It is good to see that much of the initial hysteria on this thread has died down. In particular that of @myofficeinchina, who seemed adamant in his opinion that we should all follow the Chinese example, and was scathing about UK Gov's response. I see that there are various reports now emerging in the Western media that the Chinese State may well have been covering up the scale of the epidemic in their country by more than a country mile.
What has interested me is the number of deaths reported in the West versus the number of reported cases; which seems totally at odds to the number of deaths/cases reported in China. It does seem that the number of deaths (and cases) in China is considerably higher than officially reported. Time will tell of course, but it is right to look at the tragedy in Italy and Spain when considering our response, rather than China because we can trust Western figures in a way we can't the Chinese numbers.
It might also be argued, that despite the early resource shortcomings in the UK (just as in other Western countries), the UK response in turning a peace time economy into a wartime one, in the space of a month, is impressive. The public has consistently voted for a peacetime economy and thus an emphasis on managing peacetime problems. Vast stocks of pandemic related kit for any eventuality doesn't fit this narrative because of the cost not only of the kit but of storage, maintenance and 'shelf life' (ie replacement).
Whatever occurs in the UK over the next few weeks, we can be sure of one thing - that there are enough good folk in the public (and private) sector who will do their damnedest to 'win' . Take the transformation of the ExCel Centre into NHS Nightingale Hospital in less than two weeks, the way the Police Forces have pivoted (I have seen more police on the streets in the last 6 days than I have seen for years), and the vast 'Citizen's Volunteer Army (of which I am one of many hundreds of thousands) and the way, it seems, that our private companies are rising to the challenge of manufacturing ventilators, uniforms, PPE and so on. And of course the way the NHS and its' people have been able to cope/mange this emergency.
And of course the huge financial support the Government has arranged at incredibly short notice.
Pretty impressive.
I take issue with one commentator (
@Newchodge) on this thread who is 'less saddened' about some people catching the virus than others. Such childish remarks do nothing for the individual or for the reputation of the forum, and I hope the person thinks carefully about making similar remarks in the future. If I was to say that about his family or loved ones, I think he'd find it offensive.