Coronavirus COVID-19 *Global Health Emergency* #13

[otto]

Because someone cut the funding?
Lovely.

NBC News on Twitter

Scientists were close to a coronavirus vaccine years ago. Then the money dried up.

Then they should be close enough today to pick up the work and have a vaccine ready to go in a couple of months.

 

[cody22]

31 songs to wash your hands to while preventing spread of coronavirus

Hey !.... They forgot " Rubber Ducky"..................moo

 

[Windsorite]

2 Canadian insurance companies stop covering coronavirus-related trip cancellations

• Sophia Harris · CBC News · Posted: Mar 05, 2020 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: 5 hours ago
  Manulife, TuGo stop covering coronavirus-related trip cancellations Two major Canadian travel insurance providers — Manulife and TuGo — will no longer cover new customers who need to cancel their trips due to the coronavirus outbreak. Frederic Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University, explains what it all means. 6:00
  Two major Canadian travel insurance providers — Manulife and TuGo — will no longer reimburse new customers who need to cancel their trips due to the coronavirus outbreak.
  
  Travellers with regular trip cancellation insurance typically have been able to get reimbursed if, after booking their trip, Ottawa issued a coronavirus-related advisory to avoid non-essential travel to their destination.
  
  However, Manulife and TuGo will no longer offer this type of coverage. Both companies told CBC News that the coronavirus is now a "known" issue and therefore cancellation coverage no longer applies — as it's designed for unexpected mishaps.
  
  Travel insurance broker Martin Firestone says he believes other companies will likely follow suit, to avoid the huge costs that could arise as the coronavirus spreads globally.
  
  "They are opening themselves up to millions of dollars of claims that they will have to pay unless they invoke this," said Firestone, with Travel Secure in Toronto. "If this thing blows up and it becomes a pandemic, all these countries are going to get on the [no] non-essential travel list."
  
  
  
  The chances of getting your coronavirus-related cancelled trip covered by travel insurance is narrowing as two companies are no longer offering the coverage. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press)
  TuGo's change went into effect on Wednesday for policies purchased on or after that day.
  
  "We've identified COVID-19 (coronavirus) as a known circumstance," said spokesperson Melissa Kaerne in an email. "That means it is no longer considered sudden and unexpected, as it is a global health issue."
  
  Manulife expressed a similar position in an email. The company confirmed that starting Thursday, customers who purchase travel insurance will no longer be reimbursed for coronavirus-related trip cancellations.
  
  Manulife said that the exception to the rule would be travellers who purchase the "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) option that provides coverage for any type of trip cancellation.
  
  The CFAR option comes at an added cost and generally only covers up to 75 per cent of a cancelled trip.
  
  No longer unexpected
  The federal government has issued coronavirus-related advisories against non-essential travel to China, Iran, northern Italy and parts of South Korea.
  
  As the coronavirus spreads, that list will likely grow, but neither Manulife nor TuGo will cover new customers who book trips to any destinations that get added to the government's list.
  
  Industry expert Will McAleer says cancellation insurance is supposed to cover sudden and unanticipated events, such as falling ill and not being able to take your trip. He said companies cutting off coronavirus cancellation coverage have likely deemed that it no longer fits in that category.
  
  "They appear to be saying that, 'Hey, you know about it,'" said McAleer, executive director of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada.
  
  "We've now seen [the virus] spread from country to country and as a result, thinking that it could spread to yet another country should certainly be something that we can all expect."
  
  Firestone advises travellers who haven't already purchased insurance and plan to travel during the coronavirus outbreak to start shopping around, as he anticipates other providers will also change their cancellation coverage.
  
  "I think they're all going to jump on the bandwagon."
  While some travellers may feel the new development is unfair, Firestone points out that travel insurance was designed to cover the odd mishap, not large numbers of travellers cancelling their trips — which could become the case with the coronavirus outbreak.
  
  "That's changed the odds," he said. "Everyone's got these sort of loss-ratios they work on and they all got thrown out the window with this."
  
  Meanwhile, bucking the trend, Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat have each announced new policies that actually broaden coverage for travellers during the coronavirus outbreak. Air Canada and Air Transat passengers booking a flight between March 4 and 31 for travel over the next 12 months can now make changes at a later date, free of charge.
  
  WestJet passengers booking flights between March 3 and 17 for travel through June 24 will also be allowed to make a flight change for free.
  

 

[SAMS]

CNN International on Twitter

US officials are trying to identify people who came in contact with a worker at Los Angeles International Airport who tested positive for coronavirus, acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said

 

[Windsorite]

 

[Henry2326]

#BREAKING: Six new #coronavirus cases confirmed in Santa Clara County bringing the total to 20 20 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Santa Clara County

 

[Henry2326]

Atlanta-based Gas South employees will work from home in preparation for coronavirus disruptions Atlanta-based Gas South employees will work from home in preparation for coronavirus disruptions

 

[Hatfield]

Well, I just learned what works to start to convince close family members that there is a crisis out there. They basically have to see for themselves.

My wife just got back from a run to Walmart and I asked her if she could try to pickup some extra Clorox Wipes while she was there. She came home and said she could not get anything like that because the whole section of shelf was bare where they normally had that just a few days ago. She even looked apologetic for doubting what I have been trying to tell her that we will start to see impacts.

I was nice and didnt rub it in and just thanked her for trying. It was no real surprise to me that she couldnt find any.

 

[Henry2326]

#covid19FOAM #coronavirus updates from the CCM-L list. Troubling reports from Italy, as this sounds like a rather sicker population than described in other settings. Note the high prevalence of shock and fairly young age bracket. (shared with permission) Critical Concepts on Twitter

 

[Henry2326]

Although the CDC expanded guidelines for testing for coronavirus, Oregon Health Officials say they’ll continue to limit testing to mostly people who are hospitalized with severe lung infections and have tested negative for the flu. Lindsay Nadrich on Twitter

 

[x_files]

Oh my, lol! I shouldn't laugh, but my goodness gracious. I suppose I just might steer those folks to the CDC website

They do not trust the CDC or WHO or any scientist but they do trust Trump who is NOT an expert or doctor.

I mean it doesn’t make sense. This is the corporate attitude of only addressing the immediate. I get it. This is devastating for business and for us all as a result. But the end outcome would be the same if this is not contained. Tons of death and hospitalizations. Tremendous impacts on our medical systems that leave millions without care. Unless this is contained it’s going to be much, much worse. For everyone.

Bottom line most corporations only see profit over people. They don't want to lose any $$$. If a few 100 (or even thousands) people die oh, well...that;s the attitude I'm seeing regarding cancelling concerts, music fests. The show must go on, don' worry only old and the weak people die not cool hipsters.

 

[enelram]

I'm having mixed emotions right now. My son (who is actually 14 but I have repeatedly said is 15 due to what I am calling coronavirus-research-induced senility) is scheduled to compete in the Florida state thespian competition in Tampa. He just got home and they were told there is a possibility that the competition will be cancelled.

He received superior ratings at the district level in 3 areas (solo vocal, duet vocal, duet acting) which is the maximum number you are allowed to compete in. He is a freshman in high school so this is his first year competing. He has worked so hard and has been looking forward to this since he was notified of his district ratings. As a mom, my heart is sad for him if he doesn't get the chance to compete. Also as a mom, I know his safety is much more important.

If it makes you feel better and they cancel-
Florida's first two positive cases are in the Tampa area. So it's a 'live' area.

 

[SAMS]

NJ.com on Twitter

Coronavirus patient in Fort Lee is a healthcare employee from New York City, mayor says nj-ne.ws/BdOJYEe

 

[Henry2326]

Another person is presumed to have the new coronavirus in Massachusetts, the South Shore Health said Thursday.

The person entered the South Shore Medical Center in Norwell in late February. Four medical center employees who had contact with that person have been requested to stay at home for two weeks, South Shore Health said.

Previously, Massachusetts public health officials have confirmed one coronavirus case and announced a second, presumptive case. South Shore Health said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed the presumptive positive case on Thursday, which would make it at least the third case in the state that's at least presumed to be coronavirus.

Presumed Coronavirus Patient at South Shore Medical Center in Mass.

 

[x_files]

crazy, crazy, crazy....who is in charge? Nobody...

Meanwhile Comic Con will bring together 100,000 people in Seattle in a week. Into an area of America’s only known, potential larger outbreak. So far, local officials and event organizer are maintaining the event with stepped up efforts at infection control and other measures. Scott Gottlieb, MD on Twitter

very irresponsible. Shocked Seattle Health Dept, the CDC and the Mayor haven't canceled it. Corporations aren't going to cancel they fear loss of $$$.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

Washington orders insurance companies to waive copays, deductibles for coronavirus testing

Washington’s insurance commissioner has issued an order requiring health insurers in the state to not charge copays or deductibles for people who require testing for the coronavirus.

Authorities also say people who have to see an out of network provider would have that visit covered as if it was within their insurance plan. The order is effective until May 4.

According to the order:

Insurers also must:

• Allow a one-time early refill for prescription drugs.
  Suspend any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing of COVID-19.
• In addition, if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing or treatment for COVID-19, it must allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.

 

[x_files]

The thing is, you don’t need a virus or a viral biochemical weapon in order to spread death and mayhem. All you need to do is tell people repeatedly that there is a deadly virus and that it is spreading, then sit back and watch them all kill themselves in the chaos that ensues.

so the 10 dead in WA are crisis actors or? The dead in China and Italy? That's a lot of people in on a false flag operation. Too many in fact.

 

[mickey2942]

Can someone explain how vaccines help against scarlet fever? Scarlet fever is an infection due to strep throat. I've never heard of any vaccine for this?

FWIW my sister is 40 and had scarlet fever as a child. I had strep a ton growing up but no scarlet fever. I got incredibly ill as an adult from strep though. It took me years to recover.

I had some mega flu about 20 years ago, that literally put me out for 18 months or so.

Before flu: did yoga, got kids to school, went to work, came home, fixed dinner, cleaned house, worked on sewing projects, bike ride, walked dog, went to bed.

After flu: kids to school, went to work, came home, went to bed. Kids, fixed their own dinner, did whatever they did. Even on the weekends, I could barely walk around the block, and I was beat tired.

It was some major chronic fatigue syndrome flu. I have never missed a flu shot since then.

 

[SAMS]

BNO Newsroom on Twitter

BREAKING: Colorado reports reports first case of coronavirus

 

[SAMS]

1010 WINS on Twitter

NEW: Quest Diagnostics to start testing for #coronavirus on Monday bit.ly/2VJXQct