Forum Topic

Mass testing, empty ICUs: Germany scores early against virus

"BERLIN (AP) — Late last year — long before most people had heard of the new coronavirus now sweeping the globe — scientists in Germany sprang into action to develop a test for the virus causing an unusual respiratory disease in central China.They had one by mid-January — and labs around the country were ready to start using it just weeks later, around the same time that Europe's most populous country registered its first case."https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/mass-testing-empty-icus-germany-scores-early-against-virus/ar-BB120ajf?ocid=spartandhpStill:-"A top government medical adviser, Lothar Wieler of the Robert Koch Institute, said he wouldn't rule out Germany's health system reaching its limit, too. “This is still the calm before the storm,” Health Minister Jens Spahn said last week."

David Ainsworth ● 2415d12 Comments

Efficiency, realism, honesty?

Michael Ixer ● 2415d

As distinct from what some people have described as the arrogance and complacency of our own response.  It is certainly true we were under-prepared and the NHS was already under a huge amount of strain before this even started. Also, the demands from Jeremy the Spoonerism Hunt for more testing ring particularly hollow as a lot of the starving of the NHS of essential resources occurred on his watch.  Not to mention the lack of action following a pandemic planning project in 2016 which, had its recommendations been followed, would have meant we had a stockpile of ventilators at the ready.  None of the lessons of SARS or MERS were learnt. It’s bad enough when lessons are not learnt on something less critical but it makes me very angry that lives are now being put at risk - and lost in ever increasing numbers - by our lack of preparedness.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2415d

Score 1 to Mutti Merkel. Good ol' DDR?

David Ainsworth ● 2415d

This is an national emergency it is a most unpleasant time for all of us. Some poor souls are losing their lives doctors and nurses are exhausted. It is quite obvious members of the go vernment are trying to do the best and working probably 18 hours a day or more. Why everyone does not have the correct equipment or drugs I don't know. It is not for want of trying. Whenever there is a problem the BBC leap on to it with glee. Can't we all stop this awful tribalism for just a few short weeks?

Marie Byrom ● 2415d

" It is quite obvious members of the go vernment are trying to do the best and working probably 18 hours a day or more. Why everyone does not have the correct equipment or drugs I don't know. It is not for want of trying. Whenever there is a problem the BBC leap on to it with glee. Can't we all stop this awful tribalism for just a few short weeks?"Set us an example then.

David Ainsworth ● 2415d

I don’t think this has anything to do with tribalism. I’m not a member of any tribe other than the human race, British branch.  The government’s record is clear for all to see and the media, right across the political divide, is increasingly of one critical voice.  We are not being served well.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2415d

Shocking figures in the number of deaths and tests being carried out today.If this was war there be a few generals court martialled. There is still no clear accountability or even honesty. This is either criminal negligence or deliberate or possibly both!Only 2,000 NHS frontline workers out of about half a million have been tested for coronavirus so far, despite up to one in four being off work with suspected symptoms in some areas of the country.

Ed Robinson ● 2415d

There are undoubtedly some issues with the NHS's or the government's response to COVID-19 but at least most of us in Europe are covered by some sort of health care. Pity those in the largest and wealthiest economy where many don't have healthcare: remember, in the US most people's and their family's medical insurance is provided by their employer and if they lose their job, as many are at present, their health insurance ceases ... https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-admin-will-not-reopen-obamacare-exchanges-during-coronavirus-pandemic-n1173871

Michael Ixer ● 2414d

Thanks Michael, that makes me feel a lot better. We can nolonger compare our health system with the best in Europe, instead we can take solace in that we are better than the US.Although I suspect if the government doesn't take action soon, for economic reasons we will end up moving closer to the US standard of care.But let us not assume that the UK death rate will be less than the US!Time will tell!

Ed Robinson ● 2414d

Yes, this really does show us why we do not want to be like the US.

Philippa Bond ● 2414d

The lack of test and protective equipment and the government's increasingly desperate and empty promises about its delivery make me wonder if any of it even exists. I'm sure if there was giant depot somewhere stacked high with stuff, there'd be news footage and pictures of it, showing teams of squaddies loading boxes onto trucks and driving through the night to deliver to all parts. So far all we see is the new Docklands field hospital and the deserted 'testing station' at Chessington where the staff seem to be wearing white bin bags and DIY face masks. Meanwhile teams in China are dressed head to foot in 'hazmat' kit. Bad news for the government when even the Mail and the Telegraph are turning on them.

Peter Evans ● 2414d

Yes, the Mail has been savagely critical for the past two days as the front pages show:

And the Daily Boris is awash with well-deserved critical articles.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage says "It's time to remove Matt Hancock and call in a no-nonsense outsider to win the coronavirus war." I wonder who he can be thinking of?

Richard Carter ● 2413d