Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #49

[musicaljoke]

Short version. We aren't under martial law here. We have states rights, so our President cannot arrest protestors. Our constitution gives us the right to protest. I may not agree with their actions, but whether we like it or not, it's a right.

Jmo

Stay safe!

Too bad they couldn't protest w/o gathering in groups of more than 5. Surely there are wiser methods of voicing their concerns. Protesting in lumps of humanity undermines their message and they just look like covidiots.

 

[Seenit]

Not wishing to offend anybody. I have great respect for all persons in here. But what on Gods green Earth is going on in America?? I am in the UK, and over here, looking from the outside in, I am absolutely horrified at what I see on the News. All my life I have felt like the United Kingdom and the United States are Earthly cousins, bonded by the courage it takes to fight for and save innocent lives. So to see people out on the streets in protest.. totally disregarding their fellow and elderly citizens.. the ones who want to live!!. The ones who have all the correct measures in place to keep themselves from infection. Their actions are criminal. They need to realise, Lockdown is not to punish us but to save us!! Every Country in the World is in the same boat and this behaviour has not been seen in any other Country on this planet! If ever President Trump needed to prove just how great of a power he has, he should exert it right now by hauling every last protestor off to prison! Lockdown is frustrating for all persons of every country. One thing frustrates me more though and that is grown up adults who are unable to abide by simple rules. Especially when lives are at risk X
As ever peeps STAY SAFE. X

It is unfathomable to me also.

 

[cass523]

The Essex County jail began the use of a newly approved blood test to detect coronavirus antibodies among its inmate population this month and so far the screenings have found 20 immigrant detainees who have tested positive for the virus and 43 others who have antibodies present, according to figures distributed Sunday.

A total of 115 people have been screened, with 85 of them being detainees held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The jail also tested eight-county inmates who tested negative and 22 state prisoners, eight who have the antibodies for the coronavirus, according to the figures.

There are more than 2,200 inmates and detainees held at the jail, with 81 housed in a quarantine unit Sunday because of possible exposure to the virus, according to county figures.

Last week, Essex County officials announced that CFG Health Systems, the medical provider at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, would begin testing inmates and detainees for COVID-19 using the antibody rapid blood test.

Essex County jail uses coronavirus antibody test to screen inmates and ICE detainees

 

[Victoria Chambers]

Q: What laboratories are offering testing under the policy outlined in Section IV.A of the Policy for Diagnostic Tests for Coronavirus Disease-2019? (Updated 4/17)
A: As stated in Section IV.A of the FDA's Policy for Diagnostic Tests for Coronavirus Disease-2019, for laboratories certified under CLIA to perform high-complexity testing, the FDA does not intend to object to the use of validated tests for specimen testing for a reasonable period of time after validation while the laboratory is preparing an EUA request. As noted in the guidance, FDA believes 15 business days is a reasonable period of time to prepare an EUA submission for a test that has already been validated.

Many commercial and healthcare system/academic laboratories have notified the FDA that they have validated their own COVID-19 test and have started patient testing as set forth in Section IV.A of the FDA's Policy for Diagnostic Tests for Coronavirus Disease-2019. The laboratories listed below have agreed to be identified on the FDA's website. Where the Authorization Status is "FDA Authorized," the FDA reviewed and issued an EUA for the test after notification was given. Where the Authorization Status is shown as "Not FDA Authorized," the FDA has not yet reviewed the laboratory's validation and issued an EUA for the laboratory's test, and the test is included in this list to provide transparency regarding the notifications submitted to FDA. The "Setting for Use" designation of "H" refers to a laboratory certified under CLIA to perform high-complexity testing.

FAQs on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Short version. We aren't under martial law here. We have states rights, so our President cannot arrest protestors. Our constitution gives us the right to protest. I may not agree with their actions, but whether we like it or not, it's a right.

Jmo

Stay safe!

Of course, and we should have rights. We have not been forced into a Lockdown. We are being urged though. And that leads us to our having a choice.. to abide or to disregard and they have chosen wrong here. We have come this far and are almost there but their selfishness is like throwing OUR hard work into the wind! It's a good thing us having rights, just a pity we dont all have common sense for when we call on them. Take Real Care X

 

[Sundog]

A lot of us are concerned about the reopening of society because we are in a high-risk group due to age and/or other risk factors. We are also realistic enough to know that the reopening of society will happen, regardless of our opinion as to how we would like to see it play out.

So my thoughts right now are turning to public policy regarding those who will be called back to work in their work settings, ending their remote work options. I think that our state senators and Congress members should be contacted, in their Washington and district offices. In Ohio, our two senators are Rob Portman and Sherod Brown. Congress members depend on your district. But the district offices of all of our federal elected officials in our region of the state are pretty responsive to their constituents. Also the Governor's Office and state and local health offices should be contact. And, of course, state legislators. The issue is a public policy, temporary if necessary, that includes high-risk individuals in the time of COVID-19 and offers them some kind of disability status so that they don't have to re-enter the work environment when it isn't safe to do so. States have the option of adding to the American with Disabilities Act, so that is one possible public policy avenue. The ADA only applies to organizations of a certain size, though. So perhaps separate legislation would be best. Employers would have to allow remote working options for these employees, and if certain employees are not able to work remotely due to the nature of their work, then other options should be available. But they shouldn't have to lose their job if they have run out of sick or vacation days, or don't have them to begin with.

There are a lot of great minds here on Websleuths, and I am sure that we could draft a public policy recommendation with various options to protect high-risk employees as the country and our states and regions reopen over the weeks ahead. No matter what we think about the push to reopen, it is going to happen.

I am not happy about Governor DeWine in Ohio saying that the burden of making decisions about going back to work will be up to each individual. I think there should be a policy that protects certain employees and a way to enforce that policy.

Right now the federal government is saying if you over 65 then you need to stay at home during the reopening, until phase 3. But there is no public policy to support this directive. I don't think we should leave it up to vulnerable citizens and their employers.

I think Governor DeWine of Ohio did a great job in taking proactive measures to flatten the curve and make sure our hospitals won't overwhelmed. But now we need to take the next step during reopening and protect the most vulnerable.

If any of you want to share your thoughts on what might be included in sound public policy at this time, please share your ideas.

MOO.

 

[pocketaccent]

Suicide, help hotline calls soar in Southern California over coronavirus anxieties – Daily Breeze

...
In February, Levitan and her colleagues — 70 full-time staff members and 215 volunteers — took 22 calls on the suicide and disaster helplines related to coronavirus. In March, that number soared to 1,800 calls — more than an 8,000% increase.

Losing hope during the pandemic
What’s even more concerning is that a lot of the callers were already having suicidal thoughts, Levitan said.

“Suicidal thoughts stem from a sense of hopelessness, helplessness, or lack of plans or goals for the future,” she said. “The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated those feelings in people. If things felt bad before, they can really feel hopeless in today’s environment.”

Levitan said she was able to calm down the anxious man who called about a week ago by getting him to “focus on the here and now,” as she does with others in a similar predicament. Like the woman in her 90s who hadn’t eaten or drank water all day because she was upset about not being able to go to church on Easter Sunday or see her friends and family.

“I talk to them about what they can do today to take care of themselves,” she said. “Do you want to lie down and take a nap? Do you want to watch a YouTube video? When we take little steps, it can make what feels like an insurmountable situation more manageable.”
...

Helping vulnerable populations
While people in all age groups are struggling, this can be a tough time for teenagers in particular, said Michelle Carlson, executive director of Teen Line, a Los Angeles-based national and international helpline for teens.

“In this environment, family relationships is the number one reason youth are contacting us,” she said. “Young people are experiencing huge increases in stress, anxiety and loneliness. We’re also seeing a significant increase in child abuse reports. It’s very concerning.”
...
Adjusting and adapting
While there is no current data indicating a rise in suicides, suicide rates historically have increased after economic downturns in the last century, said Kita Curry, president and CEO of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.

“In a crisis, people are focused on basic needs like toilet paper, groceries and staying healthy,” she said. “So they might not be thinking about ending their lives. But as the economic struggles persist and long after we start going to concerts and the movies, high suicide risk factors remain because a lot of people would have suffered significant losses during the pandemic. When you don’t know how to get your job back or house back, it’s erosive in terms of your mental health.”
...
Crisis lines and resources
Teen Line: 1-800-852-8336 or text “TEEN” to 839863
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386, via chat every day at TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting “START” to 678678
Didi Hirsch crisis counselor: 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
National Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health: CARES Line (1-800-706-7500); Substance Use CARES Line (1-800-499-3008); dedicated crisis line for health-care workers, essential workers and first-responders (951-955-7015).

 

[10ofRods]

It disturbs me even when one of the yoga instructors (either live stream or YouTube video) is coughing. This has happened a couple times. Obviously I'm not worried about myself, but I sure do wonder if the instructor needs to be checked out.

I've been coughing since December, mostly at night or when I'm lying on my back. Asthma has returned. I took cough suppressant to go into the classroom, obviously. I wouldn't be able to do a yoga youtube if the person was coughing.

 

[Bravo]

Speaking to the protesters etc. who are ignoring guidelines and gathering in clusters. What is your plan if you catch Covid? Call 911 if you become critical? Burden your Local Health Care? Or just stay at home and die for your cause

 

[Lilibet]

How are you going to get a test back now if your doctor is practicing telemedicine? You can't do blood tests, you can't do blood pressure tests, you can't do urine tests over the phone.

I guess you’d have to discuss this with your doctor @jjenny. I was simply passing on what I thought might be helpful information about starting antibiotics right away before a urine test in order to head off sepsis. My MIL died of sepsis from a neglected UTI, so I try to pass on that info. But if it doesn’t work for you, that’s OK.

 

[jjenny]

I guess you’d have to discuss this with your doctor @jjenny. I was simply passing on what I thought might be helpful information about starting antibiotics right away before a urine test in order to head off sepsis. My MIL died of sepsis from a neglected UTI, so I try to pass on that info. But if it doesn’t work for you, that’s OK.

I don't even have a doctor right now. Have to find a new one. So can't even do telemedicine.

 

[Lilibet]

230 nursing homes in Georgia infected with COVID19! Some states are not releasing this information, some are such as Georgia which lists in this article all of them, their names and addresses etc.

.State agency: Confirmed COVID-19 cases at 230 nursing homes, facilities across Georgia

I have to give Rachel Maddow some of the credit for the sudden transparency about nursing homes. She’s been beating that drum on her MSNBC show for over a week. It seems to be paying off...or else it’s a very strange coincidence.

 

[10ofRods]

So...any Aussies here? You guys are doing so well with CoVid. Looks like your peak was in the third week of March. The rest of us will surely learn a lot from your experiences.

We'd love to know your overall infection rates (your relative mortality rate is about 1.1% - very helpful). Your data also support data from the US that shows ⅓ were very elderly and in care situations. Which gives about a .6% relative mortality rate for the non-elderly-in-care (another chunk are elderly but not in care). So probably the .4-.5% that we're seeing here.

That's out of people who've been tested (who are at risk or symptomatic). Australia has only tested about 7000, so it would be great to hear the Ab results if the world can every get that organized. I'm sure Australia will find a way to do that soon (or has done it and published it in medical journals).

The overall mortality/case rate in Australia is therefore super low. But when the disease does strike, its death rates seem to be the same as in China, Italy, Spain and the US. So we now have a very large and diverse sample.

We will also wait to see what happens during Australia's upcoming winter. There may be a small secondary wave - if not, then it's unlikely that this is a mostly seasonal thing.

 

[cass523]

Coronavirus News: Skin rashes emerge as possible symptom of COVID-19, dermatologists say

Eyewitness News on Twitter

 

[Ragnarok]

Looking at the various US colored virus maps am uncomfortable living in/near the hot zone (RED) of NY and NJ. Just a note for those not familiar with NY and NYC; the five boroughs of NYC contain 50%, possibly more, of NY state's population. Severely skews the rest of NY state compared to other states.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts
Most COVID-19 deaths now at nursing homes - CommonWealth Magazine

THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC in Massachusetts is fast becoming a nursing home epidemic.
According to data released by the state on Saturday, 810 people died of COVID-19 at Massachusetts long-term care facilities and 750 at hospitals and other locations throughout the rest of the state.

 

[10ofRods]

I don't even have a doctor right now. Have to find a new one. So can't even do telemedicine.

I'm sort of in the same boat, although there are two large hospital-associated medical groups here that will do telemedicine with new patients.

I don't know where you are, but if you are anywhere near a university hospital, call them - they'll set you up. I drive 1.5 hours to get any major medical treatment. I've now had three procedures that were not available in the town where I live. We actually drove my mom 6 hours at one point, to get a diagnosis that changed (and probably saved) her life. She was in her mid-60's at the time and lived to be 86 (despite 4 kinds of cancer and sundry other medical problems).

You really do need to establish a relationship with someone.

 

[jjenny]

I'm sort of in the same boat, although there are two large hospital-associated medical groups here that will do telemedicine with new patients.

I don't know where you are, but if you are anywhere near a university hospital, call them - they'll set you up. I drive 1.5 hours to get any major medical treatment. I've now had three procedures that were not available in the town where I live. We actually drove my mom 6 hours at one point, to get a diagnosis that changed (and probably saved) her life. She was in her mid-60's at the time and lived to be 86 (despite 4 kinds of cancer and sundry other medical problems).

You really do need to establish a relationship with someone.

Well, I had a doctor until very recently. Doctor left the practice, and there is no replacement.

 

[firebird]

Speaking to the protesters etc. who are ignoring guidelines and gathering in clusters. What is your plan if you catch Covid? Call 911 if you become critical? Burden your Local Health Care? Or just stay at home and die for your cause

If I were an American protestor, it's a hill I would die on. Hopefully, it won't come to that, as it seems most of our leaders are realizing that the current situation cannot be sustained.

 

[weepingangel]

146 More Deaths From Coronavirus in Massachusetts, 1,705 New Cases

Massachusetts had 146 more deaths in the past day from the new coronavirus, bringing the total number to 1,706, health officials reported Sunday.
The total number of positive cases has reached 38,077, with 1,705 new cases announced by Massachusetts' Department of Public Health.
All people who die in Massachusettts with reported upper respiratory symptoms are tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday, possibly providing some context for Massachusetts' high death count relative to other states.

 

[10ofRods]

Of course, and we should have rights. We have not been forced into a Lockdown. We are being urged though. And that leads us to our having a choice.. to abide or to disregard and they have chosen wrong here. We have come this far and are almost there but their selfishness is like throwing OUR hard work into the wind! It's a good thing us having rights, just a pity we dont all have common sense for when we call on them. Take Real Care X

I try not to look at it as them destroying what the rest of us are doing. They are the ones who will either get sick or have silent CoVid. Someone needs to do that. We cannot remain locked down forever. This is going to swing back up when we do open up. In places with rates that are low, so far, they'll get more cases.

What I want is the right to avoid those people and therefore, I do not want them in my workplace. Or as workers at essential businesses. But I do realize that some people around me are going to be silent carriers - for the next couple of years, at least.

I intend to dress very appropriately when I do go out again. I'll be the one in the spacesuit. (Not quite but...I will be social distancing to the max for a while).