***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.”

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Do we know when the vaccine is projected for clearance? Figured with recent news we’re close. Maybe January?

Nursing homes are thinking they’ll get them late December january

My surgeon buddy said the front line workers are being told December. I figure is regular people March

Dentist buddy who’s high up in some political circles in regards to dentistry said dentist may be considered front line workers? I dunno. If I can get it early I’ll be a guinea pig I guess

[BigCatDaddy]

It seems like if you get them in hursing homes hospitalizations and deaths will be cut down drastically . Like damn near in half.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Just another reason to not get tested.

It's not even that. I got tested and my insurance company has no clue. I had Covid. That is not a pre-existing condition because I no longer have Covid. Now, if I had lung damage or something from getting Covid then I would have a condition that I got from having Covid. But saying you have a pre-existing condition because you had a virus doesn't seem right. That's like saying I have a pre-existing condition because I had the flu.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by O.city

Nursing homes are thinking they’ll get them late December january

My surgeon buddy said the front line workers are being told December. I figure is regular people March

Dentist buddy who’s high up in some political circles in regards to dentistry said dentist may be considered front line workers? I dunno. If I can get it early I’ll be a guinea pig I guess

I'm trying to figure out if I qualify as a front line worker or not. I just sent an email to my boss about it trying to get some further information.

I think the answer is yes - but I'm not sure.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It's not even that. I got tested and my insurance company has no clue. I had Covid. That is not a pre-existing condition because I no longer have Covid. Now, if I had lung damage or something from getting Covid then I would have a condition that I got from having Covid. But saying you have a pre-existing condition because you had a virus doesn't seem right. That's like saying I have a pre-existing condition because I had the flu.

I'm sure if they though a virus like the flu could cause long term health issues they don't want to cover, they would think of a way.

I'm sure there are infectious diseases out there that are considered pre-existing conditions or would be if they were still prevalent (e.g. polio).

[TLO]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

It seems like if you get them in hursing homes hospitalizations and deaths will be cut down drastically . Like damn near in half.

Probably even more than that when teamed up with the monoclonal antibody therapies that are coming online.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by TLO

I'm trying to figure out if I qualify as a front line worker or not. I just sent an email to my boss about it trying to get some further information.

I think the answer is yes - but I'm not sure.

Pretty sure male stripper at The Outskirts qualifies you.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

It seems like if you get them in hursing homes hospitalizations and deaths will be cut down drastically . Like damn near in half.

Originally Posted by TLO

Probably even more than that when teamed up with the monoclonal antibody therapies that are coming online.

Yeah but it’s just gonna take a while to get that out there

The next 2 months will be rough

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by R Clark

Damn sorry to hear , good luck

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Thoughts are with you and your significant other.

Originally Posted by Kman34

Sorry to hear this Pug.. Hope she starts to feel better soon..

Originally Posted by O.city

Damn man

I know it’s rough. Take care of what you can. Will keep you guys in our thoughts

Originally Posted by stumppy

Hang in there man. Good thoughts coming your way.

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Positive thoughts heading your way.

Thank you all

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by petegz28

so some political talking head on the radio just said if you have had Covid you now have a pre-existing condition. WTF and I missing here?

I'm guessing there will be a political fight about that next year.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

I'm guessing there will be a political fight about that next year.

should happen sooner than that.

As someone has already mentioned, citizens are going to be more inclined to not get tested for Covid if they think it could keep them from getting health insurance in the future and or pay higher premiums if covered.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Pretty sure male stripper at The Outskirts qualifies you.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It's not even that. I got tested and my insurance company has no clue. I had Covid. That is not a pre-existing condition because I no longer have Covid. Now, if I had lung damage or something from getting Covid then I would have a condition that I got from having Covid. But saying you have a pre-existing condition because you had a virus doesn't seem right. That's like saying I have a pre-existing condition because I had the flu.

Apparently you haven't ever had the pleasure of fighting with insurance companies. Their business model is to hunt for anything they can to deny you. Whether COVID will live out as one of those reasons I don't know, but it's not a surprise to me that some of them will try.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by Pants

This all ****ing sucks.

Need those vaccines badly and April seems like a goddamn eternity from now.

True story. I’m a social worker who has the luxury of working from home. I literally avoid the public at all costs and never without a mask. I worked from the office yesterday for the 1st time in forever and today I get a text from my boss that a coworker who was in the office yesterday tested positive for it. So that’s bound to keep me out of the office until a widely circulated vaccine is out in the masses. I didn’t survive open heart surgery and cancer to die from this shit.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Apparently you haven't ever had the pleasure of fighting with insurance companies. Their business model is to hunt for anything they can to deny you. Whether COVID will live out as one of those reasons I don't know, but it's not a surprise to me that some of them will try.

I don't know if you guys missed it but the law was changed a few years back and insurance companies cannot deny you coverage.