Prime Minister Mia Mottley advised the country tonight that Barbados will impose a curfew from 8PM to 6AM starting on Saturday 28 March 2020 until 14 April 2020. On a personal note the Prime Minister also shared she will be MIA for a while because her medical team advised her to undergo a medical procedure this coming weekend. Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw will act as prime minister. The blogmaster wishes her well.
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Left Cyril and walked home. Entered Henry’s Lane. could not believe my eyes. There is a big crowd, the alcohol is flowing and the dope also. The music is blaring out( a pulsating beat, that stirs the emotions of even an old fart like me).I cannot say a word. The young people are doing their own thing. This country has to do like India flog some folks.
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THE REASON WHY I SAID THE 8pm TO 6am CURFEW IS A JOKE AND AN OBVIOUS WASTE OF TIME MAINLY PR.
THE CORONAVIRUS CAN BE SPREAD 24HRS A DAY.
BARBADOS IS INDEED AN ISLAND OF KNUCKLEHEADS AT THE TOP WITH MANY PEOPLE DRINKING THEIR JIM JONES KOOLAID.
Baje, The curfew has another reason. In fact, the usual reason for one. Very important.
David
March 29, 2020 1:50 PM
Dr. Fauci who is USA’s infectious diseases CZAR opined that New York is regarded the epicenter of COVID 19 because it is the entry/transit point for the USA.
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Why would folks from China travel all the way around the world to enter the US through New York?
Just cross the Pacific and enter through LAX, or SFO!!
New York so far has 59,513 cases and California less than 1/10th, 5,718.
Dr. Fauci is missing something major!!
I worry about any advice he may give the President.
There is obviously something else!!
I went to the Far East way back in 1983!!
LAX to Singapore via Honolulu in transit.
If Hawaii still serves as an in transit stop between the US and Far East, then why zero deaths and only 151 total cases?
How many passengers from China to JFK vs LAX/SFO?
The port of los angeles is America’s busiest and most used container port. Most of the shipments from the pacific (ie China) use it.
New York is the business capital of the world.
Which one would you expect more Chinese tourists. And tourists from secondary clusters
Weak weak argument John, try again. You usually put more thought, this one was terrible. (Ate too much for lunch)
What about Italy and Spain?
Why are they so hard hit?
Where in Spain is the business capital of Europe?
Redguard
March 29, 2020 4:15 PM
New York is the business capital of the world.
Which one would you expect more Chinese tourists. And tourists from secondary clusters
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Why would tourists go to the business capital of the world?
I would agree it has to do with tourists and a sudden rise.
Closest I have seen to business related was the gas meter company meeting in Singapore which is claimed to have produced patient zero.
Don’t buy that though.
Something out of the ordinary caused a spike in tourist travel … Chinese New Year.
Fauci is covering for Cuomo!!
COVID-19 if memory serves me right appeared first on the West Coast back in January.
On Mar 11, just 18 days ago,
“Since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Washington state Jan. 20, the West Coast has effectively become the country’s epicenter for COVID-19.”
COVID-19 did not appear in New York till later.
By January 30 travel from China was curtailed.
Perhaps the outbreak in New York is due to travelers from Europe prior to when that was curtailed March 11.
Four deaths on 14th March in New York.
One, an 82 year old woman suffered from emphysema.
My aunt at 86, a chain smoker, lived to 86 but her last years of life were hell.
Emphysema.
Lungs mashed up.
If first death 14th Mar then infection was taking place probably in February.
So what was going on in New York in February?
“The 21st annual Chinese New Year Parade will kick off on February 9 at 1 p.m. ET and the celebration will continue until 4:30 p.m. ET. The Lunar New Year celebration begins at Mott and Canal St and goes to Chatham Square to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge, and ends on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets toward Grand Street, next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
About 500,000 people attend New York’s Chinese New Year parade each year to enjoy dragons, floats, and seas of red and gold. The New York City Parks Department advises an early arrival for a great spot to view the amazing spectacles and performances. The parade also boasts a variety of food and vendors that can be enjoyed by spectators of all ages.”
UK Coronavirus: Police left in ‘absolute shock’ after finding 25 adults and children at karaoke party despite lockdown
Police in Derbyshire were left in “absolute shock” after finding a “massive” karaoke party despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Derbyshire Police said officers were called to an address in Normanton, Derby, at 10pm on Saturday, where they found a gathering of 25 adults and children.
Sharing the discovery via its Derby West Response team’s Twitter account, it said: “Officers have just attended an address in absolute shock to find 25 adults and children having a massive party with speakers and karaoke. Everyone dispersed and hosts dealt with.
The tweet included pictures of a table loaded with a buffet and drinks as well as speakers for a karaoke machine.
The force told the PA news agency that “strong words of advice” were given to all those involved and the party was dispersed but no further action was taken.
The discovery comes amid ongoing concerns that some people are failing to follow the government’s lockdown rules, which instruct people to stay at home unless for exercise, work, or to shop for essentials or medicine.
People have been told not to gather with friends or visit other households and to stay at home.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-police-karaoke-party-lockdown-155617425.html
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NOBODY BEING FINED $50,000 OR IMPRISONMENT
John
March 29, 2020 5:18 PM
If first death 14th Mar then infection was taking place probably in February.
So what was going on in New York in February?
“The 21st annual Chinese New Year Parade will kick off on February 9 at 1 p.m. ET and the celebration will continue until 4:30 p.m. ET. The Lunar New Year celebration begins at Mott and Canal St and goes to Chatham Square to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge, and ends on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets toward Grand Street, next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
About 500,000 people attend New York’s Chinese New Year parade each year to enjoy dragons, floats, and seas of red and gold. The New York City Parks Department advises an early arrival for a great spot to view the amazing spectacles and performances. The parade also boasts a variety of food and vendors that can be enjoyed by spectators of all ages.”
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Then
@Dr Lucas. Back in the day I went to the St Agustine campus to look for friend who was studying Agriculture Engineer. He lived on Canada Hall. I was terrified of the iguanas running all over the place.
@Redguard
March 29, 2020 4:15 PM
New York is the business capital of the world.
Which one would you expect more Chinese tourists. And tourists from secondary clusters
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@John
Why would tourists go to the business capital of the world?
Restating
Why would tourist go toe New York?
Nonsense that passes as intelligence.
“On Jan. 24, de Blasio said New Yorkers should “continue living as you have”; on Feb. 14 he said, “this should not stop you from going about your life … from going out to Chinatown and going out to eat”; and on March 13, he reiterated “we wanted people to go on about their lives.”
In an especially ill-advised March 2 tweet, de Blasio wrote: “Since I’m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with your lives + get out on the town despite Coronavirus, I thought I would offer some suggestions. Here’s the first: thru Thurs 3/5 go see “The Traitor” @FilmLinc. If “The Wire” was a true story + set in Italy, it would be this film.”
The Trump administration restricted travel from China on Jan. 31 in response to the mounting coronavirus threat — a move many Democrats and media outlets characterized as irresponsible and unnecessary.”
This is what the NYC Mayor was telling his constituents.
Spilt milk I guess.
New cases in New York state down by 1000 since yesterday.
A good sign.
TheOgazerts
March 29, 2020 8:16 PM
@Redguard
March 29, 2020 4:15 PM
New York is the business capital of the world.
Which one would you expect more Chinese tourists. And tourists from secondary clusters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@John
Why would tourists go to the business capital of the world?
Restating
Why would tourist go toe New York?
Nonsense that passes as intelligence.
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Here is my explanation for New York/North America and Europe.
COVID-19 entered the US on the West Coast in January from China.
SFO and LAX.
In the states which had large gatherings of persons for Chinese New Year it spread but no gatherings compared in size to the ones in New York.
COVID-19 also spread to neighbouring states to California on the West Coast.
It then crossed the US by domestic flights to JFK and La Guardia from LAX and SFO as many tourists from China headed to the major celebrations in New York for Chinese New Year.
The celebrations in New York were large and a large number of infections resulted by February 10th, far more than on the West Coast.
Europe was also infected in a similar first wave through similar celebrations which attracted tourists from China coming the other way around the globe.
Italy held major celebrations in Milan in the Lombardy Region, Spain in Madrid.
England and France also held celebrations for Chinese New Year.
The Pre Lenten celebrations up to February 26th provided a boost/second wave to the spread of the virus but Europe suffered more than North America from this boost because most countries there have Carnival and it is a part of their heritage.
The major pre Lenten celebrations on the North American continent are where Europe’s influence remained longest, Louisiana/New Orleans and French Canada.
This is where the second wave hit on the North American Continent.
Europe got hit harder in the second wave of infections but the first wave established it.
Europe’s issues will last longer than those on the North American continent because of the second wave.
North America and more specifically NYC was hit harder from the first wave from China and the second wave was localized to Mardi Gras like celebrations.
So, what projections follow from this logic and how do they fit the facts?
NYC becomes THE major nest for the virus in the US.
No precautions are taken until March.
In fact, quite the opposite its spread is encouraged.
The virus spreads through New York State and into neighbouring states, like New Jersey by leaps and bounds.
This spread is different from the spread on the West Coast where fewer were infected.
To date half of the COVID-19 cases are in New York state.
The epicenter is NYC but not because it is a tourist attraction alone but also because of the activities for which the tourists were attracted, huge gatherings of people in close proximity.
The second wave then hits New Orleans, Mardi Gras, same reason, tourists attracted to huge gatherings.
Virus now spreads from these large numbers to neighbouring states.
So why isn’t the first state, California, in such a mess as New York?
Because California had fewer original cases.
That suggests the virus is not as contagious as is feared.
Under normal circumstances, the virus would have been like normal flu.
The deaths it caused would have been attributed to the normal deaths that happen every year during flu season.
The medical services would not have been swamped, the press would not have covered it and we would be none the wiser.
Social distancing, quarantines, sanitizing and other normal procedures applicable in a pandemic will starve the virus of hosts.
Its abatement I think will happen first on the North American continent and then in Europe.
I think England will get back to normal the fastest of the three regions.
You can follow its progress here.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/
The first wave from China will not have been as great as New York.
The second wave from the pre Lenten celebrations will also be smaller than in Europe.
Two different cultures.
BREXIT!!
It has fewer per capita cases to work themselves through the system.
So Hal
If I am right Old Blighty should be coming out of the worst shortly, I think possibly days.
Follow its progress here.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/
Barbados while clearly needing to be careful may have nothing to fear.
The countries in Africa will probably be ok as they are now.
Russia also will probably be ok.
Indonesia will have one of the highest mortality rate from the cases it had because of its smoking but there should not be a run away pandemic because many from China cancelled their plans to go to Bali for New Year celebrations.
I think COVID-19 is as contagious as seasonal flu and it is the large gatherings of people body pressed to body that have exaggerated its power.
Anti-social distancing.
The world will have had a preview, warning if you like of things yet to come.
Brazil
Health officials in Brazil say coronavirus cases are now reported in all regions of the country. In a recent tweet, Brazil’s president says the country will now utilize the armed forces 24 hours a day to fight the virus. It is pouring more resources into battling coronavirus including an expansion of tests, more laboratories to diagnose COVID-19, and increasing the number of ICU beds. 23 members of Brazilian’s presidential delegation that came to Florida two weeks ago later tested positive for coronavirus. During that trip, Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro dined with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
John
March 29, 2020 11:31 PM
So Hal
If I am right Old Blighty should be coming out of the worst shortly, I think possibly days.
Follow its progress here.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/
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Daily new cases has fallen for two days running and daily deaths down today.
A portent perhaps of things to come.
Hants
Check what is being reported for Canada in the numbers here.
I think the pandemic there has reached an apex and will fall over the next few days.
Check daily new cases and deaths here.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/canada/
Nothing wrong in being proactive but the numbers suggest Canada may be panicking.
Canada has 120 serious/critical cases.
Should push up GDP though.
Hal
Experts Warn Of 250,000 Coronavirus Deaths In UK Without …
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk › entry › imperial-college-report-coronavi…
Mar 16, 2020 – The Imperial College report said it had only reached its conclusions in the last few days based on experience in Italy and the UK.
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I understand the experts are revising or have revised their figures from the 16th.
Gave poor old Boris the runnings.
Trump will get America through.
Of course I could be wrong!!
New York: the new deadly epicentre of the coronavirus crisis | 60 Minutes Australia
I see but I can only go by what my senses are telling me.
Australia has 4,163 cases, 17 deaths and 28 serious/critical.
See Australia’s data here.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/australia/
Imperial College expert revises number of deaths from 500,000 to 20,000 …. or less.
Members of the press needs to use its common sense.
Of course this is serious stuff but panic is being promoted through ignorance.
John
March 30, 2020 12:32 AM
Imperial College expert revises number of deaths from 500,000 to 20,000 …. or less.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/imperial-college-scientist-who-predicted-500k-coronavirus-deaths-in-uk-revises-to-20k-or-less
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So far in the UK there have been 1,228 deaths.
If I am right the horror should soon be over in the UK.
500,000 -> 20,000 -> I think less than 2,500.
Baje
March 29, 2020 5:43 PM
Strong words? You think that will stop people? One thing, remember the Joe’s River accident? A&E could barely respond to that, in fact, from first hand accounts, it was a mess. How do you think it will respond to this virus, if it gets going in BIM?
But from what Dr.Lucas said on his walks, bajan youth are congregating as normal. Sure, many will be fine, a fever, coughing for a couple of weeks and that is it.
But what about those who will not be fine? Some who will surprise too. It will not just be elderly or frail people.
John
March 30, 2020 12:40 AM
Some of the latest comments from senior officials suggest that the lockdown in the UK will continue for months.
The test for the virus I referred to previously( ELISA or monoclonal anti-body technique) is now available and takes less than 15 minutes. See the article below. If Barbados gets hold of this test,,it can easily screen the entire population It is very simple and easy to do. No training is required just follow the instructions that come with the test kit.
Quarter of Britons could be tested for coronavirus to shorten lockdown period after it emerges officials have agreed to buy 17.5 MILLION kits for use by mid-April
Mass testing for coronavirus as officials agree deals to buy 17. 5million test kits
The tests will be for use by mid-April as the number on infections and deaths rise
The Government has been fiercely criticised for failing to prioritise testing
New ‘antibody’ fingerprick tests take 15 minutes to detect if someone had virus
Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
By BEN SPENCER MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT and JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:00 BST, 29 March 2020 | UPDATED: 08:36 BST, 30 March 2020
@ Crusoe
For six months.
IF THE ROYAL BARBADOS POLICE FORCE (RBPF) becomes overwhelmed while enforcing the curfew as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, former officers could be called back into action.
That was the word from Attorney General Dale Marshall yesterday, as he outlined what would happen if the force was hard hit, and if officers contracted the virus – which has now killed more than 33 000 across the globe – and had to be quarantined.
He made the comments yesterday during Starcom Network’s Sunday Brass Tracks radio call-in programme.
Also on the show fielding questions from concerned Barbadians was Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best, who announced that the number of positive cases for the virus had risen to 33 – four from Friday and three more on Saturday – as the island continued measures under Stage 3 of the National Pandemic Preparedness Plan.(Quote)
What spectacular buffoonery. How a nation responds to the coronavirus pandemic is a reflection of its own culture. At one end is New Zealand, a nation that has formed an overseeing working party, made up of civilians and opposition parties, to interact with government on policy.
On the other is a bunch of jokers in Barbados who want to use this epidemic as an excuse to introduce a police state, rather than mobilise retired doctors and nurses to return and assist their former colleagues.
It shows the priorities of a little island who collectively think small – and the people just smile and accept it. A good example is that in the middle of a crisis the chief medical officer goes missing and an acting CMO takes his place. No explanation, because this government does not believe in explanations.
I am still waiting for the president or one of her economic consultants to explain the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, whether it is BERT or BEST..
.
@ Hal March 30, 2020 4:44 AM
My problem is having Richard Carter as the point man in this episode. Else where people who are trained the discipline for example Dr. Anthony Fauci is leading the charge. Fauci is trained in the area of infectious diseases Barbados has a sociologist leading the effort being called the Czar. I ask myself what is he Czar of? As you have outlined, Barbados seems to be impressed by form not substance.
I saw that you came to my rescue, defending me against DPD. Let me repeat what I said about DPD elsewhere on this Blog and I quote: ” when intelligence was being handed out he was by-passed.” The very use of the word pedantic says it all about the person: seems to be strutting around in typical Barbadian style impressed with his/her sense of self importance.
The government would be better served( and the population) by buying the antibody detection system rather than PCR( polymerase Chain reaction) method, which is time-consuming and the resolution ( efficacy of detection) seems to need some tweaking as demonstrated by the number of ostensible cured people ,who on re-testing show positive for the presence. The latter occurrence would seem to indicate that there are residual traces of the virus which the PCR test method is incapable of detecting. Any new order of test kits should be for the antibody method. Hopefully, government haven’t purchased a lot of the PCR kits . With the shortage of funds cannot afford to spend money without ensuring best returns for expenditure.
@Dr. Lucas
It appears – and this is the blogmaster’s opinion – *what* recommended Carter for the COVID 10 Czar job was his resume as a researcher and working in *Sierra Leone* during Ebola.
@ Hal
The University of the West Indies should be doing research to solve the problems of the region. It does not. Like the region in general, persons are selected for conformity and the ability to not rock the boat.A Complacent attitude is order of the day. One get a lot of asses in high places strutting around, beating their breast with their sense of self-importance that is about all. Any one with different views is deemed a trouble-maker who should be squeezed.
@ David March 30, 2020 6:11 AM
David ask yourself what work could he have done in Sierra Leone . He certainly could not be a frontline responder: he is not trained as a medical doctor, a nurse, virologist/microbiologist or epidemiologist. The only possible thing that he could have done, ,due to the highly infectious nature of the cadavers,was trying to get the relatives of the dead not to wash the bodies of the deceased.
@ Robert
It pains me sometimes how Bajans behave, but I am used to it by now. How in the name of heavens can they think appointing a sociologist to the be Czar of a health crisis is logical? Even worse, how could he accept, apart from an inflated ego?
They only had to stop and think about it. Are you suggesting that out of a Cabinet of 26, led by the best leader in the nation, not a single voice questioned that recommendation? Do we have a chief nursing officer?
About the UWI, it has not yet decided if it is a teaching university ( a diploma factory), a research university (one extending the boundaries of knowledge) or a hybrid, teaching and researching.
Hilary Beckles’ nonsense of a graduate in every home, a hijacking of Tony Blair’s equally silly phrase, lies at the root of this. In the UK, half school leavers go on to university and most are no cleverer than your grand father when they graduate.
I remember a few years ago a young Canada-based Barbadian woman, doing lots of what seemed interesting research at some university, was profiled in the Nation and she said in part that her research needed further funding. I immediately thought here was a good opportunity for UWI to inject some money in the project and have an off-the-shelf top class research project.
From memory she went to Queen’s College and lived in the Chelsea area. But, as you know, our journalism is so bad you never get a follow up of reports and readers do not make demands.
By the way, @Robert, should we disinfect fresh fruit, post and newspapers?
Crusoe
March 30, 2020 1:56 AM
John
March 30, 2020 12:40 AM
Some of the latest comments from senior officials suggest that the lockdown in the UK will continue for months.
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Their choice.
I just saying what I think.
@Dr. Lucas
From observation Carter is being used as a communicator, he leaves the teachnical to Dr. Best et al. You will admit that the ability to communicate effectively is a desirable quality in the prevailing climate?
“COVID CZAR”
Sounds like brand of cheap Russian vodka.
@Hal
Richard Carter is one of MAM right hand men
Doctors are the most effective communicators on this earth!!
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.