Coronavirus COVID-19 *Global Health Emergency* #9

[Inthedetails]

I’d really like clarification on why masks were important before but now not necessary. Now is not the time for confusion and retraction.
MOOOOOOOOO

When were they considered important? I thought Asians wear masks because it's a polite thing in their cultures to do WHEN SICK, not as a prevention, but Americans saw Asians wearing masks and thought masks were a precaution.

Was it ever stated by an official to wear masks to protect yourself? I suppose so. But I think the advice was that masks protect others from you if you yourself are sick.

Healthcare workers are different because they are in such close contact with sick people all the time. The masks do protect them, and they know how to handle them properly.

jmopinion, which might not match the opinion of my mask-loving WS friends

 

[LietKynes]

I know the experience of which you speak gtiana1 and sympathize. Avoid Saturdays at Target and Walmart. If possible, shop as early as possible on week day mornings. Mondays and Tuesday are particularly good, IMO. I hate crowds on good days and definitely don't suffer fools gladly during this sick-season.

Thanks for the advice !
Like I said.. I cough and try to not go out very much when Bronchitis comes to visit.
But no one else in my house is ever affected.
Last visit with my primary physician we had a small argument about the efficacy of antibiotics -- but he insisted he was right.
I took the prescrip home and was well in two days . But still.
There's a treatment my coworkers' dr. claims will cure bronchial issues at the root instead of treating symptoms.
Not involving antibiotics.

So, when will a vaccine for Covid 19 be developed ?
As it's certain they are working on it prob. 24/7 ; as we speak.

Is there any proof that it's more dangerous for those with underlying health issues ?

An article which I'm going to try and link after I find it said the man who died of C-19 had current health issues before becoming infected.

If this is true; is it lethal to some but not healthy adults ?

Aside from wearing a facemask and using sanitary wipes on shopping carts, common sense would indicate hand washing after returning from a public outing and avoiding anyone coughing will keep most safe.

At least unless you're working with those who are already infected.

Eta : Washington state man becomes first U.S. death from coronavirus

"...The person who died was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions, and there was no evidence he contracted the virus through travel, health officials said. They suspect domestic "community spread" of the disease, a new phase for the United States that began this week on the West Coast..."
Emph. mine

Wonder what the underlying health issues were ?
For instance if he was in remission from cancer -- like my neighbor -- his immune system might have been close to nil.

Not saying it's a lesser risk to a healthy person. Imo.

How Covid 19 reacts is unknown to the medical field, like it strikes down people while others have recovered from it.
Hope they develop a vaccine soon !!!

 

[Inthedetails]

The mask discussion is exactly why we need a medical expert who is skilled at communicating clearly in a way that the general public understands. There should not be confusion about masks.

Wish we had such a national spokesperson.

jmo

 

[Alathea]

Are they in denial?
'Weiss said doctors tested her for the flu and strep throat. When both came back negative, she said, the infectious disease doctor told her they were going to test her for coronavirus.

But Weiss said that never happened because the Florida Department of Health said it wasn’t necessary.

“I was told, ‘FDH said no,’ I didn’t need to be tested because even though the Chinese citizens I came in contact with were sick, none of them had confirmed cases,” Weiss said."

Are they in denial?

Magic 8 ball says: Signs point to YES

 

[LietKynes]

Officials announce possible coronavirus outbreak in Washington nursing facility

And so it starts...

Terrible as nursing home residents are already frail.

 

[Tadpole12]

I know the experience of which you speak gtiana1 and sympathize. Avoid Saturdays at Target and Walmart. If possible, shop as early as possible on week day mornings. Mondays and Tuesday are particularly good, IMO. I hate crowds on good days and definitely don't suffer fools gladly during this sick-season.

Google the 'walmart near me'
and it shows peak hours graph.

 

[Alathea]

Fabulous resource (apologies if posted previously!) from Johns Hopkins - up to the second from all over the world - all cases, included recovered - maps and details:

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE
Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS

 

[Tadpole12]

Terrible as nursing home residents are already frail.

The nursing homes near my small town have been in and out of flu quarantine for a few weeks, already.

This is a bad turn.

 

[firebird]

100.4 is a high fever?

I had the exact same thought. And the threat of sepsis "and even death" (daduhdum!!!) is from your IV -- which is from being in the hospital in the first place.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

My (non-medical) understanding is the masks are recommended for health-care workers because health-care workers are in constant close contact with sick people.

Most people in the general public are not face-to-face with sick people and can keep a healthy distance from others, while health-care workers are literally in a patient's face and other body parts. The masks give them protection. A regular person doesn't need that "in your face" protection and thus the mask doesn't do much for them.

A sick person needs a mask to prevent spreading germs when they cough, sneeze. The mask protects the people around a sick person.

For regular, healthy people who are not in constant contact with sick people, the masks are not recommended. I've also read that most people "breech" the safety of the masks anyway by touching face and eyes, not handling the mask properly, etc.

This is understanding from what I'm reading: healthy people don't need to wear a mask.

Nobody has to agree with my understanding, but please don't pounce on me if you don't agree. (And if you do pounce on me, for pete's sake, wash your hands first.)

jmopinion

BBM. The bold phrases made me burst out laughing. We should put this clever remark on every thread. Thanks @ Inthedetails.

 

[Tadpole12]

Yes,test kit

So are the resources being equally distributed among states?
Ie distribution not based on political affiliation?

 

[jjenny]

It's not true that it's not lethal to healthy adults, that much we know.

 

[Alathea]

It's not true that it's not lethal to healthy adults, that much we know.

bbm
Exactly. (At first, I missed your first "not".)

It's ~23x more lethal than the common flu, and is an actual SARS virus - though it's not known as "THE" SARS virus.

 

[Shelby1]

I decided to brave my local Target for some supplies. Ugh. First thing in the door and some young man a couple yards ahead of me begins floridly coughing and output covering his mouth. A middle aged woman came walking toward me in an aisle, coughing without covering her mouth. I bolted from there but not before spelling at her.
I heard two other people and one child coughing in the store in aisles close to me. That made me wonder what I walking into whenever I rounded a corner.

This is making me paranoid. And super angry at selfish, unhygienic jerks who walk around coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths and noses or who take sick kids out and don’t teach them proper hygiene.

I feel you 100%.

I don't blame my inlaws, but we had our Christmas with them a few days after Christmas day. I am a HUGE believer that if you are having people over to your house, you inform them if anyone is sick. They did not. And, to be fair, if they would have told me, I still would have gone. I got the flu. Holy hell it was awful --it even got into my eyes, like pink eye. I spent at least 12 nights on the couch--NOT sleeping because any laying down made me choke with the gunk that was in me. I could go on, but I will just say that I was miserable.

Anyway.

My lesson from this is--PLEASE if you are sick --even with a cold. STAY HOME!

 

[gitana1]

They were wearing masks to protect them from other diseases before COVID-19 existed. They still need them for those even if the masks won't protect them from COVID-19. IMO.

Why would the masks protect from everything but this virus? Is it more aerosol than others? I don’t know how that’s possible.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Seems like the incorrect info came from the State of Washington, soo....

link please?

 

[Lilibet]

The pictures of ppl in our local Costco and other stores that are on SM is insane. I am currently on my couch binge watching season 3 of the crown with wine! Kudos to you for going out...

I was at Bi-mart (a baby Costco for those who aren’t Oregonians) and it wasn’t more crowded than usual on a Saturday. Neither was the Dollar Store. I’m so sorry you have to self-isolate. When will your test results be available? Enjoy your binge watch!

 

[Inthedetails]

I feel you 100%.

I don't blame my inlaws, but we had our Christmas with them a few days after Christmas day. I am a HUGE believer that if you are having people over to your house, you inform them if anyone is sick. They did not. And, to be fair, if they would have told me, I still would have gone. I got the flu. Holy hell it was awful --it even got into my eyes, like pink eye. I spent at least 12 nights on the couch--NOT sleeping because any laying down made me choke with the gunk that was in me. I could go on, but I will just say that I was miserable.

Anyway.

My lesson from this is--PLEASE if you are sick --even with a cold. STAY HOME!

I agree!

But it's hard for some people to stay home from work if they don't have paid sick days or if their boss gives them bad time about it.

Tough situation.

 

[Tadpole12]

Wondering cost too; haven't found answer on Google yet.

Yes,test kit

 

[Alathea]

Over 70 here and began 95% isolation a few weeks ago. I've stocked up with at least three weeks worth of food, paper products, meds and necessities. I occasionally make a quick trip to Walmart (very early morning to avoid crowds) for fresh produce. I've gotten into the habit of washing tomatoes, (and certain other fruits and vegetables) with soap and hot water before consuming.

I take a daily one-or-two-mile walk around the neighborhood. I do stop and chat with other neighbors who are out walking; we maintain about a 5ft distance between each other.

I live in a 55+ gated community and can attest to how easily a cold or flu in a senior develops into pneumonia. Occasionally a friend or neighbor comes by to chat at the front door and we maintain a distance from each other. I guess you could say we all know what is going on with this epidemic, try to stick with good practice and respect others' health.

My only exception to total isolation is a once a week game of mahjongg with three other friends. Again, we are careful and will not gather if cold, flu or virus symptoms are present. Hopefully these procedures will keep me and others healthy.

Curious to know how other WS "seniors" are experiencing these uncertain days.

Different age, but I admire your preparation and lifestyle in general. Smart moves.

Here's an interesting and colorful perspective from Italy in a town under quarantine - hope you, and others, enjoy it.

Under Lockdown in Italy’s Coronavirus-Quarantine Zone