***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.”

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Since you seem to be here for actual discussion, can you help me understand why masks have become a left/right issue? I honestly don't understand it. Is it just a feeling like people shouldn't have to follow government regulations broadly? Lack of trust in science? Or is there something more to it that I'm missing?

As far as left/right, I have no idea. Perhaps people on the left are more willing to accept everything the govt tells them even if it's wrong? And perhaps the right has become a lot more distrustful (whether justified or not) of the govt that they are almost to a point of not believing much of anything. We have become a lot more polarized these days, for sure. But I don't believe it's quite as easily boxed as a simple left/right issue.

For me, personally, at first, I didn't think the mask was necessary and probably didn't do much. But I have always been aware of the asymptomatic spread and even questioned some of my friends (not necessarly all right) on social media. But reading about it has convinced me that I should probably wear one if, for nothing else then simply to protect others if I am carrying it.

And, if you're curious, as far as political leanings, I consider myself a right leaning Libertarian.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I've noticed not a single one of you has answered my question.

How long do you intend to wear masks? It's a simple question.

FFS.

Originally Posted by DaFace

I have no symptoms and wear it everywhere (inside) now. I'll do so until public health experts deem that it's no longer necessary.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I've noticed not a single one of you has answered my question.

How long do you intend to wear masks? It's a simple question.

Daface answered you and I 100% agree with him. I will wear it until there is a vaccine or until the virus is less threatening or gone.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Since you seem to be here for actual discussion, can you help me understand why masks have become a left/right issue? I honestly don't understand it. Is it just a feeling like people shouldn't have to follow government regulations broadly? Lack of trust in science? Or is there something more to it that I'm missing?

All the contrarian assholes have clustered together on one particular side.

[Lzen]

One other point on the left/right thing. I think a lot of this polarization has occurred from the impeachment proceedings and all that came with it. Sure, it started before that but I feel that really caused a lot of digging in, so to speak. Just my .02 cents. Take if for what it's worth.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by Mecca

It will protect you from lots of things sir, like regular colds and that homeless guy that won't stop jerking off on the train.

Yep. Looks kind of cool too. I like it.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Tighten up the fit of the top of the mask and wash your lenses with warm, soapy water.

I've pinched the top of the mask to the point where my nose hurts and they still fog up. The only thing that I've noticed that helped with the fog was wearing my glasses to where they are practically falling off my face but then my eyes arent centered in the lense and its just a headache to see through. I haven't washed them with soapy water, though. If it ever gets to the point where I'm getting screamed at for not wearing one I'll give it a shot but I'm not to worried about it right now. It's a requirement in Illinois if you cant maintain social distancing but I'm able to more than maintain the distance at the times I go shopping.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You didn't answer my question. Perhaps you should start there with yourself before you start with other people?

Until there’s a vaccine and I no longer have a high chance of spreading this virus, especially working in healthcare. You should thank me.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Lzen

One other point on the left/right thing. I think a lot of this polarization has occurred from the impeachment proceedings and all that came with it. Sure, it started before that but I feel that really caused a lot of digging in, so to speak. Just my .02 cents. Take if for what it's worth.

People have been dug in for quite awhile, identity politics causes that, its now treated like sports teams when it really shouldn't be.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I have this side effect where the second I put on a mask my glasses instantly fog up and I cant see shit with them on and I cant see shit with them off so I choose not to wear one. I also realize that its an issue to a lot of people so I do all of my store shopping just before closing when there's maybe like 5 people in the store and the only checkout isles open are the self checkout and I have yet to get stopped for not wearing one.

Yeah, that's an issue for me but, thankfully, I only need reading glasses at this point in my life. I find that I can press on the top of the mask above my nose and it prevents the air from escaping there and fogging my reading glasses.

[dirk digler]

I pre-ordered some Chiefs masks the other day from Fanatics so I can look even cooler

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Lzen

As far as left/right, I have no idea. Perhaps people on the left are more willing to accept everything the govt tells them even if it's wrong? And perhaps the right has become a lot more distrustful (whether justified or not) of the govt that they are almost to a point of not believing much of anything. We have become a lot more polarized these days, for sure. But I don't believe it's quite as easily boxed as a simple left/right issue.

For me, personally, at first, I didn't think the mask was necessary and probably didn't do much. But I have always been aware of the asymptomatic spread and even questioned some of my friends (not necessarly all right) on social media. But reading about it has convinced me that I should probably wear one if, for nothing else then simply to protect others if I am carrying it.

And, if you're curious, as far as political leanings, I consider myself a right leaning Libertarian.

Gotcha. The libertarian angle I get. Certainly the "we're all in this together" mentality is antithetical to that.

For the record, I don't personally blame anyone for not necessarily trusting every bit of advice out there. We still know very, very little about this damn disease, and I'm confident that we'll look back years from now and laugh at some of the stupid things we believed. All any of us can do is go on the most reliable information we have at any given point, and it may change. I even get why that erodes trust. It sucks, but it is what it is.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Until there’s a vaccine and I no longer have a high chance of spreading this virus, especially working in healthcare. You should thank me.

do you work in the hospital or out in the field? Retired FF/Paramedic myself

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I've noticed not a single one of you has answered my question.

How long do you intend to wear masks? It's a simple question.

Also since you work in healthcare I bet your employer makes you wear one correct? I am sure they will continue that practice until a viable vaccine is available at least.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Pants

pete, all jokes aside. Do you think there's a CHANCE masks may offer SOME sort of protection to the public? Or do you FIRMLY believe wearing a mask is literally the same as not wearing one when it comes to SARS 2?

I think it's like anything else in life. It's a gray area. If you have symptoms wear a mask. I have seen and heard enough that if you are in close proximity with someone for any length of time the mask is not doing anyone any good. And that was clearly stated in the article I posted that no one read. The mask buys you a bit of extra time but in Da Face's idiotic hypo, the mask isn't going to protect you from spreading it.


See people keep saying "the mask is to protect others from you". Okay well that means then what, we are going to perpetually wear masks now because we might have something? When does that end?

People want to say it's selfish not to wear a mask and those same people were out walking around with the cold and flu symptoms before all this and not giving a flying ****. So ...as I said do you plan on always wearing a mask from this day forward? Or when do you decide that if you don't have symptoms you aren't going to wear a mask?

Me personally? I have been shut in for 2 months. Never had any symptoms. Maybe I was asymptomatic? Am I perpetually asymptomatic? Am I to wear a mask now every time I go outside for a walk because I might walk by someone who might have it even though the odds of me getting it from that are damn near 0?

Sorry if I think that a certain amount of rationality has been thrown out the window with a lot of this.