***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.”

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by Rausch

From what I'm reading smoking, existing lung issues, and age are what the worst cases have in common.

I'm a smoker myself but I've already started a dramatic cut down and hopefully fully quitting. It won't prevent anything - my lungs are already damaged - but it will prevent whatever is to come from being worse by adding to the problem.

If you are a smoker read up now on ACE 2 receptors, smoking, and the virus. I don't claim to fully understand the studies or medical papers but I understand enough to know smoking and this virus are a very bad combination.

Triage or prioritizing resources might have to start at some point and if it does how will a doc treat a patient they know is going to leave and go right back to destroying their lungs on purpose?

I'm a smoker and I realize this...

Are weed enthusiasts and vapers lumped into smoking numbers , just curious , also good luck quitting smoking I know how tough it can be .

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by srvy

Good grief do a little research instead of jumping the gun to be first every time.

thought you were banned for political posts?

[Chiefshrink]

Panic ??? It's the flu season folks !!! The flu has been in every country of the world at this time of year affecting the elderly the most in death since the dawn of time. Just over 600 cases in NY out of 8 million people who live there ? If it was time to panic those numbers would be in the hundreds of thousands by now IF this was serious. Just over 3000 cases confirmed nationally with 57 deaths out of 350 million as a nation ? IF this was serious these numbers nationally would be in the millions with thousands and thousands of deaths already. Sounds like the flu season to me. Oh No ! CBS has shut down there studio audiences because 2 employees out hundreds of employees have the flu !!!! Imagine that this time of year !!

It's the flu season folks !!

Not buying it !! The numbers just don't back it up and yes some countries are worse than others based on their preparedness or lack thereof.

What I do buy !!! "Never let a ginned up crisis go to waste" !!!

[KCUnited]

Illinois Governor Considers Locking Down Restaurants and Bars in Wake of Coronavirus
Governor Pritzker’s remarks come after Saturday, when St. Patrick’s pub crawls packed bars and ignored social distancing

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Mar 15, 2020, 10:56am CDT

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/3/15/...19-coronavirus

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Spott

Ditto, except I was the younger sibling. Kept occupied by playing with sticks, playing in the creek and waiting for the real cartoons to come on tv.

thats hilarious. Just sit at home. No one cares your bored.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Rumor is they are going to say we have community spread here in Clinton due to a 72 yr old man that came to GVMH with a cold but no other symptoms really so they let him go home.


Sounds like they didn't quarantine the staff so.....

Jesus

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by Rausch

From what I'm reading smoking, existing lung issues, and age are what the worst cases have in common.

I'm a smoker myself but I've already started a dramatic cut down and hopefully fully quitting. It won't prevent anything - my lungs are already damaged - but it will prevent whatever is to come from being worse by adding to the problem.



I'm a smoker and I realize this...

I'm right there with you.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Panic ??? It's the flu season folks !!! The flu has been in every country of the world at this time of year affecting the elderly the most in death since the dawn of time. Just over 600 cases in NY out of 8 million people who live there ? If it was time to panic those numbers would be in the hundreds of thousands by now IF this was serious. Just over 3000 cases confirmed nationally with 57 deaths out of 350 million as a nation ? IF this was serious these numbers nationally would be in the millions with thousands and thousands of deaths already. Sounds like the flu season to me. Oh No ! CBS has shut down there studio audiences because 2 employees out hundreds of employees have the flu !!!! Imagine that this time of year !!

It's the flu season folks !!

Not buying it !! The numbers just don't back it up and yes some countries are worse than others based on their preparedness or lack thereof.

What I do buy !!! "Never let a ginned up crisis go to waste" !!!

Yeah, we should wait until everyone has it before doing anything about it.

Leave the critical thinking to other people.

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Panic ??? It's the flu season folks !!! The flu has been in every country of the world at this time of year affecting the elderly the most in death since the dawn of time. Just over 600 cases in NY out of 8 million people who live there ? If it was time to panic those numbers would be in the hundreds of thousands by now IF this was serious. Just over 3000 cases confirmed nationally with 57 deaths out of 350 million as a nation ? IF this was serious these numbers nationally would be in the millions with thousands and thousands of deaths already. Sounds like the flu season to me. Oh No ! CBS has shut down there studio audiences because 2 employees out hundreds of employees have the flu !!!! Imagine that this time of year !!

It's the flu season folks !!

Not buying it !! The numbers just don't back it up and yes some countries are worse than others based on their preparedness or lack thereof.

What I do buy !!! "Never let a ginned up crisis go to waste" !!!

Since Dane isn't here to remind everybody..

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, we should wait until everyone has it before doing anything about it.

Leave the critical thinking to other people.

You can just "Chicken Little" yourself right on down the road then continuing to make all those Lefty turns each and every day. Have fun wringing your hands.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by stumppy

Since Dane isn't here to remind everybody..

Yeah where is George Costanza ? I saw him not to long ago posting on here.

Where are the numbers then? Or should I say like this little ol lady from years ago said.

[SupDock]

Gov. Pritzker to announce all Illinois bars and restaurants will be closed starting at end of business day on Monday.

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) March 15, 2020

[suzzer99]

Ohio closing bars and restaurants too. Gyms and workout classes can't be far behind.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, we should wait until everyone has it before doing anything about it.

Leave the critical thinking to other people.

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

You can just "Chicken Little" yourself right on down the road then continuing to make all those Lefty turns each and every day. Have fun wringing your hands.

bearcat is “chicken little” and a “lefty”. I’ve had a lot of differences with him over the years but I’ve never known those terms to be applicable to him.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by SupDock

Gov. Pritzker to announce all Illinois bars and restaurants will be closed starting at end of business day on Monday.

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) March 15, 2020

Those employees need every dime.

bummer.