The Wuhan Clan - Tony Holohan's Having a House Party

farmerinthecity · March 17, 2020, 1:32pm

But even in the short term?

Can the world economy last much past the end of this month in terms of inactivity?

Is it not a case that we may be forced to open things up again with the virus still raging?

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 1:39pm

It’s very difficult to get reliable statistics on these things but from what I can make out they are testing on a very large scale. I’ve read 135k over the last two weeks but can’t verify that. But looking at the verfiable statistics would seem to bear out that they are doing a good job testing.

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 1:45pm

Yeah this was a scenario I was sort of envisaging a while back. I’m not sure how much difference it would make though. You can change rules but it’s harder to change people’s behaviour. Well, you can do it when people are petrified, as has happened over the last week, but it’s a hell of a lot harder to make people not be petrified. You can’t wish that away if there’s still a public health problem.

It’s going to be a total disaster for non-essential businesses and those employed by them.

That’s why I think the fundamental re-imagining of the world economy has to come sooner rather than later and I’m not sure how that happens. It is doable though - nobody thought what has happened over the last couple of weeks could be done - but world co-operation is essential. That requires adults in positions of power, not children, and currently, we have a lot of children in power around the world.

Tim_Riggins · March 17, 2020, 1:48pm

That’s incredible if so.

TreatyStones · March 17, 2020, 1:48pm

Saw a good stat somewhere yesterday where it showed the number of tests required to get a positive result.

It showed the uk were gone from 1 in 10 tests to 1 in 2. It’s probably a more worthwhile metric than the raw number of positives

Little_Lord_Fauntleroy · March 17, 2020, 1:49pm

OK GUYS, TAKE IT To a BESPOKE RURAL SPORT THREAD

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 1:51pm

Jaysus

Bandage · March 17, 2020, 1:54pm

I saw that This Morning (coincidentally enough). He was called out by the other guest, Vanessa Feltz.

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 1:58pm

Thinly veiled “Virgin Media is not my TV service provider”.

Little_Lord_Fauntleroy · March 17, 2020, 1:59pm

off licenses in Dublin not open till 4

PhattPike · March 17, 2020, 1:59pm

Jesus I have an awful hankering for a decent cappuccino. The local petrol station just doesn’t cut the mustard.

balbec · March 17, 2020, 2:00pm

Was thinking that today. A bit like the ash cloud in 2010. At what point will governments say “fuck it” and open up doors again. Not for a while you’d imagine. Depends on herd immunity I suppose.

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 2:02pm

Herd immunity is miles off. Like, a year minimum. If it will even exist. And it will only exist if health systems are crashed and a disaster unfolds.

Copper_pipe · March 17, 2020, 2:04pm

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 2:05pm

Science is a sectarian issue up north:

eoghanruadha · March 17, 2020, 2:07pm

I saw that as well, had no idea who he was. Reminded me strongly of the drunk old privileged Brit who rambled incorherently from The Fast Show.

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 2:07pm

His son reminds me of that. Rowley Birkin QC.

Dziekanowski · March 17, 2020, 2:08pm

You wouldn’t have expected Sweden to be the UK’s allies of inaction in this.

binkybarnes · March 17, 2020, 2:09pm

Consistency in a world gone mad. I respect that.

eoghanruadha · March 17, 2020, 2:09pm

Haha, yes !