Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #78

[tresir2012]

An article about the Covid-19 in Sweden. On Tuesday the rolling seven-day average of new cases were 108, the lowest since March 13. The curve of the rolling seven-day average for Sweden have been different from those of other European countries during the summer, while the curves were low in other countries, Sweden had its peak of new cases in June, to go down in July, and a small hump in early August, when the number of new cases began to climb in Spain and France.
At the moment Sweden have also fewer cases of new infections compared to those in Norway, and Denmark, our closest neighbours. In the beginning of the pandemic their numbers were low, perhaps due to the lockdown they had, while Sweden didn't do a "hard" lockdown. It will be interesting to see what strategy will prove to have been the best, when the pandemic is over one day in the future.
Sweden records its fewest daily Covid-19 cases since March

Good to hear Frostowl. I was looking just recently at Sweden's economy in comparison and you have not done too badly.

Sweden's economy hit less hard by coronavirus

"Sweden, which avoided a lockdown during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, saw its economy shrink 8.6% in the April-to-June period from the previous three months.

The flash estimate from the Swedish statistics office indicated that the country had fared better than other EU nations which took stricter measures.

However, it was still the largest quarterly fall for at least 40 years.

The European Union saw a contraction of 11.9%for the same period.

Individual nations did even worse, with Spain seeing an 18.5% contraction, while the French and Italian economies shrank by 13.8% and 12.4% respectively.

Sweden's economy is doing better than other European nations
% change in quarterly GDP


Source: Eurostat/Statistics Sweden (Q2 fig)"

See link for graph and more info.

 

[tresir2012]

Yes, I would think it is illegal too. Apparently, doctors are expected to put procedures in place to eliminate the risk, but there is always a risk. I get that we don't want all of our doctors in isolation every time one of their kids has a sniffle, but this practice is scary.

Test rests were back within 24 hrs.

https://cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Your-Practice/Physician-Advisory-Services/COVID-19-FAQs-for-Physicians

So he didn't even quarantine for one day while waiting for test results? What would he have done if it was positive I wonder?

 

[MrX]

Sounds, to me, that he received photographic evidence of the co-mingling - which he submitted - and is concerned about the ASU students. Which, as ASU president, is entirely his business. IMO


“The violations which are described in the attachments to this email all occurred at restaurants on Mill Avenue in Tempe and represent the kind of undisciplined and risky activity which, if not properly addressed in a timely manner, could worsen COVID-19 spread among the ASU community and in the larger community surrounding the Tempe campus,” Crow wrote in the letter dated Wednesday, which was also sent to Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Director John Cocca.
ASU President Michael Crow accuses 4 Mill Ave. bars of COVID violations

ASU has taken a lot of heat in the local press for having lax protocols and providing no support to the students that work as safety monitors. Going after off-campus establishments is just another case of a bureaucrat covering his backside, in my opinion.

 

[musicaljoke]

So he didn't even quarantine for one day while waiting for test results? What would he have done if it was positive I wonder?

Nope, no quarantine while waiting for test results. I expect that had there been a positive result, he would then go to strictly remote consultations, but, I really don't know that for sure. I was shocked that he was expected to be at work in the hospital while awaiting results.

 

[Satchie]

Good to hear Frostowl. I was looking just recently at Sweden's economy in comparison and you have not done too badly.

Sweden's economy hit less hard by coronavirus

"Sweden, which avoided a lockdown during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, saw its economy shrink 8.6% in the April-to-June period from the previous three months.

The flash estimate from the Swedish statistics office indicated that the country had fared better than other EU nations which took stricter measures.

However, it was still the largest quarterly fall for at least 40 years.

The European Union saw a contraction of 11.9%for the same period.

Individual nations did even worse, with Spain seeing an 18.5% contraction, while the French and Italian economies shrank by 13.8% and 12.4% respectively.

Sweden's economy is doing better than other European nations
% change in quarterly GDP


Source: Eurostat/Statistics Sweden (Q2 fig)"

See link for graph and more info.

That's quite a range in stats about economic effect on GDP.

US GDP fell 33%!!! Which dwarfs the differences between Sweden and other European countries.

Canada's fell 11.6%, and we had pretty strict closures compared with most parts of the US.
Canada's economy plunged record-breaking 11.6 per cent in April: StatCan

Mexico's drop was similar to Spain, 17%, Mexico slumps to 'Great Depression' economic lows, central bank slashes forecast | The Guardian

They've had almost no closures:
"President Lopez Obrador appears to be pinning his hopes on the belief that herd immunity will kick in once 70% of the population has been infected,"
Coronavirus: Mexico 'flying blind' in pandemic response | DW | 18.08.2020

So in terms of GDP statistics, I'm not sure they prove anything...or, more accurately, they can be used to prove anything you want.

 

[tresir2012]

That's quite a range in stats about economic effect on GDP.

US GDP fell 33%!!! Which dwarfs the differences between Sweden and other European countries.

Canada's fell 11.6%, and we had pretty strict closures compared with most parts of the US.
Canada's economy plunged record-breaking 11.6 per cent in April: StatCan

Mexico's drop was similar to Spain, 17%, Mexico slumps to 'Great Depression' economic lows, central bank slashes forecast | The Guardian

They've had almost no closures:
"President Lopez Obrador appears to be pinning his hopes on the belief that herd immunity will kick in once 70% of the population has been infected,"
Coronavirus: Mexico 'flying blind' in pandemic response | DW | 18.08.2020

So in terms of GDP statistics, I'm not sure they prove anything...or, more accurately, they can be used to prove anything you want.

I was specifically mentioning Sweden as they have done pretty well compared to everywhere else. Not trying to prove anything as it is clear that 8.6 is better than most everywhere else.

 

[Satchie]

I was specifically mentioning Sweden as they have done pretty well compared to everywhere else. Not trying to prove anything as it is clear that 8.6 is better than most everywhere else.

Yes, sorry, I meant "you" in a generic sense, "one can prove anything one wants". Whoever wrote the article was, IMO, making the case that no closure is better than strict closure, using selective stats.

 

[Clair Louise]

I was specifically mentioning Sweden as they have done pretty well compared to everywhere else. Not trying to prove anything as it is clear that 8.6 is better than most everywhere else.

No, they have not done better than anywhere else. With less than half the population of Australia they have had eight times the deaths.

 

[Bravo]

More lockdowns possible if Ontario’s coronavirus cases continue to increase, Doug Ford says

 

[Satchie]

All nordic block countries have avoided extreme economic effects, going by the drop in GDP in the 2nd quarter:

Denmark 7.4%
Finland 3.2%
Norway 6.3%

Sweden's GDP slumped 8.6% in Q2, more sharply than its neighbors despite its no-lockdown policy

Norway in recession as second-quarter GDP falls at record pace

IMO the differences between them are too slight to be meaningful, they are all low. They all had different Covid strategies.
Different COVID-19 strategies in the Nordic countries - Nordic Life Science – the leading Nordic life science news service

 

[CSIDreamer]

Nope, no quarantine while waiting for test results. I expect that had there been a positive result, he would then go to strictly remote consultations, but, I really don't know that for sure. I was shocked that he was expected to be at work in the hospital while awaiting results.

You would think the hospital would just give him a rapid test. When I was in the ER I got one. Jmo

 

[CSIDreamer]

No, they have not done better than anywhere else. With less than half the population of Australia they have had eight times the deaths.

They're talking about the economy. If you arrow back on quotes it's easier to see what the subject is.

 

[Bravo]

Why most Canadians support the Canada-U.S. border closure, despite the costs

 

[Clair Louise]

They're talking about the economy. If you arrow back on quotes it's easier to see what the subject is.

But they have not done better than anywhere else.

 

[CSIDreamer]

But they have not done better than anywhere else.

Link please? You state as fact, not opinion. Their economy looks better from links already provided. Thank you.

 

[musicaljoke]

You would think the hospital would just give him a rapid test. When I was in the ER I got one. Jmo

Awh yes, perhaps they would if there was any real danger of being positive. We still have had no cases since two in March who returned from a cruise, knew they had been exposed and self isolated.

I better not have jinxed myself. Touch wood, toss salt over shoulder, etc.

 

[ilovewings]

I did read it but it did not indicate to me that these people even knew each other let alone the same Covid victims. "Yes I know someone who thinks they could have had it" can probably be stated by most of us. We need a little more certainty from surveys. MOO.

I agree with that: too much uncertainty

 

[musicaljoke]

Why most Canadians support the Canada-U.S. border closure, despite the costs

From your link, heh, "We call this silly season ..."

 

[Bravo]

Awh yes, perhaps they would if there was any real danger of being positive. We still have had no cases since two in March who returned from a cruise, knew they had been exposed and self isolated.

I better not have jinxed myself. Touch wood, toss salt over shoulder, etc.

Your area has done an excellent job. My City is down to 3 cases. Close contact of a known case. I assume it's Family caring for a covid case. IMO

 

[Satchie]

Link please? You state as fact, not opinion. Their economy looks better from links already provided. Thank you.

I addressed that in a post you missed, just above, comparing nordic countries with each other. Interesting, but complex and subtle issues at play, IMO.