In The Times of COVID19 2020

[djmills]

Chris, I write 800 - 1000 words per hour, so without any interruptions, if I can write for 4-5 hours that means 3-5K words done. My problem is sitting at the computer for 4-5 hours without being interrupted by phone, neighbours, friends, etc. :-)

And I did say I "hope" not I "will". In reality I might get 1-2 hours done 4-5 days a week during winter. I will take that amount of words any day. :-)

Supposed to be wet and cold today. Now, 4:00 am here, it is about 17 degrees C. Still have not lit the fire. :-)

[unclegarf]

Knocked off a new chapter in the neglected Drifta 2, Dunno how many words. I've been wrestling with this chapter as I paint away, feeling a little guilty about it. Today I beat it into submission and it's key to moving the story along. Maybe it will open the floodgates to some serious writing.
Another little spike in my smash freebie downloads. I do like it when a shortie is read like 'Oceans of Death' and 'Sick'. Two bonkers shorts. Never under estimate the power of shorts. They can grow into longs. 
Had the online thing with my tutor at Uni today and after discussing the complications of painting fine blonde hair, I told him I'll wait until the second wave hits and been dealt with before venturing out. Don't you feel sorry for me? Stuck at home painting and writing? A terrible life but somebody has to live it. Self medicating with a wee dram (not disinfectant). Stay safe.

[Ria Stone]

Apr 25, 2020 10:29:56 GMT -8 galatea said:

Apr 23, 2020 8:09:03 GMT -8 Ria Stone said:

While I understand that these numbers are just guides because so many different methods are being used to make these calculations.

Yes, the numbers don't say much. Some countries don't count cases outside the hospital, cases in homes for the elderly, cases where corona is the secondary death reason etc... Moreover every country is in a different stage which makes comparison difficult.

I think excess mortality says more.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/21/world/coronavirus-missing-deaths.html

Area PCT. above normal Excess deaths − Reported Covid-19 deaths = Difference
Spain
Mar. 9 - Apr. 5 66% 19,700 − 12,401 = 7,300
Ecuador
Mar. 1 - Apr. 15 83% 7,600 − 503 = 7,100
France
Mar. 9 - Apr. 5 32% 14,500 − 8,059 = 6,500
England & Wales
Mar. 7 - Apr. 10 33% 16,700 − 10,335 = 6,300
New York City
Mar. 11 - Apr. 22 300% 19,200 − 15,411 = 3,800
Netherlands
Mar. 9 - Apr. 5 33% 4,000 − 2,166 = 1,900
Jakarta
March 57% 1,600 − 84 = 1,500
Istanbul
Mar. 9 - Apr. 12 29% 2,100 − 1,006 = 1,100
Switzerland
Mar. 9 - Apr. 5 21% 1,000 − 712 = 300
Belgium
Mar. 9 - Apr. 5 25% 2,300 − 2,373 = -30
Sweden
Mar. 9 - Apr. 12 12% 1,100 − 1,160 = -50

Thanks Galatea: Wow, NY is off the charts.As an unwilling participant in this global experiment. I am glad to be in MX. While I do think if I got COVID19 here, I may get "good" care but when push comes to shove, younger patients may get the better care.I am hearing a variety of stories but they are hard to verify.Also, I am shocked that medical staff here are being harassed and accosted.After reading an article re: the 1918 Spanish Flu, I came to the conclusion that human nature is immutable.threader.app/thread/12519362428345630731918 - Government mandate - wear masks and avoid public gatherings,  initially population complied.After a few months of compliance, the number of cases reduced, then people stopped using masks, then numbers of cases increased but people, businesses, and media supported refusal to wear masks and to avoid public gatherings.

[chelsfield]

I think comparisons between countries is not useful at the moment. But if people must, then they should be looking at deaths per million population. Some American states are bigger with larger populations than some countries...