alanjjohnstone
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Covid-19 nationalism and profiteering
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/mask-wars-coronavirus-outbidding-demand
The end of ‘capitalism’ by Paul Mason
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/coronavirus-signal-capitalism-200330092216678.html
‘If the great plague of the 14th century triggered a post-feudal imagination, it is possible – and desirable – that this one triggers a post-capitalist imagination.’
Mea Culpa (You should hear the things I say when its Scotland Vs England)
An exhibition centre in Milan has been converted in just 10 days into Italy’s largest intensive care facility for coronavirus patients.. hospital beds attached to ventilators and oxygen now line its pavilions.
Why start from scratch when many buildings with bricks and concrete will be superfluous in socialism and could be converted to better socially useful functions.
While in the US, there military are involved in transforming a stadium into a functioning hospital.
What has once more been demonstrated is the potential we – and this time the we is world society – have to rapidly repair the damage inflicted by capitalism and re-construct its many structures to meet peoples needs. Socialists never really required this education but we should be highlighting these possibilities to our fellow-workers who are still convinced by that biblical saying “the poor will always be with us”
Did we out-do China in building a new hospital?
Why aren’t believers in religion asking – where are their Gods?
Churches, synagogues and mosques closed. No house of worship protects against a pandemic, it seems. Collective prayer meetings only spreads it.
The Pope hides away giving virtual sermons and priests end Mass.
Easter cancelled. The Hajj cancelled.
Hindu sacred cow piss and shit ineffective cures for COVID-19.
Even the dead are being refused the ritual of funerals in many places.
I even notice that nobody is calling this pandemic an “act of god” or “divine retribution.”
Blame it instead on the Chinese or call it a random natural disaster.
So why are vicars and ministers and priests essential key workers?
Denialism
Turkmenistan bans media from using the word “coronavirus.” The nation that neighbours Iran has reported no cases of the new coronavirus.
An international media freedom watchdog says the autocratic ex-Soviet nation of Turkmenistan has banned the media from using the word “coronavirus”, AP reports. Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday the word also has been removed from health information brochures distributed in schools, hospitals and workplaces. Reporters Without Borders said people wearing face masks or talking about the coronavirus are liable to be arrested by plainclothes police.
Good news for a few
“Barclays is offering triple overtime pay to frontline staff as it tries to manage an “unprecedented” surge in demand for mortgage holidays and government-backed business loans during the coronavirus lockdown.
The move will affect thousands of lower-paid employees in call centres and branches who are working extra hours to deal with an increase in customer calls and a jump in the number of colleagues off work because they are ill, self-isolating or juggling childcare.”“Tens of thousands of Scottish nationalists will be parading through the streets of Arbroath”
Obviously not with the current lockdown and ban on large gatherings
George Monbiot on COVID-19 and mutual aid, rather good even if he still holds a fetish for the State
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/31/virus-neighbours-covid-19
Latest from our American comrades
https://www.wspus.org/2020/03/coronavirus-crisis-ventilator-fiasco/
America’s sanctions against Iran breached
The UK, Germany and France announced the first sale of medical goods to Iran using a bartering mechanism called Instex
A simple blood test can check for more than 50 types of cancer, often before any signs or symptoms. It could help diagnose tumours sooner, when they are easier to treat and, ideally, cure. More than 99% of positive results are accurate.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52090359
Now will we see the world place as much emphasis on the current mantra testing, testing and more testing . Will the technique be rushed through the clinical trials as a priority?
Italy’s unrest?
“We have no money to pay, we have to eat.”
The Italian government has designated €400m (£358m) for food vouchers amid brewing social unrest as the country’s coronavirus lockdown takes its toll on the poor. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement late on Saturday after reports emerged of people in the south running out of food and money. He said that €4.3bn would immediately be made available to mayors to help their citizens and another €400m would go towards an emergency food-relief fund.
“We know that many suffer, but the state is there,” Conte said.Is the capitalists’ anthem Gloria Gaynor’s “I will Survive”
Almost half of company bosses in 45 countries are speeding up plans to automate their businesses as workers are forced to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/30/bosses-speed-up-automation-as-virus-keeps-workers-home
