***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.”

[Redbled]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

A COVID-19 outbreak among bus drivers and transportation staff has forced Bloomington Public Schools to abruptly move elementary students back to distance learning, less than two weeks after schools reopened for in-person instruction.

The district was one of many in Minnesota that began reopening elementary schools this month following a change in state guidelines. Now, it's the first in the metro area to reverse course because of widespread virus activity. The move comes as other large districts, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, are preparing to bring students back to classrooms and fielding significant safety concerns from teachers and their unions.

Be interested to see if they were following protocols at their transportation hubs.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Interesting way to look at j&j give it more for 30 and under?

@jazayerli: Boom. This was the news I was hoping for. It may not seem as effective as Pfizer or Moderna, but it's 1 shot vs. 2, and hospitalization/death from Covid appears almost completely eliminated.

Now let's get this baby approved and in people's arms. And open up the country by May. https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1355140072379613185

@jazayerli: That is my thinking, that we prioritize the J&J vaccine for lower-risk patients, or frankly, anyone who is scared of vaccines and is unlikely to follow up for a second shot. Keep using the Pfizer/Moderna shot on people over 40 and high-risk folks. Mortality should drop fast. https://twitter.com/Mayday814/status...74650460991490

From a societal perspective, it kind of makes sense. If you are personally at risk of severe illness, get the "good" vaccine. For those of us who are otherwise low risk anyway, the J&J will significantly slow the spread and give SOME immunity.

I'm in. Gimme.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by DaFace

From a societal perspective, it kind of makes sense. If you are personally at risk of severe illness, get the "good" vaccine. For those of us who are otherwise low risk anyway, the J&J will significantly slow the spread and give SOME immunity.

I'm in. Gimme.

No. Give me the good one. Don't give me some half assed shit.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by loochy

No. Give me the good one. Don't give me some half assed shit.

Yeah, same here.

However, I would be interested to see how efficient they are on different strains. I think that'll also be pretty important.

[Bearcat]

Came down with something this week that started as unusual fatigue for a few days, followed by extreme tiredness one day, freezing hands that probably had to do with a 100.3 temp, muscle aches in various places, fever going away on its own just to return hours later, etc.

I got the first shot 3 weeks ago, scheduled for the 2nd late next week... so, my theory is maybe it's Covid related, but the first shot is helping with symptoms?

I'm sure it could be a million other things... I have yet to plug symptoms into Google, or else I'd diagnose myself with Guillain-Barre or some other disease I'm only familiar with because I've watched the House series about 5 times all the way through.

And also, acetaminophen is amazing. I'm rarely symptomatic with anything and don't remember the last time I've even felt like I've had to take it. Five stars, highly recommended.

[joethomas]

Good news on J&J. And if you look at Israel who are furthest ahead on vaccinations, it's already making a real impact among the elderly

[joethomas]

I read somewhere that there were some examples of people getting covid after one dose but no severe cases had been found

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Coach

Yeah, same here.



However, I would be interested to see how efficient they are on different strains. I think that'll also be pretty important.

Again, it just depends on the timing. If I have a choice of any of the three, sure, I'd go for Pfizer or Moderna. But if it's gonna be July before I can get those and I can get J&J in March, it's a no brainer to get it done sooner than later.

[neech]

I think J&J is hoping to get approved with the intention of targeting Central/South America counties. Millions of people vaccinated with with just one shot, many of them might not return for the second shot of Moderna or Pfizer so that makes sense.

Billions of people in the world to vaccinate.

[Easy 6]

Democrat rep has covid even after receiving both doses of Pfizer vax

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...?ocid=msedgntp

[njchiefs]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Democrat rep has covid even after receiving both doses of Pfizer vax

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...?ocid=msedgntp

And he remains “asymptomatic”. The vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent one from contracting the virus. But it does nearly eliminate the likelihood of contracting severe disease, probably by very significantly reducing the viral load. By the same reasoning it probably will not eliminate the possibility of those vaccinated from spreading the disease, but will very significantly reduce this possibility. 95% effective. 95%. That’s 5% less than 100%.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by O.city

I’m supposed to go to Scotland in July for a golf trip. Anyone think that’s happening ?

Originally Posted by IrishChief

Im travelling to America in November. Couple of questions if anyone can help.
1. I will need a PCR test before flying home, how much generally are they and are they widely available?
2. I will be flying internally to a few states, will i need a PCR test for each internal flight?

You guys should switch tickets. Problem solved.

[O.city]

So hospitalizations and cases here are still plummeting which is great. But why? Is it just a saturation thing? Have enough people got it and died or recovered where hitting some kind of immunity?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by O.city

So hospitalizations and cases here are still plummeting which is great. But why? Is it just a saturation thing? Have enough people got it and died or recovered where hitting some kind of immunity?

I've been asking myself the same questions. We've had consistently low case counts and hospitalizations in the mid twenties for a while now. I'm also curious if the vaccine is playing any role?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by TLO

I've been asking myself the same questions. We've had consistently low case counts and hospitalizations in the mid twenties for a while now. I'm also curious if the vaccine is playing any role?

I dunno. I can't imagine they've had enough out there to make a difference yet?

MO has only got about 5% of it's total population vaccinated. But I guess, you add the amount who have actually gotten covid maybe to that and were close to something?