Welcome to European Tribune. It's gone a bit quiet around here these days, but it's still going.

PM Johnson Taken to ICU

by Oui Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 07:16:28 PM EST

BREAKING NEWS!!

More to follow .. Raab deputised ...

More below the fold ...

[Update-1]

COVID-19: Sudden Storm of Aggravated Condition

Reporter's Notebook: Life and death in a Wuhan coronavirus ICU | Straits Times - Feb. 6, 2020 |

In an interview on Tuesday with Caixin, Dr Peng described his personal experiences in first encountering the disease in early January and quickly grasping its virulent potential and the need for stringent quarantine measures.

As the contagion spread and flooded his ICU, the doctor observed that three weeks seemed to determine the difference between life and death. Patients with stronger immune systems would start to recover in a couple of weeks, but in the second week, some cases would take a turn for the worse.

The Coronavirus Patients Betrayed by Their Own Immune Systems | The NY Times - Apr. 1, 2020 |

The 42-year-old man arrived at a hospital in Paris on March 17 with a fever, cough and the “ground glass opacities” in both lungs that are a trademark of infection with the new coronavirus.

Two days later, his condition suddenly worsened and his oxygen levels dropped. His body, doctors suspected, was in the grip of a cytokine storm, a dangerous overreaction of the immune system. The phenomenon has become all too common in the coronavirus pandemic, but it is also pointing to potentially helpful drug treatments.

Display:
PM Johnson Taken to ICU | 91 comments (91 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 5)
It's shocking how little deference this virus shows to political status.

I have to admit I'm finding the well-wishing rather sickening. I realise Forms Must Be Followed, but there are thousands of dead already and we haven't seen much (any?) sympathy for them from the great and the good.

Meanwhile someone who has literally dedicated his life to selfishness, dishonesty, and a certain kind of cultivated stupidity gets very public thoughts and prayers from his political peers.

It's not so much that I particularly want Johnson to die forthwith, it's more that it's hard to ignore that he's practically a parable of how well self-indulgent red-in-tooth-and-claw conservatism really fares when physical reality breaks through that protective bubble of hard-edged self-regard.

But I could just be in an unusually cynical mood. I'm starting to hear about people who were alive last week and are dead this week, and it hasn't made me more tolerant of "leaders" who cause more problems than they solve.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 09:20:56 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 3)
Very true ... here @EuroTrib we've taken our decisions based on science. Policy and preparedness would have been quite different. Boris Johnson is finally leading by example. Would have been better if BoJo was transported to the Commons at ExCel Nightingale Hospital.
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 09:56:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 2)
It's shocking how little deference this virus shows to political status.

Not to mention English exceptionalism - as in "WHO advice is only relevant for low and medium income countries" - UK deputy chief medical officer.

Pretty soon, if they're not careful, England will BE a medium income country...

But then not shaking hands or wearing a mask is for wimps, not real men like Boris or Trump

Index of Frank's Diaries

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 08:41:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 3)
Come on. It's avoided Trump despite all his attempts to catch it. And it's avoided Netanyahu, despite his health (sic) minister catching it from praying  too much in groups.
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 09:01:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
There are some humans even a virus won't dig...

Index of Frank's Diaries
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 12:52:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 2)
Good to hear the leaders of the Tory Party are at the forefront of moving the UK to herd immunity.

Now if Donald could only 'Take a Lesson' and do the same.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 10:04:37 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:03:14 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:05:02 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:08:55 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:13:24 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:20:41 PM EST
< wipes tears > (none / 0)
by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 12:38:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]
< wipes tears > (none / 1)
by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 12:51:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]
< wipes tears > (none / 0)
by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 06:43:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &lt; wipes tears &gt; (none / 0)
Is the pandemic of 17 or 16 a reference to the Haskell County flu (the first recorded reference to it is actually from January 1918)?
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 07:08:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &amp;lt; wipes tears &amp;gt; (none / 1)
Biden definitely has a better grasp of 1918 than 2018.
by rifek on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 03:31:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &lt; wipes tears &gt; (none / 0)
Oh for God's sakes keep that man away from a microphone.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 11:48:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &amp;lt; wipes tears &amp;gt; (4.00 / 3)
About the only thing you could say for Biden, apart from the fact that he is not Trump, is that he might appoint some half way competent people to key jobs and let them get on with it, all the while providing an amiable grandfatherly type figure presiding over it all.

Then, in 2024, we can have grandma Clinton ..oh..er.. perhaps not. But seriously, what non-octogenarian candidates of real ability do the Democrats have lined up for us?

Index of Frank's Diaries

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 11:49:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &amp;amp;lt; wipes tears &amp;amp;gt; (4.00 / 2)
Still wondering if AoC is in the Blair/Obama decepticon camp or the Sanders/etc genuine progressives camp.
by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 01:13:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: AOC (4.00 / 2)
So far she appears to be firmly in the Sanders/etc. camp.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 02:32:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: AOC (none / 1)
"Appears."

I'm suspicious because she seems so much in the Blair/Obama/Macron model - clean, charismatic, intelligent, articulate, plenty of attitude, but inexplicably manifests as a Good Company Employee who preaches "pragmatism over purity" while in office, and has no moral issues with profitable wars.

We'll see, probably.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 03:32:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: AOC (4.00 / 3)
I honestly see no indication that AOC is anything like the cynical climbers of the Blair/Obama mold. However, being a comparable young and empathic human being bears it's own risk. Specifically I worry that she'll grow to like her colleges, who in a fairer world would mostly be laying railroad tracks in Alaska.
by generic on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 06:01:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: AOC (none / 1)
"Appears" because all I know is her public statements and actions.

And plus what generic said.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:41:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Look what makes it into the NYT (none / 0)
Two days after Sanders throwes in the towel:

Very strong "what did the Romans every do for us" energy.
by generic on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 02:44:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Look what makes it into the NYT (none / 0)
Just wait until after Sept. 1.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 03:41:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
In other NYT news (none / 0)

Bringing back the classics

by generic on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 04:00:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: In other NYT news (none / 0)
by generic on Wed Apr 15th, 2020 at 11:30:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
I'll bet the energy she's sending is coal-fired.
by rifek on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 03:33:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)

BREAKING: PM Johnson has a new personal physician ... he's in the best of hands, a friend, Donald Trump with a gut feeling ...

    Trump was asked for more details on the medicines he said he had sent to Boris Johnson's doctors, but he gives few more details, and does not name the companies involved.

    Well it's a very, it's a very complex treatment of things that they've just recently developed, and that they have a lot of experience with something else but recently for this. And .. they've already concurred. They've had meetings with the doctors, and we'll see whether or not they want to go that route. But when you're in intensive care it's a big deal. So they're there and they're ready.

    Updated at 11.22pm BST

by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:27:12 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
IF true, a very big "if", then the US government has experimental medicine that could save thoysands of lives, but is reserving them for the elites, not even letting the mainstream doctors know of them.  
This speeds my growing guess that coronavirus was created to remove surplus population. Neoliberal response to overpopulation and global warming.
by StillInTheWilderness on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 01:52:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)

Because the US government has a sterling track record of keeping secret experimental medicines. Especially the current administration who has shown the highest level of professionalism.
by Bernard on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 02:58:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
 
by Oui on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 at 11:45:52 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)

○ 'It reflects the despair': chief rabbi's criticism of Labour strikes a chord | The Guardian - Nov. 26, 2019 |  

○ As Britain Faces Renewed Islamist Terror, Chief Rabbi Looks for Enemies in 'All the Wrong Places' | Tikun Olam |

by Oui on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 12:01:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (4.00 / 4)

Friday's Daily Mail tomorrow.

by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 12:48:25 AM EST
Trump: I'v Experimental Medicine for Boris (4.00 / 2)

BIG Pharma CEOs to offer Johnson experimental Covid-19 treatments | The Guardian |

Donald Trump has said he asked US pharmaceutical companies working on experimental coronavirus drugs to approach Boris Johnson's doctors and offer their help, after it emerged that the British prime minister was in intensive care.

In an evening press briefing, Trump did not name the companies or the drugs, but earlier in the day he held a conference about therapeutic drugs with the heads of four US pharmaceutical and biotech companies: Amgen, Genetech, Gilead, and Regeneron.

Trump has consistently promoted the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine in combination with an antibiotic azithromycin, as a "game-changer" in the battle with coronavirus, although his own health officials have cautioned that there is no proof they are effective.

My earlier diary - Crisis In Leadership

Related reading ...

The Trumpian French Doctor Behind the Chloroquine Hype | Slate |

by Oui on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 07:45:25 AM EST
< yawn > (none / 1)
atm, the funniest "explainer" since this bogus pHARMa story broke (omitting UNKNOWN potions of favorite market makers) most illiterate, litigious nation on planet into WHO.int, FDA kitchen-chemist consultants is at Politico.

What you need to know about the malaria drugs Trump keeps touting. There still are no approved treatments for the coronavirus.

4. There have already been shortages

The FDA added versions

Chloroquine phosphate must be administered orally.

To request chloroquine phosphate under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA): Contact your Local or State Health Department Health care providers must submit a report on all medication errors, ALL SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS, and CLINICAL OUTCOMES related to chloroquine phosphate. See specific reporting instructions below.

The optimal dosing and duration of treatment for COVID-19 is unknown.

of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to its shortage list last week after prescriptions spiked as much 7,000 percent in March. The hype has already made it difficult for people with lupus and arthritis to get the drugs, said David Karp, a Texas doctor and president-elect of the American College of Rheumatology, the providers who largely treat those patients.
[..]
5. There's worry the chloroquine craze could crowd out trials of other potential cures
[...]
Gilead, maker of one experimental treatment -- the antiviral drug remdesivir [AND IT'S A FLOORWAX BWAH!] -- has attempted to shift away from giving it to patients outside of trials as it races for answers. The biotech company said this weekend that it currently has enough doses for roughly 140,000 people.

"versions" of generic compounds

by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 04:53:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]
< yawn > (none / 1)
more off-label hijinks... out of Africa

Aaron Miller et al, Correlation between universal BCG vaccination policy and reduced morbidity and mortality for COVID-19: an epidemiological study (pre-print) 28 Mar

Here we propose that national differences in COVID-19 impact could be partially explained by the different national policies respect to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) childhood vaccination. BCG vaccination has been reported to offer broad protection to respiratory infections. We compared large number of countries BCG vaccination policies with the morbidity and mortality for COVID-19. We found that countries without universal policies of BCG vaccination (Italy, Nederland, USA) have been more severely affected compared to countries with universal and long-standing BCG policies.
RT | 'Striking' evidence emerges that TB vaccine may be effective against Covid-19 -- countries that use it have TEN TIMES fewer cases
In this study, 178 countries were included, of which 131 have national programmes of BCG vaccination, 21 do not, and 26 have an unknown status. Interestingly, the USA and Italy are among the rich, developed countries to have never had a universal BCG programme. Spain also does not have one, but their Iberian neighbours Portugal do, and they had only 209 deaths at the time of writing. The UK ran a modest vaccination programme that ended in 2005.
Science | Can a century-old TB vaccine steel the immune system against the new coronavirus?
A team in the Netherlands will kick off the first of the trials this week. They will recruit 1000 health care workers in eight Dutch hospitals who will either receive the vaccine, called bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), or a placebo. ...BCG may also increase the ability of the immune system to fight off pathogens other than the TB bacterium, according to clinical and observational studies published over several decades by Danish researchers Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn, who live and work in Guinea-Bissau. They concluded the vaccine prevents about 30% of infections with any known pathogen, including viruses, in the first year after it's given.
archived Tue Feb 18th, 2020
by Cat on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 at 07:14:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Trump: I'v Experimental Medicine for Boris (none / 0)
Der Drumpfenfuehrer has been promoting it because he owns a piece of Sanofi, which makes Panequil.
by rifek on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 03:29:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Trump: I'v Experimental Medicine for Boris (none / 0)
Where is Don Rumsfeld?
by Cat on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 03:34:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Trump: ebola marketing for Boris (none / 0)

[X] miracle cure
But questions remain about the quick recovery. Was it the drug that lead to the improvement? Or would the man have gotten better the next day anyway?

Susan Kane said remdesivir appeared to work quickly for her husband, too.

"On the very next day, he said: 'You know, I think it's lifting. I think I'm starting to feel better,'" she recalled.

Chris Kane is now home and, although he still gets winded easily, he is improving, according to his wife.

"We are 100,000 percent convinced that the remdesivir turned things around for him," Susan Kane said.

Because remdesivir is now officially in clinical trials at Providence Regional Medical Center, Kane's doctors declined an interview with NBC News, as they are unable to comment on the efficacy of the drug before results are made public.

by Cat on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 11:16:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Trump: I'v Experimental Medicine for Boris (none / 0)
Tamil Nadu?

'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 at 08:12:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Republican Business Strategy (none / 0)
Out of chaos ... be very specific who gets the contracts ... Iraq War - Katrina Disaster - CoV-2 Pandemic ...

Best supervisor for contracts, the President's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Did the trick with Middle-East peace settlement ... MORE settlements and recognition Israeli superiority. The Jewish State appreciates President Trump ... plaque beyond plaque  .etc, etc.

"You scratch my back, I'll scratch your back."

by Oui on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 07:46:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Republican Business Strategy (none / 0)
by Oui on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 11:19:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
Hey Keir, if you want to feel bad for someone, how about the poor sod who can't get treated because de Piffle is taking that space?
by rifek on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 03:36:29 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
You guys are all so negative. You have missed the most important part of this story.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is carrying out the prime minister's duties in his absence, said Johnson was "receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any assistance. He's not required any mechanical ventilation."

Note that it doesn't say something like "Johnson was being treated on a cot in a corridor of an off-list hospital by an unqualified nurse." It says he is getting the "standard treatment."

That is about as clear a statement as is possible, clarifying that the health care system in the UK is structured and provisioned to provide "standard oxygen treatment" to every single patient in the country. How can you complain about that?

by asdf on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 05:42:53 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 1)
The latest news is he's "sitting up in bed."

Which will be the single most intelligent thing he's managed to do since the start of the pandemic.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 06:31:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by generic on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 06:42:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
Somebody pointed out below that
The West Wuhan Brigade is currently part of RIRA not PIRA
They should really get these things right.
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 at 07:53:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
British Hero Boris: `Great Sacrifice' (none / 0)
Papa Johnson: "He [almost] took one for the team"

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson 'almost took one for the team' after spell in ICU, father says | ABC News |

And Johnson's father, Stanley, told the BBC Friday that the prime minister must "rest up" before returning to lead the country.


The Observer: Long to rule over you... (Illustration: Chris Riddell)

"To use that American expression, he almost took one for the team," Stanley Johnson said. He went on to say that while the prime minister is "not out of the woods yet," his son's diagnosing and hospitalization served an amazing purpose... in a sense, it got the whole country to realize this is a serious event."

The prime minister is in "extremely good spirits," according to Downing Street.

○ 'We're led by the science': UK's plan to delay coronavirus peak and pursue herd immunity triggers uproar

○ The U.K.'s Coronavirus 'Herd Immunity' Debacle | The Atlantic |

by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 06:07:44 PM EST
Re: British Hero Boris: 'Great Sacrifice' (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:13:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Greatest Risk to Trump Is .... Himself (none / 1)
Trump's poll numbers dip over handling of coronavirus pandemic | The Guardian |

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week found approval of Trump's handling of Covid-19 had dipped to 42%, down from 48% the week before. Trump's overall approval rating was at 40%, close to where it has been for much of his presidency. According to a survey by CNN, 45% of Americans approve of Trump's coronavirus response.

Perhaps more worrying for Trump are his dwindling numbers in a match-up against Joe Biden. CNN found that Biden leads Trump 53% to 42% among registered voters nationwide.

A number of Trump's advisers and Republican allies are said to be among those unimpressed with his performance at his press briefings, which have become a daily ritual and often last several hours. Axios and The New York Times  reported that a series of senior figures have become dismayed at the briefings, which Trump has used to propagate lies and disinformation about his response to the pandemic.

"White House allies and Republican lawmakers increasingly believe the briefings are hurting the president more than helping him," the Times reported.  

Earlier post in Crisis In Leadership ...

○ The Iraq-Vietnam Comparison

○ U-turn for BoJo-Trump-Rutte

by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 07:57:21 PM EST
Huge Incompetence, Lindsey's Response Team (none / 1)

by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 07:58:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Huge Incompetence, Lindsey's Response Team (4.00 / 2)
Miss Lindsey is a well know sub so not surprising at the Trump water carrying.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:43:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
< wipes tears > (none / 1)
"CNN found that Biden leads Trump 53% to 42%"
IF that were true, the craven DNC wouldn't be recruiting "America's Governor" Cuomo for alternate nominee.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:06:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: &lt; wipes tears &gt; (none / 1)
DNC is probably worried Biden is going to have a mental break down on national television.

And they are quite right to be worried.  The guy is one lost neuron from a funny farm.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:45:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Greatest Risk to Trump Is .... Himself (none / 1)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 09:56:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Greatest Risk to Trump Is .... Himself (4.00 / 3)
Germany used to be one of the most reliably pro-US countries in Europe, but, as you write in your sig line, the rift keeps increasing.

Berlin lets mask slip on feelings for Trump's America - Politico.eu

The crisis has convinced Germans that Trump is not just untrustworthy, but dangerous.
[...]
 Even Merkel has declined to give Washington the benefit of the doubt.

"For me, it's important that we get to the bottom of it," she said during a press conference on Monday. "We have contradictory statements out there, but I think it should be possible to clear it up."

So far, that's proved tricky.

What is known is that Berlin police placed an order for at least 200,000 "FFP-2" masks, which provide more protection than conventional surgical masks, from a German medical supplier. The supplier, which Berlin officials have yet to name, ordered the masks in Asia.

Just as the masks, which had been paid for in advance, were about to be dispatched from Bangkok to Germany, the order was redirected to the U.S., according to Martin Pallgen, a spokesman for Berlin's interior ministry.

But Pallgen and other Berlin officials are relying on information provided by the unnamed supplier, who they say told the city's police department that the masks were redirected as a result of a "U.S. directive."

by Bernard on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 08:31:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:18:34 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:22:08 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:24:15 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:26:41 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
Ah yes.  The Third Way.

At the forefront of Indignant Posturing after any hope of alleviating the problem is past.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:47:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:36:35 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
Ah yes.  The Third Way.

At the forefront of Indignant Posturing after any hope of alleviating the problem is past.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:48:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 at 08:39:41 PM EST
Silenced: Doctors Do or Die (none / 0)
Hospitals Tell Doctors They'll Be Fired If They Speak Out About Lack of Gear | Bloomberg |

Hospitals are threatening to fire health-care workers who publicize their working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic -- and have in some cases followed through.

"Hospitals are muzzling nurses and other health-care workers in an attempt to preserve their image," said Ruth Schubert, a spokeswoman for the Washington State Nurses Association. "It is outrageous."

...,
NYU Langone Health employees received a notice Friday from Kathy Lewis, executive vice president of communications, saying that anyone who talked to the media without authorization would be "subject to disciplinary action, including termination."

Jim Mandler, a spokesman for NYU Langone Health, said the policy was to protect patient and staff confidentiality. "Because information is constantly evolving, it is in the best interest of our staff and the institution that only those with the most updated information are permitted to address these issues with the media."

Not all hospitals are blocking staff from talking to the press. New York's Mount Sinai has been scheduling media interviews for nurses, physicians and trainees to help the public understand the severity of the crisis.

by Oui on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 05:15:55 PM EST
Re: Silenced: Doctors Do or Die (none / 1)
Can't muddle the minds of the masses with medical reality now can we?


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre
by ATinNM on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 07:49:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Silenced: Doctors Do or Die (none / 1)
hashtag #physciansunite is fertile forum for disgruntled NYC medics--licensed and conscripted--who daily calculate the costs of Covid "combat." #protectnurses is its complement among so-called frontline workers begging for PPE and workplace safety enforcement by gov agencies.

Fortunately, the Anglomerican presses have assured amateur and expert homicidal maniacs that this policy, reportedly executed by CN.gov to SUPPRESS "whistleblowers" handling WMD is unacceptable.

I am delighted to learn now that personal "privacy" rights may be transformed into a double-edged razor flaunted by champions of liberal democracy, who happen to occupy public offices in the US and UK, both to punish "rivals" abroad, generally, and the "vulnerable" and "essential" labor force domestically.

by Cat on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 08:52:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Essential Do or Non-essential "Die" (none / 1)
BLS March Situation Summary
Warehouse workers risk COVID-19 to ship Gucci shades, face cream, sofas
The facility recently closed for cleaning after a co-worker contracted COVID-19, but it reopened 36 hours later.

With Americans stuck at home, warehouse workers scramble to fill surging online orders. Some, such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc employees, often ship groceries and other essentials. Others risk their health for furniture or fashion retailers such as IKEA, Wayfair Inc or Macy's Inc.

Government stay-home orders have carve-outs for warehouses or e-commerce operations, allowing a wide array of retailers to piggyback on exemptions intended primarily to ensure the flow of necessities. The loophole means a large segment of retail workers - who often have scant benefits or sick time - must choose between their health and their paycheck. Some retailers, including Wayfair, Kohl's and Macy's, have given workers letters from executives to show police if they are stopped while commuting.
[...]
IKEA and Wayfair called their products essential to people who suddenly need home-office furniture or other household items. Consumers depend on "companies like Wayfair to keep them supplied with the items they need for their homes during these challenging times," Wayfair said, adding that the government has recognized its crucial role.

archived There Are Two Types of People Now: Online Shoppers and the People Who Serve Them
by Cat on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 09:25:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Doctors Do or Die (none / 1)
Fauci says the government is considering giving out COVID-19 'immunity cards' as part of push to reopen [sic] the economy
"I mean, it's one of those things that we talk about when we want to make sure that we know who the vulnerable people are and not," he said. "This is something that's being discussed. I think it might actually have some merit, under certain circumstances."
trusted expert, "America's Mayor Doctor" offers precision guidance
While existing coronavirus tests tell people whether they have the virus or not, an antibody test shows if someone has previously had the virus and recovered, which could mean [?!] they're immune [no]. Deploying them would be a part of the next phase of the government's plan to reopen the economy.

"Within a period of a week or so, we're going to have a rather large number of tests that are available," Fauci said Friday.

"authoritarian" transmogrification
Apple and Google are currently partnering [with WHO?] for a contact-tracing program that will use Bluetooth data from people's smartphones to gauge [sic] whether they have come in contact with someone exposed [!] to coronavirus.
by Cat on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 09:04:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
archived (none / 0)
16 days ago
"Fauci expressed optimism that medical experts could develop a vaccine in time to handle a potential return of COVID-19 next winter."
by Cat on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 09:06:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The tree does not fall far from the apple. (none / 1)
Britain's NHS working with Google, Apple on app to track coronavirus contact: Sunday Times
of unions and "smart cities"
Pentagon awarding contract to boost N95 mask production capacity by 39 million
The Pentagon [!] said Saturday it is using its [!] authority under the Defense Production Act to boost the supply of N95 masks
[...]
The Defense Production Act, approved in 1950, grants the president the power to expand industrial production of key materials or products for national security and other reasons.
brains of "self-isolating" liberal whathaveyou's, who were demanding Trump's "full authority" to invoke the DFA, explode. "Nationalization" is not coming, as it didn't 1953.
Andrews said the Pentagon in coming days will identify the companies involved [?!] when the contract is awarded.
waitwut
On Wednesday, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department awarded GM a contract for $489 million to produce 30,000 ventilators, while it also announced a $646.7 million contract given to Dutch health technology company Philips (PHG.AS) to produce 43,000 ventilators.
ssssso, where are those manufactured?
by Cat on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 01:58:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: The tree does not fall far from the apple. (none / 1)
Where?? The nation freed from COVID-19 naturally. It's spelled C - H - I - N - A  😄

Philips director Van Houten was recently on Dutch Newshour to explain why there were not enough ventilators to help support the addition of a few hundred ICU in Dutch hospital. People were dying!

He calmly explained that didn't understand the lack of urgency by Western Nations and the U.S. Philips Asia had been on the forefront when the epidemic started and delivered thousands of ventilators. ... Trump prevented export of the needed units to Europe ... Philips promised to start local production and to react to the question when the units for The Netherlands could be delivered? Van Houten was reluctant to answer ... when the interviewer persisted, he answered the 200 ventilators were ordered a fortnight ago! Lying liars Trump - Johnson - Rutte ... the latter admires America and the UK ... calls Trump a friend.

by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 06:11:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Doctors Do or Die (none / 0)
China uses a smart phone app, the US would use cards?
by asdf on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 05:02:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
British Exit Strategy Prioritised Above Brexit! (none / 0)
The glorious days of a sovereign nation lies ahead 😖

by Oui on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 08:00:51 PM EST
Priti Patel Living In The Westminster Bubble (none / 0)
Speaking of the "feeling" being let down by their government ...

○ Coronavirus: Remembering the NHS workers who have died

by Oui on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 08:11:01 PM EST
NZ: Secret Weapon to Fight the Coronavirus (none / 0)
by Oui on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 08:13:25 PM EST
Re: PM Johnson Taken to ICU (none / 0)
by Oui on Sat Apr 11th, 2020 at 10:14:57 PM EST
Data & Metrics: Graph Says It All (none / 0)

Nothing but the very best facilities and specialists for our Prime Minister ... by doing his very best and survive, Boris does contribute to his policy of riding out the pandemic and his bit for herd immunity.  The Shepard slowly recovering ...

"I owe them my life": how Boris Johnson's illness shook him and the nation | The Guardian |

Three nurses add to rising numbers of NHS staff deaths

by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 08:31:47 AM EST
Re: Data & Metrics: Graph Says It All (none / 1)
The "Global deaths" figures are a trifle misleading: as I wrote yesterday, the UK figures only count the deaths in hospitals (9,875 as of yesterday), whereas the French figures do count both the deaths in hospitals (8,951) and the deaths in nursing homes (4,889), for a total just under 14,000 as of yesterday night.

Both countries have about the same population: 66 million people.

Most countries have difficulties reporting C-19 deaths outside of their hospitals: in Spain, for instance, many deaths in nursing homes are not tested post mortem, so the figures are certainly underestimated.

In France, as the media were reporting a growing "carnage" in the country's 7,000 nursing homes, the Health Ministry was "nudged" to add the figures to the hospital figures in the daily briefing presented every evening by J.Salomon, an official at the ministry; both figures are published for about a week now, but only for 5,000 homes (out of 7,000) so far.

Also, a number of people are dying at home and are not reported in either count.

by Bernard on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 11:15:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Beyond the CoV-2 Pandemic: Election 2024 (none / 1)

The new 2 mtr society easier to meet w/o damn Socialists 😎

by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 12:28:04 PM EST
Smarter than yeast? (none / 1)

(US edition, above the fold)

Incidentally, US leisure economists are still flogging the virtues of BoJo's "80%" wage guarantee (as if unconditional), while desemminating false or incomplete instructions on how to collect 1x CARES Act $1,200 BONUS "advanced refund" check and "apply" for $600/wk BONUS UI benefit checks (first 4 mo. only of regular "benefit year"). This helps divert US bipartisan heat under diverging states' stingy UE laws, which supercede fed CARES regulation. Possibly the fact all UI income is always and still taxable or the advanced refund check ≠ 100% std deduction.

Treasury began automatic direct deposits Sat., 4/11. Because std interbank ATM delay, account credit will hit Wed, 4/15 (per effective date of the act). For everyone else ("typical nonfiler", income < $12.2K) Treasury has opened a dedicated IRS Free File online app to register SSN#, address or deposit account until 31 Dec 2020. Remember the Free File lobby flap last year?

by Cat on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 04:48:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Smarter than yeast? (none / 1)
APsplainin | Millions of taxpaying immigrants won't get stimulus checks, 12 April
Legal permanent residents, or green card holders ["immigrnts"], are expected to benefit. Roughly 4.3 million mostly [?!] unauthorized immigrants who do not have a Social Security number file taxes using what's known as a taxpayer identification number, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
CARES Act, SEC. 6428. ["]Recovery Rebates["] (3/27/2020) a/k/a "$1,200 stim-check"

archived Sat Mar 21st, 2020

by Cat on Mon Apr 13th, 2020 at 12:22:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Smarter than yeast? (none / 0)
us twitterverse

by Cat on Mon Apr 13th, 2020 at 02:02:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Smarter than yeast? (none / 1)

(US edition, below the fold)

DJT ruined the "fallen warrior" narrative by not succumbing to the "invisible enemy". Gosh darn it.

by Cat on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 04:59:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Easter Sunday 2020: It's a Miracle (none / 0)
by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 12:34:24 PM EST
Re: Easter Sunday 2020: It's a Miracle (none / 0)
by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 04:09:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Easter Sunday 2020: It's a Miracle (4.00 / 2)
I'm thinking of becoming a Covid truther. Boris never caught the bug, he was just in hiding again.
by generic on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 06:24:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
PM Johnson Released from St Thomas (none / 0)
by Oui on Sun Apr 12th, 2020 at 12:59:16 PM EST
Thank You NHS for Saving My Life: Trump (none / 0)
PPE shortage a disgrace ...

by Oui on Sat Apr 18th, 2020 at 11:32:31 AM EST
Re: Thank You NHS for Saving My Life: Trump (none / 0)
by Oui on Sat Apr 18th, 2020 at 02:10:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
PM Johnson Taken to ICU | 91 comments (91 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)


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