Continuing coronavirus happenings (Part 1)

Right from the start it was apparent that EuroAmerican white racism was at fault for the appalling response from so many populous and wealthy countries (my own included, run by right wing neoliberal shits). This is a good article on the racism towards African countries. Well a good chunk of it is on a dodgy cure but the low cost, sensible, clever approaches to testing, quarantine, and contact tracing outlined here in countries which have so far well outperformed the wealthy North deserve our respect and humility.

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I thought about putting this I to the “if you see something” topic, but I found it rather depressing, and I consider it definitely related to the Corona pandemic.

Seen two days ago, in an area which is definitely not the rich part of the town in question.

obscura1590265831058

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It’s 23 May 2020 and 11,89 Euro / hour = $12.89 U.S. hour. Except Germany has a pretty considerable tax rate, so I can only imagine what the Amazon worker’s take-home pay would be, in real terms. :frowning_face:

When This Ends, “Threaten to Strike” says Robert Reich

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I use full face industrial gas mask - with N100/P3 filter even running is not a problem and the mask is very comfortable. It also helps with social distancing :slight_smile:

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Well, I agree on the racism, but Rajoelina is just another populist. And, for the record, Artemisia annua is the basis of a very successful anti-malaria drug, sold in all African countries I ever visited as Coartem (subsidised, BTW - otherwise no-one would ever be able to afford it there).

We really, really don’t need another journalists - and I respect Afua Hirsch for a lot of her work! - to spread any wild hopes on a miracle cure. Fuck that noise. This is far to serious, and especially African communties are far to vulnerable to post half-baked shit like this. I know very well what I am talking about. I lived in West Africa for some time, and also in Madagascar. I had friends there, even if we dropped out of contact. And I am really, really horrified for them. Most of the areas I worked in in West Africa are no-go zones now, without any governmental control. Hospitals? Nonexistent. Fuck, I’ve been to the hospitals which are in the region. Also in Madagascar. I spare you the details, but there is no way at all anyone with complications is getting adequate help there.

Last thing: the cheap antibody tests mentioned are so-called lateral flow devices. There are many already on the market from Asia, and they will likely not be helpful.
Even if - and that’s a big if - they would accurately tell people they had IG-G antibodies, I think it would not help since it can only detect these about four to six weeks after the infection. You need a direct virus test, i.e. a rPCR, to determine an ongoing infection. A saliva antigen test mentioned is still an antigen test. In an ongoing infection, there is no conceivable way this would be specific for SARS-CoV-2, to the best of my knowledge. It simply doesn’t work that way, you need to check for the virus.

Also FTR, Antibody tests (blood needs to be sent to a lab by your practicioner) are available for around 17€ in Germany, by the way. I hope its the same in the UK. No way this is going to be the case in the areas of the Sahel I visited. Not even remotely possible. Also, even a 1€ test is unaffordable for most people in West Africa, save Ghana with a huge ‘maybe’, even if it would be available “sur place”. Just look up the average income for, say, Burkina Faso. And keep in mind this is average. Not median.

This Guardian piece is, sorry to say, just dangerous rubbish. Good it is in English and not in French. (But it will probably be read in Nigeria, which troubles me.)

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Linked from Afua Hirsch’s column:

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I like the Buff idea. And @anon36155390 if you don’t want it on your face all the time, it’s easy to pull up from around your neck so your neighbors don’t give you dirty looks.

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Sorry, I regret the miracle cure bullshit, I was more focused on how many things can be done that are not considered important enough to be reported.

And the fact that racism, and privilege, are a kind of disability. They make it difficult to understand what is happening.

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most people’s money, really.

Americans say, 62% to 29%, that deciding to wear a face mask is more a matter of public health than a matter of personal choice, the survey finds… About two-thirds say they always or mostly wear a face mask or other covering when they’re in public and near other people

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Just make sure that you either buy it online, or go to a store with some selection. Well recommended as a head-covering to keep the sweat our your eyes.

(You’d think a place called Freaks’n’Leather would have unusual patterns.)

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Pfft, that’s not a new idea… :roll_eyes:

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giphy (1)

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Is the Cummings story a way to break lockdown without anyone having to specifically state it, dooming us all? Why stick to it now when the “leadership” obviously don’t lead.
Or is it yet another Dead Cat?

Thread.

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What better time to attack fellow progressives than when they’re sick with a dangerous disease.

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Right? Same here. The U.S. I mean.

We’re paying no attention to nefarious shenanigans orchestrated by the men behind the smoke bombs.

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