Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #48

[10ofRods]

How is that different to sitting on a bus or tube to get to work? It is up to everyone to wash their hands and/or wear gloves/mask to prevent transference.

It's actually much, much, MUCH safer. It's in the open air. A person could actually use common sense about it and it's optional. Going to work is not optional. NY has not been able to shut down public transportation entirely because they don't have a way of getting essential workers to their jobs. Those workers take the risk.

If everyone else goes back to work, they too, will take that risk. By far worse than sitting on a bench. Banning bench-sitting is, IMO, fear-mongering. No contact tracing in subway cars either - and the estimated number of tracers and the kind of technology are both at least a year away.

All of us who have to go back to work (teachers, clerical employees in educational institutions, all healthcare workers, etc) will be taking way higher risks than walking through a park and sitting on a bench. Take your wipes if you are really worried, but there's no way to sanitize the air in the classroom in the same manner - and the virions reproduce in closed spaces as people breathe. No wipes can keep the students safe from each others - and masks only work when people know how to use them.

 

[BHughes]

Here's some interesting info that I pulled from Worldmeters and Wikipedia:

California is our most populous state. They have a per capita death rate from Covid-19 of 24 per 1 million people.

Texas is our second most populous state. They have a per capita death rate from Covid-19 of 14 per 1 million people.

Florida is our third most populous state. They have a per capita death rate from Covid-19 of 31 per 1 million people.

New York is our fourth most populous state. They have a per capita death rate from Covid-19 of 821 per 1 million people.

New Jersey is our eleventh most populous state. They have a per capita death rate from Covid-19 of 396 per 1 million people.

These numbers make me wonder what the heck is going on in New York and New Jersey?

Could the size of the state be the difference? Like a smaller state with such a large population? Close living quarter communities?

 

[tresir2012]

Police guidelines list 'excuses' for leaving home
Under the guidance, police are advised not to intervene if people stop to rest or eat lunch while on a long walk, but short walks to sit on a park bench are not allowed.

"A very short period of 'exercise' to excuse a long period of inactivity may mean that the person is not engaged in 'exercise' but in fact something else," the guidance says.

The document also clarifies that anyone can travel to work if it is not "reasonably possible" to work from home. However, it says it is not allowed for home-workers to "choose" to work in a park.

The College of Policing said the information was published for forces before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

"It was designed to help officers remain consistent with criminal justice colleagues," a spokesman added.

 

[PommyMommy]

Dr. Robert R. Redfield on Twitter
Healthcare workers are vital to tackling the #COVID19 outbreak. We need to keep them healthy so they can do their important work.
Health care workers are 10%-20% of US coronavirus cases
2:16 PM - 16 Apr 2020

CDC on Twitter
Homeless & meal service providers: You have an important role in slowing the spread of #COVID19. See guidance on preparing for & handling a COVID-19 outbreak:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

3:27 PM - 16 Apr 2020

CDC on Twitter
#COVID19 spreads like dominoes fall. Help protect your family and your community. Wash your hands, #stayhome and practice #socialdistancing by keeping at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
4:00 PM - 16 Apr 2020

WA National Guard on Twitter
Our @WANationalGuard team working at the Community Based #COVID19 Test site in Aberdeen is doing a great job! #WeGotThisWA

4:05 PM - 16 Apr 2020

Webinar April 17, 2020 - COVID-19 in the United States: Insights from Healthcare Systems
#HCPs: COCA Call on Friday, April 17, at 2pm ET can also be found on COCA’s Facebook profile via Facebook Live. Topic: #COVID19 in the United States: Insights from Healthcare Systems.
Learn more: Webinar April 17, 2020 - COVID-19 in the United States: Insights from Healthcare Systems

5:01 PM - 16 Apr 2020

Scott Gottlieb, MD on Twitter
1/2 New York City, with population of 8.4 million, has 11,477 confirmed and probable #COVID19 deaths. Even if everyone in the city had covid (8.4M people) which is improbable, then 11,477 deaths would put its case fatality rate higher than what's seen in seasonal flu. #NotTheFlu
8:45 PM - 16 Apr 2020

Scott Gottlieb, MD on Twitter
2/2 If 1 million New Yorkers have contracted #COVID19 so we're only diagnosing about 1 in 10 people, then 11,477 deaths put current case fatality rate above 1%. If 2 million New Yorkers were infected then the current CFR is .57%. And grimly, deaths (and CFR) will continue to rise
8:50 PM - 16 Apr 2020

BNO Newsroom on Twitter
NEW: Ecuador's Guayas province, where 187 people are confirmed to have died of coronavirus, recorded 6,700 deaths from all causes during the first half of April, significantly higher than the 1,000 average - BBC
8:48 PM - 16 Apr 2020

 

[RANCH]

Police guidelines list 'excuses' for leaving home
Under the guidance, police are advised not to intervene if people stop to rest or eat lunch while on a long walk, but short walks to sit on a park bench are not allowed.

"A very short period of 'exercise' to excuse a long period of inactivity may mean that the person is not engaged in 'exercise' but in fact something else," the guidance says.

The document also clarifies that anyone can travel to work if it is not "reasonably possible" to work from home. However, it says it is not allowed for home-workers to "choose" to work in a park.

The College of Policing said the information was published for forces before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

"It was designed to help officers remain consistent with criminal justice colleagues," a spokesman added.

How much time or distance has to pass to change from a short period of exercise to a long walk?

 

[tresir2012]

It's actually much, much, MUCH safer. It's in the open air. A person could actually use common sense about it and it's optional. Going to work is not optional. NY has not been able to shut down public transportation entirely because they don't have a way of getting essential workers to their jobs. Those workers take the risk.

If everyone else goes back to work, they too, will take that risk. By far worse than sitting on a bench. Banning bench-sitting is, IMO, fear-mongering. No contact tracing in subway cars either - and the estimated number of tracers and the kind of technology are both at least a year away.

All of us who have to go back to work (teachers, clerical employees in educational institutions, all healthcare workers, etc) will be taking way higher risks than walking through a park and sitting on a bench. Take your wipes if you are really worried, but there's no way to sanitize the air in the classroom in the same manner - and the virions reproduce in closed spaces as people breathe. No wipes can keep the students safe from each others - and masks only work when people know how to use them.

I agree with you. Everyone is responsible for their own sanitation. Wipe the bench with a sanitising wipe and wash hands when you get home if worried.

 

[tresir2012]

How much time or distance has to pass to change from a short period of exercise to a long walk?

How long is a piece of string?
A Police Constable would have to interpret that after you told him/her how long you had exercised and how long you had been snacking sitting on the bench and based on his/her observations.

 

[tresir2012]

tresir, You might carry a sandwich in your hands at all times while walking or sitting in the park. If stopped by LE, just offer them a bite of your sandwich ?????.....moo

Why didn't I think of that.

 

[Bravo]

Parks are closed in my City. The one's that have walking/running paths are open for use but you don't veer off to go to a bench and lounge, play areas or sheltered picnic areas. Never know who might show up and see you. IMO they are just trying to have some control over people loitering/gathering.

 

[RANCH]

A Police Constable would have to interpret that after you told him/her how long you had exercised and how long you had been snacking sitting on the bench and based on his/her observations.

So you would have no way in knowing you had broken the law until after the fact.

 

[Teche]

West Texas Hair Problem Report - Since all the Barber Shops are closed in my area, I am torn between putting my future long silver hair in a ponytail or man bun ??????.....Right now, I just look like I need a dog collar.......bradpitteatyourheartoutcody22........moo

Take a pic and let us decide

 

[otto]

But what happens when it is lifted? Is the virus going to be gone by then? Or is it possibly dormant and still being carried by people who have been locked down?

Australia had a stronger second wave in October 1919. I'm guessing there will be a second wave in Spring 2020 as well.

"Despite a swift quarantine response in October 1918, cases of Spanish flu began to appear in Australia in early 1919. About 40 per cent of the population fell ill and around 15,000 died as the virus spread through Australia."​

Influenza pandemic

 

[PommyMommy]

Germany's health minister says country will not be "like it was before" due to coronavirus outbreak

[...]

“The number of new infections in Germany is down, and this has given us a chance to reopen, step-by-step. And that is important – step-by-step to a new normal. This won’t be like it was before,” Spahn told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.

[...]

Spahn said citizens would need to continue practicing social distancing and wearing masks for "months" to come.

[...]

Pentagon now says 2,889 service members have coronavirus

[...]

As of 5 a.m. ET Thursday, 2,889 service members tested positive for Covid-19, including two US service members who have died from coronavirus. This figure is lower than Tuesday when the figure was higher at 3,022 service members.

[...]

FAA outlines how airlines can carry cargo rather than passengers

Federal regulators laid out on Thursday how airlines may remove the seats from passenger aircraft and use that space to instead carry cargo.

[...]

The agency called it “an extraordinary situation … for an entire passenger cabin to be loaded with cargo.”

[...]

Protective equipment costs increase over 1,000% as demand surges during pandemic

The cost of personal protective equipment is skyrocketing – more than 1,000% in some cases – as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The federal government's Strategic National Stockpile has nearly emptied and states have been left to find PPE supplies on their own. The surge in demand has left importers, suppliers and purchasers scrambling. And price gouging has exacerbated the problem.

[...]

South Carolina governor proposes legislature returns late June

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed the state legislature come back in late June, since coronavirus is expected to peak in mid-May.

By June, coronavirus will be on the downside of its’ peak and businesses should be opening around that time, McMaster said.

[...]

Several governors tell Trump they are still lacking materials needed for testing

Today on a call with the nation's governors about reopening the economy after the coronavirus, several governors pressed President Trump over lack of testing.

According a source familiar, the administration focused on the two main private sector firms, Quest and Labcorp, saying both of them still had capacity to conduct more tests.

But, as this source notes, this does not address one of the biggest problems many states face, not just a lack of tests, but lack of materials needed for the testing, such as swabs.

[...]

Missouri extends stay-at-home order through May 3

[...]

“Missouri is incredibly diverse, and our reopening efforts will be careful, deliberate, and done in phases,” Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement.

[...]

He said the state's ability to reopen the economy after May 3 depends on how quickly they can expand testing and the supply of personal protective equipment for health care workers.

[...]

Coronavirus live news and updates: Cases top 2 million globally - CNN

 

[10ofRods]

I think the Aussie plan is going to be that certain segments are re-opened, then we wait for results - if any - react if we should (perhaps close back down again) or open further segments if there are no/few bad results.

Schools will be open (in a non-mandatory manner) after the current Easter break. Schools are providing an online curriculum, as well, for home schooling.

It will likely turn out to be whatever works best for the majority. imo

Our PM has expressed that things will happen at different times in different states, as there are quite radical differences in infection rates from state to state. It seems - to me - that our areas that have had the most international exposure (flights/visitors) are infected the most.

However, at the moment things are looking fairly positive for Australia and New Zealand, and NZ is considering opening its borders to Aussie commerce.

This is a good plan. The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and California may do similar things. If school is non-mandatory, then families can decide on their own what to do.

It takes some public trust to do that, though. It needs to be known that all group settings of that nature are not without risks. Schools need to be held non-liable from the results (the U.S. is very litigious).

China is trusting Australia, which is cool. They don't want to send their ships and personnel anyplace that doesn't have CV19 under control. The first ships since the shutdown left for Australia - yesterday. So you shall have resources, Australia!

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Then they should close the parks. Which they have not done. This article is similar in that people are worrying about taking stuff off shop shelves and then changing their mind about it and feeling guilty about putting it back. It's getting ridiculous now IMO especially if people are disinfecting their groceries anyway and washing their hands like they should be doing. That stops the virus right there and then.

Afraid to put things back on the shelf

Because/if you cannot sit on a bench, the parks should be completely closed? That seems rather selfish when plenty of other people are just happy they still can walk through the park.

 

[10ofRods]

Could the size of the state be the difference? Like a smaller state with such a large population? Close living quarter communities?

Yes, it's probably the main factor. This has been known with certainty for all communicable diseases for a long time. When an epidemic or pandemic breaks out, densely populated places do not fare well.

England (not UK) has a population density higher than India's. Just for reference.

 

[Teche]

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS POSTS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S NEED FOR PEOPL WHO CAN DO CODING FROM OLD DAYS---they reportedly needed people who could help with old government computers to help with the Unemployment ins. and all that?

I need some more info on that for a friend who really needs help right now.

Many government computer programs are run on COBOL. My husband is a retired systems analyst who used COBOL and FORTRAN to design computer programs back in the day. The coding language isn’t even taught in computer science curriculums. He said that many, many ATMs are designed to run on COBOL. Conversions are labor intensive and expensive. His speciality was conversions of one system to another.

 

[10ofRods]

BTW, the reason "bench-sitting" is banned in some places has little or nothing to do with someone touching the bench.

If you are a CoVid virus pusher (you have it, you're putting out into the environment when your lungs push air out), the longer you sit in one place, the more virus accumulates in a cloud. All around you. Even people who never touch the bench now get a higher viral load.

However, if there's a nice breeze, it's not really a problem. I feel as if we're back in the 19th century - advice and letters on this topic were a daily part of people's communication and support system. Tuberculosis was just being understood...

 

[otto]

BTW, the reason "bench-sitting" is banned in some places has little or nothing to do with someone touching the bench.

If you are a CoVid virus pusher (you have it, you're putting out into the environment when your lungs push air out), the longer you sit in one place, the more virus accumulates in a cloud. All around you. Even people who never touch the bench now get a higher viral load.

However, if there's a nice breeze, it's not really a problem. I feel as if we're back in the 19th century - advice and letters on this topic were a daily part of people's communication and support system. Tuberculosis was just being understood...

All the local playgrounds are closed because people with the virus might touch the equipment. The virus can live on metal and plastic for up to 3 days, depending on temperature and humidity levels. A park bench is like the playground. The virus gets onto the bench and it sits there for up to 3 days. Everyone else who sits on the bench risks picking it up.

 

[Teche]

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS POSTS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S NEED FOR PEOPL WHO CAN DO CODING FROM OLD DAYS---they reportedly needed people who could help with old government computers to help with the Unemployment ins. and all that?

I need some more info on that for a friend who really needs help right now.

Many government computer programs are run on COBOL. My husband is a retired systems analyst who used COBOL and FORTRAN to design computer programs back in the day. The coding language isn’t even taught in computer science curriculums. He said that many, many ATMs are designed to run on COBOL. Conversions are labor intensive and expensive. His speciality was conversions of one system to another.