Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #87

[SouthAussie]

At Thursday's press conference, he was sweating so badly that his hair dye was melting down his face on both sides.

Yes, that was a widely published vision - outside the US, as well. He does not look like a well man, in so many ways.

When reading about the dosage of HCQ for malaria, it says one pill each week is usually enough to relieve symptoms. He is taking it every day.

 

[Lilibet]

Rudy Giuliani Reveals He’s Taking Hydroxychloroquine to Fend Off COVID-19

Appearing on Bloomberg TV, the Trump attorney was asked about his recent Fox News interview that featured him heavily coughing as he announced he was waiting on his coronavirus test result. The ex-mayor brushed off the coughing fit as just “clearing my throat” before adding that he has tested negative. “I am not that nervous about it,” Giuliani declared. “I know if it does happen, I know what to take. My doctor has provided hydroxychloroquine, which I’m taking every day.”

After the hosts expressed shock that he was taking the anti-malarial drug that multiple studies have found has little-to-no benefit in preventing or treating coronavirus, Giuliani boasted that his “genius” doctor has treated thousands of COVID-19 patients with the medication and only lost two.

I seriously doubt Giuliani is taking any hydroxychloroquine. Telling nutso stories at that news conference does not do anything to enhance his veracity. And, of course, his son just tested positive after attending that news conference. Another White House staffer infected...just another day at the office, although I do wish him well.

Trump Lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Son Andrew Tests Positive for Covid After Attending Press Conference

 

[SouthAussie]

Covid-19 is spreading faster than ever before in the United States, with hospitals in some states running at capacity. The country is now in the same situation that France, Belgium and the Czech Republic were last month, when rapidly rising infections put their health care systems within weeks of failure.

But these countries have managed to avert, for now, the worst-case scenario, in which people die because hospitals are full and they can't access the care they need to survive. They slowed down the epidemics by imposing lockdowns and strict mask mandates.

Despite the clear evidence from Europe, the White House is still opposing new restrictions. "President Trump wanted me to make it clear that our task force, this administration and our President, does not support another national lockdown. And we do not support closing schools," Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday, at the first White House coronavirus task force briefing since July.

Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease modeling expert at the University Warwick and a UK government scientific adviser ...... "They need to look at the European situation, and I mean, by no means what we have done in Europe is perfect, these governments are probably reacting a little bit slowly, but they are at least reacting, they are doing what they can to make sure that health services are not overwhelmed... and I think this is clearly what's needed in the US."

Europe averted a Covid-19 collapse -- here's what the US could learn - CNN

 

[ilovewings]

Covid-19 is spreading faster than ever before in the United States, with hospitals in some states running at capacity. The country is now in the same situation that France, Belgium and the Czech Republic were last month, when rapidly rising infections put their health care systems within weeks of failure.

But these countries have managed to avert, for now, the worst-case scenario, in which people die because hospitals are full and they can't access the care they need to survive. They slowed down the epidemics by imposing lockdowns and strict mask mandates.

Despite the clear evidence from Europe, the White House is still opposing new restrictions. "President Trump wanted me to make it clear that our task force, this administration and our President, does not support another national lockdown. And we do not support closing schools," Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday, at the first White House coronavirus task force briefing since July.

Mike Tildesley, an infectious disease modeling expert at the University Warwick and a UK government scientific adviser ...... "They need to look at the European situation, and I mean, by no means what we have done in Europe is perfect, these governments are probably reacting a little bit slowly, but they are at least reacting, they are doing what they can to make sure that health services are not overwhelmed... and I think this is clearly what's needed in the US."

Europe averted a Covid-19 collapse -- here's what the US could learn - CNN

Sadly and tragically, as long as this administration is in power nothing will be learned-- they have so poisoned the population of our country, that even with a new administration coming in with good intentions, too many people will continue to defy logic and reason-- to put it mildly- as a country we are in very very deep trouble.

 

[weepingangel]

More at links

Live free or Die /New Hampshire
Mask Mandate Takes Effect in New Hampshire, the ‘Live Free or Die' State
Updated on November 20, 2020 at 8:05 pm
An executive order requiring people in New Hampshire to wear masks when they can't social distance took effect Friday.

Lasting through Jan. 15, the order requires anyone over five years old to wear a mask or face covering when they are in public, whether indoors or outdoors, and can't keep at least six feet away from people they don't live with.

Gov. Chris Sununu announced the mandate, made by executive order, during a Thursday press conference.

Among the exceptions to the mask mandate are institutions, like restaurants and schools, where there are already mask-wearing rules in place.
Under Gov. Chris Sununu's executive order, in effect through Jan. 15, anyone over 5 years old will have to wear a mask or face covering whenever they're in public
In the “Live Free or Die” state, some people say the mandate is government overreach.

In a tweet, Republican state Rep. Keith Ammon said he’d attend a Friday party meeting without a mask, writing, “try to stop me.”

Longtime Manchester resident David Hargreaves shared Ammon's frustration: “Because now, it’s not a ‘Live Free or Die’ state.”

Some argue there’s irony in a mask mandate for the Granite State, where there are no seatbelt laws or helmet requirements. (Ugh)




Baby born after Tennessee mother placed on ventilator due to COVID-19
RICEVILLE, Tenn. (Video from WTVC via CNN) —
A mother who thought she spent two days in a hospital ended up there for 32 days while having a baby there, too.


Emily Brown of Tennessee was put on a ventilator for 20 days and also underwent a tracheotomy, WTVC reported.

"When I woke up, I thought I had been at the hospital for only two days," she said. "I couldn't believe it at first, like, I had a baby."



Most coronavirus cases are spread by people without symptoms, CDC now says
Most coronavirus infections are spread by people who have no symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in newly updated guidance.
It's one of the main reasons mask use is so important, the CDC said.


“Newly updated guidance” I mean we’ve known this really for...ever? now. It seems like the CDC is really pushing the back to basics now but imo I don’t think a lot of people are bothering to listen to them
(updating info and then mentioning it a few days later like the school stuff previously imo makes it seem sketchy iykwim).

 

[sds71]

Factors related to manufacturing, distribution, public acceptance, and the severity of the pandemic will contribute more to the success of a potential COVID-19 vaccination program than the efficacy of the vaccine itself, finds a new study conducted by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH).

For instance, would a vaccine that has a limited impact on transmission but significantly reduces progression to severe disease be acceptable? Alternatively, how might such a vaccine be compared to one that lowers susceptibility to infection but has no impact on disease progression? Once vaccination begins, what individual and public health benefits should the public expect from vaccines based on their performance in clinical trials? Finally, what other factors will shape the success of COVID-19 vaccination programs?
Success of COVID-19 vaccination program depends on its implementation

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.02054

 

[nightowl1975]

I quit.

CDC director said they do not recommend closing schools
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed guidelines from its website that promoted in-person learning for schools, CDC Director Robert Redfield said they do not recommend closing schools during the COVID pandemic.

Redfield’s announcement on Thursday said that schools can operate with “face to face learning” and can do it “safely and they can do it responsibly.”

“The infections that we’ve identified in schools when they’ve been evaluated were not acquired in schools,” he said.

Instead, he said, the threat was coming from small family gatherings “where people become more comfortable.”


The statement comes days after the Hillreported that documents that promoted in-person learning for schools, which were written by political appointees outside of the CDC, were removed from the website in late October without a public announcement.

I have two children that have been in school full time (one middle schooler, one high schooler). It is a large district with over 25k students and our experience has been what is described above by the CDC. There have been no massive outbreaks since school resumed in August, despite growing community spread that is over a 10% positivity rate now. When positives do come up at the schools mine attend, there is rarely, if ever, spread among students or staff that cannot be traced back to high risk behavior outside of school.

Honestly, I find it rather fascinating that there haven’t been more cases (I’m thankful for this, as I would’ve pulled mine out for remote learning had this not been how it played out). But the facts are, after three full months of in person learning, the schools simply haven’t been “super spreaders” or anywhere close to it.

The students and faculty all wear masks, are spaced appropriately throughout the day, frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer is readily available and used, and cleaning procedures are extensive.

That said, we have a private school here with probably 1200-1500 students, plus however many staff, that do not wear masks or go out of their way to social distance at all. They do utilize some pretty militant cleaning processes and procedures, including hand washing and hand sanitizer. They have had zero cases. None. I admit I’ve been shocked. They’ve been back in school full time for well over three months with pretty extensive testing in place.

 

[weepingangel]

Can I ask where you are located (general area don’t have to be specific )
Just curious
(I have been meaning to post my thoughts on school stuff In general but haven’t gotten around. To it yet lol )

I have two children that have been in school full time (one middle schooler, one high schooler). It is a large district with over 25k students and our experience has been what is described above by the CDC. There have been no massive outbreaks since school resumed in August, despite growing community spread that is over a 10% positivity rate now. When positives do come up at the schools mine attend, there is rarely, if ever, spread among students or staff that cannot be traced back to high risk behavior outside of school.

Honestly, I find it rather fascinating that there haven’t been more cases (I’m thankful for this, as I would’ve pulled mine out for remote learning had this not been how it played out). But the facts are, after three full months of in person learning, the schools simply haven’t been “super spreaders” or anywhere close to it.

The students and faculty all wear masks, are spaced appropriately throughout the day, frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer is readily available and used, and cleaning procedures are extensive.

That said, we have a private school here with probably 1200-1500 students, plus however many staff, that do not wear masks or go out of their way to social distance at all. They do utilize some pretty militant cleaning processes and procedures, including hand washing and hand sanitizer. They have had zero cases. None. I admit I’ve been shocked. They’ve been back in school full time for well over three months with pretty extensive testing in place.

 

[nightowl1975]

Can I ask where you are located (general area don’t have to be specific )
Just curious
(I have been meaning to post my thoughts on school stuff In general but haven’t gotten around. To it yet lol )

We live in a major city in Texas.

 

[weepingangel]

thanks

This just popped up in my news
(I really had no idea how many of our students are in school percentage wise)
Who is learning in-person in Massachusetts?
Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing for in-person learning throughout Massachusetts this fall during the COVIDpandemic but how many families have children back in the classroom?
A poll released Thursday by MassINC Polling found that only 11% of families say they have children fully back for in-person learning.
Catholic schools, private school and high-income parents were most likely to report having children attending school in-person.
MORE at link




There’s a weekly report -I’ve only glanced at once or twice as the format is bad on my phone
Coronavirus/COVID-19: Positive COVID-19 Cases in Schools




Most recent push here is to get them back to school even if there are significant community numbers /spread

and a few days ago some testing news
Rapid COVID testing to begin at 134 Massachusetts schools
which IMO most people won’t distinguish from diagnostic testing which I think many colleges/employees use ?

We live in a major city in Texas.

 

[dspdenver]

Study finds testing frequency and turnaround time matter most | 9news.com

[The study says testing half of the population weekly with inexpensive, rapid-turnaround COVID-19 tests would drive the virus toward elimination within weeks.]

[“Our big picture finding is that, when it comes to public health, it’s better to have a less sensitive test with results today than a more sensitive one with results tomorrow,” said lead author Daniel Larremore, an assistant professor of computer science at CU-Boulder. “Rather than telling everyone to stay home so you can be sure that one person who is sick doesn’t spread it, we could give only the contagious people stay-at-home orders so everyone else can go about their lives.”]

 

[ilovewings]

More at links

Live free or Die /New Hampshire
Mask Mandate Takes Effect in New Hampshire, the ‘Live Free or Die' State
Updated on November 20, 2020 at 8:05 pm
An executive order requiring people in New Hampshire to wear masks when they can't social distance took effect Friday.

Lasting through Jan. 15, the order requires anyone over five years old to wear a mask or face covering when they are in public, whether indoors or outdoors, and can't keep at least six feet away from people they don't live with.

Gov. Chris Sununu announced the mandate, made by executive order, during a Thursday press conference.

Among the exceptions to the mask mandate are institutions, like restaurants and schools, where there are already mask-wearing rules in place.
Under Gov. Chris Sununu's executive order, in effect through Jan. 15, anyone over 5 years old will have to wear a mask or face covering whenever they're in public
In the “Live Free or Die” state, some people say the mandate is government overreach.

In a tweet, Republican state Rep. Keith Ammon said he’d attend a Friday party meeting without a mask, writing, “try to stop me.”

Longtime Manchester resident David Hargreaves shared Ammon's frustration: “Because now, it’s not a ‘Live Free or Die’ state.”

Some argue there’s irony in a mask mandate for the Granite State, where there are no seatbelt laws or helmet requirements. (Ugh)




Baby born after Tennessee mother placed on ventilator due to COVID-19
RICEVILLE, Tenn. (Video from WTVC via CNN) —
A mother who thought she spent two days in a hospital ended up there for 32 days while having a baby there, too.


Emily Brown of Tennessee was put on a ventilator for 20 days and also underwent a tracheotomy, WTVC reported.

"When I woke up, I thought I had been at the hospital for only two days," she said. "I couldn't believe it at first, like, I had a baby."



Most coronavirus cases are spread by people without symptoms, CDC now says
Most coronavirus infections are spread by people who have no symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in newly updated guidance.
It's one of the main reasons mask use is so important, the CDC said.


“Newly updated guidance” I mean we’ve known this really for...ever? now. It seems like the CDC is really pushing the back to basics now but imo I don’t think a lot of people are bothering to listen to them
(updating info and then mentioning it a few days later like the school stuff previously imo makes it seem sketchy iykwim).

That is what makes this virus so evil, that lots of people have no symptoms, and spread the disease far and wide. That is what also causes many people to question how bad the virus is: their rationale is , hey the virus is no big deal, so many people don't even have symptoms.

 

[BUF]

(BBM)

https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1330006859986722818

"President Trump was following my condition and cleared me for the monoclonal antibody therapy that he had previously received, which I am convinced saved my life.” Wonder how families of the 1,900 who died today feel when they see stuff like this.



Ben Carson Says He Was 'Desperately Ill' With The Coronavirus

 

[ilovewings]

https://nypost.com/2020/11/20/trump...upt-games-with-covid-19-vaccine-announcement/

Trump is bad-mouthing Phizer- this is beyond egregious- people are already skeptical of taking a vaccine. There are no words. none.

 

[ilovewings]

(BBM)
https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1330006859986722818
https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1330006859986722818

"President Trump was following my condition and cleared me for the monoclonal antibody therapy that he had previously received, which I am convinced saved my life.” Wonder how families of the 1,900 who died today feel when they see stuff like this.

View attachment 272680

Ben Carson Says He Was 'Desperately Ill' With The Coronavirus

Isn't that just super great????

 

[ilovewings]

Study finds testing frequency and turnaround time matter most | 9news.com

[The study says testing half of the population weekly with inexpensive, rapid-turnaround COVID-19 tests would drive the virus toward elimination within weeks.]

[“Our big picture finding is that, when it comes to public health, it’s better to have a less sensitive test with results today than a more sensitive one with results tomorrow,” said lead author Daniel Larremore, an assistant professor of computer science at CU-Boulder. “Rather than telling everyone to stay home so you can be sure that one person who is sick doesn’t spread it, we could give only the contagious people stay-at-home orders so everyone else can go about their lives.”]

The key is that people who tested positive would have to stay home and quarantine- do we think people will actually do that when so many people refuse to follow simple things like wearing a mask- I don't have confidence that they will. This isn't South Korea or China: By the way I was watching a sports channel. In South Korea they are playing baseball with full crowds because they have control of the virus.

 

[10ofRods]

Well, Nebraska finally posted data yesterday, along with the other missing states. I'm sure most of you now the US had over 200,000 cases yesterday. NE is particularly hard hit. NBC just interviewed an infectious disease nurse in North Platte, and her PPE was...not good. It's so scary and sad.

In PA, nurses are going on strike. They've had it. They're suffering so much.

Personally, I'm still processing my shock that the US has had this debacle and that we still have so many people who don't understand how COVID is transmitted or that it is very contagious.

Anyway, the death rate currently remains at 3%. So, in about 17-20 days we should see death rates rising and in 28 days peaking at around 4-6000 deaths per day. If some of these positive cases are children and young adults, then 4000 deaths per day. If people can't get a hospital bed or prompt treatment for serious cases, then it would be higher.

Thing is, the experts are predicting the case number will go higher. Deaths can take up to 3 months to occur, so the plateau of mortality will be longer than this case plateau. Unfortunately, it looks like most places are either rising or on a new, higher plateau.

The key is that people who tested positive would have to stay home and quarantine- do we think people will actually do that when so many people refuse to follow simple things like wearing a mask- I don't have confidence that they will. This isn't South Korea or China: By the way I was watching a sports channel. In South Korea they are playing baseball with full crowds because they have control of the virus.

Where I live, people who test positive are not fully quarantining. Over and over, I hear stories from students about people going back to work as soon as they "feel better," which includes while still being symptomatic. Masks are supposed to be worn at all open businesses, but as far as I can tell, that's not really happening.

In states where malls and stores are still opening and holiday shopping is in full swing, we're seeing rapid rises in COVID.

I hope they do the emergency approval on the vaccine and figure out how to distribute it. It's our only hope. I hope everyone here on WS is able to stay home as much as possible and socially distance/isolate at work. This wave is the Tsunami Wave we've all been dreading.

Some predictions have us going higher than 400,000 cases a day. By January. We've lost just over a year of life expectancy in one year (that's a lot!) and Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans have lost more than that.

Race Gap in U.S. Life Expectancy Widens as Covid-19 Toll Grows

 

[margarita25]

Rsbm

Most coronavirus cases are spread by people without symptoms, CDC now says
Most coronavirus infections are spread by people who have no symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in newly updated guidance.
It's one of the main reasons mask use is so important, the CDC said.


“Newly updated guidance” I mean we’ve known this really for...ever? now. It seems like the CDC is really pushing the back to basics now but imo I don’t think a lot of people are bothering to listen to them
(updating info and then mentioning it a few days later like the school stuff previously imo makes it seem sketchy iykwim).

CDC / Scientific Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
Updated Nov. 20, 2020

 

[10ofRods]

(BBM)
https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1330006859986722818
https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1330006859986722818

"President Trump was following my condition and cleared me for the monoclonal antibody therapy that he had previously received, which I am convinced saved my life.” Wonder how families of the 1,900 who died today feel when they see stuff like this.

View attachment 272680

Ben Carson Says He Was 'Desperately Ill' With The Coronavirus

In what world does the President "clear people" for this experimental treatment? I knew it - I knew that's what he was doing, his friends just don't want to talk about it. Where is the general outrage? How can anyone think this is okay?

 

[mickey2942]

We live in a major city in Texas.

I am going to hazard a guess on a very affluent area, with high SES and low minority population. Covid is affecting our working class population very hard. They can't telework, and are usually in jobs with little to no social distancing.

The issue with the school system here, is that if they cut middle and elementary school, the kids have to go somewhere..sure, many middle school kids can stay home alone. But it gets more complicated when they are younger.