Thursday April 30, 2009

Swine flu map roundup

Been looking around to see if people have put up swine flu maps.
Apparently there are quite a few. Here's a roundup of 3 of them :

1. H1N1 Swine Flu on Google Maps - this might be the first swine flu map put up
2. HealthMap Global Disease Alert Map - entire world at a glance
3. 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak Map - this indicates the number of people on the map markers

See also :

1. Mexico to shut down economy as WHO says swine flu pandemic imminent

(2009-04-30 23:57:31 SGT) [Env] Permalink

Mexico to shut down economy as WHO says swine flu pandemic imminent

news.yahoo.com :

Mexican President Felipe Calderon told his people to stay home from Friday [1 May 2009] for a five-day partial shutdown of the economy, after the World Health Organization said a swine flu pandemic was imminent. Calderon ordered government offices and private businesses not crucial to the economy to stop work to avoid further infections from the new virus, which has killed up to 176 people in Mexico and is now spreading around the world. 12 countries have reported cases of the H1N1 strain, with the Netherlands the latest to join the list.

WHO raised its alert level to phase 5, the last step before a pandemic. Mexico's central bank warned the outbreak could deepen the nation's recession, hurting an economy that has already shrunk 8% from the previous year in Q1 2009. The United States, Canada and many other countries have advised against non-essential travel to Mexico. Many tourists were hurrying to leave, crowding airports.

- This thing is spreading a little *too* rapidly. From being practically unheard of to just about a full-blown epidemic all in one week. The alternative media is already out in full force :

The new Mexican Swine Flu has elements of DNA from the following: avian flu, human flu Type A, human flu Type B, Asian swine flu, and European swine flu. A strange combination never seen before and having less than 1/10% chance of being a natural event. Human and animal viruses from four or more continents suddenly recombine in a new flu during a non-flu season that spreads from human-to-human with a 10% fatality rating ...

- That last part above has been reported by the MSM (mainstream media) as well, and there's quite a bit of buzz about it. Some people are thinking the unthinkable, and who can blame them? Stories like these (vials of a swine flu variant exploding on a train) aren't very helpful either.

(2009-04-30 23:46:45 SGT) [Biz] Permalink

Chrysler to proceed with bankruptcy

This article belongs to the GM, Ford and Chrysler bankruptcy watch story arc.

news.yahoo.com :

Chrysler will proceed with Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection now that talks with debtholders have broken down, an administration official said on Thursday [30 Apr 2009].

- This is breaking news, and the initial report above is all that there is for now. So it looks like Chrysler is going bankrupt first, and GM is probably going to be next. It has been quite a while, since the first postings back in 2006 ("Chrysler plans production cut") and 2007 ("Chrysler struggles to shift unsold inventory").

Update :

bloomberg.com :

Chrysler will proceed today with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing to reorganize into a more viable carmaker in a partnership with Italy's Fiat, an Obama administration official said. The president's staff plans to use the filing to pave the way for Fiat to take a 20% stake in Chrysler. If Chrysler has to go through bankruptcy, it won't take long, Obama said. The goal is to finish the bankruptcy in 30 to 60 days, people familiar with the plan said.

- They're making it look like Fiat is some kind of hero white knight. You know, I don't really think so. In fact, I find this purported deal a little odd.

See also :

1. Chrysler plans to cut 10000 jobs
2. GM, Ford, Chrysler face bankruptcy risk on crisis : S&P
3. GM risks bankruptcy as it runs out of cash, losing $73 billion since 2004, suspends Chrysler merger
4. GM, Chrysler may go bankrupt after Senate rejects auto bailout plan as talks collapse
5. GM said to speed bankruptcy plans

(2009-04-30 22:10:19 SGT) [Biz] Permalink

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