***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.”

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Razaele

We had it last week/this week. First my voice went to crap for 2 days. Then one evening I got the headache/congestion/fever/muscle aches and went to bed wearing layers, but by the morning I did not have a fever anymore. The headache lasted a couple of days, the congestion and light cough lasted a few more. Normal OTC meds handled the headache and cough mostly. Totally fine after 1 week. Same for my better half. She had a strong positive on an at-home test, I had a very weak positive. It was like having a bad head cold I would say.

I had the OG and the biggest complication was the back of my neck felt like I got kicked by a horse. Had to turn around with my feet as opposed to being able to turn my neck.

No taste or smell issues and only a slight fever. Weird virus.

[JewishPrincess]

I somehow haven't caught it yet. Praise Jesus!

[TLO]

So this new mutation is even more transmissible than the last. At what point does this thing burn itself out?

It can't go on indefinitely becoming more and more transmissible, right?

[sedated]

Originally Posted by TLO

So this new mutation is even more transmissible than the last. At what point does this thing burn itself out?

It can't go on indefinitely becoming more and more transmissible, right?

I was under the impression the last mutation was so contagious that its pretty much assumed everyone living a "normal" life got it.

I went to a store this weekend and the guy ringing me up was talking about how he tested positive for Covid but they still made him work. Maybe I disregarded more than I should but honestly just shrugged my shoulders and went on with my day.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by sedated

I was under the impression the last mutation was so contagious that its pretty much assumed everyone living a "normal" life got it.

I went to a store this weekend and the guy ringing me up was talking about how he tested positive for Covid but they still made him work. Maybe I disregarded more than I should but honestly just shrugged my shoulders and went on with my day.

Well now this sub-variant is supposedly 50% more transmissible. But call now... and we'll throw in 2 FREE booster shots!!!

[TLO]

We're approaching Measles level of transmissibility. That's stupid. Just go the **** away already.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by TLO

So this new mutation is even more transmissible than the last. At what point does this thing burn itself out?

It can't go on indefinitely becoming more and more transmissible, right?

It seems to be becoming less deadly so what I expect is that everybody is getting exposed in one way or another and even though its mutating there's some level of immunity becoming established. Basically like the regular flu that's a different variant every year ,and kills a number of people, this will be the same.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

It seems to be becoming less deadly so what I expect is that everybody is getting exposed in one way or another and even though its mutating there's some level of immunity becoming established. Basically like the regular flu that's a different variant every year ,and kills a number of people, this will be the same.

It's way more transmissible than the flu.

[suzzer99]

Is it more transmissible than measles at this point?

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by JewishPrincess

I somehow haven't caught it yet. Praise Jesus!

I see what you did there, funny.......Keep PB in line

[TLO]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Is it more transmissible than measles at this point?

“This virus has probably got tricks we haven’t seen yet,” virologist Robert F. Garry of Tulane University said. “We know it’s probably not quite as infectious as measles yet, but it’s creeping up there, for sure.”

[TLO]

DaFace are you feeling back to normal?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by TLO

DaFace are you feeling back to normal?

Yeah, I'd say I'm 95% fine at this point. Still some very slight congestion, and my wife got it after me and is a week or so behind with some more moderate congestion, but that's about it. Taste is back for the most part, and we went on a moderate hike yesterday, so it's not like there are any breathing issues. Thanks for checking in!

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Otter

I had the OG and the biggest complication was the back of my neck felt like I got kicked by a horse. Had to turn around with my feet as opposed to being able to turn my neck.

Oddly, I'm kind of dealing with this right now, though I hadn't made any connection to covid (and I'm still not really sure that that's the case). I've had recurring upper back issues for years, and this is one of the worst bouts I've had. I'm trying to just be better about exercising and posture, which has taken care of it in the past. Your comment does make me wonder if it's connected, though...

[loochy]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Oddly, I'm kind of dealing with this right now, though I hadn't made any connection to covid (and I'm still not really sure that that's the case). I've had recurring upper back issues for years, and this is one of the worst bouts I've had. I'm trying to just be better about exercising and posture, which has taken care of it in the past. Your comment does make me wonder if it's connected, though...

It's just a symptom of the full body inflammation from the covid induced cytokines.

I tend to get really bad back and joint aches from flus and fevers.