It’ll come to me…..
It wasn’t me!
Well we’ve just gone into lockdown on the orders of the PM.
First, the general prohibition of mass movements and gatherings across the country including religious, sports, social and cultural activities. To enforce this prohibition, all houses of worship and business premises should be closed, except for supermarkets, public markets, grocery stores and convenience stores selling everyday necessities. Specifically for Muslims, the adjournment of all religious activities in mosques and mosques including Friday prayers is in line with the decision of the Special Mental Health Committee meeting on March 15, 2020.
Secondly, the sanctions cover all Malaysians traveling abroad. For those who have just returned from overseas, they are required to undergo a health check and to do a quarantine (or self quarantine) for 14 days;
Third, restrictions on the entry of all tourists and foreign visitors into the country;
Fourth, closure of all kindergartens, government and private schools including daily schools, boarding schools, international schools, tahfiz centers and other primary, secondary and pre-university institutions;
Fifth, the closure of all public and private higher education institutions (IPTs) and skills training institutes nationwide; and
Sixth, the closure of all government and private premises except those involved in essential services (water, electricity, energy, telecommunications, postal, transportation, irrigation, oil, gas, fuel, lubricants, broadcasting, finance, banking, health, pharmacy, fire, prison, port, airport, safety, defense, cleaning, retail and food supply.
Just saw this on the Guardian:
An estimated 140,000 people have been laid off in Ireland since emergency measures to combat coronavirus were introduced four days ago, according to national broadcaster RTE.
This is a combination of 70,000 restaurant workers, 50,000 pub and bar staff, and around 20,000 crèche and childcare workers. it reported.
This is a huge shock to the economy and triple them monthly unemployment numbers in the 2010 crash and possibly gives a glimpse of the consequences to come if the UK’s follows EU countries and moves to close schools and introduce curfews on restaurants and bars.
That’s an enormous number for a country as small as Ireland, 4.5m population and then you rule out the kids and pensioners that don’t work. A lot will get re-hired once normality returns but a lot of those businesses may well go under with no revenue for several weeks so it’ll be felt for a long time.
This will have repercussions for things like the gig economy too. The effect of no security, sick leave etc will go from being anecdotal to a mass impact.
Mark is one of these people, he’s been made redundant for the duration.
Some “trad cath” vloggers are going mad about churches being closed. They think it’s a sign of the Apcalypse or something like that.
Well they should be happy then. Aren’t they all hoping for the apocalypse because that’s when they will ascend to live at Jesus’ side?
Unless…….they secretly suspect they won’t be among the righteous? 
“trad cath”
Sounds like a character from Star Wars.
It means ‘cat’s feet’ in Welsh (almost anyway, it would be tread cath).
Mark is one of these people, he’s been made redundant for the duration.
Damn, Mark is good people, send him my best regards when you see him.
“trad cath”
Sounds like a character from Star Wars.
They’re a crazy bunch. I stumbled upon some youtube channels with their stuff, it’s terrible but it’s also quite fascinating. They seem to be convinced the Vatican is taken over by an evil cabal and they are the true Catholics fighting against their corruption, by speaking in Latin and taking lots of cold showers.
I only agree with half of that. ;)
Idris Elba Latest Star To Test Positive For Coronavirus
I’m WFH now, likely for the week, maybe next week – if the aim is to prevent it moving then 2 weeks are needed.
He also talked about building herd immunity.
Good luck with that. Was supposed to be the strategy over here but there was a bit of a problem in that 250k deaths would result from it!
Here is the BBC’s analysis of the government’s current plans:
the plan is to drive down the number of cases to very low levels, which the models predict will limit deaths from coronavirus to the thousands or tens of thousands.
However, this approach comes with a major problem – there is no exit strategy.
Without the immunity that would build up if people were infected, then cases would soar as soon as measures are lifted.
The report said these could need to be in place until a vaccine is available, which could take up to 18 months.
This is the huge elephant in the room that nobody seems to be dealing with — all the current responses are short-term, nobody’s telling us what we will do in a month, in six months, in a year. While I understand the need to take defensive measures, we simply cannot shut society down for a year. We just can’t. The results would be worse than the virus. There must be another way.
This is pretty awesome, seeing the research progress so quickly. Doctors are badass.
There’s still no explanation for the run on TP that I initially thought started here, but appears to have actually started in Hong Kong. We make toilet paper in Australia, we’re not going to run out of it – but the shelves are still empty.
That is the craziest thing. Once they start making movies and shows again, if we see people fleeing from hordes of zombies, alien invaders or giant kaiju, it just won’t be believable unless they are hauling as much toilet paper as they can carry.
This is the huge elephant in the room that nobody seems to be dealing with — all the current responses are short-term, nobody’s telling us what we will do in a month, in six months, in a year. While I understand the need to take defensive measures, we simply cannot shut society down for a year. We just can’t. The results would be worse than the virus. There must be another way.
We might be able to. I mean, imagine if this was a much worse disease killing most people who got it. The pressure isn’t coming from the top; it’s a ground up movement by people who don’t want to get sick or, especially, get even more vulnerable people sick. It isn’t like there is only imposition of restrictions by the government. Here, our Federal government’s C.E.O. is actively resisting taking action, but the rest of society is telling him to get serious about it. The politicians are responding to what people are already doing – we’re shutting down the society ourselves. The Mayor here in LA is essentially closing movie theaters and restaurants that were already empty.
What’s heartening is that this is not as bad a disease as we could face and possibly will face in the future. However, most people are behaving responsibly even though they could simply let this disease burn through the vulnerable populations while essentially maintaining business as usual. Most of the people in my circle are more worried about becoming infectious and making others sick than getting sick.
What’s heartening is that this is not as bad a disease as we could face and possibly will face in the future.
The interesting thing raised by the experts though is that the two rather go hand in hand. The relatively mild effect on many infected has allowed it to spread quickly.
I’m not saying a more deadly strain of pandemic isn’t possible but a recent Guardian podcast went into how Ebola remained contained largely because it was too effective at killing people. With a mortality rate at the beginning of 90% it was very quick to be spotted. You can imagine that even ignoring accusations of cover up that it would take doctors in Wuhan some time to notice a trend outside of ordinary seasonal flu. Sharing so many of the same symptoms and mainly affecting the same group (although we’ve found out children are less at risk it seems than with seasonal flu) I can imagine it would go undetected for a fair while until the numbers start to show they are higher.
That is the craziest thing. Once they start making movies and shows again, if we see people fleeing from hordes of zombies, alien invaders or giant kaiju, it just won’t be believable unless they are hauling as much toilet paper as they can carry.
It is crazy, but I think it can be explained. Once one person, or a very small group of people, starts buying a lot if TP it can spread because when people see it, say on social media, and they see empty shelves in the store, they start thinking they must get TP as well before it is completely sold out. I usually only buy when I am almost out of TP, but now I bought one extra pack just in case the shelves happen to be empty right at the moment when I’m out.
I don’t know about the rest of the world, but empty shelves here are less about stores running out but more due to not having enough personnel to restock the shelves. With new self checkout options and other upgrades, stores have really cut back on employees so increased demand doesn’t leave them well positioned to restock when you just have two part time guys to do it.
My office got closed today for the duration. Happy Paddy’s day!
The HEB grocery chain in Texas is hiring extra people to deal with the load. They’ve also adjusted hours to allow for restocking time, and probably rest for their employees.
Mnuchin announced there may be some cash payments to Americans because of corona, like a UBI. Interesting developments.
There is also talk of money going to the airlines and cruise ship industry.
But remember, it’s NOT socialism.
It would be priceless if Trump used it to attack Biden from the left. “The democrats are the party of the oligarchs, we give the free monneh!”
Mnuchin announced there may be some cash payments to Americans because of corona, like a UBI. Interesting developments.
Great idea. Give me some money so I can go out and just buy a fucking Covid19 test.
Ah, crap, I forgot those aren’t available for sale… or available at all really. Well, I hope they pay us in anti-viral dollars.
Sure, I mean, the economy is great and all, but if you can throw all this money around, how about adding a little competent pandemic response on the side.
I’ve been real busy in e-hangouts (and slow reading, which is annoying – focus problem that diminishes speed, and I’m all about reading fast) reassuring, commenting, fact-checking but mostly repeating over and over and bloody over
Keep you focking HANDS BELOW THE ELBOWS when washing!
I have solded doctors, nurses, flamingoes and visitors from alien species on this, but I keep seeing new videos. (Some of these are promptly yanked after I bitch about it, which is my current pet peeve.) Every danged one, they either raise their hands, clap their wet hands (oh joy! Don’t even fucking bother to sneeze!), or promptly touch their face with their freshly-washed hands, grab that bathroom doorknob, give it a hefty twist, make sure to touch their danged face again and proceed on their merry way, all fresh and clean.
They got me cussin’ like Lorcan on a testy day.
One of our big two supermarket chains has just advertised 4,000 (casual) positions.
There’s going to a be rapid shift of roles I think for casual jobs. They have ordered here that restaurants can only provide takeaway or delivery, nobody can eat in. So you have to assume a lot of temporarily unemployed waiting staff are now going to be signing up for delivery apps.
Give me some money so I can go out and just buy a fucking Covid19 test.
Ah, crap, I forgot those aren’t available for sale… or available at all really
Apparently they are available if you’re a high-profile actor.
big drawbacks in terms of people being able to rely on official government direction on closures for insurance purposes etc.
Because my social medias tend to be full of bands and concert venues, this has become the biggest topic of conversation recently. If the government mandates a shut-down, people can claim of their business insurance and hopefully ride this this out. If the government *suggests* closing, and the socially-responsible venue complies, then it’s a volunatry act that insurance doesn’t cover. Guess which option the governemnt went for?
The general mood is that Boris Johnson has thrown the arts sector under the bus in order to preserve the insurance industry. (By pure coincidence, the insurance industry has been bunging huge amounts of cash his way in recent years.)
Yo, did you see these news about Trump being incredibly Trump again with regards to a German firm developing a potential vaccine?
According to an anonymous source quoted in the newspaper, Trump was doing everything to secure a vaccine against the coronavirus for the US, “but for the US only”.
The German government was reportedly offering its own financial incentives for the vaccine to stay in the countryThe German health minister Jens Spahn said that a takeover of the CureVac company by the Trump administration was “off the table”. CureVac would only develop vaccine “for the whole world”, Spahn said, “not for individual countries”.
Yo, did you see these news about Trump being incredibly Trump again with regards to a German firm developing a potential vaccine?
According to an anonymous source quoted in the newspaper, Trump was doing everything to secure a vaccine against the coronavirus for the US, “but for the US only”.
The German government was reportedly offering its own financial incentives for the vaccine to stay in the countryThe German health minister Jens Spahn said that a takeover of the CureVac company by the Trump administration was “off the table”. CureVac would only develop vaccine “for the whole world”, Spahn said, “not for individual countries”.
I saw that but I think it’s probably bullshit. Getting a vaccine for a lethal disease and holding it for one country alone has never been done, and I doubt the US would do it now.
“Bullshit” is probably a bit too harsh. There could be some truth to it, but I think it might be exaggerated. Maybe the US was looking for some discount when there is eventually a vaccine. But denying an essential medication to other countries…I really, really doubt that.
I don’t – Trump is all about US first, fuck everyone else
Sure, I mean, the economy is great and all, but if you can throw all this money around, how about adding a little competent pandemic response on the side.
You’re asking way too from this administration, aren’t you?
Is anyone else in the US bothered by the fact that Hollywood celebrities, sports figures, and political elites have absolutely no problem getting tested for COVID 19 while the rest of the population are currently looking at long waits at drive-up centers and health centers, if they can find one that is offering tests?
Shoulda played more basketball when I was growing up, I guess…
You could always take up Hollywoo-ing or borrow my old camán.
Testing is limited here too.
There could be some truth to it, but I think it might be exaggerated.
It probably is. But the CEO of that company was at a White House meeting with Trump this month, and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Trump spontaneously offered that kind of deal to him. It’s exactly the way he thinks – someone tells him they might have a vaccine soon, he says “I want to have this, sell it to us and to nobody else”.
As for if that would even be feasible, and what that kind of move would entail… well, remember this is the guy who wanted to buy Greenland.
This is the worst thing that’s happened so far.
Is anyone else in the US bothered by the fact that Hollywood celebrities, sports figures, and political elites have absolutely no problem getting tested for COVID 19 while the rest of the population are currently looking at long waits at drive-up centers and health centers, if they can find one that is offering tests?
Bothered but not surprised. It extends beyond the US, much fuss has been made of Idris Elba being tested when the UK government is struggling to test even health workers. This is hugely counterproductive because medical staff are self-isolating for 14 days at the sign of a cough which could be nothing to do with Covid-19, a test would tell you and they could in most cases come back.
The simple truth is it’s always been money, even though the UK has socialised healthcare it also has a very respected and profitable private sector. Elba no doubt went to Harley Street where the doctors to the rich and famous reside, where middle eastern royalty fly for a checkup, and paid for it.
Sports figures I am a little more relaxed about, they spend many hours a week with medical staff paid for by their teams, tiny changes in their health is monitored as a matter of course as part of the job. However if we do have limited availability it should be shared equally, this crisis is bringing out the inner socialist in many.
I hope there is some guideline in the pharmaceutical industry or some international law that prohibiting sales of essential medicine to certain parts of the world is illegal. If not there should be.
It should, I don’t think it is but in the end the German government have a final veto, their mergers and monopolies panel could just refuse any takeover. Even if Trump bids a trillion dollars they can tell him to fuck off if they want.
this crisis is bringing out the inner socialist in many.
I’ve seen serious calls for the government to just seize private hospitals and bring them into the NHS. It will never happen, of course. I’m not sure that even Corbyn would have tried something like that.
Though honestly, how is seizing a private hospital so you can treat sick people any worse than seizing private land so you can build a new high-speed rail line?
They’re both really good?
Mnuchin announced there may be some cash payments to Americans because of corona, like a UBI. Interesting developments.
There is also talk of money going to the airlines and cruise ship industry.
But remember, it’s NOT socialism.
Because it’s a loan, and Trump is expecting them to repay the Fed after the pandemic is over; so it’s an investment by the government in hope that it’ll help the economy bounce back faster when we’re no longer in emergency conditions. That’s not socialism, that’s pure capitalism.
I don’t think it makes sense though. He would hoard it all for the US and not sell it to the rest of the world? Medicine is among other things a business, if anything his instinct would be to get the rights for the US and sell vaccinations to the rest of the world and make money off it. I don’t really believe he is a cartoon villain who just wants to see people die because that gives him enjoyment. Well he could be, but I don’t think it’s likely.
I don’t think it’s about seeing people die – it’s his base business mindset; all about competition – he sees every other country as a competitor; an illness that drags everyone else’s economies down while the US is immune to it? That’s a competitive advantage. America would be “winning”.
Some good news:
The governor confirmed today that NYC’s patient 0 is virus free, but is recovering. I’ve also heard that New Rochelle’s patient 0 is no longer in serious condition, which, if true, is very good news, as his prognosis was very bad, so I’m hoping that the CDC takes advantage of this, and compares his records with those who have passed, to see if there was any difference in treatment that could be replicated.
Since laughter is the best medicine, Weird Al released a 21 year old recording of humanity’s collective panicked scream in 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIOWvrssA
I’ve seen serious calls for the government to just seize private hospitals and bring them into the NHS. It will never happen, of course. I’m not sure that even Corbyn would have tried something like that.
I think our baseline for what will “never” happen will shift a lot over the coming months. So I wouldn’t be so sure about this. We will see a lot of things that we thought would never happen soon.
Well there are some positive developments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxychloroquine#Research
The “relief” package that our government is offering small businesses is a loan. They were challenged on it in Parliament yesterday and responsed with “But they dont have to pay interest for six months”.
Small businesses that are already on the edge of profitability are now faced with a choice of going out of business now, or taking a loan and going out of business in six months.
As one resturant owner put it: if I lay off my staff, they will claim benefits. So just give me the money and let me pay it to them as a wage instead.
The general news thread seems to be turning into another politics thread 
The “relief” package that our government is offering small businesses is a loan. They were challenged on it in Parliament yesterday and responsed with “But they dont have to pay interest for six months”.
Small businesses that are already on the edge of profitability are now faced with a choice of going out of business now, or taking a loan and going out of business in six months.
As one resturant owner put it: if I lay off my staff, they will claim benefits. So just give me the money and let me pay it to them as a wage instead.
Sounds a lot like student loans, which definitely aren’t a ticking timebomb
The general news thread seems to be turning into another politics thread
I’ve been watching the news. Some penguins got to explore around their closed aquarium and then some other penguins went delightedly down the stairs.
