***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.”

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by jdubya

meh, back to approaching normal by March/April.....how many need to vaccinate for herd immunity?

42

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Yeah, in about 3 years. Dude, I don't know what else to tell you. I have been told from the top leadership themselves, we are not and have no plans in mandating the Covid vaccine any time soon.

I guess they are lying to everyone.

Liability concerns being what they are, Id guess nosocomial spread and or the first issue coming from that would change that tune.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

Liability concerns being what they are, Id guess nosocomial spread and or the first issue coming from that would change that tune.

I think the people in charge are well aware of liability issues. And if you did mandate it you'd see a surge in religious exemptions.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It's almost like I've been saying that for months now. Everyone who works in a hospital or for a health system all says the same thing, " a lot of nurses, etc. are not going to take the vaccine".

Now you can argue about whether the should or not but the point is they aren't and the health systems cannot afford to piss off almost half of their nurses. You'll have a resource shortage and lawsuits out the ass. Not to mention the moral going down the tubes.

“If you don’t get the vaccine and get covid and can’t work, you won’t be paid for that leave”

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by petegz28

It's almost like I've been saying that for months now. Everyone who works in a hospital or for a health system all says the same thing, " a lot of nurses, etc. are not going to take the vaccine".

Now you can argue about whether the should or not but the point is they aren't and the health systems cannot afford to piss off almost half of their nurses. You'll have a resource shortage and lawsuits out the ass. Not to mention the moral going down the tubes.

If you are asking my opinion every single person needs to take it so we can go back to normal. Who doesn't want that? Frustrating.

[O.city]

My best friends wife works in the covid unit here. Every nurse and doctor in there who haven’t already had covid are adamant that they’ll be inoculated.

I’d guess there might be a disconnect with those who do and don’t see these patients

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

“If you don’t get the vaccine and get covid and can’t work, you won’t be paid for that leave”

Yeah, no. I am sorry but I can tell you for a fact that one of the health systems in the area, not ours, has nurses with Covid working as long as they aren't showing symptoms.

Please just stop with it already.

And FTR, if you get sick for any reason you have PTO and stick time you can take.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

My best friends wife works in the covid unit here. Every nurse and doctor in there who haven’t already had covid are adamant that they’ll be inoculated.

I’d guess there might be a disconnect with those who do and don’t see these patients

Well I guess the nurses I talk to that work with Covid patients haven't gotten that memo.

[O.city]

They’re having to ration oxygen in hospitals in Canada. We’ve heard for months about front line workers not having adequate Ppe.

If we have working vaccines and they don’t want those well then all that is just blustery bullshit

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Yeah, no. I am sorry but I can tell you for a fact that one of the health systems in the area, not ours, has nurses with Covid working as long as they aren't showing symptoms.

Please just stop with it already.

And FTR, if you get sick for any reason you have PTO and stick time you can take.

You understand why they’re having to work with it right? And what downstream effects that has on patient care an supply in the areas they work?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

They’re having to ration oxygen in hospitals in Canada. We’ve heard for months about front line workers not having adequate Ppe.

If we have working vaccines and they don’t want those well then all that is just blustery bullshit

I have not heard any complaints about PPE in our or any of the other local health systems.

That being said they are not going to force these nurses to take the vaccine any time soon. In a few years they will probably start pushing it. Maybe sooner. But in the next few months? Not happening.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

You understand why they’re having to work with it right? And what downstream effects that has on patient care an supply in the areas they work?

I don't why you keep arguing with me like it's my decision or something. The bottom line is they aren't forcing healthcare workers at least in this area to get vaccinated and a good chunk of them don't want the vaccine for whatever reason.

That's the reality.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I have not heard any complaints about PPE in our or any of the other local health systems.

That being said they are not going to force these nurses to take the vaccine any time soon. In a few years they will probably start pushing it. Maybe sooner. But in the next few months? Not happening.

As soon as it’s available to front line workers, it will be heavily recommended that they get it or they will be forced to wear full Ppe when around any potential risk.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

As soon as it’s available to front line workers, it will be heavily recommended that they get it or they will be forced to wear full Ppe when around any potential risk.

That might be. If you don't get the flu shot for religious or medical reasons you have to wear a mask even in areas you normally don't in our system this year.

Nothing says they won't take those actions but again they aren't mandating the vaccine and that is that.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

That might be. If you don't get the flu shot for religious or medical reasons you have to wear a mask even in areas you normally don't in our system this year.

Nothing says they won't take those actions but again they aren't mandating the vaccine and that is that.

As I said from the beginning, it will be just like the flu vaccination in those settings.

You brought up mandating anything