Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #104

[pocketaccent]

411,840 cases as of 2 pm (Pacific Time)
I think we will go over 500,000 easily today.


United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

 

[CharlestonGal]

411,840 cases as of 2 pm (Pacific Time)
I think we will go over 500,000 easily today.


United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

Probably. There is a steep, steep spike in NC, I notice - from 6,000 a week ago and hitting 18,500 today.

ETA: Spain exploding, too. 70,000 a week ago; 162,000 today.

 

[jakat]

Holy Crap with the Boston areas sewerage covid graph. You can see last spring 2020 and late 2021 winter surges which pale in comparison to now
MWRA - Wastewater COVID-19 Tracking

Holy mackerel. I'm stunned at this.

 

[SouthAussie]

I agree, and I also find myself questioning the efficacy of masks and social distancing. When both were mandated here in Michigan, nearly everyone complied. Once the mask mandate was lifted and the notion of social distancing vaguely remembered, we are still seeing surges in Covid cases and hospitalizations statewide. I have to ask myself what good the mandates were, the bar and restaurant closures (some never to reopen), arts venues shuttered, children learning online instead of a classroom with their peers, etc. What did these mitigation measures accomplish when we seem to be right back where we started nearly two years ago? True, there are now vaccines and antiviral medications and treatments available, but we all know that many people have decided to forego vaccination, and countless others won't wear masks unless it is absolutely required for them to enter some type of establishment. Even then, folks don't wear masks appropriately, so having the mask probably doesn't do them or others much good.

I believe that the mandates were useful, in that they no doubt saved lots of lives at the time. (imo)
Without vaccines the mandates were the only protection we had.

Our lockdowns and mandates were useful in saving lives. We don't regret them. (Well, most of us don't.)

As an example .... my state has had 6 covid deaths since this whole thing began. This is exclusively due to the mandates.
4 of those deaths were in earlier 2020. 2 of them within the last two weeks, since we eased our restrictions and opened our border. A 90+ woman and an under 2 year old child.
(Although, the Coroner is yet to say if the child's death is a covid death, or if the young child died of other causes but was covid positive. At the moment it is an assumption.)

I think that the US (and Aus and other places) would have had even more covid deaths without the mandates.

imo

 

[pocketaccent]

Thanks for posting. I'm glad we canceled going to a restaurant tomorrow night. But I'm wondering what else we should be doing.
ETA: in addition to all the things we are already doing, of course!

You've done all the big things so how about doing small things to improve your health. Maybe you're doing it already.

My 85 year old uncle (retired MD) always reminds us that exercising consistently, daily if possible, is more important than eating healthy foods. He still walks 20 min every day.
And stretch all your muscles every day.

 

[anneg]

You've done all the big things so how about doing small things to improve your health. Maybe you're doing it already.

My 85 year old uncle (retired MD) always reminds us that exercising consistently, daily if possible, is more important than eating healthy foods. He still walks 20 min every day.
And stretch all your muscles every day.

Good advice!

 

[pocketaccent]

Probably. There is a steep, steep spike in NC, I notice - from 6,000 a week ago and hitting 18,500 today.

ETA: Spain exploding, too. 70,000 a week ago; 162,000 today.

Exploding everywhere.
1,561 in Hawaii yesterday.
3,484 today as of 1 pm their current time.

 

[WichitaFalls]

I told you all about my brother going on a cruise over the Christmas holidays...well lo and behold....he has Covid now. He said the first two days were terrible, just today he started feeling better. Keeping an eye on his wife and two daughters. He is only vaxxed 2x and only because he had to be to go on the cruise. Lives in Texas.

On another note, my son said that he has noticed some wearing masks in his gym. Of course I asked him to but he said no he thought it looked silly (well not his exact words) He is getting boosted this weekend or so he told his worried mother.

Sorry to hear about your brother but thank goodness he was motivated enought to at least get two vaccines.
Yes, we moms worry. Take care.

 

[CSIDreamer]

We reported a little over 7500 yesterday in Indiana. A little over 12000 today. While I'm sure the holiday break messed up numbers, it's still looking like a rocket launchpad.

 

[CrimeAway]

516,000 cases in the US so far today, with 9 states still to report.

United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

 

[LaborDayRN]

I believe that the mandates were useful, in that they no doubt saved lots of lives at the time. (imo)
Without vaccines the mandates were the only protection we had.

Our lockdowns and mandates were useful in saving lives. We don't regret them. (Well, most of us don't.)

As an example .... my state has had 6 covid deaths since this whole thing began. This is exclusively due to the mandates.
4 of those deaths were in earlier 2020. 2 of them within the last two weeks, since we eased our restrictions and opened our border. A 90+ woman and an under 2 year old child.
(Although, the Coroner is yet to say if the child's death is a covid death, or if the young child died of other causes but was covid positive. At the moment it is an assumption.)

I think that the US (and Aus and other places) would have had even more covid deaths without the mandates.

imo

I agree. I only wish the mandates would have been enforced more in most states.

 

[WichitaFalls]

516,000 cases in the US so far today, with 9 states still to report.

United States COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer

MOO - With numbers skyrocketing and some of the predictions I've read about our immediate future, I've ordered refills and delivery for all prescriptions, ordered groceries to last a couple of weeks, xtra dog food (priorities lol), car is filled with gas and taken out a little cash just in case. Definately not a hoarding order, just thinking immediate time frame . If things go better than predicted, cool I'm caught up on all errands and can kick my feet up, start on the stack of books I got for Christmas and my little dog will be fat and happy (me too). MOO

 

[CharlestonGal]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mont...nce-new-year-public-health-measures-1.6300455

Quebec is once again imposing a curfew in an effort to curb the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, as well as closing restaurant dining rooms, delaying the reopening of schools and closing non-essential businesses on Sundays.

Indoor gatherings involving more than one household bubble will also be prohibited.

The new restrictions will take effect Friday at 5 p.m.

People who do not have a valid reason for being out of their homes between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. risk a fine of between $1,000 and $6,000, said Legault. He did not announce an end date for the curfew, but said it would be the first restriction to be removed once the situation has improved.

 

[ilovewings]

MOO - With numbers skyrocketing and some of the predictions I've read about our immediate future, I've ordered refills and delivery for all prescriptions, ordered groceries to last a couple of weeks, xtra dog food (priorities lol), car is filled with gas and taken out a little cash just in case. Definately not a hoarding order, just thinking immediate time frame . If things go better than predicted, cool I'm caught up on all errands and can kick my feet up, start on the stack of books I got for Christmas and my little dog will be fat and happy (me too). MOO

It is definitely a good idea to be prepared!!!!!

 

[CharlestonGal]

Netherlands Imposes Mandatory Quarantine Requirement for US Travellers - SchengenVisaInfo.com

Only one week after imposing a national lockdown, the Dutch authorities have announced that starting from today, December 30, travellers from the US will be required to follow new mandatory quarantine rules.

According to the latest update made by the Government of the Netherlands, the US will now be classified as a very high-risk area as the country has been identifying increased infection rates, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The new rules establish that all travellers from the US, including those who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from the COVID-19 disease, will be required to quarantine for ten days upon their arrival in the Netherlands.

Nonetheless, it has been explained that the quarantine period can be shortened if a negative test is presented on the fifth day of self-isolation.

 

[K.jill]

MOO - With numbers skyrocketing and some of the predictions I've read about our immediate future, I've ordered refills and delivery for all prescriptions, ordered groceries to last a couple of weeks, xtra dog food (priorities lol), car is filled with gas and taken out a little cash just in case. Definately not a hoarding order, just thinking immediate time frame . If things go better than predicted, cool I'm caught up on all errands and can kick my feet up, start on the stack of books I got for Christmas and my little dog will be fat and happy (me too). MOO

I just logged on to ask if any of you are stocking up on groceries and supplies. I have not done it yet but am making a list and doing it tomorrow.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I'm wondering something speaking of stockpiles. If stores get bad enough I wonder if they would let volunteers stock shelves? I've been in retail for years and can unload freight onto shelves like none other. Liability issues would probably kill this bright idea.

 

[WichitaFalls]

I'm wondering something speaking of stockpiles. If stores get bad enough I wonder if they would let volunteers stock shelves? I've been in retail for years and can unload freight onto shelves like none other. Liability issues would probably kill this bright idea.

In an emergency situation such as empty grocery shelves and no employees to stock, I would think all of our normal regulations/liability would temporarily slide. I for one hope we all have neighbors like you that are willing and able to serve if needed.

 

[MimosaMornings]

What typically would happen in these situations?

Work out a payment plan for $45,000 per month or ruin your credit.

 

[Tiff23fr]

My sister just contacted the billing department at Novant Health to inquire about the costs of my niece's care. They said the cost would be ~$8-10,000 per day for intensive care of a ventilated covid patient. My niece does not have health insurance and the doctor's expect her to be in ICU for at least 7-10 days, and she will likely be discharged to a rehab facility for a period of time after that, soooo.......

Well over $120K. Another thing for folks to think about in the coming weeks. jmo

I am sorry to hear this. First and foremost, I send well wishes for a speedy and full recovery. There may be some financial support available from the government given she is uninsured. It would be worth looking into:
COVID-19 Care for Uninsured Individuals