COVID-19 — Coronavirus

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I think that’s too narrow a definition of racism. I think ascribing other negative characteristics to a race of people is also highly capable of being racist. For example, the Victorian view of the Chinese was that they were intelligent but cunning and deceitful, who used their intelligence for nefarious purposes. I’m not sure that particular example attributes characteristics to a race of people that renders them to be inferior, at least not in the sense I believe you meant.

There’s little doubt in my mind that Trump’s intent was racist, however his words are (most likely) not inaccurate. This virus appears to have been created in a Chinese, man-made environment, one which displayed little or no regard for hygiene standards, cross-contamination of animal matter, the effects of eating novel foodstuffs or the delicate balance of nature. Its effects have been accentuated by China’s lack of candour in the early days of the spread of the disease (although this doesn’t mark anything out of the ordinary tbf). Moreover, I expect China will be under significant international diplomatic pressure following this to introduce far reaching mitigation measures around the risks associated with wet markets.

So, I don’t think calling it a Chinese virus is necessarily racist, especially as the Chinese have to (most likely) take significant responsibility for it.


Suprised the dozy **** didn't get mixed up and call it the china syndrone
 
I normally call for a beer about 3 or 4 times a week.
I really fancied one tonight.
But thought it would be stupid to go.
I'm having a beer at home now.
With the missile.
Which I never do.



Fuck me I've only had one and feel like putting my head in the log burner.
I forgot how much shite she talks .
The problem is one drink is never enough, especially at home.
 
Ahh has it already been posted, i have been at my work unit all day showing staff stuff for a new job we have on.
Almost all people on the site don’t read every page of every thread. Never worry if something has already been posted.
 
Can’t imagine they’d need to in Switzerland. Apart from Japan and Singapore it’s the most law abiding place I’ve visited. People have a wonderful sense of social responsibility which many British people manifestly lack.
They’re worried they’d get shot by their neighbour. Doesn’t nearly everyone own a gun in Switzerland?
 
Tom Hanks after self-isolation. It will be back to the pudding bowl, I guess.

castaway-tom-hanks.jpeg
 
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I think with Trump using the term "Chinese virus" there are a few angles you can look at it from with them all being correct and wrong at the same time.

Is it a "Chinese virus", certainly it originated there due to political calls in the 1970's. If Jeff at the pub refers to the virus in such terms those listening will know Jeff and how he means it; namely that of a regular bloke with little interest in politics and medical science, the context and nuance is vital i think. When a politician uses it given the current context (China vs USA) the connotations can carry a deeper more accusatory meaning. Suddenly it is not just the virus that originated from china but a virus "from China" which if given the right push can insinuate malicious intent. It certainly adds to an us v them mentality.

For myself this is just political jostling, not race related in the traditional sense but a political one. China should be shunned until they bring in responsible farming however. We are an interconnected world like never before now as evidenced by this situation with our responsibilities growing to each other. This policy of China's allowing such items at wet markets needs to be immediatly halted by themselves with a program to introduce sustainable safe farming with traditional animals. To the few old chinese not wanting to give this up, tough cookies.

This entire economy of wild animal farming in China is a rash decision as a result of a Chinese dictatorship culminating in the 1970's rushed, ill considered, catastrophic agriculture and farming policies. It has now crept into south east asian culture in general on a large scale as a delicacy. Not exclusively but they have a strong influence across the area, some countries have thier own wet market culture developed entirely independent of any Chinese influence. They need to ban this practice or reduce it to a very few heavily monitored places that have hygene as an absolute priority.
 
A friend of mine who works in a shop doing the early hours for O.A.P's thing, reckons there were many younger people who said they were buying for their Grandparents etc , there's no way of policing that so they let them buy the stuff.
I have no idea if true but i'd imagine whilst many of them were genuine, some were chancers
 
Do you think we will be able to travel through Europe by the last week in July or could we still see this going on beyond that date, I’ve had email’s from certain hotels saying we could move hotel dates but annual leave has already been booked. I appreciate nobody knows a lot about this virus but if there’s no tourists for 4/5 months or even longer the knock on effect will be terrible
 
In Asda now. Ques for miles. Trolleys ridiculously full. How long can this be sustained ?

As someone who hasnt panic bought I do wonder how long it is before I run out of soap, loo rolls, food. Should that happen I might have to stay away from work as I wouldnt have much energy due to the lack of food, or being able to wash my hands , so hopefully all these horders will keep the country going.
 
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