Over 1.5 billion globally told to stay home to avoid virus

Meanwhile in Japan ....

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock described those ignoring the government's social distancing recommendations as “very selfish" and warned that stricter rules might be coming soon.

Already happened. All retail units to close and meetings of more than two people outside of a family are banned for the moment (not sure under which law).

I'd like to think Canada taking the bold step of announcing they would not send a team as the tipping point to this idea of trying to have the Olympics this year. Hopefully they can be held next year when things have returned to normal, if they ever do.

Let's go sit below a bunch of flower sip in that corona infected air.

While I agree with these orders to stay at home, I think it would be better to tell people how long they think it will be necessary to do so. If people have an idea they might be more inclined to follow these rules.

The US has gone from a handful of cases few weeks ago to being the fastest growing country in terms of new cases and having the third highest number globally.

The numbers will be over a hundred thousand shortly. Despite the president's denials, a lockdown is inevitable. Today he talks about it being over in weeks. Quite implausible.

Authorities kept up their push to get people to stay home, but some were clearly not listening. Social media showed snapshots of packed London Underground trains.

There's a picture of people in California packing the beaches. Clearly people aren't listening.

Every country will have to find a way to work through this issue. You can shut an economy for a short period, but without it tax revenue dries up which impedes the government's ability to tackle the virus and treat the sick.

Meanwhile, the crisis kept easing in China. The city of Wuhan, where the outbreak emerged late last year, said it is allowing residents limited movement as its lockdown is gradually relaxed.

LIES coming from Wuhan, China.

Claims that life is returning to normal in China but there's almost no traffic. First they told a few workers to go into work and turn on all the light and machinery to make it look (pollution) like everything was back to normal when the satellites flew over and took pictures but they showed no traffic, schools were empty and most areas looking like a ghost towns.

Real time traffic in Wuhan, China.

https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/traffic-index/wuhan-traffic

When will Tokyo and Osaka be locked down?

Just had an invitation to a flower viewing and 'Jingis Khan' lunch on 5th April, an offer from a group that I cannot refuse. Very politely I have replied that a prior engagement for that day means that I am sadly unable to participate. I know that my absence will be noted with a black mark, though.

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

Although there's a lack of hard evidence, I wouldn't put it past the CCP to engineer a bioweapon like this as a form of psychological warfare to cripple the West. They would not be able to win a military war as a way to gain resources they want, but triggering Western countries into panic and hobbling their economies - with the effects of sending asset prices and markets into freefall would enable them to scoop up land and resources (fuel, food production, raw materials etc) for the proverbial pennies on the dollar from newly cash-strapped owners. They've got the money.

I'm not saying this is certain, but it's not completely implausible. The CCP is a totally amoral beast, and is not above cracking a few eggs to make an omelette. If they have to kill a few thousand or million to get what they want, they'll do it. Done it before. They aren't stupid, and are good at the long game. They know the West's weaknesses, and are quite happy to play the racism card to deflect criticism.

If this is true, they seem to be winning. Watch carefully for "rescue packages" being offered by China as they recover, under terms that would be considered insanely one-sided in normal times.

Once they postpone the Olypmics the Japanese government can concentrate on the virus, Finally.

They will kindly ask people to stay home.

And kindly ask event organizers to be careful.

And kindly ask if your fever is only for a day or two to come back later.

kyronstavicToday 11:30 am JST

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

Although there's a lack of hard evidence, I wouldn't put it past the CCP to engineer a bioweapon like this as a form of psychological warfare to cripple the West. They would not be able to win a military war as a way to gain resources they want, but triggering Western countries into panic and hobbling their economies - with the effects of sending asset prices and markets into freefall would enable them to scoop up land and resources (fuel, food production, raw materials etc) for the proverbial pennies on the dollar from newly cash-strapped owners. They've got the money.

I'm not saying this is certain, but it's not completely implausible. The CCP is a totally amoral beast, and is not above cracking a few eggs to make an omelette. If they have to kill a few thousand or million to get what they want, they'll do it. Done it before. They aren't stupid, and are good at the long game. They know the West's weaknesses, and are quite happy to play the racism card to deflect criticism.

If this is true, they seem to be winning. Watch carefully for "rescue packages" being offered by China as they recover, under terms that would be considered insanely one-sided in normal times.

FINALLY! Some one gets it! Well put, sir!

@kyronstavic

No evidence for the claim?

Just a feeling?

As we speak, el presidente Trump is very seriously considering ending the lockdown across America within three weeks, basically disregarding medical experts who believe the lockdown should last for months.

Since he knows so much about the coronavirus, who am I to doubt him.

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

You are very, very wrong. This is the real deal.

You are free to risk your life if wish. Do not risk others.

Does 1.5billion include about 300million homeless and displaced? How do you stay home when you have no home？

Natsu823

Once they postpone the Olypmics the Japanese government can concentrate on the virus, Finally.

They will kindly ask people to stay home.

And kindly ask event organizers to be careful.

And kindly ask if your fever is only for a day or two to come back later.

It's because Japanese politicians have no bols.

ArtistAtLargeToday  11:55 am JST

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

You are very, very wrong. This is the real deal.

You are free to risk your life if wish. Do not risk others.

I think you misunderstood me. The virus is real and a threat - and I'm not ignoring the risks of spreading it, but I have a funny feeling it's manufactured/manipulated as a means to an end. IF it is indeed a weapon, it's working brilliantly. As I said before, it doesn't need to kill large numbers of people, just induce panic and cripple economies.

There's lots of contention among scientists at the moment about the virus's genome and how it gained its properties, as well as serious concerns about security at the biotech lab in Wuhan.

@kyronstavic

No evidence for the claim? 

Just a feeling?

It's a hunch that won't go away. Nobody has much in the way of hard evidence of anything at the moment, just lots of speculation, some better informed than others. I'm not denying the virus is real or that we need to take precautions against it. I'm just theorising the reason for its existence based on events and behaviours I've seen so far across the world.. No harm in that, is there?

And they go for do or die cherry blossom parties. wow!

Meanwhile in Japan, ministers are looking for the cooperation from people!

Japan is tremendous in recovery but why wait for damage!

precaution is always better than recovery and in medical emergency I think Japan doesn't stand a chance.

kyronstavicToday 11:30 am JST

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

Although there's a lack of hard evidence, I wouldn't put it past the CCP to engineer a bioweapon like this as a form of psychological warfare to cripple the West. They would not be able to win a military war as a way to gain resources they want, but triggering Western countries into panic and hobbling their economies - with the effects of sending asset prices and markets into freefall would enable them to scoop up land and resources (fuel, food production, raw materials etc) for the proverbial pennies on the dollar from newly cash-strapped owners. They've got the money.

I'm not saying this is certain, but it's not completely implausible. The CCP is a totally amoral beast, and is not above cracking a few eggs to make an omelette. If they have to kill a few thousand or million to get what they want, they'll do it. Done it before. They aren't stupid, and are good at the long game. They know the West's weaknesses, and are quite happy to play the racism card to deflect criticism.

If this is true, they seem to be winning. Watch carefully for "rescue packages" being offered by China as they recover, under terms that would be considered insanely one-sided in normal times

It is funny that some American said chinese manufactured the virus and at the same time some chinese said american did it. In fact they are idiots.

snowwolfljbToday  01:38 pm JST

It is funny that some American said chinese manufactured the virus and at the same time some chinese said american did it. In fact they are idiots.

I take it you're an expert?

Considering that there's very little hard evidence available in the open for anyone to make firm judgments about the origins of this virus, how can you be so sure about who's right or wrong? Care to enlighten us? At the moment, even the experts are theorising and trying to figure out what's going on, where the virus came from and what might happen next.

Considering that there's very little hard evidence available in the open for anyone to make firm judgments about the origins of this virus, how can you be so sure about who's right or wrong? 

Occam's razor suggests that this is just a naturally occurring virus that has made the jump to humans. Nothing particularly unique about it other than is impact. Throughout history we have seen be diseases emerge. Just in the last 40 years we have had AIDS and ebola, as well as SARS and Mers.

The alternative you suggest sounds extraordinary and as such, requires extraordinary evidence. So you have supplied is a vague hypothesis.

kyronstaviv:

Considering that there's very little hard evidence available in the open for anyone to make firm judgments about the origins of this virus, how can you be so sure about who's right or wrong?

Are you joking? It was discovered in China, the news was suppressed in China, and then it was finally not surpressable anymore, we were warned about it by China (which had meanwhile ordered the original research done on the thing DESTROYED, which would have been invaluable. Thanks, CCP! And even inside China, it was not the whole country that was quaranteened originally, but a specific area. Was because they did not know about the origin?

BigYenToday  01:52 pm JST

Potentially there's always harm in trying to spread completely baseless and illogical rumours across the internet.

Of course. But that's not an argument.

But what's this rumour you're speaking of? All I'm doing putting out a hunch based on observations and patterns I've noticed. What's wrong with asking the question? Afraid that possible answers might challenge some closely held beliefs?

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

OK, you're a conspiracy theorist. That's all right, you don't care.

Do know what the word "conspiracy" actually means? Since you're a fellow Aussie, I'll give you a definition from the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary.

"1. A secret plan to commit a crime or do harm, often for political ends, a plot; 2. the act of conspiring."

Basically, when two or more people collaborate to commit a crime or do harm, they are conspiring. Police investigate conspiracies all the time.

Now, these days "conspiracy theory" is a loaded term used as a pejorative. Often it's used to dismiss wacky stuff. It's also commonly used as an ad-hom to avoid discussing uncomfortable questions that might be right or wrong, but that often challenge egos and positions of power. Without calling them so, we're often developing our own conspiracy theories when accusing politicians of corruption, etc. How many conspiracy theories have been floated about Trump from his enemies. Too many to count.

Think about it.

Ah_soToday  02:54 pm JST

Considering that there's very little hard evidence available in the open for anyone to make firm judgments about the origins of this virus, how can you be so sure about who's right or wrong? 

Occam's razor suggests that this is just a naturally occurring virus that has made the jump to humans. Nothing particularly unique about it other than is impact. Throughout history we have seen be diseases emerge. Just in the last 40 years we have had AIDS and ebola, as well as SARS and Mers. 

The alternative you suggest sounds extraordinary and as such, requires extraordinary evidence. So you have supplied is a vague hypothesis.

Fair point. But relying on Occam's razor alone doesn't prove anything, it's just a suggestion and a good starting point. Given the CCP's behaviour domestically both nowadays and historically at home and abroad, only an apologist (and I'm not saying you are one) could regard them as a benevolent dictatorship. They're not above taking lives if it gets them what they want. And they're pretty good at half-truths, double-talk and subterfuge, so taking them at their word is probably not that wise. So they could very well be offering to help with one hand, knowing that the damage was already done with the other - making them look like the good guy.

WilliBToday  03:00 pm JST

kyronstaviv:

Considering that there's very little hard evidence available in the open for anyone to make firm judgments about the origins of this virus, how can you be so sure about who's right or wrong?

Are you joking? It was discovered in China, the news was suppressed in China, and then it was finally not surpressable anymore, we were warned about it by China (which had meanwhile ordered the original research done on the thing DESTROYED, which would have been invaluable. Thanks, CCP! And even inside China, it was not the whole country that was quaranteened originally, but a specific area. Was because they did not know about the origin?

Do you really want to take the CCP's word for it?

Not in Japan.......It's a safety country!

Over 1.5 billion globally told to stay home to avoid virus

Which is consistent with what Dr Fauci is telling anyone in the Trump administration that will listen to him...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/fauci-says-social-distancing-crucial-162615354.html

Unfortunately, Trump is now ignoring him since he won't be complicit in Trump's fairy tales and lies...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-aides-hes-starting-lose-043312331.html

Trump's now go-to "experts" and Fox News idiot talking heads...Hannity, Hilton, and Ingraham...all far-right kooks.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/fox-news-stars-begin-pushing-200823950.html

God help us...

precaution is always better than recovery and in medical emergency I think Japan doesn't stand a chance.

It is not a medical emergency if you don't make it one. Don't get a pre-existing condition (which are largely preventable) and you likely won't die or become seriously ill.  Simple measures to strengthen immunity which should be a first line of defense for all: intermittent fasting, 7-8 hours sleep, low carb diet, breathing etc. At least before a vaccine lets everyone fall back into their old habits.

Fair point. But relying on Occam's razor alone doesn't prove anything

It isn’t meant to prove anything. It is used in part to remove unnecessary and non-factual assumptions to get closer to the most plausible explanation.

Your conspiracy theory has no basis in fact.

How many conspiracy theories have been floated about Trump from his enemies

About as many as Trump as one individual has floated about his enemies?

Not really a conversation worth having.

JimizoToday  07:20 pm JST

Fair point. But relying on Occam's razor alone doesn't prove anything

It isn’t meant to prove anything. It is used in part to remove unnecessary and non-factual assumptions to get closer to the most plausible explanation. 

Your conspiracy theory has no basis in fact. 

How many conspiracy theories have been floated about Trump from his enemies 

About as many as Trump as one individual has floated about his enemies? 

Not really a conversation worth having.

Occam's razor is a good tool, but too often these days is tossed around as a trite way to dismiss arguments that people don't want to address. If we applied Occam's razor to this virus affair, it would be too easy to accept the offical CCP explanation about the origins of this virus and ignore the cover-ups.

You're welcome to believe what the Chinese government says, of course. But given their long record or lies, murder, cover-ups, prison camps, trade practices, repression and the like, it's not a good place to start.

You say my theory has no basis in fact, but offer nothing against it. Typical ad-hom.

You say my theory has no basis in fact, but offer nothing against it.

Your theory has no basis in fact. That is what I’m offering against it. Show me some evidence, any evidence, and I’ll take it seriously. You clearly don’t know the meaning of ad hominem - I’m not attacking you.

It’s run-of-the mill conspiracy stuff. At this point, it’s on the shelf with faked moon landings, building 7 etc.

These types of arguments are very trite. I saw the press conferences; Trump and medical experts, according to the experts themselves, are on the same page. For a few hours, for just a few hours, put down the hate for the man.

Same page? Maybe on two different books - Trump a fantasy comic book and Dr Fauci a medical text...

For just a few hours, open your eyes to reality...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/23/trump-vows-to-open-up-our-country-even-as-deaths-from-coronavirus-rise

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

Okay: you are a conspiracy theorist.

SneezyMar. 26  12:56 pm JST

I still have a niggling feeling this is virus scare is calculated psychological warfare. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, I don't care.

Okay: you are a conspiracy theorist.

Really? I might be right after all.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/foreign-investment-board-braces-for-chinese-takeovers-of-distressed-australian-assets-20200326-p54e3z.html

Really? I might be right after all.

You aren't.