***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.”

[Donger]

Well, a shit day. Looks like were going to exceed yesterday's new case growth, but not by much.

Deaths.... ugh.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Uh that's a pretty shitty way of putting it. The question is how many people are you willing to let die before you start causing ancillary harm by trying to keep them alive?

I mean we know people die of the flu every year right? Do we not shut down because we don't care and just want what we want or do we not shut down because the costs of doing so vs. the costs of not doing so are acceptable?

When you say how many people are you willing to let die just to get what you want I am afraid frames the question in a very inaccurate and argumentative light.

I think I just like talking about it directly rather than pretending that it's not what we're talking about. We choose to let people die every year from the flu - yes. We have determined that the cost of reducing those deaths isn't worth it.

This virus causes far more deaths than the flu. The societal cost of keeping the death toll low is the crux of the issue.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Donger

Well, a shit day. Looks like were going to exceed yesterday's new case growth, but not by much.

Deaths.... ugh.

Yeah the deaths were bad today. New cases meh...no real movement one way or the other.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Again counter argument....

There were 25k new cases today....(Take out NY\NJ) there were only 10k new cases today nationwide....except NY\NJ

I think regional decisions supersede the overall national decision.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think I just like talking about it directly rather than pretending that it's not what we're talking about. We choose to let people die every year from the flu - yes. We have determined that the cost of reducing those deaths isn't worth it.

This virus causes far more deaths than the flu. The societal cost of keeping the death toll low is the crux of the issue.

Societal cost is accurate. "To get what you want"....not so much. And I am not arguing this vs. the flu. The flu was once much more deadly than it is today for that matter.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Donger

I think regional decisions supersede the overall national decision.

I would tend to agree with that.

[Demonpenz]

She said the symptoms are severe than she was led to believe.

[Dunit35]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Yep. I also think the debate gets lost when we talk about things in generalities. For example, "opening things up" isn't going to fix the economy. You're still not going to be going to concerts, attending sporting events, or even going to a crowded restaurant. Likewise, "people will die" doesn't really get very specific either. It's all nuanced and based on personal values. I'm just glad I'm not a politician who has to make an actual decision based on all of that mess.

How bout we start with doing elective surgeries and having regular doctor visits. Get the money rolling into the hospitals again. Instead of them waiting for this “surge” that they keep postponing because they won’t admit it’s not coming.

Coworkers husband thought he was having a heart attack Saturday. His wife rushes him to the ER only for them to make him stand out by the door answering questions before letting him in. The guy is having chest pains and you make him wait.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Hope she does okay. Healthcare workers are taking it in on the chin right now. Hope she gets better sooner rather than later.

She sounds ok. Hope it doesnt go from ok to dire but seems ok.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Sure, if you'd prefer to think of it that way. Either way, you have to make a decision about how many people you're willing to let die in order to get what you want.

We try not to "let" anyone die but some will. We still mitigate as much as possible. Then we treat the ones who get sick and try and keep the death toll to a minimum. So when we get the testing down, the treatments that work, we have the vents and beds available places could start to open up. Not Vegas and places that are so congested as NY but a lot of places.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by Lprechaun

Holy crap Michigan!
"For at least until then, Michiganders won't be allowed to travel to in-state vacation residences. They are not permitted to use a motor boat. Business restrictions have been tightened, including that large stores must close areas "dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint," among other measures. Violators could be fined or charged with a misdemeanor, though the practicality of strict enforcement was unclear"
You cant buy seeds to plant your own vegetables just in case this last a lot longer than expected. Cant paint or do general home repairs.

Yeah they have gone ****ing crazy over it.

[KCUnited]

No link but local news reporting that IL governor is meeting with leaders from neighboring states regarding a roadmap to "reopen". The majority of Chicago summer festivals have already been canceled, which is huge for industry and morale. So I'm hopeful this means at least the start of a strategic collaboration outlining an idea of what reopening can entail. These should be regional decisions separate of national outliers.

[RustShack]

So why did we close anything in the first place if we are opening with no changes? It’s just going to spike again.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by RustShack

So why did we close anything in the first place if we are opening with no changes? It’s just going to spike again.

Who said we are opening with no changes? And why does it have to spike?

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by RustShack

So why did we close anything in the first place if we are opening with no changes? It’s just going to spike again.

To not overload the hospitals. Now that we have a better data, hopefully we can turn the economy back on to a degree and still not run out of beds/ventilators. or whatever.