Big Picture News, Informed Analysis

Canadian journalist Donna Laframboise. Former National Post & Toronto Star columnist, past vice president of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

From Valentine’s to Friday the 13th

Four weeks ago, we lived in a different world.

A lot of numbers are flying around right now about the coronavirus. Most are speculative.

It’s therefore helpful to know what has already happened, so that we can prepare ourselves emotionally should a similar pattern emerge in our own communities.

Even if your personal risk is low, the toll on doctors, nurses, paramedics, and health care infrastructure could be profound. Things are changing quickly.

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On Valentine’s Day, Italy had 3 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Four weeks later, 1,266 people had died and 1,328 were hospitalized in serious/critical condition.

ITALY confirmed cases serious
/critical cases
deaths recoveries
14th Feb. 3 2 0 0
28th Feb.
(+2 wks)
889 64 21 46
13th March
(+2 wks)
17,660 1,328 1,266 1,439

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Spain had 2 cases on Valentine’s Day. Four weeks later, it had more than 5,000. So far, deaths are much lower there.

SPAIN confirmed cases serious
/critical cases
deaths recoveries
14th Feb. 2 0 0 1
28th Feb.
(+2 wks)
33 2 0 2
13th March
(+2 wks)
5,232 190 133 193

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South Korea went from 28 cases to nearly 8,000.

SOUTH KOREA
confirmed cases serious
/critical cases
deaths recoveries
14th Feb. 28 0 0 7
28th Feb.
(+2 wks)
2,337 7 16 24
13th March
(+2 wks)
7,979 93 71 510

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Germany’s caseload grew from 16 to nearly 3,700.

GERMANY confirmed cases serious
/critical cases
deaths recoveries
14th Feb. 16 0 0 1
28th Feb.
(+2 wks)
60 2 0 16
13th March
(+2 wks)
3,675 9 8 46

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The Netherlands had yet to record a single case on Valentine’s Day. Four weeks later, it had more than 800.

NETHERLANDS confirmed cases serious
/critical cases
deaths recoveries
14th Feb. 0 0 0 0
28th Feb.
(+2 wks)
2 0 0 0
13th March
(+2 wks)
804 1 10 2

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This is probably a good time to limit our consumption of Internet and TV news. Checking in a couple times a day is healthier than obsessing 24/7. In the strange weeks ahead, let us get plenty of rest, count our myriad blessings, and guard against despair. I recommend movie therapy :-)

Michael: He’s an angel. Not a saint.
I’m not a huge John Travolta fan, but this is a lovely movie, brimming with joie de vivre. It explores some serious topics – death, despair and redemption – with a light touch.

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VIDEO CLIP HERE

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This entry was posted on March 16, 2020 by in health and tagged .
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