International Coronavirus Breaking News, v7: Iran released more than 54,000 prisoners to stop spread in jails

[evergreenrider]

Isn't that balaclava?
Baklava is delicious but it isn't gonna do more than fix your sweet tooth

Yeah you're correct lol

 

[Sakurabaism]

Kim ain't fucking around.
"Kill it, burn it!"

 

[trac209]

Interesting article.

https://finance.yahoo.com/amphtml/news/least-half-million-people-infected-202153407.html

Oh yeah they are definitely full of shit on reported numbers and deaths.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Interesting article.

https://finance.yahoo.com/amphtml/news/least-half-million-people-infected-202153407.html

article seems like horseshit TBH. Is China hiding cases? Absolutely. Is the fatality rate between 0.2 and 0.5%. Absolutely not. Everything we’ve seen puts this at 2-3%.

 

[Low Test With da Best]

I did read that the Chinese are also a cigarette smoker plagued society as well and that this could account for the high infectious rate. But a few other countries are also seeing increasingly ramped up numbers.

Anxiously awaiting NASA's imagery of the plume of evaporated isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide from Jan 1 and Feb 10 though...jk!

 

[Jfrizzle]

Does anyone have a current R0 value? I have seen anywhere from 2 to 6. If it is close to 6 taht os bad news for the west.

 

[ShinkanPo]

Travel agent @ShinkanPo might find this list useful:

At least 62 airlines have canceled flights beyond China as the coronavirus spreads globally — here's the full list
Thomas Pallini | Feb 28, 2020

Airlines and countries are continuing to restrict travel following the spread of the novel coronavirus outside the borders of Chinese territory.

With increased cases of coronavirus being reported in countries near and far from China including South Korea, Italy, and Iran, numerous routes around the world are being cut to prevent the further spread of the disease.

The reductions in service are caused by a mix of low-demand and government mandate restricting travel to certain regions. Middle Eastern and Asian countries are among those being the most proactive in attempting to stem the spread of the virus as it finds its way across their regions.

While most services are being cut on routes within those regions, the effects of the virus on air travel can be felt as far as North America.

Here's a list of airlines that have cut back services due to the spread of coronavirus.

https://www.businessinsider.com/air...utside-of-china-amid-coronavirus-fears-2020-2

Hey Thanks!!

Yeah I am about to start my shift now and I guess we I have refund requests comming up.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Does anyone have a current R0 value? I have seen anywhere from 2 to 6. If it is close to 6 taht os bad news for the west.

viruses do not have a concrete R0. Multiple factors contribute to the R0 such as proximity, environment and the like. But, what we can say that any virus that’s in the 2-6 range on average is extremely virulent.

 

[Arkain2K]

Saturday evening update:

 

[Jfrizzle]

viruses do not have a concrete R0. Multiple factors contribute to the R0 such as proximity, environment and the like. But, what we can say that any virus that’s in the 2-6 range on average is extremely virulent.

I realize there are many factors that contribute to an R0 value but I really hope it's closer to 2 than 6.

 

[Arkain2K]

BBC Persian contacted each hospital directly in the Coronavirus Incubator of the Middle East and tallied up the numbers themselves to see if Iran is lying.

Surprise, surprise.

The number of confirmed deaths by the Coronavirus in Iran is more than SIX TIMES higher than the official numbers published by the Health Ministry in Tehran. Iran immediately and angrily accuses the BBC of "spreading lies".

The WHO is sending a team to Iran tomorrow to help, but I don't expect Tehran to suddenly be any more honest (at least anymore than Beijing) just because the WHO is there to see them cook the stats.

Coronavirus: Iran's deaths at least 210, hospital sources say
By Kasra Naji, BBC Persian | 28 February 2020

At least 210 people in Iran have died as a result of the new coronavirus disease, sources in the country's health system have told BBC Persian.

Most of the victims are from the capital, Tehran, and the city of Qom, where cases of Covid-19 first emerged.

The figure is six times higher than the official death toll of 34 given by the health ministry earlier on Friday.

Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour insisted it was being transparent and accused the BBC of spreading lies.

It comes after a member of parliament for Qom accused the authorities of a cover-up and the US expressed concern that they may not be sharing information.

"We have made offers to the Islamic Republic of Iran to help," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a congressional committee in Washington on Friday.

"Their healthcare infrastructure is not robust and, to date, their willingness to share information about what's really going on inside... Iran has not been robust."

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed the offer of help.

"The claim to help Iran confront coronavirus by a country that has imposed expansive pressures on the Iranian nation through its economic terrorism and has even blocked the way for purchase of medical equipment and medicines is ridiculous and a political-psychological game," he said.

Growing lack of confidence in authorities

There are fears in Iran that the government, unsure of how to handle the outbreak, is covering up the extent of the spread of the new coronavirus disease.

Now, a tally of figures reported by BBC Persian's sources in several hospitals suggests at least 210 people had died across the country as of Thursday night.

The highest number of deaths were said to be in Tehran, where a disproportionately high number of officials have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19, including a vice-president, a deputy minister, and at least two MPs.

Friday prayers in Tehran and 22 other cities were cancelled, and schools and universities closed.

Thousands of Iranians have also been stranded inside and outside the country as many flights have been stopped to and from Iran.

There have been more than 83,000 reported cases of Covid-19 worldwide and 2,800 deaths since the disease emerged late last year - the vast majority in China.

At midday on Friday, the Iranian health ministry reported eight new deaths related to Covid-19, increasing the official toll to 34.

It also said 143 new cases had been detected, bringing the total to 388.

"Staying home, restricting traffic, reducing movement and interactions, avoiding unnecessary travel, cancelling any nationwide gatherings along with observing individual health tips are the only ways to control Covid-19," Mr Jahanpour tweeted.

Later, Health Minister Saeed Namaki announced that all schools would be closed for at least three days from Saturday as a precaution.

"We have a relatively difficult week ahead... as we see the trend, the main peak of the disease will be in the next week and coming days," he told state TV.

A member of the Tehran City Council told Ilna news agency that "the number of infected patients may rise to 10,000 or 15,000" in the coming weeks.

The head of the World Health Organization's emergencies programme, Dr Michael Ryan, said on Thursday that the apparent high mortality rate in Iran indicated its outbreak might be more widespread than realised.

A WHO mission is due to arrive in Iran on Sunday or Monday to help.

Dr Ryan said on Friday that its departure had been delayed due to "issues with getting flights and access to Iran", but that the United Arab Emirates was helping.

Some health experts have questioned the actions of the Iranian authorities since the first cases of Covid-19 were reported nine days ago.

President Hassan Rouhani has ruled out placing any cities or areas in quarantine, despite the head of the joint WHO-Chinese mission on Covid-19 saying such measures had helped "changed the course" of the outbreak in China.

There has also been concern about the decision not to close the Shia Muslim shrine of Hazrat Masumeh in Qom, which is visited by millions of pilgrims every year.

Some restrictions on access have nevertheless been imposed in recent days.

Mr Namaki told state TV that people would be allowed to visit the shrine once they had been given hand-sanitising gels, health information and face masks.

"[They must] not gather together in groups - just pray and leave," he said.

The shrine's custodian, Ayatollah Mohammed Saeedi, has said that it should be kept open as a "house for cure" and that "people should be encouraged to come".

Vice-President for Women's and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar, and Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi are among several senior officials who have been infected.

The Hamshahri Online website reported that Ms Ebtekar - the highest-ranking woman in the Iranian government - had attended a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and a number of ministers shortly before testing positive on Thursday.

Iran has also been the source of dozens of cases in neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and Pakistan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51673053

 

[trac209]

BBC Persia contacted each hospital directly in the Coronavirus Incubator of the Middle East and tallied up the numbers themselves to see if Iran is lying.

Surprise, surprise.

Coronavirus: Iran's deaths at least 210, hospital sources say

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51673053

I think it’s safe to say some numbers will be skewed on purpose and by just the utter confusion of it all. I’m hoping there is some honesty but frankly I’m not optimistic.

 

[BudKing8806]

https://wgntv.com/news/illinois-health-officials-announce-new-case-of-coronavirus/


The Illinois Department of Health have announced that one Illinois resident has tested positive for coronavirus.

The positive test results will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The patient is hospitalized in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Edit: Looks like it was in Chicago.

https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyse-could-close-trading-floor-in-coronavirus-contingency

NYSE could close trading floor in coronavirus contingency

 

[Rob Battisti]

If it’s in Illinois, then there are at LEAST dozens of cases in the US. We just aren’t testing.

 

[ElKarlo]

Anyone flown recently? I had a flight from Boston to Chicago on Tuesday. Plane was well under half full. Not sure if that’s virus related or just chance but that almost never happens anymore. Airlines will sooner cancel an underbooked flight than fly all those empty seats.

Was going to fly home in may for my brother's wedding. That's definitely cancelled.

 

[Rob Battisti]

My mother in law(68 y/o) was planning on flying down to visit tomorrow. Debating whether or not to have her cancel.

 

[Fugazy]

https://wgntv.com/news/illinois-health-officials-announce-new-case-of-coronavirus/


The Illinois Department of Health have announced that one Illinois resident has tested positive for coronavirus.

The positive test results will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The patient is hospitalized in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Edit: Looks like it was in Chicago.

https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyse-could-close-trading-floor-in-coronavirus-contingency

NYSE could close trading floor in coronavirus contingency

Man I hate Chicago so much.

Worst city I've ever been too.

I hope that person gets better though.

I wonder if this will curtail the gangbanging and murders tho...

 

[Renard]

This is the world-renown disease modellers we've heard about (J-IDEA). Just found out they have a YT channel.



Edit: The thing I found the most interesting is that, statistically, underlying each and every death occurring today are 1000 undetected cases.

 

[Arkain2K]

Luckily for Sherdoggers, all necessary supplies have been procured (and stocks converted into gold) since v4, long before the foreseeable stampede begun

These are some of the same stuff that we dropped a few bucks for last week. @Jfrizzle should put some of the 5 boxes his store-owner wife saved for him on eBay now to get that vacation paid for!

Face mask prices skyrocket as coronavirus fears grow
By Megan Cerullo | February 27, 2020

The price of disposable face masks is spiking online as Americans gird for a widening outbreak of the coronavirus. Consumer demand for the medical accessory appears to be surging even as government officials say healthy individuals do not need to wear the masks.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Amazon had largely sold out of different mask varieties. Keepa, which tracks the prices of items sold on Amazon, shows that a 10-pack of 3M N95 respirators that sold for $18.20 roughly a month ago now costs $99.99. And one Amazon seller is offering a 30-pack of 3M N95 respirators for $198.98. On eBay, a two-pack of 3M N95 face masks is available for $59.99. Other retailers typically sell a pair of masks for less than $6, but are currently out of stock.

One Amazon customer told CBS MoneyWatch they bought 100 3M N95 respirator masks this week for $10 each, spending a total of $1,000 — an indication of the growing consumer anxiety about the risks of contracting the coronavirus in the U.S.

N95 masks are in demand because they filter out 95% of all airborne particles, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet the agency has noted that only people with coronavirus symptoms should use protective masks as a measure to help contain the disease. They are also recommended for health workers and others caring for infected patients.

Prices are rising as mask supplies run short. Prestige Ameritech, the largest surgical mask manufacturer in the U.S., said this week that it's struggling to keep up with demand for its products, including face masks and respirators. And masks made by consumer products company 3M are also sold out online at retailer sites including CVS, Home Depot, Sam's Club, Target and Walmart.

Amazon sellers set their own prices for goods sold through the ecommerce giant's online marketplace. Yet the company seeks to ensure "fair pricing" and this week has warned some sellers that they risk being suspended if they violate its pricing policies. That could include setting a price for a product or services that is "significantly higher than recent prices offered on or off Amazon" or charging excessive shipping and handling fees.

Amazon is cracking down on such instances of price-gouging and on Thursday told Reuters that in recent weeks, the company removed tens of thousands of deals from merchants it accused of charging customers unfair prices.

"We have absolutely enforced the policy," an Amazon spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. "We identify them and quickly take action," the spokesperson added.

Amazon told Reuters it has also taken down more than 1 million other products that falsely claim to protect consumers from the coronavirus.

Ed Rosenberg, a third-party merchant on Amazon who also runs a support group for other sellers, said he's aware of five different mask sellers who have been removed from Amazon for setting their prices too high.

"This is a gray area because it is a medical item, but there's no national emergency in the United States," he said. "Yes, it looks bad that they are raising their prices. But I think Amazon is between a rock and a rock because on the one hand the optics aren't great if they are letting people raise prices, but on the other hand it's just supply and demand."

Some mask sellers have tried to charge up to five times more than their usual prices, said Rosenberg, who noted that manufacturers are also facing higher costs. "They aren't pulling masks out of the garage. Their costs have gone up, too, because either the masks are being made locally and are more expensive, or suppliers are charging the list price instead of offering discounts."

Mask makers in China are also working overtime to keep up with demand — and some Chinese electronics factories have begun manufacturing masks.

Mike Bowen, executive vice president and partner of Prestige Ameritech, told CBS News that the company has seen a thousandfold increase in demand for its face masks and respirators since COVAD-19 emerged from China. All of the company's 17 mask and shield products are sold out on its website.

"Due to high demand from our hospital customers, we are no longer able to add more products to this store," the website reads. Its products aren't available for sale on Amazon either, the company notes.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said the government has a stockpile of 30 million masks of different varieties, although he warned that N95 masks must be fitted and tested in order to be effective. The government is looking into producing roughly 300 million more N95 masks, but it's unclear when that will happen.

Mask prices are also skyrocketing in Italy, where more than 260 cases of coronavirus have been reported. Authorities there are investigating soaring prices for hygienic masks and hand sanitizer.

"We have decided to open an investigation after media reports of the insane prices fetched up by these products (masks and gels) on online sales websites in the last two days," Milan's deputy chief prosecutor told Reuters.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-coronavirus-face-mask-price-gouging-shortages/

 

[Low Test With da Best]

https://wgntv.com/news/illinois-health-officials-announce-new-case-of-coronavirus/


The Illinois Department of Health have announced that one Illinois resident has tested positive for coronavirus.

The positive test results will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The patient is hospitalized in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Edit: Looks like it was in Chicago.

https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyse-could-close-trading-floor-in-coronavirus-contingency

NYSE could close trading floor in coronavirus contingency

If this hits our bread basket hard, many food supplies could be effed in the brisket.

Best case silver lining: China somehow maintains their massive drop in pollution and the US somehow is forced into a reality without high fructose corn syrup.