Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #59

[tmar]

Almost 600 US healthcare workers have died of COVID-19 and the majority of them are people of colour


Almost 600 US healthcare workers have died of COVID-19 and the majority of them are people of colour

Sophia Ankel
9 hrs ago...

• Almost 600 US healthcare workers died of COVID-19 during the pandemic, according to a new database published by the Guardian and Kaiser Health News.
• According to the project, called "Lost on the Frontline," people of colour make up the majority of COVID-19 deaths among healthcare workers.
• The project is a comprehensive count of COVID-19 deaths in the industry, tracking factors including race and ethnicity, locations, age, and whether the workers had access to personal protective equipment.
• The full, updated database is set to be fully released in the summer to offer insight into the workings - and failures - of the US healthcare system during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

[jjenny]

I wish someone could explain to me how this works. How is it that the inhale is filtered while the exhale isn’t? I have a reusable mask like this, but I still don’t understand the how.

"Some masks and respirators have a little plastic piece embedded in the fabric. It’s a one-way valve. That means it closes when you breathe in, so pathogens can’t get in through it. But when you breathe out, this valve opens, creating a doorway for your exhalation to leave the mask."
What is a mask valve, and why are cities banning them?

 

[jjenny]

I wish someone could explain to me how this works. How is it that the inhale is filtered while the exhale isn’t? I have a reusable mask like this, but I still don’t understand the how.

"Some masks and respirators have a little plastic piece embedded in the fabric. It’s a one-way valve. That means it closes when you breathe in, so pathogens can’t get in through it. But when you breathe out, this valve opens, creating a doorway for your exhalation to leave the mask."
What is a mask valve, and why are cities banning them?

 

[jjenny]

Valves make masks a lot more comfortable for you. You are able to exhale freely. So it's a lot easier to breathe in them. But they are not good in protecting others from you if you have covid. I have 2 of those that I wear. If I go in public I put a neck gaiter over them. But I don't have to put anything over them, because my area doesn't require masks at all.

 

[10ofRods]

I don't see any labels on those that would suggest they are legit KN95s. One of the images shows some labeling which is too small for me to read, but the others show masks without any labels. I am sure they are still usable, but I don't think they are legit (with proper approvals). Another clue is that seller is not even calling these masks KN95.

That's why I said "claims." I really think you need a brand new mask. However, that doesn't mean that some masks do not filter out 95% of microparticles (I posted the graph regarding some actual research on this - there was one brand that did better than 3M, but it wasn't actually mentioned except as Brand 1 N95).

Of course, considering the lawsuits, it's clear that many that are labeled N95 and even purchases by governmental agencies do not, as advertised, fulfill the requirement. So, we never know.

However, I'm okay with a 3 layer cloth mask (75% effectiveness) plus the filter (95% effectiveness but not as large as a mask) for what I do (runs to the pharmacy, doctor, veterinarian, etc).

N95 respirator masks are still in fairly short supply in California and even nurses I know won't wear them in public, or even try to get their hands on them if they aren't working in an ER or infectious disease units - it's just considered really bad form. I do have one, but I would definitely cover it with the gaiter if I went out, because people are getting all agro about masks/who has what masks etc.

 

[10ofRods]

Here's one place that claims independent testing for N95's:

Max Protection: 95%+ Filtration

I would trust independently tested masks more than imported masks claiming to be N95 and not tested here. They aren't cheap.

 

[beatrixpotter]

Race, class and CoVid - notes and thoughts from a researcher.

Good article on how CoVid attacks epithelial cells and why some patients die well after the respiratory symptoms are gone. It also suggests treatments at the end for the vulnerable, including statins.

US Billionaires gain 19% more after Corona lockdown

At least 586 healthcare workers have died fighting CoVid.

The real number of healthcare worker deaths is thought to be slightly over 600, in other sources.

The majority of Canadians want to keep border closed with the US. (Editorial comment: Canadians are a sensible people).

UK Coronavirus deaths pass 40,000, double that once considered "a good outcome." This number may not include nursing home deaths, is my understanding. I'm sure someone else knows. Rate-wise, this is 600 deaths per million of UK population (US has 330 per million, Belgium has 800 and is the highest rate in the world).

US still has 20,000 new cases per day and remains at a rolling average of about 1000 deaths per day, 30,000 per month. Arizona spike in numbers is in some of the hottest parts of the state (109°F in some places). Of course, this probably means that people are staying indoors with lots of A/C and even if just in essential jobs, it's significant. I don't know if Arizona has had large protests. Hospitals nearing 100% capacity in Arizona. That was yesterday. The length of hospital stay per CoVid patient is very long, compared to almost any other common condition or illness, so let's hope that AZ gets help. The very hot weather makes tent hospitals impossible.

Black Lives Matter affiliate spent thousands of dollars on masks for peaceful protesters, only to have them confiscated by federal authorities. No word if there was a judicial process for that. I cannot imagine what code or law allows for this kind of thing.

Almost 40% of Americans have gargled with bleach or otherwise used bleach in a dangerous manner (washing food). Pure bleach on food is not a good practice, anywhere. In theory, if the food is going to be cooked, the bleach should evaporate, but seriously, be careful with bleach (and ammonia based) products.

Fox News still staying out of their offices amid Corona fears. Why not? Keep people safe. If it's working from a distance, keep it at a distance.

Good news: US CoVid tests passed the half million daily mark yesterday.

LOL 40% seemed insane so I checked the article and only 4% are complete morons who have gargled diluted bleach. Not 40%!!!

 

[ilovewings]

i am so disappointed in my fellow humans--
most everywhere we stopped between Florida
And Michigan people were not wearing masks
And that includes employees at gas stations and
Fast food places. I had my mask on most of
The time----a few times, for whatever reason,
I didn't have it on, Twice when I was in the ladies
Room, some body sneezed---on one of those occasions
My mask was on, but on the other occasion, it was not. You
Think you have planned what you willl to do to
Avoid exposure, but things dont always go as planned.
There are lots of people out there who just dont care
About anybody but themselves and in this pandemic
They are dangerous.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Race, class and CoVid - notes and thoughts from a researcher.

Good article on how CoVid attacks epithelial cells and why some patients die well after the respiratory symptoms are gone. It also suggests treatments at the end for the vulnerable, including statins.

US Billionaires gain 19% more after Corona lockdown

At least 586 healthcare workers have died fighting CoVid.

The real number of healthcare worker deaths is thought to be slightly over 600, in other sources.

The majority of Canadians want to keep border closed with the US. (Editorial comment: Canadians are a sensible people).

UK Coronavirus deaths pass 40,000, double that once considered "a good outcome." This number may not include nursing home deaths, is my understanding. I'm sure someone else knows. Rate-wise, this is 600 deaths per million of UK population (US has 330 per million, Belgium has 800 and is the highest rate in the world).

US still has 20,000 new cases per day and remains at a rolling average of about 1000 deaths per day, 30,000 per month. Arizona spike in numbers is in some of the hottest parts of the state (109°F in some places). Of course, this probably means that people are staying indoors with lots of A/C and even if just in essential jobs, it's significant. I don't know if Arizona has had large protests. Hospitals nearing 100% capacity in Arizona. That was yesterday. The length of hospital stay per CoVid patient is very long, compared to almost any other common condition or illness, so let's hope that AZ gets help. The very hot weather makes tent hospitals impossible.

Black Lives Matter affiliate spent thousands of dollars on masks for peaceful protesters, only to have them confiscated by federal authorities. No word if there was a judicial process for that. I cannot imagine what code or law allows for this kind of thing.

Almost 40% of Americans have gargled with bleach or otherwise used bleach in a dangerous manner (washing food). Pure bleach on food is not a good practice, anywhere. In theory, if the food is going to be cooked, the bleach should evaporate, but seriously, be careful with bleach (and ammonia based) products.

Fox News still staying out of their offices amid Corona fears. Why not? Keep people safe. If it's working from a distance, keep it at a distance.

Good news: US CoVid tests passed the half million daily mark yesterday.

I don’t like the idea of masks being confiscated.

 

[jjenny]

That's why I said "claims." I really think you need a brand new mask. However, that doesn't mean that some masks do not filter out 95% of microparticles (I posted the graph regarding some actual research on this - there was one brand that did better than 3M, but it wasn't actually mentioned except as Brand 1 N95).

Of course, considering the lawsuits, it's clear that many that are labeled N95 and even purchases by governmental agencies do not, as advertised, fulfill the requirement. So, we never know.

However, I'm okay with a 3 layer cloth mask (75% effectiveness) plus the filter (95% effectiveness but not as large as a mask) for what I do (runs to the pharmacy, doctor, veterinarian, etc).

N95 respirator masks are still in fairly short supply in California and even nurses I know won't wear them in public, or even try to get their hands on them if they aren't working in an ER or infectious disease units - it's just considered really bad form. I do have one, but I would definitely cover it with the gaiter if I went out, because people are getting all agro about masks/who has what masks etc.

California is very different from many other states. Nurses aren't supposed to be wearing valved masks anyway. There is a specific type of N95 mask nurses should be wearing (and it's a medical kind) without a valve.

 

[jjenny]

I don’t like the idea of masks being confiscated.

I don't even understand why it was done.

 

[10ofRods]

LOL 40% seemed insane so I checked the article and only 4% are complete morons who have gargled diluted bleach. Not 40%!!!

Yeah - the headline said 40%, which is why I added "or otherwise." They're including using all kinds of toxic products on one's person or food.

4% is still...1 in 25. Which would mean that most of us know someone in that category...which is why I posted. It's important to mention such things in a manner that allows people to realize what a bad idea it is,

Using bleach on food can be okay, but really, safe food handling practices strongly discourage it. Most of the respondents had merely sprayed their bodies with bleach or with lysol (neither of these is medically recommended).

Now that the CDC has our attention, they also want us to know that using bleach around hot water can cause lung damage.

So do not handwash dishes with it or take a shower with it. There are definitely problems with it - one of which is to irritate the respiratory system - the opposite of what we want in CoVid.

Why British and Irish Hospitals Dumped Bleach

Spraying the body with bleach is a pretty bad idea, in short.

 

[MsMarple]

Some disconcerting news - for me anyway. My daughter informed me that Tulane University is planning on starting classes for the Fall Semester and will run straight through until Thanksgiving break when the students will finish out the semester online.

I checked and that indeed seems to be the plan:
University Operations | Tulane University

My granddaughter started her first year at Tulane this year. Not only am I sad for her that her college life got disrupted so soon I'm now also worried about her being physically present on campus this fall. I'm sure the school will be diligent about keeping common areas clean but I can't see it being easy to maintain social distancing.

 

[mickey2942]

They are running a COVID19 testing program in my city this week. I guess that they are testing for asymptomatic carriers. I didn't see that they are testing for antibodies. No one with active symptoms is supposed to go to the testing site.

It is free. I don't really see the point of this? Just to randomly test anyone?

 

[10ofRods]

California is very different from many other states. Nurses aren't supposed to be wearing valved masks anyway. There is a specific type of N95 mask nurses should be wearing (and it's a medical kind) without a valve.

Of course - and I have both kinds. But nurses were forced to wear whatever they had available from mid-March to mid-April and the stigma is still attached. Further, now that it's so publicly known that you're only protecting yourself, not others, people glare. Not so much where I go (veterinarian, pharmacy) but others have been sneered at, at the beaches.

Right now, in non-hospital contexts, nurses tell me they are wearing surgical masks, which don't protect them much, they protect others - and they are leaving the N95s for those hospital based personnel who need them. At care homes in my are, workers are wearing surgical masks (and many of my students work in those homes - they have only surgical masks, which helps explain why the transmission among homes was so possible - they weren't wearing masks at all times until mid-March, never at the nurse's station, for example - and to some degree they still aren't, especially on night shifts).

Many of our residential homes are actual houses, which about 6 longterm care patients per house, and round the clock supervision provided by barely-trained personnel. I doubt it's much better in other states. It's very sad.

California is the place that got burned on the mask shipments and it wasn't until end of April/beginning of May that all places were properly provided with PPE (now we have some in warehouses to get us through this next phase). That's why I had to think about going to a hospital 1.5 hours away, where I knew they were better supplied. But even at that hospital, the head injury unit gave up N95's, there simply weren't enough. At some local hospitals, nurses, aides and techs were wearing masks made locally, by volunteers.

 

[jjenny]

They are running a COVID19 testing program in my city this week. I guess that they are testing for asymptomatic carriers. I didn't see that they are testing for antibodies. No one with active symptoms is supposed to go to the testing site.

It is free. I don't really see the point of this? Just to randomly test anyone?

Well, it's good to find out who asymptomatic carriers are so they can be quarantined.

 

[10ofRods]

They are running a COVID19 testing program in my city this week. I guess that they are testing for asymptomatic carriers. I didn't see that they are testing for antibodies. No one with active symptoms is supposed to go to the testing site.

It is free. I don't really see the point of this? Just to randomly test anyone?

I've wondered that, too. It's available where I live. I guess if I thought I'd be exposed - after a couple of days I could go? I think by "active symptoms" my local testing place means "fever" along with a couple of other common symptoms. I guess I could go once a week and find out very early if I were an asymptomatic transmitter. Maybe if I were back in the classroom, I would do that (but I'll bet you that by that time, they won't be doing it).

Is it public health theater? It does provide some indices of local transmission, that's for sure. It gives epidemiologists info. I do look at the stat for my county.

No free antibody testing anywhere that I know of. I suppose one reason could be that workplaces want to send people in frequently, as we reopen (which is a good idea, I doubt anyone wants to go do it if they are asymptomatic).

It does make me think whether, once school starts, if I see my granddaughters every Monday (masked, outside) if I'll sleep better if I get tested on Thursday. I'm trying to avoid outright paranoia here.

 

[mickey2942]

Well, it's good to find out who asymptomatic carriers are so they can be quarantined.

Our entire state right now has 8 active cases. None in our city. Would make more sense to me to do this community testing on Indian reservations.

 

[ilovewings]

They are running a COVID19 testing program in my city this week. I guess that they are testing for asymptomatic carriers. I didn't see that they are testing for antibodies. No one with active symptoms is supposed to go to the testing site.

It is free. I don't really see the point of this? Just to randomly test anyone?

i think it is a very good idea- it appears they are trying to pick up asymptomatic carriers- and the plan I imagine would be to isolate/quarantine them. Asymptomatic carriers represent a clear and present danger to all of us---

Do you not think this is a good plan? I would be interested in your thoughts

 

[10ofRods]

Our entire state right now has 8 active cases. None in our city. Would make more sense to me to do this community testing on Indian reservations.

Don't know which reservation, but many do have similar testing - very widespread.

My fear is that as people figure out that they'll be asked to quarantine (and their contacts traced), they will avoid the testing. Someone tested in my city and employer was notified (maybe 200 employees) and all were supposed to stay at home until the test results came in. I just checked the rules for ours, and you can be tested with mild symptoms, but they do take a history and this person had a wife who was an inpatient nurse and had been exposed. He ended up testing negative, but his wife tested positive - no idea how they managed that.