***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.”

[petegz28]

We are jumping off the ledge. Closing schools for months. Shutting down all restaurants and bars. Canceling all sports.

It is just starting to feel like people are panicking for the sake of panicking. I mean in WA most and I mean almost all of the deaths are from a nursing home or nursing homes. So you shut down schools for 2 months?

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

Stupid question here and I already know the answer just seeing if anyone else feels this way.....

Like I said I work in a building with thousands. My part time job is bartending. I think it's extremely irresponsible for me to continue this during a pandemic but I literally have no options i'll eventually lose my place, my electricity etc if I sit this out until they give us permission.

Pretty much me and I'm sure many reading this are in the same situation and we're ****ed right? No options other than the obvious continue working?

Dude go to work !! Just practice good common sense hygiene which I am sure you already do considering your profession and you are fine.

This is way way way overblown for obvious politics and network(rating) reasons.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Strongside

Some of you know my mothers situation. Nurse Practitioner at Menorah, came down with classic CV symptoms a couple days after the first JOCO patient was diagnosed, but the state refused to test her due to her having not “been in contact with someone infected or traveled internationally.”

She is still self-quarantining and, though feeling much better, has not fully recovered.

The night before she got sick, she stayed at my brothers house.

He, his fiancée, and both of their kids now have a 100+ Fever and a dry cough.

My brother refuses to go to the doctor, saying it’s just the flu and they’ll ride it out. He doesn’t make much money and is concerned about the costs associated with going in.

This is why our system is ****ing broken. This is why we won’t contain this thing until it runs its course. People fear our expensive as **** healthcare system more than they utilize it.

I’ve tried to get the kid to go in and get tested. He isn’t budging.

I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

I understand your concern but you are not helping. If you want to help you need to get them to CALL the doctor. Do not self diagnose. Do not just go into an ER or doctor's office. If your Mom works at Menorah she should be the first to tell you this.

Also tell your brother that they are passing a law to make the testing for CV free.

Also, given their ages, they will be fine. They might get sick but they are not in the profile of a critical case.

[Strongside]

Also, Menorah has asked my mom to not “say anything about this, as they don’t want to scare off the public.”

So, ya know, **** Menorah.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by petegz28

We are jumping off the ledge. Closing schools for months. Shutting down all restaurants and bars. Canceling all sports.

It is just starting to feel like people are panicking for the sake of panicking. I mean in WA most and I mean almost all of the deaths are from a nursing home or nursing homes. So you shut down schools for 2 months?

I don't know that they are "panicking" so much as they are doing the CYA thing "just in case" this gets really really dangerous (which it is not IMHO) because it would have gotten dangerous a long time ago with much much bigger numbers by now which hasn't happened.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by candyman

Even if/when they do give you permission to stay home how are you going to pay your bills? Do you expect them to pay you anyway?

Yes. That is what they have promised. Granted it is only 66.6% but all banks and government institutions are letting everyone not have to pay a month if they need. The Fed is reducing interest rates including student loans. Suspending payments for up to 3 months.
Where have some of you been?

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Time for perspective...

Approximately .000009% of the total US population currently has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Of that tiny %, 80% will have minimal to no symptoms.

65 people have died from COVID-19... .00000017% of the population, which means you are more likely to die in America from a lightening strike.

I am all for a measured (keyword: MEASURED) response to combating COVID-19, but that ship has sailed when you start closing restaurants, banning gatherings, etc.

This response is the equivalent of banning all vehicles/driving to eliminate deaths/injuries from auto accidents.

A key to effective public policy and good governance is measured and reasonable actions that will encourage adherence.

This is just downright ignorant.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by petegz28

We are jumping off the ledge. Closing schools for months. Shutting down all restaurants and bars. Canceling all sports.

It is just starting to feel like people are panicking for the sake of panicking. I mean in WA most and I mean almost all of the deaths are from a nursing home or nursing homes. So you shut down schools for 2 months?

I'm amazed people are actually doing this. I said like 3-4 weeks ago there was no way we were going to stop this unless we kept people apart for a few weeks. I didn't think people in the US would have any interest in doing that. They still might not... but we're taking steps I didn't think we'd have the guts to take just because of the economic hit. But it's either try and do this now, or wait it out until you get 75-100K cases and the economy takes a hit anyway.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by petegz28

We are jumping off the ledge. Closing schools for months. Shutting down all restaurants and bars. Canceling all sports.

It is just starting to feel like people are panicking for the sake of panicking. I mean in WA most and I mean almost all of the deaths are from a nursing home or nursing homes. So you shut down schools for 2 months?

This is why a measured approach is important.

This DEFCON-5 shit can’t be maintained. People will easily get fatigued with the draconian measures (especially when COVID-19 won’t seriously sicken a vast majority of Americans).

I get listening to the doctors/medical experts to an extent, but they are biased to go to the worst case extremes.

Government leaders need to take the information from the doctors/medical experts and apply it in the most measured way possible.

[SupDock]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

This is why a measured approach is important.

This DEFCON-5 shit can’t be maintained. People will easily get fatigued with the draconian measures (especially when COVID-19 won’t seriously sicken a vast majority of Americans).

I get listening to the doctors/medical experts to an extent, but they are biased to go to the worst case extremes.

Government leaders need to take the information from the doctors/medical experts and apply it in the most measured way possible.

The medical experts are concerned and the government leaders are listening. What does that tell you?

[Strongside]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I understand your concern but you are not helping. If you want to help you need to get them to CALL the doctor. Do not self diagnose. Do not just go into an ER or doctor's office. If your Mom works at Menorah she should be the first to tell you this.

Also tell your brother that they are passing a law to make the testing for CV free.

Also, given their ages, they will be fine. They might get sick but they are not in the profile of a critical case.

I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.

My mom, who is a Practitioner, called me concerned asking me to call and try to reason with my brother, who is sick as ****, because he won’t go in or call a doctor.

She has stated to me numerous times that this was unlike anything she’s ever had. She says she’s had flu bugs that were far worse as far as pain and discomfort go, but that she can’t climb the front porch stairs without being winded - and she runs miles every day.

She genuinely believes she has this virus (tested negative for flu) and will never truly know because she can’t get tested, even after asking several entities including the state board of health.

I’m not trying to “help” here, I’m just ****ing sick of the fed saying one thing and the reality being something completely different.

Just try googling how to get tested if you come down with symptoms. You won’t find shit.

[Strongside]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I understand your concern but you are not helping. If you want to help you need to get them to CALL the doctor. Do not self diagnose. Do not just go into an ER or doctor's office. If your Mom works at Menorah she should be the first to tell you this.

Also tell your brother that they are passing a law to make the testing for CV free.

Also, given their ages, they will be fine. They might get sick but they are not in the profile of a critical case.

Furthermore, his fiancée owns a hair salon in an assisted living community. It’s not my brother and his family I’m worried about. It’s our grandparents, the elderly she works with, etc.

They will not self quarantine unless someone tells them they have to. They will lose their house if they do that.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

This is just downright ignorant.

Really ?? Where are your substantive stats to a substantive rebuttal then ??

[candyman]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Yes. That is what they have promised.

I asked him if he expects his job to keep paying him if they tell him to stay home. Have all businesses promised that?

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by SupDock

The medical experts are concerned and the government leaders are listening. What does that tell you?

Some of those same fear mongering medical experts also want a mandatory national quarantine.

Good luck trying to get Americans to adhere to that.