Matthew Bennett

5. On the positive side, the cured rate in Spain has also gone up over the past 10 days: 19/3: 6.12% 20/3: 7.93% 21/3: 8.53% 22/3: 9.01% 23/3: 10.14% 24/3: 9.56% 25/3: 11.27% 26/3: 12.48% 27/3: 14.61% 28/3: 17.00%

6. Fernando Simón: "We might think that in some areas of the country the peak is already being passed".

7. Fernando Simón: "We are getting there…we don't know exactly when…but we are already reaching that peak that worries us…we still have a major problem with the saturation of our intensive care units".

8. Fernando Simón: there are several Spanish regions that are "very close" to their limit in intensive care capacity.

10. In Murcia, in a period of three days, 24 more healthcare workers have been infected. The 115 positive results came from 1,228 PCR tests, a 9.4% positive rate. 47 nurses, 33 doctors and 10 auxiliary nurses account for 78% of Coronavirus infections among healthcare workers.

11. There are also four hospital porters in Murcia who have tested positive for Coronavirus and I understand that "HQ-061", with a total of 20 cases, is mostly professionals in ambulances.

12. The numbers have a certain degree of mismatch because of the time each data point reaches me but 115 healthcare workers out of 802 total Coronavirus cases in Murcia = 14.3%.

17. It seems Sánchez is about to make another statement about Coronavirus in Spain. Let's hope he doesn't repeat last week's controlled monologue with no new announcements in it.

18. Sánchez starts with "emotional thoughts" for "the victims of COVID-19". He offers "encouragement" and "hope" to hospitals and the sick.

19. Sánchez: “Europe did not give birth to this virus […] the virus penetrated Europe". He wants to see a resounding, rapid, supportive European response.

20. "If Europe wants to, Europe can", says Sánchez. He wants to see "brave decisions" in Europe.

21. Sánchez wants Europe to move to a "war economy" in order to "promote resistance". He repeats his request for a new Marshall Plan against Coronavirus. "Now it's up to Europe to protect the weakest", he adds.

22. At least this week the Spanish Prime Minister has a message: a criticism of Europe.

23. BREAK: Spain suspends all non-essential work and economic activity because of Coronavirus. Sánchez announces that "all workers in non-essential activities will have to stay at home for the next two weeks" in Spain. Starting Monday, March 30, the day after tomorrow.

24. "Sacrifice, endurance and victorious morale", says Sánchez.

25. Building projects in Spain stop for two weeks, says Sánchez, construction workers should go home.

26. Sánchez says the media is an essential service.

27. Sánchez, on Europe: "We cannot come out of this with debt…we have to mutualise". He does not like the phrase "Coronavirus bonds", prefers "reconstruction bonds".

28. Sánchez says Spain has ordered 659 million masks.

29. Sánchez: "659 million masks and more than 30 million for healthcare professionals".

30. If they have ordered 659 million, that's 14 masks for every Spaniard.

31. Sánchez did not say if the 659 million masks Spain has supposedly ordered are surgical, FFP2 or FFP3.

32. We shall see over time what happens to the figure of 659 million masks: if it becomes reality, how much they cost, what kind they are, if they arrive or not, when they arrive, or if the figure undergoes downward revisions with the passage of time and publication of documents.

34. National Police Deputy Director Operations had said they had been trying to acquire protective material for officers for THREE MONTHS. "3 weeks…" govt propaganda chief suggested. No, no, they were ordered to try to buy masks and gloves "TWO MONTHS ago".