***NON-POLITICAL COVID-19 Discussion Thread***

[JakeF]

A couple of reminders...

Originally Posted by Bwana

Once again, don't come in this thread with some kind of political agenda, or you will be shown the door. If you want to go that route, there is a thread about this in DC.

Originally Posted by Dartgod

People, there is a lot of good information in this thread, let's try to keep the petty bickering to a minimum.

We all have varying opinions about the impact of this, the numbers, etc. We will all never agree with each other. But we can all keep it civil.

Thanks!

Click here for the original OP:

Spoiler!

Apparently the CoronaVirus can survive on a inanimate objects, such as door knobs, for 9 days.

California coronavirus case could be first spread within U.S. community, CDC says
By SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA, JACLYN COSGROVE
FEB. 26, 2020 8:04 PM

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating what could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did.

“At this time, the patient’s exposure is unknown. It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States,” the CDC said in a statement. “Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.”

The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The CDC said the “case was detected through the U.S. public health system — picked up by astute clinicians.”

Officials at UC Davis Medical Center expanded on what the federal agency might have meant by that in an email sent Wednesday, as reported by the Davis Enterprise newspaper.

The patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19 and “had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition,” according to an email sent by UC Davis officials that was obtained by the Davis Enterprise.

The staff at UC Davis requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, but because the patient didn’t fit the CDC’s existing criteria for the virus, a test wasn’t immediately administered, according to the email. The CDC then ordered the test Sunday, and results were announced Wednesday. Hospital administrators reportedly said in the email that despite these issues, there has been minimal exposure at the hospital because of safety protocols they have in place.

A UC Davis Health spokesperson declined Wednesday evening to share the email with The Times.

Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said.

“This is a new virus, and while we are still learning about it, there is a lot we already know,” Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California.”

It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who had traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread. That raises concern that the virus is spreading in the United States, creating a challenge for public health officials, experts say.

“It’s the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. “It probably means there are many more cases out there, and it probably means this individual has infected others, and now it’s a race to try to find out who that person has infected.”

On Tuesday, the CDC offered its most serious warning to date that the United States should expect and prepare for the coronavirus to become a more widespread health issue.

“Ultimately, we expect we will see coronavirus spread in this country,” said Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “It’s not so much a question of if, but a question of when.”

According to the CDC’s latest count Wednesday morning, 59 U.S. residents have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus — 42 of whom are repatriated citizens from a Diamond Princess cruise. That number has grown by two since Messonnier’s last count Tuesday, although the CDC was not immediately available to offer details on the additional cases.

More than 82,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported globally, and more than 2,700 people have died, with the majority in mainland China, the epicenter of the outbreak.

But public health leaders have repeatedly reminded residents that the health risk from the novel coronavirus to the general public remains low.

“While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate,” the state Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday. “From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80% do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.”

CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk.

Gostin said the news of potential silent transmission does not eliminate the possibility of containing the virus in the U.S. and preventing an outbreak.

“There are few enough cases that we should at least try,” he said. “Most of us are not optimistic that that will be successful, but we’re still in the position to try.”

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Chitownchiefsfan

Did they reach herd immunity or did they test and trace fast enough early on to prevent it from spreading?

I'm told that the only way to drive cases into the ground and R0 below 1 is to reach herd immunity. They did that. Therefore, they must have reached herd immunity.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by O.city

Vietnam is having problems now as well.

Australia had it beat it seemed, now not so much. New Zealand is having economic issues because of lack of travel.

This is what Vietnam is doing for 30 new cases. This is how it is supposed to be done. America take note.

The 1.1 million-population city of Danang quit taking domestic tourists for 14 days, halted many gatherings and shuttered non-essential services such as bars and amusement parks, domestic news website VnExpress International reported.

Flights, buses, taxis, and trains to and from Da Nang are suspended too, business consultancy Dezan Shira & Associates says on its website. Thousands of tourists there now must remain.

Quang Nam, a province bordering Danang, planned starting Wednesday to close bars, internet shops, cinemas and other spots to stop any disease spread there, the news website reported.

“Danang is done,” Nguyen said. “There are no tourists coming in or out."

[TLO]

Originally Posted by O.city

Vietnam is having problems now as well.

Australia had it beat it seemed, now not so much. New Zealand is having economic issues because of lack of travel.

Welp.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Should have worn goggles.

Still confused about the way masks work? I know you found a very simple concept difficult to understand.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

This is what Vietnam is doing for 30 new cases. This is how it is supposed to be done. America take note.

I'm so sick of the "USA BAD! (Enter country name here) GOOD!!!!" talk. This isn't directed at you Dirk, but it's completely foolish.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by TLO

I'm so sick of the "USA BAD! (Enter country name here) GOOD!!!!" talk. This isn't directed at you Dirk, but it's completely foolish.

Are there other countries were people are intentionally defying mitigation efforts for political and other reasons?

I know Brazil is really bad, but I kind of understand why. They have a dumbass President and a bunch of favelas to deal with.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by TLO

I'm so sick of the "USA BAD! (Enter country name here) GOOD!!!!" talk. This isn't directed at you Dirk, but it's completely foolish.

Why? Do you think that we've handled the pandemic well comparatively?

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Pants

Still confused about the way masks work? I know you found a very simple concept difficult to understand.

Ummm I fully understand the concept of how masks are supposed to work. They are supposed to keep the mask wearer form infecting other people by keeping droplets out of the air.

Which is why I also understand the need to wear goggles makes no sense if you think the masks work.

And if you are around people not wearing a mask, don't get close enough to get coughed up. I mean when was the last time you were coughed on or sneezed on by someone outside your household?

Simple concepts are hard to understand but not by me.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Pants

Are there other countries were people are intentionally defying mitigation efforts for political and other reasons?

I know Brazil is really bad, but I kind of understand why. They have a dumbass President and a bunch of favelas to deal with.

Do you realize outside of NY and NJ the US numbers are comparable to most any other "modern" country in the world? Did NY and NJ defy efforts for political reasons?

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by TLO

I'm so sick of the "USA BAD! (Enter country name here) GOOD!!!!" talk. This isn't directed at you Dirk, but it's completely foolish.

It's not foolish when it comes to discussing how we have handled Covid. Look at how the vast majority of countries handled Covid and then think of what our individual cities\states do and compare them.

30+ cases in 1 city, Vietnam takes aggressive action. 30+ cases in one American city nothing happens life goes on..well until the cases explodes and mass death follows.

When is enough is enough for us? How many deaths are we willing to tolerate? Obviously 150k in 6 months isn't enough.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Pants

Are there other countries were people are intentionally defying mitigation efforts for political and other reasons?

I know Brazil is really bad, but I kind of understand why. They have a dumbass President and a bunch of favelas to deal with.

I won't claim to know exactly what other countries are doing, but I feel comfortable saying that a large number of locations either can't/won't put into place mitigation efforts.

Originally Posted by Donger

Why? Do you think that we've handled the pandemic well comparatively?

I think if every county/region on Earth did mass testing we'd probably realize this is one giant cluster**** that everyone is a part of (besides New Zealand and apparently North Korea)

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Ummm I fully understand the concept of how masks are supposed to work. They are supposed to keep the mask wearer form infecting other people by keeping droplets out of the air.

Which is why I also understand the need to wear goggles makes no sense if you think the masks work.

And if you are around people not wearing a mask, don't get close enough to get coughed up. I mean when was the last time you were coughed on or sneezed on by someone outside your household?

Simple concepts are hard to understand but not by me.

Masks can prevent the wearer from inhaling a droplet. Just like goggles or eyeglasses can prevent a droplet getting in your eye(s).

[Donger]

Originally Posted by TLO

I think if every county/region on Earth did mass testing we'd probably realize this is one giant cluster**** that everyone is a part of (besides New Zealand and apparently North Korea)

I think that many countries are doing mass testing per capita. It would be interesting to see how many other countries have positivity percentages like ours, which is 7.8% today and thankfully trending down slowly.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Donger

Masks can prevent the wearer from inhaling a droplet. Just like goggles or eyeglasses can prevent a droplet getting in your eye(s).

They "can" but its not likely nor is it the main purpose. Its more likely the droplet sits on your mask while you inhale and exhale and eventually some gets in.

And again why do you need to wear goggles if the people around you are wearing masks? Where are the droplets coming from?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

It's not foolish when it comes to discussing how we have handled Covid. Look at how the vast majority of countries handled Covid and then think of what our individual cities\states do and compare them.

30+ cases in 1 city, Vietnam takes aggressive action. 30+ cases in one American city nothing happens life goes on..well until the cases explodes and mass death follows.

When is enough is enough for us? How many deaths are we willing to tolerate? Obviously 150k in 6 months isn't enough.

I don't know. I don't think the actions they are taking over 30 cases is particularly smart though. Are they just going to open up and shut back down for all eternity?