Coronavirus

[Dr. Eddies Wingman]

I have read a couple of interesting editorials, about the risk of authoritarian rule in the wake of the corona crisis, were measures taken and justified as means of fighting the implications of the virus, will create authoritarian governments and redraw the political landscape of Europe.

This might happen, although I think the most likely is that countries where the government is already somewhat authoritarian (like Poland) or very much so (e.g. Hungary or Turkey) will use the pandemic to justify further consolidation of their powers.

Still: The Norwegian government, which should be quite far from any kind of authoritarianism, were attempting to pass a temporary law that would give them extended power for a period of 6 months, basically reducing the Parliament to a veto organ. After lawyers raised debate about the issue, they backed down and agreed it would only last 1 month and with more "checks and balances" than in the original draft.

There are several countries where the government would be able to just pass such a law without asking, and then at the end of the six months not roll it back.

 

[Black Wizard]

The UK parliament is in the process of putting through emergency legislation but some MPs want to make sure it is reviewed periodically.

 

[Yax]

The UK parliament is in the process of putting through emergency legislation but some MPs want to make sure it is reviewed periodically.

Good. Emergency powers and/or legislation should not be permanent, but limited to a very short time.

 

[LooseCannon]

Trump made 33 false claims about the coronavirus crisis in the first two weeks of March

Trump made 33 false claims about the coronavirus crisis in the first two weeks of March

President Donald Trump began March with a barrage of false claims about the coronavirus pandemic -- understating the extent of the crisis, overstating the availability of tests, inaccurately blaming his predecessor and wrongly insisting that the crisis was unforeseen.

www.cnn.com

I mean that's a bare minimum. He's going to be the reason thousands and thousands of Americans die.

 

[Black Wizard]

The number of new deaths in Italy has dropped for the second day running. Today they've reported 602, down from 651 yesterday.

 

[bearfan]

China is opening stuff back up ... starting with 500 movie theaters

China Reopens Over 500 Movie Theaters as New Coronavirus Cases Near Zero

Over 500 movie theaters in China have reopened as of Saturday as new cases of the coronavirus in mainland China have crawled to nearly zero.The numbers come from a report released by the Chinese ticketing service Mayoan (via the financial website Caixin) that says that as of March 21, 507...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Dr. Eddies Wingman]

The number of new deaths in Italy has dropped for the second day running. Today they've reported 602, down from 651 yesterday.

Hope the decreasing trend continues. Italy has suffered hard.

 

[Collin]

Good job Washington.

 

[Brigantium]

Boris is doing a televised speech at 8.30pm. This could be a lockdown.

 

[Black Wizard]

I had the same thought. An address to the nation is overdue. The message hasn't been getting through to many people.

 

[Brigantium]

Everyone my age has been having the same problem - keeping their parents in.

 

[Yax]

Or it's a speech about the hardships and sacrifices everybody must do and the road ahead can be long and difficult. A press conference is a better platform for news.

 

[Black Wizard]

Everyone my age has been having the same problem - keeping their parents in.

I have a lot of sympathy for elderly people at the moment. Many of them don't often get a chance to speak to people so a trip to the shops might be the only socialising they get in a week. I'm sure many of them are of the opinion that they grew up during the war, survived this, lasted that, so why should they spend the next two years isolating themselves from the world? Perhaps some of them think that if this is the end of them then they might as well enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while there's not many people on the streets.

 

[Brigantium]

He's stepping up the restrictions, closing all but essential shops, and giving police extra powers. For those concerned about civil liberties, it's currently for three weeks only, to be reviewed in three weeks.

 

[Brigantium]

I have a lot of sympathy for elderly people at the moment. Many of them don't often get a chance to speak to people so a trip to the shops might be the only socialising they get in a week. I'm sure many of them are of the opinion that they grew up during the war, survived this, lasted that, so why should they spend the next two years isolating themselves from the world? Perhaps some of them think that if this is the end of them then they might as well enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while there's not many people on the streets.

Well, mine aren't quite in that boat (and born post-War!) but they have a 'fresh air is good for you and an absolute must' routine.

 

[Magnus]

Or it's a speech about the hardships and sacrifices everybody must do and the road ahead can be long and difficult. A press conference is a better platform for news.

e.g.,
We shall stay away from the beaches, we shall stay away from the landing grounds, we shall stay away from the fields and from the streets, we shall stay away from the hills

 

[Yax]

e.g.,
We shall stay away from the beaches, we shall stay away from the landing grounds, we shall stay away from the fields and from the streets, we shall stay away from the hills

Brilliant.

 

[Brigantium]

Run from the hills, run for your life.

 

[Yax]

Run from the hills, run for your life.

The Loneliness of the Quarantined Runner.

 

[Black Wizard]

He's stepping up the restrictions, closing all but essentisl shops, and giving police extra powers. For those concerned about civil liberties, it's currently for three weeks only, to be reviewed in three weeks.

It's wierd seeing him conduct himself like an adult isn't it? I hope these measures are effective. They won't affect me too much as I have to work from home until further notice and I have some shops nearby. We are allowed to go out for exercise once per day but Boris didn't specify how long that exercise session can last so I might go for a six hour walk and see what happens.