***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.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by 2112

Gotcha, thanks.

Expanding on it a bit (and purely based on my own speculation)...

I wouldn't think that you'll have mandatory vaccines in schools for a while regardless. At least through the summer, this is going to be a "vaccinate everyone who wants it and don't be too forceful with those who don't" situation, and that will probably drag out even longer for kids since they can't get it now regardless.

If, after supply has caught up with demand, we're seeing really good results and minimal deaths, that'll probably be the end of it. There's a decent chance that booster shots will be a thing, but hopefully it'll just end up like the flu where it can largely be managed voluntarily.

The question is just what happens if we are still seeing a lot of deaths even after supply has caught up with demand. It would largely be among those who weren't vaccinated, which might further push people to do it, but we know that ~5% of people who get the vaccine are still vulnerable. So, if we're still seeing a lot of spread among that 5%, I could see the discussions popping up about mandatory vaccines in schools and public gatherings.

But I think those discussions are a long ways off, and things could change substantially by then.

[displacedinMN]

They are offering to teachers now.

Tried to sign in What a crock.

Filled in all info, clicked on a time. Unavailable. THen had to fill in all the info again before I could get a time. Tried 3x and no luck. F MN dep of health

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

Like I said before you should have been booted a long time ago. You only exist on this site to be a piece of shit that adds nothing of value to any discussion. I don't think I've ever seen you post anything but instigating bull shit. Quit using this site as an outlet for your miserable life.

Yet I still add more than you do. Think about that a second. Keep dreaming

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

They are offering to teachers now.

Tried to sign in What a crock.

Filled in all info, clicked on a time. Unavailable. THen had to fill in all the info again before I could get a time. Tried 3x and no luck. F MN dep of health

Haha. Try it one more time sir.

[jdubya]

My 20 year old son is an RA in a dorm in college although they are still on the remote learning schedule. All the RA`s are being offered the vaccine. He just texted me asking, "Do you want me to get the covid vaccine dad"?

TBH I have zero issues with my 87 year old parents getting it and even myself and my wife. Why am I hesitant to encourage my kids to get it? (OK 20 isn't a kid but he is in my eyes still lol)

[joethomas]

the anti-vaxers are going to prolong everyone's having to suffer under these restrictions for months or longer. Sad.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Why am I hesitant to encourage my kids to get it? (OK 20 isn't a kid but he is in my eyes still lol)

Lunacy.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by joethomas

the anti-vaxers are going to prolong everyone's having to suffer under these restrictions for months or longer. Sad.

Once everyone who wants a vaccine has had it, who gives a shit about the others? Their choice, their consequences.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by jdubya

My 20 year old son is an RA in a dorm in college although they are still on the remote learning schedule. All the RA`s are being offered the vaccine. He just texted me asking, "Do you want me to get the covid vaccine dad"?

TBH I have zero issues with my 87 year old parents getting it and even myself and my wife. Why am I hesitant to encourage my kids to get it? (OK 20 isn't a kid but he is in my eyes still lol)

It's human nature to protect your kids from harm. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you'd be more hesitant. You shouldn't be, but I understand why you are.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by sedated

Once everyone who wants a vaccine has had it, who give a shit about the others. Their choice, their consequences.

Because they could still get infected potentially allowing the virus to mutate to a point it could render the vaccine useless or less effective .So their choice could still have consequences for others.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by Eureka

Haha. Try it one more time sir.

all spots were taken by the time I did it 4 times. Not mad I did not get in, more mad at feeling like it is the Lottery of who lives and dies in the movie Deep Impact.

[Azide22]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Expanding on it a bit (and purely based on my own speculation)...

I wouldn't think that you'll have mandatory vaccines in schools for a while regardless. At least through the summer, this is going to be a "vaccinate everyone who wants it and don't be too forceful with those who don't" situation, and that will probably drag out even longer for kids since they can't get it now regardless.

If, after supply has caught up with demand, we're seeing really good results and minimal deaths, that'll probably be the end of it. There's a decent chance that booster shots will be a thing, but hopefully it'll just end up like the flu where it can largely be managed voluntarily.

The question is just what happens if we are still seeing a lot of deaths even after supply has caught up with demand. It would largely be among those who weren't vaccinated, which might further push people to do it, but we know that ~5% of people who get the vaccine are still vulnerable. So, if we're still seeing a lot of spread among that 5%, I could see the discussions popping up about mandatory vaccines in schools and public gatherings.

But I think those discussions are a long ways off, and things could change substantially by then.

If only 5% are susceptible, this thing wouldn't likely get much foothold. I can also pretty much say that 100% we will need boosters of some sort. It isn't going away - the only question is how long our immunity lasts.

But as you note, the only thing we know, is we don't know what the future with this will hold. I can't begin to say how much that sucks.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Azide22

If only 5% are susceptible, this thing wouldn't likely get much foothold. I can also pretty much say that 100% we will need boosters of some sort. It isn't going away - the only question is how long our immunity lasts.

But as you note, the only thing we know, is we don't know what the future with this will hold. I can't begin to say how much that sucks.

Right, but my assumption is that, in addition to the 5% who are vaccinated being susceptible, we'll likely have 20-30% of people who won't get it. And while I frankly don't care if that 20-30% get it due to their own refusal, I do care if the 20-30% are the reason that the 5% end up having issues.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by jdubya

My 20 year old son is an RA in a dorm in college although they are still on the remote learning schedule. All the RA`s are being offered the vaccine. He just texted me asking, "Do you want me to get the covid vaccine dad"?

TBH I have zero issues with my 87 year old parents getting it and even myself and my wife. Why am I hesitant to encourage my kids to get it? (OK 20 isn't a kid but he is in my eyes still lol)

I definitely understand your hesitation. If it were my kiddo I'd tell him to go ahead and get it since it's being offered.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by DaFace

It's human nature to protect your kids from harm. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you'd be more hesitant. You shouldn't be, but I understand why you are.

My neighbor is an ER doctor at a local hospital and said his kids, (same ages as mine) have both had the vaccination. He said Covid at his hospital is "BAD" right now and encouraged me to give my lad the green light.

My wife's friend is a pediatrician and says she wouldn't hesitate either.

I`m convinced it is the correct thing to do.