***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 dirk digler

Masks and social distancing when you can especially if you don't get the flu shot. I know it won't happen, but it would help with the vulnerable population.

No, it won't.

I think it's a bit odd there is no flu but Covid is surging. Could be legit but something ain't stirring the kool-aid there on the surface.

[Dunit35]

I get the shot Thursday at 945. Hopefully it’s without issues.

[petegz28]

WTF is with these people?

New York County Executive Filmed Playing Hockey Two Weeks After Shutting Down Ice Rink For Hosting Scrimmage
https://dailycaller.com/2020/12/29/e...key-scrimmage/

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by petegz28

No, it won't.

I think it's a bit odd there is no flu but Covid is surging. Could be legit but something ain't stirring the kool-aid there on the surface.

I explained this just a few days ago.

[O.city]

Well they found the new UK strain here in Colorado. If it does indeed spread faster, that would increase the R0 which isn’t ideal

[BigRedChief]

Florida reports 22.75% coronavirus positivity rate, state blames ‘reduced hours for testing during the holidays’

I’m sure all businesses, including bars being wide open with no masks. Have as many people gather indoors as you want without masks had nothing to do with nearly 1-4 people having a positive Covid test. Not related. Insert police Story gif....nothing to see here.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I'm drinking Alkaline water with cucumber . I should be immune!

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Florida reports 22.75% coronavirus positivity rate, state blames ‘reduced hours for testing during the holidays’

I’m sure all businesses, including bars being wide open with no masks. Have as many people gather indoors as you want without masks had nothing to do with nearly 1-4 people having a positive Covid test. Not related. Insert police Story gif....nothing to see here.

Got any data on the bars there?

[O.city]

So what’s a good reason for the hold up in vaccinations? What’s taking so long?

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by O.city

So what’s a good reason for the hold up in vaccinations? What’s taking so long?

Why do you think it is "taking so long"?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

So what’s a good reason for the hold up in vaccinations? What’s taking so long?

Uh, it's like Christmas and stuff..like, seriously????

[O.city]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Uh, it's like Christmas and stuff..like, seriously????

So?

This shit is wreaking havoc with everyone’s lives. Why wouldn’t we be vaccinating 7 days per week?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Why do you think it is "taking so long"?

States have however many vaccines and they aren’t getting this done quicker. I’m just curious why

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

So?

This shit is wreaking havoc with everyone’s lives. Why wouldn’t we be vaccinating 7 days per week?

It was sarcasm

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by O.city

So what’s a good reason for the hold up in vaccinations? What’s taking so long?

I've heard of issues with state tracking, but no details on that.

It has to be stored at crazy low temps (AFAIK) and there are requirements around having temp controls and backup controls/monitoring that may not be in place. As well as any shipping challenges.

I assume there will be massive scheduling bottlenecks, plus whatever has to be done at the hospital or clinic level to track appointments, orders, setup drive-thrus (if they're going that route), etc. And the hospitals here were already desperate for more staff due to Covid cases, much less the vaccine.

And you have to monitor each person for 20 minutes after they get the shot, since it's so new... and if you've ever had an anaphylactic reaction to anything, it's 60 minutes.

My best guess is there are just a ton of moving parts all trying to come together in relatively short time, along with some (or a lot of) poor planning, and during the holidays.