***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.”

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, I only had a ~10 minute commute when I wasn't working from home full time, but didn't realize how much time I spent getting lunch ready, sitting down with some coffee, putting something on besides pajama pants, etc. I'm not a morning person, so the time saved is great.

I miss some of the socializing in an office setting, but I'm in so many meetings that I don't really notice it. The best thing I did for working from home full time was setting up an office space... I think that separation helps.

It takes me about 40 minute commute to work, and 40 minute commute back home from work, so that's one reason why I like working from home. It's an hour and 20 of free time that I can fit into my schedule, instead of fighting traffic, cussing out at shitty drivers, saying "Shit, is that a cop... no.", and "Oh shit, that is a cop."

It also saves gas mileage on my car and some money on not having to buy gas as well. And also agreed on your comments about getting ready, getting coffee, getting clothes on, etc.

[mr. tegu]

I don’t have social interaction with non clients for work at all so that doesn’t change for me. The only thing that changed was meeting clients in person vs online meetings. Since I get paid per session and only get reimbursed on miles at tax time, I save a lot of wear and tear on my car as well as time traveling and money on gas. I will keep seeing clients via video from home as long as I’m allowed by insurance companies as it is great for me.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I disagree. It's more than just being productive.

For example? I know for creative people like yourself you need that personal interaction/give and take but not sure most corporate people do 5 days a week in the office.

I know for me one day a week is plenty

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I don’t have social interaction with non clients for work at all so that doesn’t change for me. The only thing that changed was meeting clients in person vs online meetings. Since I get paid per session and only get reimbursed on miles at tax time, I save a lot of wear and tear on my car as well as time traveling and money on gas. I will keep seeing clients via video from home as long as I’m allowed by insurance companies as it is great for me.

Telemedicine via video is here to stay so you should be good.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

For example?

Structure, Discipline, Interaction. etc.

[Monticore]

Sounds like some of the Vancouver Canucks who have been dealing with the One of the variants 21+ infections tried to get back on the ice and some of ere still struggling after being cleared , some felt like they were getting lost concussion type symptoms and are worried they might be done for the year .

[MahomesMagic]

Pfizer CEO said boosters may be needed. Unlikely
1) T cell immunity from vax (and Abs) work against variants; 2) T cells last long time- 34 y & counting after measles vax; 3) 1st SARS recovered have T cells 17 yr later; 4) Covid Vax generate memory B cells (lymph node biopsy)

— Monica Gandhi MD, MPH (@MonicaGandhi9) April 16, 2021

[TLO]

Monica Gandhi knows her stuff. She's been on with Dr. Z a few times and is incredibly intelligent.

[Monticore]

Officials' mixed messaging more than blood clot risks are undermining COVID vaccine rollout

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...ehp&li=AAggNb9

The Oxford researchers estimate the COVID risk for CVT, cerebral venous thrombosis, a clot in the cerebral vein responsible for draining blood from the brain, is about eight times greater than with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, even for those under 30, Paul Harrison, professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said in a statement.

Harrison and his co-authors, who are not part of the Oxford group that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine, said the comparisons need to be interpreted cautiously “since data are still accruing.” The study was based on an electronic health record network totalling 81 million people in the United States. Researchers counted the number of CVT cases diagnosed in the two weeks following a diagnosis of COVID-19, or after the first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

Of the more than 500,000 people diagnosed with COVID, 20 were diagnosed with a CVT. The risk was higher among people with a history of cardiovascular disease. Two cases of CVT were found in the more than 480,000 people vaccinated.

According to their estimates, CVT occurred in 39 of one million people who got COVID, compared to a 4.1 per million risk of CVT after vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna. CVT has been reported to occur in five per million after a first dose of the AZ-Oxford vaccine.The mortality rate of people with CVST was 20 per cent.

The researchers said they can’t conclude from the study that Pfizer of Moderna are associated with an increased risk of CVT and that “far larger samples are needed to address this question.”

In a statement, Pfizer said that, with more than 200 million doses of its vaccine having been administered globally, a comprehensive assessment of ongoing safety data has provided “no evidence to conclude that arterial or venous thromboembolic events” are a risk associated with the vaccine.

The McMaster Platelet Immunology Laboratory is part of a national surveillance system for vaccine-induced blood clots. The lab tests blood samples sent in from doctors for antibodies that can activate platelets that lead to clotting.

It’s still not clear why females appear at particular risk — Canada’s only confirmed case involves a Quebec woman, who is recovering at home — or what triggers the production of those clotting antibodies. “The work now being done is, how is it that this vaccine can induce these antibodies, and what is it about those few individuals who had this happen?” Nazy said.

Transparency is important, he said. People need to know a risk exists. “But they have to be reassured, and that’s our job, to say, yes, it happens, it is no different than any other drug, there are other drugs out there that have many side effects, we still take them because we need them.”

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Coach

It takes me about 40 minute commute to work, and 40 minute commute back home from work, so that's one reason why I like working from home. It's an hour and 20 of free time that I can fit into my schedule, instead of fighting traffic, cussing out at shitty drivers, saying "Shit, is that a cop... no.", and "Oh shit, that is a cop."



It also saves gas mileage on my car and some money on not having to buy gas as well. And also agreed on your comments about getting ready, getting coffee, getting clothes on, etc.

This is my situation too. I already was working home twice a week anyway. But everyday I like it alot. I do miss the office and some in person stuff esp on more rough days cause you feel isolated more. I'll probably do hybrid when they go back whenever that is like a few times a month for meetings etc. Don't miss the long drives home...miss having lunch at my favorite spots.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Pfizer CEO said boosters may be needed. Unlikely
1) T cell immunity from vax (and Abs) work against variants; 2) T cells last long time- 34 y & counting after measles vax; 3) 1st SARS recovered have T cells 17 yr later; 4) Covid Vax generate memory B cells (lymph node biopsy)

— Monica Gandhi MD, MPH (@MonicaGandhi9) April 16, 2021

Yeah, the COVID theater stuff is really wearing thin.

This from someone who gets shot 2 of Pfizer next week.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

This is my situation too. I already was working home twice a week anyway. But everyday I like it alot. I do miss the office and some in person stuff esp on more rough days cause you feel isolated more. I'll probably do hybrid when they go back whenever that is like a few times a month for meetings etc. Don't miss the long drives home...miss having lunch at my favorite spots.

I've been working from home since 2009. I don't think I could ever work in an office again.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

This is my situation too. I already was working home twice a week anyway. But everyday I like it alot. I do miss the office and some in person stuff esp on more rough days cause you feel isolated more. I'll probably do hybrid when they go back whenever that is like a few times a month for meetings etc. Don't miss the long drives home...miss having lunch at my favorite spots.

When I worked in KC, I got in the habit of going out to lunch ~3-4 times/week with a few people who never brought their lunch and went somewhere everyday. It's basically why I first started keto, realizing I had been to Chipotle so often in a month that I qualified for free Chipotle.

It was a love/hate relationship... really enjoyed the break from work and getting away from the monitors for a bit, enjoyed the socializing, enjoyed the food. The $$ spent piles up though and the jeans get a bit tighter.

I've formed better habits working from home.... I had always liked the thought of working out in the middle of the day, in theory, but never did (the time to change out/into clothes, shower, travel to and from a gym, get back to work and probably still feel overheated and needing a break from your break, etc.). Working from home though, it's much easier to go for a walk/jog around the neighborhood or do a quick workout, as typically I'm much more energized to do so mid-day than first thing in the morning or right after work.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Pfizer CEO said boosters may be needed. Unlikely
1) T cell immunity from vax (and Abs) work against variants; 2) T cells last long time- 34 y & counting after measles vax; 3) 1st SARS recovered have T cells 17 yr later; 4) Covid Vax generate memory B cells (lymph node biopsy)

— Monica Gandhi MD, MPH (@MonicaGandhi9) April 16, 2021

This is an Agenda post

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I've been working from home since 2009. I don't think I could ever work in an office again.

Lol yeah I may regret the hybrid decision we will see. They told us we can change that decision any time. I definitely thought I wouldn't stay focused or have the tools but it's worked out just fine.