***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]

If anyone cares to watch the CDC ACIP meeting

https://www.ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKBR8af4

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

2nd lockdown...where?

We're back to outdoor-only dining (or takeout) in my county in Colorado. (It varies based on case metrics.)

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by DaFace

We're back to outdoor-only dining (or takeout) in my county in Colorado. (It varies based on case metrics.)

I just wasn't sure where the lock down was at he is referring to.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

We process payments for thousands of small independent restaurants. Our data shows their sales in the 2nd lockdown are down 50% from a year ago - and that's for those strong enough to survive to this point.

At this rate we will have only McDonald's and Applebees by the spring.

— Dan Price (@DanPriceSeattle) December 1, 2020

By











Design

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

We are wide open here in Florida. Been that way since April. Gov. is threatening to cut off funding to counties that put a mask mandate in their county or city.


Businesses are still closing and struggling.

If only there weren't 49 other states than Florida

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I just wasn't sure where the lock down was at he is referring to.

L.A., NY, NJ, Philly and Chicago are the big places locking down again right now.

[Indian Chief]

NJ never unlocked, I'm not kidding.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

We are wide open here in Florida. Been that way since April. Gov. is threatening to cut off funding to counties that put a mask mandate in their county or city.


Businesses are still closing and struggling.

There is certainly an economic crisis going at the same time, even in states that are more open. But go ask NY restaurant owners how they are doing. In New York where I live there is outside dining still available. Of course I don't see too many people dining at a picnic table while it is snowing.

I know that many restaurants within walking distance of me just closed for now. They aren't going to even try to do take out only. I was spending money at these places until just recently.

[TLO]

Long article about China lying their ass off in regards to the beginning of the pandemic.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/asia/...ntl/index.html

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by TLO

Long article about China lying their ass off in regards to the beginning of the pandemic.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/asia/...ntl/index.html

No, they weren't.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by petegz28

And for the latest episode of "why don't people take this seriously??"

LA County Supervisor dines at restaurant hours after voting to ban outdoor dining

https://www.foxla.com/news/la-county...outdoor-dining

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Just hours after Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl voted to ban outdoor dining at L.A. County’s 31,000 restaurants over COVID-19 safety concerns, she visited a restaurant in Santa Monica, where she dined outdoors, FOX 11 learned on Monday.

Do as I say, not as I do.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If only there weren't 49 other states than Florida

Florida isn't any different than Missouri, its all based on municipal restrictions rather than state. A friend of mine just cancelled his annual Xmas trip to Ft. Meyers because of the mask mandates. So to act like its wide open but businesses are still struggling is disingenuous at best. Florida isn't wide open, there are plenty of local restrictions in place. Yea its not NJ or NY but its not business as usual by any means.

SANIBEL ISLAND UPDATE
Face coverings are generally required for every person over the age of 6 while indoors at public places and while outdoors in public places when proper social distancing is not possible.

For additional Sanibel Island updates click here.



FORT MYERS BEACH UPDATE
Fort Myers Beach requires everyone over the age of 6 to have access to a face covering while they are away from their place of residence and to wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible. Additionally, all business operators, employees and customers must wear a face covering while inside the business.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

2nd lockdown...where?

San Jose/Silicon Valley is now locked down. You travel more than 150 miles out of town you have to quarantine for two weeks. The 49ers are playing out their home games in Arizona because Santa Clara kicked them out.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49...ara-county-ban

[TLO]

Originally Posted by TLO

If anyone cares to watch the CDC ACIP meeting

https://www.ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKBR8af4

I watched bits and pieces of this. Nothing major really came out of it.

The 1a) group is going to be medical personnel, and residents in long term care facilities.

They voted on this and the tally was 13 yes, 1 no. The doctor that voted no may have given her reasoning for doing so at one point, but I didn't catch it.

[TLO]

CDC to release revised guidance reducing COVID-19 quarantine time from 14 days to 7-10 days

The CDC is expected to announce that quarantine can end on Day 7, after receiving a negative test result, or on Day 10, without testing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to release revised guidance on quarantine time for those who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus from 14 days to 7 days, for those who have received a negative test, and 10 days for those who have not been tested, Fox News has learned.

Fox News obtained an internal CDC document on Tuesday which outlined the proposed changes. A source told Fox News that the changes have been discussed with and approved by the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

The CDC is expected to release the revised guidance on Wednesday, a source told Fox News.


“Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they have the virus,” the document states. “CDC and other scientists have explored changing the current recommendation to quarantine for 14 days.”

“Reducing the length of quarantine may increase compliance by reducing economic hardship,” the document continues. “In addition, the reduction in time will lessen stress on the public health system, especially when new infections are rapidly rising.”

The document states that “based on local resources, quarantine can end on Day 7 after receiving a negative test result” or on “Day 10 without testing.”


“After stopping quarantine, you should: watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure; if you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider; wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the document states.

The document adds, however, that the CDC “continues to recommend quarantine for 14 days to more completely reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.”

“CDC recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus,” the document states. “These recommendations are based on what we know now.”

The document added that: “CDC will continue to evaluate new information and update recommendations as needed.”

A senior administration official told Fox News that the revised guidance is “long overdue,” and “something that should have happened sooner.”


The official told Fox News that the CDC's revised recommendations were guided by extensive modeling studies by CDC scientists, as well as scientists from outside the agency. The official said that the risk of COVID transmission remains the "lowest with 14 days of quarantine," but that the new options introduce an estimated 1% "residual risk" if quarantine is shorted to 10 days, and 5% residual risk of quarantine is reduced to 7 days, if you also add a test.

The official said that the "small amount of increased risk" with these new options "needs to be weighed against the benefits of reduced economic hardship, reduced stress on the public health system, and better compliance with quarantine and contact tracing that could improve overall control of new infections."

The revised guidance, expected to be announced on Wednesday, comes as the Trump administration said deliveries of a COVID-19 vaccine will begin as early as this week, and would be available first for front-line workers, medical personnel and senior citizens.


Next week, regulators at the Food and Drug Administration are expected to review Pfizer's request for an emergency use authorization for its vaccine developed with BioNTech.

The latest trial data for Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine, unveiled earlier this month, showed it was 90% effective.

In addition, Moderna said its vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19. AstraZeneca also reported preliminary results that showed its vaccine efficacy ranged from 62% to 90%, depending on the dosage amount given to participants.


According to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, the vaccines will be “shipped” within 24 hours of FDA approval and then it would be up to “nursing homes, hospitals, and pharmacies to get that dispensed.”

“It really could be within days of FDA approval we’ll start seeing vaccines in people’s arms which is frankly incredible,” Azar said Monday.

The United States has reported more than 13.5 million cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, and more than 267,000 deaths.