***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.”

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Donger

Arizona CPers: are you noticing increased mask wearing out and about compared to a few weeks ago?

Yes. It would be hard to put a percentage on it, but mask wearers were definitely in the minority a month to 6 weeks ago (maybe ~25-30% if I had to guess), and now I think they're the majority, maybe ~60% or a little more.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yes. It would be hard to put a percentage on it, but mask wearers were definitely in the minority a month to 6 weeks ago (maybe ~25-30% if I had to guess), and now I think they're the majority, maybe ~60% or a little more.

That's good news.

[tyecopeland]

Originally Posted by O.city

I wear an n95 mask, a surgical mask over it and a face shield over my magnification loupes with a surgical gown and a head cap for 8 hours per day.

It's not a big deal. You get used to it.

It's not >100 degrees with little air movement where you're working.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by O.city

I wear an n95 mask, a surgical mask over it and a face shield over my magnification loupes with a surgical gown and a head cap for 8 hours per day.

It's not a big deal. You get used to it.

Says the guy in an air conditioned office.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

[eDave]

Originally Posted by Donger

Arizona CPers: are you noticing increased mask wearing out and about compared to a few weeks ago?

Yes. The casino I talked about a couple of weeks ago was very diligent. I was standing off to the side with mine pulled down and two cops and a security guy were cruising by in a group and told me to pull it up. I gave him the Mexican Hello and pulled it up. Won $115 at Blackjack.

[tyecopeland]

Originally Posted by loochy

Crack all those windows open and let that crap blow straight out the window

Even then the drivers area doesnt get a lot of air flow. Works pretty well for the kids but I basically just have a little defroster fan for my air movement.

[suzzer99]

I hate that making maliciously compliant ineffective mesh face masks IS A THING (NOT JUST ONE PERSON) for these ****heads who want to actively deceive people to endanger everyone around them. Just go in the volcano already. I HATE THESE PEOPLE! pic.twitter.com/475y1QmP2c

— Shattered-Earth (@Shattered_Earth) July 7, 2020

Here you go Pete, maybe these won't upset your delicate respiratory system. Of course you'll still spread covid if you have it. But who cares, right? It's not real anyway. Or if it is it's not that bad.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Here you go Pete, maybe these won't upset your delicate respiratory system. Of course you'll still spread covid if you have it. But who cares, right? It's not real anyway. Or if it is it's not that bad.

That's exactly the point, complying with mask orders while still being an asshole.

We've devolved into a society that drives to the grocery store only to intentionally cough onto produce.

Pretty soon wearing a condom will be called being a socialist.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

I hate that making maliciously compliant ineffective mesh face masks IS A THING (NOT JUST ONE PERSON) for these ****heads who want to actively deceive people to endanger everyone around them. Just go in the volcano already. I HATE THESE PEOPLE! pic.twitter.com/475y1QmP2c

— Shattered-Earth (@Shattered_Earth) July 7, 2020

Here you go Pete, maybe these won't upset your delicate respiratory system. Of course you'll still spread covid if you have it. But who cares, right? It's not real anyway. Or if it is it's not that bad.

Originally Posted by sedated

That's exactly the point, complying with mask orders while still being an asshole.

We've devolved into a society that drives to the grocery store only to intentionally cough onto produce.

Pretty soon wearing a condom will be called being a socialist.

Irony is I probably wear a mask more during a day than either of you.

[TLO]

The IHME model updated again today if anyone is interested. They're now extending it out to November.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by TLO

The IHME model updated again today if anyone is interested. They're now extending it out to November.

203000

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by TLO

The IHME model updated again today if anyone is interested. They're now extending it out to November.

You don't say

[loochy]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Irony is I probably wear a mask more during a day than either of you.

Is that why you bitch about it so much?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Bowser

You don't say

I'm not sure I understand your meaning?

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

My local school started summer school this week and I'm driving. Have to wear a mask. Tell you what, wearing that damn thing on a bus in 95 degree weather sucks. Makes my face all sweaty in no time. I only leave it over my nose when kids are getting on or off but even just over my mouth the rest of the time is hell.

If droplet is the primary means of spread (and I realize this isn't settled), I've wondered how much you need to wear it over your nose. Shouting, singing, talking loud, breathing hard (say from gym activity) all seem to be a problem and obviously coughing.

But for someone who is infected but is asymptomatic, does breathing through your nose present much of a risk of infecting other people? If we could get people to just wear a mask over their mouth but not their nose, would that be almost as good as wearing it over both mouth and nose?

It would certainly be more comfortable.