Coronavirus

[wdolson]

Our Glorious Stable Genius has solved the pandemic problem.

Stop all funding.



Trump wanted to ‘slow’ coronavirus testing — and is now trying to block testing funding from stimulus bill:

Trump wanted to ‘slow’ coronavirus testing — and is now trying to block testing funding from stimulus bill: report

Edit: Also similar story at The Hill
Trump administration seeking to block funding for CDC, contact tracing and testing in new relief bill: report

In a totalitarian country with government control of the news, they can get away with this sort of thing until the problem gets too bad to hide anymore. This is why COVID became such a big problem to begin with. The authoritarians in China tried to hide the problem until it was too late to stop it and because they controlled the news media, they were able to keep it under wraps for months.

But the US still has a free news media. Changing technology has weakened traditional journalism, but it's still there. Trying to hide the ball under those conditions is like a small child covering his eyes and expecting nobody to see him. It may be cute in a 2 year old, but it's incredibly stupid and very dangerous for a government made up of people who are supposed to be adults.

I resemble that remark.
It actually occurred to me more than once but I have refrained from mentioning it to my wife because I know what will follow. My daughter was the most astute when she stared at me thoughtfully for a few moments during one of our weekly family video chats and said "Covid-19 has not really affected you much at all, has it Dad ?"

My partner and I are both introverts and we know a lot of introverts. The introverts are not struggling much with the social restrictions. For me the only hassles are some online places being out of things we need and having to venture out to go shopping. Lines at most stores are disappearing, but some places like Trader Joe's still have long lines to get in.

My more extroverted neighbors are climbing the walls.

 

[SageBrush]

The authoritarians in China tried to hide the problem until it was too late to stop it and because they controlled the news media, they were able to keep it under wraps for months.

Your narrative does not comport with the facts

 

[Daniel in SD]

No

From what I read it takes about 6 hours for a lab to process a sample and get results (they do huge numbers in parallel), so it would add at least 6 hours. Obviously it's still a good idea since it would allow more people to be tested.

This is why COVID became such a big problem to begin with. The authoritarians in China tried to hide the problem until it was too late to stop it and because they controlled the news media, they were able to keep it under wraps for months.

 

[dhanson865]

Scientists identify six different types of coronavirus with increasing severity levels

Coronavirus symptoms fall into six different groupings, study finds

Headache and loss of smell common to all six types found, with grading meaning most at-risk cases can be flagged up

• Cluster 1: Mainly upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as a persistent cough, with muscle pain also present. About 1.5% of patients in this group required respiratory support, with 16% making one or more trips to hospital. This was the most common cluster of symptoms, affecting 462 participants.
• Cluster 2: Mainly upper respiratory tract symptoms, but also a greater frequency of skipped meals and fever. Of patients in this group 4.4% required respiratory support, with 17.5% making one or more trips to hospital.

• Cluster 3: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, but few other symptoms. While only 3.7% of patients in this group later needed respiratory support, almost 24% made at least one visit to hospital.
• Cluster 4: Early signs of severe fatigue, continuous chest pain and cough. Of patients in this group 8.6% required respiratory support, with 23.6% making one or more trips to hospital.
• Cluster 5: Confusion, skipped meals and severe fatigue. Of patients in this group 9.9% required respiratory support, with 24.6% making one or more trips to hospital.
• Cluster 6: Marked respiratory distress including early onset of breathlessness and chest pain, as well as confusion, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost 20% of this group needed respiratory support and 45.5% made one or more visits to hospital. But this was the least common symptom cluster, affecting 167 participants.

 

[TespaceX]

In a totalitarian country with government control of the news, they can get away with this sort of thing until the problem gets too bad to hide anymore. This is why COVID became such a big problem to begin with. The authoritarians in China tried to hide the problem until it was too late to stop it and because they controlled the news media, they were able to keep it under wraps for months.

But the US still has a free news media. Changing technology has weakened traditional journalism, but it's still there. Trying to hide the ball under those conditions is like a small child covering his eyes and expecting nobody to see him. It may be cute in a 2 year old, but it's incredibly stupid and very dangerous for a government made up of people who are supposed to be adults.

Sounds like the US is in a much better shape than China with this virus.

 

[SMAlset]

Understanding the SF Bay area Watch List categorization and why Santa Clara County is caught up in it. From SF Gate (requires you to scroll down slightly for article):

Santa Clara County caught in undesirable state watch list quirk

BTW San Mateo County which still isn’t on Watch List has barber and hair salons open at this point in time. However as the SMC official states in the article they expect with rising hospitalizations and decrease in ICU beds those shops will be shutting down shortly.

I managed to get my hair cut in the 2 days Santa Clara County was able to operate its, and given the general uptick across the area kind of wishing I got it cut shorter. Might be awhile before they reopen.

 

[TespaceX]

Understanding the SF Bay area Watch List categorization and why Santa Clara County is caught up in it. From SF Gate (requires you to scroll down slightly for article):

Santa Clara County caught in undesirable state watch list quirk

BTW San Mateo County which still isn’t on Watch List has barber and hair salons open at this point in time. However as the SMC official states in the article they expect with rising hospitalizations and decrease in ICU beds those shops will be shutting down shortly.

I managed to get my hair cut in the 2 days Santa Clara County was able to operate its, and given the general uptick across the area kind of wishing I got it cut shorter. Might be awhile before they reopen.

I don’t know. One can also argue that the hospitalization metric should be % of available beds just like with the ICU metric.

 

[wdolson]

Sounds like the US is in a much better shape than China with this virus.

The Chinese are not good in telling people what's going on, but they are forcing people into quarantine and doing other things to mitigate the spread, even if they are lying publicly about it. The US federal government as well as many states are doing the opposite things necessary to reduce spread. Worst of both worlds: terrible communication and morons running the show and actively pushing out anyone who has the first clue what they are doing.

Countries that have both competent leadership combined with good communication and public education are the ones that are faring the best.

 

[madodel]

The Chinese are not good in telling people what's going on, but they are forcing people into quarantine and doing other things to mitigate the spread, even if they are lying publicly about it. The US federal government as well as many states are doing the opposite things necessary to reduce spread. Worst of both worlds: terrible communication and morons running the show and actively pushing out anyone who has the first clue what they are doing.

Countries that have both competent leadership combined with good communication and public education are the ones that are faring the best.

It would be nice to just live in a country that doesn't deny science and people could follow simple rules for their own safety.

 

[NikolaACDC]

Young People Most Likely To Spread Coronavirus At Home, Large Study Finds

"TOPLINE
Younger people aged 10 to 19 years old are more likely than other age groups to spread the coronavirus in their household, according to a large contact tracing study in South Korea soon to be published by the Centers for Disease Control..."
"Crucial quote
“We showed that household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was high if the index patient was 10–19 years of age,” the study says. “... The role of household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 amid reopening of schools and loosening of social distancing underscores the need for a time-sensitive epidemiologic study to guide public health policy.”

Study: Middle and high schoolers can spread coronavirus as effectively as adults

"The researchers found that children in middle and high school were just as likely to infect others as adults.
Children younger than 10 years old were around half as likely as adults to spread the virus.

Yes, but: Researchers only traced children who felt sick. The transmission rates for asymptomatic cases remains unknown, and children are less likely than adults to develop symptoms."

 

[Dr. J]

It would be nice to just live in a country that doesn't deny science and people could follow simple rules for their own safety.

That would be Canada.

 

[AlanSubie4Life]

Young People Most Likely To Spread Coronavirus At Home, Large Study Finds

"TOPLINE
Younger people aged 10 to 19 years old are more likely than other age groups to spread the coronavirus in their household, according to a large contact tracing study in South Korea soon to be published by the Centers for Disease Control..."
"Crucial quote
“We showed that household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was high if the index patient was 10–19 years of age,” the study says. “... The role of household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 amid reopening of schools and loosening of social distancing underscores the need for a time-sensitive epidemiologic study to guide public health policy.”

Study: Middle and high schoolers can spread coronavirus as effectively as adults

"The researchers found that children in middle and high school were just as likely to infect others as adults.
Children younger than 10 years old were around half as likely as adults to spread the virus.

Yes, but: Researchers only traced children who felt sick. The transmission rates for asymptomatic cases remains unknown, and children are less likely than adults to develop symptoms."

FREE THE PARENTS NOW (?)

 

[dfwatt]

DeSantis opines that the only 'significant' Covid complication is death. That in itself is idiocy, but he has still not caught on to the notion that infected people infect others. Didn't he close bars ? Seems to me that bars can stay open by the same "reasoning." Just restrict to under a certain age and weight. Although that is not really required. After all, he is one of the 'freedom' people. If a fat, old guy wants to risk Covid to get a beer and hang out with his buddies, who is Santis to say no ?

Time for that bozo to get another moron of morons award

Yes. And it points to a dilemma sagebrush. I will have to create a special award for repeat winners. Idiot Ron of course is in the running but I think Governor Kemp is still out in front. It seems as though lunacy is running amok. Crazy people and even worse crazy sociopaths seem to be in charge everywhere! Yikes!

 

[madodel]

That would be Canada.

I'm not allowed to go there thanks to living amongst the terminally stupid.

 

[SageBrush]

I'm not allowed to go there thanks to living amongst the terminally stupid.

Even with quarantine ?

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Even with quarantine ?

Yes and no. Transitting to Alaska is ok. Don’t get caught outside the transit route or have your check book handy.

Truckers are routinely entering Canada. We have this thing where we like to eat sooooooo.

 

[eevee-fan]

That would be Canada.

Is the asylum program still accepting Americans? Asking for a friend...

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Is the asylum program still accepting Americans? Asking for a friend...

Our numbers are starting to pop up a bit. 339 new cases in Canada yesterday with 4407 active cases in the country now. 4 more deaths. It is expected to continue to rise a bit as pretty much every province is now in phase 3....read almost everything open but with restrictions like restaurant and gym capacities etc. I would say I see about 1/3 to 1/2 the people wearing masks in Home Depot here. Medium small town in BC.

The virus devastated our senior homes. As the prime minister said, the shame of our country. 6000 ish seniors died. Horrible. Lots of changes coming.

 

[renim]

.... The virus devastated our senior homes. As the prime minister said, the shame of our country. 6000 ish seniors died. Horrible. Lots of changes coming.

Ouch, was it related to workers, having shifts at multiple senior homes?

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Ouch, was it related to workers, having shifts at multiple senior homes?

So yes...partially. Visitors as well. Protocols. A bunch of things. Looking like private homes fared worse than provincial homes but there were many cases there as well. Of the 8800 ish deaths in Canada over 6000 were in Seniors homes. It is being looked at closely now on a provincial and federal level. Somebody said the deputy prime minister was involved at the federal level and she is one capable woman.

In our province (BC) we have been blessed with a super capable provincial health officer Doctor Bonny Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. They were supported at every turn by the Deputy Prime minister Chrystia Freeland and it just kind of came together in this province. Everyday at 3 o’clock the whole province tunes into Dr Bonny to hear what is happening and what the next step is. She kept us focused and on track. We cried when she cried and we laughed when she laughed. And every day she ends her briefing with these 6 simple words.

Be kind
Be calm
Be safe.

It’s not over yet but we have no excuses. We all know what to do. We just have to do it. BC only has a population of around 5.1 million people. Smaller than many American cities. We are for the most part a socialist minded province (NDP... new democratic party) and currently have a socialist government (the NDP) but seem to alternate between liberal and NDP governments. Up until this pandemic we were a balanced budget province but this one is going to set us back a few year years, Ugh.

We have had a total of 3198 infections, currently have 207 active cases and 189 total deaths...most of whom were seniors in full care homes. Horrible, and it needs to be fixed.