So, football will close down without the government forcing it. You don't necessarily need government action to get an effect.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

A London Underground driver has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell PA

Source: Sky News live blog

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-markets-crash-as-world-reacts-to-pandemic-11955867

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

Not a nice thought to contemplate, Roger.

There is a half-way house if necessary: one upstairs and one down, as you’re unlikely to fall ill at the same time and to the same degree.  Not ideal - and of course you can swap if sleeping on the sofa is a problem.

I’m banking on most cases being mild because there’s no point in worrying about it as it’s not fully under our control. Sensible measures - as are being recommended: social distancing and lots of hand washing.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

It's been obvious for weeks the London Underground is a disaster waiting to happen. It has the potential to trigger a Lombardy style meltdown. Quite why more hasn't been done already to slow down spread (work from home, shut lines, spread passenger use out of the peak times etc) is beyond me.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Spain - this is what happens if healthcare workers lack proper clothing (hazmat):

"Local police were sent to patrol roads into Igualada, Vilanova del Camí, Santa Margarida de Montbui and Òdena, after three elderly people died in the local hospital in Igualada and 49 others were infected.

More than 30 of those infected are health care professionals."

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

Clearly, Hunt is not a gambler.

I am in two minds about this. My preferred strategy would have been the one adopted by countries like Taiwan - close and monitor borders to keep it out. But far too late for that now, so since we are where we are, let's try life as normal for as long as possible - the strategy will only collapse if the NHS is overwhelmed and too many start to die. If we can smooth the peak and get through the next 2 months, then fine.

Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum 

The main problem for me with the UK approach is that no one else is taking it. This means that if other countries pass their peak earlier and cases are reduced, they can reopen to everyone except for the UK, who will be an outcast regardless of whether the approach was correct. UK government seems to be banking that it will be impossible to control the reintroduction of the virus from unknown sources once restrictions are lifted

Originally Posted by: Chidog 

Good point. The economic impact will actually do more damage to us. If we become known worldwide as a diseased population, no one is going to trade with us or let our people travel

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

 Good point. The economic impact will actually do more damage to us. If we become known worldwide as a diseased population, no one is going to trade with us or let our people travel

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

Listening to LBC this morning and it seems NHS 111 has basically gone into meltdown with cases but telling people that nothing can be done. Sick people will still have to go to hospital, so the govt cant really cover this up if we end up like Lombardy

Yes, they can pretend the numbers are low because they are not testing, but they cant hide the dead

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

We've seen limited outbreaks of panic buying so far but I wonder what is going to happen next week if the enormity of this thing starts to sink in with the great British people. Today feels like the calm before the storm.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

This is the sort of thing that will lead to so much tragedy:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/13/coronavirus-live-updates-uk-us-australia-italy-europe-school-shutdown-share-markets-sport-events-cancelled-latest-update-news?page=with:block-5e6b610c8f085f0b8d947d1e#block-5e6b610c8f085f0b8d947d1e

Originally Posted by: NickR 

 Yes, horrendous. For all the bluster, this country is particularly unprepared for a dangerous epidemic. From my 10 days on a ward post op last September, I saw just how short staffed and overworked doctors, nurses and other housekeeping staff were and that was at the tail end of summer. I'm convinced that when this thing takes off, the NHS will be overwhelmed almost immediately.

Originally Posted by: Justin W 

I also wonder how long this herd immunity strategy will last if say in a month's time there is a rapidly growing number of deaths. The govt will come under a lot of pressure to react and they may conflate/confuse their strategy.

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

Exactly. Events, dear boy. Events.

The herd immunity strategy makes sense if you assume that the second wave will come in the autumn and last all winter. But rapidly rising numbers of deaths and pictures of very sick people lying in hospital corridors will cause public outrage.

Originally Posted by: Justin W