Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #59

[weepingangel]

A few things -Central Massachusetts
98 year old survivor

At some point during the past two months, officials at the daily COVID-19 briefing started honoring a “hero of the day.”
Usually highlighting a more behind-the-scenes city or hospital employee or a community partner, the shout-out can offer light moments to soften the blow of more grim news as the city grinds through a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Dr. Michael P. Hirsh Thursday chose Patricia “Bunny” Perron, a 98-year-old COVID-19 survivor who recently got the full treatment as she was wheeled out of St. Vincent Hospital after successfully battling the virus.

Our numbers still aren’t looking as good as the rest of the state.

Hirsh cited Perron’s resiliency in coming out the other side of a COVID-19 diagnosis at her age. But Hirsh also cautioned that the city as a whole is not finished fighting the disease, and uneven numbers continue to show that in Worcester, more so than in Boston and the western part of the state, the virus has demonstrated its own resiliency.
Hirsh said a Thursday meeting reviewing testing with the state indicated that the city still hangs around the 23% mark in COVID-19 positive test results, now that around 21,000 people have been tested in the city. He has said in past briefings that number should be closer to 10% before a community considers significant lifting of restrictions.

He said the virus has shown that locally, for some reason, there remains a lot of community spread.

Community spread of virus in Worcester remains high

and fixing numbers due to data discrepancies
Worcester announces 656 coronavirus cases not previously reported because of data discrepancies

 

[jjenny]

And where is TS Cristobal coming in?

Right now its projected to go to Louisiana.

 

[mickey2942]

Right now its projected to go to Louisiana.

Great. Just like HK. 2005.

 

[jjenny]

Great. Just like HK. 2005.

I don't think it's going to be anywhere near that strong.

 

[weepingangel]

At work, there has apparently been at least a few cases of employees spreading to each other during lunches/breaks. Despite numerous reminders to distance especially when eating /no masks. I don’t doubt this can/has happened but idk
Why they’re so confident about it to mention it specifically to us. Maybe there’s some tracing going on. But I doubt it. *shrug*

My money is still on what I now call the Hallway of Horror as a contributing source of spread. (Rumor has it they’ll give us a second exit next week)

Visitor rules are being relaxed a bit and I have to say having more people wandering around gives me the willies a bit.

 

[anneg]

And where is TS Cristobal coming in?

There's a hurricane season thread with some discussion about Cristobal:
2020 Hurricane Season Starting Early, "High Activity" Expected This Year

 

[MimosaMornings]

There's a hurricane season thread with some discussion about Cristobal:
2020 Hurricane Season Starting Early, "High Activity" Expected This Year

Thank you!

 

[KALI]

Sunshine?

HOPEFULLY, this trend will continue...

No new coronavirus cases reported in Lake of the Ozarks partiers, health official says

No new coronavirus cases reported in Lake of the Ozarks partiers, health official says


There have been no new cases of the novel coronavirus among the hundreds who flouted social distancing guidelines and attended pool parties at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend, a state health official said this week.

ideos and photos that showed hundreds of partygoers prompted health officials in the state to express concerns that the large gatherings would lead to a surge in cases of COVID-19. Those who attended were urged to self-quarantine and get tested, while officials in St. Louis County — Lake of the Ozarks is a popular getaway for people who live in St. Louis — later issued a travel advisory.

 

[KALI]

Politicians make me want to throw up.
Every move they make, every breath they take, (is about money and power).
Moo

How can they be serious with these 'phase 2 reopening' rules, after condoning and supporting thousands of protesters chanting and screaming and marching shoulder to shoulder for hours at a time.

 

[Sundog]

Coronavirus wipes, masks a nightmare for storm drains, sewers

 

[KALI]

Can we believe anyone or anything?
Oh. I am sooooo becoming a very jaundiced, questioning, suspicious, pissed off person.
How can one figure out what is really going on, when we have continuous announcements that differ.
I think this is a grand conspiracy to drive us all crazy.
Kidding.
What this is....is Reprehensible reporting from "journalists" that don't do their job, spreading rumors on social media.
Damn them.
Their "non investigative reporting" is causing serious damage to the people here in the USA.
One more.
Damn the idiots who only read headlines.
Moo.

Controversial COVID-19 papers retracted from the Lancet, New England Medical Journal amid backlash

Controversial COVID-19 papers retracted from the Lancet, New England Medical Journal amid backlash


The influential New England Medical Journal and the Lancet have retracted controversial papers on COVID-19 treatments amid backlash.

A database by the Chicago company Surgisphere Corp. was used in an observational study of nearly 100,000 patients published on May 22 in the Lancet that tied the malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to a higher risk of death in hospitalized patients with the virus.

The validity of the data, however, has been called into question. The Guardian reportedthat Surgisphere “has so far failed to adequately explain its data or methodology” and says that the company’s “handful of employees appear to include a science fiction writer and an adult-content model.”


CONTROVERSIAL HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RESEARCH UNDER SCRUTINY AS EXPERTS RAISE 'SERIOUS SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS'


Today, three of the authors have retracted "Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with or without a macrolide for treatment of COVID-19: a multinational registry analysis" Read the Retraction notice and statement from The Lancet https://hubs.ly/H0r7gh50

“They were unable to complete an independent audit of the data underpinning their analysis,” said the Lancet, in a statement. “As a result, they have concluded that they ‘can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources.’ The Lancet takes issues of scientific integrity extremely seriously, and there are many outstanding questions about Surgisphere and the data that were allegedly included in this study.”

Although it wasn’t a rigorous experiment that could give definitive answers, the Lancet study had wide influence because of its size. The World Health Organization said it would temporarily stop a study of hydroxychloroquine and France stopped allowing its use in hospitals.

The WHO announced the “temporary pause” on May 25, but confirmed this week that the hydroxychloroquine trial will restart.

 

[Sundog]

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces zoos, museums, movie theaters, some other tourist attractions and entertainment venues can open June 10

 

[24Roses]

Late Iowa news today: Polk County Health Dept. says COVID-19 cases have spiked since reopening businesses IMO-this is exactly what I thought was going to happen.

 

[mickey2942]

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces zoos, museums, movie theaters, some other tourist attractions and entertainment venues can open June 10

Of course, open everything. Meanwhile, people like me go to the store once a month, hunker at work with a mask, and hand sanitizer. I cut my own hair, doing my own nails.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to go to a movie theater, getting on a plane, going on a cruise, or staying in a hotel room for the next year. But, I guess that they do. Insanity.

 

[KALI]

Thank you. I agree. PS. Apparently my communication to you a few days ago was stopped. Just so you know.

It seemed to me that about 80% of the marchers had masks. Not necessarily because of the virus but it is a positive thing.

At the very least, these nationwide marches may have a big impact upon the herd immunity percentage, even if we see a surge in new cases. Luckily, the majority of participants seemed to be younger and healthier than the overall population.

 

[rebel123]

I'd been following the story from mid December last year.

The first bit of news that caught my eye, was that it was a 'Mystery Virus', then there was holidaymakers stranded on ships, then the story changing in Wuhan i.e. the number of deaths, they've got it under control, then the lockdown, by the way the story kept on changing, clearly it wasn't under control, China were 'saving face', when Russia and China 'save face', there are serious consequences for others.

I have MAS, like 3 auto immune conditions. I was due to have treatment on one of the conditions in January. Basically they kill most of your white cells. So to an already weakened immune system they wanted to leave me very vulnerable to infection.

On the 23rd January I had an appointment with the consultant, I was going to ask him about the mystery virus in China, but we'd already reached the point when he told me he'd been a consultant for 20 years, etc so I shied away from asking him. The write up letter states I was concerned about infections.

I backed away from doing other stuff that I thought of doing and which was doable. A lot of regrets on that.

 

[Tadpole12]

KALI

What's going on wrt your restaurant.
Are you able to just break even?
with the reduced customer numbers.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Taoiseach announces 'accelerated' roadmap: Here's how Ireland now plans to reopen by 20 July

(Ireland)

THE TAOISEACH HAS confirmed the next phase of the lifting of coronavirus restrictions – Phase Two – can go ahead as planned from Monday.

The easing of restrictions will accelerate from the previous roadmap, with Leo Varadkar calling next week’s stage “Phase Two Plus”.

People can travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their home, whichever is further, from Monday. It is planned to remove these domestic travel restrictions completely on 29 June.

All retail shops can reopen from Monday, once safety measures are in place, and groups of up to 15 people can meet outdoors for “sporting, cultural or social activities” when social distancing is maintained.

Up to 25 immediate family and close friends may attend funeral services from next week.

Full details of the plan can be read here.

Varadkar also confirmed that there will now be four phases of easing restrictions, rather than five.

Phase Three will begin on 29 June and Phase Four will start on 20 July.

Speaking at Government Buildings today, Varadkar said acceleration of the roadmap “has been made possible because of the considerable sacrifices that you have made to restrict the spread of the virus and protect others”.

“During this emergency we have suffered as a country, lost loved ones, and changed the way that we work and live.

“Over the last few months, fear has exerted a kind of gravity pulling us down, but now we feel hope is pulling us up again. We are making progress. We are heading in the right direction. And we have earned the right to be hopeful about the future again,” he stated.

What you need to know about Phase Two:

• You may travel within your own county, and up to 20km from your home if crossing county boundaries.
• You may meet up to six people from outside your household both indoors and outdoors for social gatherings. Organised outdoor exercise, sporting, cultural or social activities of up to 15 people may take place.
• All retail stores can reopen, but opening times and modes of operation may vary.
• People should continue to work from home if possible.
• Walk or cycle if you can. Only use public transport if you absolutely need to. Public transport capacity is limited because of social distancing requirements.

If you are over 70 or medically vulnerable, the advice is to:

• Stay home as much as possible.
• You may welcome small numbers of people to your home, but maintain social distancing.
• For shopping, please use the times specially allotted by retailers.
• If you are visiting someone who is over 70 or medically vulnerable, please be extra-vigilant.

More details at link

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Malaria drug 'does not save lives' from coronavirus

Breaking news in the UK

 

[Tadpole12]

Taoiseach announces 'accelerated' roadmap: Here's how Ireland now plans to reopen by 20 July

(Ireland)

THE TAOISEACH HAS confirmed the next phase of the lifting of coronavirus restrictions – Phase Two – can go ahead as planned from Monday.

The easing of restrictions will accelerate from the previous roadmap, with Leo Varadkar calling next week’s stage “Phase Two Plus”.

People can travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their home, whichever is further, from Monday. It is planned to remove these domestic travel restrictions completely on 29 June.

All retail shops can reopen from Monday, once safety measures are in place, and groups of up to 15 people can meet outdoors for “sporting, cultural or social activities” when social distancing is maintained.

Up to 25 immediate family and close friends may attend funeral services from next week.

Full details of the plan can be read here.

Varadkar also confirmed that there will now be four phases of easing restrictions, rather than five.

Phase Three will begin on 29 June and Phase Four will start on 20 July.

Speaking at Government Buildings today, Varadkar said acceleration of the roadmap “has been made possible because of the considerable sacrifices that you have made to restrict the spread of the virus and protect others”.

“During this emergency we have suffered as a country, lost loved ones, and changed the way that we work and live.

“Over the last few months, fear has exerted a kind of gravity pulling us down, but now we feel hope is pulling us up again. We are making progress. We are heading in the right direction. And we have earned the right to be hopeful about the future again,” he stated.

What you need to know about Phase Two:

• You may travel within your own county, and up to 20km from your home if crossing county boundaries.
• You may meet up to six people from outside your household both indoors and outdoors for social gatherings. Organised outdoor exercise, sporting, cultural or social activities of up to 15 people may take place.
• All retail stores can reopen, but opening times and modes of operation may vary.
• People should continue to work from home if possible.
• Walk or cycle if you can. Only use public transport if you absolutely need to. Public transport capacity is limited because of social distancing requirements.

If you are over 70 or medically vulnerable, the advice is to:

• Stay home as much as possible.
• You may welcome small numbers of people to your home, but maintain social distancing.
• For shopping, please use the times specially allotted by retailers.
• If you are visiting someone who is over 70 or medically vulnerable, please be extra-vigilant.

More details at link

Easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 8 June (Phase 2)

"Transport: Walk or cycle if you can. Only use public transport if you absolutely need to. Public transport capacity is limited because of social distancing requirements"

"Use public transport only for essential journeys"

"Avoid peak-time travel."

Gonna be difficult to negotiate.