Iran’s Mass Graves for Coronavirus Victims Are Large Enough to Be Seen From Space

/0 Comments/in , /by

Satellite images of Iran show mass graves for coronavirus victims in the city with the first and most significant outbreak in the country, the Washington Post reported.

Qom, located 80 miles south of Iran’s capital Tehran, is where Iranian officials traced the origins of the country’s coronavirus outbreak that has infected over 9,000 people and killed more than 350, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. . .

Qom is a pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, attracting millions of pilgrims every year. It is also where morgue directors are having trouble handling burials for those who died of the virus, with bodies piling up because testing them for the virus takes time and the cases are rapidly rising in the country, creating a backlog, according to CNN. . .

The size of the trenches and the speed with which they were excavated together mark a clear departure from past burial practices involving individual and family plots, a senior imagery analyst at Maxar Technologies in Colorado told the Washington Post. The analyst also pointed to an image showing what appears to be a large white pile of lime, which can be used to manage decay and odor in mass graves. (Read more from “Iran’s Mass Graves for Coronavirus Victims Are Large Enough to Be Seen From Space” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Two-Week Isolation Ordered for All Who Enter Israel (VIDEO)

/0 Comments/in , /by

All people entering Israel from abroad will be required to spend 14 days in home isolation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday. The measure became effective at 8 p.m. Monday night.

“After a day of complex discussions, we have made a decision: Whoever arrives in Israel from abroad will enter quarantine for 14 days,” Netanyahu said in a video statement Monday as 50 Israelis were diagnosed with coronavirus. “This is a difficult decision but it is essential to maintaining public health, which takes precedence over everything.

The message came less than an hour after Israel’s Health Ministry announced that three more people were diagnosed with coronavirus: patients No. 40, 41 and 42. It also came two hours before patients No. 43 through 50 were announced. . .

The Health Ministry is asking that these tourists follow five guidelines: 1) Call Magen David Adom if they experience any symptoms; 2) pay careful attention to their personal hygiene; 3) stay away from public gatherings; 4) understand that they cannot leave and then return to the country and; 5) report on their whereabouts while in Israel.

The quarantine does not apply retroactively, explained Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov. Though he cautioned that any Israeli or tourist who has landed in the country in the last 14 days and shows symptoms of the virus – fever, cough or difficulty breathing – should call MDA and be tested. (Read more from “Two-Week Isolation Ordered for All Who Enter Israel” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Hundreds of DC Churchgoers Urged to Self-Quarantine After Priest Who Served Communion Tests Positive for Coronavirus; Entire Country Goes on Lockdown

/0 Comments/in , /by

By The Blaze. The new coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — officially came the nation’s capital over the weekend with news that an Episcopal priest had tested positive for the disease, and now hundreds people who attended services at his church are being urged to self-quarantine.

“DC Health was notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Christ Church, Georgetown Episcopal,” a Monday statement from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said. “Through DC Health’s investigation, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all visitors to Christ Church, Georgetown Episcopal on February 24th, and between February 28th and March 3rd could have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, and DC Health is recommending that anyone who visited Christ Church, Georgetown Episcopal on those dates isolate themselves at home for 14 days from the last time they visited the church.” . . .

According to a report from WUSA-TV, the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the District of Columbia was the church’s rector, the Rev. Timothy Cole, who was diagnosed with the virus on Saturday. The station explained that Cole started feeling bad on Feb. 24 after coming back from a trip to a conference in Kentucky and that doctors diagnosed him with the flu and pneumonia before he tested positive for coronavirus.

A Christ Church spokesman said that Cole attended three services on the Sunday before he was diagnosed, which were attended by more than 550 people, according to WUSA. The church told the Washington Post that he provided communion at one of those services. (Read more from “Hundreds of DC Churchgoers Urged to Self-Quarantine After Priest Who Served Communion Tests Positive for Coronavirus” HERE)

________________________________________________

Italy Expands Its Quarantine to the Entire Country as Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Surge

By CNBC. Italy will expand the lockdown of the Lombardy region to the entire country, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Monday as Italy’s case count surged, making it the country with the most COVID-19 cases outside of China.

People throughout the country of 60 million should not travel other than for work or emergencies, Conte said. He added that all public gatherings will be banned and sporting events suspended. The decision was made to protect the most vulnerable people in the country, he said, and the measures will take effect Tuesday and last until April 3.

“The right decision today is to stay at home,” Conte said. “Our future and the future of Italy is in our hands. These hands have to be more responsible today than ever before.”

The nationwide lockdown is an expansion of quarantine measures rolled out over the weekend that applied to an area of the country that encompassed about 16 million people.

Schools and universities all over the country will remain closed until April 3, he said, but public transit will remain operational. All schools in the country were previously closed until March 15. He also said all restaurants and bars across the country will have to close at 6 p.m. (Read more from “Italy Expands Its Quarantine to the Entire Country as Coronavirus Cases and Deaths Surge” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

“Couldn’t Come at a Worse Time”: Putin Declares War on American Oil Production

/8,687 Comments/in , , /by

By Bloomberg. “The Kremlin has decided to sacrifice OPEC+ to stop U.S. shale producers and punish the U.S. for messing with Nord Stream 2,” said Alexander Dynkin, president of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow, a state-run think tank. “Of course, to upset Saudi Arabia could be a risky thing, but this is Russia’s strategy at the moment – flexible geometry of interests” . . .

When the coronavirus started devastating Chinese economic activity in early February – cutting oil demand in Saudi Arabia’s biggest customer by 20% — Prince Abdulaziz tried to convince [Russian Energy Minister Alexander] Novak that they should call an early OPEC+ meeting in response to cutback supply. Novak said no. The Saudi king and Putin spoke by phone ­­– it didn’t help. . .

In the short run, Russia is in a good position to withstand an oil price slump. The budget breaks even at a price of $42 a barrel and the finance ministry has squirreled away billions in a rainy-day fund. Nonetheless, the coronavirus’s impact on the global economy is still unclear and with millions more barrels poised to flood the market, Wall Street analysts are warning oil could test recent lows of $26 a barrel. (Read more from “Putin Declares War on American Oil Production” HERE)
________________________________

Opening the Floodgates of Oil Production Forcing Prices Down

By Brian Sullivan. Vladimir Putin just sparked what could end up being one of the ugliest oil price wars in modern history, and American oil and gas companies may be the victims.

This weekend Saudi Arabia dropped the oil bomb. It not only cut its forward crude price to Chinese customers by as much as $6 or $7 per barrel, but is also reportedly looking to raise its daily crude output by as many as 2 million barrels per day into an already oversupplied global market. Look out below.

The move by the Saudis is both a market share grab and a loud signal to Moscow that it’s done playing games. The dramatic action is in response to a contentious, and ultimately failed, OPEC meeting in Austria on Friday. OPEC members laid out a proposal to further cut oil output quotas by as much as 1.5 million barrels per day. [And it] couldn’t occur at a worse time. Coronavirus is already slamming global oil demand and crude prices have fallen 30% this year . . .

It′s not media hyperbole to call what happened this weekend in the oil markets “historic.” When the Russians walked out of OPEC’s Austria headquarters, it suddenly became every country – and every U.S company – for itself. A race to the top in production and a race to the bottom in prices. (Read more about the oil production crisis HERE)

________________________________

US Oil Production May Prove Resilient

By Jason Lemon. Under Trump, the U.S. has surpassed Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world’s biggest oil producing nation, largely spurred by the expansion of fracking. Saudi Arabia had tried unsuccessfully to flood the oil market and reduce prices drastically to maintain its dominance back in 2014. But U.S. production proved more resilient than the Saudis anticipated.

Some analysts are suggesting that Russia may similarly be underestimating or misunderstanding how the U.S. oil industry will respond.

“While the crash in oil prices that began in late 2014 [due to Saudi Arabia flooding the market] did ultimately result in hundreds of shale producers declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the net result of that process is that most of those companies reorganize themselves and come back with far less debt load,” David Blackmon, an independent energy analyst and consultant, wrote for Forbes.

“The strategy also fails to recognize that most producers have already put hedges in place for most of their equity production through the remainder of 2020 and beyond,” he noted. (Read more about how US oil production may respond HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Quarter of Italy’s Population Quarantined Due to Coronavirus

/0 Comments/in , /by

Italy has shut down the entire region of Lombardy and an additional 14 northern and central provinces, quarantining a quarter of the nation’s population, as the country faces the worst outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus in Europe.

Over 16 million people, including those in Milan and Venice, will be banned from travelling, barring those with special permission, under the government’s strict quarantine measures.

Public spaces such as schools, nightclubs, museums, gyms, ski resorts, and swimming pools will all be closed until at least April 3rd.

Large events such as weddings, funerals, and cultural and religious events will also be banned during the quarantine, according to to the BBC.

Restaurants and cafes will be permitted to be open between six in the morning and six in the evening, but customers will be forced to sit at least one meter (3 feet) apart from each other.

(Read more from “Quarter of Italy’s Population Quarantined Due to Coronavirus” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Olympics Officials Discuss Holding Summer 2020 Games Without Spectators Amid Coronavirus Fears

/0 Comments/in , /by

Medical officers from various sports federations which run the Olympics have discussed with the World Health Organization the possibility of holding the 2020 summer Olympics without spectators.

In a conference call that took place last week, officials brought up a worst-case scenario in which the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak would threaten the health of thousands of spectators expected to fill stadiums at the games in Tokyo, Japan, the New York Times reported on Thursday. If spectators are permitted, medical officials would have to create a screening process to check fans and athletes to detect and prevent the spread of coronavirus. . .

Japan Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto has insisted that the country will go forward with the Olympics this summer. Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee states that the IOC reserves the right to cancel the event if “the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardized for any reason whatsoever.” (Read more from “Olympics Officials Discuss Holding Summer 2020 Games Without Spectators Amid Coronavirus Fears” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

All of Italy’s Regions Infected With Coronavirus; U.S. Death Toll Climbs to 11

/0 Comments/in , /by

By Breitbart. All of Italy’s regions are now infected with the coronavirus, according to the head of Italy’s Civil Protection, Angelo Borrelli, who provided the latest data during a press conference on Thursday.

A total of 3,858 people have been infected with the coronavirus, which is an increase of 590 more people than Wednesday, and 148 more deaths, an increase of 41 more deceased than Wednesday, according to a report by La Repubblica.

Italy’s 20 regions — which are similar to states in the U.S. — are all infected with the coronavirus, as of Thursday. Just last week, only half of Italy’s regions were infected. The disease is mostly concentrated in northern regions, such as Lombardy (2,251), Emilia-Romagna (698), and Veneto (407).

“So far, 10.7% of the total of those who contracted the coronavirus have recovered, the dead is at 3.8%,” said Borrelli.

“There are no critical issues in our hospitals, including those in Lombardy who are overworked,” he added. (Read more from “All of Italy’s Regions Infected With Coronavirus” HERE)

_______________________________________________________

U.S. Death Toll Climbs to 11

By VOX. Washington state:

41 cases
10 deaths
1 out of 41 recovered

California:

38 cases
1 death
2 out of 38 recovered

New York:

25 cases

Illinois:

5 cases
2 out of 5 recovered

Florida:

4 cases

(Read more from “U.S. Death Toll Climbs to 11” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Despicable Chinese Cover-Up Started in December, More Evidence Coronavirus is an Escaped Bioweapon

/0 Comments/in , , /by

By New York Post. Chinese scientists knew about the coronavirus and its deadly effects as early as December — but were ordered by government officials to suppress the evidence, according to a report.

In late December, several genomics companies tested samples from sick patients in Wuhan — the center of the coronavirus outbreak — and noticed alarming similarities between their illnesses and the 2002 SARS virus, the Sunday Times of London reported, citing Chinese business news site Caixin Global.

The researchers alerted Beijing of their findings — and on Jan. 3, received a gag order from China’s National Health Commission, with instructions to destroy the samples.

Rather than hunkering down to contain the virus, Wuhan officials went ahead with their annual potluck dinner for 40,000 families. (Read more from “Despicable Chinese Cover-Up Started in December, More Evidence Coronavirus Is an Escaped Bioweapon” HERE)

________________________________________________

Coronavirus Taking a Toll on Chinese Restaurants in New York

By New York Post. Even the Big Apple’s most beloved Chinese restaurants are in critical condition as the coronavirus keeps customers at bay.

Restaurant owners, the people who work for them and city lawmakers say business at Chinese-owned establishments has plummeted by as much as 60 percent as the global pandemic spreads. Some restaurants in Queens have closed, possibly for good, sources said.

“It’s been terrible for business,” said Thomas Lo, a co-owner of Spy C Cuisine of Forest Hills, Queens, which opened in 2018 and garnered a coveted spot in this year’s Michelin Guide. “We’ve had a steady increase in business since we opened, and then coronavirus hit,” said Lo, who is an anesthesiologist by day and a chef by night.

“None of our food comes from China, but that doesn’t matter to diners. I don’t know what motivated the scare. A lot of it is misinformation,” said Lo, who says business at Spy C is down more than 50 percent from a month ago. (Read more from “Coronavirus Taking a Toll on Chinese Restaurants in New York” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

U.S. Places New Restrictions on Chinese Journalists

/0 Comments/in , /by

In a briefing to reporters on Monday, senior Trump administration officials announced a set of restrictions to be placed on Chinese journalists operating in the United States.

Why it matters: The unprecedented restrictions are aimed at upholding “reciprocity” in U.S.-China relations amid a deteriorating media environment in China, the officials said.

Details: U.S. administration officials said that two types of restrictions will be put into place in the coming weeks.

The administration will place a duration of stay on all Chinese nationals who are in the United States on I visas, the visa type given to foreign media workers. They will be eligible to request extensions when their visas expire.

The five Chinese state-run media outlets that were recently designated by the State Department as “foreign missions” will now face a limit on the total number of Chinese nationals working for them in the United States at any given time.

(Read more from “U.S. Places New Restrictions on Chinese Journalists” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

First U.S. Coronavirus Death; Iranian Coronavirus Deaths Way Higher Than Government Admits; 3 New Cases of Unknown Origin In U.S.; Pandemic Preppers Arm Up, ‘Person With The Most Ammo Wins’

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

By KIRO 7. The Washington Department of Health confirmed Saturday the first coronavirus-related death in the United States, a King County man in his 50s.

The man who later died arrived at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland with “serious respiratory issues” and later tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), King County Public Health said. Officials said the man also had underlying health conditions, although they declined to say what the conditions were, citing patient privacy.

“It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to their family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.”

The man had no history of travel or contact with a known coronavirus case, meaning the case was acquired through “community transmission” in the Seattle area, said Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. (Read more about first coronavirus deaths HERE)

___________________________________________________

Iranian Coronavirus Deaths Far Higher than Official Number

By Breitbart. BBC Persian cites Iranian health sources who claim that at least 210 people may have died from the coronavirus in Iran. If true, that is significantly higher than the official death toll of 34.

Health sources in Iran told reporters with BBC Persian that at least 210 patients in that country died from the Covid-19 coronavirus. The Iranian government denies the number and claims that only 34 have died. Either way, it is the largest number of coronavirus deaths in any country outside of China.

Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur rejected that report and stood by the official death reports placing the number of decedents at 34, Reuters reported on Friday.

However, Iranian Member of Parliament Gholamali Jafarzadeh Imenabadi contradicted the government’s statement and claimed the real death toll in Iran is “much higher” than the official death toll, Alarabiya reports.

“I say this explicitly, the statistics presented so far are not true,” he said. The MP added that he has statistics from cemeteries about the death toll that reveal “horrific numbers.” (Read more from “Coronavirus Deaths May Be Much Higher Than Iranian Government Admitted” HERE)

___________________________________________________

New Coronavirus Cases in California and Oregon Are Second and Third of Unknown Origin

By CNN. An older adult woman from California is the second case of unknown origin of the novel coronavirus, health officials in Santa Clara County said Friday.

The patient didn’t have any relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient, said Dr. Sara Cody, director of the county’s public health department. . .

Another case in Oregon reported Friday is thought to be from community transmission but health officials there said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needs to confirm the state’s positive test result.

The person is from Washington County and is being treated at a Kaiser Permanente hospital. (Read more from “New Coronavirus Cases in California and Oregon Are Second and Third of Unknown Origin” HERE)

___________________________________________________

Pandemic Preppers Arm Up, ‘Person With The Most Ammo Wins’

By Washington Examiner. Some Washington big shots like others around the country are readying for the potential further outbreak of the coronavirus by stocking up on “prepper” goods, including pistols, rifles, and ammunition, and reaching out to camps where they can hide out.

“We’ve had a huge surge in interest from the virus,” said Drew Miller, who runs the Fortitude Ranch camp in West Virginia. Miller said his “survival community” in Colorado has filled up, and he is close to selling out memberships in West Virginia as concerns about the virus increase.

Stores that sell freeze-dried food and bullets have also seen a surge in sales.

Justin Anderson, the marketing director for Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the nation’s largest, said ammunition is the top seller. “I’ve seen a notable spike in the purchase of bulk ammo, which is usually a barometer of people’s fear in these types of situations,” he said, adding, “The person with the most ammo wins.” . . .

“We have always been prepared for a pandemic,” he told us, explaining that his camps keep families apart so an infection won’t spread but are behind a wall for defense. “Lots of spread out buildings and shallow shelters (we have NO deep underground shelters) lets our members grab weapons and get to their assigned defensive position on the outer wall in a minute,” he said. (Read more from “Pandemic Preppers Arm Up, ‘Person With The Most Ammo Wins'” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE