Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #57

[Trino]

Ready for another stupid moment?

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed an enforcement action against a bar owner who has vowed to reopen at least one of his bar locations in spite of Gov. Tim Walz's "Stay Safe Minnesota" executive order.

Kris Schiffler is the owner and manager of six "Shady's" bars: Shady's Hometown Tavern and Event Center in Albany, Shady's Long Shots in Cold Spring, Shady's Bar & Grill in New Munich, and Shady's Silver Spur in St. Martin, all in Stearns County; Shady's Railside in Rice, in Benton County; and Shady's Golden Eagle in Burtrum, in Todd County.

Earlier this month, Schiffler announced his intentions to reopen all of his bars May 18. Attorney General, Keith Ellison, threatened a $25,000 fine per violation.

SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED? The page is now up to more than $189,567 in donations. AND, HE IS GOING TO REOPEN!

According to the State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard, Stearns County now has the second-higher number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state. In the first week of May, COVID-19 cases increased 454 percent in Stearns County, compared to 95.5 percent across the state as a whole.

The county's rate of COVID-19 cases per capita is 2.5 times higher than Hennepin County and 3.5 times higher than Ramsey County.

 

[tresir2012]

Editorial: Nicotine and SARS-CoV-2: COVID-19 may be a disease of the nicotinic cholinergic system


Can nicotine alternatives help combat Covid-19?

Tests to see if nicotine patches and other quit-smoking aids can help combat coronavirus have been called for by a group of Welsh doctors.

The three hospital consultants had already written in the British Medical Journal for investigations to be "urgently considered" to see if patches can help the body stop Covid-19.

French researchers are testing patches on coronavirus patients and France has subsequently limited their sale.

Now the Welsh doctors want more tests.

As trials continue in France, the consultants based in the south Wales valleys want to see what affect all nicotine replacement therapies, including gums, lozenges and nasal sprays, can have on people with coronavirus.

Funders of new drugs are to be contacted on the group's behalf by one of the UK's top anaesthetists in a bid to trial the theory in Wales.

Last month, data from a Paris hospital indicated that smokers were statistically less likely to be admitted for treatment for Covid-19.

 

[24Roses]

Iowa news today: May 18: Iowa reports 4 additional COVID-19 deaths, 304 new cases
304 new confirmed cases and 4 more have passed away. We now have 14,955 confirmed cases and 355 have passed away.
7,324 have recovered. IMO-this article is not completly accurate as it lists 103 currently in ICU and the state site lists 121.
Also a total of 382 are hospitalized compared to the previous number of 374 (+8), but of those 382, 47 were admitted in the
last 24 hrs. Iowa COVID-19 Information
Iowa Statehouse reopens with reduced hours
U of Iowa disease expert: second COVID-19 infection unlikely This is a few days old, but I forgot to include before.
As Iowa reopens, state’s coronavirus data elusive
Iowa cities with meatpacking plants struggle to get information on COVID-19 cases as state allows businesses to reopen

 

[zecats]

"They don't want to come back to work," said Cano. "It's the unemployment. They're receiving about $840 a week, which puts them about $22 an hour."

AZFamily: Arizona restaurant chain struggles to fill staff as unemployment claims soar.
Arizona restaurant chain struggles to fill staff as unemployment claims soar

I've seen this discussed before. It's tough for someone making minimum wage to give up this temporary windfall. If their place of business reopens though, and they have a job waiting, they may no longer be able to collect unemployment. Plus, whether they realize it, this money is subject to taxation. And no tax is being collected from the extra $600 presently.

 

[MimosaMornings]

I've seen this discussed before. It's tough for someone making minimum wage to give up this temporary windfall. If their place of business reopens though, and they have a job waiting, they may no longer be able to collect unemployment. Plus, whether they realize it, this money is subject to taxation. And no tax is being collected from the extra $600 presently.

That’s more of a temporary furlough - if you’re called back to work and refuse - you still get unemployment?

 

[jjenny]

I've seen this discussed before. It's tough for someone making minimum wage to give up this temporary windfall. If their place of business reopens though, and they have a job waiting, they may no longer be able to collect unemployment. Plus, whether they realize it, this money is subject to taxation. And no tax is being collected from the extra $600 presently.

Especially if you work where you are exposed to the public, such as a restaurant.

 

[CaraJay]

Ready for another stupid moment?

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed an enforcement action against a bar owner who has vowed to reopen at least one of his bar locations in spite of Gov. Tim Walz's "Stay Safe Minnesota" executive order.

Kris Schiffler is the owner and manager of six "Shady's" bars: Shady's Hometown Tavern and Event Center in Albany, Shady's Long Shots in Cold Spring, Shady's Bar & Grill in New Munich, and Shady's Silver Spur in St. Martin, all in Stearns County; Shady's Railside in Rice, in Benton County; and Shady's Golden Eagle in Burtrum, in Todd County.

Earlier this month, Schiffler announced his intentions to reopen all of his bars May 18. Attorney General, Keith Ellison, threatened a $25,000 fine per violation.

SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED? The ******** page is now up to more than $189,567 in donations. AND, HE IS GOING TO REOPEN!

According to the State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard, Stearns County now has the second-higher number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state. In the first week of May, COVID-19 cases increased 454 percent in Stearns County, compared to 95.5 percent across the state as a whole.

The county's rate of COVID-19 cases per capita is 2.5 times higher than Hennepin County and 3.5 times higher than Ramsey County.

They need to pull his liquor licence.

 

[tresir2012]

Coronavirus updates: UK to extend testing to over-fives - BBC News

160 new UK deaths in last 24 hours


"The UK Department of Health says 34,796 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, up by 160 from 34,636 the day before.

In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Monday, 100,678 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,409 people tested and 2,684 positive results.

Overall a total of 2,682,716 tests have been carried out, and 246,406 cases have been confirmed positive.

As always, there are two important caveats to mention with these figures

There has typically been a reporting lag over the weekend and today’s figures – which represent the lowest daily death toll since 24 March – might not be a true indicator of future numbers.

And most experts accept the total death toll attributable to the virus is much higher than that officially recorded by the Department of Health, with ONS figures indicating thousands of excess deaths over the past two months.

The number of people in hospital has fallen by 13% to 9,408.

As for testing, 100,678 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours, marginally above the government’s 100,000 end of April target."

IMO this bit I am repeating below is to prepare us for some extra deaths to be added on at some point.

"And most experts accept the total death toll attributable to the virus is much higher than that officially recorded by the Department of Health, with ONS figures indicating thousands of excess deaths over the past two months."

So thousands more deaths to be added on at some point in the future is my guess.

Also, with 9,408 cases still in hospital, many of those will be serious cases IMO.

 

[jjenny]

That’s more of a temporary furlough - if you’re called back to work and refuse - you still get unemployment?

I believe the state can then refuse to pay you unemployment. It might depend on a state.

 

[mickey2942]

That’s more of a temporary furlough - if you’re called back to work and refuse - you still get unemployment?

Here is the current problem. After 8 weeks, I finally got the "non issue" delaying payment off of my Mom's UI claim. She received back payments for all weeks.

Last week, she went back to work for FOUR hours, to help out her employer with paperwork. I reported the earnings for last week, about $30.

It created an "Issue" and has delayed payment. Back to the original problem. In a normal life, no big deal, call UI, they remove the "glitch".

Right now, with over a million people in the state who have filed UI. A "glitch" is a HUGE problem.

So, don't report earnings? Or be honest, report earnings and delay payments for possibly another 8 to 10 weeks.

 

[zecats]

That’s more of a temporary furlough - if you’re called back to work and refuse - you still get unemployment?

Depends on the state iirc correctly. Each makes their own UI determinations. I have seen where there is a clause for dangerous or unsafe work conditions. DOL in all states is so overwhelmed at the moment, amazing they could keep up with all the rules. JMO

 

[MimosaMornings]

Here is the current problem. After 8 weeks, I finally got the "non issue" delaying payment off of my Mom's UI claim. She received back payments for all weeks.

Last week, she went back to work for FOUR hours, to help out her employer with paperwork. I reported the earnings for last week, about $30.

It created an "Issue" and has delayed payment. Back to the original problem. In a normal life, no big deal, call UI, they remove the "glitch".

Right now, with over a million people in the state who have filed UI. A "glitch" is a HUGE problem.

So, don't report earnings? Or be honest, report earnings and delay payments for possibly another 8 to 10 weeks.

I’m glad you got the first issue cleared up and your mom got her back pay. Sometimes the questions are not clear and it’s difficult to answer.
It’s impossible to get anyone on the phone.
What a mess.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: UK records lowest increase in COVID-19 deaths since lockdown began

The UK has recorded its lowest daily coronavirus fatality figure since the nationwide lockdown began, with 160 further deaths.

The increase - the lowest recorded by the Department of Health since 24 March - takes the total to 34,796.

The figure includes coronavirus-related fatalities in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the community.

On Sunday, the UK had recorded its lowest daily number of deaths in 53 days, as 170 new deaths were announced, although today's figure marks another small drop.

The numbers are typically lower over the weekend and just after, but the daily increases have been trending downwards.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Dr Seheult new video. He says that four of them were taken down and they're available at his main website. But I went to that website and they aren't there either... anyway today's video.

Please note, it's not that he is a conspiracy guy, it is that there are automated stuff this is taking stuff down all over the internet.

Moo

 

[10ofRods]

Yes, the air conditioning concerns worry me. It's going to make staying home in Texas longer, since doing much without air conditioning here in the summer isn't really an option.

Hadn't thought of that - but yes, so true. How can people work in agricultural packing/canning plants in the summer without A/C? Same will be true here in California in the Imperial Valley and the San Joaquin Valley.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Medics warn of Legionnaires' Disease outbreak due to high number of water systems lying idle

(Ireland)

THE HSE’S HEALTH Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) today urged people to be aware of Legionnaires’ Disease, which can be caused due to bacteria growth in appliances which have been left untouched due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The illness is a type of pneumonia which causes serious illness in people aged over 50 years, smokers, and those with underlying health conditions. Both Legionnaires’ Disease and its milder form, Pontiac fever, are caused by the growth of Legionella bacteria in water systems which are not adequately managed.

The HSE said that, due to the current pandemic, many buildings have been closed, or their use restricted.

“This can increase the risk of Legionella growth in the water systems and associated equipment including evaporative air conditioning systems, water fountains, showers, spa pools, and other equipment if the water systems have not been managed adequately, “the statement from the HSE added.

Dr Suzanne Cotter, Specialist in Public Health Medicine for the HSPC explained that “the illness is acquired by the inhalation of aerosolised water contaminated with Legionella bacteria”.

The fatality rate of the disease is about 10%. The illness usually starts with flu-like symptoms including fever, tiredness, headache, and muscle pains. This is followed by a dry cough and breathing difficulties that may progress to a severe pneumonia.

Dr Cotter added: “It is very important that during this pandemic and in particular, before reopening occurs that all water systems are kept safe for the future health and safety of guests, visitors and staff.

“The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESGLI) has produced step by step guidance for managing Legionella in building water systems during the Covid-19 Pandemic which are available at the HPSC website.”

Dr Cotter said the guidance is aimed at hotels, campsites and cruise ships but is relevant to all public, residential and office buildings with similar water systems.

 

[The Night Watchman]

I received the results of my coronavirus antibody test on Saturday. I posted some background last week on why I chose to get the test (italics)-

Just signed up for a coronavirus antibody test. Tomorrow at 11:45AM. $130. Couple of days turnaround, I think.
Why? I think I had coronavirus, and would put the odds at 75%. This would likely mean my wife and daughters had it as well since we have been together for 2 months.

My symptoms-

Late February, early March: I felt off for about two and half weeks, experiencing unusual fatigue. I got winded and a little weak going up two sets of stairs where I never did before. I felt like I was running at 50-75% energy. The first week I was at my desk and felt a very strong fatigue come on and also felt slightly feverish. I took my temperature the next day but it was normal. From then, I just had the fatigue and my light cough persisted, tapering back to normal in a couple of weeks. Now none of this is particularly pointing to CV, but I suspect the virus since these were symptoms I never had before- I recall thinking that at the time. It wasn't until a month ago that I tied this episode to possibly being coronavirus.

My boss/colleague at work also had a month long cough, weakness etc before my episode. He joked about probably infecting everyone (10) at work with a cold, but this was before coronavirus was thought to be a possibility in Massachusetts.

So hoping for a great outcome- a positive reading. I repost with my results when I receive them.

The antibody test I am getting is by Quest Diagnostics.

Massachusetts has been hit pretty hard so maybe here in eastern MA there are 10% people that are AB positive. So my test has a false positive rate of ~ 1.25%. So out of 100 tests, there would be 10 accurate positive and 1.25 false positives (for my example), an 11% error rate. For a positive result, I would also then have my wife take it because if she tested positive as well, the false positive total error would be ~1%.

The Definitive Guide to Antibody Tests: What They Do, Where to Get Them, and How Much They Cost

So I have the results, but a little more detail. In the last week, I talked to a colleague at our small company of 10 people. He reminded me that at the beginning of February, five of the employees attended Photonics West in San Francisco, the biggest optics trade show in the U.S., and maybe the world. Upon returning, the attendees (age) had these outcomes-

EC (24)- very sick for a month
JN (57)- very sick for two weeks
SC (25)- not sick, but his girlfriend was diagnosed with COVID-19
AM (25)- not sick
AZ (25)- not sick

Not attending, but sick in this time period as well, was myself and the president, both 57. After revisiting this info, I bumped up my odds of having had CV to 90%.

So the test results came back with the following diagnosis: Negative for coronavirus antibodies.

 

[10ofRods]

That’s more of a temporary furlough - if you’re called back to work and refuse - you still get unemployment?

I do not believe that's the case in most states. That's why Elon Musk has called his workers back (so now their unemployment is threatened) and the workers don't want to come back.

As @zecats said, it's state by state. And the number of days or months that people get also varies by state.

IIRC, the extra $600 ends on July 31? As do some states' UI, again, from memory.

I know there are predictions that everyone will attempt to get a new job on August 1, if they've refused to come back to their old one (which is apparently happening). In some places, people will be made to pay back unemployment if they have voluntarily severed from their employment. It's going to be a big bureaucratic mess for sure.

 

[10ofRods]

I received the results of my coronavirus antibody test on Saturday. I posted some background last week on why I chose to get the test (italics)-

Just signed up for a coronavirus antibody test. Tomorrow at 11:45AM. $130. Couple of days turnaround, I think.
Why? I think I had coronavirus, and would put the odds at 75%. This would likely mean my wife and daughters had it as well since we have been together for 2 months.

My symptoms-

Late February, early March: I felt off for about two and half weeks, experiencing unusual fatigue. I got winded and a little weak going up two sets of stairs where I never did before. I felt like I was running at 50-75% energy. The first week I was at my desk and felt a very strong fatigue come on and also felt slightly feverish. I took my temperature the next day but it was normal. From then, I just had the fatigue and my light cough persisted, tapering back to normal in a couple of weeks. Now none of this is particularly pointing to CV, but I suspect the virus since these were symptoms I never had before- I recall thinking that at the time. It wasn't until a month ago that I tied this episode to possibly being coronavirus.

My boss/colleague at work also had a month long cough, weakness etc before my episode. He joked about probably infecting everyone (10) at work with a cold, but this was before coronavirus was thought to be a possibility in Massachusetts.

So hoping for a great outcome- a positive reading. I repost with my results when I receive them.

The antibody test I am getting is by Quest Diagnostics.

Massachusetts has been hit pretty hard so maybe here in eastern MA there are 10% people that are AB positive. So my test has a false positive rate of ~ 1.25%. So out of 100 tests, there would be 10 accurate positive and 1.25 false positives (for my example), an 11% error rate. For a positive result, I would also then have my wife take it because if she tested positive as well, the false positive total error would be ~1%.

The Definitive Guide to Antibody Tests: What They Do, Where to Get Them, and How Much They Cost

So I have the results, but a little more detail. In the last week, I talked to a colleague at our small company of 10 people. He reminded me that at the beginning of February, five of the employees attended Photonics West in San Francisco, the biggest optics trade show in the U.S., and maybe the world. Upon returning, the attendees (age) had these outcomes-

EC (24)- very sick for a month
JN (57)- very sick for two weeks
SC (25)- not sick, but his girlfriend was diagnosed with COVID-19
AM (25)- not sick
AZ (25)- not sick

Not attending, but sick in this time period as well, was myself and the president, both 57. After revisiting this info, I bumped up my odds of having had CV to 90%.

So the test results came back with the following diagnosis: Negative for coronavirus antibodies.

Awww. That's too bad. Same thing just happened to my daughter. We were very hopeful. I reminded her that there's some evidence to suggest that any reason infection may have "primed" the immune system, so there's that.

Daughter and husband were very sick in late January - but apparently it was a different virus, perhaps the flu.

 

[24Roses]

State epidemiologist confirms 2 PMIS cases in Iowa 2nd case of PMIS confirmed in a child in Iowa.