© Reuters / Flavio Lo Scalzo
In what it's hoped will become a positive trend, Italy has reported a drop in Covid-19-related fatalities for a second consecutive day. Yet, the number of cases there has climbed to over 60,000.
The country's death toll currently stands at 6,078, health officials said late on Monday. The daily number of deaths appears to be dropping - 602 new deaths were registered, compared to 651 on Sunday and a whopping 793 on Saturday.
The total number of confirmed cases in Italy has risen to 63,927, constituting an eight percent increase from a previous 59,138.
Comment: While Italy seems to be getting a handle on things, France is
closing open-air markets and limiting outdoor workouts. The enforcement of a country-wide lockdown in Pakistan is leading to some unsettling behaviors by the police. They are
forcing people not following the quarantine into doing squats and to stand in painful and embarrassing stress positions. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a
three-week nationwide lockdown, demanding the populace to stay at home or face getting arrested.
There's a mystery in the White House press corps, as a member of the White House Correspondents' Association has
tested positive for coronavirus. Residents of Denver, Colorado have been
forced into a 40-day lockdown. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has
admitted that the response to the virus will impact the readiness of the US military to enforce imperial regime change around the world. The DOJ has "reassured" Americans that
only judges can strip them of their constitutional rights. Don't you feel better already?
One of China's leading virologists
warns that defeat over the mutating virus will not be quick, it could take two years for Western countries to defeat the virus. The Venezuelan government
announced a series of measures to help its citizens during the crisis, including that all commercial and residential rent are to be suspended for six months, while outlawing job dismissals.
UPDATES: Wuhan is
ending its lockdown - trains and buses are disinfected, and checkpoints being removed. Hubei province will be
open by March 25.
But starting tonight, India is going into full
lockdown for 21 days - with a "total ban on venturing out of your homes", according to Modi (presumably that does not include emergencies?). Egypt imposed a nighttime
curfew. Thailand declared a
state of emergency after 3 more covid-related deaths, with threats of a total lockdown if things don't improve. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been
delayed until 'no later than'
next summer. With a run on buckwheat, Russia has
banned the export of certain grains. Russia's envoy to Washington penned a
harsh response to HRW's Kenneth Roth, who claimed rich Russians are buying up ventilators. Putin
visited a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Moscow.
Despite social distancing rules,
constructions sites in the UK are still teeming with workers, prompting some backlash. Over in the U.S., 37 million
jobs are reportedly at risk. The WHO is
claiming a "very large acceleration" of American cases, creating the potential for a new pandemic epicenter (Europe currently holds that position). Trump seems to be keeping his head, pointing out that people need to get back to work, and
suicides will take many more than coronavirus.
Global markets have once again
rebounded amid hopes of economic stimulus measures. The Fed's promise to
print more money (thus further diluting and weakening the money supply, but don't mention that in polite company), caused American markets to bounce back. The French economy minister is saying the scale of the current economic downturn is the worst
since 1929.
A shipment of 6 million face masks on their way to Germany has
disappeared in Kenya. Italy's civil protection chief claims up to
640,000 Italians could be infected - which probably isn't far off, because total cases have been underreported or excluded from figures because of lack of comprehensive testing as most cases are very mild or asymptomatic. AFP says Europe has over
200k cases. Four NATO soldiers in Afghanistan have tested
positive, and 28 are in isolation because of symptoms. In Brazil,
gangs are imposing curfews, citing the government's lack of action. A Turkish professor is
warning cases there could reach 600k. Germany saw 4700
new cases and 28 new deaths. Spain's official
numbers: 514 new deaths (as determined by guesswork, i.e. no actual testing). French election officials are
sick a week after holding a controversial ballot.
And finally, politicians and celebs are showing off their coronavirus
fashion. But what can you expect from two of the most narcissistic groups of people on the planet?
Comment: Speechless. Yet it is the perfect illustration that Bezos and his ilk live in a completely different world, physically and mentally, than the rest of humanity.