***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.”

[Bugeater]

We could really use a new dishwasher.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Kidd Lex

That’s not it. What about all those going to work making less than $600 a week take home putting themselves in danger? The ones that work at grocery stores, Amazon, fast food, Home Depot etc.... What’s the point of going to work and bringing home less than $600 a week and putting yourselves in harms way? What happens if everyone decides to stop going to work that makes minimum wage to $20 an hour? How will that work? I’m not against unemployment incentives as I said, but we need to incentivize all those people on the front lines who go to work every day. How is that hard to understand?

That $600 is on top of normal unemployment benefits. Here in Nebraska many are pulling in close to $1000/week. That's ridiculous.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by Kidd Lex

That’s not it. What about all those going to work making less than $600 a week take home putting themselves in danger? The ones that work at grocery stores, Amazon, fast food, Home Depot etc.... What’s the point of going to work and bringing home less than $600 a week and putting yourselves in harms way? What happens if everyone decides to stop going to work that makes minimum wage to $20 an hour? How will that work? I’m not against unemployment incentives as I said, but we need to incentivize all those people on the front lines who go to work every day. How is that hard to understand?

Those going to work really don't want to be there due to the risk. Can't quit and expect to receive unemployment.

[Kiimo]

People at home struggling to make rent August 1st really should prioritize putting their lives on the lines rather than asking for a free handout because they are currently unemployed.


The **** is wrong with you

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by HUMONGOUS BONEREATER

That $600 is on top of normal unemployment benefits. Here in Nebraska many are pulling in close to $1000/week. That's ridiculous.

The only way to eliminate those problems would have been to provide a certain percentage of each states regular unemployment benefits. I was kind of surprised that's not what happened.

[Kidd Lex]

Originally Posted by stumppy

That $600 a week won't buy jack shit in a lot of places in this country.

$15 an hour * 40 hours = $600 then throw in fringe benefits and taxes and what’s left maybe $450 take home

$20 an hour * 40 hours =$800 which will get you just above $600 take home

It’s never been harder to hire people then it is now. Unemployment benefits were handled wrong this last round as it did nothing for essential workers who have to put themselves in harms way. They should extend the benefits and allow for front line essential workers to also take part in monetary benefits. Otherwise there is less and less incentive to go to work especially as this crisis worsens, and we as a country need those employees to function and stay open.

[WhawhaWhat]

Japan’s theme parks have banned screaming on roller coasters because it spreads coronavirus. “Please scream inside your heart.” https://t.co/DJjC40H0Ap

— Ben Pershing (@benpershing) July 8, 2020

[BigCatDaddy]

Maybe add a return to work amount of like $300 a week and cut the fed unemployment bonus to 200 a week? You cant make more on unemployment no matter how they want to do it.

[R Clark]

Originally Posted by Kidd Lex

It’s actually incentivizing many to not find work who normally would. As employers struggle to hire people you will hear more and more about this, especially if it’s extended. The media keeps highlighting the high unemployment rate, but the truth is many are hiring and many refuse to take the jobs. Even when those jobs pay $15 plus per hour. It’s not a no brainer at all. They need to extend unemployment benefits but incentivize those who also go back to work and make below a certain threshold.

You go to work so you can eat ,put a roof over your head,clothes on your back,that should be all the incentive you need

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Kidd Lex

Otherwise there is less and less incentive to go to work especially as this crisis worsens, and we as a country need those employees to function and stay open.

Yeah, people should put their lives on the line for you.

Great plan.

[Kidd Lex]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

People at home struggling to make rent August 1st really should prioritize putting their lives on the lines rather than asking for a free handout because they are currently unemployed.


The **** is wrong with you

Never implied that. In fact I said the unemployment should be extended but with incentives for front line workers too. There are people going to the front lines every day that make less than they would unemployed. We have to incentivize and provide benefits for front line workers who put their lives at risk every day as finding employees is harder now than it’s ever been for many essential employers. This is not a no brainer problem to solve.

[Kidd Lex]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, people should put their lives on the line for you.

Great plan.

I’m actually saying the exact opposite.

[Kidd Lex]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Maybe add a return to work amount of like $300 a week and cut the fed unemployment bonus to 200 a week? You cant make more on unemployment no matter how they want to do it.

Something like this would be a huge W for front line workers, especially if done in in hot spot states that are declared a state of emergency or something similar. I don’t know that those numbers are the answer, but we need to rethink the next round beyond just blindly extending the current benefits. Keep the $600 for the unemployed and incentivize the essential front line workers making below $20 an hour or the equivalent.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Kidd Lex

Something like this would be a huge W for front line workers, especially if done in in hot spot states that are declared a state of emergency or something similar. I don’t know that those numbers are the answer, but we need to rethink the next round beyond just blindly extending the current benefits. Keep the $600 for the unemployed and incentivize the essential front line workers making below $20 an hour or the equivalent.

Unemployment was below 4% before C-19, so there's absolutely no reason to believe or think that people don't want to work.

Your "ideas" are bunk.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unemployment was below 4% before C-19, so there's absolutely no reason to believe or think that people don't want to work.

Your "ideas" are bunk.

There's a reoccurring "meme" about this very subject I see on social media.

Guessing you haven't seen it so I'll summarize: no, people in fact, do not want to 'work' as you're framing it here.