***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.”

[sedated]

Originally Posted by loochy

Nah, it's silly. The inconsistency is ridiculous.

This makes it sound like you would rather have a federal mandate instead of allowing businesses to create their own rules. Convenient consistency.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

It is not silly and the attitude shown in this post is part of the problem.

I've worn a mask up until the mask order was lifted. I just don't randomly carry masks in my pocket.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by sedated

This makes it sound like you would rather have a federal mandate instead of allowing businesses to create their own rules. Convenient consistency.

I'd rather have none of it, actually. I think it's ridiculous, but at the same time I fully support a business doing what it wants. If he doesn't like uber's rules then he's free to use lyft or find a bus stop

[KCUnited]

I'm fine with Uber or any other business having a mask policy. And I do keep one in my car. It was just a situation where I wasn't near my car and needed a ride. I'm not stashing masks in my pocket just in case.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I've worn a mask up until the mask order was lifted. I just don't randomly carry masks in my pocket.

I always have one for each of the family in the car. If I go somewhere I bring one in case. Just part of my routine since this shit will be on/off until vaccinations get high. I know if you're vaccinated it's likely you won't have a mask anyway at this point on you. Probably should get ready to now with delta.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I always have one for each of the family in the car. If I go somewhere I bring one in case. Just part of my routine since this shit will be on/off until vaccinations get high. I know if you're vaccinated it's likely you won't have a mask anyway at this point on you. Probably should get ready to now with delta.

I just looked it up and the CTA still requires masks for all passengers, so I guess I should pack one on me at all times just in case as a bus wouldn't of been an option for me either. Shows how long its been since I've rode a bus or train, which used to be an every other day event pre-Covid.

[Bearcat]

OTOH, if you're an Uber driver and haven't been vaccinated yet, you would really have no room at this point to care if your passengers are wearing a mask. And if you're an Uber driver and have been vaccinated, it would seem a bit silly.

I know the company is going to be more worried about spreading Covid than who is/isn't vaccinated, and rightfully so creates rules so the burden isn't on their drivers.... and instead of doing some as crazy (/s) as requiring vaccinated drivers, it puts the responsibility on its customers.

I mean, I've never understood the big deal about mask wearing and always had one on me, even after being vaccinated, until the businesses I visit dropped their mandates (and pretty much everywhere around here has by now)....... but, my attitude has definitely changed over the past several months since getting vaccinated.

At some point the responsibility has to shift.

[Wallymo]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Are we just supposed keep one on us just in case? Screw that noise.

I can't speak for others' experiences, but like the Uber driver, every time I haven't had a mask where one was required they had one to give me. I've been given masks at the airport, indoor gun range and Costco. Companies must just see it as the cost of enforcing their rules.

That seems a reasonable compromise to me.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Wallymo

I can't speak for others' experiences, but like the Uber driver, every time I haven't had a mask where one was required they had one to give me. I've been given masks at the airport, indoor gun range and Costco. Companies must just see it as the cost of enforcing their rules.

That seems a reasonable compromise to me.

"I'll spend money so unvaccinated people can do the right thing, while inconveniencing everyone who's been vaccinated" is not called a compromise.

[KCUnited]

I just Uber'd back to my car and now see an acknowledgement of their policy before the ride is booked. I was in mid conversation after several ounces of HIGH abv beers so I must have clicked through the acknowledgement without looking at it when booking.

That's definitely on me and not them. Thankfully I'm a naturally big tipper.

Stranded Without A Mask: The Struggle Of The Fully Vaccinated

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I just Uber'd back to my car and now see an acknowledgement of their policy before the ride is booked. I was in mid conversation after several ounces of HIGH abv beers so I must have clicked through the acknowledgement without looking at it when booking.



That's definitely on me and not them. Thankfully I'm a naturally big tipper.



Stranded Without A Mask: The Struggle Of The Fully Vaccinated

Ahh. Don't blame you for not having it...you'll be ready next time.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I've worn a mask up until the mask order was lifted. I just don't randomly carry masks in my pocket.

Have you been vaccinated? Most people probably do not carry a mask in their pocket but they should just like a condom or contraceptive.
The mask order was lifted because they thought that hospitals could now maintain the number of patients. They did not lift the mask mandates because it was safe for you.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by loochy

Nah, it's silly. The inconsistency is ridiculous.

The inconsistency by other people is the reason that some people follow the stricter guidelines. I am not going to just follow whatever some business says their rules are.
Those inconsistent situations are the reason that mandates were necessary and really should still be in place in more situations but not all.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Most people probably do not carry a mask in their pocket but they should just like a condom or contraceptive.

Lol, do people (adults) really carry a condom, even when single and going out, much less all the time?

[Wallymo]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

"I'll spend money so unvaccinated people can do the right thing, while inconveniencing everyone who's been vaccinated" is not called a compromise.

I was vaccinated early in the process. I continued to wear a mask until we were told that, if vaccinated, it was not necessary. Regardless, the airport, the gun range (which was only two weeks ago), and Costco (for a time) continued their policies of requiring masks.

Because I was unprepared to need a mask, and they wanted my business, it did seem a good compromise. They spend a little to make sure they don't lose unprepared customers that will need a mask by their policy.

So your interpretation was entirely incorrect. If we are told to wear masks everywhere we go again, I will certainly be sure to have one on me. Until then, it's possible I will in the future walk into a store without a mask in my pocket.