***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.”

[loochy]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Coronavirus vaccine tracker: How close are we to a vaccine?



Very nice of Brazil to offer their completely unchecked covid spread for our clinical trials.

Mexico next in line, right?

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Do they not pay or pay you less if you work virtually? That sucks man I feel for you and hope you stay safe.

they do pay regardless but I teach at a district where there are a TON of covid-deniers. hell, the asst principal is the type to say 'I don't get the flu vaccine bc that one time I got it 30 years ago I got flu!!!!!'

Yeah. They're gonna force it and I just gotta hope that I'm not one of many teachers who WILL catch this and one of those that WILL get permanent tissue/organ damage or die.

I'll do my part but I'd almost guarantee they won't make kids wear masks as they're worried about lawsuits (there are a few litigious people in our community) and there will be no teeth to any consequences re: hand washing, sanitation, etc.

we'll end up shut down sooner rather than later I'd guess.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

All of our High school and Elementary school teachers got paid their salary in full. Part of that was covered by the PPP through the schools. Most of these teachers have either Tenure or on contracts.

we can choose not to teach this year (in class mostly, we're starting with one day a week virtual--ha, that'll help) but we obviously won't be paid.

got paid for the last part of last year as well, they've treated us well... don't get me wrong. but they're going to open whether hell or high water.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

NEW: The Los Angeles and San Diego unified school districts, the two largest in California, will be online only this fall.https://t.co/c7B3Snhbrz

— Axios (@axios) July 13, 2020

Grateful I dont have kids in those districts......they are screwed

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Grateful I dont have kids in those districts......they are screwed

as a teacher we hate it too, but it beats the alternative (rushing forward with only surface level precautions that will be mostly ignored)

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This is a great relief for me and I'm glad it was announced 6 weeks before school starts so that the kids have ample time to adjust to the news.

I was thinking about you when I saw that. I would be relieved as well.

[EWOK]

Our district in Phoenix is going online for the first couple of weeks than in person on August 17th. I have not seen much discussion on the students mental and physical needs beyond Covid -19 precautions. I personally have students that the only time the get feed regularly is at school, my classroom is their only real safe place, or the only real "Adult" interaction they get. I could go on with this list. So who are we willing to sacrifice?
This is going to be a tough discussion for any school board.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Grateful I dont have kids in those districts......they are screwed

You are dumb AF

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by EWOK

Our district in Phoenix is going online for the first couple of weeks than in person on August 17th. I have not seen much discussion on the students mental and physical needs beyond Covid -19 precautions. I personally have students that the only time the get feed regularly is at school, my classroom is their only real safe place, or the only real "Adult" interaction they get. I could go on with this list. So who are we willing to sacrifice?
This is going to be a tough discussion for any school board.

Fantastic point. A local college in my town has kept a few students in the dorms last semester after the shutdown because they were too scared to go home to violent households. My sister teaches in elementary school and many of her students only feel safe with her in the classroom. Even when they tried to finish the year "online" a few of the kids never participated and havent been heard from since. Shes worried about some of them. School is definitely the only safe space for many kids.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You are dumb AF

Another intelligent "zinger"

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I was thinking about you when I saw that. I would be relieved as well.

Thanks, Dude!

I've already received a bunch of text from other "Dads" who are also happy about this decision and after speaking with my kids, who of course would love to be back in school with their friends and teachers, but they're fine with it, too.

I'll be surprised if they're allowed back into their classrooms in January and to me, it looks like the best case scenario in Los Angeles is probably the Fall of 2021.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by EWOK

personally have students that the only time the get feed regularly is at school, my classroom is their only real safe place, or the only real "Adult" interaction they get.

LAUSD continues to deliver meals for children whose lunch and dinner are provided by their school.

Is that not an option in Phoenix?

[Pants]

I know it has to be done but it is a very difficult situation for homes where both parents work.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Another intelligent "zinger"

How are they screwed?

[EWOK]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

LAUSD continues to deliver meals for children whose lunch and dinner are provided by their school.

Is that not an option in Phoenix?

Right now they have drive up service, so the problem becomes if the parent can't/won't make the trip to the school.