CoVid-19 Part IX - 785 cases ROI (3 deaths) 108 in NI (1 death) (20 March) *Read OP*

bilston wrote: »

Premier League in England suspension extended until 30th April.

I know a lot of people will say they don't care and there are more important things, and this is true, but I actually find sport (pretty much any sport) quite soothing in testing times and we don't even have that on this occasion.

I'd love to think the Olympics might happen at the end of July, but no matter what the IOC say I find it hard to believe they will happen. But it is too early to make a call.

pH wrote: »

Around West Dublin this morning, people out in force in the nice weather, chemists have locked doors, and a few shops seems closed, but many people out in force, walking with kids, buying coffee etc. Many elderly people too (though to be fair mainly walking alone). Busses reasonably empty but this wasn't rush hour by any means.

I would not be surprised if this level of 'social distancing' isn't enough to halt the outbreak.

walshb wrote: »

Owl Linda Lusardi the latest z lister to be struck down

New Home wrote: »

Well, they're obviously making it up, there's no other logical explanation. :rolleyes:

... but then again, I'm not scientisty enough to understand these things. And my favourite colour is sparkly.

froog wrote: »

whats really baffling in germany is the active cases stats - 13,481 in mild condition, just 2 in severe/critical.

something really isn't adding up there.

did they get a much less severe strain?

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

A big fat lad winning the 100m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpjigCffIX8

froog wrote: »

whats really baffling in germany is the active cases stats - 13,481 in mild condition, just 2 in severe/critical.

something really isn't adding up there.

did they get a much less severe strain?

Do you know what happening in the area around Lodi where all this began?
People who call the emergency services are asking for help.

But do you know what they ask?
They simply ask for help.
They expect nothing.
And, incredibly, they’re not shouting, insulting or threatening.
They’re kind. They apologise for bothering us and patiently and quietly wait hours before someone can listen to them and hopefully help them, even if just over the phone.

Those of you not living here will not understand why they’re so remissive and resigned.
I do.
And I’ll try to explain.

I get a call from Lucia.
She lives in a house on two levels.
She’s 55 and lives on the first floor, is in quarantine with her two sons.
I ask if she needs anything.
She tells me her mother lives on the floor above.
I ask if they’ve had contact with anyone tested positive for coronavirus.

She begins.
Gianni, her 57-year old husband is in intensive care on a ventilator.
Stefano, her 49-year old brother died the other day while in intensive care.
He’s not in the same ICU as her husband as there were no more places.

Her husband was taken away a week ago by ambulance with a fever and breathing difficulties.
Lucia hasn’t seen or heard from him since then.
Every day she waits for a phone call from the ward to find out if her husband is still alive or whether he’s making a recovery.

Her voice trembles as she tells me and I don’t have the courage to interrupt her.
I don’t want to interrupt her while she’s speaking to me even though I have 20 call waiting after her.
It’s been like this for days and will continue like this for a lot more I’m sure.
She finally takes a break and I can continue to understand how I can help her.
She tells me she’s calling about her mother.
Lucia’s mother lives on the ground floor.
She’s 88.
She’s had a fever for several days, she’s weak and has a wheezy cough.
Her GP is following her.
Lucia and her mum are lucky.
Their GP is not sick or in quarantine.
The doctor got her an x-ray and got oxygen delivered because she has trouble breathing.
She tells me the doctor has just made a house call and recommends she be admitted to hospital because he doesn’t know how to manager her situation.
She adds that the doctor wanted to speak to us (999) but after being on hold for an hour he had to move on to other patients.
I apologise for the wait and try to explain that we are literally swamped with emergency calls and at breaking point.
She interrupts me to say:
“No need to apologise, you’re doing too much already.”

She consoles me.
For **** sake!


I suggest an ambulance to take her mum to hospital.
I do tell her though that it will take time and I’m not sure they’ll be able to take her to Lodi hospital where her husband is.

She stops me
Her voice is calm yet decisive.
I have the feeling I should prepare for an argument. I’m tired and selfishly I don’t feel like talking to anyone anymore. I’m sick of hearing the same stories, the same suffering and the same pain.
I then think about the fact that in an hour my shift will be over and again, selfishly I see myself in bed asleep.

However, Lucia gives me a life lesson that here, two days later, is still imprinted in my mind and heart.
Lucia tells me she doesn’t want her mother taken to hospital.
She explains that she’s already lost a brother without being able to say goodbye or go to his funeral and she hasn’t seen her husband for 10 days.
She doesn’t want her mother to die in hospital.
And adds, “I know perfectly well that you are barely able to care for young patients and I know well that if I send my mother to hospital she’ll be left to die because you don’t have time to treat her.”

She says this without bitterness but with such awareness that it chills me to the bone.
I remain silent because I know she’s absolutely right, but I can’t actually tell her this is the case.
She understand my silence and continues:
“I just need someone to tell me I’m doing the right thing and that I can let her die with dignity at home and without suffering.”

I’ll finish now.
I’ll not add anything.
Just to say that Lucia’s mother passed away in her home an hour later.

Maybe one day I’ll go to Lucia’s house and hug her and tell her she did the right thing.
Because if I was a father I’d want a daughter like her.

Lucia is just one of many.
You have no idea the tsunami of sickness, suffering and pain this pandemic is creating.
And don’t for a minute think this can only happen to others and not you.

Therefore, I beg you to stay at home. We are on the verge of collapse.
We no longer have hospital beds even for the young.
Us health workers are getting sick and the epidemic is widening.

Lodi and Codgono are small towns.
Today, you’ve seen photos of the trucks taking away coffins in Bergamo.
Do you know how many people live in Milan?
Their hospitals are already full of patients.
But none of these patients are from Milan.
Guess where they’re from!

Do the maths.
Even though you’re not mathematicians.

If this pandemic seriously spreads to Milan, Bergamo will seem like a walk in the park.
I regret not being in China where everything can be closed.
Because this is what is needed.

So, I beg you.
Those of you who are healthy, take a step back.
You could be carrying Covid-19 and unknowingly be infecting everything and everyone by leaving the house.

We’re not asking much.
Just stay at home.
Please.

We are not ****ing giving up but give us a hand and play your part.

pH wrote: »

Around West Dublin this morning, people out in force in the nice weather, chemists have locked doors, and a few shops seems closed, but many people out in force, walking with kids, buying coffee etc. Many elderly people too (though to be fair mainly walking alone). Busses reasonably empty but this wasn't rush hour by any means.

I would not be surprised if this level of 'social distancing' isn't enough to halt the outbreak.