***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.”

[Discuss Thrower]

Doctors are hoarding medications touted as possible coronavirus treatments by writing prescriptions for themselves and family members, according to pharmacy boards in states across the country.

The stockpiling has become so worrisome in Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Texas that the boards in those states have issued emergency restrictions or guidelines on how the drugs can be dispensed at pharmacies. More states are expected to follow suit.

Source

[Fat Elvis]

[Donger]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I haven't read back through the thread but this is ****ing scary. They found the virus on the Diamond Princess 17 days later.

Identified doesn't mean still transmissible or infectious.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Donger

Some might find this interesting:

http://theconversation.com/coronavir...to-come-134076

Too many numbers for most on here to understand.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Donger

Some might find this interesting:

http://theconversation.com/coronavir...to-come-134076

That should kill all the comparisons. Thanks for sharing.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Donger

Some might find this interesting:

http://theconversation.com/coronavir...to-come-134076

That's interesting thanks for sharing.

It interests me to know the amount of asymptomatic carriers and pts. Some are speculating there could be an iceberg of those under the surface which wouldn't be good initially.

[Mr. Plow]

Sedgwick County issues 30 Day Stay at Home order

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -
Sedgwick County has issued a stay-at-home order, with many exceptions, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The county now has four confirmed cases.

Lists of exceptions and essential businesses

The County Commission discussed and voted 3-2 during a special meeting Monday afternoon. It sent the measure to the county's top heath officer, Dr. Garold Minns, who signed the order on Tuesday. It goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and will be in effect for 30 days, but that is subject to change.

Meitzner said Monday that the order is not a lockdown or shutdown. It's an encouragement to stay at home.

Similar orders for Atchison, Dickinson, Douglas, Doniphan, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Miami and Wyandotte counties went into effect Tuesday.

"These stay-at-home orders require that residents not venture out unless they are engaged in activities that are essential to the health and safety of themselves, family members or friends," Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday. "These essential activities include, but are not limited to, seeking medical attention, purchasing food and filling up gas tanks."

Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and health care facilities will remain open. Examples of essential businesses and services that will remain open include critical governmental services, infrastructure projects, childcare, health care, grocery stores, pharmacies and delivery/carry-out/drive-through services from restaurants.

Outdoor activities like going on a run would also be allowed while maintaining social distancing.

Sedgwick County has four confirmed cases of the virus. There are now at least 84 confirmed cases in Kansas, most of them in the Kansas City area.

A statewide ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people also went into effect Tuesday.

Currently, 89 of Kansas' 105 counties do not have a confirmed positive case, which is why a statewide shelter-in-place order "is not yet a necessary course of action," Gov. Kelly said Monday.

Below are the lists of exceptions and essential businesses, according to Monday's draft of the order.

Exceptions to Sedgwick County's stay-at-home order include:

To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members, including pets.
To obtain necessary services for themselves and their family or household members.
To engage in outdoor activities with social distancing.
To perform work at an essential business.
To care for a family member or pet in another household.
To work for or obtain health-care operations.
To provide any services or perform work necessary for essential infrastructure.
Essential businesses include:

Health-care operations, essential infrastructure and essential government functions.
Grocery stores, farmer's markets, produce stands, convenience stores, other businesses that sell food.
Food cultivation businesses.
Animal-processing businesses.
Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services.
Media services.
Gas stations and auto supply/repair.
Banks and financial institutions.
Hardware stores.
Services such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, construction, janitorial, security staff, HVAC, moving services, lawn care.
Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes.
Educational institutions.
Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers.
Restaurants, but only for drive-through and carryout services.
Businesses that supply products needed to work from home.
Businesses that ship or delivery groceries.
Taxis, aircraft, commercial transportation and logistics providers.
Home-based care for seniors, adults and children.
Residences and shelters for seniors, adults and children.
Professional services: lawyers, accountants, real-estate services, insurance services.
Child-care facilities, in groups of 10 or fewer children.
Mortuary, cremation and burial services.
Hotels and motels, though it cannot be used for conventions or large gatherings.
Manufacturing companies, distributor and supply chain companies providing essential services for a variety of industries.
Leaders and employees of religious institutions.

[Bob Dole]

Holy crap.

21 million fewer cellphone users in China may reveal true death toll

https://metrovoicenews.com/21-millio...-q3O7E7D8NGCo0

[Donger]

California showing 133 new cases today. Keep at it, you guys.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Donger

California showing 133 new cases today. Keep at it, you guys.

I'm gonna say that's from not testing.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Donger

California showing 133 new cases today. Keep at it, you guys.

My wife and I are seriously doing our part, but we still have to exit the house. But we are doing the best we can to stay the hell away from others.

I do think NYC is going to be worse than LA though. While they are both huge cities, LA isn't condensed like New York, and most here don't use public transportation.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm gonna say that's from not testing.

Well, they obviously are testing. But I get what you're saying. We have to work with the numbers we have.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Holy crap.

21 million fewer cellphone users in China may reveal true death toll

https://metrovoicenews.com/21-millio...-q3O7E7D8NGCo0

If that is true, that is serious as **** and why everyone is flipping out.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by chinaski

My wife and I are seriously doing our part, but we still have to exit the house. But we are doing the best we can to stay the hell away from others.

I do think NYC is going to be worse than LA though. While they are both huge cities, LA isn't condensed like New York, and most here don't use public transportation.

I just exit the house without pants on, it works for social distancing.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Holy crap.

21 million fewer cellphone users in China may reveal true death toll

https://metrovoicenews.com/21-millio...-q3O7E7D8NGCo0

This is essentially tabloid gossip.