In the wake of the Coronavirus spreading across the world Australian airline Qantas has cancelled flights from China as the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced "new control measures" to prevent anyone traveling from China to Australia. The official advice is now that Australians "do not travel" to mainland China. This comes as the number of infected people rose to 12 on Saturday with three new cases across Victoria and South Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced unprecedented new control measures that will see all non-Australians travelling from mainland China barred entry at the border in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus. The official advice is now that Australians "do not travel" to mainland China.
The tough new measures, announced on Saturday afternoon, come as the number of Australians confirmed to have contracted coronavirus rose to 12 on Saturday with three new cases across Victoria and South Australia.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today called for all flights to be banned from China while Qantas said it would suspend services to mainland China.
At a press conference late this afternoon, Mr Morrison said all foreign travellers who had left or passed through mainland China 14 days before arriving in Australia will now be denied entry to the country.
In recent days British Airways, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Asia, Cathay Pacific, Air India, IndiGo, Lufthansa and Finnair have announced plans to slash the number of flights they are operating to China or stop flying to the country entirely. Other airlines are offering customers refunds.
[UPDATE 020220-07:14UTC: First death from coronavirus reported outside China in the Philippines. For those wanting more complete reporting of coronavirus outbreak, CBS News has a live update web page with news as it is reported. --JR]
Related Stories
Even though it has only been a short while since our last round-up there are 22 separate stories merged into this round-up. Many report duplicate news but, nevertheless, we have tried to distill the important elements of each submission.
Firstly, there is some confusion regarding the actual names that are reported for the virus, the disease that it causes, and names frequently seen in media reporting. From https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-020-0695-z:
The present outbreak of a coronavirus-associated acute respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is the third documented spillover of an animal coronavirus to humans in only two decades that has resulted in a major epidemic. The Coronaviridae Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, which is responsible for developing the classification of viruses and taxon nomenclature of the family Coronaviridae, has assessed the placement of the human pathogen, tentatively named 2019-nCoV, within the Coronaviridae. Based on phylogeny, taxonomy and established practice, the CSG recognizes this virus as forming a sister clade to the prototype human and bat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs) of the species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, and designates it as SARS-CoV-2.
In order to facilitate communication, the CSG proposes to use the following naming convention for individual isolates: SARS-CoV-2/host/location/isolate/date. While the full spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans remains to be determined, the independent zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 highlights the need for studying viruses at the species level to complement research focused on individual pathogenic viruses of immediate significance. This will improve our understanding of virus–host interactions in an ever-changing environment and enhance our preparedness for future outbreaks.
There is much more information at the link provided.
Secondly, as this is a fusion of stories received over the last week or so take all quoted figures of casualties as possibly out-of-date. At the time of merging these stories (12 Mar 20) there have been 127,863 confirmed cases world-wide resulting in 4,717 deaths. 68,309 people have already recovered with the remainder either in self-imposed or advisory isolation, in basic hospital care and a relatively small number in critical care. The pandemic has affected 116 countries/regions. Source: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6 - a graphical display produced by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
Many countries have taken emergency measures to restrict travel or large gatherings of people. As this is a very fluid situation we suggest you refer to the media of any specific country in which you have an interest. President Trump has banned transatlantic air travel from countries in mainland Europe to the USA from Friday 2020-03-13 at 23:59 (no timezone stated) for a period initially of 30 days, and air travel within Europe is also significantly disrupted.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @06:48AM (12 children)
A place with no love... only authority and obedience
You know what China did to all those pigs that got that swine fever, right?
Considering the kind of government they have, I don't doubt that half the population will suffer the same fate. It's a domestic issue, so don't you dare criticize them, or you're a racist!
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:06AM
You swine! We come get you, take you to Chinese restaurant, turn you into longpig. You make no more disrespectful posts any more!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:46AM (2 children)
Eat the soup, bigot. Yes, that soup.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday February 02 2020, @05:15PM (1 child)
Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Bat - SOUP!
Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Bat - SOUP!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @05:56PM
https://twitter.com/misterantibully [twitter.com]
(Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:57PM
Troll
Why does the truth always get modded down? Do people actually find it offensive? What kind of people are they?! Why won't they let us criticize inferior cultures? It's not racist or anything. They are capable of acting like human beings but choose not to in order to preserve their "culture". Well, when a culture becomes dangerous, it should be outlawed, like the way we outlaw murder and slavery in the far more advanced western cultures
We have the power to make the world obey righteous authority. We should use it. Only then will we have peace and security on the this planet, and hopefully the galaxy.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:40PM (6 children)
Dude, they killed tens of millions of their own citizens in 1959 alone for not being loud enough in their praise of Chairman Mao. They could exterminate everyone who's even suspected of becoming infected and the death toll still wouldn't even remotely compare to business as usual. Communism is so much more deadly than any pathogen that it's just flat absurd.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:43PM (5 children)
Fascism is so much nicer.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:56PM (4 children)
You snark but it's objectively true. The Axis at its worst didn't kill anywhere near as many people as Stalin alone did. And Mao was a shitload worse than Stalin. Keep that in mind next time you go thinking socialism is a good thing.
Yes, I know we're talking about communism. I know the difference. Do you? Socialism is control of the means of production by "the people". But, you see, "the people" do not micromanage every little issue; they give that power away to their government. And government control of the means of production is communism not socialism.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @10:49PM
Mao didn't kill anyone. If people are too weak to adapt to a new low calorie high work lifestyle that is their issue.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @01:03AM (2 children)
There are lots of socialist countries in the world that are successful. Shocking but true. Don't let greedy capitalists tell you there isn't. "Fuck you, I got mine" and "sucks to be you" just aren't nice ideologies to live under. If only it wasn't so black and white. If only there was a middle ground...
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday February 03 2020, @02:45AM (1 child)
Which is exactly what those with the power want you to think, because nobody much says to themselves "Gee, I'd really like the government to destroy wealth creation and control every aspect of my now miserable life". Socialism is an inevitable slide to communism every single time.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @03:03PM
Yup, your brain finally broke down.
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by Runaway1956 on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:22AM (6 children)
"Honey, you should sell your American Airlines stock, and buy Qantas, or Quantum, or whatever the hell."
"Why?"
"Because coronavirus."
"But, what does that have to do with stock?"
"Well, American says "We understand quarantine, but, MONEY!" The Qants from Qantumland say, "Shut things down, boys, we aren't bringing home any germs.""
"Qants? I've never heard of them."
"Probably because you don't speak 'Strayan. I'll spell it for you: Q A N T A S. I guess they never heard about that rule that a "q" should always be followed by a "u". Anyway, they understand "quarantine" so buy their stock."
"But, we just bought a whole bunch of American stock."
"I tell you, sell now. When 20 American pilots get sick with coronavirus, and 6 or 12 of them die, their stock will fall into the abyss."
A MAN Just Won a Gold Medal for Punching a Woman in the Face
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:50AM (4 children)
I know you can't seem to accept it, but you're not funny.
(Score: 5, Touché) by Runaway1956 on Sunday February 02 2020, @08:02AM (3 children)
I know that I can't compare to congress. Every joke they tell becomes a law, and every law they pass is a joke. Stolen from Will Rogers, or Buck Rogers, or some such.
A MAN Just Won a Gold Medal for Punching a Woman in the Face
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @08:08AM (1 child)
That's a little better. Try a bit more conservative shtick next time, though.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:45PM
Yes, a non-white non-male non-middle aged person needs to get demeaned else it's not a joke.
(Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:56AM
"Compared to them I’m an amateur, and the thing about my jokes is that they don’t hurt anybody. You can say they’re not funny or they’re terrible or they’re good or whatever it is, but they don’t do no harm. But with Congress — every time they make a joke it’s a law. And every time they make a law it’s a joke."
Will Rogers.
You were right the first time.
No improvement since his time......unfortunately....
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @05:55PM
Buying stock in perpetually bankrupt American airlines (small a) seems as smart as buying Sears if you are not Lampert.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @08:25AM
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/queenslands-premier-demands-government-ban-china-flights-after-tenth-australian-case-confirmed/news-story/6006599d9ddfef68bcc01890a2f0156a [news.com.au]
(Score: 1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @11:13AM (6 children)
What? Someone modded one of my comments as a troll for saying exactly this - ban passengers from China - only a couple of days ago.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @11:45AM
This one bans *all* passengers including chinks, kikes, Australians and niggers so it isn't racist since it treats everyone the same... extra SJW points for inclusivity!
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @12:31PM (4 children)
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @12:44PM (3 children)
I have strongly suspected for a long time now that to be a social justice warrior or on the hard left you need to be both a troll and a racist and optionally a bigot
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @12:48PM
so, basically, muslim.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @04:25PM
A troll, a racist, and a bigot walked into a bar...
The bartender said "Hi Hillary, Obama, and Epstein!"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @05:50PM
Why is it always projection with you creeps?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @04:04PM (5 children)
I've been stocking up on anti-vital drugs to be prepared.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday February 02 2020, @04:21PM (3 children)
What's an anti-vital drug? Pramipexole?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:27PM (2 children)
Maybe this?
https://www.harborfreight.com/50-Cal-Metal-Ammo-Can-63181.html [harborfreight.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:53PM (1 child)
Have you tried drinking bleach? It's all the rage amoungst anti-vaxxers these days!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @10:39PM
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0035421 [plos.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:48PM
I've stockpiled alcohol for the same reason - you can't be too careful.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:24PM (2 children)
https://www.infowars.com/coronavirus-contains-hiv-insertions-stoking-fears-over-artificially-created-bioweapon/ [infowars.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @09:50PM (1 child)
Well, we can all hope Alex Jones gets this, on his way back from attacking parents of dead children.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @07:27PM
fuck the parents who sell out their countrymen's rights, b/c something bad happened to them, partly due to their own selfishness and willful ignorance.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @07:30AM
... Go to Zero Hedge, and get real non censored info.