Wuhan Virus -
See FR threads on the virus for other issues. Below are the news items that grab my attention.
The US has surpassed 1000 infections since the first community infection (excluding those brought in from out of country) was reported Jan 21st in Washington State. Feb 26 - 15 cases; Mar 4 - 111 cases and today 1000+ cases. The numbers are indicating that the number infected is likely to be doubling every 4-5 days. Some analysts are indicating that based on the growth of the number of infections that the US is where Italy was 11 - 14 days ago.
Most of the infections are concentrated on the west coast, where the concentration of homeless is also the largest in the country. Once the virus penetrates into that community it will likely spread like wild fire with a high death rate (most have compromised health issues) and with it into the down town workers (homeless coughing and sneezing on everything, spreading to others). This is also putting strain on shelters - having to increase personal space and volunteer worker safety measures.
Iran freed 70,000 prisoners to try to prevent the spread of the virus in the prison system. No Americans were freed however. Iran is the worst hit country after China and Italy with grossly under reported numbers of infections and deaths.
China and S Korea have been reporting rapidly declining numbers of new infections. Both countries instituted harsh quarantines and other restrictions. This policy of containment appears to have worked. In the US and other countries containment has shifted to mitigation - that is accepting that there will be infections, but trying to protect those at highest risk of dying from the disease.
Turkey/Russia/Syria -
Erdogan and Putin managed to put together a cease fire in Idlib. Turkey warned that if the truce is broken it will retaliate.
Israel / Iran / Syria -
A field commander with the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Sayeda Zeinab, was assassinated near the Syrian capital, an Iranian semiofficial news agency and an opposition war monitor reported Saturday. No one has come forward and claimed responsibility, but many suspect Israel.
BREAKING
Iraq -
Estimated 30 rockets were launched within the hour towards Taji airbase hosting US forces. An abandoned cargo truck with launch tubes was found in Al-Rashidiyah area, northern Baghdad. No word on any causalities.