***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.”

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Donger

MEXICO CITY (AP) — While the coronavirus pandemic has led authorities around the globe to cancel concerts and sporting events, and even shut down daily activities in some places, Mexico City is going ahead with Vive Latino — one of the most important music festivals in the country.

looks like DisneyWorld last night.

[Kiimo]

Not such an insensitive gift now, was it? pic.twitter.com/09Nbyj1Wty

— Elika Sadeghi (@elikasadeghi) March 16, 2020

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by petegz28

There are several districts starting to say that. I mean hell, you're already half-way through March and are closing for a month. Why even re-open?

Why? The end of the school year isn't until June 20th.

Also, the K-5 kids and the Middle Schoolers have been working for months to present their respective school plays, which are HUGE productions here in Hollywood.

My oldest is the Lead in the MS play and my youngest is in their production of Frozen. The youngest is in the Frozen Choir and she'll be okay but my oldest will be absolutely crushed.

The 5th graders will also miss out on their annual Astro Camp and other planned activities as well.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Donger

Yes, it will. That's why it's up to every American (regardless of age) to take common sense precautions as best they can.

It's pretty much bullshit and with those numbers keep matching up as some have predicted it's hard to see anything short of mandatory lockdowns.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Why? The end of the school year isn't until June 20th.

Also, the K-5 kids and the Middle Schoolers have been working for months to present their respective school plays, which are HUGE productions here in Hollywood.

My oldest is the Lead in the MS play and my youngest is in their production of Frozen. The youngest is in the Frozen Choir and she'll be okay but my oldest will be absolutely crushed.

Oh. Ours is the end of May.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I expect you to save me some of your extra peanuts next time.

I haven't eaten or had a drink on a plane since this thing broke out in China. But yes, I'll send the flying waitress from FC back to steerage with an ice water for you when it resumes, while I'm sipping on my "free" vodka martini(s).

[Shag]

San Diego just ordered all bars closed starting tomorrow, restaurants are to-go only, and legally limiting gatherings to 50 or less.

[neech]

Originally Posted by Donger

MEXICO CITY (AP) — While the coronavirus pandemic has led authorities around the globe to cancel concerts and sporting events, and even shut down daily activities in some places, Mexico City is going ahead with Vive Latino — one of the most important music festivals in the country.

Build that wall higher.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

Seems like a really bad decision.

Mexico only has 50 cases. Expect that to grow in a few weeks.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I don't know WTF is going on with Italy. I mean yeah, we know about their aging population and what not but they are running twice and closer to three times the global average in mortality rate.

Meanwhile we have dropped from 2.5% last week to between 1.7%-1.8% this week. Even has our cases increase we at least for the time being are holding that level. Hopefully it goes down more.

But we certainly do not seem to be on the path of Italy at this point.

They didn't flatten the curve. New York City Mayor is saying that if things don't change quickly that they will be looking at situations like Italy very soon.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by petegz28

My focus has to turn here to home base and wonder what the states of Ks and Mo will continue to do? There have been a combined 13 cases between the two with 1 death. Hardly a hot spot.

Timely post just saw this
https://www.kshb.com/news/coronaviru...d-19-city-says

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

It's pretty much bullshit and with those numbers keep matching up as some have predicted it's hard to see anything short of mandatory lockdowns.

It's up to every American (regardless of age) to take common sense precautions as best they can is bullshit?

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Donger

It's up to every American (regardless of age) to take common sense precautions as best they can is bullshit?

No but washing your hands isnt enough especially when this virus can be transmitted in the air. Every other country facing this isnt doing so because they didnt wash their hands.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

They didn't flatten the curve. New York City Mayor is saying that if things don't change quickly that they will be looking at situations like Italy very soon.

I've been hearing "we are going to be like Italy" for over a week. I don't see anything thus far that substantiates that.

Can we be? Sure? Are we likely to be? I like to think not.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

Because you have no idea where the virus actually is. You're just being hopeful not actually coming up with a solution. Social distancing only slows and flattens the graph.

When people start coming down with this in huge numbers everything is going to change, we're still in the infancy. Italy's numbers are jumping up at a huge rate despite social distancing.

The only countries that are actually achieving anything are ones utilizing widespread testing like China and South Korea.

With the incubation period, it could be that the new cases being identified today were infected before the lockdown.