Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #58

[Cool Cats]

Cadets graduate in scaled-down ceremony after trying semester at Air Force Academy

Spaced to follow the norms of social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak, cadets are sworn in as officers during the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (David Zalubowski/AP)

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

What will happen when schools go back in August?

Coronavirus: What will happens when Scottish schools go back in August?

Pupils will return to Scotland's schools from 11 August - but the Scottish government has stressed that classrooms will look very different from before the lockdown.

There will be smaller class sizes, physical distancing measures and a "blended" approach which means youngsters will be learning both in school and at home.

When will pupils go back to school?
The start of the new term has been set for 11 August - more than a week earlier than the summer holidays are due to end in some parts of Scotland.

The precise date that pupils will return to classrooms will be confirmed by individual councils, and it could be that some will treat 11 August as an in-service day for teachers.

Teachers and other education staff are due to return in June so they can prepare and plan for the new ways of working.

The existing hubs which were set up for vulnerable youngsters and the children of key workers are continuing to provide childcare, and will do so over the summer.

Local authorities will be able to bring some children back to school in June if it is deemed safe to do so, with a particular focus on those going into P1 and S1.

How will things be different in August?

The government admits it will not be possible to have a "one size fits all" approach across the country - or even within some council areas.

Its strategic framework for reopening schools says that class sizes will be significantly reduced, with most pupils spending around half their time in school and half learning at home.

Arrival and departure times will be staggered, as will break times. One suggestion is that teachers, rather than pupils, might move around classes.

Some children could attend school in the morning while others will go after lunch, or different groups of children could attend on alternate days or even alternate weeks.

It is proposed to introduce physical distancing measures, such as making sure seats are two metres apart.

There will also be increased hand-washing or use of hand sanitisers, and enhanced cleaning.

Libraries, community halls, leisure centres, conference venues and vacant business accommodation could be used to provide additional space for teaching.

It is also possible that some former teachers could return to the classroom or help provide virtual teaching to support in-home learning.

What is blended learning?

The framework says the new system relies on there being consistent, easy-to-use materials for learning at home which would "support and complement, but not replicate, in-school learning".

It says there will be a strong focus on pupil health and wellbeing, literacy and numeracy, and that not all home learning will be IT-based.

However, there will be a specific focus on providing digital access for pupils who do not currently have it, particularly those in the senior phase of schools.

On Thursday, Education Secretary John Swinney said an initial tranche of 25,000 laptops with a free internet connection would be provided to pupils who need them.

New national digital learning resources will be provided by Education Scotland.

How will the places in schools be distributed?

The framework says decisions will need to be taken about how the finite number of places available for in-school learning each day will be distributed.

It says that providing education and childcare for the children of key workers should be a priority if they have no other way of continuing to work delivering an essential service.

The remaining places in schools should be distributed across all year groups.

Councils and schools will be able to decide on the best system for them, such as choosing between pupils attending for part of a week, or doing one week on and one week off.

They will also be able to prioritise support for groups who have the greatest need, such as those with additional support needs or pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

[tresir2012]

I keep deleting FB friends who are conspiracy theorists. There seems to be a lot of mentally ill people who don't believe covid exists or they think Bill Gates manufactured it.



those deaths of 44 and under will increase when students go back and workers return

I don't think they will because that is the age group that have still been out working thru the lockdown. My hope and opinion anyway.

 

[tresir2012]

Universal Orlando Issues "Inherent Risk" Health Warning for Upcoming Reopening

Along with confirming the destination's official reopen date, Universal issued a warning to would-be guests.

"Note that any public location where people are present provides an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your visit," the theme park's website reads.

A Covid disclaimer. I guess this will become standard. MOO.

 

[tresir2012]

But why is going back to work the answer? In the group of people I know, it's the opposite. The issues are coming from fear of going back to work.

My own view is that people should go to churches, restaurants, etc if they wish - but the rest of us would like a way of contact tracing. And until that exists, a lot of us aren't going into those restaurants.

I didn't work to get this old, to enjoy semi-retirement and then experience CoVid merely to eat out. Our food at home is pret' darned good. And once CoVid happened, restaurant delivery and pick-up have both been nightmares, so I'm done with that (as are all the people I know - even young ones).

No one can afford restaurants, anyway. Our grocery bill is higher, that ate up the gas money surplus. We can't travel anywhere (which is the only way we'd eat out at this point).

Interestingly, people over 50 have a lot of disposal income. Younger people do drive-through - I'm sure that will thrive.

Anyway, among my colleagues, friends and students, the kind of work required leads to a fear of going back (no one wants to infect a vulnerable person, just for starters).

I hope you're not advising WSers to call the hotline just to inquire about suicides. Only call if you're feeling suicidal.

I don't think going back to work is the answer but going back to society possibly is, which includes work as a large part of that for many people. People are feeling isolated and worried so the helplines are there for everyone.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

I don't think going back to work is the answer but going back to society possibly is, which includes work as a large part of that for many people. People are feeling isolated and worried so the helplines are there for everyone.

I agree, if someone feels they need to call a helpline for any reason they should do so IMO. Better to reach out than end up in a bad situation.

I was just reading this article.

Coronavirus crisis brings epidemic of loneliness into sharp focus

“It does worry me how people will cope with this in the weeks and months ahead, so please do not hesitate to phone. Don’t think you are wasting anyone’s time. You are categorically not.”

 

[tresir2012]

Arrg. The angst.
Restaurant customers are beating down our doors and ringing our phone off the hook.
We are in the hospitality business. We're now to tell them to go away, then police them.
I get it, and them. San Diego has had very few cases and deaths.
I'm home and my wonderful husband and staff is dealing with all of this. I cannot.
I would be frantic.
I don't know how to turn people away, and or police them.
This is such a screw up by our stupid leaders.
They gave us ZERO warning that they were going to open San Diego. ZERO.
Even one day notice we could scramble to ready.
We went from not until July 4th (California Governor) to, RIGHT NOW.
I will never again vote for any politician that is not business savvy. Idiots.

It is stupid isn't it? It is the same in UK. Let the public out all over the country then wonder why the litter bins are overflowing. They forget the majority are on a paid holiday until October.

 

[tresir2012]

I predicted 96,000 deaths in the US by 5-23. That's tomorrow.

For whatever reason, many of the reporting sites have no data for today but yesterday was 97,456 (approximate). So I was just a touch optimistic.

But I do think, that unless new data show something different, we're going to be stuck at about 1000-1500 deaths a day for a while. Could go higher, unlikely to go below 900 for at least another month - probably longer.

When did you predict that 96,000 ? That does look like it may be close. It all depends if the summer reduces the virus naturally at all I think.

ETA already passed that figure, now at 97,655 :-(
according to worldometers.

Sadly, it looks like it will hit 100k before the end of the month.

 

[tresir2012]

Because it is not relative to the discussion.

Perhaps it should be though, in the future IMO.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: Brazil becomes second worst-hit country - but its regions could ease lockdown

Brazil has confirmed more than 330,890 cases of COVID-19, overtaking Russia to become the country with the second-highest number of infections in the world.

Behind only the US, which has more than 1.6 million cases, Brazil reported a total number 21,048 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, making it the hardest-hit nation in Latin America.

The milestone was reached as states and cities across Brazil debated whether to loosen restrictive measures or implement stricter lockdowns.

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro said he wanted to gradually reopen non-essential shops in the next few days.

In Sao Paulo, the worst-hit city, footage showed rows of graves at the Formosa Cemetery as it struggled to keep up with demand as officials reconsidered its previously announced plans to reopen commerce.

 

[tresir2012]

more likely to be struck by lightning than die of corona if under 50 without preexisting conditions.

I was interested in your claim and you are right. And age doesn't make a difference. You are more likely to be hit by lightning than die of coronavirus.

1 in 700,000

The odds of becoming a lightning victim in the U.S. in any one year is 1 in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000. Lightning can kill people (3,696 deaths were recorded in the U.S. between 1959 and 2003) or cause cardiac arrest.24 Jun 2005

Link below.

Flash Facts About Lightning

Deaths per million of CV in US are in the hundreds. Currently at 295 per million. Link below

Coronavirus Update (Live): 5,326,230 Cases and 340,383 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

 

[dmac55]

"The Arizona Department of Health Services has suppressed the number of coronavirus cases on tribal land in its daily updates that detail coronavirus infection rates in local areas statewide. "
"But the Navajo Nation has begun publishing the number of cases stemming from each of its health service areas."

New map gives detailed picture of coronavirus outbreak on Navajo Nation
Coronavirus pandemic: Map details COVID-19 outbreak on Navajo Nation

 

[tresir2012]

Brits sneak back to the pub as landlords serve takeaway pints to thirsty punters in lockdown loophole


"Beer we go"

Read our coronavirus live blogfor the latest news & updates

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Brits took to social media to post pics of their portable pintsCredit: Facebook






13
People were playing it safe at The Althorp in Wandsworth Common, LondonCredit: w8media

13
The sun and the booze put smiles back on facesCredit: w8media

13
Queues were seen outside one bar in Bournemouth selling takeaway boozeCredit: w8media
"The move, and sizzling temperatures, led to thousands of Brits doing what they love most - enjoying a cheeky drink with their mates.

Pictures posted on social media show people downing their first drinks from their locals since 47,000 pubs and bars were closed on March 20.

Other pictures featured couples sharing drinks in the sunshine and drinkers supping from plastic pub glasses in back gardens.

And queues were seen forming outside one bar in Bournemouth selling takeaway booze."

 

[jjenny]

I don't know anybody who was struck by lighting. I know several people who had covid infections.

 

[Cool Cats]

Protect Yourself from Pandemic Scammers | Federal Bureau of Investigation

IRS issues warning about Coronavirus-related scams; watch out for schemes tied to economic impact payments | Internal Revenue Service

Q: What are some of the most common fraud schemes you’re seeing?

A:
Government Impersonators
Fraudulent Cures or Medical Equipment
Work-from-Home Fraud
Investment Fraud

 

[Bravo]

That's a relief. Oh wait, I turn 54 tomorrow. Cancel that.

What are the odds of getting struck by lightning if you are staying quarantined indoors because of the virus?

Happy Birthday. I hope you can celebrate.

 

[tresir2012]

I was shocked to learn that, per the CDC today, there have been approximately 3500 covid deaths (counting the CDC way) out of of 39.5 million people in California. The odds of anyone dying of this in California are infinitesimal.

So that's just less than 100 per million (1 in 10,000) compared to the current national rate of 295 per million. Someone check my maths though please.

 

[tresir2012]

Trying to figure out what was the point of the quarantine if we just going to open everything up. We are going to end right back where we started. The numbers are going to take off.

The point was to slow the spread so that ICU could cope. That was the only reason AFAIK.

 

[tresir2012]

From the actual study, the drug increases death rates. More people died in a group that was given the drug. Anecdotal stories from people who think this drug helped them don't mean anything. People can attribute their recovery to whatever, but numbers don't lie. More seriously ill patients died with the drug than without. It also caused a huge increase in arrhytmias.

Yes but as they were all seriously ill and were probably going to die anyway, it would depend on what their underlying conditions were too IMO and the "study" (experiment?) did not reveal those conditions. Eg if they gave it to patients with an underlying heart condition that would have been fatal IMO. 25% of UK deaths had heart disease IIRC.

 

[tresir2012]

South America 'a new epicentre' of COVID-19: WHO

South America 'a new epicentre' of COVID-19: WHO

AFP
6 hrs ago
...
South America has become "a new epicentre" of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization said Friday, following a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections.
"In a sense, South America has become a new epicentre for the disease. We have seen many South American countries with increasing numbers of cases," WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan told a virtual news conference.

"Clearly there is a concern across many of those countries, but clearly the most affected is Brazil at this point."

The novel coronavirus death toll in Brazil surpassed 20,000 on Thursday, after a record number of fatalities in a 24-hour period, the health ministry said.
...
With its curve of infections and deaths rising sharply, the country of 210 million ranks third in the world in terms of total cases, behind the United States and Russia.

The death toll -- the sixth highest in the world -- has doubled in just 11 days, according to ministry data.

It's worrying. They are going into winter now. I hope the ROW can assist them as much as possible.