***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.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by loochy

But 10 pm curfew is stupid. Coronavirus only comes out at night, eh?

It's aimed at drunken parties from what I can tell.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by petegz28

You're just arguing to argue now.

You stated that it's obvious to everyone. If that's the case, you should be able to provide a definition that everyone can agree on.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I kind of think that any discussions of "lockdowns" should be required to include a definition of what you're talking about. We've had mandatory masks and reduced capacity at restaurants and workplaces here for pretty much the entire time. Is that a "lockdown"? Because when I think of lockdowns I think stay at home orders, all restaurants and schools closed, etc.

I think it's very unlikely we'd go back to that style of lockdown, but it wouldn't surprise me if things tighten up with some of the less severe restrictions.

So why did Colorado have the 14th most new cases yesterday of you guys have already been doing all these things and didn't "open up" so to speak? Serious question.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Would you consider my area locked down right now?

-Bars are closed
-Gyms are closed
-Restaurants and offices are 25% capacity
-Masks are required
-No more than 5 people in a private gathering
-10pm curfew for all but essential workers

no.

you wanna see what "lockdown" is try what my family was doing (and is back to doing) in Milan. You have government issued hall passes to be out on a certain day to run errands. Only one person per household can go.

You get to go for groceries, medicine, and tobacco ()

What you're dealing with is what I'd call a shutdown or restriction. If you can go sit in a restaurant, you ain't in lockdown.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

So why did Colorado have the 14th most new cases yesterday of you guys have already been doing all these things and didn't "open up" so to speak? Serious question.

Those levels of restrictions have only been implemented in the past two weeks. We've had SOME restrictions the entire time, but not all of those.

The biggest theories are that schools (colleges in particular) have caused things to spike like crazy.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

In regards to these mRNA vaccines storage. Here is a good article about how rural and low income areas won't be able to provide these because the costs of the very low temp fridge units are expensive and currently the government isn't going to help.

Also the CDC is telling cities not to buy these because other vaccines won't require them.

https://www.statnews.com/2020/11/11/...vid19-vaccine/

That's ****ed up. I wonder if you'll see rural areas using a different vaccine, or people going to the city to get vaccinated.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Those levels of restrictions have only been implemented in the past two weeks. We've had SOME restrictions the entire time, but not all of those.

Ah Ok.

Its hard telling who is doing what right now.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Ah Ok.

Its hard telling who is doing what right now.

Thus, my pushing back on what a "lockdown" is. Everyone's doing it differently.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by O.city

Oxford is finishing up phase 3 last I read and results should be out anytime.

There are 3 or 4 others not far behind.

I hate putting an exact time on it, but I'd guess by late spring 2021 this will be pretty much over. Not all due to vaccines sadly, but with immunity from infections and vaccines etc.

we are so ****ing far from herd immunity it's terrifying.

10 million cases.
300 million people.

we'd need 15 times the number of sick people to reach the bare minimum threshold, and there is no guarantee you don't need 60-70% infected.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

That's ****ed up. I wonder if you'll see rural areas using a different vaccine, or people going to the city to get vaccinated.

I would imagine they’ll have something figured out

[O.city]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

we are so ****ing far from herd immunity it's terrifying.

10 million cases.
300 million people.

we'd need 15 times the number of sick people to reach the bare minimum threshold, and there is no guarantee you don't need 60-70% infected.

We’ve identified 10 million infections. Last cdc estimate I saw was we probably caught about 1 in 10

So that would change a little bit

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by O.city

I would imagine they’ll have something figured out

God, I hope so. But also, that's the point of having multiple vaccines that are based on different technologies, I guess? one size doesn't seem like it will fit all.

I know the evidence suggests there won't be a snag on side effects, based on the way the technology works, but man oh man... we really need this shit fast.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Based off what exactly?

Locally we just had 6 people die from Covid, average age 85. 5 of the 6 lived in a long term healthcare facility.

At this point how are people in these facilities still getting Covid? A coworkers wife works at the facility. The patients are isolated from each other, the employees are tested regularly and wear masks and other PPE.

Based on large scale studies I referenced earlier.

[ChiliConCarnage]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

In regards to these mRNA vaccines storage. Here is a good article about how rural and low income areas won't be able to provide these because the costs of the very low temp fridge units are expensive and currently the government isn't going to help.

Also the CDC is telling cities not to buy these because other vaccines won't require them.

The Moderna mRNA vaccine only requires -4 degrees which isn't extreme.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Would you consider my area locked down right now?

-Bars are closed
-Gyms are closed
-Restaurants and offices are 25% capacity
-Masks are required
-No more than 5 people in a private gathering
-10pm curfew for all but essential workers

Yes, that’s a “lockdown” but when most people talk about a “lockdown” they think the lockdown in April where all commerce shut down except for essential businesses.