Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #46

[CeeCeeCat]

A desperately-needed COVID-19 vaccine may never come to light, according the Australian scientist heading up the global search.

RSBM

This is extremely worrying and depressing. It is would be a nightmare to live like this indefinitely being terrified to leave the house and never see loved ones.

This is what worries me - particularly when I think of the elderly and of those with underlying conditions. It’s bad enough now, but to know that on an indefinite basis, each time you or your loved ones leave the house you would quite literally be taking your life into your hands - it’s too much to comprehend.
That some people can still be so cavalier about Covid19 beggars belief.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I disagree. Staying at home is not for the purposes of insulating yourself against ever getting the virus. As you say, most people will get it, eventually.

However -- staying home now, still, is for the purpose of not overwhelming the medical system. If too many people are sick at once, the proportion of ill people who need hospitalization will overwhelm the system. Just as we've been reading is now happening in NYC and other places.

Spreading out the illnesses so that there's never too many people for the needed hospital care at one time, is the point.

And remember that this is not "for the rest of your life". Within two years there will be a vaccine, and there may be effective treatment sooner than that, possibly.

I know it must feel like "this has been going on long enough" but we're only halfway there. This is not the time to stop.

JMO MOO

Amen! And addition to potential bed shortages, many of our medical staff are out sick with it. As anyone who has been to the ER knows, most systems were already somewhat understaffed.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

7 Answers to Questions About the Malaria Drug Trump Keeps Pushing

" Reports from doctors in China and France have said that hydroxychloroquine, sometimes combined with the antibiotic azithromycin, seemed to help patients. But those studies were small and did not use proper control groups — patients carefully selected to match those in the experimental group but who are not given the drug being tested. Research involving few patients and no controls cannot determine whether a drug works. And the French study has since been discredited: The scientific group that oversees the journal where it was published said the study did not meet its standards."

The article includes links to the various studies mentioned. Interesting stuff. I would be wary of putting too much stock in the Didier Raoult study.

Statement on IJAA paper | International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

I do think that it's good that more scientifically rigorous studies are being conducted, with the proper control groups etc. The data is definitely worth collecting, we should pursue all avenues in searching for treatments and vaccines.

But people should be aware of the possible dangerous (and permanent ) side effects - not just affecting the heart, but also one's eyesight.

Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Retinal Toxicity

So, yes, there are things to lose.

It’s the heart issues I would be concerned about and want them to closely monitor. The eye issues tend to happen long term. People who are regularly on this drug have to have an eye exam yearly. So I really don’t worry about eyesight issues short-term.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I'm reading where this virus is attacking red blood cells, causing them to release the iron within into the bloodstream. Iron inside of a red blood cell is good, free iron in the bloodstream is bad. It's causing inflammation in the lungs, the pneumonia is "chemical" in nature, it's not viral.

Sounds to me like a toxic chemical reaction is happening in the lung cells, where the iron is latching on and causing the inflammation.

To me, this explains why the ventilator (vent) therapy is not being very effective in most patients.

For those who have been/who have not been following this - Dr. Seheult covered this subject this past week on his Youtube, and here is a summary article about the original blog referenced. Scientists Study Coronavirus Attack on Hemoglobin, Iron, & Test New Treatments with Old Standbys

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Spain

Millions of Spaniards are to be given special face masks in the next few days before they travel on public transport, the government announced today, the same day the country's death toll surpassed the 16,000-mark.

Despite the grim tally, the 510 fatalities are the lowest increase in deaths seen in the coronavirus-ravaged country in 19 days.

In another step to prevent its resurgence, masks will be distributed at train and metro stations, as well as at bus terminals, by an army of volunteers.

Health officials say it will not be compulsory to wear them but their advice to do so has changed following expert advice.

Spain's coronavirus death toll surpasses 16,000-mark but increase is the LOWEST for 19 days | Daily Mail Online

I’m curious how these special masks are made and what they look like. Unfortunately, no pictures of them at that link.

 

[Trident]

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'playing games and watching films' in hospital

Boris Johnson is playing games and watching films in hospital as he continues his recovery from COVID-19, Downing Street has said.

The movies are said to include Withnail And I, starring Richard E Grant, and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.


He has also been doing sudoku.

After coming out of intensive care, the prime minister recently became able to take short walks between periods of rest while being treated for coronavirus on a low-dependency ward.

I never expected anyone with a HIGH profile to die, did any of you? Even though this is an "equal opportunity" virus, I've only seen us, the pawns, and minor players I've never heard of actually expiring. Are they getting better care than the peons? Or what?

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Western Australia has locked their borders, Ranch. As have pretty much the rest of the country. We have the advantage of lots of space and a spread out population. And a commitment to slow and steady responses, no knee jerk reactions. And some amazing medical minds advising those in charge. I hope your nephew stays healthy

Does your head of state have daily pressers like Cuomo, Trudeau etc? I'd like to see a youtube channel of him to follow how/what he is communicating to his constituents if you have knowledge of such.

 

[Boston Corbett]

Louisiana church expecting 2,000 at Easter service despite coronavirus: 'Satan and a virus will not stop us' (The Hill)

 

[Boston Corbett]

Floating conspiracy theories about coronavirus models is dangerous (Washington Examiner)

 

[tresir2012]

I never expected anyone with a HIGH profile to die, did any of you? Even though this is an "equal opportunity" virus, I've only seen us, the pawns, and minor players I've never heard of actually expiring. Are they getting better care than the peons? Or what?

BJ got regular NHS care that everyone got. He is also not yet out of the woods.

 

[Boston Corbett]

BJ got regular NHS care that everyone got.

I'm curious - what's your basis for this claim, the reporting behind it? A link would be welcome. TIA.

 

[tresir2012]

Some posters have indicated they think some leaders have not acted quickly enough. This Wikipedia from the UK perspective states WHO did not declare it a pandemic till 11th March.

UK link

"2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia" 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

Italian link

"2020 coronavirus pandemic in Italy - Wikipedia" 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Italy - Wikipedia

 

[Tillicum]

FDA authorizes blood purification device to treat COVID-19

FDA authorizes blood purification device to treat COVID-19
Apr. 11, 2020 - 3:49 - Infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja weighs in on the treatment.

Video at link.

 

[tresir2012]

I'm curious - what's your basis for this claim, the reporting behind it? A link would be welcome. TIA.

It has been very well reported. But this is a link to St. Thomas' - the NHS hospital he is reported to be in. It is the closest hospital to the HOP, just across the Thames from Big Ben.

St Thomas' Hospital - Google Search

The address is there if you want to send him a Get Well Soon card.

Here's a BBC link to various reports of his stay in hospital. He was in ICU and is now on a regular ward.

"Boris Johnson - BBC News" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c8nq32jw8r1t/boris-johnson

 

[gregjrichards]

An 11-year-old boy with no underlying health issues is among a further 823 people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total fatalities in the nation to 8,937.

Patients were aged between 11 and 102 years old and 33 of the 823 patients - aged between 29 and 94 years old - had no known underlying health condition.

Today's daily rise is less of a jump than yesterday's when 866 were reported to have died in English hospitals.

Boy, 11, with no underlying health issues is among latest 870 | Daily Mail Online

This news is absolutely devastating.

 

[Sundog]

View attachment 242712

Cheered by her doctors, a 93-year-old pensioner was discharged from an Istanbul hospital after recovering from the novel coronavirus following 10 days of treatment.

Alye Gunduz's recovery from the disease that is killing chiefly the old offered some hope to health workers at Istanbul's Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty hospital as they battle the outbreak, which risks hitting Turkey hard.

'It is promising because patients at this age and with chronic diseases are most of the time unable to recover because they are at highest risk from COVID-19,' chief physician Zekayi Kutlubay told AFP.

Pensioner, 93, walks out of intensive care in Turkey | Daily Mail Online

I’m really glad Alye Gunduz survived.

Me, too! I found the last line of the article interesting, that the Turkish government sent medical supplies to the UK and on the boxes they quoted the Sufi poet, Rumi. Rumi is very popular worldwide for his poetry and writings, and they wrote one of his writings on hope and light to share on the boxes they sent.

 

[Trident]

An 11-year-old boy with no underlying health issues is among a further 823 people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total fatalities in the nation to 8,937.

Patients were aged between 11 and 102 years old and 33 of the 823 patients - aged between 29 and 94 years old - had no known underlying health condition.

Today's daily rise is less of a jump than yesterday's when 866 were reported to have died in English hospitals.

Boy, 11, with no underlying health issues is among latest 870 | Daily Mail Online

This news is absolutely devastating.

I believe the operative word here is "known" underlying health condition. Many people have "conditions" which are not "known" until they act up and the person dies. For instance, many people have died for anurisms which were not known until they ruptured, the same with heart problems.

If it is true that underlying conditions contribute are the main cause of death, it seems like a very selective virus. IMO

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: UK records 917 new coronavirus deaths - including an 11-year-old

The UK has recorded 917 new coronavirus deaths - including an 11-year-old.

This brings the total number of UK deaths to 9,875, according to the Department of Health, making it likely that the toll will pass 10,000 on Easter Sunday.

The figures are accurate as of 5pm on Friday.

The rise in cases announced on Saturday was slightly lower than the rise of 980 announced on Friday.

England reported 823 new deaths, with victims aged between 11 and 102, NHS England said.

Thirty-three of them had no known underlying health conditions - they were aged between 29 and 94.

The deaths include 208 in London, 197 in the North West of England, and 165 in the Midlands.

The total number of deaths in England is now 8,937.

Meanwhile, Scotland announced 47 new coronavirus deaths - taking the total there to 542.

In Wales there were 36 deaths, bringing the total to 351.

Another 15 people have died in Northern Ireland, taking the total there to 107.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Teenage boy living with indigenous Amazonian tribe dies after contracting coronavirus

(Brazil)

A TEENAGE BOY living with an indigenous tribe in Brazil has died after contracting the coronavirus.

The 15-year-old, the first member of the Yanomami tribe to be diagnosed with the virus, was taken into an intensive care unit a week ago in the northern state of Roraima.

He died of severe respiratory complications on Thursday night, the Brazilian health ministry said in a statement.

His death has raised fears for the Amazon tribe, which is known for its vulnerability to disease.

A Yanomami rights group said the boy had come into contact with a number of other indigenous people after he began showing symptoms.



The Hutukara Association blamed “inadequate medical care” for the boy’s death, saying that he went more than two weeks without a proper diagnosis from the time he first went to the hospital with respiratory symptoms.

The group also called on the authorities to track down those who had been infected to help them undergo testing and self-isolation.

It urged the government to crack down on illegal gold miners on indigenous lands, believed to be the source of the contagion.

 

[Gardenista]

Western Australia has locked their borders, Ranch. As have pretty much the rest of the country. We have the advantage of lots of space and a spread out population. And a commitment to slow and steady responses, no knee jerk reactions. And some amazing medical minds advising those in charge. I hope your nephew stays healthy

This is awesome. Our president (USA) got all kinds of pushback when he wanted to close down the borders early on and I have no doubt that caused things to be worse in our country.