***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.”

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by loochy

Quite frankly, it's probably better that you don't go anywhere. Just shut yourself off and try not to spread it further (unless you really think you need the hospital).

Great advise. But, but, but testing.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by SupDock

To be fair, a 104 fever is not dangerous.
I understand your predicament though.

Clinics don't want these patients in their clinics because they don't meet testing criteria, and there isn't treatment. It just risks staff and other patients with no benefit to the patient who is ill

I mean, 104 is considered a high grade fever and you are starting to enter the oh shit territory.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by SupDock

To be fair, a 104 fever is not dangerous.
I understand your predicament though.

Clinics don't want these patients in their clinics because they don't meet testing criteria, and there isn't treatment. It just risks staff and other patients with no benefit to the patient who is ill

I totally get that. But I could very well have the flu, and if I got a diagnosis, there are medicines like Tamiflu that could absolutely help me. It’s a tough spot for sure.

[SupDock]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I mean, 104 is considered a high grade fever and you are starting to enter the oh shit territory.

No you are not.
It's a high fever, but it's not "oh shit territory"

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

**** that. You're going to get it at some point so and move on. Most people don't get very sick at all. What are you proposing, martial law? You passed total hysteria about 10k miles back

You've been continually wrong this entire thread and yet you just plow on completely undeterred. It's impressive really.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I totally get that. But I could very well have the flu, and if I got a diagnosis, there are medicines like Tamiflu that could absolutely help me. It’s a tough spot for sure.

If it has been a few days then it is too late for tamiflu anyway

[Gravedigger]

106 is when you get to the danger spot, but 104 is considered a high grade fever and isn't very far away.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I’ve been sick as a dog the last couple days. Spiked a 104 degree temp last night. Have all the signs of this thing, but haven’t travelled outside the US in a long time. Called my doctor who said they didn’t want to see me and to call the health department for a test. Called the health department and they said they weren’t administering tests and gave me a hotline to call. Called the hotline and they said if I haven’t been out of the country or had direct contact with someone known to have COVID-19, they wouldn’t test me and that I just needed to stay home and rest until I haven’t had a fever for 24 hours. Hard to know what I have or how to treat it given all of that.

This is so infuriating.

[Iowanian]

Influenza A is rampant right now and it's knocking the shit out of people with a high fever.


There is no need for people to freak out like they are...

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by Donger

Not at all. I haven't had the flu for at least ten years. Correlation or causation? I don't know, and don't really care.

Really is crazy how much interaction takes place — especially at places like pharmacies where presumably sick people frequent. Sign the receipt with their pen. Sign the insurance form on their electronic pad.

Go through a McDonalds and try not to get touched by the person taking your money and giving you the food.

Everywhere you go is the same story...

[Mecca]

Are strip clubs going to suspend lap dances?

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by Donger

Just a reminder, but we are still in the normal influenza season.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm#whomap

CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 34 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths from flu.

Shut the back door. OMG we are all going to die.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by SupDock

No you are not.
It's a high fever, but it's not "oh shit territory"

as my wife tells her patients - don't treat the fever, treat the patient. It doesn't matter what the exact number is, it matters what other symptoms accompany it

[Donger]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Shut the back door. OMG we are all going to die.

Eventually, yes. Sorry if you have issues with influenza updates and statistics. You know, facts.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm good so far. I've been wearing one of those bird masks that doctors wore during the plague. It seems to be working, but mostly because people on the street stay more than six feet away from me when I wear it.

What blend of herbs and spices did you use? Asking for a friend.