***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.”

[kgrund]

Originally Posted by O.city

Science changes. Just the way it is.

The biggest problem he's had is that he needs to just say "we don't know" on some things instead of saying it could be this or that.

At the root of his problem is he is a public health official so what you are going to always get is a way overplay of the negative and underplay of the positive.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

So in a decade?

According to the CDC 75 million doses have been administered. With the new data from Pfizer and Moderna in regards to quality effectiveness from their first shot as well as a single shot of J&J being added to the rollout I just don’t see why this would take very long.

I think by the end of summer we’ll reach that goal. And when we do I’m not wearing a mask anymore

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by RunKC

According to the CDC 75 million doses have been administered. With the new data from Pfizer and Moderna in regards to quality effectiveness from their first shot as well as a single shot of J&J being added to the rollout I just don’t see why this would take very long.

I think by the end of summer we’ll reach that goal. And when we do I’m not wearing a mask anymore

45% of the staff at our local HOSPITAL refuse to get vaccinated. Imagine what the number will be for people outside the medical community.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

45% of the staff at our local HOSPITAL refuse to get vaccinated. Imagine what the number will be for people outside the medical community.

Once everyone that wants it has had a chance to get it, it shouldn't matter what the % is anyway. Move on, everyone knows the risks.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Once everyone that wants it has had a chance to get it, it shouldn't matter what the % is anyway. Move on, everyone knows the risks.

Messaging like this is unhelpful.

The only way masks would be necessary in 2022 is if the vaccines don't work or the goal becomes zero covid.

So which is it, Dr. Fauci? https://t.co/WuOeNzyt7x

— Clarity (@covid_clarity) February 22, 2021

And for me, if the vaccines don't work too bad. Either way we need to move on.

[O.city]

The importance of T-cell immunity! This study finds CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell mediated responses are minimally affected by mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, & P.1.) and VOI CAL20.C! Immunity is about more than just antibodies! Let’s go! ��https://t.co/0GaX9ch7bw

— Mac n’ Chise ������ (@sailorrooscout) March 2, 2021

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by O.city

The importance of T-cell immunity! This study finds CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell mediated responses are minimally affected by mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, & P.1.) and VOI CAL20.C! Immunity is about more than just antibodies! Let’s go! ��https://t.co/0GaX9ch7bw

— Mac n’ Chise ������ (@sailorrooscout) March 2, 2021

So in layman's terms, the variants are not a large issue and the available vaccines will address these variants? Seriously asking here, not being snarky, genuinely asking this.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by KC_Lee

So in layman's terms, the variants are not a large issue and the available vaccines will address these variants? Seriously asking here, not being snarky, genuinely asking this.

The vaccines produce a strong response and seeing as they produce not only polyclonal antibodies (recognize and bind to different spots on spike protein so a single point mutation won't be a huge problem) but a strong T cell response, yeah, at this point the variants shouldn't be an issue.

If or until they have full mutations in the spike protein, we're fine.

[IA_Chiefs_fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

The vaccines produce a strong response and seeing as they produce not only polyclonal antibodies (recognize and bind to different spots on spike protein so a single point mutation won't be a huge problem) but a strong T cell response, yeah, at this point the variants shouldn't be an issue.

If or until they have full mutations in the spike protein, we're fine.

Thank you for explaining that. I was busy Googling, trying to understand.

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by O.city

The vaccines produce a strong response and seeing as they produce not only polyclonal antibodies (recognize and bind to different spots on spike protein so a single point mutation won't be a huge problem) but a strong T cell response, yeah, at this point the variants shouldn't be an issue.

If or until they have full mutations in the spike protein, we're fine.

Thank you and rep duly applied.

[O.city]

I'm by no means an authority here guys, so take what I say with a huge caution. But thats how I read that thread.

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm by no means an authority here guys, so take what I say with a huge caution. But thats how I read that thread.

Probably more qualified than I am.

[MahomesMagic]

Haven't seen this good news anywhere...

Thanks to @EWoodhouse7, we now have CLI back to the start of 2020 from the CDC. pic.twitter.com/tf5kNhDcoE

— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) March 2, 2021

[dirk digler]

Rivals Merck and J&J are teaming up to produce J&J's vaccine. Here shortly we will have more than enough vaccine for anyone that wants it.

Drugmaker Merck & Co. will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved coronavirus vaccine in an effort to expand supply more quickly, a Biden administration official confirmed Tuesday.

The announcement comes as the White House looks to speed the production of the single-dose vaccine. Officials have said J&J faced unexpected production issues with its vaccine and produced only 3.9 million doses ahead of its receiving emergency use authorization on Saturday. The company says it is on pace to deliver 100 million doses by the end of June.

Facing questions about the company’s slipping delivery schedule, J&J Vice President Richard Nettles told lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week that the company had faced “significant challenges” because of its “highly complex” manufacturing process.

The assistance from Merck was expected to help J&J meet its production commitments and expand supply even further, but the administration did not immediately provide specifics.

The new administration now expects to have enough supply of the three approved vaccines to inoculate all eligible American adults by June — though actually delivering the injections could take longer.

[RedRaider56]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Rivals Merck and J&J are teaming up to produce J&J's vaccine. Here shortly we will have more than enough vaccine for anyone that wants it.

Well that's good news.
I'm so frustrated with the process of signing up for vaccinations (in Texas). I qualify for phase 1b and I've registered on 4 different lists to get the vaccine.
Haven't received notification for any vaccination appointment.

This past weekend they open up a local mass vaccination site on the weekends and tell everyone "Hey, you need to reregister. All those previous registrations don't count"
WTF?