Coronavirus update, Tuesday: Visiting Partners, Parents Now Banned
Sunbaking banned; $20,000 fines; late-night laws finally unravelled.
Hello, welcome to ‘5+5: coronavirus edition’ for March 31 — a LOT has happened in the last 48 hours so strap in.
Each day I’m bringing you 5 big things to know, and 5 other bits, about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak — misinformation and dodgy claims; good news and bad news; resources to do your own fact-checks, to not fall for shit, and keep abreast of the latest info.
The fire hose of news being blasted out every day is getting more intense and confusing. Let me try to help you get it under control.
You can email me at joshb2@protonmail.com or find me on Twitter at @joshbutler if you have tips, feedback, ideas or just want to chat. If I’ve made a mistake, shared something I shouldn’t have, or done something wrong, please tell me. I’ll be here.
Wash your hands and sneeze into your elbow. Practise physical distancing - at least 1.5 metres of separation. “Stay the fuck at home”.
5 BIG THINGS
Today’s statistics:
The latest stats from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (as of 7.14pm Sydney time on Tuesday) report 787,631 confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide. There have been 37,840 deaths, and 166,276 people have recovered.
The United States (164,610 cases) now has double the confirmed cases of China (82,240). China has actually dropped to fourth in the number of cases — Italy is second with 101,739, and Spain has jumped to third with 87,956. Italy still has the most deaths (11,591) followed by Spain (7,716)
By comparison, in Australia — the latest federal Department of Health stats (as of 3pm Tuesday) show 4,557 cases. The death toll is 19. We’ve done more than 244,000 tests, which is being hailed as one of the highest testing rates in the world, and one of the lowest positive result rates, with NSW soon to expand testing more. This are the latest graph from the federal department, showing case numbers:
New rules
These are really important so listen up or risk a $20,000 fine (seriously). These new laws were only revealed in detail late Monday night, and many people have spent the day trying to unravel them.
Since midnight Tuesday morning, gatherings of more than two people are cancelled, and you must generally stay at home except to go shopping for essentials (i.e. groceries and medical supplies, not clothes), go to work or school, exercise outside, or to visit a doctor. Each state has a few different exceptions (like donating blood, moving house etc) but generally, if it’s not on that list of four things, it’s not on. Footage captured by Sky News shows police in Sydney were even moving on people sunbaking or reading in parks, because it’s not exercise.
I tried to unravel and explain it all in a story here — but if you still have questions, ask yourself “is this shopping, school, work, medical or exercise?” If it’s not, you probably can’t do it (story here).
‘Forget about your boyfriend and go back to your own bedroom’
With apologies for paraphrasing Pitbull, this is the message from NSW and Victorian authorities. Social visits — even to your girlfriend/boyfriend, parents, family, best friend — are not allowed. There are exceptions for if you have to render help or medical care, but generally, it’s not allowed. Don’t do it. You’re not meant to go out for social visits. Just stay home.Again, I tried to figure it out today (story here).
Don’t get complacent
As mentioned yesterday, the number of new cases has been dropping for a few days, and the new cases on Tuesday was the lowest number in about two weeks. This is not cause for celebration yet. This was expected, as borders close and the number of new cases picked up overseas — the main group of cases in NSW, the state with the most cases — diminishes. NSW has done fewer tests in recent days, because fewer people are fitting the criteria for testing (coronavirus symptoms + either recently returning from overseas or close contact with a known case). Fewer tests = usually fewer positive tests. This was expected, and NSW plans to ramp up testing in localised outbreak hotspots like Sydney’s east.
The message from state and federal authorities today was “don’t get complacent”. Dropping numbers doesn’t mean we’ve won. Keep washing your hands, keep practicing social distancing. See the daily reminders at the bottom of this email.
Cruise ship calamity
An incredible story from The Guardian finds 10% of Australia’s coronavirus cases are linked to the infamous Ruby Princess, which was allowed to unload passengers in Sydney two weeks ago. But that’s far from the only cruise drama today. NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller took a shot at the six foreign cruise ships “lingering” off the state’s coast, telling them to go home and that they wouldn’t be allowed to disembark (story here); Carnival cruises is asking for sick crew on the Ruby Princess to be allowed to shore; and internationally, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Aussies are still stuck on other cruise boats, with seemingly little prospect of getting home now, and desperation building.
5 OTHER THINGS:
If you’re wondering how rigidly police will enforce coronavirus distancing laws — a Melbourne bar has fined nearly $10,000 for serving customers (story here)
Things continue to spiral in New York, where more than 900 are dead. Central Park now hosts an army-style field hospital for coronavirus patients, with hospitals overwhelmed, while a navy medical ship has steamed into the city’s harbour to help too.
There’s no sport on, but some are taking the time to watch old classic matches, and live-tweet as though it’s being played live. The Socceroos tonight live-tweeted the iconic second leg of the Uruguay tie in 2005, which sent Australia to the FIFA World Cup in 2006. It’s fun.
This, from the WA Premier, is nice:
And, tomorrow is April 1. April Fool’s Day. I sincerely hope no brands or anyone else tries a coronavirus prank or gag… but as always, especially in this climate of misinfo and hoaxing, take everything tomorrow with an even bigger-than-normal pinch of salt.
IMPORTANT EVERY DAY:
You “must” stay home at all times unless: shopping for essential supplies, and even then, doing that as infrequently as possible; getting medical care; exercising alone or with one other person; or work and education.
be hygienic; wash your hands properly, for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, multiple times a day (here’s how you need to do it, plus a handy Dr Karl video tutorial); sneeze and cough into your elbows; use hand sanitiser
Listen to only official information from the World Health Organisation and legitimate health bodies
World Health Organisation latest statistics here
Australian government latest statistics here
Don’t share dodgy stuff on Facebook. If it looks too good (or bad) to be true, it often is. Verify, fact-check, don’t be part of the misinformation problem
Signing off - stay safe, be healthy, look after yourself and others
Josh