[sgiitk]

Let us not be so complacent. India has tested only 2 people per 1000, while the figure for the US is 22. So we should expect the figure to scale up as more and more people are tested.

A Pandemic is one stage below Epidemic. So things are getting worse globally.

[roy_libran]

I think it's important for all of us to be cognizant that the effects of this pandemic WILL trickle down to each individual's level within the next 2-3 weeks tops, unless there is a real reduction in the spread of this virus.

These effects if not at a health level, will involve our jobs, incomes, food & other essential supplies etc. None of us are immune to the massive impact that this pandemic is having on the economy and businesses, only have varying levels of resilience.

So, time for everyone to suspend all non-essential purchases, travels and socialising. Save cash, gradually build non-perishable food supplies, and hope the summers hit us quick and hard!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

A Pandemic is one stage below Epidemic.

This is wrong. It is the other way around!

Epidemic refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area.

Pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

Source - https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss19...section11.html

[am1m]

Some humor, with a message perhaps. Was parking the bike yesterday before heading to a metro station. Slickly dressed dude, looked like some marketing-yuppie-type was walking nearby, being loud and fake accented on the phone:

"So how is the Coronavirus situation in Hyderabad? Has it affected you guys, is Hyderabad running?"

(like he's the CM or something!)

"Ah ok so everything is running, good, here it looks like Bangalore will be affected"

(again, the man in charge!)

"Haan, but you guys will be ok in Hyderabad with the hot weather and... (wait for it...)...the seashore there"

(!!! Hyderabad...SEASHORE?!)

"Oh Hyderabad doesn't have a seashore, ah Visakhapatnam does, ok"


Gave me a good laugh, but remember guys, these are the sort of people who send out those confident whatsapp forwards with 'information'. So stick to reliable, verifiable sources.

[Gansan]

I agree. Some humor is in order!

Corona anyone? Very cheap!

https://www.facebook.com/karthik.raj...70404303030219

[arindambasu13]

Is there checking and screening being done for inter state travels within the country? For instance, if one is driving into Karnataka from Kerala or AP or TN, are there any checks being done ? I would think no, but just wanted to confirm if there is any information available on this.

[Samurai]

Is travelling by bus safer than taking a flight? Next week I have to visit Mangalore, wondering whether I should take the bus instead of the flight.

BTW, I was thinking about the shoe brand Carona. What happens to their brand image after this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carona_Shoes

[Gansan]

I don't think so. I don't think checks are done for domestic air travellers either.

[Sankar]

IMHO

W.H.O should have declared this a pandemic a week ago. Such was the rate of spread of infection across the globe even back then and the resulting restriction of travel across countries would have prevented further damage. Anyone (who cared) knew it was only a matter of "when" rather than "if" the virus will find its way into one's backyard.

[MasterChief]

Originally Posted by vivek95

I am sharing this news/snapshots just to put things in perspective and not to create panic.

Qatar and Italy are witnessing a drastic increase in numbers in a span of just 24 hours. Remember that COVID-19 entered Italy in end January'20.

- Dr. Vivek

This (new cases increasing by more than 200 in 24 hrs) is the predicted trend of exponential growth as discussed in my post on page 27. The "Growth Factor" has to become less than 1 and then only the situation will get under control. It is good that our government is taking as much precaution as it can else it will get out of hand real fast given the state of our health care system.

[GeneralJazz]

Originally Posted by arindambasu13

Is there checking and screening being done for inter state travels within the country? For instance, if one is driving into Karnataka from Kerala or AP or TN, are there any checks being done ? I would think no, but just wanted to confirm if there is any information available on this.

So far, nothing. Just traveled to Coimbatore from Cochin yesterday. Didn't feel confident enough to take the bus, so took my own car.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by MasterChief

This (new cases increasing by more than 200 in 24 hrs) is the predicted trend of exponential growth as discussed in my post on page 27. The "Growth Factor" has to become less than 1 and then only the situation will get under control. It is good that our government is taking as much precaution as it can else it will get out of hand real fast given the state of our health care system.

I read that some province had not reported their cases the previous day and hence the jump in number.

I think the western world just waited for it to happen and thought they will be able to control it. Even when the numbers were increasing exponentially in china they didnt act. The spread from travellers had already happened and now its within the community which is increasing like it is.

Maybe India was fortunate that we didnt have too many tourists visiting us, especially from China. Chinese make up huge numbers in tourists across the world.

[raksrules]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

The standard protocol for most offices is: anyone who has traveled and returned from another town/ country should work from home for 15 days. You should suggest this.
The local girl's apprehensions are valid.

Colleague in office returned from Dubai around a week or so back and I instructed her to not come office for next 15 days and do WFH. Got a laptop arranged for her and made it reach via another office colleague who stays near her.

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by alpha1

The thread has become extremely large so pardon my laziness but:
1) is the COVID-19 infection more dangerous (fatal) than the common flu (that we casually label as "viral infection")
2) is it less (or more) transmittable compared to the common cold and influenza
3) there is no cure for common cold. Does Tamiflu treat the influenza viral infection or just soothe the symptoms? So in similar vein is there any medicine that treat the infection (I am reading that there is none), but anything that helps with the symptoms?

No answers, so I sought to find for myself:
1) Death rate for Covid-19 is order of magnitude higher than seasonal flu 3.4% vs 0.1%.
2) Transmission rates are lower than influenza
3) Tamiflu reduces virus in infected body, there is no such drug right now for Covid-19

https://www.who.int/docs/default-sou...rsn=96b04adf_2

So maybe it is not as lethal as some other infections, but the issue here is that it is so easily spread like common cold and flu that we need to be careful.

Originally Posted by srishiva

I think the western world just waited for it to happen and thought they will be able to control it. Even when the numbers were increasing exponentially in china they didnt act. The spread from travellers had already happened and now its within the community which is increasing like it is.

Economics trump everything else in the world of humans.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Is travelling by bus safer than taking a flight? Next week I have to visit Mangalore, wondering whether I should take the bus instead of the flight.

Driving self would be the safest if you don't want to take a chance.

Between air and bus, in an area where the spread is not yet community one, the bus would be better since airports are exposed to far more traffic, international and domestic. On the other hand, airports would be better sanitized along with flights. The duration of travel also would be less. It's a catch 20 situation, I would prefer my own car.