***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.”

[DaFace]

While I'm still a bit skeptical about the NEED for this, I'm glad that it seems there's enough data to support the SAFETY of shots for 5-11 year olds. I know of at least some people who will feel much better if they can get their kids vaccinated.

BREAKING: Pfizer asked the U.S. government to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 -- and if regulators agree, shots could begin within a matter of weeks. https://t.co/RVVu3jTuIO

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 7, 2021

[Chief Roundup]

Condolences and prayers for Lumpy and her family.

[stanleychief]

I've been coughing a lot the past 4 days and didn't think much of it. Yesterday I officially had a 'fever' (100.4 on the nose). I've had and still have full sense of smell and taste. Out of an abundance of caution, I took a rapid Covid test at a drive up testing station. A few hours ago, I learned that my test came back positive.

Throughout the pandemic, I have been extremely careful. I got the J&J vaccine back in May. I rarely go out, and work from home. I live in Jackson County and follow mask guidelines whenever I do go out. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't get Covid, yet here I am.

From the beginning of the Covid pandemic until about two weeks ago, I personally only knew of 5 people that had contracted Covid (or at least admitted to it). In the past 2 weeks, 3 people that I know of have contracted Covid. One of them is in the hospital on a ventilator. What do we all have in common? We all took the J&J vaccine!

When I was getting tested, they asked if I had been vaccinated, and I replied, "yes". I then asked if she needed to know which one, or when I was vaccinated. She said "no", administered the test and left. Once I learned of the positive result, I contacted my doctor who did ask some more follow up questions, but also didn't care about which vaccine I took, or when it was administered. It seems like this would be important data to collect. Wouldn't you think?

Just Googling "is janssen covid-19 vaccine effective against delta variant" returns confusing results:

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Far Less Effective Against Delta Variant, Study Suggests

J&J: Vaccine Protection Against Delta Variant Is Strong

I think the most frustrating thing about the official response to Covid-19 is the changing and contradictory 'facts' that have been put out there. Do we need a booster if you had the J&J shot? Nothing out there conclusive.

I'm not looking for "vaccines are a lie" responses, or for anything, really. Just wanted to vent a bit (no pun hopefully intended) and to tell you all to be careful out there. And maybe, just maybe, think about getting a booster if you did get that J&J shot!

[TLO]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

I've been coughing a lot the past 4 days and didn't think much of it. Yesterday I officially had a 'fever' (100.4 on the nose). I've had and still have full sense of smell and taste. Out of an abundance of caution, I took a rapid Covid test at a drive up testing station. A few hours ago, I learned that my test came back positive.

Throughout the pandemic, I have been extremely careful. I got the J&J vaccine back in May. I rarely go out, and work from home. I live in Jackson County and follow mask guidelines whenever I do go out. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't get Covid, yet here I am.

From the beginning of the Covid pandemic until about two weeks ago, I personally only knew of 5 people that had contracted Covid (or at least admitted to it). In the past 2 weeks, 3 people that I know of have contracted Covid. One of them is in the hospital on a ventilator. What do we all have in common? We all took the J&J vaccine!

When I was getting tested, they asked if I had been vaccinated, and I replied, "yes". I then asked if she needed to know which one, or when I was vaccinated. She said "no", administered the test and left. Once I learned of the positive result, I contacted my doctor who did ask some more follow up questions, but also didn't care about which vaccine I took, or when it was administered. It seems like this would be important data to collect. Wouldn't you think?

Just Googling "is janssen covid-19 vaccine effective against delta variant" returns confusing results:

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Far Less Effective Against Delta Variant, Study Suggests

J&J: Vaccine Protection Against Delta Variant Is Strong

I think the most frustrating thing about the official response to Covid-19 is the changing and contradictory 'facts' that have been put out there. Do we need a booster if you had the J&J shot? Nothing out there conclusive.

I'm not looking for "vaccines are a lie" responses, or for anything, really. Just wanted to vent a bit (no pun hopefully intended) and to tell you all to be careful out there. And maybe, just maybe, think about getting a booster if you did get that J&J shot!

How are you feeling?

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

Throughout the pandemic, I have been extremely careful. I got the J&J vaccine back in May. I rarely go out, and work from home. I live in Jackson County and follow mask guidelines whenever I do go out. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't get Covid, yet here I am.

Everyone is going to get it. The idea that people can hide from life just sounds so crazy to me.

Anyway, take comfort in the fact that covid is no big deal for the overwhelming majority of us. Feel better!

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

I've been coughing a lot the past 4 days and didn't think much of it. Yesterday I officially had a 'fever' (100.4 on the nose). I've had and still have full sense of smell and taste. Out of an abundance of caution, I took a rapid Covid test at a drive up testing station. A few hours ago, I learned that my test came back positive.



Throughout the pandemic, I have been extremely careful. I got the J&J vaccine back in May. I rarely go out, and work from home. I live in Jackson County and follow mask guidelines whenever I do go out. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't get Covid, yet here I am.



From the beginning of the Covid pandemic until about two weeks ago, I personally only knew of 5 people that had contracted Covid (or at least admitted to it). In the past 2 weeks, 3 people that I know of have contracted Covid. One of them is in the hospital on a ventilator. What do we all have in common? We all took the J&J vaccine!



When I was getting tested, they asked if I had been vaccinated, and I replied, "yes". I then asked if she needed to know which one, or when I was vaccinated. She said "no", administered the test and left. Once I learned of the positive result, I contacted my doctor who did ask some more follow up questions, but also didn't care about which vaccine I took, or when it was administered. It seems like this would be important data to collect. Wouldn't you think?



Just Googling "is janssen covid-19 vaccine effective against delta variant" returns confusing results:



Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Far Less Effective Against Delta Variant, Study Suggests



J&J: Vaccine Protection Against Delta Variant Is Strong



I think the most frustrating thing about the official response to Covid-19 is the changing and contradictory 'facts' that have been put out there. Do we need a booster if you had the J&J shot? Nothing out there conclusive.



I'm not looking for "vaccines are a lie" responses, or for anything, really. Just wanted to vent a bit (no pun hopefully intended) and to tell you all to be careful out there. And maybe, just maybe, think about getting a booster if you did get that J&J shot!

I think it's highly likely they'll recommend a booster for J&J soon. Hope your case stays fairly routine.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

I've been coughing a lot the past 4 days and didn't think much of it. Yesterday I officially had a 'fever' (100.4 on the nose). I've had and still have full sense of smell and taste. Out of an abundance of caution, I took a rapid Covid test at a drive up testing station. A few hours ago, I learned that my test came back positive.

Throughout the pandemic, I have been extremely careful. I got the J&J vaccine back in May. I rarely go out, and work from home. I live in Jackson County and follow mask guidelines whenever I do go out. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't get Covid, yet here I am.

From the beginning of the Covid pandemic until about two weeks ago, I personally only knew of 5 people that had contracted Covid (or at least admitted to it). In the past 2 weeks, 3 people that I know of have contracted Covid. One of them is in the hospital on a ventilator. What do we all have in common? We all took the J&J vaccine!

When I was getting tested, they asked if I had been vaccinated, and I replied, "yes". I then asked if she needed to know which one, or when I was vaccinated. She said "no", administered the test and left. Once I learned of the positive result, I contacted my doctor who did ask some more follow up questions, but also didn't care about which vaccine I took, or when it was administered. It seems like this would be important data to collect. Wouldn't you think?

Just Googling "is janssen covid-19 vaccine effective against delta variant" returns confusing results:

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Far Less Effective Against Delta Variant, Study Suggests

J&J: Vaccine Protection Against Delta Variant Is Strong

I think the most frustrating thing about the official response to Covid-19 is the changing and contradictory 'facts' that have been put out there. Do we need a booster if you had the J&J shot? Nothing out there conclusive.

I'm not looking for "vaccines are a lie" responses, or for anything, really. Just wanted to vent a bit (no pun hopefully intended) and to tell you all to be careful out there. And maybe, just maybe, think about getting a booster if you did get that J&J shot!

It's a novel virus being treated with a new type of vaccine technology, that was created via emergency authorization because it was a global pandemic that has since killed over 4.5M people globally with the actual total being much more than that. Decisions made in the first few months of the pandemic were made on data that was barely weeks old. They were making decisions on the best info they had, which was basically nothing. They had to be cautious. What the experts know now is incomparable to what they knew 1yr ago or more when leaders were forced to make decisions.

Still, the results speak for themselves. We've now vaccinated over half the global population. Still no obvious dangers at all, with well proven effectiveness against hospitalization and death.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Everyone is going to get it. The idea that people can hide from life just sounds so crazy to me.

Anyway, take comfort in the fact that covid is no big deal for the overwhelming majority of us. Feel better!

My whole family and much of my daughter's elementary school were all very sick with perhaps the worst cold I've ever had first week of March 2020.

I've wondered if it were possible that it was COVID, especially after information came out that Kansas had one of the first COVID deaths in the nation.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/...til-this-week/

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by TLO

How are you feeling?

So far I've had lots of coughing- dry coughing. I've also got body aches and occasional chills. It's not that bad. Nothing worse than a flu so far. I feel fatigued, which is a listed symptom, but suspect that's due to the lack of sleep from waking up coughing during the night.

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Everyone is going to get it.

I agree, as I feel like Covid has continued to mutate to become more resistant to vaccines. I did however, feel like getting a vaccine and following recommended procedures would have at least got me through the Delta variant 'wave' that's waning.

Originally Posted by el borracho

The idea that people can hide from life just sounds so crazy to me.

To be honest, I am pretty reclusive already, so I wouldn't say that I've hidden from my version of 'life'. I've been to family gatherings, go out to eat on the weekends and do things. For the most part though, I do not have exposure to other people during the week.

Originally Posted by el borracho

Anyway, take comfort in the fact that covid is no big deal for the overwhelming majority of us. Feel better!

Yep, I'm healthy enough where I'm not too concerned. Thank you for the kind wishes, much appreciated!

[stanleychief]

Originally Posted by Fish

It's a novel virus being treated with a new type of vaccine technology, that was created via emergency authorization because it was a global pandemic that has since killed over 4.5M people globally with the actual total being much more than that. Decisions made in the first few months of the pandemic were made on data that was barely weeks old. They were making decisions on the best info they had, which was basically nothing. They had to be cautious. What the experts know now is incomparable to what they knew 1yr ago or more when leaders were forced to make decisions.

Still, the results speak for themselves. We've now vaccinated over half the global population. Still no obvious dangers at all, with well proven effectiveness against hospitalization and death.

Totally understand all of that, and agree. There was insufficient data to guide a lot of decisions early on. I still think vaccines are useful. However, I do have a few minor counterpoints here:

1) The vaccine I am referring to is the Janssen vaccine (Johnson and Johnson), which is not using mRNA. It's more traditional than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

2) The two articles that I linked to in my original post were written on 7/8/2021 and 7/20/2021. Granted the Delta variant is newer, but I would hope for better consistency in the publication of attention grabbing headlines. Because sadly, that is about as far as most people read these days.

I think my biggest concern is the lack of interest in knowing which vaccine I had and when. It seems like that would be critical information to have in evaluating real-world effectiveness in a vaccine. Perhaps they feel they have enough data? I dunno.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Lumpy's husband has passed away.

Oh, no. That's terrible. I didn't even know (haven't been on FB ). Prayers for her.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

My whole family and much of my daughter's elementary school were all very sick with perhaps the worst cold I've ever had first week of March 2020.

I've wondered if it were possible that it was COVID, especially after information came out that Kansas had one of the first COVID deaths in the nation.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/09/...til-this-week/

Wow! That's very interesting. I would love to know why the doctor amended her death certificate. He needs to speak with Peaches and tell her the truth. And then perhaps she can fill the rest of us in on that. I know a few people who got really sick that winter and they think they may have had COVID. This could confirm that it was here prior to March 2020.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

Totally understand all of that, and agree. There was insufficient data to guide a lot of decisions early on. I still think vaccines are useful. However, I do have a few minor counterpoints here:

1) The vaccine I am referring to is the Janssen vaccine (Johnson and Johnson), which is not using mRNA. It's more traditional than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

2) The two articles that I linked to in my original post were written on 7/8/2021 and 7/20/2021. Granted the Delta variant is newer, but I would hope for better consistency in the publication of attention grabbing headlines. Because sadly, that is about as far as most people read these days.

I think my biggest concern is the lack of interest in knowing which vaccine I had and when. It seems like that would be critical information to have in evaluating real-world effectiveness in a vaccine. Perhaps they feel they have enough data? I dunno.

I am with you on this. I, too, got the J&J and have tried to find info on the web about how it does against Delta. And like you, I seem to just get conflicting information.

[Lzen]

Ok, here is the original reason I stopped into this thread today.

Nevada brought back its mask mandate on July 27. Neighboring Arizona didn't.

Over two months later, we see the same trajectory in both (what a shock, right?), but with Nevada's numbers worse:

Had these numbers been reversed, you know they would have been blamed on Arizona's relative lack of masks. But as usual, when the numbers come out like this, they're just ignored.

This kind of info is why I don't believe mask mandates are helpful at all. And there are countless examples just like this one.

https://mailchi.mp/tomwoods/boot?e=06bc172bc3