Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #41

[gregjrichards]

Hi guys hope this is ok to ask here but I’m in the UK and my partner works for a small business, he started with a persistent cough and body aches last Tuesday and stayed off work last week. Every single day his boss rang to see if he was going in and yesterday he said ‘you’ll be fine once you’re here’ he’s told them he’s been advised to self isolate for 14 days but they don’t seem to be taking this very seriously. He’s just gone in still coughing, sneezing and headache, I told him to just stay at home but he’s worried his boss will end up replacing him. I have a weakened immune system and almost died from septic shock we also have 3 young children and I’m worried we are all going to be at risk now he’s going to and from work. Could they actually get rid of him if he’s self isolating I’m so worried! Thank you

I'm very sorry your partner is unwell @Blondiexoxo and I really hope he will be ok. You must be under a tremdous amount of stress. I really don't understand employers behaving the way your partner's employer is under the serious circumstances.

I hope the information from the U.K government in this link helps

Coronavirus: Employment rights and sick pay (update)

Coronavirus: Employment rights and sick pay (update)

 

[Really?]

Hi guys hope this is ok to ask here but I’m in the UK and my partner works for a small business, he started with a persistent cough and body aches last Tuesday and stayed off work last week. Every single day his boss rang to see if he was going in and yesterday he said ‘you’ll be fine once you’re here’ he’s told them he’s been advised to self isolate for 14 days but they don’t seem to be taking this very seriously. He’s just gone in still coughing, sneezing and headache, I told him to just stay at home but he’s worried his boss will end up replacing him. I have a weakened immune system and almost died from septic shock we also have 3 young children and I’m worried we are all going to be at risk now he’s going to and from work. Could they actually get rid of him if he’s self isolating I’m so worried! Thank you

Call the cops........seriously....

 

[katydid23]

Whole Foods workers to stage national ‘mass sick-out’ strike over coronavirus concerns
Posted Mar 30, 2020

“Whole Foods employees are planning to go on a national strike Tuesday after claiming the company is not implementing protective policies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Whole Workers, a Whole Foods labor organization, is the group hosting the “mass sick-out,” according to a statement on Twitter.”

(Sorry if repost, just seeing this)

Whole Foods is where my daughter has been getting all off our fresh produce and cheese and meat during this quarantine.

But I support them in their strike because they wouldn't do so if they weren't feeling they were in danger now.

I hope they can find some kind of resolution, but can't imagine what it might be? Maybe plastic barriers at the checkout counters---and no more cash, only self pay by customers?

Maybe employees being checked by the 15 min tests each day?

 

[margarita25]

Rsbm Maybe plastic barriers at the checkout counters

Walmart, Albertsons, Kroger and Whole Foods are adding sneeze guards to checkout lanes - CNN
Updated 4:30 PM ET, Wed March 25, 2020

“Whole Foods
Whole Foods stores are also installing sneeze guards to protect customers and employees. The company said it is in the process of rolling out the barriers to all locations.
The company has adjusted its hours and expanded employee benefits during the outbreak.”

—-

U.S. grocers add plexiglass sneeze guards to protect cashiers from coronavirus

“The shields are designed to block virus-containing droplets - released by coughing, sneezing and speaking - that might otherwise hit cashiers, who interact with dozens of customers during their shifts.”

 

[margarita25]

Dbm consolidate

 

[katydid23]

ETA: A friend told me tonight that her Dad and brother who live in my town were both very sick with a cough in February. She wondered if they maybe had COVID-19. I’d have to go back and dig to find out when our county had its first to cases (travelers), but who knows? All the more reason to think it’s well established here.

My husband and I flew to Reno area the last 2 weeks of December for a large family Christmas gathering. We had 14 close family members in a 6 bedroom air bNb. Ages from 3 to 89.

My husband began feeling very ill, with flu like symptoms, around Dec 25th. He isolated himself in the extra bedroom at my Mom's apartment.

I began feeling sick about dec 30th, when we were on our way back to Cali. I was really sick for the next 2 weeks, thinking I might have bronchitis and was close to going to the doctor a few times.

But it never really attacked my lungs, like pneumonia. And I did have a fever, but it never spoke very high.

But we both had a dry persistent cough and body aches and felt exhausted.My husband didnt shake it for nearly a month. I hope and pray that we had an early form of 'mild' coronavirus....but I aim not sure if we did.

Maybe it was the flu, even though we both had the flu shot last September.

We were flying out of LAX on Dec 20th. Could it even have been in LAX that early if it only spread around Wuhan by December?

 

[Teche]

Well, I'm not sure that most science majors are unchurched, but maybe it is true that where those congregation infractions are happening, the people are less educated. It seems that in these parts the more education one has, the more likely they attend church. We often joke that it's safer to have a heart attack in church than at the hospital because the place is so full of Drs, nurses and EMS workers.

I attend a small older church in a city that has a country feel to it. At a mass, I heard a shuffling sound and the priest asked if there was a nurse or a doctor in the congregation. There were about 12-15 people who got up to help. The priest led the congregation in prayer and mass continued.

 

[Lilibet]

My husband and I flew to Reno area the last 2 weeks of December for a large family Christmas gathering. We had 14 close family members in a 6 bedroom air bNb. Ages from 3 to 89.

My husband began feeling very ill, with flu like symptoms, around Dec 25th. He isolated himself in the extra bedroom at my Mom's apartment.

I began feeling sick about dec 30th, when we were on our way back to Cali. I was really sick for the next 2 weeks, thinking I might have bronchitis and was close to going to the doctor a few times.

But it never really attacked my lungs, like pneumonia. And I did have a fever, but it never spoke very high.

But we both had a dry persistent cough and body aches and felt exhausted.My husband didnt shake it for nearly a month. I hope and pray that we had an early form of 'mild' coronavirus....but I aim not sure if we did.

Maybe it was the flu, even though we both had the flu shot last September.

We were flying out of LAX on Dec 20th. Could it even have been in LAX that early if it only spread around Wuhan by December?

That sounds brutal. I know the flu shot doesn’t always cover every possibility, so it could have been the flu. Or coronavirus could have escaped Wuhan early and been on your plane. I think there are more than a few who wonder if they had it in January. Unless someday it’s possible to check for antibodies, I guess it will remain a mystery.

 

[margarita25]

Rsbm
We were flying out of LAX on Dec 20th. Could it even have been in LAX that early if it only spread around Wuhan by December?

China’s first confirmed Covid-19 case traced back to November 17

“The first case of someone in China suffering from
Covid-19
, the disease caused by the novel
coronavirus
, can be traced back to November 17, according to government data seen by the South China Morning Post.
Chinese authorities have so far identified at least 266 people who were infected last year, all of whom came under medical surveillance at some point.”

Coronavirus: China’s first confirmed Covid-19 case traced back to November 17
13 Mar, 2020

—

“But as the newspaper noted, the evidence is not conclusive. The identity of "patient zero" — the first human case of the virus — has still not been confirmed, and it's possible that the data set isn't complete.

New data about 'patient zero' is consistent with other research
Chinese health authorities reported the first case of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, to the World Health Organization on December 31.

A team of researchers later published evidence that the first person to test positive was showing symptoms on December 8, the date of the first confirmed case.

Other research published in The Lancet in January found that the first person to test positive was exposed to the virus on December 1.”


The first COVID-19 case originated on November 17, according to Chinese officials searching for 'patient zero'
Mar 13, 2020

 

[katydid23]

That sounds brutal. I know the flu shot doesn’t always cover every possibility, so it could have been the flu. Or coronavirus could have escaped Wuhan early and been on your plane. I think there are more than a few who wonder if they had it in January. Unless someday it’s possible to check for antibodies, I guess it will remain a mystery.

One reason I wonder if it might have been, is that the terminal we flew in and out of, was American Airlines, and the international flights were very close by our gate. And we were in the airport terminal for many hours because our daughter took an incoming flight, and met us there, so we could all fly together that afternoon.

Thinking about it now, it's nauseating to imagine, as I would never agree to spend 6 hours in an international terminal before getting on my flight. And I rested in the chairs, and sat in the bar and grill, touching the tables, etc etc....and had no Clorox Wipes like I use these days...

People getting off Japan Airlines shared the TSA long line with us....so ???

 

[jjenny]

That sounds brutal. I know the flu shot doesn’t always cover every possibility, so it could have been the flu. Or coronavirus could have escaped Wuhan early and been on your plane. I think there are more than a few who wonder if they had it in January. Unless someday it’s possible to check for antibodies, I guess it will remain a mystery.

Flu shot is far from 100% effective. You can have the shot and still have the flu. Flu can also lead to pneumonia, complications, lingering cough. I think a lot of people had flu or cold, but now are convinced they had covid because symptoms could be so similar.

 

[jjenny]

One reason I wonder if it might have been, is that the terminal we flew in and out of, was American Airlines, and the international flights were very close by our gate. And we were in the airport terminal for many hours because our daughter took an incoming flight, and met us there, so we could all fly together that afternoon.

Thinking about it now, it's nauseating to imagine, as I would never agree to spend 6 hours in an international terminal before getting on my flight. And I rested in the chairs, and sat in the bar and grill, touching the tables, etc etc....and had no Clorox Wipes like I use these days...

People getting off Japan Airlines shared the TSA long line with us....so ???

To me it sounds like the typical flu. This year's flu was kind of brutal.

 

[jjenny]

Good news from David Lat from the Above the Law blog--he made it out of the ICU. Here are the drugs he was on:

David Lat @DavidLat
Definitely going to write about that, but short answer is... everything! Kevzara, hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin, Tocilizumab, Clazakizumab, Remdesivir.

Here's his COVID story to date

David Lat Transferred Out of ICU, Taken Off Ventilator in Coronavirus Fight | New York Law Journal

Wow. Sounds like they threw everything they could think of at his covid.

 

[jjenny]

Whole Foods is where my daughter has been getting all off our fresh produce and cheese and meat during this quarantine.

But I support them in their strike because they wouldn't do so if they weren't feeling they were in danger now.

I hope they can find some kind of resolution, but can't imagine what it might be? Maybe plastic barriers at the checkout counters---and no more cash, only self pay by customers?

Maybe employees being checked by the 15 min tests each day?

They need PPE like healthcare workers. At this point I think we all do if we go out in public. I don't know how to get enough for everybody, though.

 

[jjenny]

I went shopping 9 days ago and didn't think to do any of this wiping down the shopping, the key fobs etc etc . This was just before official lockdown. I just brought the shopping straight in and put (my own) bags on floor then unpacked the items on to kitchen table that go in fridge and freezer and put them all away. I did then wash my hands. I am amazed at the wiping down the shopping etc and hadn't even thought about it at all. I have no symptoms so far so I guess I am ok. How long would I have to wait to know?

Five more days? Incubation period is believed to be up to 14 days. I think most of us were doing the same thing in the beginning (not wiping any purchased items down).

 

[tresir2012]

Houston:

Coronavirus updates: METRO bus driver, dispatcher test positive for COVID-19

“The second employee is a bus operator and was last on the job on March 25. The bus operator drove the 412 Greenlink Circulator route from 6 a.m. until 2:17 p.m. on the following days; March 9,10, 11,12, 13, 16, 17,18,19, 20 and 23. The operator also drove the 247 Fuqua Park & Ride from 6:18 a.m. to 9:17 a.m. on March 24 and 25.”

—-

Map: Keeping track of Houston-area coronavirus cases

How do you pronounce Fuqua? Is it how I think it is?

 

[margarita25]

Japan:

Japan is seeing a surge in coronavirus cases after not implementing nationwide containment measures

• “Japan once appeared to be avoiding a full-blown epidemic, but the country has recently seen a large increase in coronavirus cases.
• Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said the Japanese government failed to adequately address the viral outbreak, putting the now-cancelled 2020 Olympics above the health of citizens.
• In Tokyo, two viral clusters were discovered Sunday. They could be a sign that the outbreak will soon worsen.”

—-

Japan looked like it had the coronavirus contained. Then the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, and cases spiked.
MAR 29, 2020

“The sudden rise in the number of virus cases in Tokyo and the government's strong actions immediately after the Olympic postponement have raised questions in parliament and among citizens about whether Japan understated the extent of the outbreak and delayed enforcement of social distancing measures while clinging to hopes that the games would start on July 24 as scheduled.

With the Olympics now off, many are voicing suspicion that the numbers are rising because Japan suddenly has no reason to hide them.

"In order to make an impression that the city was taking control of the coronavirus, Tokyo avoided making strict requests and made the number of patients look smaller," former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said in a tweet. "The coronavirus has spread while they waited. (For Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike) it was Olympics first, not Tokyo's residents."

Experts have found a rise of untraceable cases mushrooming in Tokyo, Osaka and other urban areas — signs of an explosive increase in infections.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday that Japan is now on the brink of a huge jump in cases as it becomes increasingly difficult to trace and keep clusters under control.”

—

Japan advises against travel to some 50 nations including U.S., China
2 hours ago

“Japan on Tuesday raised its travel advisory for some 50 countries including the United States, China and South Korea to level 3, warning against any trips to these areas as the novel coronavirus continues to spread globally.”

[...]

“Japan is rushing to stem a rise in infections brought in by returnees and foreign visitors, with imported cases making up about one in four of the total in recent days.”

 

[tresir2012]

Five more days? Incubation period is believed to be up to 14 days.

But 9 days with no symptoms. I thought symptoms show after 7 days. I don't plan to shop again until 14 days but have my OH to think about.

 

[tresir2012]

I have been mainly watching the death numbers in the UK and they were initially doubling every 3 days but now appear to be slowing to every 4 days. In my diary I extrapolated the numbers to roughly work out when we would hit 1k deaths 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k etc and it is frightening but helps to be prepared for the worst, I have found. When we don't make those terrible numbers by those dates, for me it helps to know that we are controlling it and to accept another month in lockdown, if that is what it takes. All credit to the frontline health employees and the shop staff. You are all much appreciated.

 

[tresir2012]

So you take off the gloves, throw them (on the ground, in the buggy?) hit the keyfob to open the trunk...and use your bare hands to pick up the plastic bags that came from inside the store and put them in your trunk?

Just want to know the correct procedure.

There were blue gloves all over the ground outside the grocery store two weeks ago. Yikes

I think you can touch what you need to but don't touch your face and wash hands when you get home. I'll let you know in 5 days if it has worked.