***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.”

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Does anyone know if there is a set process for rolling this out more broadly? Obviously healthcare workers are a closed population that can be reached fairly easily, but how about everyone else? Do people just have to call up and ask for it or what?

I'm mainly just curious how people like my mid-90s grandparents know when they're up.

I know there's probably not a consistent answer, but just curious if anyone's heard anything.

Good question. I was looking at KS info earlier today. Appears my 75 year old dad would fall under their phase 1b but I couldn't find much on contact protocols.

Its a bit of a catch 22 as he's in good health but as a result will likely just go on living his life until someone contacts him (or I direct him to a resource).

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Does anyone know if there is a set process for rolling this out more broadly? Obviously healthcare workers are a closed population that can be reached fairly easily, but how about everyone else? Do people just have to call up and ask for it or what?

I'm mainly just curious how people like my mid-90s grandparents know when they're up.

I know there's probably not a consistent answer, but just curious if anyone's heard anything.

I've been wondering about that myself. I've heard a couple of rumors that the HMOs like Kaiser will notify people based on their medical histories, but I don't think other insurers would have those records. I have a feeling that once it gets to the general population it'll just be the willy-nilly world of capitalism where people pursue it on their own.

[Donger]

https://cvshealth.com/news-and-insig...s-in-long-term

The long-term care facility vaccination effort is a precursor to the eventual availability of COVID-19 vaccines at all CVS Pharmacy locations throughout the country subject to product availability and prioritization of populations, which will be determined by states. Vaccines in a retail setting will be offered on an appointment-only basis via CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app, and there will be a dedicated 800 number for people without online access. CVS Pharmacy will have the capacity to administer 20 to 25 million shots per month.

"Vaccinating one of our most vulnerable populations is the latest milestone in our multifaceted pandemic response, which includes testing more than 10 million people for the virus since March," stated Karen S. Lynch, currently Executive Vice President, CVS Health and President, Aetna, who will become the company's next President and CEO on February 1. "The eventual availability of COVID-19 vaccines in communities across the country will bring us one step closer to overcoming the most significant health challenge of our lifetime."

[KCUnited]

Maybe send an old person an email with the cvs link along with a warning that the vaccine won't work unless they forward the email to 20 additional people.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Does anyone know if there is a set process for rolling this out more broadly? Obviously healthcare workers are a closed population that can be reached fairly easily, but how about everyone else? Do people just have to call up and ask for it or what?

I'm mainly just curious how people like my mid-90s grandparents know when they're up.

I know there's probably not a consistent answer, but just curious if anyone's heard anything.

Based on my understanding, its going to be very similar as the influenza vaccines as in it will be mostly done thru pharmacies.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Donger

The one on the left is verbatim from Wikipedia, not the WHO, and it's still up:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity

Correct, the first statement is how scientists would understand it.

The WHO statement is political.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Correct, the first statement is how scientists would understand it.

The WHO statement is political.

Correct? You posted something attributed to WHO which is not, because it fits your agenda. You either knew that before, and posted it anyway, or now know it is false. Which is it?

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Maybe send an old person an email with the cvs link along with a warning that the vaccine won't work unless they forward the email to 20 additional people.

The email for the vaccine must have an R0 that is greater than the virus or it won't be successful.

[Donger]

When can YOU get the vaccine? It depends on your health, occupation and where you live

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/22/us/co...tes/index.html

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Donger

Correct? You posted something attributed to WHO which is not, because it fits your agenda. You either knew that before, and posted it anyway, or now know it is false. Which is it?

Of course you don't understand it because you're a brain damaged moron.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Of course you don't understand it because you're a brain damaged moron.

I understand it fine. The WHO did NOT create the text on the left. Wikipedia did. You posted something which is not true.

You either did so intentionally or not. If the former, shame on you. If the latter, happy to provide the correction and fact.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by O.city

Based on my understanding, its going to be very similar as the influenza vaccines as in it will be mostly done thru pharmacies.

How will they monitor people for reactions if they go this route?

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Donger

I understand it fine. The WHO did NOT create the text on the left. Wikipedia did. You posted something which is not true.

You either did so intentionally or not. If the former, shame on you. If the latter, happy to provide the correction and fact.

Go play in traffic, I don't have time for your gaslighting today.


You would make a great boot licker in a country like China.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Go play in traffic, I don't have time for your gaslighting today.

You're welcome.

[petegz28]

Had a very disappointing phone call with my Uncle last night over Xmas. Typically he and my aunt have about 15-20 people over on Xmas Eve. My Wife and I usually go. This year we were a little leery but decided we would go only to find out he was going to have even a few more people over. Okay well, then we find out he is going to a party for his FIL tonight which will have about 20+ people there that are entirely separate from who will be there on Thursday except a couple people.

That was enough for us to cancel. So I called him last night to tell him we will come out in a couple of weeks. He went on a rant about how he isn't afraid and 99% people and all of that. I tried to have a bit of a nuanced conversation with him explaining it's not about being afraid but about the number of people. I couldn't tell him flat out him going to a party 2 days before Xmas Eve was the deal breaker because it's none of my business.

So now my Dad who is staying with me is a bit pissed that I am not going though I am a bit pissed he and my Step Mom are still going and then coming back to my house. My Dad gave me the same argument of 99% and I am not afraid and shit.

And that's all cool. I get it. Don't be afraid. Play golf, play your softball, visit family. But can you do it somewhat cautiously?

I tried to explain to my Step Mom that going to the beach and getting in the water is taking a risk of shark attack but being in a boat and seeing the sharks swimming around is not a good time to jump in and I think that's what they are doing.

I should add my Aunt and Uncle have also been in and out of church almost everyday, mostly my aunt and that doesn't make things better. I tried to explain to my dad that going to church is fine and having some family over is fine. But cramming it all together with a total 40+ people if not more is just asking for it.