Coronavirus Hysteria (Again)

[wombat666]

The Australian GP might be a non-starter unless Pirelli, Ferrari and STR (I'm sticking with original!) get moving right now.
The expected travel ban from Italy to be posted by the Federal Government this Weekend would prevent both race teams and Pirelli race personnel from entering Australia.

Options are not ideal and include a 16 car field, with no points and no inclusion in the 2020 season, a postponement which would be awkward given the length of the season and the continual spread of Covid 19, or just a straight out cancellation which would give the vociferous 'Anti GP' minority further fodder to push their case, particularly the financial costs to Victoria.
The Victorian State Government weenies are most unhappy with Canberra and IMHO the Feds (who couldn't find their own sphincters without a GPS and a flashlight!) are attempting to gain the credibility they lost due to the Drought/Fires/Irrigation Water Sales fiasco, by being 'seen to be doing something' in the middle of the 'Pandemic' that isn't.

Of course, if those under threat of being forced to stay away managed to get into the country prior to 'SlowMo and the Seven Dwarves' grab for public approval becomes 'Law' the AGP may well take place.........but frankly I could care less.

Unfortunate that those who do enjoy the weekend circus and the keen ones who've already paid up the extortionate attendance prices are probably screwed, but it also places a large question mark over rest of the season.
Liberty must be really pissed!!!!

[Panther_99FS]

https://racer.com/2020/03/08/bahrain-gp-to-run-behind-closed-doors
Bahrain GP to run behind closed doors

[wombat666]

The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns, but event organisers say they are hopeful they will manage to run the event "at some later stage".

• The Grand Prix Corporation said the decision was made in the interests of safety
• Earlier, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said if the race was to go ahead it would be spectator-free
• The announcement followed the McLaren team's decision to pull out after a staffer tested positive for COVID-19

Organisers made the decision following updated medical advice from Victoria's chief health officer.

At a press conference just before midday, Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Paul Little apologised to fans for the sudden cancellation.

"The health and safety and welfare of the teams and people, the community generally, has to take precedence … and we look forward to hopefully being able to run this event at some later stage," he said.
Organiser have said all ticket holders will receive a full refund.

TOLD YOU SO!

[huub vink]

In August we will have a daily race and the complete season will be compressed into one month......

Cheers,
Huub

[Ferry_vO]

Looks like all FIA sanctioned events until the end of May will be postponed or cancelled... So the F1 season could start in Baku on June 7th.

[Roxane-21]

Atlanta and Homestead NASCAR races has been postponed as well...

[Roxane-21]

IndyCar joins as well. First four race weekends are cancelled. The season is expected to start with the Indy 500.

[wombat666]

Rather OT but almost all sports events have been postponed or cancelled here in Oz.
Of course, the AOC continue to prevaricate when it comes to the Olympic$, which really stupid!

As for COVID-19, today (23/03/2020) Australia recorded the 8th death due to the virus, infected numbers remain in the hundreds but I expect that to hit four digits soon as one of those appalling 'Cruise Ships'
released a large number of prospective suspects recently.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get some form of fuel rationing legislated sooner rather than later.
Depending how long the present situation runs of course, but I have notice a drop off in SUV and Truck traffic, might be a rise in the number of pre-owned vehicles for sale in that category................
This could be the best excuse I've ever had for buying a TESLA as a daily driver!!

[scotth6]

As for COVID-19, today (23/03/2020) Australia recorded the 8th death due to the virus, infected numbers remain in the hundreds but I expect that to hit four digits soon as one of those appalling 'Cruise Ships'
released a large number of prospective suspects recently.

Actually, unfortunately, I just heard that the number of confirmed cases in Australia stands at around 2100, with over 900 of those being in NSW. I believe 7 of the 8 deaths have been in NSW too.

[wombat666]

As of 21:00 Tuesday the Nation wide infection numbers reached 2000+ with another older citizen becoming casualty #9.

Pretty close numbers State by State Scott.
Much as I dislike our present crop of politicians they seem to be doing reasonably well.

[scotth6]

Yeah, at least they are taking serious action now. I am really annoyed with that cruise ship debacle though. Apparently 133 later confirmed cases of Covid 19 positive people were allowed to just get off the ship and go about their business for the past week, infecting God knows how many other people. Scary when you consider, on average, each infected person may transmit it to 3 others, then those 3 transmit it to 3 each, and so on and so on. Do the maths and the numbers get pretty high pretty quick.

[wombat666]

You didn't watch the 7:30 Report!

Lee Sales took great pains (complete with little people) to illustrate this principle, 1 infected can infect 2.5 citizens (how do we get .5 of person?) who then can infect 7.5 citizens who then infect 18.75 citizens who go on to infect 46.8 citizens who do the dirty on 117.1875 citizens and so on to 292.96875...........or something like that!
Doing the math in my head with a scratch pad isn't too accurate but it ends up somewhere at this point.
Ms.Sales went on to run the same exercise with a single carrier in home lock-down and a few family members who remained isolated but at that point I nodded off!



Interesting update from WHO: at the current rate they expect the US to become the major hotspot surpassing Italy and China.