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.”
Originally Posted by O.city:
I think showing people getting it and such has or will help. I also think being straightforward with people about the vaccine and the side effects are helpful. Don't try to hide it, but explain what they are and the likelihood and such.
Basically what we should have been doing with Covid this whole time as well.
Fine line to walk. I can't get into it here because some of it gets very political.
But I agree, quit bullshitting and tell people what is what. The other side of that is people have to live with whatever choice they make. The days of "well you might infect me" are coming to an end. Get your arm stuck and eliminate the need to worry about others. [Reply]
Coronavirus Vaccine Doses That Were Held Back Now Being Released
U.S. health officials are releasing second doses of coronavirus vaccines that had been held back for booster shots and administering the vaccine to anyone over age 65 and people with pre-existing health conditions, according to a senior administration official, a shift from its earlier guidance to prioritize doses for second injections and for health-care workers. [Reply]
I just got my vaccination scheduled this morning. Get my first tomorrow morning and the second 3 weeks later. Excited to get it, but also hoping this experience and process becomes more streamlined in the coming weeks and months.
I had to fill out multiple forms online with local health dept, have a screening phone call to schedule, which both aren't a big deal. But the next instructions are to download an app, create a profile on the app, open the app outside the facility before appointment to check-in. None of that is an issue at all for me, but I have to imagine the elderly population as well as those without smartphones/technology illiterate will struggle. [Reply]
Originally Posted by petegz28:
Fine line to walk. I can't get into it here because some of it gets very political.
But I agree, quit bullshitting and tell people what is what. The other side of that is people have to live with whatever choice they make. The days of "well you might infect me" are coming to an end. Get your arm stuck and eliminate the need to worry about others.
I don't think eliminating the need to worry about others is ever a good strategy.
Just don't bullshit people. There are some side effects potentially. They're rarely severe and usually only last a day or two max. The ingredients aren't going to cause genetic changes or whatever bullshit of the day is.
But there is a risk. Just like there is a risk of getting covid. Life is a risk. This helps you minimize the risk of one thing. For me personally, it was worth it to my family and my patients.
To others maybe it's not. This is different than the risk of infecting others though, but it is what it is.
Once you have vaccinations available for everyone, there shouldnt' be any restrictions anywhere. There also won't be any assistance and such if you get Covid, but thats the way it will be. [Reply]
I tested positive this morning. Thought it was just allergies but I never have allergies this time of year so that raised a red flag. Then last night I noticed I was having some shortness of breath as well so I went to the doctor this morning just to be sure. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Archie Bunker:
I tested positive this morning. Thought it was just allergies but I never have allergies this time of year so that raised a red flag. Then last night I noticed I was having some shortness of breath as well so I went to the doctor this morning just to be sure.
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Apparently CA is an absolute cluster**** and way behind pace. Some nurses still don't even know when they're going to get it.
Coronavirus Vaccine Doses That Were Held Back Now Being Released
U.S. health officials are releasing second doses of coronavirus vaccines that had been held back for booster shots and administering the vaccine to anyone over age 65 and people with pre-existing health conditions, according to a senior administration official, a shift from its earlier guidance to prioritize doses for second injections and for health-care workers.
Good...maybe my mom can get one now. I'm certain if she would catch this she'd be a goner. Obese, hypertensive, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure...yeah [Reply]
Originally Posted by O.city:
I think showing people getting it and such has or will help. I also think being straightforward with people about the vaccine and the side effects are helpful. Don't try to hide it, but explain what they are and the likelihood and such.
Basically what we should have been doing with Covid this whole time as well.
Originally Posted by petegz28:
Fine line to walk. I can't get into it here because some of it gets very political.
But I agree, quit bullshitting and tell people what is what. The other side of that is people have to live with whatever choice they make. The days of "well you might infect me" are coming to an end. Get your arm stuck and eliminate the need to worry about others.
A friend of mine who is a physician made an interesting point the other day. He said that people will likely become more enthusiastic if the death statistics include vaccination status going forward. Once people start seeing that the deaths are increasingly unvaccinated people, that'll be compelling. I hadn't thought of that.
Of course, the total deaths will go down too, which should be good evidence, but if the proportion of unvaccinated people outweighs their proportion in society, that's pretty ironclad evidence. [Reply]
I've been wondering if I have the "asymptomatic" version. I've been a bit congested, but it feels weird. Tiny little sore throat tings every now and then. Stomach a little gurgly. No fever though. I'm probably just being paranoid. [Reply]
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Apparently CA is an absolute cluster**** and way behind pace. Some nurses still don't even know when they're going to get it.
Better to be safe and hide for 14 days....just in case
Or you could go get your ass tested..... :-) [Reply]