Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #64

[JerseyGirl]

I can't remember. Was LE allowed to enforce the curfew?

Yes, just like NY and NJ are enforcing the 14-day mandatory quarantine for people from 12 (or is it 16 now?) states.

Basically, during our curfew, if you were out and going about your non-essential business, police were not pulling over cars willy nilly. If you were pulled over for a traffic violation or loitering or any other reason, and did not have an essential business excuse, you were fined.

Same with people coming in from other states. We can't stop them at the border. So, whether they are flying or driving in, if you were out and about and did not quarantine and the police happen upon you, and you present an out of state ID from a mandatory quarantine state and no local address documentation, you will get a fine.

 

[tresir2012]

City 'must stick together' during local lockdown

Hang in there Leicester. We are still in lockdown in Wales with you, for some of the time.

From the link -

Leicester's mayor has urged people to "stick together" and stay at home after lockdown restrictions were tightened.

Non-essential shops have shut and schools are to be closed to most pupils in response to a surge in coronavirus cases in the city.

Sir Peter Soulsby said he hoped they would be able to work with the government to "get on top of whatever is out there".

The measures announced by Matt Hancock are the UK's first local lockdown.

The health secretary said the city had "10% of all positive cases in the country over the past week".

The tightening of restrictions in Leicester will last for at least two weeks and apply to the city centre and a number of suburbs.

Mr Hancock said the measures would be enforced by police "in some cases".

The loosening of restrictions in England on Saturday, including the reopening of bars, restaurants and hair salons, will also not be taking place in the city.

• Latest updates: Leicester reacts to tightened lockdown measures
• Is Leicester the first of many local lockdowns?
• Leicester's new lockdown rules at a glance

Sir Peter said he was glad the health secretary had introduced measures that went beyond just extending the current level of restrictions.

"What we got was more wide-ranging than we'd anticipated and I'm really grateful for that," he said.

"Because while it is a pain and a nuisance for us in the city to be subject to that level of restriction and to have the clock, as it were, turned back, it is nonetheless something that has some realistic prospect of being effective."


More at link.

Two households can join up in Wales from Monday

Welsh rules, which many have been ignoring by the look of the comments IMO.

Link for Welsh Covid Statistics.

Rapid COVID-19 virology - Mobile friendly

 

[nhmemorymaker]

IMO any state that mandates mask wearing should supply security for every business open to the public. The employees aren't trained, don't have time, aren't paid for and shouldn't be put at risk to enforce their state's mandate IMO. Masks aren't mandated here but my husband works late every night in order to catch up on his daily, normal responsibilities. Customers won't maintain the 6 foot distance, constantly bend around the plexiglas and repeatedly try to get into the petitioned off areas. Every day he comes home more stressed and exhausted. I'm sure he's not the only out there being emotionally distressed on a daily basis.

Oh, i am sure he is not the only one either......but it still just "hurts" to hear it... We should not have to live like this.... Give him a hug from all of us....

 

[MimosaMornings]

Yes, just like NY and NJ are enforcing the 14-day mandatory quarantine for people from 12 (or is it 16 now?) states.

Basically, during our curfew, if you were out and going about your non-essential business, police were not pulling over cars willy nilly. If you were pulled over for a traffic violation or loitering or any other reason, and did not have an essential business excuse, you were fined.

Same with people coming in from other states. We can't stop them at the border. So, whether they are flying or driving in, if you were out and about and did not quarantine and the police happen upon you, and you present an out of state ID from a mandatory quarantine state and no local address documentation, you will get a fine.

Texas had a 14 day quarantine for people that were flying in from former hotspots (NYC and Atlanta were on the list) It’s no longer in effect. You had to fill out a form stating the address where you were going to be quarantined. DPS was at the arrival gate, you had to show your boarding pass and if it was marked you had to fill out the form.
The airline (SW) clearly stated this when you booked your flight and had a link to the form. They also announced it on the flight and had forms available. I know of two people that the local constable actually went to the residence to confirm the person was there.

 

[CharlestonGal]

More than 30 Texas bars sue over Gov. Greg Abbott's recent shutdown order

HOUSTON — Hoping to block Gov. Greg Abbott’s Friday decision ordering Texas bars to close due to a rise in coronavirus cases, more than 30 bar owners filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Abbott’s emergency order.

The lawsuit, first reported by the Austin American-Statesman, was filed in Travis County District Court by Jared Woodfill, a Houston attorney who has led previous legal efforts opposing Abbott’s other shutdown orders during the pandemic.

“Why does he continue unilaterally acting like a king?” Woodfill, former chair of the Harris County Republican Party, said of Abbott in an interview. “He’s sentencing bar owners to bankruptcy.”

 

[tresir2012]

No decision on Wales' overseas travel restrictions

Cardiff Airport reopens this week. But you have to live within 5 miles to catch a flight to Spain because of the 5 mile travel restriction. Also, you can travel to Spain but not to a local Hotel caravan site or B&B because tourist businesses in Wales aren't allowed to open yet. This is why most people are ignoring rules because they are not making any sense IMO.

 

[tresir2012]

More than 30 Texas bars sue over Gov. Greg Abbott's recent shutdown order

HOUSTON — Hoping to block Gov. Greg Abbott’s Friday decision ordering Texas bars to close due to a rise in coronavirus cases, more than 30 bar owners filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Abbott’s emergency order.

The lawsuit, first reported by the Austin American-Statesman, was filed in Travis County District Court by Jared Woodfill, a Houston attorney who has led previous legal efforts opposing Abbott’s other shutdown orders during the pandemic.

“Why does he continue unilaterally acting like a king?” Woodfill, former chair of the Harris County Republican Party, said of Abbott in an interview. “He’s sentencing bar owners to bankruptcy.”

I hope they succeed in this action.

 

[CSIDreamer]

No decision on Wales' overseas travel restrictions

Cardiff Airport reopens this week. But you have to live within 5 miles to catch a flight to Spain because of the 5 mile travel restriction. Also, you can travel to Spain but not to a local Hotel caravan site or B&B because tourist businesses in Wales aren't allowed to open yet. This is why most people are ignoring rules because they are not making any sense IMO.

Any idea when your 5 mile restriction is going to be loosened?

 

[JerseyGirl]

American citizens are not allowed to travel to the EU
Based on the criteria and conditions set out, starting tomorrow, member states should start lifting the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

• Algeria
• Australia
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• Serbia
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay

China is also on the list, but subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Coronavirus pandemic: The latest updates from around the world

 

[JerseyGirl]

There "won’t be social distancing" at Mount Rushmore July 4th event attended by Trump, governor says

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said those who are concerned about the event — which is actually taking place on July 3 — should stay home.

"We told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home, but those who want to come and join us, we'll be giving out free face masks, if they choose to wear one," she said.

"We won’t be social distancing. We’re asking them to come, be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties .....”

The website Recreation.gov warns: “This event will be attended by thousands. Participants will be in close contact for an extended amount of time, please plan accordingly.”

 

[ilovewings]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...119ce2-b654-11ea-a8da-693df3d7674a_story.html

If this isn't scary, i don't know what is-- this woman states she did everything you are supposed to do but still got the virus--- the only thing i can think of is that there must have been a breach somewhere, or else how do you explain it--- it scares me because i think i do everything right (with an occasional mistake that so far hasn't cost me). Sigh

 

[JerseyGirl]

Major League Baseball is coming back — but spitting will be banned

As Major League Baseball gets ready to restart its season next month, the league is encouraging players to not socialize or come within six feet of each other during upcoming games. The league is banning spitting of any kind with chewing gum permitted as an alternative.

MLB said all personnel will be required to complete Covid-19 screening and testing before entering club facilities. Clubs can begin full workouts starting Friday with Opening Day games on either July 23 or 24.

The league has told all 30 clubs that they must submit coronavirus health and safety action plans for league approval. Clubs are also being told that they need to physically expand dugout and bullpen spaces at their respective ballparks.

“Players on opposite teams should not socialize, fraternize, or come within six feet of each other before the game, during warm-ups, in between innings, or after the game.”

New non-traditional rules will be in place when the season starts including the addition of a designated hitter in the National League and placing a runner on second base at the start of each teams’ extra-inning frame.

 

[MuddyTires]

More good US trend news per the COVID Tracking Project's data update for yesterday.

According to the COVID Tracking Project’s update for yesterday, the number of COVID patients presently on a ventilator has fallen to just 2,011. That is the lowest it’s been since April 5th, half of what it was just one month ago, and more than 5,000 fewer than the peak on May 5th.

The number of patients in the ICU with COVID continues to remain flat, between about 5,200 and 5,400 over the past 12 days, way down from the 8,000 to 12,000 of COVID patients in the ICU each day throughout May and the 9,500 to 15,000 COVID patients in the ICU each day through most of April.

Deaths of individuals with COVID also continue to fall, down to just 1,111 additional deaths of individuals with COVID reported this past Sat/Sun/Mon, the fewest for any Sat/Sun/Mon reporting period since March 21-23.

The data is available here:
https://covidtracking.com/data/download

 

[nhmemorymaker]

What is G4 flu virus with ‘pandemic potential’ found by Chinese researchers?

In a new research, scientists from China – which has the largest population of pigs in the world – have identified a “recently emerged” strain of influenza virus that is infecting Chinese pigs and that has the potential of triggering a pandemic. Named G4, the swine flu strain has genes similar to those in the virus that caused the 2009 flu pandemic.

The study was published Monday in the US science journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PANS).

They also found that the G4 strain has the capability of binding to human-type receptors (like, the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to ACE2 receptors in humans), was able to copy itself in human airway epithelial cells, and it showed effective infectivity and aerosol transmission in ferrets.

I am having a deja vu.... that "no way it'll come here" kind of feeling......that I had back in January.
BBC, NYT, CNN API..... everyone is reporting on this now.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

More good US trend news per the COVID Tracking Project's data update for yesterday.

According to the COVID Tracking Project’s update for yesterday, the number of COVID patients presently on a ventilator has fallen to just 2,011. That is the lowest it’s been since April 5th, half of what it was just one month ago, and more than 5,000 fewer than the peak on May 5th.

The number of patients in the ICU with COVID continues to remain flat, between about 5,200 and 5,400 over the past 12 days, way down from the 8,000 to 12,000 of COVID patients in the ICU each day throughout May and the 9,500 to 15,000 COVID patients in the ICU each day through most of April.

Deaths of individuals with COVID also continue to fall, down to just 1,111 additional deaths of individuals with COVID reported this past Sat/Sun/Mon, the fewest for any Sat/Sun/Mon reporting period since March 21-23.

The data is available here:
https://covidtracking.com/data/download

Hey Muddy!! Are you a plant by the US government...????

 

[CharlestonGal]

I hope they succeed in this action.

They won't. At least not using this avenue. Texas state law expressly allows the governor to take these actions during a declared state of emergency. He is acting within Texas law and taking him to court is useless.

What they can do is ask the legislature to change/amend Title 4 of the Texas Government Code to strip Texas governors of their authority in these matters, which is not only unlikely to succeed but would probably take forever.

 

[SouthAussie]

American citizens are not allowed to travel to the EU
Based on the criteria and conditions set out, starting tomorrow, member states should start lifting the travel restrictions at the external borders for residents of the following third countries:

• Algeria
• Australia
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• Serbia
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay

China is also on the list, but subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Coronavirus pandemic: The latest updates from around the world

Interesting that China needs to confirm reciprocity first.
Our international borders aren't open, neither are NZ's, so we aren't offering reciprocity.
I wonder what that is about.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Interesting that China needs to confirm reciprocity first.
Our international borders aren't open, neither are NZ's, so we aren't offering reciprocity.
I wonder what that is about.

The EU said China is “subject to confirmation of reciprocity,” meaning it must lift all restrictions on European citizens entering China before it will allow Chinese citizens back in.

EU reopens its borders to 14 nations but not to US tourists

 

[ilovewings]

I hope they succeed in this action.

why do you hope they succeed?

 

[SouthAussie]

The EU said China is “subject to confirmation of reciprocity,” meaning it must lift all restrictions on European citizens entering China before it will allow Chinese citizens back in.

EU reopens its borders to 14 nations but not to US tourists

Yes, I get that. But why just China. We are not letting EU (or anyone else other than Aussies) into our country, nor is New Zealand, but the EU will still let us in.


ETA: Just thinking further ... maybe the EU doesn't trust what China is declaring (that they have covid under control). So they are requiring the reciprocity before they actually allow any Chinese in.
If China does not really have covid under control, maybe they won't extend reciprocity because they don't want the world to know that?