***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.”

[Donger]

Originally Posted by petegz28

I don't know WTF is going on with Italy. I mean yeah, we know about their aging population and what not but they are running twice and closer to three times the global average in mortality rate.

Meanwhile we have dropped from 2.5% last week to between 1.7%-1.8% this week. Even has our cases increase we at least for the time being are holding that level. Hopefully it goes down more.

But we certainly do not seem to be on the path of Italy at this point.

Not to be nasty, but the Italians aren't exactly known for their discipline. They are also very social people who can't stop touching each other.

[TLO]

Here's some potential good news.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/kfor.co...tion-says/amp/

Drug used to originally fight malaria showing promise in treating coronavirus, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation says.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – According to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, scientists are now testing both existing and experimental therapies to see if any are effective in treating COVID-19.

Currently, there is no vaccine for coronavirus.

Among the drugs being tested are new and existing antiviral therapies.

OMRF says a drug that’s been in use for more than a half-century is showing promise: chloroquine phosphate. The drug was originally developed to fight malaria.

“It’s also been shown to be very effective in treating patients who have autoimmune diseases like lupus,” said Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “We use it to treat hundreds of lupus patients at OMRF.”

In China, researchers tested the drug in a multicenter clinical trial to treat pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Preliminary results indicate that the drug appears to show some efficacy as a therapy.

“When malaria gets inside a cell, if you change the pH with a drug like chloroquine phosphate, the malaria can’t live,” said James, an immunologist and rheumatologist. “The same goes for a virus like COVID-19. If you change the pH, the virus cannot assemble, and if it can’t assemble, it can’t infect you.”

James explained that repurposing existing medications is often the fastest path to treating those infected by the virus in a novel way.

“That would be really exciting, because it’s a drug that already has FDA approval, and it is readily available,” she said. “If it works, it might treat COVID-19 almost instantly.”

Wider studies are now underway to confirm the results.

In the meantime, James and health officials at the CDC are warning against using unapproved medications claiming to treat or prevent COVID-19. She also cautioned that antibiotics will not work for coronavirus, either.

“Antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infection. It’s great if you get strep throat or have a staph infection, but COVID-19 is a virus, and viruses are not attacked or slowed in any way by antibiotics,” James said.

For patients who develop mild symptoms, doctors recommend resting, staying hydrated and using over-the-counter medications and pain relievers as needed. More severe cases often require hospitalization, with oxygen therapy to help breathing.

If you or a loved one develops severe symptoms, James said, “Be sure to call your healthcare provider before you go.

[Why Not?]

Ducey just has his presser. AZ not being locked down

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I just received a notice from LAUSD that any student, K-12, that doesn't currently have internet access or speeds greater than 100 mbps can get free internet access with a wireless router from Charter/Spectrum.

It sounds as if they're anticipating finishing the school year at home.

There are several districts starting to say that. I mean hell, you're already half-way through March and are closing for a month. Why even re-open?

[The Franchise]

No more than 25 people at a gathering and food establishments are takeout only in Oregon.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I just received a notice from LAUSD that any student, K-12, that doesn't currently have internet access or speeds greater than 100 mbps can get free internet access with a wireless router from Charter/Spectrum.

It sounds as if they're anticipating finishing the school year at home.

Spectrum and Xfinity have opened their networks

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by Donger

Not to be nasty, but the Italians aren't exactly known for their discipline. They are also very social people who can't stop touching each other.

Agreed. And heavy smokers.

[petegz28]

My focus has to turn here to home base and wonder what the states of Ks and Mo will continue to do? There have been a combined 13 cases between the two with 1 death. Hardly a hot spot.

[Donger]

MEXICO CITY (AP) — While the coronavirus pandemic has led authorities around the globe to cancel concerts and sporting events, and even shut down daily activities in some places, Mexico City is going ahead with Vive Latino — one of the most important music festivals in the country.

[petegz28]

18 deaths reported today. By far the worst day. I do not know the profiles of the individuals.

917 new cases reported so far as well but still only 12 listed as serious\critical.

[Donger]

New York up to almost 1,000 cases, surpassing Seattle at 794.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Donger

Not if you have status.

I expect you to save me some of your extra peanuts next time.

[candyman]

Originally Posted by TLO

Here's some potential good news.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/kfor.co...tion-says/amp/

Drug used to originally fight malaria showing promise in treating coronavirus, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation says.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – According to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, scientists are now testing both existing and experimental therapies to see if any are effective in treating COVID-19.

Currently, there is no vaccine for coronavirus.

Among the drugs being tested are new and existing antiviral therapies.

OMRF says a drug that’s been in use for more than a half-century is showing promise: chloroquine phosphate. The drug was originally developed to fight malaria.

“It’s also been shown to be very effective in treating patients who have autoimmune diseases like lupus,” said Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “We use it to treat hundreds of lupus patients at OMRF.”

In China, researchers tested the drug in a multicenter clinical trial to treat pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Preliminary results indicate that the drug appears to show some efficacy as a therapy.

“When malaria gets inside a cell, if you change the pH with a drug like chloroquine phosphate, the malaria can’t live,” said James, an immunologist and rheumatologist. “The same goes for a virus like COVID-19. If you change the pH, the virus cannot assemble, and if it can’t assemble, it can’t infect you.”

James explained that repurposing existing medications is often the fastest path to treating those infected by the virus in a novel way.

“That would be really exciting, because it’s a drug that already has FDA approval, and it is readily available,” she said. “If it works, it might treat COVID-19 almost instantly.”

Wider studies are now underway to confirm the results.

In the meantime, James and health officials at the CDC are warning against using unapproved medications claiming to treat or prevent COVID-19. She also cautioned that antibiotics will not work for coronavirus, either.

“Antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infection. It’s great if you get strep throat or have a staph infection, but COVID-19 is a virus, and viruses are not attacked or slowed in any way by antibiotics,” James said.

For patients who develop mild symptoms, doctors recommend resting, staying hydrated and using over-the-counter medications and pain relievers as needed. More severe cases often require hospitalization, with oxygen therapy to help breathing.

If you or a loved one develops severe symptoms, James said, “Be sure to call your healthcare provider before you go.

Didn't someone say earlier in this thread chloroquine phosphate was only being used as an anti-inflammatory, not as a potential cure? This is why I dont believe anything I read...pretty much anywhere.

[neech]

Originally Posted by Spott

The French don’t recognize personal space at all, so it’s not surprising that they would spread it quicker. It doesn’t help matters when everyone over there smokes and rarely wash their hands after using the bathroom.

Hygiene isn't a priority to them compared to us i agree.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by Donger

MEXICO CITY (AP) — While the coronavirus pandemic has led authorities around the globe to cancel concerts and sporting events, and even shut down daily activities in some places, Mexico City is going ahead with Vive Latino — one of the most important music festivals in the country.

Seems like a really bad decision.