Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #40

[CSIDreamer]

This article has been updated, very interesting. But it's not China or any other country sending us supplies out of altruism. This is a commercial venture facilitated by FEMA. In the best of ways.
Inside the start of the great virus airlift

Why it matters: The flight is the start of what might end up being the largest government-led airlift of emergency medical supplies into the United States.

• That's according to Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, who runs the coronavirus supply chain task force at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He spoke to Axios on Saturday night.
• The airlift is the most dramatic part of the Trump administration's frantic attempts to catch up with a nationwide medical equipment crisis.
  ---------------------------
• What's next: Polowczyk told Axios that he's already booked 22 similar flights over the next two weeks.
  • Starting with this weekend's airlift, he said, "We have essentially a flight a day, mostly from Asia" to expedite the transport of medical equipment that distributors already plan to sell into the U.S.
  • ---------------------
  Driving the news: This weekend's first load of medical supplies will go into the New York tri-state area, Polowczyk said, and subsequent flights will distribute supplies to other parts of the country.
  • A distributor bought these supplies and already planned to sell them in the New York tri-state area, Polowczyk said, but the supplies would normally be on ships, which would take 37 days.
  • "That's what this supply chain looks like because it's a 70-cent mask," he added. FEMA is expediting this process — chartering flights from around the world to move the equipment to the U.S. in a day.
  • ------------------------------
    
    So, it's not these far east countries donating supplies to us, it's kind of a joint venture between private distributors buying the supplies, and FEMA getting the shipments to the USA on planes instead of by boat. This Admiral Polowczyk sounds professional, smart, innovative, and I'm glad he's there in the job. Read the article re why he is not in favor of using the DPA for distribution at this point.
  The Berlin airlift jumped into my mind, but now the foe is not Russia, it's a virus.

I suspected this shipment might mainly stay in New York. Like the whole world, they were not prepared and really need this. jmo

 

[I'm Just Here]

North Dakotas first death from the virus was a 93 year old Navy veteran. He gave up his ventilator in hopes of saving another life. Makes me feel selfish and sad. I am not sure how I will deal with anything if it comes to a choice. I have alot to think about, this is real.

 

[dotr]

In COVID-19 fight, medical cannabis retailer eyes use of cannabinoids in clinical trial
''As the number of people falling ill to COVID-19 increases, the urgency to find treatment options has one medical cannabis retailer looking for Health Canada approval to conduct a clinical trial with cannabis on people suffering from the highly contagious respiratory illness.''
“On top of that, we know from a medical standpoint that these active ingredients have immunomodulatory properties, meaning that they augment the immune system to make it better… and we’ve seen this in diseases such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis that medical cannabis functions as a naturally occurring immunomodulator.”

''Drugs being tested in the WHO’s Solidarity trial include: malaria drugs, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine; remdesivir, which has been tested on Ebola patients; lopinavir/ritonavir, which has been used to treat HIV infections; and lopinavir/ritonavir combined with interferon-beta, which has been used to treat multiple sclerosis.''

 

[CSIDreamer]

What about the reat of the US. We re a small town and not receiving any PPE from our state government.

Everything is going to NY and this state doesn't even have mandatory shelter in place. They are threatening to sue other states for those traveling into our areas, they REFUSE to self isolate for 14 days. We are trying to protect yourselves, from a population who refuses to comply with CDC recommendations and a Governor that gets everything because he's screaming to the press.

The residents of NY have the same blood as in my body, we are all equal!!! I'm feed up with how special NY is.

NO New Yorker is more important than any other human being!!!

Moo...

This too. Jmo

 

[Henry2326]

I HAVE NO WORDS

Nearly 1.5 million N95 respirator masks are sitting in a U.S. government warehouse in Indiana and authorities have not shipped them because they are past their expiration date, despite Centers for Disease Control guidelines that have been issued for their safe use during the coronavirus outbreak, according to five people with knowledge of the stockpile.

Department of Homeland Security officials had a conference call Wednesday to figure out what to do with the masks, which are part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's emergency supplies. DHS officials decided to offer the respirators to the Transportation Security Administration, whose workforce has been clamoring for protective equipment, according to three of the people who described the plans on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

CBP has no plans to offer the masks to hard-hit hospitals, or hand them over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, three of the people said.

U.S. government has 1.5 million expired N95 masks sitting in an Indiana warehouse

 

[NuttMegg]

I suspected this shipment might mainly stay in New York. Like the whole world, they were not prepared and really need this. jmo

The first load of supplies was already purchased by someone or entity in the NY area, probably Cuomo or a combination of the 3 governors.
"A distributor bought these supplies and already planned to sell them in the New York tri-state area, Polowczyk said"

 

[Simply Southern]

Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia

Texas, Florida, Rhode Island and any other State should be ashamed of themselves.

The USA isn’t communist China.

No we are not communist China but have a right to protect ourselves from people who refuse to self isolate to prevent the spread.

Why are so many New Yorkers upset? Why are they coming to my area to use up valuable resources? Is NY gonna let go of some of their ventilators to take care of these folks? I think we all know that answer.

Hum....could it be they know other NYers aren't going to stay in for 14 days? Is it because they know folks are walking around spreading the virus in their state. They claim to love their governor, well stay and ride out the storm with the one you love.

CDC says stay HOME!!!! They do not say run to a resort, beach or mountains and infect a small rural community!!!

No I do not want folks that can't follow CDC guidelines in my state, city or county.

Moo....

 

[Trudie]

everyone in the country is going to eventually be tested.

impossible, imo

Yesterday we managed to walk some trails in between storms

do you feel better today?

 

[jvikes]

Is Martial Law your only option in an emergency such as this? I'm not familiar with US options for maintaining order. Does this mean that military law replaces domestic law?

Canada has an Emergency Measures Act, which suspends civil liberties for a short period in order to ensure safety and security during national crises. It stops short of martial law. Justice still remains with the courts. Even so, this has never been done without extreme cause, and no one is talking about doing it now.

I don't think it's going to pan out to enforce travel restrictions only from hotspot locations - too unconstitutional. Someone pointed out that not filtering and just making a flat rule for any state may be ok, but face legal battles. Curious if a middle ground would just be border checks for symptoms, or when those 5 min tests are readily available? California used to do border checks for illegal fruit (they may still do that). To me, that's not much different than making the virus a forbidden fruit. You want to cross the border, shed the virus first as it's not native to the state.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

All excellent questions. I would be livid if I lived in South Florida.

I just hope folks can try to wait on this. I believe the results of the transported from ships and planes early on worked out well. People transported to various military bases and lengthy quarantines. I think these poor folks need a chance for pete's sake. We can blame the cruise lines later...for they were still semi-promoting cruises even after other disasters. The industry is going to sink like a rock...at least we can try to feel compassionate for these people on the ship.

 

[MimosaMornings]

This seems to be the most humane solution. It looks like a lot of care and planning is going into disembarking the ship, much of it at the Cruise line's expense. I hope all goes well, and that the souls on board will find safe harbour.

Coronavirus Update: Panama Canal Authorities Reverse Course On Holland America's Zaandam

“As of Friday, 138 people — 53 guests and 85 crew members — had reported flu-like symptoms, Holland America said in its statement. There are 1,243 guests and 586 crew members on board the ship.

Three hundred and five of those passengers are US Citizens.”

305 out of 1,243 - where are the rest from and how will they get home without any international flights? Should they drop off the US citizens and take the others to their home country? The returning port shut them off mid cruise so now we are on the hook. IDK
I would be frantic if my elderly parents were on that ship. I hope they work out something.
JMO

I’m going to fix a drink. I need one. A BIG one. Drink that is.

 

[Wicked Strong]

Fauci explains why the travel ban is necessary. Also adding why we can't neglect other areas of the country.

Dr. Anthony Fauci: CDC's coronavirus 'travel advisory' will ultimately 'help stop the virus'

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: Police break up 'massive' karaoke party during UK lockdown

The force said on Twitter: "Officers have just attended an address in absolute shock to find 25 adults and children having a massive party with speakers and karaoke.

"Everyone dispersed and hosts dealt with.

"It is clear people are still having complete disregard for the government advice and rules."

The party came on the first weekend of the nationwide lockdown in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, where the British people have been told to stay at home for at least three weeks except for "very limited purposes".

More from Covid-19

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Seconded. I really want to thank @Henry2326 @margarita25 @gregjrichards @PommyMommy - and I hope I’ve not missed anyone - for everything you do for us here to keep us updated and informed, THANK YOU!

And thirdededed.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

What about the reat of the US. We re a small town and not receiving any PPE from our state government.

Everything is going to NY and this state doesn't even have mandatory shelter in place. They are threatening to sue other states for those traveling into our areas, they REFUSE to self isolate for 14 days. We are trying to protect yourselves, from a population who refuses to comply with CDC recommendations and a Governor that gets everything because he's screaming to the press.

The residents of NY have the same blood as in my body, we are all equal!!! I'm feed up with how special NY is.

NO New Yorker is more important than any other human being!!!

Moo...

You are right that we are all important, and you have every right to your anger. Although NY is not special, I can understand why it looks that way, if your state is suffering. Is your governor screaming, too?

Because they all need to advocate for their states. They all need to demand competent action from the federal government. JMO.

 

[Simply Southern]

The first load of supplies was already purchased by someone or entity in the NY area, probably Cuomo or a combination of the 3 governors.
"A distributor bought these supplies and already planned to sell them in the New York tri-state area, Polowczyk said"

Yeah, walk it back, Cuomo.

 

[Kensie]

IHME forecast: Alabama COVID-19 pandemic to peak April 24-26

At first they said the peak would be 3/25. I hope this assumption is correct.

 

[Tillicum]

impossible, imo

do you feel better today?

I'm feeling pretty darn good

 

[Kensie]

I just hope folks can try to wait on this. I believe the results of the transported from ships and planes early on worked out well. People transported to various military bases and lengthy quarantines. I think these poor folks need a chance for pete's sake. We can blame the cruise lines later...for they were still semi-promoting cruises even after other disasters. The industry is going to sink like a rock...at least we can try to feel compassionate for these people on the ship.

Everyone does deserve a chance. It just seems like FL is getting dumped on. '
I feel for the cruisers, taking a trip that they probably saved for for a long time and then to have this happen. It does seem that FL is prepared, thank goodness.
I am comprehend how scared these cruisers are.

 

[NuttMegg]

From the "about time" department. Step up, federal government.

Manufacturers Seek U.S. Help in Deciding Where to Ship Scarce Medical Goods

Manufacturers Seek U.S. Help in Deciding Where to Ship Scarce Medical Goods
To address coronavirus-related shortages, companies want the federal government to provide strategic guidance

WASHINGTON—Producers and distributors of medical supplies across the country are raising red flags about what they say is a lack of guidance from the federal government about where to send their products, as hospitals compete for desperately needed masks and ventilators to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.