***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

We spent a lot of time one semester in bioethics on vaccinations and medications etc

Definitely a tough subject

How am I not respecting where they’re coming from? If people have concerns, that’s fine. With the data and stuff I’ve read, I am not sure they would, it’s very strong.

I haven’t ever said anything about any mandates or such.

You have spent the last hour or so arguing about people's personal choices being irrelevant, etc. The way you are coming off is you think people should have to take the vaccine. I haven't seen you say "well they should but if they don't then it's on them" or anything to that effect. If I am wrong about that than I am wrong about that but you have not really conveyed that sentiment.

[stevieray]

...this is a virus, not a disease.

why do people keep referring to it as that?

[dirk digler]

I will respect people’s reluctance to get the vaccine up to a year. But after that **** em as long as there are no issues with the vaccines.

As far as mandates go I don’t think you will see them at least in the beginning. But I imagine if you were to travel overseas the other country will force you to have it to come into their country and we should be doing the same.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by stevieray

...this is a virus, not a disease.

why do people keep referring to it as that?

It is a disease caused by a virus.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I will respect people’s reluctance to get the vaccine up to a year. But after that **** em as long as there are no issues with the vaccines because I will choose to get vaccinated and I will not be worried if someone else didn't.

As far as mandates go I don’t think you will see them at least in the beginning. But I imagine if you were to travel overseas the other country will force you to have it to come into their country and we should be doing the same.

FYP for you...

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It is a disease caused by a virus.

It's a virus..it's airborne.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by stevieray

It's a virus..it's airborne.

The virus causes a disease...I am just giving you the answer to your question.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/dise...that-causes-it

[petegz28]

As far as mandates go I think you will see few places mandating it out of the gate. Most likely care facilities and meat packing plants as they have been the absolute core of clusters across the country.

Probably some health care places will mandate early as well but not as many as people might think.

Eventually I think you will see more and more employers requiring it. I think once the initial waves are done and you get the people who voluntarily want it out of the way then it will start.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You have spent the last hour or so arguing about people's personal choices being irrelevant, etc. The way you are coming off is you think people should have to take the vaccine. I haven't seen you say "well they should but if they don't then it's on them" or anything to that effect. If I am wrong about that than I am wrong about that but you have not really conveyed that sentiment.

People’s personal choices are irrelevant? I said that? Not sure about that one pete

Maybe read what I’ve said?

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by petegz28

FYP for you...

I won’t be stressed worried but I will think they are stupid idiots. Like my gf’s family who all say they aren’t ever taking it. Which is fine because then we won’t have to go see them until we get more information about immunity etc

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I won’t be stressed worried but I will think they are stupid idiots. Like my gf’s family who all say they aren’t ever taking it. Which is fine because then we won’t have to go see them until we get more information about immunity etc

Good luck with that. You'll be single before long.

And no, I'm not being facetious. You'll have to find a compromise. Short of cases like sexual abuse, females don't ever cut off their family.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

People’s personal choices are irrelevant? I said that? Not sure about that one pete

Maybe read what I’ve said?

I said that's how you are coming off. Franky if someone chooses or doesn't choose to get the vaccine isn't of a concern to me. I am choosing to get it at some point as for various reasons I do not need it. That being said I would encourage people to get the vaccine. But at the end of the day those who get the vaccine no longer need to worry about those who don't. It turns into the flu for argument sake. No more need to wear masks. No more need to kill businesses. No more need to keep our kids out of school. If you are afraid you will get infected then get the virus. If you aren't or otherwise choose not too then you live with the consequences.

The people who choose not to get the vaccine can no longer spread to those who do so I would say that puts on the back to normal track for the most part.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Good luck with that. You'll be single before long.

And no, I'm not being facetious. You'll have to find a compromise. Short of cases like sexual abuse, females don't ever cut off their family.

Not an issue because my gf thinks they are stupid too. . We haven’t been around her mom or anti vaxx sister since last Christmas and they both live 1 hr away from us.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by petegz28

The virus causes a disease...I am just giving you the answer to your question.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/dise...that-causes-it

That makes no sense.

It basically states they gave the disease the name of covid... but what
is the disease?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Not an issue because my gf thinks they are stupid too. 😀. We haven’t been around her mom or anti vaxx sister since last Christmas.

So get your arm stuck and don't worry about it.