It showed signs, at the time, of going out of control. Local transmission with multiple transmission chains. Thankfully they stopped it. No one could have predicted South Korea or Italy either.

Er no.  All bar two of the people infected were directly linked to the initial sources.

Clearly you are intent on sticking to your misrepresentation of the position despite being told the facts.  This is disappointing, to say the least.

That's not true. We've been through this.

FFS, you can’t help yourself!

Exactly what are you suggesting?  That somehow Q’s predictions of doom in Singapore were warranted?

I’d stick to trying to grasp basic economics if I were you.

It is true. We have indeed and you’re still ignoring the evidence.

And crippled by sanctions. They cant get masks and medication. Interesting how both you and Maunder fail to mention this once. 

Do you think sanctions should be lifted, or the stinking ragheads should be left to die? 

Oh right. That's the reason they have their own health ministers spluttering away and infecting people nearby. US sanctions. Get a grip.

Wow SK is testing over 16k people in one day?!

They seem really on top of this.

Outside of Hubei chinese cases are dropping to near zero. China is now quarantining more people ariving from Abroad than it is getting homegrown cases (outside of Hubei).

Ironically China may become one of the safest places to be in the coming weeks.

You may recall I raised the issue of reservoir hosts and anthropozoonoses* back at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak.
[*Noun. anthropozoonosis (plural anthropozoonoses) (pathology) Any disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Specifically, it refers to diseases or infections that primarily affect animals but can be naturally transmitted to humans. Examples of anthropozoonoses include rabies, brucellosis, and Ebola.]
I am pleased to see it is still being pursued:
Coronavirus: The race to find the source in wildlife
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51496830

Roger

I saw this on a mental health ad and thought how apt it is for some posters on this thread:

Ships don’t sink because of the water around them.  Ships sink because of the water that gets inside them.  The moral of the story is:-  Don’t let what’s going on around you get inside you and weigh you down!

Surprised you are believing the numbers outside Hubei. Reports they have pretty much stopped testing.

TBH I wouldn't be surprised if these measures to contain it fail, and it becomes just another variant of flu in the wild. At least then the absolute hysteria will come to an end!

(I'd be far more concerned about it all if it was something like SARS or MERS, but it isn't. All available evidence shows it to be just a slightly more potent version of flu... and heaven knows, you don't get all this containment and worrying going on about that!)

You can have a seasonal Flu shot and this reduces the risk, particularly in those vulnerable groups.

I suspect governments, including our own who will put in place measures for containment are far better informed that you or I to make the judgement on whether this is hysteria or not.

Let's remember, its been said many times - its the additional pressures, impacts on supply chains etc that will cause the issues. 

This is why I was happy we got brexit done. The hysteria from the left was far far worse than the measured and balanced comments from those of us who believe this current outbreak should be taken seriously.

Why would you want to defend the disgusting Iranian regime? Even given sanctions, they are making no efforts to contain the virus, all their "holy" sites remain open and open prayer gatherings continue. That is because the country is run (unbelievable in the 21st century) by a stupid, brain dead theocracy.

Not only does that affect the hapless and misgoverned Iranian people, but it threatens the whole Middle East with a pandemic.

I remain unconvinced that China have this under control.

they kicked out most foreign media. I suspect to cover up how bad things still are.

Sorry but you have made that up - source please?

Seems I misread:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/19/china-bars-wall-street-journal-reporters-over-derogatory-column

However, this line is particularly interesting (highlighted) seems the media are likely under pressure not to report facts.

China is expelling three Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporters from the country, a move with no recent precedent, marking a sharp escalation in pressure on foreign media in the country.

Brexit is costing us £30 billion each year just from the devaluation of sterling against the Euro, but let’s not let facts get in the way of your beliefs. Not unlike some of the efforts concerning Covid-19.

I have no information for or against this point, HW - but I do recall the history of the "Long March" and "Cultural Revolution" well enough to have probabilities in mind. I will leave you to scan these 2 links if you are not familiar with the episodes.

Added: they are parts of Chinese history with a considerable bearing on mind set and attitudes.

Long March: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/mar/16/china.features11

Cultural Revolution: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/the-cultural-revolution-50-years-on-all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-political-convulsion

Roger

The saliva test for COVID-19 is itself suspect - it only works if there is sufficient virus in the saliva to register -a blood test would be far more accurate, but that is more invasive and it takes longer to get the result at additional cost. Reason I am highlighting this is the Japanese experience:

"...

Japan's health minister says dozens of passengers who were allowed off a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have developed symptoms - including fever - and will be asked to take tests for the virus.

The government has contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess. Around 970 were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the virus, but several have subsequently been found to be carrying the disease.

..."

So people let out of quarantine on the basis that they were virus free, when clearly a substantial proportion were not. Three new cases reported from Thailand today are all people who recently visited Japan. Point is that the authorities may feel they have the situation under control, when they haven't, both because of asymptomatic cases and because the saliva test itself produces false negatives.

Has the British government advised people to work from home yet? At a stroke they could reduce population (not sure if the right word) density on public transport and the roads as well in offices / work environments. IMHO it offers an opportunity to kick start home working in the UK.  

Interesting, thanks.

Re-the cruise ship, surely with the virus present even a negative test means little because someone could become infected during the time it takes to get the test result?