***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.”

[TLO]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If we can pull a sub-300 number it would be nice.

Unless there is some late reporting - I think it's gonna happen.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

Yeah, I think a lot of the reporting in the media is hard to glean useful information from. The only thing you can really rely on are hospital beds and ICU beds since those don't have reporting lags and aren't really debatable.

Not familiar with ES but it is nice to see some actually commentary and context surrounding the data.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

As always, we begin by looking at the scary part right in the eye. 2 days left for this fatality rate (and hospital census, much less admissions) to show ANY form of movement whatsoever...

...before we declare this heavily salted 'rise' in cases to be a mere paper tiger. pic.twitter.com/bGF0opuvmT

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

Once we end this chart - we are going to conclude that our methods of pursuing testing, produced a shop benchmark of 4.0%. This does not mean that 4% of all people are sick (13.2 M persons ill) - it just means that this was what our method of test inclusions served to produce. pic.twitter.com/mJwqvyvF85

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

You will see a lot of people go very quiet this week, as the paper tiger second wave begins to show no teeth, no claws.

Hospitalization, which does not have a significant weekend factor - resumed decline with aggression. pic.twitter.com/T0eNViOxOB

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

Notice the CDC curve hugs the weekend reported line as of late. Which by the way is very close to end of season itself.

US down 17% from last Sat. Braz-Mex-India make up 42% of world fatalities. US no longer leading the pack. pic.twitter.com/ZurHrYfiSw

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

He’s interesting to read. A lot of it is over my head

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by TLO

Unless there is some late reporting - I think it's gonna happen.

267...even for a Sunday that is the lowest number since March 24th.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

As always, we begin by looking at the scary part right in the eye. 2 days left for this fatality rate (and hospital census, much less admissions) to show ANY form of movement whatsoever...

...before we declare this heavily salted 'rise' in cases to be a mere paper tiger. pic.twitter.com/bGF0opuvmT

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

Once we end this chart - we are going to conclude that our methods of pursuing testing, produced a shop benchmark of 4.0%. This does not mean that 4% of all people are sick (13.2 M persons ill) - it just means that this was what our method of test inclusions served to produce. pic.twitter.com/mJwqvyvF85

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

You will see a lot of people go very quiet this week, as the paper tiger second wave begins to show no teeth, no claws.

Hospitalization, which does not have a significant weekend factor - resumed decline with aggression. pic.twitter.com/T0eNViOxOB

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

Notice the CDC curve hugs the weekend reported line as of late. Which by the way is very close to end of season itself.

US down 17% from last Sat. Braz-Mex-India make up 42% of world fatalities. US no longer leading the pack. pic.twitter.com/ZurHrYfiSw

— Ethical Skeptic ☀ (@EthicalSkeptic) June 21, 2020

Interesting info..Will have to give this fellow a follow.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by petegz28

267...even for a Sunday that is the lowest number since March 24th.

Let's hope the trend downwards continues this week.

[Bugeater]

Sweet! The pandemic is over, let's play some ****ing football!

[eDave]

Went to the casino last night as my first night out under our mandatory requirement and it was real surreal and sucks balls.

I had a lot of different reactions as I took it all in. Felt like I was at a really weird masquerade ball, or was in disguise, felt mysterious, paranoid of doing something wrong or was standing in the wrong place, and what it must feel like when you get out of prison after 12 years. Everything is just different. BAM!

The scanning to get in is kinda scary too. Literally had to stand on a rubber matt and look into a monitor that I was told was taking my temperature. The employees running it felt like TSA agents so it felt like I was going through airport security and I made that remark to them and recieved a grunt sound in return. It was a real wtf moment for me at the time. Most likely got my picture and other nefarious things. It was just so different, so fast, and will be this way for a long time. And the mask just sucks to wear. Hot, scratchy, and could smell my own bad breath (fixed), and it was really hard for me to hear people and certainly them hearing me. All night yelling. I just hated the overall experience. Blackjack tables have individual plexi booths basically that you step into and the dealer is in front. There is a 6ish inch cutout at the table level to play your cards and chips. Felt like I was playing against my bank teller. It was just stupid. Best casino in Phoenix, always fun, 30% hookers, live music, great bars, and Ocean Trail.

Now no live music so center bar is nothing now, hookers numbers look the same but the quality looked unmarketable.
And still wanted $400/hr. **** that even if I was interested, and Ocean Trail is open but only selling smaller to go orders only. It just sucked so bad. It was so disappointing as it's our goto place and always a great time. Always. Now it sucks. Every conversation I got in with someone new was about what we were all going through.

After I got done tripping over the whole scene I was suddenly in I marveled at how ridiculous this all is, so suddenly, with a chance to become the norn forever. At least there is no more smoking in the casino. I took note that at least 90% of everyone was wearing the mask they have at the door. I assumed way more people already had their own. I'll be getting a couple of nicer ones I guess now.

I really don't want to live this way and I'll stay home over going out with a mask on. I love going out. Part of me is dead. I'm sure others will do the same. I can't imagine going to a happy hour or something. Mask on, mask off, repeat, repeat, repeat. Business are going to suffer and might have to close if people just stop going out voluntarily because it just sucks ass now. A few peeps I met said their crews were probably going to have more evening pool parties.


=======================================================================

Tonight I went to the Circle K, same one that was VERY amendment I have a mask on and threw me out (rule went into affect an hour before). This time, NOBODY had a mask on and it was business as usual. I asked the cashier "what the **** is going on? The other day I felt like I was being 86'd from a bar and now nobody cares." He just said nobody cares. This is why I fear this is the new normal.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Sweet! The pandemic is over, let's play some ****ing football!

It would be great to see the Chiefs defend their title and win another one to end this shitty horrible year.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by eDave

Went to the casino last night as my first night out under our mandatory requirement and it was real surreal and sucks balls.

I had a lot of different reactions as I took it all in. Felt like I was at a really weird masquerade ball, or was in disguise, felt mysterious, paranoid of doing something wrong or was standing in the wrong place, and what it must feel like when you get out of prison after 12 years. Everything is just different. BAM!

The scanning to get in is kinda scary too. Literally had to stand on a rubber matt and look into a monitor that I was told was taking my temperature. The employees running it felt like TSA agents so it felt like I was going through airport security and I made that remark to them and recieved a grunt sound in return. It was a real wtf moment for me at the time. Most likely got my picture and other nefarious things. It was just so different, so fast, and will be this way for a long time. And the mask just sucks to wear. Hot, scratchy, and could smell my own bad breath (fixed), and it was really hard for me to hear people and certainly them hearing me. All night yelling. I just hated the overall experience. Blackjack tables have individual plexi booths basically that you step into and the dealer is in front. There is a 6ish inch cutout at the table level to play your cards and chips. Felt like I was playing against my bank teller. It was just stupid. Best casino in Phoenix, always fun, 30% hookers, live music, great bars, and Ocean Trail.

Now no live music so center bar is nothing now, hookers numbers look the same but the quality looked unmarketable.
And still wanted $400/hr. **** that even if I was interested, and Ocean Trail is open but only selling smaller to go orders only. It just sucked so bad. It was so disappointing as it's our goto place and always a great time. Always. Now it sucks. Every conversation I got in with someone new was about what we were all going through.

After I got done tripping over the whole scene I was suddenly in I marveled at how ridiculous this all is, so suddenly, with a chance to become the norn forever. At least there is no more smoking in the casino. I took note that at least 90% of everyone was wearing the mask they have at the door. I assumed way more people already had their own. I'll be getting a couple of nicer ones I guess now.

I really don't want to live this way and I'll stay home over going out with a mask on. I love going out. Part of me is dead. I'm sure others will do the same. I can't imagine going to a happy hour or something. Mask on, mask off, repeat, repeat, repeat. Business are going to suffer and might have to close if people just stop going out voluntarily because it just sucks ass now. A few peeps I met said their crews were probably going to have more evening pool parties.


=======================================================================

Tonight I went to the Circle K, same one that was VERY amendment I have a mask on and threw me out (rule went into affect an hour before). This time, NOBODY had a mask on and it was business as usual. I asked the cashier "what the **** is going on? The other day I felt like I was being 86'd from a bar and now nobody cares." He just said nobody cares. This is why I fear this is the new normal.

Thanks for posting this! I worked in the casino for years and can't imagine having to go in and deal under these circumstances. Plus for the non- smoking now. That was always brutal on your health, working in all that smoke.

[eDave]

Another report from a different Casino one day after the ordinance went into affect. This ordinance was DOA and I am quickly losing hope:

Sounds like a similar experience that I had. I was so turned off by it and constantly asked myself, “What the hell am I doing here?”

They didn’t have the temperature check at that time, but the mandate to wear a face mask was in place and mine was in the car. So I had to go back and get it because security was making people wait for a fresh supply. You know how patient I am. lol

As soon as I walked into the casino, passed the security check point, I noticed (and I am not exaggerating) that maybe 10% of the patrons were wearing their face masks. A woman started talking to me, not even standing 6 feet away, while I was waiting at one of the very few open bars for my drink.

There was no live band, just two mediocre deejays on opposite sides of the main floor, which was the only section that was open. The place still reeked of cigarette smoke and people were giving me dirty looks when I had the mask on and when I didn’t. I felt as though some people (mainly Trumpers) were pissed off to see another Hispanic out and about, while others may have been angry to see anyone wearing a mask since COVID-19 is supposedly a “fake disease”. The carpet runner was replaced with brown packaging paper that was taped down. How weird!

I had one drink, sat next to one of the deejays on a window ledge (there was no place to sit, except in front of a slot machine or one of the few blackjack tables open) and left!

I disinfected myself like there was no tomorrow...because there may not be.

[BigCatDaddy]

So when things opened up in early May we had a high water mark of about 2700 deaths on May 6th and now we are down to 280 yesterday. Not saying it's over, but that's good news that your local TV station probably isn't headlining with. Have a great day guys!

[O.city]

You worry that woth infections rising deaths will follow

Maybe not so let’s hope

Also there’s some stuff on Twitter that in Texas anyone hospitalized gets tested and if positive they’re a Covid pt, no matter what they’re in for. I understand it due to isolation and such but that seems a bit putting your thumb on the scale

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by O.city

You worry that woth infections rising deaths will follow

Maybe not so let’s hope

Also there’s some stuff on Twitter that in Texas anyone hospitalized gets tested and if positive they’re a Covid pt, no matter what they’re in for. I understand it due to isolation and such but that seems a bit putting your thumb on the scale

How do you figure that? Should they not be counted as positive because they have other health conditions?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by O.city

You worry that woth infections rising deaths will follow

Maybe not so let’s hope

Also there’s some stuff on Twitter that in Texas anyone hospitalized gets tested and if positive they’re a Covid pt, no matter what they’re in for. I understand it due to isolation and such but that seems a bit putting your thumb on the scale

I'd be more surprised if there are places that AREN'T testing everyone who is hospitalized. You can't have it spreading undetected through a hospital.