***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]

But you guys have told us this is no worse than the flu? Why the rush ?

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Katherine O'Brien head of the WHO vaccines program, says even if the vaccines work we will still have to mask and social distance until early 2022.

— Robert Miller (@rob_miller12345) December 10, 2020

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

But you guys have told us this is no worse than the flu? Why the rush ?

Oh okay so then we can ditch the masks?

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by O.city

But you guys have told us this is no worse than the flu? Why the rush ?

Regardless of what anyone's personal opinion on Covid is, I am pretty sure we all want to get back to normal ASAP. This isn't a difficult thing to understand is it?

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Katherine O'Brien head of the WHO vaccines program, says even if the vaccines work we will still have to mask and social distance until early 2022.

— Robert Miller (@rob_miller12345) December 10, 2020

Everyone will have vaccine availability by Summer. When that happens I’m not wearing a mask anymore.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Regardless of what anyone's personal opinion on Covid is, I am pretty sure we all want to get back to normal ASAP. This isn't a difficult thing to understand is it?

Sure.

They’ve already fast tracked this quicker than anyone ever imagined. It’s gotta be done right. The quickest way to do that is high uptake of the vaccine.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Regardless of what anyone's personal opinion on Covid is, I am pretty sure we all want to get back to normal ASAP. This isn't a difficult thing to understand is it?

Exactly. The vaccine completely changes the paradigm and we need to get going on it. I mean ****ing Canada is ahead of us. CANADA!!!! WTF IS YOUR PATRIOTISM????

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

Sure.

They’ve already fast tracked this quicker than anyone ever imagined. It’s gotta be done right.

I bet you put gravy on your french fries.....

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Everyone will have vaccine availability by Summer. When that happens I’m not wearing a mask anymore.

I have a business in New York. If I had just a bit more flexibility I would have moved to a non-mask mandated state.

This is a serious problem for long-term care facilities and nursing homes but the rest of society needs to get back to work.

[tyecopeland]

So my uncle got covid. He's older than 65. He lost his sense of taste for awhile. And had a little bit of a head cold. He didn't get tested for a little over a week and came back positive. The health department had him quarantine for a day before releasing him back to work because of 10 days from start of symptoms. My aunt has to quarantine for 14 days from the day of the test.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Donger

I hope I don't catch heart disease when I get on a plane next week.

At least you admit it's about YOU and not about anybody else.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

At least you admit it's about YOU and not about anybody else.

I didn't admit that at all. That was sarcasm about heart disease not being contagious.

Regarding something which is actually contagious, like COVID-19, I wear a mask because I know that it protects others from me, not me from others, mostly.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Donger

I didn't admit that at all. That was sarcasm about heart disease not being contagious.

Regarding something which is actually contagious, like COVID-19, I wear a mask because I know that it protects others from me, not me from others, mostly.

Actually, Covid is not contagious. Sars-COV2 is the virus and like other coronaviruses is primarily spread by contagious individuals. Your mask better stop aerosols or it's nothing but security theater.

Once you breathe in the virus whether more happens from there is dependent on YOUR immune system and health.

[O.city]

Masks stop some aerosols. Depends on size and weight but they stop some.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Actually, Covid is not contagious. Sars-COV2 is the virus and like other coronaviruses is primarily spread by contagious individuals. Your mask better stop aerosols or it's nothing but security theater.

Once you breathe in the virus whether more happens from there is dependent on YOUR immune system and health.

Yes it is. COVID-19 is a contagious disease. It is spread by the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

We all know the benefits and weaknesses of masks, so I really see no reason to rehash it.