***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.”

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

Sorry. Very political. But give it a rest people. More things to worry about.

the "Chinese Virus"??? Are you ****ing kidding me? https://t.co/8kPDx8QE3B

— Kendall Rae�� (@KendallRaeOnYT) March 16, 2020

U.S. Airlines Spent 96% of Free Cash Flow on Buybacks

The biggest U.S. airlines spent 96% of free cash flow last decade on buying back their own shares. American Airlines Group Inc. -- which is not shown in the chart but is included in overall figures -- led the pack, with negative cumulative free cash flow during the decade while it repurchased more than $12.5 billion of its shares. United Airlines Holdings Inc. used 80% of its free cash flow on buybacks, while the S&P 500 Index as a whole allocated about 50% for the purpose. As the industry reels under the weight of the coronavirus outbreak corporate leaders are seeking federal assistance to ease the burden.

The executives just paid it to themselves. Because they know they'll get bailed out in any downturn. It's a huge moral hazard.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

wont paper towels clog up the pipes?

You don't have to flush. Just get a covered waste basket with a foot pedal. Then fold it over before you throw it in. Trust me, I know it sounds disgusting but it will work in a pinch. (hah!)

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...buybacks-chart



Because they know they'll get bailed out in any downturn. It's a huge moral hazard.

Stock buybacks are the equivalent to paying dividends.

[sedated]

Looks like it happened, KC metro bars/restaurants/clubs/theaters closed until April 1.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Stock buybacks are the equivalent to paying dividends.

Yeah and if you're an exec you basically just gave yourself a gigantic bonus instead of reinvesting or saving money for a rainy day.

Hell I know I was all in stocks until a few weeks ago - riding that buyback train.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by sedated

Looks like it happened, KC metro bars/restaurants/clubs/theaters closed until April 1.

No one has any idea when things will actually reopen.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Depends.

There is no way that paper towels will flush in California due to 1.2 gallons per flush toilets.

It's difficult enough to flush regular toilet paper. A paper towel would likely require the main line to be snaked.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

sorry for passing along info

i know you jump at the chance to ride your high horse

Pointing put that you're being a dick is just that.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

You don't have to flush. Just get a covered waste basket with a foot pedal. Then fold it over before you throw it in. Trust me, I know it sounds disgusting but it will work in a pinch. (hah!)

Or a diaper pail. Problem solved.

[eDave]

Has there been a run on diapers?

[Discuss Thrower]

just shit in the shower and waffle stomp lmao

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

There is no way that paper towels will flush in California due to 1.2 gallons per flush toilets.

It's difficult enough to flush regular toilet paper. A paper towel would likely require the main line to be snaked.

I don't live in CA so that helps I guess. It works here in AZ, worked in KS when I lived there as well as MO.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

just shit in the shower and waffle stomp lmao

Did you actually think you would be the first one to post this?

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by eDave

Did you actually think you would be the first one to post this?

It's a megathread. You can assume at least one other person has posted your exact take somewhere in the last 40 pages. it's at least a coinflip's chance anything you post is actually original so shoot your shot.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I’d rather die in a breakdown of society riot than live in the middle of nowhere.

It's been a hell of a ride, BRC!


(You'd be welcomed with open arms at our place)