***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.”

[O.city]

I don't think loss of taste and smell is as much of an issue with the newer mutated versions (omicron). I only lost it for like 3 days.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by O.city

I don't think loss of taste and smell is as much of an issue with the newer mutated versions (omicron). I only lost it for like 3 days.

Yeah most of the people I know were anywhere between 3-8 days. I know a lot of people who have had it and 8 days was tops and that was one person. For most, it was between 1-4 days.

[TLO]

I'm familiar with a few folks that got the OG variant about 2 years ago and their taste and smell is still gone.

I haven't actually met anyone that lost taste or smell since omicron came around.

[Demonpenz]

My taste hasn't been the same and it has been a year

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by TLO

I'm familiar with a few folks that got the OG variant about 2 years ago and their taste and smell is still gone.

I haven't actually met anyone that lost taste or smell since omicron came around.

My wife lost it for a few days , no matter how much salt she added , she could never taste it.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Damn, that's rough. I wouldn't say it's GONE, but the spicy end of the spectrum is definitely muted.

Let's cut to the chase. Can you still taste barbecue sauce?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Let's cut to the chase. Can you still taste barbecue sauce?

The thought of this is terrifying. I'll report back tomorrow.

[Otter]

It's absolutely crazy how COVID affects people in different ways and how it continues to mutate.

Has anyone ever heard or read an explanation for the loss of taste and smell effect?

[Indian Chief]

Originally Posted by Otter

It's absolutely crazy how COVID affects people in different ways and how it continues to mutate.

Has anyone ever heard or read an explanation for the loss of taste and smell effect?

I've yet to see a definitive answer, but the working hypothesis is that COVID affects sensory neurons in the nose. I've also read some solid evidence that this particular reaction to COVID is genetic.

[DaFace]

As an update on the BBQ front, I can at least report that BBQ sauce is still delicious. I think I may be missing some complexities in the spices, but it's good enough to still be tasty.

[sedated]

I've never lost my taste/smell but curious if shrimp cocktail can still be sensed. Apparently that is the most popular food for astronauts because taste is suppressed in space but the horseradish/ketchup combo is strong enough to break through.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaFace

As an update on the BBQ front, I can at least report that BBQ sauce is still delicious. I think I may be missing some complexities in the spices, but it's good enough to still be tasty.

Okay, crisis over. Everyone get back to your desks.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by DaFace

As an update on the BBQ front, I can at least report that BBQ sauce is still delicious. I think I may be missing some complexities in the spices, but it's good enough to still be tasty.

I'm so happy for you

[TimBone]

I just got hit as well. Two positive home kit tests today. Waiting on results of PCR test. Don't really need it, though. Body aches and headache set in a few hours ago.

My wife tested negative, but we were intimate last night, so I'd say she will be positive soon. My 10 year old tested positive on home kit test this morning as well. We've been all over the Bay Area these last two weeks, so tough to say where we picked it up. Sister-in-law that we've spent the most time with was the first to test positive this morning, so who knows.

We were supposed to fly home tomorrow morning, not sure when that happens now.

[Eleazar]

We had it last week/this week. First my voice went to crap for 2 days. Then one evening I got the headache/congestion/fever/muscle aches and went to bed wearing layers, but by the morning I did not have a fever anymore. The headache lasted a couple of days, the congestion and light cough lasted a few more. Normal OTC meds handled the headache and cough mostly. Totally fine after 1 week. Same for my better half. She had a strong positive on an at-home test, I had a very weak positive. It was like having a bad head cold I would say.