***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.”

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Quite possibly your dumbest take yet. There’s no permanent immunity going about this the natural way, so it will always been present in much higher numbers than if a vaccine is present in this scenario.

That's cool that you have a view that is contrary to many of the top scientists on this one. "Permanent Immunity" is not the goal. Population Resistance is.

If you are so smart explain how with no masks, washing hands, and voluntary social distancing Sweden has brought daily deaths down to about zero? Explain how they lifted the limit on 50 people at an event to 500..without immunity or resistance?

Susceptible
Infected
Recovered

that's basic stuff. Yet you think we need a new model for all this?!

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Says???? We have permanent immunity to millions of viruses and have since the beginning of man via "the natural way". That's a pretty bold statement I don't think you can substantially substantiate with any substantive substance.

Interesting that scientist are claiming a vaccine may be good for 2-3 years of protection from this virus yet you’re saying get it once and you’re protected for life. That’s not how this virus, or even the flu virus works.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

That's cool that you have a view that is contrary to many of the top scientists on this one. "Permanent Immunity" is not the goal. Population Resistance is.

If you are so smart explain how with no masks, washing hands, and voluntary social distancing Sweden has brought daily deaths down to about zero? Explain how they lifted the limit on 50 people at an event to 500..without immunity or resistance?

Susceptible
Infected
Recovered

that's basic stuff. Yet you think we need a new model for all this?!

I’m talking long term plan to return to normal.

All of your stated is easier achieved with a vaccine. Can you argue against that?!

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

What is your definition of normal?
You do realize that Sweden still has a growing number of cases?

Cases

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I’m talking long term plan to return to normal.

All of your stated is easier achieved with a vaccine. Can you argue against that?!

Vaccines are less effective than recovering from an actual infection. That is not disputed by people that create them.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Cases

With more cases comes more deaths.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Vaccines are less effective than recovering from an actual infection. That is not disputed by people that create them.

Alright, you heard it here! Everyone go out and just get COVID! Easier than a vaccine!

Your entire argument is based on Sweden, a country of 10 million. A country that has one city with over 1 million people. Compared to a large country like the USA with numerous densely populated areas. Seems like a poor comparison. I’m all for keeping all business open while requiring masks and social distancing in the USA. But a country this large WILL need a vaccine to to return to normal and a vaccine will get us there quicker too.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Cases

Why is that funny?

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Alright, you heard it here! Everyone go out and just get COVID! Easier than a vaccine!

Your entire argument is based on Sweden, a country of 10 million. A country that has one city with over 1 million people. Compared to a large country like the USA with numerous densely populated areas. Seems like a poor comparison. I’m all for keeping all business open while requiring masks and social distancing in the USA. But a country this large WILL need a vaccine to to return to normal and a vaccine will get us there quicker too.

Sweden has a higher percentage of people living in an urban area than the United States.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Sweden has a higher percentage of people living in an urban area than the United States.

What, something like 87% compared to 83% from what I've read? That's not a significant enough difference. The sheer volume of hospitalizations/deaths is the USA will definitely be greater because we have 300+M more people living in this country. A vaccine absolutely helps a large country get back to normal quicker.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

We don't need vaccines to return to normal.

See Sweden.

The U.S. has had 54.55 COVID-related deaths per 100,000 people and a fatality rate of 3.1%, less than half the rate of Sweden.

You would be happier with double the death rate and still no herd immunity?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Donger

Why is that funny?

Question boy with another question

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The U.S. has had 54.55 COVID-related deaths per 100,000 people and a fatality rate of 3.1%, less than half the rate of Sweden.

You would be happier with double the death rate and still no herd immunity?

There is theoretical herd immunity and then effective herd immunity. It looks like when we hit between 15 and 20 percent seroprevalence that Covid starts to break apart and head down.

See Arizona.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Question boy with another question

Well, it seems that you either aren't aware that it all starts with cases/infections. Or, you are aware and you don't care about them or think they are funny.

Which is very odd.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Donger

Well, it seems that you either aren't aware that it all starts with cases/infections. Or, you are aware and you don't care about them or think they are funny.

Which is very odd.

Cases are not infections. We aren't testing for active infections.