***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.”

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by O.city

Good luck Mr. Plow. It's scary times, we gotta be here for each other.

Thank you! Dad seems to be doing well. Feeling better every day and hopefully will have his results today.


On a side note - if any from the area knows them, this was one of my best friends grandparents. Never seen a more active couple in their 80's and it took them both within 3 weeks of each other.

Bill & Judy Mason

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

jfc

Mr Plow I hope your dad is ok.

Thank you as well. He's doing good. Feels better every day and he thinks he's just had some sinus stuff. Hopefully that's all it is.

[KCUnited]

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, the mayor implored Chicagoans to buy small turkeys and fight the urge to open their homes to extended family. Otherwise, we’re “on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans” — or more — by Dec. 31.



Seriously though, stay safe everyone

[Donger]

161,000 new cases yesterday? Are you ****ing kidding me?

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Donger

161,000 new cases yesterday? Are you ****ing kidding me?

If that's correct and we are catching 1 in 6 would we not be close to herd immunity before a vaccine is available to the public around March?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

If that's correct and we are catching 1 in 6 would we not be close to herd immunity before a vaccine is available to the public around March?

Would be about a million infections per day

I figure based on quick envelope math were around 100 million infections or previously infected immune at this point, so about halfway to HI.

To get there you’d basically double the current death toll which would be...unfortunate

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by O.city

Would be about a million infections per day

I figure based on quick envelope math were around 100 million infections or previously infected immune at this point, so about halfway to HI.

To get there you’d basically double the current death toll which would be...unfortunate

So, yes. If this holds up in 3 to 4 months we would be there? Kind of crazy to think we did all that work to hit herd immunity at the same time a vaccine is available to the general public.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

In my small Kansas county (Reno), we've had 8 deaths in 5 days and cases keep going up. 2 of those deaths were people I knew including a good friends dad. My dad was exposed and tested on Tuesday - he's quarantined waiting on results. He's had some sinus stuff and ran a small fever on Monday which led to him getting tested.

Positive thoughts heading your way.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

So, yes. If this holds up in 3 to 4 months we would be there? Kind of crazy to think we did all that work to his herd immunity at the same time a vaccine is available to the general public.

We did all the work then got tired and apathetic and we’re gonna see what’s gonna happen if we’d have done nothing.

Sadly

If hospitals burden or break we’ll have overshot so HI will be way higher.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

In my small Kansas county (Reno), we've had 8 deaths in 5 days and cases keep going up. 2 of those deaths were people I knew including a good friends dad. My dad was exposed and tested on Tuesday - he's quarantined waiting on results. He's had some sinus stuff and ran a small fever on Monday which led to him getting tested.

My grandparents live in Hutch. They're not BAD when it comes to ignoring guidelines, but they told me a month or so ago all about how they were glad not to live in a big city like Denver where all the COVID is. I hope they're starting to take it more seriously.

[O.city]

If you get safety data back here in the next couple weeks, you've gotta warp speed getting out a vaccine. Just get it into nursing homes and health care workers to start. That will help immensely.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Thank you as well. He's doing good. Feels better every day and he thinks he's just had some sinus stuff. Hopefully that's all it is.

I'll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers, man.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Sobering read about how a wedding with 55 non-masked attendees led to 7 deaths. We are going to be so, so screwed by Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

https://www.latimes.com/science/stor...-maine-wedding

We have such a threadbare system of leave for sick workers, and our most vulnerable are paying the price. It’s a tragedy.

“ To the Maine health officials who wrote the report, the lessons are clear: Wear a mask. Practice social distancing. And for goodness sake, don’t go to work when you are sick.”

It's a good example of why the "let me sign a waiver" takes have been so infuriating (though I've seen less of that lately). Even if YOU don't get terribly sick from it, there's a good chance you'll spread it to someone ELSE who will.

[petegz28]

Starting this weekend we are no longer allowing visitors in our rural hospitals.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, the mayor implored Chicagoans to buy small turkeys and fight the urge to open their homes to extended family. Otherwise, we’re “on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans” — or more — by Dec. 31.



Seriously though, stay safe everyone

Bordering where we don't want to go but the Mayor of Chicago and D.C. are doing these things after being out in Biden celebration rallies last week. Okay, fair enough if you want to go celebrate. But they are either ignoring their own orders or exempting themselves, etc.

Point is we keep saying why aren't people taking this seriously? Well, when the people who are tightening things on everyone are not leading by example what do you expect?

The Chicago mayor was out in the streets with 1,000's of people in the last week or two and now she wants you to cancel Thanksgiving? Why would anyone take her seriously?