***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.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'd prefer that it is left up to the individual to decide.



Let's be real, if it was as easy to transmit as Seedy is implying, we'd ALL have it by now.

It's your right to do whatever you want (provided it's not mandatory in your area), but it's absolutely true that we'd all be better off if everyone wore a mask. I think it's strange to refuse to do just because...what? It makes you look funny? It's mildly uncomfortable? It's just odd to me that this, of all things, is the hill people are choosing to die on.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I'd prefer that it is left up to the individual to decide.



Let's be real, if it was as easy to transmit as Seedy is implying, we'd ALL have it by now.

We reduced social contacts by some large percentage for the past two months. That might have something to do with why, we don't all have it. As states are opening up, infection rates are going up.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Wrong.

Ok I'd have to cough in their general direction while within 43" of them.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I respect your decision to do what you feel is necessary.

But not wearing one at all times doesn't make someone an asshole.

I wear a mask less than 1% of the time. It's not a big inconvenience to me to protect others when I do go out. Compared to all the other shit I have to put up with because of this goddamned virus. I can do this for other people.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ok I'd have to cough in their general direction while within 43" of them.

You're aware that a single attendee at a choir rehearsal infected 52 in Washington (2 died), right? You definitely don't have to cough right next to someone.

https://komonews.com/news/coronaviru...vent-in-report

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ok I'd have to cough in their general direction while within 43" of them.

One of those droplets contains over 1000 virons.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by DaFace

It's your right to do whatever you want (provided it's not mandatory in your area), but it's absolutely true that we'd all be better off if everyone wore a mask. I think it's strange to refuse to do just because...what? It makes you look funny? It's mildly uncomfortable? It's just odd to me that this, of all things, is the hill people are choosing to die on.

Assholes and stupid people.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by cdcox

We reduced social contacts by some large percentage for the past two months. That might have something to do with why, we don't all have it. As states are opening up, infection rates are going up.

Ok.



Look, don't take this as me being cavalier about the entire situation. I'm using as many reasonable common sense measures as I can. I have masks with me at all times and I'm not against using them if I feel it is necessary. But my god...I see people walking their dogs and jogging and mowing their lawns with them on.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by DaFace

You're aware that a single attendee at a choir rehearsal infected 52 in Washington (2 died), right? You definitely don't have to cough right next to someone.

https://komonews.com/news/coronaviru...vent-in-report

Yes, that's a situation with lots of people in close proximity. That's not the same as me running into Quiktrip for a pack of smokes.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by DaFace

It's your right to do whatever you want (provided it's not mandatory in your area), but it's absolutely true that we'd all be better off if everyone wore a mask. I think it's strange to refuse to do just because...what? It makes you look funny? It's mildly uncomfortable? It's just odd to me that this, of all things, is the hill people are choosing to die on.

I wear mine when I’m checking out at stores or in busy places, but I don’t wear one when I’m outside. You’ll never convince me that breathing in a mask all day is better than getting fresh air. You don’t like it then stay 6 feet away from me. (Not you specifically DaFace, just a general statement)

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Ok.



Look, don't take this as me being cavalier about the entire situation. I'm using as many reasonable common sense measures as I can. I have masks with me at all times and I'm not against using them if I feel it is necessary. But my god...I see people walking their dogs and jogging and mowing their lawns with them on.

Stupid people on the other side of the spectrum. They don't need to be wearing a mask. But at least they aren't hurting anyone.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

I wear mine when I’m checking out at stores or in busy places, but I don’t wear one when I’m outside. You’ll never convince me that breathing in a mask all day is better than getting fresh air. You don’t like it then stay 6 feet away from me. (Not you specifically DaFace, just a general statement)

I have trouble believing it's a huge issue outside provided you're not near people for more than a few moments. I'd still wear one in a crowd though.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Assholes and stupid people.

That's just your opinion, man.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I have trouble believing it's a huge issue outside provided you're not near people for more than a few moments. I'd still wear one in a crowd though.

They let me into Arrowhead this season I’ll wear a plastic bag over my mouth if they tell me that’s what I need to do.

[Bugeater]

My favorite is the people wearing them while driving by themselves.