[The VFM Addict]

Approx 25% increase in confirmed cases to-date yesterday.    That’s some leap for a single day given that the bulk were in China where extensive lock-downs are already in place.

The R0 (pronounced R-naught) which is sometimes called the Reproduction Rate is sitting between 2-2.2.   So each case generates two more.   That’s similar to the R0 of the 1918 Spanish Flu which infected a quarter of the world’s population at that time.  So one can see exactly why the WHO are concerned as to what will happen once this hits states with little ability to contain it.

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During the Covid-19 Epidemic I will be wearing a mask and goggles while posting so that if I become infected I won't spread it to you.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

Seeing as this appears to be a specific type of virus, is there going to be a vaccine against it soon ?

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus

Some info about coronavirus’s in general above and No there won’t be a vaccine 🙁

[Ed P]

There was a piece on the TV news last night in which they interviewed a US company that was developing a vaccine (NIH and others are also doing this). They stated that they were moving very quickly to develop a vaccine and they were hopeful that human testing could start in the summer.

Inovio praised the Chinese for releasing their work on the genome of the virus.

[Drezha]

It’s hit the UK now – two confirmed cases (not from the quarantined flight lot).

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

There was an hour long program on telly 2 nights ago about vaccines that used bacteria to use the viruses RNA to duplicate their DNA into killer T6 cells, the T cells then recognise the virus and kill it.

The main program was about gene therapy because custom T cells were being used to cut DNA at a defective point so that new DNA could be inserted.

Cycle cell anaemia is the first disease they are testing it on.

[Ed P]

Now that it is in Yorkshire has anyone researched the value of different face masks e.g N100 versus N95 versus N88?

Apparently surgical masks are not especially recommended as being both flimsy and difficult to adjust properly, but apparently they do cut down transmission and stop you inadvertently touching your face.

[The Duke]

Anyone got a link to the uk case. A quick Google search didn’t find anything for me

[Ed P]

The Beeb was my reference, but so far the Yorkshire Evening Post has not been able to dig out details of the hotel where the couple were staying. My guess would be that they are from a Chinese tour party visiting York.

It does not surprise me that the Hotel details have not been released as that would be the economic kiss of death to the hotel and surrounding area.

[The Duke]

The radio, on the way home, said its a couple in Newcastle that has not long returned from China.

[Richard]

We have been trying to confirm a hotel booking at a York Hotel for next month. It is easier to turn lead into gold. Perhaps I now know why they are struggling. I will not name the hotel for obvious reasons.

On a related note, our surgery has sent out ‘do not visit us we will call you’ messages. Stating that if you are unwell after recent travel, especially to China, phone, or email contact only please.

[The Duke]

An artical just popped up in lu local papers ‘the journal’ Web site.

Talking of screening all walking for thd virus, all good so far. Then went on to say if you think you have it, Don’t come in, call 111 instead.

Sounds good at first glance, however 111 doesn’t exist for our area! What great local reporting, and advice form our surgery. We are all doomed.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

According to recent reports, a really good defence against the virus is to cut the bottom off a water cooler bottle and then stick it over your head.

Don’t know if it works but the photos show you will look like a prat 😂

[Bob Williams]

According to Look North, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire* TV News:   ”

Two people from the same family have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, the chief medical officer for England has announced.

They were guests at the Staycity apartment-hotel in York, before being taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The hotel remains open for business but their apartment will be thoroughly disinfected, the company said. ”

The couple were said to be from Hull, later corrected as a newsreader mistake:   “ The two people with coronavirus were moved from their York apartment-hotel to be treated initially at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull, before being taken to the infectious diseases unit in Newcastle.  ”

I might just drive up to the Humber Bridge with my lad’s OxyAcet welding plant and fit the cutting torch … 😝😆

*A very long title which is almost as long as some of the News Reports.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

The organisational incompetence of our Government and Civil Service comes to the fore once again in full public view of the TV cameras.

First they show all the bio hazard precautions being taken to handle the Wuhan flight, then they showed that each coach would be attended by a medic in full biohazard gear, then they cut to each coach being driven away by shirt-sleeved drivers who did not even have surgical masks.

Then the piece cut to an outside view of the York hotel, saying that the apartment (only the apartment) had been sealed and would be industrially cleaned. No mention of what happens to the air con/heating system and the other rooms.

Reassured – yes I’m totally reassured. We are all DOOMED!

The devil is in the detail, and our Civil Service are useless at organisational detail.

[Richard]

I am sure that armchair expertise does trump the medical advice but the medical facts that I saw reported were just a little different.

The medical advice was that provided there was no close contact, defined as within 2 meters for 15 minutes there was close to zero chance of transmission.

The drivers were volunteers who had been briefed as to their role, which was not to interact with or have any contact with the passengers but to drive the coaches.

Several seats were blocked to maintain separation. Passengers were screened before travelling.

Staff in hazmat suits and boots were there to maintain close and minute by minute contact with the passengers checking for any signs of illness. The coaches will be withdrawn from service after the journey and ‘deep cleaned’ before being left out of service for at least ten days. A nice little earner at a slack time of for travel. The drivers having been fully briefed have been given paid leave not to work and advised on the problems to watch out for.

The accommodation at the centre of the scare is not a hotel. It has been assessed as having dedicated entrances for the different units with no mingling of the residents. Access to and from the accommodation along with the accommodation has been sealed and prepared for cleaning. (We looked at it last night but wanted car parking. The brochure indicated each unit had its entrance.)

Medical advice says there is a short period during which contact surfaces retain viable virus matter, the period is quite short.

Not a doom and gloom situation, but you can always take the ‘skilled’ advice from antisocial networking sites. Their advice is that drinking bleach will cure all risks. This could be true in a sense as it is likely to be a fatal activity, thus curing all ailments, including life itself.

 

[The VFM Addict]

Richard wrote:

…………….. The medical advice was that provided there was no close contact, defined as within 2 meters for 15 minutes there was close to zero chance of transmission. …………..

The 2 metre distance I get but the 15 minutes makes no sense to me.

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During the Covid-19 Epidemic I will be wearing a mask and goggles while posting so that if I become infected I won't spread it to you.

[Drezha]

Ed P wrote:

No mention of what happens to the air con/heating system and the other rooms. Reassured – yes I’m totally reassured.

It looked reasonably new – these days the heater and air conditioner would only be within the room.

 

The 15 minutes may be how long they believe the virus can survive outside the host?

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Ed P]

” The medical advice was that provided there was no close contact, defined as within 2 meters for 15 minutes there was close to zero chance of transmission”

So no recirculated heating or air con system within the coaches? Judging by the shirt sleeves, the drivers certainly had access to heating.

My experience is that any public transport system is a fine way of sharing out the bugs.

[Ed P]

The Medical experts do not seem to have read the research that shows that aerosoled flu-like viruses can last for up to 16 hours on surfaces. link

To be fair, I think the experts are fully aware of this, as this is why hospitals now spend so much time cleaning surfaces.

This was and is an exercise in trying to gain public confidence and that there is no need to panic by boycotting York, Hull etc.

[Author]

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