Johns Hopkins Medical Centre - World Coronavirus infection Map by Country.

[Gazjam]

Martin,
Your framing what I’m saying it in a way that’s not what I’m saying.
Why would anyone in the UK be clouded by US partisan politics...for instance?
More concerned about people losing lives than apportioning blame btw, as Im sure most folk are.

Anyways,
back to the “What I’m listening to right now” thread...get some listening material for this morning.

[Pigmy Pony]

If you're looking for someone to blame surely it would be the Chinese government who did nothing for weeks when they could have contained the spread to a very small area of their own country? And who did nothing to stop people selling and eating horseshoe bats which were known for more than a decade to be the source of viruses like Corona.

No country in the world was prepared despite a major corona outbreak from horseshoe bats being predicted by medical scientists at least 13 years ago.

Not a defence of Trump as clearly he's a nutcase. But let's have some realistic perspective that's not clouded by partisan politics.

Oh yes, even though Trump is a total bampot, the Chinese are even worse. They don't half eat some shit

[Macca]

Martin,
Your framing what I’m saying it in a way that’s not what I’m saying.
Why would anyone in the UK be clouded by US partisan politics...for instance?

I don't know but clearly they are. I wasn't just replying to you but also to several other people.

History shows that governments are always unprepared and that governments are always slow to react. And that when they do react they always make a lot of mistakes. Regardless of the psychological make-up or the political beliefs of the people in charge. I don't understand why this still comes as a surprise to people. Maybe that's just me.

[walpurgis]

I don't know but clearly they are. I wasn't just replying to you but also to several other people.

History shows that governments are always unprepared and that governments are always slow to react. And that when they do react they always make a lot of mistakes. Regardless of the psychological make-up or the political beliefs of the people in charge. I don't understand why this still comes as a surprise to people. Maybe that's just me.

Probably subconscious denial. They have difficulty absorbing the reality of what is happening.

[Macca]

Probably subconscious denial. They have difficulty absorbing the reality of what is happening.

Yes, basic human psychology. I'm reminded of volcanic eruptions were people refuse to evacuate their homes because they can't comprehend the level of danger.

Plus any large organisation is always slow to react to changing situations. Specifically in this case we have had cries of wolf previously with SARS and swine flu which despite predictions were pretty minor events by comparison. That probably didn't help.

[struth]

Yes, basic human psychology. I'm reminded of volcanic eruptions were people refuse to evacuate their homes because they can't comprehend the level of danger.

Plus any large organisation is always slow to react to changing situations. Specifically in this case we have had cries of wolf previously with SARS and swine flu which despite predictions were pretty minor events by comparison. That probably didn't help.

Govts dont like spending cash as it will involve debt and then taxes which are unpopular. Populist leaders like say Trump and Johnston are a bit shackled at moment, due to the way the state is set up but watch them go if reelected... You just have to look at Narendra Modi in India to see where it goes. it wont be pretty for many alas.

[Macca]

Govts dont like spending cash as it will involve debt and then taxes which are unpopular. Populist leaders like say Trump and Johnston are a bit shackled at moment, due to the way the state is set up but watch them go if reelected... You just have to look at Narendra Modi in India to see where it goes. it wont be pretty for many alas.

You're over-estimating the power that the US president actually has. He has far less scope to do things than a UK Prime Minister. And a UK Prime Minister has a lot of limitations on their power.

Isn't anyone who gets elected a 'populist' by definition?

I am tired of reading dire predictions of what people 'will do' if and when blah blah blah. It's always complete fantasy.

I wouldn't normally even bother to respond to this sort of thing but I'm bored. Walking away now.

[Gazjam]

You're over-estimating the power that the US president actually has. He has far less scope to do things than a UK Prime Minister. And a UK Prime Minister has a lot of limitations on their power.

Unless the GOP is in cahoots with the same Agenda, which seems to be the case.
Trump can get away with whatever he likes, this has been proven in his time in office.

Just one man's opinion.
No more political stuff from me

[walpurgis]

The Indians are panicking and abandoning Delhi in their thousands and ignoring the lockdown. That'll just spread the infection!

I'd not be surprised to see something similar happen in the states.

[mad-moon]

It wouldn't surprise me if the 3 USA B2 spirits take to the sky very shortly either.(the 3 that are parked up at RAF Fairford)...Things are getting more ugly by the day...