***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.”

[Donger]

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economi...u-need-to-know

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by D2112

I don’t think they have that portal set up yet

I don’t either. That is why i I asked

[O.city]

Usually the vaccine times take so long because of funding. That won't be a problem with this one. It may happen sooner than later.

[O.city]

It will probably be like the "Google website" that was supposedly set up a month ago. We know how that played out.

[2112]

Originally Posted by Donger

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economi...u-need-to-know

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

Thanks! You’re very resourceful!

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by O.city

Usually the vaccine times take so long because of funding. That won't be a problem with this one. It may happen sooner than later.

Don't worry, this will be a TREMENDOUS website. There are many many great people who have ensured this will be a YUUUGE success.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by luv

Are bus lines really still running?

That sucks and your brother sounds like an inconsiderate loser.

I think buses pretty much have to run since they are the only mode of transportation for a lot of people. Kinda like the NY subway. I guess I could see interstate bus lines like Greyhound closing, but that may have unintended consequences.

[BigRedChief]

Yikes!

God, this chart. Never seen anything like it. pic.twitter.com/TJ1yDA0GS2

— Mary Louise Kelly (@NPRKelly) April 2, 2020

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by O.city

Usually the vaccine times take so long because of funding. That won't be a problem with this one. It may happen sooner than later.

I thought it was because the studies on people take a while to see if they're safe. The SwineFlu vaccine actually resulted in deaths because it was rushed.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

I thought it was because the studies on people take a while to see if they're safe. The SwineFlu vaccine actually resulted in deaths because it was rushed.

Yeah, thats an issue. You wanna make sure it's safe for sure.

[BWillie]

So 1M people in NY are still riding subways a day? Is this just the right saying fake numbers or can someone verify?

You aren't going to get the R0 below 1 if you allow for that, at least for that part of the population that uses them everyday.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Masks matter. Any kind. Some are better than others but any kind will mitigate this crisis.

Yes, masks make a difference.

But due to the supply shortage, the federal government advised the public that masks wouldn't help to protect the public because they didn't want Americans to rush out to hoard and buy up every remaining mask available.

Now that masks are being manufactured in large quantities and in some cases, millions are being shipped to the US for medical workers, the government changed their stance.

I've worn a mask in public for the past 3 weeks and I'd say 50-75% of the people I've seen in pubic have been wearing some type of mask, whether it's been a surgical mask or a bandana.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by O.city

Usually the vaccine times take so long because of funding. That won't be a problem with this one. It may happen sooner than later.

I've watched quite a few TV programs about a vaccine, from Axios to 60 Minutes to CNN, et al, and in each and every instance, the scientists said it would be closer to 18 months for clinical trials to be completed and the vaccine to be ready for the public.

While it's great that so many different scientists have created a vaccine, it'll take a year, at least, before their true effectiveness and safety are known.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I've watched quite a few TV programs about a vaccine, from Axios to 60 Minutes to CNN, et al, and in each and every instance, the scientists said it would be closer to 18 months for clinical trials to be completed and the vaccine to be ready for the public.

While it's great that so many different scientists have created a vaccine, it'll take a year, at least, before their true effectiveness and safety are known.

I'm glad to know that we'll have a vaccine ready right about the time everybody on the planet is already either recovered or dead.

[KCUnited]

Serious question in case I missed it, but is there a link confirming the federal government intentionally advised the public masks wouldn't help protect them to suppress demand?