***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.”

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DaFace

O.City would be a better sponsor, I think. Watching Donger debates is about as enjoyable as a root canal after all.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by O.city

Their 4 cases had no travel history. So they got it thru community spread. Which kinda shows that they didn't really have it stopped to begin with no?

C'mon. Four cases? Very manageable through contact tracing.

[Fish]

I feel sorry for the kids.

KCK Public Schools cancels fall sports

Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools have canceled fall sports and activities for the fall season.

"My heart goes out to the athletes who have been training for a long time," KCKPS District Athletic Director Tammie Romstad said, "for the parents who want to see those kids compete, and it's really hard for the community, you know? Athletics is a big picture that a lot of people like to attend. It's something to do and it brings us together, so it's a tough one."

KCK Public Schools Board of Education voted, 5-2, on Tuesday to “suspend all involvement in KSHSAA fall sports,” the district said via social media.

The decision means there will be no football, volleyball, cross country, girls’ tennis, boys’ soccer, band or spirit squad during the 2020-21 academic year.

Approximately 4,500 high school and middle school students and 112 coaches in the district will be affected by Tuesday night's vote.

The district made the decision ahead of what would have been it's first fall practice – scheduled for next Monday.

[Donger]

Interesting discussion on T cells:

https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news...244852012.html

[O.city]

Yeah that sucks for the kids and parents

Some people rely on the money from officiating as well. Tough times

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Fish

I feel sorry for the kids.

KCK Public Schools cancels fall sports

Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools have canceled fall sports and activities for the fall season.

"My heart goes out to the athletes who have been training for a long time," KCKPS District Athletic Director Tammie Romstad said, "for the parents who want to see those kids compete, and it's really hard for the community, you know? Athletics is a big picture that a lot of people like to attend. It's something to do and it brings us together, so it's a tough one."

KCK Public Schools Board of Education voted, 5-2, on Tuesday to “suspend all involvement in KSHSAA fall sports,” the district said via social media.

The decision means there will be no football, volleyball, cross country, girls’ tennis, boys’ soccer, band or spirit squad during the 2020-21 academic year.

Approximately 4,500 high school and middle school students and 112 coaches in the district will be affected by Tuesday night's vote.

The district made the decision ahead of what would have been it's first fall practice – scheduled for next Monday.

There are no easy answers here, but the damage to academic and social progression for kids due to this is going to be felt for decades.

[O.city]

Yeah and if you can’t play football I don’t see any way you can have basketball this winter

May as well just come out and say “no high school sports until there is a widespread vaccine”

[Strongside]

My hope is that things are at least CLOSER to normal by spring, and they can give these kids the option to play and abridged version of their fall sports seasons at that time. Sports like baseball could be pushed back to later in the spring semester.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by O.city

Yeah and if you can’t play football I don’t see any way you can have basketball this winter

May as well just come out and say “no high school sports until there is a widespread vaccine”

That's just 1 area. A lot are planning to and still will play the season.

[kgrund]

Originally Posted by Donger

Interesting discussion on T cells:

https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news...244852012.html

This article speaks to the heart of what has been bugging me for a long time since this pandemic hit, which is what was the scientific community doing during these non-pandemic years? I know that science is hard. I know that research needs funding. However, so much of what we have been wrestling with beyond the unique characteristics of the virus itself should have been further down the road then they are. Why don't have a better understanding of immune system responses to classes of viruses? Why did it take so long to understand the role T-Cells play in the immune system response? Why was the need (if there is) for mask usage already strongly settled science? Why are they relying so heavily on a virus test that can't even tell if the virus is active and hence infectious? I can go on, but I think while the media has spent an overwhelming majority of its time blaming the government for its handling of the pandemic, it seems like the readiness of the scientific community for a pandemic has been given a huge pass IMO. We should not be 5-6 months into a pandemic and trying to figure out issues that do not specifically relate to the virus itself. Maybe I am just ignorant on this front, but that has been my irritation for quite a while.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by kgrund

This article speaks to the heart of what has been bugging me for a long time since this pandemic hit, which is what was the scientific community doing during these non-pandemic years? I know that science is hard. I know that research needs funding. However, so much of what we have been wrestling with beyond the unique characteristics of the virus itself should have been further down the road then they are. Why don't have a better understanding of immune system responses to classes of viruses? Why did it take so long to understand the role T-Cells play in the immune system response? Why was the need (if there is) for mask usage already strongly settled science? Why are they relying so heavily on a virus test that can't even tell if the virus is active and hence infectious? I can go on, but I think while the media has spent an overwhelming majority of its time blaming the government for its handling of the pandemic, it seems like the readiness of the scientific community for a pandemic has been given a huge pass IMO. We should not be 5-6 months into a pandemic and trying to figure out issues that do not specifically relate to the virus itself. Maybe I am just ignorant on this front, but that has been my irritation for quite a while.

12/ Let’s get back to herd immunity via T cells.

If ~50% of people had T cell immunity prior to SARS-CoV-2, then that leaves 50% of the population susceptible.

In the regions hit hardest by COVID-19, serology studies show new cases and deaths peaked at around 10-20% infected.

— James Todaro, MD (@JamesTodaroMD) August 10, 2020

14/ It is likely that many of the hardest hit regions of the world (e.g. Lombardy, NYC, Madrid, London, Stockholm) are now at herd immunity.

Lockdowns & mask ordinances (mostly coming after the peak) likely had little effect, with the exception of perhaps prolonging the spread.

— James Todaro, MD (@JamesTodaroMD) August 10, 2020

[O.city]

Originally Posted by kgrund

This article speaks to the heart of what has been bugging me for a long time since this pandemic hit, which is what was the scientific community doing during these non-pandemic years? I know that science is hard. I know that research needs funding. However, so much of what we have been wrestling with beyond the unique characteristics of the virus itself should have been further down the road then they are. Why don't have a better understanding of immune system responses to classes of viruses? Why did it take so long to understand the role T-Cells play in the immune system response? Why was the need (if there is) for mask usage already strongly settled science? Why are they relying so heavily on a virus test that can't even tell if the virus is active and hence infectious? I can go on, but I think while the media has spent an overwhelming majority of its time blaming the government for its handling of the pandemic, it seems like the readiness of the scientific community for a pandemic has been given a huge pass IMO. We should not be 5-6 months into a pandemic and trying to figure out issues that do not specifically relate to the virus itself. Maybe I am just ignorant on this front, but that has been my irritation for quite a while.

Money

There’s no money on working on most corona viruses as they’re no more than the common cold for one

[O.city]

He’s a little cavalier with “t cell immunity” they don’t necessarily confer “immunity” in terms of not catching the virus

They’re more of why there’s such mild and asymptomatic infections imo

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by O.city

Money

There’s no money on working on most corona viruses as they’re no more than the common cold for one

I think people also have unreasonable expectations for how quickly we can really learn about these things since we haven't really had major viral diseases that have been a huge issue for a while. The closest comparison I can come up with is HIV, and it took nearly 30 years to really get that under control. People just didn't focus on it quite this much because it impacted a relatively small percentage of the population, and it was perceived as being "preventable."

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I think people also have unreasonable expectations for how quickly we can really learn about these things since we haven't really had major viral diseases that have been a huge issue for a while. The closest comparison I can come up with is HIV, and it took nearly 30 years to really get that under control. People just didn't focus on it quite this much because it impacted a relatively small percentage of the population, and it was perceived as being "preventable."

Well we did do a lot of research into these things before they break out and prevention etc but people don’t like spending money on that

We now see the result