Coronavirus : Early Days
Discussion
This is an exercise, largely, for my benefit but I suspect of interest (maybe) to others on how the coronavirus was reported on early in 2020.
I say "for my benefit" as, back in the day, I was clearly aware that some sort of illness had emerged from China that was potentially rather nasty. However, I kept my head down hoping for the best. I avoided the MSM as much as I could, and kept working throughout (Covid secure office, and the construction industry kept rolling). As such, I had no idea at the time what was being reported WRT the virus; what was credible, what was tripe, what was concerning.
Anyway. Very early on, PH picked up on the emergence of the virus and a thread was started by PH'er "JPJPJP" (subsequently changed to "anonymous-user") titled 'Coronavirus - Is this the killer flu that will wipe us out?'.
What I have done is picked out from that first thread, and subsequent ones, are reports from various sources that "paint a picture" of how the virus i) spread and ii) was reported. I've, rightly or wrongly, concentrated on reports that were focused on Europe but also touched on reports on the origin of the virus. I'll post the original web link to a given report, and post what I think are interesting snippets from the same article.
I will also add posts from PH'ers from the time that I think are either relevant or funny, but bearing in mind that in early March 2020 the thread was running at some 25 pages per day, I can't capture all.
OK?
As Dylan Thomas once wrote : To begin at the beginnng
3rd January 2020
https://news.sky.com/story/dozens-in-hospital-afte...
I say "for my benefit" as, back in the day, I was clearly aware that some sort of illness had emerged from China that was potentially rather nasty. However, I kept my head down hoping for the best. I avoided the MSM as much as I could, and kept working throughout (Covid secure office, and the construction industry kept rolling). As such, I had no idea at the time what was being reported WRT the virus; what was credible, what was tripe, what was concerning.
Anyway. Very early on, PH picked up on the emergence of the virus and a thread was started by PH'er "JPJPJP" (subsequently changed to "anonymous-user") titled 'Coronavirus - Is this the killer flu that will wipe us out?'.
What I have done is picked out from that first thread, and subsequent ones, are reports from various sources that "paint a picture" of how the virus i) spread and ii) was reported. I've, rightly or wrongly, concentrated on reports that were focused on Europe but also touched on reports on the origin of the virus. I'll post the original web link to a given report, and post what I think are interesting snippets from the same article.
I will also add posts from PH'ers from the time that I think are either relevant or funny, but bearing in mind that in early March 2020 the thread was running at some 25 pages per day, I can't capture all.
OK?
As Dylan Thomas once wrote : To begin at the beginnng
3rd January 2020
https://news.sky.com/story/dozens-in-hospital-afte...
snippet said:
Forty-four people have been infected with a mystery illness possibly connected to a food market in central China.
Eleven of those people are in a serious condition, according to the Wuhan city health commission, and more than 100 others are reportedly under medical observation.
Earlier in the week, there had been 27 cases, seven of them critical.
The South China Morning Post reported that two of those in hospital with symptoms of the mystery illness are in Hong Kong, having returned from Wuhan within the past two weeks.
They are both female, aged 12 and 41, and came to hospital with fever and pneumonia-like symptoms.
Wuhan city health commission said fever is the illness's main symptom but shortness of breath and lung damage have been reported in a "small number" of cases.
It said some of the patients are stallholders of the city's Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, but did not go into detail on the other patients
Eleven of those people are in a serious condition, according to the Wuhan city health commission, and more than 100 others are reportedly under medical observation.
Earlier in the week, there had been 27 cases, seven of them critical.
The South China Morning Post reported that two of those in hospital with symptoms of the mystery illness are in Hong Kong, having returned from Wuhan within the past two weeks.
They are both female, aged 12 and 41, and came to hospital with fever and pneumonia-like symptoms.
Wuhan city health commission said fever is the illness's main symptom but shortness of breath and lung damage have been reported in a "small number" of cases.
It said some of the patients are stallholders of the city's Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, but did not go into detail on the other patients
I remember the first covid cases in the uk, and the hooplah over the cruise ship passengers being brought home to quarantine. Remember the 4x horseman coaches rocking up? (take a bow whoever arranged that)
Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
Edited by NextSlidePlease on Thursday 12th August 05:55
I remember January 27th 2020 was the day before I was to fly from Washington state back to Florida after a short stay in that part of the world.
I remember looking at a map of early cases and seeing a few near where I had to connect through. It made me wonder if I should get a one way rental car and drive back instead of fly. Another meeting meant I flew anyway.
I remember looking at a map of early cases and seeing a few near where I had to connect through. It made me wonder if I should get a one way rental car and drive back instead of fly. Another meeting meant I flew anyway.
NextSlidePlease said:
I remember the first covid cases in the uk, and the hooplah over the cruise ship passengers being brought home to quarantine. Remember the 4x horseman coaches rocking up? (take a bow whoever arranged that)
Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
I remember the coach story saga.Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
Edited by NextSlidePlease on Thursday 12th August 05:55
Looking back at it now it’s hard to believe everyone thought it was genuine, it’s so clearly staged propaganda.
If you recall many on here questioned why for such a plague ridden coach full of people supposedly at deaths door, not one of the coach drivers were wearing masks or taking any other type or protection precautions.
What other news items can we now dig up and review in the cold light of day I wonder?
nigelpugh7 said:
NextSlidePlease said:
I remember the first covid cases in the uk, and the hooplah over the cruise ship passengers being brought home to quarantine. Remember the 4x horseman coaches rocking up? (take a bow whoever arranged that)
Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
Looking back at it now it’s hard to believe everyone thought it was genuine, it’s so clearly staged propaganda.Little did we know we would be at 4 figure deaths per day and sat at home for weeks on end, disinfecting the shopping that came through our door. Crazy year that i wont forget in a hurry.
Edited by NextSlidePlease on Thursday 12th August 05:55
Have the "killer flu" threads been deleted? Just had a quick search and vol8 just brings up a nothing to see here page.
Anyway, I think my first post on the first volume was something along the lines of "if Welshbeef is panicking about this, we know it'll all turn out to be nothing".
That didn't age well...
My wife does mention how she knew sweet FA about it until I mentioned how I felt quite uneasy about it (she's a biologist) all and I showed her stuff linked from PH. She initially thought it was a load of conspiracy theorist twerps from that silly website I read
Anyway, I think my first post on the first volume was something along the lines of "if Welshbeef is panicking about this, we know it'll all turn out to be nothing".
That didn't age well...
My wife does mention how she knew sweet FA about it until I mentioned how I felt quite uneasy about it (she's a biologist) all and I showed her stuff linked from PH. She initially thought it was a load of conspiracy theorist twerps from that silly website I read
Definitely remember the day, during w/c March 9th 2020, some of those in the office were concerned and making noises about starting to work from home, management of the institutionalised presenteeism bent (higher education establishment
) really pushing back on that.
W/c 16th, moves to WFH starting to gain reluctant acceptance, still discussions, those pushing for it seen as scaredy cat troublemakers by some, but definite shift on Thursday 19th when Boris said minimise external contacts and travel.
As folks sorting desks the next day and moving stuff to WFH there were still light hearted comments between the most concerned along the lines of, see you in a few weeks, zoom meeting Monday, that's going to be different, definitely back in by August, have to get ready for clearing. See ya!
Three days later, Monday 23rd Official Lockdown
Zoom meeting after Boris lockdown broadcast, the shock, cut the atmosphere.
Will try to get some front pages. Here is Telegraph from 24 March.
New York Times, Fed buying bonds, Trump thinking about opening up, US Olympics association questioning whether Tokyo Olympics 2020 should be delayed.
) really pushing back on that.W/c 16th, moves to WFH starting to gain reluctant acceptance, still discussions, those pushing for it seen as scaredy cat troublemakers by some, but definite shift on Thursday 19th when Boris said minimise external contacts and travel.
As folks sorting desks the next day and moving stuff to WFH there were still light hearted comments between the most concerned along the lines of, see you in a few weeks, zoom meeting Monday, that's going to be different, definitely back in by August, have to get ready for clearing. See ya!
Three days later, Monday 23rd Official Lockdown
Zoom meeting after Boris lockdown broadcast, the shock, cut the atmosphere.
Will try to get some front pages. Here is Telegraph from 24 March.
New York Times, Fed buying bonds, Trump thinking about opening up, US Olympics association questioning whether Tokyo Olympics 2020 should be delayed.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Have the "killer flu" threads been deleted? Just had a quick search and vol8 just brings up a nothing to see here page.
Anyway, I think my first post on the first volume was something along the lines of "if Welshbeef is panicking about this, we know it'll all turn out to be nothing".
That didn't age well...
My wife does mention how she knew sweet FA about it until I mentioned how I felt quite uneasy about it (she's a biologist) all and I showed her stuff linked from PH. She initially thought it was a load of conspiracy theorist twerps from that silly website I read
It appears that the powers that be have declared that thread's volumes as "offensive"Anyway, I think my first post on the first volume was something along the lines of "if Welshbeef is panicking about this, we know it'll all turn out to be nothing".
That didn't age well...
My wife does mention how she knew sweet FA about it until I mentioned how I felt quite uneasy about it (she's a biologist) all and I showed her stuff linked from PH. She initially thought it was a load of conspiracy theorist twerps from that silly website I read
Nannies.
FiF said:
It appears that the powers that be have declared that thread's volumes as "offensive"
Nannies.
You need to get your facts straight before throwing your toys out the pram.Nannies.
All the volumes of that thread are still there.
Here is volume 8 for instance (as that is the volume that LOH couldn’t find):
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Want to rethink your post?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Page one, volume one.
It's quite strange reading it all back with hind site.
Page one, volume one.
It's quite strange reading it all back with hind site.
Having variously reread a few posts from the earlier threads, tbh i'm not entirely keen to relive the utter mess of last year. Credit to the OP if he can plow through all that from earlier threads. Have to say though, while I could understand the s
t stirring and glee by some posters gleefully trying to whip up hysteria by breathlessly reporting on (completely stupid) fatality rates and people dying, the great toilet roll shortage still is something I find very odd out of the whole pandemic....
t stirring and glee by some posters gleefully trying to whip up hysteria by breathlessly reporting on (completely stupid) fatality rates and people dying, the great toilet roll shortage still is something I find very odd out of the whole pandemic.... isaldiri said:
the great toilet roll shortage still is something I find very odd out of the whole pandemic....
I own two companies, one was in serious trouble in the run up to lockdown and I actually took the decision to temporally close the business the week before Lockdown-it deals with a predominantly older clientele and they just weren't coming in.Added to that, the un-ease we felt in dealing with people in their 80s in particular was something I've never encountered in all my years in business. It truly was a horrible situation to be in. Closing the business on the hope but probability that the gov. would do something to protect the staff was at the same time, the most terrifying and exciting thing I've ever done in business. I'm proud to have worked through it to be honest.
The other business is in property development and as a plumber, I did consider doing a special offer on bidet installations during The Great Bog Roll Shortage of 2020 but thought folk (probably quite rightly) wouldn't take it in the humour it was intended.
If people are trawling the old threads on the early days of corona I'd love to see posts from certain people calling others crazy conspiracy theory idiots for suggesting things like lockdowns and masks would happen where as now those same people are saying they have always been in favour of them.
Scrump said:
FiF said:
It appears that the powers that be have declared that thread's volumes as "offensive"
Nannies.
You need to get your facts straight before throwing your toys out the pram.Nannies.
All the volumes of that thread are still there.
Here is volume 8 for instance (as that is the volume that LOH couldn’t find):
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Want to rethink your post?
It's a reasonable assumption to draw, being removed to moderators site.
Edited just to say, that was all the search threw up, plus stuff about bird flu etc. Obviously I needed to keep amending the search to get the title exactly correct. But then PH search,
If that upsets you, again, sorry.
Edited by FiF on Thursday 12th August 09:04
Volume 2 is still in N,P&E
I don’t think it is reasonable to resort to name calling just because you are incapable of finding a thread.
What you seem to be trying to access is a report about that volume. The clue is in the title, it is a report of offensive content, not the thread itself.
I don’t think it is reasonable to resort to name calling just because you are incapable of finding a thread.
What you seem to be trying to access is a report about that volume. The clue is in the title, it is a report of offensive content, not the thread itself.
FiF said:
Scrump said:
FiF said:
It appears that the powers that be have declared that thread's volumes as "offensive"
Nannies.
You need to get your facts straight before throwing your toys out the pram.Nannies.
All the volumes of that thread are still there.
Here is volume 8 for instance (as that is the volume that LOH couldn’t find):
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Want to rethink your post?
It's a reasonable assumption to draw, being removed to moderators site.
They’re obviously all there.
Takes a few seconds and is easier than the search or whatever you did and would save you making a silly accusation.
El stovey said:
FiF said:
Scrump said:
FiF said:
It appears that the powers that be have declared that thread's volumes as "offensive"
Nannies.
You need to get your facts straight before throwing your toys out the pram.Nannies.
All the volumes of that thread are still there.
Here is volume 8 for instance (as that is the volume that LOH couldn’t find):
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Want to rethink your post?
It's a reasonable assumption to draw, being removed to moderators site.
They’re obviously all there.
Takes a few seconds and is easier than the search or whatever you did amd would save you making a silly accusation.
Anyway moving on.
Coronavirus - Is this the killer flu that will wipe us out?
Volume 1
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
3
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
4
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
5
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
6
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
7
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
8
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Volume 1
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
3
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
4
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
5
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
6
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
7
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
8
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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