***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.”

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Of course. But they moved on this WEEKS before everyone else did. The optimal strategy at the start of the outbreak isn't guaranteed to be the best strategy once it's already spreading widely. They also use methods that many people in the US would consider to be an invasion of privacy.

Pretty much.

We needed to ramp up production of testing and such in February. That was where we dropped the ball it seems.

[O.city]

Someone brought this up before (hamas maybe?) but our descent down the curve won't be a quick as the ascent. Thats true, but thats not necessarily because of the actuality of the infections.

Moreso with the testing. Had we been rampantly and widespread testing earlier, we'd have went up the same as we're going down.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Of course. But they moved on this WEEKS before everyone else did. The optimal strategy at the start of the outbreak isn't guaranteed to be the best strategy once it's already spreading widely. They also use methods that many people in the US would consider to be an invasion of privacy.

I'm not familiar with all the methods used but you and I both agree they've been much more successful battling this to this point than we have for example.

We still dont seem to have much of a strategy atleast it hasnt been thoughtfully articulated by some of our leaders. Its unfortunate this has became a political issue. The economy isnt going to open in the sense people think it will for years. You cant just flip a switch so when we do begin to open and the economy is still lackluster I fear the fallout is going to be bad. Just like I dont believe there will be a vaccine by this time next year. It seems these lines of thinking are being used as excuses to buy time to stop the fear of panic.

So my question is this. What happens a year from now when the virus is still killing people, theres no cure, and the economy is open but still failing?

[O.city]

It won't just go on killing people (unless it mutates) as enough of the population gets it and recovers.

Eventually, we'll get to immunity.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by O.city

It won't just go on killing people (unless it mutates) as enough of the population gets it and recovers.

Eventually, we'll get to immunity.

Do they have an idea on how long immunity would last.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Do they have an idea on how long immunity would last.

If it's like the other corona viruses, IIRC, it would be for a good amount of time.

I'd imagine we'd have some lasting immunity forever but I am not sure on that.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by O.city

It won't just go on killing people (unless it mutates) as enough of the population gets it and recovers.

Eventually, we'll get to immunity.

Ya eventually but we dont know when that will be though I mean it could be a few years. Today's society just doesnt have the patience.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

Ya eventually but we dont know when that will be though I mean it could be a few years. Today's society just doesnt have the patience.

Just depends.

We don't even know how many have been infected, are infected, or have recovered at this point.

We aren't close to it yet. But every day is a day closer.

You've also got therapeutics that would most certainly help.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Do they have an idea on how long immunity would last.

I think this answer can only come with time. Hopefully we catch a break somewhere.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by O.city

Pretty much.

We needed to ramp up production of testing and such in February. That was where we dropped the ball it seems.

Anyone who was worth listening to was saying that in February. If not at least early March. History is going to look back at how we botched this.

[O.city]

It sounds like the mayor of Las Vegas wants to .....roll the dice.....on the situation.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by O.city

It sounds like the mayor of Las Vegas wants to .....roll the dice.....on the situation.

Yeah that'll be what people are watching. Montana is one thing. A place like Vegas? Buckle your seatbelts.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by O.city

It sounds like the mayor of Las Vegas wants to .....roll the dice.....on the situation.

A million people out of work in the Vegas area so yeah, I am sure she wants to get people back to work.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by petegz28

A million people out of work in the Vegas area so yeah, I am sure she wants to get people back to work.

Which isn't evil. There are two sides to this equation. She seems to be going all-in on on of those sides. Hope it works out.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by petegz28

A million people out of work in the Vegas area so yeah, I am sure she wants to get people back to work.

Not all of those people will be back for long.