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 Titty Meat:
No but washing your hands isnt enough especially when this virus can be transmitted in the air. Every other country facing this isnt doing so because they didnt wash their hands.
No, hand-washing is not everything, but it is very important. More important is to not touch your face, rub your eyes, pick your nose, touch your mouth until you have washed your hands.
Yes, but it isn't airborne, thanks God. And even that can be mitigated if people coughed and sneezed into their elbows/armpits. Again, like I said, take common sense precautions as best they can. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Donger:
I haven't eaten or had a drink on a plane since this thing broke out in China. But yes, I'll send the flying waitress from FC back to steerage with an ice water for you when it resumes, while I'm sipping on my "free" vodka martini(s).
Damn, I need to improve my airline status big time. :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
they treat us like cattle. Completely forgot what customer service is. Let their stewardess’s behave like dictators on planes. Act like they are doing us a favor by giving us a bag of peanuts. **** them. The government can run them and treat us like shit just fine. :-)
I have flown over 50 flights a year for the last 15 years... I primarily have flown Delta the last 9 years. Each year, with technology, the system has gotten better. I can't remember the last time I had a delay, not weather related, or a lost bag. It still happens, but rarely. You see the few rogue videos of bad instances, but they are by far the exception. I have had great experiences on most of my flights and have seen little problems with other passengers. If you want to continue to be able to fly at a reasonable costs, as today it is reasonable, then you hope all airlines stay in business. Less airlines means less routes which means less capacity which means much higher prices. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Damn, I need to improve my airline status big time. :-)
My brother is United Global Service. He just got back from a round the world trip. They joked about asking the pilot to drop down the oxygen masks. [Reply]
Originally Posted by petegz28:
My focus has to turn here to home base and wonder what the states of Ks and Mo will continue to do? There have been a combined 13 cases between the two with 1 death. Hardly a hot spot.
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) --- The Shawnee County Health Department says at least 17 people are currently being tested for the coronavirus.
In their daily news conference, they announced the people currently being tested and say they are also monitoring 50 people who have traveled to areas that have been identified as high risk areas.
The health department also issued an order for those who have recently visited California, New York and Washington on or after March 15th to self-quarantine for 14 days. Also those who visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado. Plus those who have been on a cruise or been to a country that has been identified by the CDC as a high risk country.
They also said those who have been contacted by health officials are required to self-quarantine. [Reply]
Twelve rooms have been constructed in an ambulance bay near the Emergency Department at the University of Kansas Hospital, allowing doctors to evaluate patients for COVID-19 while limiting possible exposure to the rest of the facility.https://t.co/BVuKsvfloh
