COVID-19 Coronavirus: general discussion

Mark of Zorro said:
I am afraid I don't know what you are asking. How the virus will play out? How governments will respond to it? How the hysteria will play out? How the aftermath will play out?

To be brief Covid-19 will spread until spring has truly sprung and then it will peter out and probably mutate back to a weaker form. Governments will try and take credit for what nature did and maybe even pass some legislation for the next panic. Covid-19 will joint SARS, bird flu, swine flu, zika and MERS in the media blitz history books, although MERS seems to have been more on the "real danger" side. The hysteria and the hysterical will move on to the next hot topic until the next media blitz about some other cold or flu virus in a couple years.

I can be more detailed if you ask a more specific question.
Click to expand...
Thanks - that answers my question, i.e., what do you think will happen in the next few months?
 
It was reported that all the people who had it in Vietnam either recovered are well on their way to recovery. I suppose it should be no surprise that people in a warm humid place got over a bad cold sooner and it does not seem to have spread.

I am now kicking myself for not advising people to use humidifiers.
 
Dang I lost all what I typed, must have been all lies anyway.



Update (again) I'm angry now. I need a bottle of Sapporo beer

Update: Tokyo time: 10 pm Tuesday night

Well, I had an entry before that was important, but now, forget it.



1. the health of Japan is at a critical juncture now
2. ship person 80 years old died at the hospital
3. ship 4 have died so far
4. ship 970 on ship that were released, now 28 of them have fever

5. IMPORTANT: hey folks, them health clubs (yikes) 3 people (staff/?) infected club has 600 users (conditions unknown yet) following the "cluster" here
6. 1 employee of employment office infected (wow) this could be real serious
7. Nagano Prefecture person 60 years old tested positive (first case in Nagano)
8. Japan: 864 known to have been infected /includes ship (I think people are still on the ship)? not sure no info on it
9. 149 Japanese now tested positive
10. 691 on ship tested positive including crew
11. university exams start today (big event for this) all students are wearing masks
12. sports: soccer no schedule yet
13. sumo : March 8th open championship --- possible no spectators
14. baseball ---meet tomorrow for details

15. now the virus outbreak
a. curb the speed of the spread
b. must control related cluster to cluster of known infections
c. top priority goes to the sporadic of known clusters of infections
d. govt. still discussing measures of the above
e. people must stay home/work if symptoms occur
f. employees are to work remotely if possible
g. stopping of events are left up to the organizers (this is crazy)
h. the closure of facilities (hmm...now what does that involve) if outbreak becomes severe
i. quarantine of location can be/will be implemented (yep, sounds like China now) no bs here this is serious (people may consider going on a shopping spree)

16. something about banning entry into Japan (sorry I didn't catch it all) don't know who is to be banned
17. lots of talk tonight (govt.) but little action so far
18. blame is being put on the govt. in Tokyo for slow action (hmm..)
19. this is interesting : much worry of spread of infection by : cab drivers, shopping, eating in restaurants and events
20. society may come to a halt (govt. words here folks)
21. failure to see an increase of infections can lead to an epidemic (wonder if the govt . in other countries plan that) (quarantine then, don't believe me, tough then, read the news)

22. if temperature is over 37.5 for 4 days call public health center or need to call hospital
23. severe symptoms will only now be treated at hospitals

24. common sense here: stay away now from big parties, try to avoid meeting (right, Japan is meeting capital of the world)
25. can you folks believe this: NO MENTION OF TRANSPORTATION THIS TIME holy smackers, that should tell you , that is their real main concern now. silence is golden, hmm I don't think so in this case

26. you all know this Markets are dropping (stocks I guess)

other news:
27. 229 infected in Italy, 11 provinces are now locked down (not sure what that means)
28. South Korea is getting hit hard for some reason: 970 people known to be infected , 10 have died, 144 new cases today, Mormon missionaries quarantine in their units (maybe too late for them to leave the country)?
29. Warning : stay away from traveling to South Korea Level 2 warning (thought it was Level 3)
30. South Koreans are not allowed in Hong Kong now as of Tuesday (today) common sense , right?
31. Japanese are saying the world is in a mess (like wow)
32. Markets in Europe are falling (how much , who knows, who really cares if your fridge is empty and the kids are crying of hunger
33. market trend is difficult now, but is showing a sign of no confidence

New:
4 new cases in Kumamoto wow lots of foreign students their (wonder what their ages are that are infected) hopefully I can find out tomorrow
1 new case in Nagano
more reports of new cases coming in (to be continued) tomorrow should have a heavy ride in cases, terrible to have to think that

that's it folks
time for a Sapporo beer
 
Japan just had another death, this time in Hokkaido . Again, elderly. Again, I am betting pneumonia. And while it does seem like its going to be a higher rate of elderly death from pneumonia this year, its not going to be enough to raise it from the years long spot of number 3, or even come close to the number 2 cause.
 
Toilet paper selling very briskly in the supermarket this evening, which always indicates that something is up. Japanese people tend to worry about whether they will still be able to wipe their bottoms at the first sign of crisis. Mrs Lothor certainly does!
 
One has to wonder what the school closings are really about. This is completely unnecessary and is going to make a very lonely graduation for these poor students.

I am trying to think of what the government has to gain besides looking like its useful.
 
Mark of Zorro said:
One has to wonder what the school closings are really about. This is completely unnecessary and is going to make a very lonely graduation for these poor students.

I am trying to think of what the government has to gain besides looking like its useful.
Click to expand...
It certainly does not sound like a well thought out policy, with kindergartens, universities, businesses and airports working pretty much as normal. I'd agree that there are political considerations, as Seiko's article says, Abe feels under pressure to 'act decisively'. I think the horse has well and truly bolted from the stable with this one if it was ever possible to contain the problem in such a highly connected world.
 
I don't know about Japanese people so much, but I have been listening to foreign residents scream for more government for weeks online. What mindless idiots. What bleating sheeple! Can you imagine what they would do in an actual emergency where they had to get up from their keyboards? Well they got more government this time and they may wind up getting even more.
 
You complain on other threads about people not wanting to get into discussions with you, but when you pour abuse on anyone who doesn't behave in accordance with your worldview ("mindless idiots", "bleating sheeple"), it's hardly surprising. Who wants to present an opposite point of view to someone when they are likely to get a load of insults back in return? You want debate but do not write posts in a way that encourages it.
 
Last edited:
Lothor said:
You complain on other threads about people not wanting to get into discussions with you
Click to expand...

Sounds like you seriously misunderstood something I said. I don't want to hear from people ranting, guessing while acting like an authority, someone who should at least know by now they are dumb as bricks for all the mistakes they have made in the past, people who troll for lulz, or people too damn lazy to get some proper information before posting.

Did I just preclude a crap ton of people from the conversation? You bet I did! I don't want "people" to get into conversations with me at all. I want people who can and will improve conversations to do so, and nothing to do with me or people in general at all. Anyone who can't or won't do that is welcome to be silent with my blessing. And anything I ever said that may have seemed contrary was probably meant to make a person see that they really do need to figure out they are not contributing to anything but misinformation and thread derailment, or the detriment of society.

But a quote of me complaining that no one will get into discussions with me would help.

Lothor said:
but when you pour abuse on anyone who doesn't behave in accordance with your worldview
Click to expand...

That one is somewhat true, but in general, not true.....not unless things like trolling and passing off misinformation are meant to just be some sort of "world view" we are just supposed to tolerate.

I will just add that with access to the internet there really just isn't any excuse for half the crap people post. I can double and triple check things in seconds today whereas in the past double checking meant something like flipping through a book on hand, and triple checking meant a trip to the library.

Lothor said:
Who wants to present an opposite point of view
Click to expand...

You might be shocked how tolerant I am of opposite points of view that at least have some research and linked sources behind them. Discussions like that I tend to just get miffed when people refuse to see or accept obvious truths....like when an abstinence only proponent just won't even comment on the fact that abstinence-only areas have more teen pregnancy, STDs and abortions than elsewhere. That kind of thing just really pisses me off because at that point its clear my opponent has zero concern for facts or progress to the point they are maybe, at best, a kind of an unintentional troll, but a troll in effect. You like trolls?
 
Last edited:
Lothor said:
who doesn't behave in accordance with your worldview ("mindless idiots", "bleating sheeple")
Click to expand...

Addressing this specifically this is still a cold virus made special by the virtue it causes pneumonia...which is unusual but not unique. Colds have been with us since forever and pneumonia causing influenza has too. And all the above is out there doing what it always did besides this novel corona virus. Maybe people are just being people in flipping out suddenly over what is barely out of the ordinary for....reasons...., but its still completely idiotic. Do you have some other way of explaining it? Is there some justification for it besides some sort of personal indulgence?

I know I am a lousy politician. But the truth is the truth and people need to start seeing it before this gets really out of hand. We are in witch hunt territory now and we never got there for people being smart or courageous.

In a way I do admire your ability to calmly explain the absurdity. On the other hand, it seems clear me that is not getting the message across. I really do feel people need a slapping around on this so they can wake up. Its not just me being emotional. A calm voice of reason just isn't going to work here. BTW I got booted off of JT a few days ago. I really believe I was turning things around there. People were calming down. Since I got booted the madness has tripled, or so it seems to me.
 
Last edited:
I could also say that people really do want their drama and damn the cost. I suppose I provide drama in a way that is far more harmless than the hysteria people keep promoting on various issues. Far better they are mad at nobody, powerless me for screaming them down than mad at the "authorities" to the point they beg for over-reach and extreme, unnecessary measures...cause the government will provide those and look here... that is exactly what we are getting with these school closings. I wish calm pure reason always worked. I really do. But there really are too many people not nearly smart or responsible enough for that. I hate it, but that's what I see.
 
Mark of Zorro said:
I could also say that people really do want their drama and damn the cost. I suppose I provide drama in a way that is far more harmless than the hysteria people keep promoting on various issues. Far better they are mad at nobody, powerless me for screaming them down than mad at the "authorities" to the point they beg for over-reach and extreme, unnecessary measures...cause the government will provide those and look here... that is exactly what we are getting with these school closings. I wish calm pure reason always worked. I really do. But there really are too many people not nearly smart or responsible enough for that. I hate it, but that's what I see.
Click to expand...
I sympathise, I really do, and understand your frustration. On the other hand, I think it's unfair on other members of this site to be subjected to tirades about people's stupidity on, for example, the Japan Today site. At times, I find your posts quite unpleasant to read (and no, it's not discomfort with 'the truth' as you may think), and I like to come onto this site for a quick and pleasant break from a job that demands a lot of my concentration. It's not the views themselves - I've got limited medical knowledge and I'm in at least partial agreement with what you write on the virus - it's the vehemence with which they are posted and your anger and scorn towards people who maybe don't have the capacity to think logically - we can't all be geniuses. I really would be grateful if you could keep your posts less emotional, and I'm asking that as a fellow forum user who wishes you well, not as a moderator.
 
Last edited:
I think the closing of the schools is a reaction to when Mr. Abe let the cruise ships and their passengers go into Japan without a quarantine period, and a quarantine warehouse for that purpose. Because he was meeting the higher ups from China a few days later, he was worried it wouldn't reflect well in their trade relations. In order to compensate for that, he is shutting down schools. However, it is too little, too late. The virus is already spreading, at what rate is unknown.


Sapporo-- Hokkaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki declared a state of emergency on Friday and asked residents to remain indoors over the weekend as the new coronavirus has spread in Japan's northernmost main island.

At least 66 infections have been confirmed within Hokkaido while Japan has reported more than 900 domestic coronavirus cases, with most linked to the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo.
 
Last edited:
As a teacher and a parent I was stressing out a lot today. My kids had their last day at school today and will go back after spring break... Glad they are pretty independent but still have to take care of their lunch and make a schedule that they won't just play Wii everyday... But I know that some parents are working and can't just leave their kids home alone and have to ask in laws etc to take care of them. Taihen for sure.

As a teacher I was worried that our school had to close down as well, how about them not going to school , how about staying at home for one month ( I rather have Corona than stress like that at home for one month). Glad we can stay open and can work for now but when Corona will come near it means I can't work and kids can't go to school.

Japanese politics really suck as they made a decision without thinking about kids that graduate, teachers and most importantly working parents (mom's) that can't work .
 
I'm also getting the impression from the Japanese news that the decision was virtually made singly by Abe (someone who never had kids) without even thinking of how the Ministry of Education etc., would implement it, let alone parents. If it's any comfort, I was discussing this with a maths lecturer friend, who told me that in the mathematical modelling of disease spread they often consider whether schools are open or not as a variable because apparently it makes a lot of difference, so let's hope that there is some scientific rationale behind the decision rather than a kneejerk reaction to criticism he's been getting.
 
Isn't Abe's announcement more like a suggestion?

Local mayor said our schools would remain open (this evening's paper). I wonder how many localities will choose that--stay open--and how many will opt to close.
 
Lothor said:
it's the vehemence with which they are posted and your anger and scorn towards people who maybe don't have the capacity to think logically
Click to expand...

Its tough for me to be patient in times when things are happening like this guy and his tribe raiding the stores today. They wiped every nook and cranny clean of soft paper! LOL
 

Attachments

  • tpholiocens.webp
    tpholiocens.webp
    46.6 KB · Views: 167
Last edited:
Lothor said:
your anger and scorn towards people who maybe don't have the capacity to think logically
Click to expand...

I suppose my attitude is less toward those who can't, but those who I am pretty sure can but choose not to. Like I said, some simply desire drama and damn the cost. I actually feel toward those who can't and sometimes I just want to shame those who won't hoping they will shape up for the sake of those who can't.

Anyway, as ever, thanks for your patience with me. I may be the king of tough love, but please always remember I mean well.
 
Lothor said:
Toilet paper selling very briskly in the supermarket this evening, which always indicates that something is up. Japanese people tend to worry about whether they will still be able to wipe their bottoms at the first sign of crisis. Mrs Lothor certainly does!
Click to expand...

Our stores here now have a sign up "limit 1 item per paying customer".
 
I am thinking that some source of information that would be viewed as reliable is important in an emergency, and so for people that can read Japanese (even if only roughly) I offer this link:

www3.nhk.or.jp

新型コロナウイルス 感染者数やNHK最新ニュース｜NHK特設サイト

【NHK】新型コロナウイルスの日本国内の感染者数や最新ニュースはこちらです。初期症状や感染予防の情報、ワクチン・治療薬・PCR検査に関する最新情報、補助金・助成金などの支援情報、学校関連の情報、政府や各都道府県の対応、分科会の見解や提言、番組のお知らせなどをまとめています。
www3.nhk.or.jp www3.nhk.or.jp

And that site where that link above takes you has charts/graphs that are not difficult for even some people that only read English.

< < < Next > > >

A link for English-only might be this one:

www3.nhk.or.jp

Coronavirus | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The latest on cases, policies, and more. Japan's public broadcaster provides coronavirus pandemic stats, graphs, and video features.
www3.nhk.or.jp www3.nhk.or.jp
 

Similar threads

thomas
COVID-19 Coronavirus: situation in Japan
46 47 48
Replies
1K
Views
176K
salyavin
salyavin
thomas
  • Poll Poll
Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics 2021 Discussion Thread
4 5 6
Replies
125
Views
17K
salyavin
salyavin
musicisgood
COVID-19 Coronavirus: practicalities
2 3
Replies
62
Views
9K
musicisgood
musicisgood
Tokis-Phoenix
Dolphin hunting and general issues of humaness
Replies
24
Views
8K
Tokis-Phoenix
Tokis-Phoenix
Lothor
COVID-19 Japanese government payout
2
Replies
34
Views
8K
Davey
Davey
Back
Top Bottom