Well, the "EU pandemic early warning system" has clearly helped when it comes to corona virus hasn't it?

The reality on the ground was that the EU saw preserving Schengen as more important than attempting to slow the spread of the virus.

Doesn't seem that long ago (beginning of January) that the pundits or the ones who thought they knew more than the experts were saying a vaccine would be just a month or so away.

FWIW this is the stuff we used in the Phils for mozzie sandfly bites to reduce itching. There was also a bottle in the office which we used after toilet on hands. Also for skin cooling in the the heat. 

https://epadian.com/product/isopropyl-rubbing-alcohol-70-solution-antiseptic/

Cheap as chips and available anywhere (well over there) but rare as snow in southern England here.

In the UK you almost need a prescription for the stuff though Boots have it though sold as surgical spirit and you have to be over 18. 

I think it is -

There are those with no/mild conditions who will carry on as normal. There will also be those that believe they just have the flu and those that will just keep quiet and self isolate.

Indeed - that is something that has occurred to me too.

It would depend on the testing regime I think. It's possible a wave of corona went under the radar like it appears to have done in Italy. 

Yes. The big central banks have said they will support markets. I think much will depend on what happens in western countries this week, particularly South Korea (I know geographically it isn't!) and Italy. IMO it's still too early to make a call on what is happening in northern Italy.

I'm certainly not rushing back in quite yet. Keenly watching airline stocks, reckon Ryanair could be a good punt once this bottoms out....

It must be a possibility that UK asymptomatic cases are about by now, Brian. I still wonder if my weird long drawn out chesty cold/infection in January/February might have been an un-diagnosed case. I'm still surprised the GPs asked me to go in for a check, ungloved and un-masked, and did not take a swab. However, the lack of any diagnosed cases in Lincolnshire reassures me that they were right and I did not become a super-spreader.

Roger

From The Telegraph:

"Indonesian President Joko Widodo is announcing that two Indonesians have tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first confirmed cases in the world's fourth most populous country.

The two are receiving treatment in hospital, Widodo told reporters at the presidential palace in Jakarta. He did not specify where the patients were being treated.

Indonesia’s apparent lack of cases had been flagged by diplomats as a cause for alarm.  A University of Southampton report based on the smartphone and flight data of travellers from Wuhan revealed earlier this month that it was statistically implausible for Indonesia to have no cases.  "

It has always been implausible that countries in the region such as Indonesia, Laos and Myanmar have remained virus free. As for North Korea - well, that is a special case.

I have often wondered whether GPs and dentists have a higher incidence of colds and flu than the general population. No idea whether it has been researched. Anecdotally I have come to believe the transmission of cold and flu viruses isn't as straightforward as may be thought. 

From the BBC:

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Hubei province - where the virus first emerged - has increased for the second day in a row, following a period of decline, says the World Health Organization (WHO), which says it is working to understand the significance of this if any.

China reported 202 new cases today - 196 of which were from Hubei. All 42 deaths reported on Monday also originated from Hubei.

There are currently over 80,000 confirmed cases across China.

This is my worry. As I mentioned earlier I work across two SEN sites, working with 11 different classes, including a number of children with underlying health problems. In the event of this spreading I can't see how I'll avoid exposure to it and then spread it further before any symptoms show - including to my mum who is in her 80's with health problems. 

I suppose there's not much we can do about it.

Of course, they do whatever it takes to keep this corrupt system moving, whilst millions live in poverty

Leave it out Beast. The whole world does not revolve around political positions. A virus is not a Labour or a Conservative supporting organism, a pathogen is not of the left or of the right, it is an indiscriminate force of nature.

Keep partisan comments where they belong - in the threads designed for that purpose, such as General Politics, Labour leadership etc.

Then stop being a hypocrite and keep your anti-EU nonsense out of this thread!

I made one comment about Schengen, which is appropriate, since border controls might have helped. Too late for that now.

I think the testing regime is the most important factor, especially in comparing data from different countries.  Do they test everyone with a cough, everyone who’s known to have been in contact with a confirmed case, or everyone who’s been to affected areas?  If any or all of those, on what timescale do they test?

I'm just saying the banks and governments are able to magic money when they want to, yet we are always told we cant afford this and that, whilst millions are living in temporary accommodation and struggling on low pay with no sick pay

Which is something which could be discussed in the general politics thread.

It was completely off the top of your head. You said EU countries were more obsessed with maintaining Schengen than fighting Covid 19, a statement you have zero evidence for

There is crossover though. Central Banks are printing money to help the markets

If Boris announces that the Govt will pay sick pay  for anyone who needs to self isolate, then I will applaud him

Latest on NBC news:

"Amazon employees in Milan quarantined after testing positive for coronavirus"

The reason it is significant, is that if the distribution network is closed down because of the virus, how will people receive their online orders (including online shopping for groceries)?

What is everyone's thoughts on the Cobra meeting today? What measures do people think will be announced.

It has been commented on by serious commentators:

https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-eu-rules-out-schengen-border-closures-amid-italy-outbreak/a-52497811

Including the FT:

https://www.ft.com/content/967789a2-56f6-11ea-a528-dd0f971febbc

"European countries have no plans to suspend the Schengen free travel zone despite the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, Brussels has said, as it cautioned against a “panic” response. "