***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.”

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I would rather have a digital "card" than the oversized physical one that I currently have. I really don't give a **** what people call it or what irrational fears you have about it.

It’s a discriminatory tool that is used to not allow people basic necessities in France like groceries or be able to work.

I don’t want that to happen here. I’ve been told last year that, that would never happen and it was a conspiracy theory of fear.

[carlos3652]

If you can tell me what other requirements I need to enter Walmart to purchase food outside of this “digital card” I’m all ears.

I need to have a social security number and proof of citizenship / resident / visa to be able to work, now I have to add vaccine to work?

Those aren’t based on irrational fears. It’s being talked about.

Edit: I’m not anti vax, I think it helps and my parents who are 75 are going to take boosters. I think forcing and coercing people to take it is wrong, and denying people basic things based on that is wrong as well.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

If you can tell me what other requirements I need to enter Walmart to purchase food outside of this “digital card” I’m all ears.

I need to have a social security number and proof of citizenship / resident / visa to be able to work, now I have to add vaccine to work?

Those aren’t based on irrational fears. It’s being talked about.

Edit: I’m not anti vax, I think it helps and my parents who are 75 are going to take boosters. I think forcing and coercing people to take it is wrong, and denying people basic things based on that is wrong as well.

Here you don’t need it for groceries or other necessities, and most don’t need it for work there is an opt out option .

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Here you don’t need it for groceries or other necessities, and most don’t need it for work there is an opt out option .

We don’t know what OSHA is going to require yet and my job is having discussions on how to handle.

Most companies will no longer hire without asking for you to take the vaccine (at least at the ones I’m applying for) to avoid that headache.

Also, companies are having discussions of out right mandating it because that would be a simpler solution.

Many bigger companies have already mandated them.

And if you think what is happening in France, Israel and Australia is not coming our way with regards to groceries / basic necessities you aren’t paying attention.

That being said you are technically correct as of right now. I was also told that vaccine mandates would not happen last year by the same people saying something different now.

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

carlos3652, although we have plenty of commonality, your opinions tend to differ from mine on this topic. I just wanted to say that I appreciate your well though out positions. You've given me a few things to consider in this thread.

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by IA_Chiefs_fan

carlos3652, although we have plenty of commonality, your opinions tend to differ from mine on this topic. I just wanted to say that I appreciate your well though out positions. You've given me a few things to consider in this thread.

I appreciate you reading and trying to understand my position. I just think people are being black and white on this subject and there is a lot of grey that is just being ignored.

every country is treating this different. Norway just stated that they would class Covid 19 as a seasonal respiratory disease like the flu and lift restrictions soon.

https://www.thelocal.no/20210921/nor...ed-to-the-flu/

Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get vaccinated if you are high risk or even feel like you need to.

Everyone has different positions and different opinions, and that’s ok. Plus I’d like to think that I could have a beer with most people on this board and not let opinions change the fact that I would enjoy hanging out discussing football and bullshit

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

I appreciate you reading and trying to understand my position. I just think people are being black and white on this subject and there is a lot of grey that is just being ignored.

Everyone has different positions and different opinions, and that’s ok. Plus I’d like to think that I could have a beer with most people on this board and not let opinions change the fact that I would enjoy hanging out discussing football and bullshit

Yep, I feel the same way! Cheers, brother.

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

It’s a discriminatory tool that is used to not allow people basic necessities in France like groceries or be able to work.

I don’t want that to happen here. I’ve been told last year that, that would never happen and it was a conspiracy theory of fear.

It won't be happening as a nationwide thing here. Period. Most states would fight it to the SC and win because really the Feds have no control over intra state commerce.

Perhaps some of the nanny states, like California, may try to mandate something, but Kansas, Missouri, Texas and many others won't.

[TLO]

Booster shots

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider

Most states would fight it to the SC and win because really the Feds have no control over intra state commerce.

Wrong.


Wickard v. Filburn

[lawrenceRaider]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Wrong.


Wickard v. Filburn

Do you not know the difference between intra and inter?

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by carlos3652

It’s a discriminatory tool that is used to not allow people basic necessities in France like groceries or be able to work.

I don’t want that to happen here. I’ve been told last year that, that would never happen and it was a conspiracy theory of fear.

You appear to be reading something into my post that simply isn't there. I don't care if other folks have this tool; I would like to have it.

How is me having this tool going to be "discriminatory" to anyone else?

[dirk digler]

Sounds like 2-3 Covid anti-viral pills will be ready for EUA by end of year hopefully.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/27/healt...ner/index.html

At least three promising antivirals for covid are being tested in clinical trials, with results expected as soon as late fall or winter, said Carl Dieffenbach, director of the Division of AIDS at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who is overseeing antiviral development.

"I think that we will have answers as to what these pills are capable of within the next several months," Dieffenbach said.

The top contender is a medication from Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics called molnupiravir, Dieffenbach said. This is the product being tested in the Kellys' Seattle trial. Two others include a candidate from Pfizer, known as PF-07321332, and AT-527, an antiviral produced by Roche and Atea Pharmaceuticals.

They work by interfering with the virus's ability to replicate in human cells. In the case of molnupiravir, the enzyme that copies the viral genetic material is forced to make so many mistakes that the virus can't reproduce. That, in turn, reduces the patient's viral load, shortening infection time and preventing the kind of dangerous immune response that can cause serious illness or death.

So far, only one antiviral drug, remdesivir, has been approved to treat covid. But it is given intravenously to patients ill enough to be hospitalized, and is not intended for early, widespread use. By contrast, the top contenders under study can be packaged as pills.

Sheahan, who also performed preclinical work on remdesivir, led an early study in mice that showed that molnupiravir could prevent early disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid. The formula was discovered at Emory University and later acquired by Ridgeback and Merck.

Clinical trials have followed, including an early trial of 202 participants last spring that showed that molnupiravir rapidly reduced the levels of infectious virus. Merck chief executive Robert Davis said this month that the company expects data from its larger phase 3 trials in the coming weeks, with the potential to seek emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration "before year-end."

Pfizer launched a combined phase 2 and 3 trial of its product Sept. 1, and Atea officials said they expect results from phase 2 and phase 3 trials later this year.

If the results are positive and emergency use is granted for any product, Dieffenbach said, "distribution could begin quickly."

That would mean millions of Americans soon could have access to a daily orally administered medication, ideally a single pill, that could be taken for five to 10 days at the first confirmation of covid infection.

[TLO]

Antivirals, **** yeah!

[Pitt Gorilla]

Hot off the presses: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/...cid=mm7038e3_w

Among other things, if you've already had covid, vaccination is still incredibly beneficial.