***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.”

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Jerm

When we see thousands of people gathering at Disney, bars, etc. sometimes the decision has to be made for these idiots....sucks but the way it is.

I understand this. I was talking about a small nature park that hardly has any visitors as it is. They get maybe a dozen people in a day.

National Parks will be next. I guess we all need to stay locked inside with our stockpiles of toilet paper.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

If you're wondering if food is going to run out, not even close to that time. The warehouses are stocked for months, it's just a matter of trucks getting to the stores to replenish all the panic buying. I read an article about it last night.

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Donger

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

Yes, this was the concern I saw being voiced in comments.

Certainly a dicey situation if the truck drivers get sick.

[Jerm]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I understand this. I was talking about a small nature park that hardly has any visitors as it is. They get maybe a dozen people in a day.

National Parks will be next. I guess we all need to stay locked inside with our stockpiles of toilet paper.

Yeah that's totally fair on the parks point...

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Bwana

Yeah things are spiraling out of control quickly. I wonder how many people are going to lose their jobs over this? I got a call this morning and was told that my job had been eliminated due to their perceived notion that there would be lack of business, due to the Corona scare. They basically cut me loose and my entire sales team. At least I have a cash reserve to hold me over, but a lot of my sales team doesn't.

damn man. Sorry to hear.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Donger

Does anyone here know anything or preferably work in the retail supply chain, specifically grocery stores?

My wife works at a Dollar General supply center. They pack and ship everything that goes to the stores.

She got a text yesterday stating they were working 11 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice (and likely at least the next month.)

I know they will be shipping out what they have as fast as possible...

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by Donger

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

Yeah and most of those truck drivers have limited contact with other people.

[Jerm]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Yup.

For the record I agree it needs to. We either stop the spread or people will lose more than businesses and bank accounts.

If people panic, riot, or loot you lose those things and more.

I live in a dogshit neighborhood that averaged a fatal shooting a month for the last two years. Last may the tornado hit and around 60-70% of the houses where I live were ruined. The people left were not great people.

I was worried the worst was inevitable. The next day we couldn't leave and the streets were blocked off. People walked around, shook hands, and I met neighbors that lived 5 houses down I hadn't met in 7 years. People shared water, smokes, snacks.

These weren't good people. Drug addicts, drunks, lifetime welfare parents that screamed at and then violently beat their kids. Life was forced to slow down though and given the option to hard reset I was shocked how everyone did. When given a chance to un-**** themselves they did and were human again. People were polite and charitable. I was amazed and I'll never forget it.

Now, a serious virus is much different than a tornado but we are all capable of being much more than we are right now. Everyone is worried but these types of events can also bring out the best in people...

I 100% agree....hate saying that but this weekend was proof enough that enough morons in this country won't take this seriously until they're forced to.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Rausch

My wife works at a Dollar General supply center. They pack and ship everything that goes to the stores.

She got a text yesterday stating they were working 11 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice (and likely at least the next month.)

I know they will be shipping out what they have as fast as possible...

Brutal. I wish her and you all the best. Thanks.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Well...thanks to the virus panic mongers, my business will be shut down until March 31st. No income and can't even take a vacation because we might get stuck somewhere during this lunacy.

This is not even about the virus any longer- it is about taking over this country.

Zero cases in the entire county- yet the city is going on full lockdown. You can't even go to a nature park now- ridiculous. Store shelves are empty and small businesses will be hurting including my own.

That sucks man.

I'm lucky that even if there is some sort of forced closure for my office that we can still get people in remotely. Maybe not be at full force, but still able to help our customers.

[Mennonite]

Originally Posted by Donger

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

As someone pointed out previously, truck drivers travel a lot, but there is no need for human contact other than when they transfer paperwork.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Donger

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

same thing with the reserve ventilators. We have 12K in reserve but we don’t have people sitting on their ass at home we can call in to run them. All the qualified people are already busy in the hospitals.

[Mennonite]

Damn, I type slowly.

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by Donger

No, I wasn't wondering that. But those trucks are driven by people.

They are? I thought they were all autonomous!

[suzzer99]

Here's what I'm wondering, assuming this stuff coming out that suggests asymptomatic people are actually the most contagious is true - what if we all just wore masks all the time in public until this is over? Doesn’t have to be N95, just the cheapy surgical ones. Govt could set up stations and hand them out.

Obviously it’s not going to stop everything from getting out - but if it catches the droplets that could make a big difference.