Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #57

[tresir2012]

Interesting study enrolling healthcare workers to investigate the use of melatonin as prophylaxis for covid.

"There is an urgent need to evaluate interventions that can prevent the infection with SARS-CoV 2 of healthcare workers at risk. Melatonin is an inexpensive and safe product with protective effect in both bacterial and viral infections likely due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. This randomized controlled trial seeks to evaluate is efficacy as a prophylaxis in healthcare workers exposed to the virus in their clinical practice."

Efficacy of Melatonin in the Prophylaxis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Among Healthcare Workers. - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Like the Hydroxy one I posted, it doesn't look like it has started yet. I am wondering if these studies are for an anticipated second wave ?

 

[tresir2012]

... was going to rant more but prob not worth it...

No go ahead. Ranting on here is good for our health I think.

 

[Rocco]

Like most things, it has to come with a health warning and a long list of possible side effects. MOO.

I saw a commercial for some kind of medication last night. They listed all the warnings, one of which was 'do not take this medication if you're allergic to it'.
Good thing they mentioned that!! Who would have known?

 

[zecats]

That’s super hopeful. He’s got many of the factors that lead to risk of death and yet survived!!

Indeed. He's a pretty healthy person (except for all those factors - which are under control). Not overweight, eats well, exercises. One positive the ER did for him, which in my opinion saved him getting even sicker, was not to admit him. He went once for testing and was sent home after being checked out. Went back to the ER around Day 9 with breathing difficulties and again was checked out and sent home. Reason they gave, other than he was ok to recover at home, they didn't want to confine him in a room with other positive patients and expose him to "viral load."

He's completely recovered and back to work (counseling by phone or computer), taking care of the lawn, grocery shopping (he's the outside person now - lol) and exercising in the downstairs "gym" on his rowing/biking machine.

One tiny problem, they wouldn't test him again to see if negative, and when I tried to donate blood a week ago, I was not able to because he's not been "cleared." I've been living with and caring for him, so have def been exposed. Seems he never will be cleared at this point, and hoping we can both find a way to be tested for antibodies.

April was a rough month, but we were lucky. Grateful as can be, especially to NJ Hospital system and medical staff who made it easy and took good care of all of us.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Like the Hydroxy one I posted, it doesn't look like it has started yet. I am wondering if these studies are for an anticipated second wave ?

I don't know. I think researchers are throwing everything against the wall that might have even a remote chance of working and already has a good safety profile just to see what sticks.

 

[pocketaccent]

We're approved to open our restaurant here in San Diego, California, with a laundry list of conditions.
We're not ready, lots to do. I've ordered face shields for all employees, elegant paper plates and a litany of other items.
Definitely not opening on a Friday night on the verge of a 3 day holiday, LOL.
Maybe this Tuesday if Amazon gets me my supply orders.

That's great news! We wish you the very best for successful reopening, KALI and hope everything goes as smoothly as possible. Did you need to modify your menu since many ingredients are at a higher price?

 

[CharlestonGal]

"A deep dive into how the new coronavirus infects cells has found that it orchestrates a hostile takeover of their genes unlike any other known viruses do, producing what one leading scientist calls “unique” and “aberrant” changes.

Recent studies show that in seizing control of genes in the human cells it invades, the virus changes how segments of DNA are read, doing so in a way that might explain why the elderly are more likely to die of Covid-19 and why antiviral drugs might not only save sick patients’ lives but also prevent severe disease if taken before infection.

“It’s something I have never seen in my 20 years of” studying viruses, said virologist Benjamin tenOever of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, referring to how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, hijacks cells’ genomes."

More at link.

Coronavirus hijacks cells in unique ways that suggest how to treat it - STAT

 

[gitana1]

This U of T scientist says he’s invented a ‘cure’ for COVID-19. Will patients ever see it?
...

But when Sachdev Sidhu talks about what his team has accomplished in their lab at the University of Toronto’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, the words are entirely his own. And they stun.

A cure. For the coronavirus. For SARS-CoV-2. For the COVID-19 disease that has killed upwards of 320,000 people around the planet.

A knockout punch.

“Yes, I believe ‘cure’ is the proper word,’’ the molecular engineer says, almost blandly. “They would no longer be ill. They would no longer have the virus in their system. That’s a cure.’’

He’s done it. He’s certain.

...
More about the development of synthetic antibodies at the link above.

Wow. It’s a tiny bit scary though- synthetic antibodies? I’m not sure how that even works. Or what it could do.

 

[sallye818]

Someone, I think, was responding to me and said maybe take aspirin for symptoms and possible blood clot. I was instructed at the 1st test not to take aspirin or NSAIDS b/c of the abdominal pain, in case it is gastric-related, so can't do that either

And yes, rant on, @nhmemorymaker , it helps. I appreciate y'all listening to my rant today. I agree with @RunningWithScissors, I am in the "down" mode. I haven't really had much difficulty during this quarantine thing, but this last 3 wks has been rough.

 

[pocketaccent]

Deleted

 

[KALI]

All menus must be one use disposable. So, as I'll be printing them, I can make adjustments as needed. Then enter differences into restaurant computer.
We will open patio only for now.

That's great news! We wish you the very best for successful reopening, KALI and hope everything goes as smoothly as possible. Did you need to modify your menu since many ingredients are at a higher price?

 

[LadyL]

We have 3 older cats. I don't know what would happen to them. One son/family has 6 pets (including 2 cats). The other son's wife does not like cats. Just hope we outlive them.

other people might be willing if you put it out there
like friends, neighbours or other relatives

 

[gitana1]

"A deep dive into how the new coronavirus infects cells has found that it orchestrates a hostile takeover of their genes unlike any other known viruses do, producing what one leading scientist calls “unique” and “aberrant” changes.

Recent studies show that in seizing control of genes in the human cells it invades, the virus changes how segments of DNA are read, doing so in a way that might explain why the elderly are more likely to die of Covid-19 and why antiviral drugs might not only save sick patients’ lives but also prevent severe disease if taken before infection.

“It’s something I have never seen in my 20 years of” studying viruses, said virologist Benjamin tenOever of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, referring to how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, hijacks cells’ genomes."

More at link.

Coronavirus hijacks cells in unique ways that suggest how to treat it - STAT

Maybe that’s why PreP may be working. Is it an anti-viral?

 

[cody22]

Coronavirus: Over 1,000 California pastors agree to defy state's orders, reopen churches on May 31

California Virus News.....moo

 

[CharlestonGal]

**WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES”
Coronavirus in India: Shocking video of a hungry man eating a dead dog's carcass on the road sparks outrage

I have no words.

 

[TMAN2014]

OK, finally some GOOD news. Lots of places opening up, but not as many here, but in time, in time. Small businesses need their lives back, and we need them back!

 

[zecats]

Someone asked last week if any of us knew anyone who has COVID. I had a list then, but now I have to add my handsome, intelligent, hard-working 20 year old nephew to that list. The headache and the body aches have been pretty intense, and he’s normally a very healthy kid. He was working in Iowa. I said give Iowa a week or two and their people will pay for the lack of restrictions. And now it’s my nephew and every part of my brother’s family who have been exposed.

So sorry about your nephew. Hoping he does ok and has a short easy version of it. DH said the body aches and shaking were the worst for him. He said it hurt to touch the bed.

As for knowing people, my count is at 2. One of my colleagues ( I taught with) - his good friend died in late March (in Brooklyn). He worked for a television show.

And I recently discovered (just yesterday) that a high school classmate died from it. We had a class reunion last October so at least we all were able to hang out with him then. He did suffer from a ton of health issues which I'm sure contributed big time. Sad and sad.

 

[TMAN2014]

Atilis Gym, New Jersey Business That Defied Coronavirus Shutdown Orders, Closed by State Health Department

State of Jersey playing dirty? A shill maybe to mess up plumbing to shut place?

"Ian Smith, co-owner of the gym, called the closure a “dirty tactic” by the governor and said it was part of a “coordinated attack” on his establishment. "

 

[10ofRods]

Ha, beat me to it.

I seriously look at the CV mortality data and potential long term effects for children from all angles, and have no idea why we are talking about keeping children home from school. If someone can explain how this is more risky to children's health than the flu, please chime in. We rarely shut schools for the flu. For at-risk children, of course they should be essentially quarantined until there is a vaccine or we get close to herd immunity.

I think the real risk is that children spread the virus and bring it home. Which probably isn't the worst thing since children tend to have parents in the generally safe 25-50 age group. But if there is a strong second wave of the pandemic in the fall, schools would have to be shut, of course.

It's not more risky to children's health. However, since so many grandparents take care of kids after school it's probably almost half the kids at my granddaughters school), then...new childcare has to be developed and the kids have to give up their customary time with family every day. Other kids go to aunts' houses (but those aunties are not always young). Some parents are immune-compromised (just among the colleagues in my daughter, there are 2 families with an immune-compromised member and school age kids). SO, a lot of kids will be homeschooled, and the schools won't get the funding, etc.

A 50 year old parent is "generally safe" if they are not obese (but 40% of American 50 year olds are obese and/or diabetic or with some other condition impairing health). In the case of my colleague's wife, she's only 40, but immune compromised longterm.

My granddaughters both go to grandparents' houses after school and I'm not sure the parents could afford to work if they had to pay for after school care (especially with the proposed reduced schedule - it's about $1000 a month per child here for that many hours). So, I wouldn't be able to continue picking up granddaughter (mom and dad are both essential workers). I probably would still do it, but the looks I get from Daughter when I say that are pretty grim. I'd be gambling my ability to survive the illness.

Teachers 50 and over would have to be allowed to stay out on disability for any underlying condition (expensive). This comes at a time when schools are planning 3 separate teaching sessions a day, with some children going to school later in the afternoon, meaning that new childcare arrangements must be made. Most of the time, this will involve family and many family daycare centers are run by people 50 and over.

I think they'll add in Zoom contact for each of these shifts, so obviously, more teachers will be needed. At a time when we've already been told that budgets for teachers and afterschool carers will be reduced 10%.

At any rate, we'll see a huge increase in homeschooling, as it will be easier to just drop the kids off at grandma's house than to deal with finding someone to pick a small child up after a short school day. We'll see lots more latchkey kids in the groups aged 10-11 and older, probably even younger. Just like 20 years ago, when it was still very much a thing.

Since I will be teaching from home for the rest of my life, apparently, or until I retire, it makes sense for me to school my granddaughter. Daughter already knows that several other nurses are going to do the same thing, so they'll organize play groups and social time. I feel really badly about this, because Granddaughter absolutely loves school, so we're all thinking about what to do. My daughter isn't comfortable with Granddaughter going to the homes of nurses who work in CoVid units or the ER (and most of her friends do exactly that).

If the schools can find a way of keeping the kids until 6 pm, so that parents can pick them up, that would help - but that's not the current reality and I doubt it can be organized by August. Schools are going to have their hands full sanitizing everything daily and separating the littles into smaller groups for instruction. Look for non-essential personnel at school to be cut. Last time there were severe budget issues in California, school buses changed routes. In fact, that's happened several times. Kids have to walk further to get to a nearby bus stop and kids within 2 miles of schools stopped receiving rides. School office staff is the next to go.

Pay freezes and pay cuts are already under discussion.

As for me, I've got my own ideas about how to boost immunity, but realistically, if I do pick Granddaughter up at school, I am likely to get CV-19 at some point next year. With less than 1% of the city where I live testing positive right now, there's sure to be a second wave (California in general tests 3% CV+, which is probably about the same as most states except some on the East Coast).

 

[gitana1]

What's the point of the kids masks? Very few under 18 are dying in fact very few under 45 are dying but the evidence is that kids are not spreading it like it was initially thought. We know why surgeons and dentists wear them - to protect the patient, so why would school kids need them?

I think the whole issue is to prevent spread. Kids are great sort of “vectors” for disease. It’s not so much that they’re at great risk of serious illness but that they go home and spread to parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbor kids, the mailman, people at church, and on and on.

For example, in a recent church outbreak case it appears that a lot of spread occurred during a three day children’s event during which kids played a game grabbing some item out of adults’ hands and then on another day singing. They were in close proximity with each other in rooms during these events.