The pandemic: The view after 5 months

[EL_TIGRE_de_Tigre]

On the subject raised by Somewhere in BA, about some people being worth-saving more than others, this came to mind:


First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I'd give you two likes if I could ... AMEN!

 

[EL_TIGRE_de_Tigre]

According to Nicolas Trotta, Minister of Education, when the time is right to resume classes, they are looking at doing alternate weeks. But as you aptly point it out, how do they plan to keep kids separated from each other?

You simply can't. They don't have inhibition or fear!

 

[Somewhereinba]

Focussing specifically on the why's of children being back in the classroom ... My reply would be because the staff who work in the school may be at an age where they would be vulnerable. Would that be a fair point?

What I don't get is that clearly there is no social distancing in so many parts of society, Government workers all in an office together, buses still operating packed full of people, supermarkets full of people - so why does anybody think having a class of kids is worse when they are least likely to be affected by the virus but the decision to close schools and deny them the right to play and socialise has serious consequences for the rest of their lives. Especially since we know this is going to drag on for at least 1 year. Any teachers over the age of 60 should not be teaching - most of the teachers I know are in a younger age bracket. My point is very simple - this virus is NOT going to be gone at the end of the year or even next year. So is everyone seriously OK with kids being separated from each other and missing school for 1-2 years? Think about that for a second - there HAS to be a solution that is not a zoom call once a week for 20 minutes.

 

[Somewhereinba]

On the subject raised by Somewhere in BA, about some people being worth-saving more than others, this came to mind:


First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Unfortunately kids don't have a voice and are the most effected by this shutdown. The elderly and adults in general are voicing their opinions the loudest in this matter. No one is listening to the kids who are having mental issues because they have not been able to see their friends for 5 months (will be a year +) or go to class and learn.

 

[Alby]

In answer to one of my own questions posed yesterday, I just stumbled on a report that estimates 10-15% of Covid survivors go on to have prolonged complications.

 

[dilmah]

why does anybody think having a class of kids is worse when they are least likely to be affected by the virus

not that I approve any of these restrictions but there is certain logic in this -- kids are the least likely to be affected but they still can spread virus and infect all their relatives.

 

[ben]

I think the argument about whether the old are worth saving (and whether that is what was meant to be said) is a bit of a distraction from a larger point, which is that with decent management - and some adjustments to the routines of life on everyone’s part - you can have your cake and eat it too.

The main thrust of this piece is the contrast between Canada and the US’s COVID-19 responses, but the contrast with Argentina is just as stark. My wife is talking to family and friends about the kids going to day camp, and the initial reaction is always a stunned “Qué?! Como?? Van a colonia???”

But yes, our kids have just concluded a successful day camp (we missed the 1st 2 weeks because we were quarantined after being in the US), with some modifications obviously but largely it all came down pretty smoothly.

In general, compared to Argentina, life has largely returned to a modified form of normal. People here are not debating whether kids’ life should precede that of the elderly, because good enough progress is being made on both.

 

[Somewhereinba]

I think the argument about whether the old are worth saving (and whether that is what was meant to be said) is a bit of a distraction from a larger point, which is that with decent management - and some adjustments to the routines of life on everyone’s part - you can have your cake and eat it too.

The main thrust of this piece is the contrast between Canada and the US’s COVID-19 responses, but the contrast with Argentina is just as stark. My wife is talking to family and friends about the kids going to day camp, and the initial reaction is always a stunned “Qué?! Como?? Van a colonia???”

But yes, our kids have just concluded a successful day camp (we missed the 1st 2 weeks because we were quarantined after being in the US), with some modifications obviously but largely it all came down pretty smoothly.

In general, compared to Argentina, life has largely returned to a modified form of normal. People here are not debating whether kids’ life should precede that of the elderly, because good enough progress is being made on both.

Exactly my point. There has been 0 effort or directive to actually implement a strategy that is not BAN ALL TODDLERS/KIDS/TEENS FROM SCHOOL/DAYCARE. Majority of studies have shown no increase in transmission rate by having schools operating (the younger they are the less likely to transmit the virus as well). Where is all the testing and contact tracing? Let's be honest the Government has literally no clue what they are doing and their solution the whole time has been lock as many people inside and cross their fingers. The dumbest thing I have heard where I live is they are actually prioritising older students if/when they ever go back to school.. This is stupid - the most affected are children in the 3-7 age bracket who are not getting any socialisation with other children because this is the time their brain learns how to play/interact/communicate/share etc. The other darker side of this lockdown is child abuse - unfortunately it is a real problem in society and school/daycare gave teachers a good opportunity to interact and check on kids and look for any signs of abuse. It is also a fact that child abuse is definitely happening a lot more now that kids are being locked inside 24/7 with their parents or parent (many of whom are likely abusive).

 

[gracielle]

It also says to me that a team of mathematicians and statisticians should be on board to analyze data and apply mathematical and statistical techniques to assist the virologists, infectologists and related health experts when advising the decision makers what steps to take next.

Finally we have opinions from specialists, other than the health professionals.

Coronavirus en la Argentina: tres indicadores clave para seguir la evolución de la pandemia

Coronavirus en la Argentina: tres indicadores clave para seguir la evolución de la pandemia

www.lanacion.com.ar

8 August 2020
Coronavirus in Argentina: three key indicators to follow the evolution of the pandemic
"Alone, none is enough to get an accurate idea of the situation and all must be interpreted globally," explains mathematician Guillermo Durán, director of the Institute of Calculation of the Faculty of Exact Sciences of the UBA. But if you had to choose, which are the most sensitive to sound the alerts?
....A consultation among other specialists yielded the following results.....

Coronavirus en la Argentina: tres indicadores clave para seguir la evolución de la pandemia

Coronavirus en la Argentina: tres indicadores clave para seguir la evolución de la pandemia

translate.google.com

 

[gracielle]

Coronavirus en la Argentina: actualizaron la forma de contar los recuperados | TN

El funcionario de Salud Alejandro Costa explicó que hicieron una revisión de las bases de datos a nivel nacional. En una jornada hubo más de 60 mil pacientes que recibieron el alta.

tn.com.ar

9 August 2020
Coronavirus in Argentina: changed the method to count the recovered
Health official Alejandro Costa explained that they did a review of the databases at the national level. In one day there were more than 60 thousand patients who were discharged.The Government announced changes in the methodology for accounting for those recovered by coronavirus, after reporting that in the last few hours more than 60,000 patients were discharged.

Undersecretary of Health Strategies Alejandro Costa said that there was a review of the databases at the national level, and that from there 61,867 were reported recovered. The official explained in the daily report on the disease that the discharges have two avenues of information. The first is the one that comes from the interns, communicated by the institutions that host them. The second is mild, non-hospitalized cases. It was this group that generated the growth of the total. This group is taken as discharged once ten days have passed from the onset of symptoms or since the infection was confirmed, according to each case. Costa said the system "reports automatically, which causes 61,867 to appear today as recovered." That way the highs reach 170,109.

The Ministry of Health reported the changes in the last daily report on the disease, in which it announced that there were 33 other deaths from COVID-19 in Argentina. So the total fatality amounted to 4556. In addition, 241,811 are infected in the country. With regard to contagion, the Government reported that 1130 were imported; 64,762 correspond to close contacts with the sick; 136,987 are cases of community circulation and the rest is in epidemiological research. Of that total, 50.9% of those infected are male and 49.1% are women with a median age of 37. Meanwhile, 6.9% of confirmed cases are health workers.

Health authorities also indicated that the occupancy of intensive care beds is 56.3% nationally and 65.8% in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). They also confirmed that 15,163 samples were taken on Saturday and 845,220 diagnostic tests for coronavirus were performed since the outbreak. This equates to 18,626 samples per million inhabitants.....

FYI: Translation done automatically when reading the TN link using Microsoft Edge