***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.”

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

So the "shield the vulnerable" plan, how does that or how are we gonna make that work? It's not like the only vulnerable are in nursing homes (we can't shield them away in there apparently either anyway) so I dunno how to make it work.

Like a third of the population is classified as vulnerable. Just doesn't seem possible.

I think a lot of that comes with self-responsibility. If you know you are at a higher risk then you have decisions and choices to make on whether you go out or stay home, etc. And when you do go out you will have to take all the necessary precautions, etc.

Not sure what else you can really do?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I think a lot of that comes with self-responsibility. If you know you are at a higher risk then you have decisions and choices to make on whether you go out or stay home, etc. And when you do go out you will have to take all the necessary precautions, etc.

Not sure what else you can really do?

Maybe so, but what about those people in those groups that have to work? Are they supposed to just...what?

If we're gonna do that plan, it seems, we need a very strong social safety net.

[OnTheWarpath15]

When the first thing I see upon opening a link is a popup trying to hawk supplements recommended by this "doc"...

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

Maybe so, but what about those people in those groups that have to work? Are they supposed to just...what?

If we're gonna do that plan, it seems, we need a very strong social safety net.

It's tough, I agree. Although just about every work environment is taking a lot of precautions.

I mean it isn't like you go to work and no on is wearing a mask, no plastic windows are up, etc. I mean you can't walk into a place where employees are not wearing masks, or at least are supposed to be.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

When the first thing I see upon opening a link is a popup trying to hawk supplements recommended by this "doc"...

That didn't happen to me.....

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath15

When the first thing I see upon opening a link is a popup trying to hawk supplements recommended by this "doc"...

Originally Posted by petegz28

That didn't happen to me.....

Clicked the link 3 times and no pop ups. Maybe you need to stay off certain sites???

[KCUnited]

FWIW despite wearing masks and distancing for months, percent positives are rising in IL and we could be looking at scaling back to phase 3 (whatever that means).

*Not an anti-mask post by any means, just highlighting the reality of what appears to be a second wave despite following the advised protocols.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It's tough, I agree. Although just about every work environment is taking a lot of precautions.

I mean it isn't like you go to work and no on is wearing a mask, no plastic windows are up, etc. I mean you can't walk into a place where employees are not wearing masks, or at least are supposed to be.

If that's what shielding them is though, aren't we already doing that?

[O.city]

The current rate, per the last JADA dental article I read, of infections of dentist is below 1%. So something we're doing in our offices is working apparently or atleast we know dental offices aren't of much risk at all.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

If that's what shielding them is though, aren't we already doing that?

I think that begs the question though of is what we are told works really working?

I mean we all have our own anecdotal experiences. Dirk says no one in Clinton is wearing masks. I say everyone is JoCo and the surrounding area is wearing masks.

Cases are going up across the board and across the country. I think it's safe to say there is more mask wearing and precautions going on than there was a few months ago.

People can cite studies left and right to argue both sides of any debate it seems.

That all being said, is what we think works working or are we doing things so we feel like we are doing something? Know what I mean? I know the answer is probably somewhere in between.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I think that begs the question though of is what we are told works really working?

I mean we all have our own anecdotal experiences. Dirk says no one in Clinton is wearing masks. I say everyone is JoCo and the surrounding area is wearing masks.

Cases are going up across the board and across the country. I think it's safe to say there is more mask wearing and precautions going on than there was a few months ago.

People can cite studies left and right to argue both sides of any debate it seems.

That all being said, is what we think works working or are we doing things so we feel like we are doing something? Know what I mean? I know the answer is probably somewhere in between.

Fatigue has definitely set it.

Someone posted it and it makes sense to me, but think of all the things as a "swiss cheese" approach. Masking by itself isn't enough. It's masking, distancing, hand washing, testing etc. The more layers we can have on it the better.

But at this point, with all the political issues and such with it, we're in for the long haul.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Young people with a healthy immune system are good. Very unlikely they see the serious end of this.

At my work it's just now really going around. EVERYONE has been exposed to multiple people with the Rona. Most have no symptoms at all. Not even fever.

Probably 1/3 have missed time (because you have to stay home if you have symptoms.)

A cowoker had the common symptoms (headache, no smell/taste for 3 days, 4 day flu symptoms.) She's 24-26, mixed race, no health issues. She's fine now other than still being shorter of breath than normal.

She had 5 days of symptoms total, 3 days of being "really sick," and day 8 she's just doing the mandatory 2 negative tests to return.

For the older elderly and those with compromised immune systems this could be fatal. This is also possible for the flu. Research what you can do to help your own natural immune system. Read up on what you could be doing that compromises it. Change your odds by being smart about what you can control yourself.

And believe it our not studies have shown that laughter can help the immune system. CP can save lives - post here early and often...

Id like to thank demonpenz for helping save my life with laughter. The amt of his posts are waning however

[suzzer99]

All 62 residents at Kansas nursing home have COVID, 10 have died

[O.city]

In regards to masking, I think there should have been a more concerted effort to get properly fitted n95 masks to the public as they are much better

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Clicked the link 3 times and no pop ups. Maybe you need to stay off certain sites???

.