***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.”

[zigbazah]

we're ****ed

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Viral infections transfer easier in colder less humid climates. That's why its less prevalent in the summer.

This

[TLO]

Originally Posted by zigbazah

we're ****ed

Thank you

[Loneiguana]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

This

Look up what happened after the Spanish flu took a summer off.

[Spott]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Viral infections transfer easier in colder less humid climates. That's why its less prevalent in the summer.

Going to be 87 and humid tomorrow in the sunshine state.

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

Look up what happened after the Spanish flu took a summer off.

Sure I think corona versus will be with through next winter. That being said Spanish Flu was infinitely worse than corona virus, mainly because it literally killed people in their prime.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Sure I think corona versus will be with through next winter. That being said Spanish Flu was infinitely worse than corona virus, mainly because it literally killed people in their prime.

I believe he's referring to the difference between what happened in Philadelphia and St. Louis.

St. Louis did what we are doing now and saw half the deaths of Philadelphia who threw a big ****ing parade where everyone mingled.

[TLO]

I'd be willing to put money on there being a vaccine ready by next winter. They'll streamline the process and make it happen.

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by Loneiguana

Look up what happened after the Spanish flu took a summer off.

Here’s the highlight:

The first wave of the 1918 pandemic occurred in the spring and was generally mild. The sick, who experienced such typical flu symptoms as chills, fever and fatigue, usually recovered after several days, and the number of reported deaths was low.

However, a second, highly contagious wave of influenza appeared with a vengeance in the fall of that same year. Victims died within hours or days of developing symptoms, their skin turning blue and their lungs filling with fluid that caused them to suffocate. In just one year, 1918, the average life expectancy in America plummeted by a dozen years.

[dlphg9]

Im curious to see what the next week or two brings. What would be beneficial is a rapid screening test that doesnt involve using blood. Send that bitch out in the mail so people can test themselves at home, so that everyone isn't going to the clinic and potentially spreading it. Then have them report their results online. That'd be the best way to find out how widespread this bitch is.

[displacedinMN]

minnesota--9 confirmed cases

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Donger

That ISN'T rain, Dane!

Yeah, it hadn't started raining when I walked in but it's been pouring since.

The water is about 8 inches deep on my street.

[SupDock]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

portable imaging dropped off. Mini-ABG’s machines. At the time they could do PH/Co2/Hco2. Hope your sat monitor is functioning correctly. I’m sure you can get Pao2 with the current models.

Definitely, but those machines aren't just sitting in warehouses, the rad techs aren't jobless, etc.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I've had 2 out of state meetings and a pending training cancelled today.

I decided I'll know when it's time to get nervous.

When Casinos shut down, you know it's time to fill the magazines with zombie loads.

If anybody over 59 is playing live poker in a casino right now, they are a ****ing idiot. There are currently 7 poker games going on in Kansas City right now.

[SupDock]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

Im curious to see what the next week or two brings. What would be beneficial is a rapid screening test that doesnt involve using blood. Send that bitch out in the mail so people can test themselves at home, so that everyone isn't going to the clinic and potentially spreading it. Then have them report their results online. That'd be the best way to find out how widespread this bitch is.

The current test doesn't use blood. Rapid would be a POC test with results in minutes. That would be amazing.