Coronavirus

[Cartron]

 Hundreds if Hotels now  forced to close all along the coast here  in an effort to curtail the Virus and the schools are still open in the UK.!!!
That was a really telling account of the way things are in the UK Roger but it is not being taken seriously if children can take it home to parents and grandparents some with immune problems.

[Roger]

An NHS anaesthetist who is on the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus has spoken anonymously to Sky News.

It is difficult to know where to start describing what is happening in UK hospitals right now. Maybe the most stark is that plans are being drawn up for what to do when we run out of oxygen.
Oxygen is piped through the walls, so when the supply is interrupted it is like turning a tap on and finding you have run out of water.
It doesn't happen. It has never happened. Until it happened in Italy.

As little as two weeks ago my hospital was eerily quiet, with many patients avoiding the place. Now they are coming in quickly.
We have well over 50 cases as of the weekend and our intensive care is nearly full of coronavirus patients on breathing support machines.
One patient is sent for ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) at another hospital - a kind of bypass where a machine injects oxygen into the blood because the lungs have become too damaged to sustain life even on a ventilator.

We have just five centres in the UK capable of providing this service and they are very quickly filled.

Patients are not put onto this kind of life support unless they were fit and healthy before their illness.
Requiring this treatment means you are as sick as it is possible to be and it takes an awful lot of time, resources and biological resilience to recover. Essentially, ECMO buys your body time to recover from illness itself.
It is simply not true that only the very elderly who we can imagine "would have died soon anyway" will get sick.
I have looked after more than one patient who is in their early 60s with minor or no health complaints and who exercises regularly.

Older people and those with underlying health conditions are at most risk
They are not your grandparents. They are your colleague, your boss, your Pilates buddy. They are people very much still contributing to society who would perform well on any standard measure of fitness.

I want you to know that young people can and do become critically unwell and die from COVID-19. A colleague of mine is currently looking after several patients under the age of 40, all on ventilators.
We know from other countries that most of these younger patients will survive. But they will take a long time to recover - often in a hospital.

The impact of a sudden influx of coronavirus patients affects all parts of the health system.
Last week I looked after an intensive care patient who needed to go to see a specialist in another hospital. The patient was accepted by the specialist, but there was no intensive care bed for him to go to because it is now exclusively for coronavirus patients.
This specific intensive care unit normally serves the whole of my area of the country. For the next few months that service no longer exists.

The same is true of the life-saving operations that patients are normally admitted there for: cardiac bypass grafting, aortic aneurysm repairs.
Operations have, rightly, been postponed to free up staff and beds. My patient as it turned out, could be treated without transfer on this occasion but their situation is not unique.

Two elderly patients in my hospital went directly to the ward after major emergency surgery when ordinarily they would have gone to intensive care for close monitoring alongside a dedicated nurse. This level of care is no longer possible.

Much of the impact of coronavirus is sadly unavoidable. Whichever model of spread the government chooses to adopt, we will be overwhelmed.

However, the coronavirus mortality rate is not fixed, it exists within the context of a healthcare system and a population and has varied up to sevenfold in different countries.
Many factors can explain this but what is within our control is limiting sharp spikes in cases above our health system's capacity.

In the UK, there is already no slack in the system. We have half the number of intensive care beds per head of population as Italy and intensive care beds run at capacity year-round, so much so that lack of a bed is a common reason for on-the-day surgery cancellations.


The fear among my colleagues is that without any nationally led efforts to curb the spread of the virus, too many people will get COVID-19 at the same time and our limited resources will be rapidly depleted.

It is those patients in their 30s to 60s, who with the right care are capable of surviving, that will be failed by a system that cannot accommodate them.
This does not even account for the patients of all ages with all manner of medical needs whose care has been put on hold to make way for coronavirus.

We are urgently planning alternatives to our acute heart attack and stroke networks as well as emergency surgery like broken limbs which can wait but really shouldn't.
We need the operating theatres as intensive care space, and we need the surgeons as intensive care doctors.

This is the data that we do not yet have from China and Italy, the inevitable background increase in deaths from all causes.

I am seeing alarming and unprecedented changes to care.
Coronavirus is going to have a dramatic and sustained impact whatever we do. Please do not think that you or your healthy loved ones will be unaffected.
Yes, most people will not be nearly as unwell as the patients I have described. But it will affect us all. We on the front line are doing all we can within a system already stretched to breaking point.
We are planning for when the oxygen runs out, ordering more ventilators, more infusion pumps and more of the masks and gowns to protect ourselves, which seem to be dwindling every shift.
But we can only make a difference if everyone else does their bit too, by limiting their social contact and slowing down the spread.

Your surgery may be delayed, you may not be able to see your GP in person for a few months and you may know someone you didn't think was frail at all fighting for their life with COVID-19. But please do your best.
Remind yourself that the quality of the care we deliver to those with and without coronavirus will be directly influenced by the number of people who get sick at the same time.
I do not just worry for the very frail and the elderly, I worry for the slightly older but ultimately fit people who could get better, but only with the right care.

[steveconway24]

At least the toilet roll bulk buying is explained 
Any one buying loads of rolls is a "Juan Kerr"   

[webejamin]

  Good one Tets

[steveconway24]

Brilliant Tets 

[Tetley]

on a lighter note      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aox7CeOdmOY

[webejamin]

Might not be too long before many more make a bit of a contribution Haircut anyone.

[Cartron]

Im not a fan of Paul Pogba but he has now pledged a large donation also to the cause in fighting this killer virus.
There are many many other well known and rich people who are also digging deep and dont want any publicty.
I dont care whether they are rich or not or nice people or not, their help is well appreciated by those of us who want to join together in beating this thing, ( which of course we will do )
Please lets not throw their welcome help back in their faces.

[Crancrank]

A ray of sun as always Cartron

[Cartron]

Cranky Crancrank .Wonderful gesture by Ronaldo and hopefully more very rich people may now come on board.

[DLMcN]

It looks like coronovirus will be with us for ever, along with flu and other diseases.

At the moment we know very little about the virus, so whether action being taken is too much or too little we will not know for probably 12 months.

There are some interesting statistics which we do know.

It seems that coronovirus has a mortality rate of around 1%, compared with 0.1% from flu.

A lot depends on whether [and when?] they manage to develop a vaccine to combat this Covid-19

[Roger]

It looks like coronovirus will be with us for ever, along with flu and other diseases.

At the moment we know very little about the virus, so whether action being taken is too much or too little we will not know for probably 12 months.

There are some interesting statistics which we do know.

It seems that coronovirus has a mortality rate of around 1%, compared with 0.1% from flu.
Given that 15,000 people a years die of flu in the UK and Spain this is a worry.
This equates to over 100 people a day who die during the peak flu epidemic.
So far its much less from the coronovirus, so why is this.
Is it because it has not yet spread through the population?
In the UK and Spain the figures suggest that around 15 million people each year get the flu.
Is it possible that a lot of people have the new virus but in a very mild form and therefore the mortality rate is wrong?


The figures showing the increase simply relates to an increase in the number of people being tested.
What I find surprising is that from the figures in the UK only one person in 30 who are tested have shown to be positive, when the only people who are being tested are those who either show symptoms or who they consider at risk.
I would have expected it to be much higher if the virus has already spread amongst the population.

The problem is that we have absolutely no idea how many people have the coronovirus, only how many people have tested positive from a very unrepresentative sample.

There is no widespread random testing so there is no information about how widespread the virus is and whether the virus is spreading.

[zilnor]

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
KJH sums it up about the current situation.

Does it matter how Ronaldo is paying for  his very generous
gesture?  Get real people and be thankful that a very highly paid  sportsman is prepared to use his earnings to help those  affected by this deadly virus.

[KJH3]

Astounding comments. I am sure those in Portugal benefiting from this act will not bad mouth the provider and will be eternally grateful.  Damned if you do, damned if you don't. 

[Crancrank]

He'll be paying it out of his 15 million Euro tax avoidance fiddle maybe?

[felipe]

Exactly Karen.

[webejamin]

A few more gestures like that would be welcome methinks. Well done Ron.

[Karen4]

Ronaldo has a basic annual salary of $64 million with a further $40 million a year in endorsements which equates to $2 million a week.

What a man, I don't think so.

Just my opinion of course

Well if the report is accurate, which it seems to be, then I think it is a really wonderful gesture on his part. He can afford to do it but doesn't have to do it. To set up hospitals and pay for the salaries and materials needed will cost a considerable sum. It's not even about the money, it's because he CAN that he WILL.

[John and Sue]

One million people catch the flu and 250,000 dies every year, and no government takes these measures,
Somebody is not telling us the truth about it. just dont ring true to me.
Perhaps we will never know how it all started

[Crancrank]

Ronaldo has a basic annual salary of $64 million with a further $40 million a year in endorsements which equates to $2 million a week.

What a man, I don't think so.

Just my opinion of course

[Karen4]

Situations like this will always bring out both the best and the worst in humans. I hope the following report is true, as far as I know it is:

OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo is turning his chain of hotels in Portugal into hospitals to treat those with underlying health conditions who have Coronavirus.

Their treatment will be FREE as Cristiano will be paying for everything, including salaries of doctors & nurses.

What a man! 👏👏👏

[onslow]

     

I’m an intensive care specialist in a small city.

Coronavirus isn’t just like the flu, but it’s only really very dangerous to the elderly or the already unwell. Quite a lot of people in their 80s will die, but most of the rest of us will probably be okay.

If you’re in your 70s and you get Coronavirus, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 60s and you have a heart attack, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 50s and need bowel cancer surgery, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 40s and have a bad car accident, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 30s and have terrible pre-eclampsia as a complication of pregnancy, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

If you’re in your 20s and have a bad reaction to a party drug, you’ve got a really good chance of survival. If I’ve got a bed for you.

I have 7 beds equipped with life support machines. We have a plan to increase to about 25. Getting more isn’t a matter or more equipment or more money, that bit is easy. There are not enough skilled staff, even if we all work double shifts every day for six months (and we probably will).

If 50% of my city gets infected, that’s 75,000 people. If 5% of them need life support (which is the estimate), that’s 3750 people. For 25 beds.

And then I might not have a bed for you.

So it’s up to you to flatten the curve. Wash your hands. Stay home.

ScoMo #lockusdown



Put on Facebook  by a friend  in the UK.       

[PRINGLE]

Andalucian president just announced an unprecedented level 2 state. High risk of catastrophe and /or public calamity. One level off martial law. Maybe there's something they're not telling us. Maybe admin should get in contact with some one at town hall level to post updates as it comes.

[Karen4]

That's what I thought! 

[Tetley]

Err, Tetley, that's the link I just put up a couple of posts ago! 

senior citizen moment lol

[Karen4]

Err, Tetley, that's the link I just put up a couple of posts ago! 

[Tetley]

El Gobierno limitará al máximo el movimiento de los ciudadanos para frenar el contagio del coronavirus.

Toda España queda formalmente cerrada con el desarrollo del decreto del estado de alarma.

En el borrador del texto, que adelantó la Cadena SER y al que ha tenido acceso EL PAÍS, quedan muy claras las limitaciones de movimientos:

Los ciudadanos “únicamente podrán circular por las vías de uso público para la realización de las siguientes actividades:

a) adquisición de alimentos, productos farmacéuticos y de primera necesidad.
b) Asistencia a centros sanitarios.
c) Desplazamiento al lugar de trabajo para efectuar su prestación laboral, profesional o empresarial.
d) Retorno al lugar de residencia habitual.
e) Asistencia y cuidado a mayores, menores, dependientes, personas con discapacidad o personas especialmente vulnerables.
f) Desplazamiento a entidades financieras.
g) Por causa de fuerza mayor o situación de necesidad.
h) Cualquier otra actividad de análoga naturaleza debidamente justificada”.

Esto es, básicamente nadie puede moverse salvo para ir al trabajo, volver a casa o buscar alimentos y medicinas.

Essentially no-one can travel except to go to work, return home, or to buy food or medicine.

From 8am Monday.

https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-03-14/spanish-cabinet-prohibits-all-journeys-in-spain-apart-from-to-get-to-work-or-purchase-food.html

[Roger]

I assume clause (f) covers getting money from the bank.

[Roger]

El Gobierno limitará al máximo el movimiento de los ciudadanos para frenar el contagio del coronavirus.

Toda España queda formalmente cerrada con el desarrollo del decreto del estado de alarma.

En el borrador del texto, que adelantó la Cadena SER y al que ha tenido acceso EL PAÍS, quedan muy claras las limitaciones de movimientos:

Los ciudadanos “únicamente podrán circular por las vías de uso público para la realización de las siguientes actividades:

a) adquisición de alimentos, productos farmacéuticos y de primera necesidad.
b) Asistencia a centros sanitarios.
c) Desplazamiento al lugar de trabajo para efectuar su prestación laboral, profesional o empresarial.
d) Retorno al lugar de residencia habitual.
e) Asistencia y cuidado a mayores, menores, dependientes, personas con discapacidad o personas especialmente vulnerables.
f) Desplazamiento a entidades financieras.
g) Por causa de fuerza mayor o situación de necesidad.
h) Cualquier otra actividad de análoga naturaleza debidamente justificada”.

Esto es, básicamente nadie puede moverse salvo para ir al trabajo, volver a casa o buscar alimentos y medicinas.

Essentially no-one can travel except to go to work, return home, or to buy food or medicine.

From 8am Monday.

[PRINGLE]

Does that include banks?

Some banks will be open. Best to check your local branch on Monday.

[Karen4]

Yes, it's not a draft proposal. Information published here at 3pm today.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-03-14/spanish-cabinet-prohibits-all-journeys-in-spain-apart-from-to-get-to-work-or-purchase-food.html

[shadeseeker]

Just read in El Pais that as of 8am on Monday, all movement,in other words a lockdown will exist apart from food shops, tobacs  and chemists. Only essential travel allowed.
.

[KJH3]

I thought this was still a draught proposal according to the latest online Spanish news. As I said earlier all bars shops open in Albox,  drove through Arboleas and same there.  The indoor market at longos was open, as were the shops, garden centre etc etc 
A lot of people flouting the law don't you think? If it is the law yet?  We asked a bar owner in Arboleas what the position was and he said nothing had been confirmed yet?

[Karen4]

Apparently access to "financial institutions" is permitted. I thought though that bars and restaurants should be closed? Are some there open and some closed? I understood that the only other premises allowed to open are food shops, petrol stations, pharmacies and health centres? That's certainly the situation across the whole region of Murcia now, and people are supposed to stay at home unless going to an approved place, as above, or home from there. Penalty of â,¬600 for not adhering to the law!

[PRINGLE]

Does that include banks?
[/quote

No mention of banks as an exception so i would say yes but I don't know for sure.
Video meeting between Sanchez and provincial presidents later to decide whether to restrict unnecessary movements.