The reason I'm annoyed is because clearly it is possible to contain this. China managed it at a late stage (through extreme measures) but Singapore controlled it in its early stages with relative east. Even Italy and SK seem to be making progress in controlling it before it is too late.

But Iran?

'Lets ignore it, cover up the damn thing and do nothing until it's already far too late'

China should be condemed for allowing this to happen in the first place by covering it up for the first month. But how stupid do you have to be to make the same mistake twice?

How stupid does a 21st Century nation have to be, to be a mediæval theocracy?

Indeed, they got complacent. They were probably like 'it's no worse than flu'.

This is what happens when you get complacent, you take everyone down with you. FFS. I was actually getting my hopes up that this pandemic could be stopped too.

I suppose the only thing you can say for Iran is at least they arn't as bad as North Korea who are still denying they have it despite a likely out of control epidemic occuring. North korea is isolated though so isn't that much of a big deal for the rest of us.

Yes, I hear to many people using this phrase.

I have drilled down into the detail and you are right - case increases in SK and Italy have levelled off and this is good news. Let's hope this trend continues.

Does not help massively, if the Middle East loses control - it is much nearer than SK and the spread into highly populated countries with poor infrastructure, is alarming quite frankly - Iran has Pakistan to its east and Turkey, Iraq and Syria to its west. If an epidemic breaks out in the refugee camps - well, you can join up the dots.

What do South korea and Italy have in common? They both took this really seriously. Italy took it more seriously than any other European country. They were the first to ringfence funds to deal with a potential epidemic and very quickly screened flights from China. The outbreak is just bad luck.

South korea has an almost machine level of organisation when it comes to this. They are lab testing nearly a thousand a day and tracking down every transmission chain very meticulously. They also have experience from SARS when it comes to handeling this.

So yes I think there is a good chance the outbreaks in SK and Italy will be contained but only because they don't have the same 'it's just flu'ism attitude that many people have in here.

Iran. No chance of containment.

OT but interesting how the left get so worked up over the tea bags someone uses, but are so relaxed about this outbreak.

Strange times.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51621812

Worrying about non problems like tea and pronouns but not taking an actual problem like a potential pandemic seriously!

You couldn't make it up could you

God will save the Iranian people from this American virus.

I see you are itching for a fight again.

There are more daily cases in SK and Italy combined than Hubei now.

It is statement of fact.

Italy is not out of the woods:

https://www.thelocal.it/20200225/new-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-in-tuscany-and-sicily

Indeed, they still have a long way to go.