Corona-virus - Impact of the Health Situation worldwide

[PenrithBeacon]

I have decided that it makes sense to limit my exposure to this virus not just for my sake, but two family members have very badly damaged immune systems. Best to avoid model railway exhibitions for now.

Regards

[Legend]

26 minutes ago, Giles said:

 

Make of it what you will.

 

Good points, particularly on supply chain of generic drugs!  Scary

[John M Upton]

You can bet in all this the Pharma Giants are rubbing their hands in glee at the big blank cheque prices they can and will be charging for any medication they are no doubt rapidly developing to combat this thing.

 

In the end, it is all about the money... 

[PenrithBeacon]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/uk-governments-coronavirus-advice-and-why-it-gave-it

[PenrithBeacon]

Re US Electoral College:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College

Cheers

[Liam]

Just seen on BBC that UEFA have postponed all international fixtures (ie Champions League and Europa League). 

[Metr0Land]

...and a personal frustration to me (though not many rmwebbers I guess) Major League Baseball have postponed the opening day of the season from 26Mar for at least two weeks. 

[EddieB]

1 hour ago, Giles said:

 

Make of it what you will.

There’s a longer version also available on YouTube.  Beginning at around 32 minutes in there’s a prognosis which alludes to the course of action being proposed here in the UK.

[MJI]

13 hours ago, Ian Abel said:

Wouldn't say I'm an "expert" exactly, simply live here in the US.

The only known/defined safeguard is the "Designated Survivor" (NO, NOT the TV series, though that's what it's based on) wherein;

" a designated survivor (or designated successor) is a named individual in the presidential line of succession, chosen to stay (at a secure and undisclosed location) away from events such as State of the Union addresses and presidential inaugurations."

There are no other specific events that appear to generally require a specific separation, though they often don't travel together. Other than that, they seem to happily mingle in spite of some sensibly held beliefs that in the current situation they probably shouldn't.

 

Editorial comment: Given the current sanity/stable genius level of those concerned it's not surprising they're not taking any special precautions - the Orangutang is after all well up on all this and knows more than the WHO/CDC combined if you listen to any speeches

 

 

Your leaders are extrememly replacable, if they drop dead just assign someone else.

 

So why does there need to be any designated survivors when any old person will do?

 

 

[MJI]

2 hours ago, Chamby said:

 

I take James Hunt’s intervention with a pinch of salt.  Former ministers have a very long track record of openly criticising their replacements.  We should all be pulling together, whatever your political persuasion.  Sniping from the sidelines is the last thing we need in this situation.

 

James is dead sorry, but his thoughts on F1 were excellent.

[MJI]

2 hours ago, Oldddudders said:

I believe Mr Hunt was not universally popular during his time in that post, even - or perhaps especially - with health insiders. This may somewhat water down his cred as an observer. 

 

I get the feeling App Mancock may be even more unpopular.

[EddieB]

24 minutes ago, SVRlad said:

Just seen on BBC that UEFA have postponed all international fixtures (ie Champions League and Europa League). 

Breaking news:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51867989

[Metr0Land]

10 minutes ago, MJI said:

 

Your leaders are extrememly replacable, if they drop dead just assign someone else.

 

So why does there need to be any designated survivors when any old person will do?

 

 

 

Depends on your perspective if you think any old person will do.  As has been noted, in the US it's President then VP then Speaker of the House of Representatives.  IIRC at the time of 9/11 Bush and and Cheney were Republicans but Speaker of The House was Democrat, so the line of succession was at the forefront of some peoples' minds,  not wanting 'the other lot' to get in charge, 

 

[sharris]

10 hours ago, Pacific231G said:

In the US the succession beyond the president and vice-president goes first to the speaker of the House of Representatives...

 

Interesting, so should the worst happen (your opinion may vary), the US could end up with its first female president (and a Democrat) by default in Nancy Pelosi. 

 

(file under: unlikely, but possible). 

 

[MJI]

46 minutes ago, Metr0Land said:

 

Depends on your perspective if you think any old person will do.  As has been noted, in the US it's President then VP then Speaker of the House of Representatives.  IIRC at the time of 9/11 Bush and and Cheney were Republicans but Speaker of The House was Democrat, so the line of succession was at the forefront of some peoples' minds,  not wanting 'the other lot' to get in charge, 

 

 

Well look at the current lot, a random person selected off the street would do a better job.

[Chamby]

3 hours ago, Neil said:

 

I'm not sniping from the sidelines. 

 

You misunderstood me, Neil.  My comment related to Jeremy Hunt, not yourself!

 

I don’t think JH’s comment will have any impact on proceedings at all, it just muddies the water for what the government is trying to achieve. 

 

Meanwhile, back to the title of this thread, the first sign that our hobby is being directly impacted:

 

https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=758

 

Best check with your local modelshop, before you set out...

[didcot]

My wife works as a teaching assistant at foundation level. She was surprised by the lack of school closures given the mixing bowl of nasties that young children bring in. I can see her point. Both her, my youngest and I all have underlying health issues. I am paranoid to say the least when it comes to our youngest. Our eldest is fit and healthy and due to do GCSE's so needs to be in school.

If it were me Id give it a week or two, assess the situation and if needed close schools in the run up to Easter. Ensure all the schools have the same Easter break and potentially to have a 3 to 4 week period to help nip it in the bud. Parents will be more likely be off over Easter and therefore more readily available.

[AY Mod]

22 minutes ago, Chamby said:

Best check with your local modelshop, before you set out...

 

Talking to a shop owner this morning he was experiencing healthy sales of modelling materials such as paint and track; it sounds like there could be an outbreak happening - of modelling!

[Gilbert]

7 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

Talking to a shop owner this morning he was experiencing healthy sales of modelling materials such as paint and track; it sounds like there could be an outbreak happening - of modelling!

I'm not surprised - I have been checking various stocks in my stash....

[sharris]

2 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

it sounds like there could be an outbreak happening - of modelling!

 

Maybe RMWeb could start a "Self-Isolation Challenge" for the best model making done during a period of self-imposed exile. 

 

[AY Mod]

1 minute ago, sharris said:

Maybe RMWeb could start a "Self-Isolation Challenge" for the best model making done during a period of self-imposed exile. 

 

What's the end date?

[Gilbert]

SIC for short....if its a kit....it could look SICK.....

[Paul.Uni]

Mangapps has closed.

 

The North Norfolk Steam Gala has been postponed and the Churnet Valley Mad Hatters Tea Party has been cancelled. Both lines are still operating their normal services.

 

Mangapps:

 

North Norfolk:

Churnet Valley Railway:

EDIT: Churnet Valley added

Edited March 13, 2020 by Paul.Uni

[Neil]

2 hours ago, Chamby said:

 

You misunderstood me, Neil.  ....

 

My apologies, I must read more carefully. Many thanks for the clarification.

[Gibbo675]

10 minutes ago, Lantavian said:

 

The Federal Reserve increased its planned spending on bonds by one-point-five trillion dollars, which is not the same as pumping it in immediately. 

 

Strictly speaking, bonds are traded on stock markets, but they are very different to shares, and so higher share prices would only be a byproduct of the purchases. 

 

The main point of the purchases is to increase liquidity, so holders of such bonds are able to get higher prices if they sell them, and therefore get more cash than before. 

 

 

 

Do tell, what will be the purchasing power of all this cash ?