***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 O.city

That sucks man. We’ve all recovered thankfully. My father in law has it we think he’s not tok bad though has had 3 vaccine shots last I talked to him he was congested

Yep, father in law has it. Wife's stepmom woke up with headache and scratchy throat.

Blasting thru everyone here.

[penguinz]

Both kids (19 and 15) have it. Just minor cold like symptoms. Hope it stays that way. Both are vaxxed so it should stay minor.

If they somehow give it to me or the wife I am disowning them.

[DaFace]

I think my biggest first-world problem these days is that every time anyone feels a tickle in your throat you feel like you suddenly have to be worried about it. It gets draining.

[TLO]

I guess i don't have a problem with testing, it's just a shame we don't have more at home tests to go around. Speaking of which.

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

It's possible. CVS didn't have any home test today.

You live in St Joe right? I'll drop you by a test if you need one. I have 2 in reserve. Can put it in your mailbox or something if you want.

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by TLO

This might be a dumb question.. but at this point, why are we even testing? If someone has symptoms, it's probably flu or omicron. Unless you are at high risk for severe disease, just assume you're positive and stay home. Stop clogging up the urgent care and ER just to get a test. They're not going to tell you to do anything other than to stay home and rest anyway.

Unless there has been a massive advance in the number of Pfizer's covid be gone pill or someone somewhere actually decided fluvoxamine was worth looking into.

I assure you the ER is plenty busy enough with actual emergencies that they don't want to see you for your scratchy throat and headache.

Testing is usually required because of employment reasons.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think my biggest first-world problem these days is that every time anyone feels a tickle in your throat you feel like you suddenly have to be worried about it. It gets draining.

Not me. Not anymore.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

Testing is usually required because of employment reasons.

I get it. I ended up deleting that message. I was just ranting after talking to an nurse at our local ER who is SWAMPED with people coming in with "minor sore throats and headaches"

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Our health system has a dedicated building for COVID testing. It was basically empty in December. Today there was a line out the door, down one complete end of the building, and halfway down the other bend at 8:30 AM.

[Monticore]

Looks like they might implement a health tax in Quebec for unvaccinated that won't go over too well.

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by Monticore

Looks like they might implement a health tax in Quebec for unvaccinated that won't go over too well.

I'd be interested in hearing others' opinions on this, although I doubt that it doesn't eventually become political discourse.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by TimBone

I'd be interested in hearing others' opinions on this, although I doubt that it doesn't eventually become political discourse.

I understand the logic in it. People are making the choice to risk getting COVID but don't bear the financial responsibility if that risk ends up costing the system money to treat them.

But on the other hand, that situation is hardly unprecedented. We don't charge people extra for any number of other health risks (smoking, seat belts, and motorcycle helmets immediately come to mind). I suppose there's a caveat that life insurance does in some cases, but I don't know of any health insurer who charges extra for risky decisions.

In general, I don't think it would go over well in the U.S.

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I understand the logic in it. People are making the choice to risk getting COVID but don't bear the financial responsibility if that risk ends up costing the system money to treat them.



But on the other hand, that situation is hardly unprecedented. We don't charge people extra for any number of other health risks (smoking, seat belts, and motorcycle helmets immediately come to mind). I suppose there's a caveat that life insurance does in some cases, but I don't know of any health insurer who charges extra for risky decisions.



In general, I don't think it would go over well in the U.S.

Well, hell. That's pretty much exactly where I'm at.

Although, with certain health insurance companies, don't people pay higher premiums pending the results of a physical?

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by TimBone

Well, hell. That's pretty much exactly where I'm at.

Although, with certain health insurance companies, don't people pay higher premiums pending the results of a physical?

I don’t think that’s true if you are covered by an employer. We all pay the same regardless of physical limitations.

I’m sure some employers do, and I’m sure if you have it straight with an insurance company you might have to. (Just giving my personal experience at the 3 jobs I worked at prior)

[carlos3652]

Originally Posted by O.city

Not me. Not anymore.

Glad you and your fam got through it, same here. Vax and unvax in my family all had it. 3 shots, no shots, virus didn’t care. No hospitalizations and everyone sort of back to normal.

It doesn’t help that my 3 year old picks up different things from child care (croup, RSV in the fall, Covid, Fifth disease in the winter)

Feels like 24/7 sickness in my house lol

[DaFace]

Pretty good data review in the NYT today based on New York and Seattle.

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1...5l4v5krHA&s=19

The key conclusions:

Vaccination remains highly effective at preventing severe Covid illnesses. And Omicron is milder than earlier versions of the virus. The combination means that most Americans — including children and vaccinated adults — face little personal risk from Omicron.

The risk is not zero, to be clear, even among people who are generally healthy. But it is very small. Every day, people live with small risks, be they from the seasonal flu and other illnesses or from riding in a vehicle, playing sports or other activities.

For the unvaccinated, the situation is very different. Omicron is still severe enough that it will lead to debilitating illness and death for many unvaccinated people.