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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 7, 2020 5:23:45 GMT
In France, several hospitals have set up tents in the car park for testing. That way the people don't go in the building or use the lifts or anything so it is much safer.
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Post by questa on Mar 7, 2020 7:59:14 GMT
In Oz we have a phrase that sums up the US handling of the coronavirus.
"Aw,him...he couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery!"
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 7, 2020 9:32:17 GMT
In Oz we have a phrase that sums up the US handling of the coronavirus. "Aw,him...he couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery!" We have the same phrase here.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 8, 2020 5:22:38 GMT
So, northern Italy has gone into complete quarantine until at least April 3 for 16 million people. 5883 cases on Saturday and 230 deaths. Slowly but surely, France is following the same path, but so far we have "only" about 1000 cases and 16 deaths.
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Post by fumobici on Mar 8, 2020 6:09:20 GMT
My usual Spring trip to Italy is coming into doubt. And I have stuff to do.
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Post by fumobici on Mar 8, 2020 6:12:07 GMT
So, northern Italy has gone into complete quarantine until at least April 3 for 16 million people. 5883 cases on Saturday and 230 deaths. Slowly but surely, France is following the same path, but so far we have "only" about 1000 cases and 16 deaths. I wonder how the trains are working? Do they just not make stops in the quarantine areas? The train links between IT and FR and CH frequently pass through those areas.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 8, 2020 6:19:27 GMT
We'll find out soon enough. The decree was just signed a few hours ago.
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Post by bjd on Mar 8, 2020 7:05:11 GMT
There is a fine line between information and panic-mongering. I fail to see it in the usual sources of information.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 8, 2020 7:36:46 GMT
They have said that trains and planes will continue to operate in the quarantine area for the time being but there will be restrictions on who is allowed to leave or enter the area.
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Post by questa on Mar 8, 2020 8:06:44 GMT
Was there a sudden rush to buy toilet paper in other countries as well as Oz? Some half-witted TV presenter made a remark about people getting in supplies in case they have to do 14 days confinement.
Hysteria took over the cities and fist fights among women were commonplace as they stacked scores of rolls into their cars. Empty shelves led to price gouging...A$ 100 for a pack of 4 rolls...and getting it! Ads in the papers showed some entrepreneurs got in early and had bought thousands of rolls before they were even unloaded off the trucks. The factory that makes toilet and tissue products had to put on a night shift to keep up with demand.
At first it was funny until I saw the fear and helplessness and distress when people thought they didn't have enough rolls. The media and politicians have played the "you're all gonna die but I can save you" card. We have watched the handful of people arrive back on Oz soil being treated like returning heroes. One pundit said the panic was because people had lost control and buying like this gave them control again.
If it were wartime all the editors and talking heads would have been prosecuted for inciting fear and public disturbance. If it weren't so sad it would have been hilarious.
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Post by mossie on Mar 8, 2020 8:22:46 GMT
I wonder at the need to have such a large stock of bog rolls. Are they such scaredy cats that they will be filling their pants from morning to night.
They should try a good dose of dysentery,
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 8, 2020 8:56:48 GMT
Went to our local Tesco yesterday afternoon. Plenty of loo rolls, no pasta, some rice and plenty of tinned goods.
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Post by onlyMark on Mar 8, 2020 9:41:30 GMT
I'm now thinking my brother's obsession with toilet roll was ahead of his time.
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Post by patricklondon on Mar 8, 2020 9:57:39 GMT
At first it was funny until I saw the fear and helplessness and distress when people thought they didn't have enough rolls. Haven't they heard of cutting up squares of newspaper and hanging them on a string? Whatever happened to all that Aussie self-reliance and ingenuity?
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Post by spaceneedle on Mar 8, 2020 11:03:16 GMT
The situation in King County/Washington State isn't good. The best that I can describe it is impending doom.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 8, 2020 11:44:21 GMT
Pasta is still in low supply in Paris but not as bad as last week -- just less of a selection. I did notice when shopping yesterday that absolutely everybody with a shopping cart seemed to be buying toilet paper. I always keep a healthy supply at home and feel no need to add to it. And I'm sure that both Questa and OnlyMark can confirm that there are perfectly acceptable things that you can do when no paper is available. It is not my favourite way, but I have done it more than once.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 8, 2020 12:40:37 GMT
In rural Canada, people used squares of old mail-order catalogues. I'm sure there are still many people in the world who "go" without it.
I'm also sure that Trump couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery. He'd try to find some minion to do it though.
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Post by questa on Mar 8, 2020 13:14:07 GMT
Haven't they heard of cutting up squares of newspaper and hanging them on a string? Whatever happened to all that Aussie self-reliance and ingenuity? Was good in the old days when paper was rationed and the quarterly catalogues were soft paper and interesting to read. Now they are all glossy paper which is definitely not suited for the purpose to which it is required. There is also a tendency to fill the pages with flyers so that on taking up the catalogue, a cascade of junk mail lands in your lap. At least you have something to attack the red back spiders with.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 8, 2020 13:16:38 GMT
I've seen very little panic buying here. Alessandro Manzoni's famous novel, I promessi sposi (Usually titled "The Betrothed" in English, features a dramatic scene during the Great Plague of Milan. www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/world/europe/milan-coronavirus.htmlManzoni's adventurous young hero Renzo, a young peasant (if I recall, he was a weaver) manages to survive the pestilence. Yes, my Renzo was named for the character, not for Lorenzo il Magnifico. Renzo was exiled from his village by an evil priest, who wanted his fiancée for himself.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 8, 2020 13:32:30 GMT
Besides the catalogue pages in rural America, I also heard about using corncobs, but you would have to eat quite a bit of corn regularly to have a sufficient supply. Maybe it was reserved for special occasions.
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Post by fumobici on Mar 8, 2020 17:37:03 GMT
I figured out why some people need so much bog roll. They are giant assholes.
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Post by casimira on Mar 8, 2020 18:07:12 GMT
Hoarder that I am, I still have some old phone directories that are outdated.
Here in NOLA I don't see much hysteria or lack of necessary staple goods.
Several major conventions have been canceled, chatter about the canceling of the N.O. Jazz and Heritage Festival being canceled.
Being a major port and convention/ tourist destination I anticipated more reactionary/cautionary measures.
Austin, Texas has cancelled the South by Southwest Festival which draws thousands and brings millions of dollars in revenue. A huge blow to their economy and musicians, artisans, and all that goes with a major event of its kind.
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Post by mickthecactus on Mar 8, 2020 22:04:19 GMT
Why so high in Italy?
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 8, 2020 22:24:56 GMT
Some have said it's because Italy has such a high proportion of old people, second only to Japan.
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Post by questa on Mar 8, 2020 23:48:35 GMT
My Doctor has been pushing the Mediterranean diet which I don't like. So where are the benefits now, Doc? nya nya ni nya nya!
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Post by lagatta on Mar 9, 2020 6:00:26 GMT
What don't you like about it?
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Post by bjd on Mar 9, 2020 6:08:50 GMT
My Doctor has been pushing the Mediterranean diet which I don't like. So where are the benefits now, Doc? nya nya ni nya nya! On the contrary, questa. That's why there are so many old people!
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Post by questa on Mar 9, 2020 6:29:51 GMT
vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. salads are too much work when living alone and there is a high waste of food. I prefer Asian diet or the good old meat/fish and 3 veg I grew up on. Mediterranean meals are OK if you have a crowd coming and people all bring something to share. I can live on spag bol if needed but it needs a meaty sauce, not more bloody tomatoes However I'll eat anything, as you know..
What do you like about it?
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Post by questa on Mar 9, 2020 6:40:36 GMT
Oh...I thought the general consensus was that growing old was not all that desirable. As for eating a special diet to make you live longer, when the world is over populated anyway, sounds like an ethical dilemma...to tomato, or not to tomato...
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Post by lagatta on Mar 9, 2020 6:44:37 GMT
While I'm not vegetarian and doubt I ever will be, I like putting veg front and centre. As for tomatoes, they aren't omnipresent in actual Italian cooking (I say from living in Italy). The acidity disagrees with many people, in Italy too.
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