# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2020 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758 "2020-02-11T01:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/782 "2020-03-13T16:04:45Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Personal observations: Panic shopping (known here as _Hamsterkaufen_, or “hamster buying”) has begun in earnest. Okay, what’s the etymology of that? The stuffing of the cheek pouches? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/783 "2020-03-13T16:07:32Z")
The Hopkins tracker is way behind other trackers, even after a fresh update. ---
**Author:** ![Pazu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pazu/32/15522_2.png) [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/784 "2020-03-13T16:13:08Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Okay, what’s the etymology of that? The stuffing of the cheek pouches? If I recall correctly, the word “hamster” comes from the German verb _hamstern_, “to hoard”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/785 "2020-03-13T16:19:48Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Okay, what’s the etymology of that? The stuffing of the cheek pouches? Fill a hamster’s food dish and minutes later it will be empty. Rinse and repeat it will always be empty. Between stuffing their pouches and creating hidden hordes, that’s the hamster way of life. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/786 "2020-03-13T16:45:26Z")
A [hint](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-election/uk-pm-johnson-postpones-english-local-and-mayoral-elections-for-a-year-bbc-idUSKBN2102M9?il=0) about where we might be headed (Reuters): > [@](#): > > Prime Minister Boris Johnson has postponed May’s local and mayoral elections in England for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak, the BBC said on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/787 "2020-03-13T16:48:31Z")
Trump is too invested in “ignore the problem and it will go away”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/788 "2020-03-13T16:51:46Z")
Plus he doesn’t have the power over elections that the PM has. Plus the picture will definitely look different by November. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/789 "2020-03-13T16:57:32Z")
[The Chicago Archdiocese is closing all Catholic schools.](https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/archdiocese-of-chicago-to-close-all-catholic-schools-in-cook-and-lake-counties-starting-monday/) I am a former Catholic, so what really shocked me is that they are suspending all public Masses. In Lent. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/790 "2020-03-13T17:12:39Z")
[Parliament suspended amid COVID-19 outbreak, marking unprecedented moment in Canadian history](https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/03/13/agreement-made-to-suspend-parliament-amid-virus-outbreak/). ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/791 "2020-03-13T17:18:35Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > **RioRico** : Do you remember the SciFi flick _Andromeda Strain_? Vaguely. A FOR ANDROMEDA sticks in my mind more. Let me [check for spoilers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andromeda_Strain). Oh yes, that one. Get antibodies from the outlier survivors of the alien plague. What will we call those who are drained for their COVID immunity? CoviDonors in bureaucratese. > [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > [The Chicago Archdiocese is closing all Catholic schools.](https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/archdiocese-of-chicago-to-close-all-catholic-schools-in-cook-and-lake-counties-starting-monday/) > > I am a former Catholic, so what really shocked me is that they are suspending all public Masses. In Lent. “What did you give up for Lent?” “Mass.” We may see faith-healing rallies aka instant hoitspots. It’s a self-correcting event. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/792 "2020-03-13T17:24:15Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Latest Austrian news: > [ul] > [li]Several entire districts in Tyrol have been placed under a two-week quarantine.[/li][li]Shops nation-wide have been ordered to close on Monday and to remain closed until further notice. Exempt from the order are grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies, post offices, and banks. [/li][li]As of next week all bars and restaurants may not stay open later than 15:00.[/li][li]All flights to Switzerland and France have been suspended. Apparently the land border to Switzerland is being mostly sealed as well. (Details are yet unclear; a government press conference on this matter is in progress.)[/li][li]The Czech Republic has now completely sealed its border with Austria. No one goes in or out.[/li][li]Austria’s chancellor has announced that all employed parents with children are entitled to a special leave of three weeks at 2/3 pay.[/li][/ul] > > Personal observations: Panic shopping (known here as _Hamsterkaufen_, or “hamster buying”) has begun in earnest. I visited a nearby supermarket this morning at 10:00 to pick up some yogurt and the line to the cashiers stretched all the way around the inside of the store. Many food items are completely sold out (mostly canned, dried, and frozen goods), but overall there is still plenty remaining. > > Day-cares are now requesting that children stay home if possible, and turning away children who show any cold-like symptoms (runny noses, coughs, etc.), even if the cause is known to be a pre-existing non-coronavirus condition. > > Those exhibiting symptoms of the virus are not permitted to visit doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals, but are instead required to call 1450, the nationwide medical advice line, who will make a preliminary assessment over the phone and, if warranted, dispatch someone to the person’s home to take swabs for a coronavirus test. However, callers face hold times of upwards of four hours before anyone is available to answer and take their details. So it seems this is a rather dangerous bottleneck. Czech has closed their border with Germany as well. Probably did it with everyone. How are you personally doing on supplies? If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to send me a message. I’m not far from you. I could mail you stuff if you’re experiencing a local shortage. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/793 "2020-03-13T17:24:44Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > [The Chicago Archdiocese is closing all Catholic schools.](https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/archdiocese-of-chicago-to-close-all-catholic-schools-in-cook-and-lake-counties-starting-monday/) > > I am a former Catholic, so what really shocked me is that they are suspending all public Masses. In Lent. I was actually waiting for this happen. My wife and I were talking about this in the car today and I asked her – as she’s the active Catholic – has the Archdiocese cancelled masses yet? Well, a few hours later … yep. So I guess I also get to spend more time with my daughters next week, too, which is fine by me! ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/794 "2020-03-13T17:28:25Z")
In Delaware, a major healthcare provider is providing free drivethrough tests today anyone who wants it (though it it is discouraging asymptomatic people). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/795 "2020-03-13T18:30:16Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > In local news, the first case of community contagion has been identified in San Antonio, TX: > > [First community case of coronavirus reported in San Antonio | kens5.com](https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/first-case-of-coronavirus-in-san-antonio-confirmed-outside-of-lackland-quarantine/273-dd5a7ac7-fc45-418e-aa57-d218cc1bcc4b) WHOA! I hadn’t heard that yet. Thanks. :eek: > [@Aspenglow](#): > > How would we know? Hell, they could just stuff him, slather on a fresh coat of orange and play a recording of his gibberish in front of a camera. Or **Smapti** could do a ventriloquist act. Could we really tell the difference? > … 😃 Thanks, I needed that! ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/796 "2020-03-13T18:39:05Z")
I find it amazing that Canada is only showing 158 cases, and one happens to be the Premier’s wife. Are they just slow in testing like the US is? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/797 "2020-03-13T18:59:34Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Presumably, after 30 days we’ll have a pool of people with immunity who can then keep the world running without getting sick again (yes, I’m aware there have been some issues with that, but right now nothing is certain). > > If you relax social distancing and other such measure and the infections start to spike again then you have to reimpose them to prevent an overload. > > Yes, we could, potentially, go through multiple cycles. > > Yes, this is going to take awhile. > > Yes, there is going to be a financial cost to all this, as well as social, on top of the human suffering and death. > > This is why pandemics suck. Maybe I’ve missed it, but I haven’t yet seen a single expert in the articles posted here for news mentioning this or trying to prepare people for this. Nor I have I seen even the competent people in any level of government touch on this at all. That’s why I asked in the first place. Do Do people generally know this? Do parents and administrators generally realize they might have to think about this thing all over again? Small and large business owners? Will they be willing to cooperate if they did? I assume that SOMEONE somewhere (Italy? China?) is thinking about how a repeated cycle like this would affect the economy at the least. I wonder what they’ve concluded. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/798 "2020-03-13T19:22:31Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Today’s NYT news summary said that the white house has announced that trump and pence won’t be tested. Seems bizarre, but maybe they will just be secretly tested. Yeah, I don’t believe this for one second, and I doubt anyone else does, either. They’re probably being tested hourly. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/799 "2020-03-13T19:26:26Z")
> [@susan](#): > > The Hopkins tracker is way behind other trackers, even after a fresh update. The Johns Hopkins tracker is supposedly having technical issues. The blog associated with the tracker has a linked twitter feed that mentions this. I noticed this morning that some of the US deaths are no longer reported. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/800 "2020-03-13T19:29:12Z")
Riding along with my earlier post, I’m starting to get pretty confused. Like, are all these closures and WFH and cancellations worthwhile or are they not? Are they just delaying a possible spike so we’ll have our pants down and unprepared? Is Italy at risk of their recent troubles happening again? Also, I’ve been avoiding the coronavirus subreddit that the platform has been advertising of late, on the assumption that with that many cooks in the kitchen, the odds of sensationalism and misinformation is very high, and I have no idea how well it’s moderated. Is there any one single source that I should trust that can answer questions like the above? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/801 "2020-03-13T19:31:09Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Maybe I’ve missed it, but I haven’t yet seen a single expert in the articles posted here for news mentioning this or trying to prepare people for this. Nor I have I seen even the competent people in any level of government touch on this at all. That’s why I asked in the first place. Do Do people generally know this? Do parents and administrators generally realize they might have to think about this thing all over again? Small and large business owners? Will they be willing to cooperate if they did? > > I assume that SOMEONE somewhere (Italy? China?) is thinking about how a repeated cycle like this would affect the economy at the least. I wonder what they’ve concluded. This whole thing is still too new for any of this to be known for sure. We don’t know if this will be seasonal. We don’t know if people have immunity after infection. We don’t know if children are having mild illness BUT transmitting the virus. We don’t know too many things to predict very much accurately. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=41)