***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.”

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Donger

I put it in quotes for a reason. One, it's a world's first. Two, people see RNA and get freaked out. It's not an attenuated influenza shot.

And it's already started. It's already making the rounds that the mRNA vaccines "alter your DNA." That's not true, but many people will believe it.

I've seen that too. Public health officials need to push back hard against nonsense like that. Get accurate information out to the people.

[TLO]

I've also seen people claiming that the aluminum and other toxins found in the vaccine will turn you into a human 5G antenna.

Yes I'm being serous.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by TLO

I've seen that too. Public health officials need to push back hard against nonsense like that. Get accurate information out to the people.

You must be new here. But I admire your optimism that we'll avoid a shitshow of disinformation.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by TLO

I've seen that too. Public health officials need to push back hard against nonsense like that. Get accurate information out to the people.

I'm sure they will try. But, we still have people arguing about masks. MASKS.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by DaFace

More good news for the hope that vaccines will be a near-total way out of this. I really feel like things will be almost completely normal by next fall and hopefully near normal much sooner than that.

People who have recovered from the coronavirus may have immunity that lasts years, maybe even decades, according to a new study — the most hopeful answer yet to a question that has shadowed plans for widespread vaccination. https://t.co/9k6uPS3vfo

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 17, 2020

I was reading that earlier today and that is good news especially for vaccines. It did point out though that some people that had very mild\asymptomatic symptoms there was no immune response or very little so they probably could be susceptible again. Those people will need to get the vaccine.

Makes you wonder about viral load playing a big part in the mild\asymptomatic cases.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Donger

I hope so too, but I think we'll also see a lot of people hesitant to take "the world's first mRNA vaccine," at least initially.

I highly doubt the majority even know what a “mRNA” vaccine is. Just saying.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I get the hesitation, but to some extent I feel like a vaccine at least allows people to make their own choice. Right now, vulnerable groups don't have much of a choice but to stay home if they're trying to stay safe. If there's a vaccine, they at least get the option to roll the dice with a vaccine or stay home indefinitely.

Do we know how many of us, what % need to take the vaccine to resume normal life’s?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I highly doubt the majority even know what a “mRNA” vaccine is. Just saying.

A lot of people probably don't. That's why I think some sort of public information campaign would be good.

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Do we know how many of us, what % need to take the vaccine to resume normal life’s?

Nobody knows for sure. The latest estimates are somewhere between 40%-70%.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Do we know how many of us, what % need to take the vaccine to resume normal life’s?

I was reading about herd immunity through vaccines for other viruses the other day. It's something like 95% for measles.

On an individual basis, when I get my shot(s) and the required time takes place for me to be "immune," I'll go back to normal.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by TLO

A lot of people probably don't. That's why I think some sort of public information campaign would be good.



Nobody knows for sure. The latest estimates are somewhere between 40%-70%.

Dr Fauci said around 75%. So many people don't want to take a vaccine so do we think we could hit that number?

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by TLO

A lot of people probably don't. That's why I think some sort of public information campaign would be good.



Nobody knows for sure. The latest estimates are somewhere between 40%-70%.

40% vaccination rate in the USA is doable, I’d hope anyway. 70% I don’t think is going to happen without a lot more education and attitude adjustment from the general public.

Originally Posted by Donger

I was reading about herd immunity through vaccines for other viruses the other day. It's something like 95% for measles.

On an individual basis, when I get my shot(s) and the required time takes place for me to be "immune," I'll go back to normal.

I see no way we get to 95% of Americans voluntarily taking a vaccine.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Dr Fauci said around 75%. So many people don't want to take a vaccine so do we think we could hit that number?

Frankly, no.

I think the better part of next year will be spent trying to encourage the general population that a vaccine is both safe and effective.

The promise of "getting back to normal" will probably be a pretty good incentive for some.

It's going to be a fight though.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

40% vaccination rate in the USA I’d hope anyway. 70% I don’t think is going to happen without a lot more education and attitude adjustment from the general public.

Maybe the comparison to flu shot percentages isn't very good, really. Seasonal influenza is just kind of a thing that we all deal with every year and most people know how effective it is varies. COVID-19 has had such a significantly greater affect on all of us in so many ways, perhaps more people will agree just to get this shit storm behind us?

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by TLO

Frankly, no.

I think the better part of next year will be spent trying to encourage the general population that a vaccine is both safe and effective.

The promise of "getting back to normal" will probably be a pretty good incentive for some.

It's going to be a fight though.

Yep totally agree.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Donger

Maybe the comparison to flu shot percentages isn't very good, really. Seasonal influenza is just kind of a thing that we all deal with every year and most people know how effective it is varies. COVID-19 has had such a significantly affect on all of us in so many ways, perhaps more people will agree just to get this shit storm behind us?

I tend to agree. If it was seen as seasonal flu level, they’d say **** it.

But, if it’s sold as you want this shit to end? You want to go to arena concerts again? Full sports stadiums? Go see grandma without worrying about bringing something with you? Take the damn vaccine.