by TheProdigalS0n
China is done for 2020. The Chinese government is publicly stating that there are over 35,000 confirmed infections/cases (which cannot be trusted). Boots on the ground are saying the real number of infected is much higher (with some even claiming the figure is 1.5 million infected with countless diseased bodies being cremated daily which may well just be FUD). It is without question that there are between 140-250 million Chinese citizens currently sequestered in their homes in quarantined cities and large swaths of the country are ghost towns on lockdown with nothing coming in or out. I tend to split the difference between good/bad news, but the trending news from China has not been giving me any comfort.
Every time positive news breaks (e.g. Chinese factories reopening on the 10th, number of infected in Wuhan has already peaked, disease only fatal to elderly and babies, mortality rate of infected projected to be 2%, infection survivors build lasting antibodies to combat re-infection, etc.) it is inevitably followed by reversals (e.g. factories to “voluntarily” remain closed until March 1st, Wuhan infections based on “current data” projected to peak at least two weeks out, Chinese companies attempting to cancel commodities contracts, disease affects young and healthy alike, mortality rate of infected projected to be 5%-25% and requiring non-stop oxygen supply for 2 weeks, reinfection rate high as no lasting antibodies remain after infection to combat virus, etc.). This situation is by no means contained and is still developing in real time.
Reuters – Global Firms’ Insurance Coverage Does Not Cover Losses From Virus
Financial Times: Energy Braces For 25% Drop in Chinese Demand
Epoch Times: Virus Survives Airborne For 5 Days
Video: China’s Public Numbers Cannot Be Trusted
Bloomberg: China Sacrifices An Entire Province In Effort To Contain Virus
NY Post: China Admits Defeat And Finally Accepts Foreign Aid To Contain Virus
NY Times : China Delayed Virus Response For 3 Weeks
Daily Mail: Chinese KFC Worker Infected With Virus For Weeks
BNO: China Quarantines Baodi District Near Beijing
The Times: UK Faces Major Virus Outbreak
SCMP: Hong Kong Identifies 8 New Infected Raising Minimum Infected to 35
Reuters: China Stops Foxconn From Reopening Factories
Financial Times: Chinese Commodity Traders Renege On Shipments
Yahoo News: China Reneges On Commodity Deals
CNN: Virus Death Toll Quickly Surpasses Total Number of SARS Deaths
Video: Chinese Governments Entombing Citizens In Attempt To Curb Virus
Daily Mail: China Hunting Down Those Suspected Of Infection
Nigeria Raises Alarm Over Strange Epidemic Outbreak
Video: Chinese Quarantined Cities Are Ghost Towns
Daily Mail: China Begins Mass Arrests Of All Those Suspected Of Infection
Forbes: Wynn Losing $2.6 Million Per Day In Macau
SCMP: China Locks Down Hangzhou
The Independent: Macau Becomes Ghost Town With Casinos Shut Down At Least Until February 20
SCMP: No Lasting Antibodies For Virus Raising Chances of Re-Infection For Those Cured