***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.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Pants

Based on everything I have read and seen lately, I am actually becoming more and more optimistic about a vaccine saving the day with this thing.

Same here. In particular, Oxford really seems to be optimistic about theirs.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by Pants

Based on everything I have read and seen lately, I am actually becoming more and more optimistic about a vaccine saving the day with this thing.

The more I read in CP ,I am less optimistic that people will be willing to get the vaccine if one becomes available.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by limested

Your and idiot.

The pharmacies I’ve worked in this week in Salt Lake have not required the pharmacy staff to wear masks indoors unless working directly with a patient. I was required to at all times which is fine and understandable because I travel around and they don’t know where I have been, but if health care workers are fine interacting with each other without masks indoors I think it’s safe to say you can keep yourself pretty safe outside. I know you’re likely not needed outside of your house during these times, but for those of us that are I think we’re pretty aware of when a mask should be worn.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Monticore

The more I read in CP ,I am less optimistic that people will be willing to get the vaccine if one becomes available.

So true.

At that point, however, those who do get the vaccines will be relatively safe regardless.

[limested]

Originally Posted by Monticore

I assume the fresh air in CA is fresher right now then it has ever been, I find it a bit extreme to wear a mask while going for a walk while keeping your distance etc..

Part of the problem is that there are people who will not social distance. In this situation I would wear the mask.

If in a place where I know that I don't have to worry about strangers then no way would I wear one.

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by Pants

So true.

At that point, however, those who do get the vaccines will be relatively safe regardless.

Yeah sure,


Because people who get flu vaccine never get the flu.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Same here. In particular, Oxford really seems to be optimistic about theirs.

Yup! Reading the latest on this today was what spurred me to come post this actually.

[limested]

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

The pharmacies I’ve worked in this week in Salt Lake have not required the pharmacy staff to wear masks indoors unless working directly with a patient. I was required to at all times which is fine and understandable because I travel around and they don’t know where I have been, but if health care workers are fine interacting with each other without masks indoors I think it’s safe to say you can keep yourself pretty safe outside. I know you’re likely not needed outside of your house during these times, but for those of us that are I think we’re pretty aware of when a mask should be worn.

You wrote your original post I commented on like you thought it was not safe to wear a mask while exercising. This post makes much more logical sense.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Yeah sure,


Because people who get flu vaccine never get the flu.

If they do the severity is reduced and the ones that don't get the flu because they are vaccinated protect the ones that don't get it shot or can't or don't build up the same immunity from the shot.

[limested]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Yeah sure,


Because people who get flu vaccine never get the flu.

They don't get the strain that was in the vaccine. The biggest issue with the flu vaccine is they have to make it well ahead of the season and they have to guess which strains will be hitting.

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by limested

They don't get the strain that was in the vaccine. The biggest issue with the flu vaccine is they have to make it well ahead of the season and they have to guess which strains will be hitting.

Sure,

And wouldn't the same hold true for Coronavirus?

[Pants]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Yeah sure,


Because people who get flu vaccine never get the flu.

What does the flu have to do with SARS-CoV-2?

Do people who get vaccinated for poliovirus get polio?

Do people who get vaccinated for Measles morbillivirus get measles?

I know you're a ****ing moron, but this is basic stuff, man. Not all viruses are the same.

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Sure,

And wouldn't the same hold true for Coronavirus?

No.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Pants

What does the flu have to do with SARS-CoV-2?

Do people who get vaccinated for poliovirus get polio?

Do people who get vaccinated for Measles morbillivirus get measles?

I know you're a ****ing a moron, but this is basic stuff, man. Not all viruses are the same.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by limested

Part of the problem is that there are people who will not social distance. In this situation I would wear the mask.

If in a place where I know that I don't have to worry about strangers then no way would I wear one.

Originally Posted by limested

You wrote your original post I commented on like you thought it was not safe to wear a mask while exercising. This post makes much more logical sense.

I’m talking about LA county making it mandatory to wear a mask outside. This is LA County:


If you’ve ever been there you know there are still plenty of places you could go and social distance very easily. It’s a bit extreme and it’s punishing people who can use common sense. Hopefully I’m overreacting and common sense will also be applied with the mandate, but c’mon...