politics

Abe, Trump agree to cooperate on COVID-19 fight

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Don't go there Abe San. trump is just looking for someone else he can blame.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cooperation is better than non-cooperation, but I really wouldn't expect much extra beyond what existing agreements allow.

Japan should try to cooperate with Taiwan, South Korea, and other regional govts, in addition to Europe and North America. I'd really try to learn and listen to what Canada is doing. They've had prior virus outbreaks and hopefully learned from that. Wish the US was listening and learning from Canada too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

America in its current form is basically a 3rd world country in large part and first world for the elites (highly educated & wealthy whites) and this pandemic just exposed it

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe should stay as far away from Trump as possible. The Trump response to this has been a total disaster, with more than a million Americans infected and 75,000 dead. Japan has only about 17,000 infected and just about 600 dead. In proportion to the population, Japan should have 300,000 infections and 22,000 dead. Japan got things right. Stay away from the USA!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Because, there is no way of knowing just how many people here in Japan have died from the virus, because they were not tested, even AFTER passing away, and they were listed as dying from pneumonia .

Doctors have to test PCR of dead bodies if they suspected those patients had any symptom/sign of coronavirus. Doctors must test it before returning bodies to families. Basically no symptom/sign, no test. However doctors may have missed some bodies infected without symptom. But not many.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump: Shinzo, you buy this, and this, and this. Now.

Abe: Ruff! Ruff! Yes, master! (runs in circles, biting at his tail)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Donald Trump has said coronavirus will “go away without a vaccine” and is expecting 95,000 or more deaths in the US, as Mike Pence’s press secretary tested positive for coronavirus, reports Alison Rourke in our latest global report on the coronavirus pandemic.

> *The president’s comments, at an event with Republican lawmakers, capped a horror week in the US, in which it was revealed unemployment had risen to 14.7%, up from 3.5% in February, with 20 million people losing their jobs in April.*

The news that Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller had Covid-19, having recently tested negative, again brought the danger of the virus to the White House inner circle. Katie Miller is married to the White House immigration adviser and speech writer Stephen Miller. On Thursday one of Trump’s personal valets tested positive to the virus.

95,000 ...& Trump hails it a success..

sigh..

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A collaboration for the ages! United in their shared goal of seeing the vast majority of bailout money gets to their cronies! Never let a good crisis go to waste.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Test numbers reflect the number of infected but doesn't explain the difference in the number of deaths. By population (1 in 4400) versus (1 in 219,000.) By infected (1 in 16) versus (1 in 26.7)

Because, there is no way of knowing just how many people here in Japan have died from the virus, because they were not tested, even AFTER passing away, and they were listed as dying from pneumonia .

If you dont test, if you write off deaths for other reasons without testing, you manage to keep the numbers artificially down.

You can extrapolate the numbers of people who have tested positive, out to two to five times as many as that,that are walking around asymptomatic, meaning Japan more than likely has anwhere from 30,000 to upwards of 50,000 who actually HAVE the virus.

Deaths as well could be done the same, so, it is impossible to trust government figures here!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

However, removing shoes probably does play a part, maybe a large one, as some experts have stated that the virus can be brought into the home on shoes.

The toilet seat in people's houses have less "bugs" on them than the bottom of people's shoes.

People should really think about that!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

removing shoes probably does play a part, maybe a large one, as some experts have stated that the virus can be brought into the home on shoes. 

It is unhygienic to keep one's shoes on when entering a house, in particular boots or outdoor walking shoes, but the virus is said to be carried by all articles of clothing as well.

Although, mutations do occur, it was brought to both countries at approximately the same time from the same source. 

A possibility of mutations but the same source and within the same period of time December to March, unless it existed pre-December or earlier.

the few that even bother to wash their hands by running some cold water on them, they dry them by wiping them on their clothes

And the clothes carry the virus as well.

first reason is the most likely number one reason

Test numbers reflect the number of infected but doesn't explain the difference in the number of deaths. By population (1 in 4400) versus (1 in 219,000.) By infected (1 in 16) versus (1 in 26.7)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“It was extremely meaningful to be able to reassure Japan-U.S. cooperation via telephone talks between the two leaders just as the international society is expected to unite and tackle the (pandemic),” Suga said.

No. It would have been extremely meaningful if the two "leaders" had come to some agreement followed immediately by a well thought out plan that was also immediately implemented, months ago.

But several months after a global pandemic was announced with NO coordinated global plan of action, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, loss of of untold trillions of dollars in revenue and millions out of work equals a total FAILURE on the part of the supposed leader of the free world and his Japanese lap dog.

If that's offensive, too bad!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Considering the difference in number of cases/deaths it’s a no brainer with hidden agenda undertones though. The “second” most powerful country would be delighted with this news.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

quercetum

We’re still not able to explain the difference in numbers. 75,000 versus 580 deaths. A hundred and thirty times more deaths. 130X.

Lack of testing? Different strains of the coronavirus? Shoes taken off indoors in Japan? More hand washing?

Exceptionalism and political affiliations aside, what’s your theory of explanation?

Your first reason is the most likely number one reason, lack of testing. However, removing shoes probably does play a part, maybe a large one, as some experts have stated that the virus can be brought into the home on shoes. (That is one custom that needs to be adopted everywhere in the world, just on general hygiene principles. It's disgusting the way most Western people drag those filthy things around their homes, even putting them on the furniture. Yuck.)

It's doubtful that different strains are in Japan and the US due to global travel, which is what spread the virus in the first place. Although, mutations do occur, it was brought to both countries at approximately the same time from the same source. But, I'm sure experts are already looking into it.

As for hand-washing, it is definitely more prevalent in the US, despite Japan's perceived reputation for cleanliness. Soap is a rarity in public restrooms in Japan, hot water and paper towels even rarer still. So, for the few that even bother to wash their hands by running some cold water on them, they dry them by wiping them on their clothes, or running their hands through a germ-spreading blower. So, no, that's definitely not a reason.

The biggest curiosity about Japan's official low infection rate, is how it remains so low with such a high population density, especially on the trains and buses. But, the crowded and often poorly ventilated depachika, izakaya, pichinko, etc are also typically jam-packed. Theoretically, Covid should be spreading like wildfire.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The United States has more than 1.2 million reported infections, with deaths exceeding 75,000, while Japan has about 15,500 cases and 580 deaths.

We’re still not able to explain the difference in numbers. 75,000 versus 580 deaths. A hundred and thirty times more deaths. 130X.

Lack of testing? Different strains of the coronavirus? Shoes taken off indoors in Japan? More hand washing?

Exceptionalism and political affiliations aside, what’s your theory of explanation?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Dumb and blind! Next thing you know Abe's going to be suggesting we drink Kabi-killa to get rid of the virus!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Hopefully everything will be solved regarding it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Strangely... or perhaps not... this is not very reassuring.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

You have to agree to cooperate on this? Seems a no brainer. Its a given. Was there time to think this out? What are the pro's and con's to cooperate? Was this in debate?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

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