Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #62

[tresir2012]

Catching up on 20+ pages and wanted to say how much I agree with you. IMO, we in England are rushing headlong into this lifting of lockdown as if the virus is no longer any danger. I have been saying for weeks, the second wave will be a tsunami and I don’t believe we are prepared for just how bad it will be.
The PM as far as I can tell and in spite of his brush with death, is devoid of empathy and is driven by desperately wanting to save the economy, rather than lives.

My family and friends are thankfully as cautious as I am and none of us is taking any risks. I’m lucky enough to be able to continue to work from home and stay in my safe little bubble. I’m so grateful for my garden!
Thinking ahead, I’m already rebuilding stocks of the essentials (cat food and litter, mainly) - not hoarding, just making sure I have a cushion of supplies if the tsunami hits sooner rather than later.

I would say one thing that’s changed significantly with me. At the start of this and well into lockdown, I was scared. Really scared. Now, I’m just angry. So angry at the steps we could’ve taken earlier, that would’ve saved countless lives. It would appear to me that our leaders have learned nothing and are dragging us blindly into a second wave.

I don't think that is going to happen. They have advance human trials going on with vaccines funded by our taxes. I think we should all be looking to help South America and Africa at this point in time.

 

[margarita25]

That was my post. I think it was sometime late afternoon/early evening.

Cool, I actually also saw it last night on the news. Please post if you can find it. I think I also saw it on Anderson Cooper.

 

[SoCalDavidS]

 

[margarita25]

As a Californian, I'm glad that it appears I get to be the one to break this news.

CA just announced a new All Time Record with 7,149 New Cases yesterday.

At least the CA Governor, like Cuomo, was extremely proactive imo. Imagine how much worse it would be. It was looking really dire in the early days, JMO, hence the diversion of the SS Mercy from its original destination to Seattle. I said earlier, when he was getting so much resistance about the beaches, etc, he said “My job as Governor is to help keep you safe”. At least he acknowledges this responsibility as a political leader and makes an effort, jmo.

Recently he made a comment re: mask-wearing, etc., in which he stated, “the goal here is not to be punitive; rather it is to educate.”

 

[MrX]

I'm still having a really hard time understanding most of what I read here. Every place, be it a country or a state, that is praised for their Covid responses, has accomplished that by closing and remaining closed. That just strikes me as terrible news - that nothing has changed since this began.

Places that have reopened and not experienced run away death rates seem more worthy of cheers, but I could be an outlier. It just seems that getting the world back to work, while experiencing the effects of the virus, is how this needs to end, rather than just staying closed.

 

[jjenny]

I'm still having a really hard time understanding most of what I read here. Every place, be it a country or a state, that is praised for their Covid responses, has accomplished that by closing and remaining closed. That just strikes me as terrible news - that nothing has changed since this began.

Places that have reopened and not experienced run away death rates seem more worthy of cheers, but I could be an outlier. It just seems that getting the world back to work, while experiencing the effects of the virus, is how this needs to end, rather than just staying closed.

State or a country is supposed to open after they got pandemic under control (decrease in cases). Our states started opening up without getting pandemic under control. No wonder covid is raging like wild fire. Opening the country back up while in the middle of raging covid is only going to lead to increase in cases, which it clearly did in the US.

 

[SoCalDavidS]

CNN just showed video of constituents YELLING & INSULTING Palm Beach Board of Directors, as they debated requiring the wearing of masks. Beyond the fact they were arguing against masks, some of their remarks were downright rude and angry.

 

[SoCalDavidS]

At least the CA Governor, like Cuomo, was extremely proactive imo. Imagine how much worse it would be. It was looking really dire in the early days, JMO, hence the diversion of the SS Mercy from its original destination to Seattle. I said earlier, when he was getting so much resistance about the beaches, etc, he said “My job as Governor is to help keep you safe”. At least he acknowledges this responsibility as a political leader and makes an effort, jmo.

He's dropping the ball. And I have deep concerns that the protests are going to put a finger on the scale as well.

But he started opening more and more, and I knew it was too early. Governor Cuomo is one of the few who waited until the time was right. Hopefully they can keep it under control there. I am going to use them and a couple of other improved states as my guide going forward.

 

[tresir2012]

That's interesting the UK and Sweden lines are so alike. One in lockdown, one not.

IRT @SoCalDavidS
(post did not show up.)

 

[MimosaMornings]

The groups going to places like Myrtle Beach and coming back to their home state - did they have CV before their trip or did they acquire it there?
And with the numbers in NC/SC - why would you think it’s ok for your teenager to go there?

 

[MrX]

State or a country is supposed to open after they got pandemic under control (decrease in cases). Our states started opening up without getting pandemic under control. No wonder covid is raging like wild fire. Opening the country back up while in the middle of raging covid is only going to lead to increase in cases, which it clearly did in the US.

But even places that stayed closed until the time was right, are living with a constant cycle of closing/opening/quarantine/close/open repeat. How is that at all sustainable? States opened when they did because the people and the economy couldn't take it anymore. I don't see that that has changed, either.

 

[tresir2012]

But even places that stayed closed until the time was right, are living with a constant cycle of closing/opening/quarantine/close/open repeat. How is that at all sustainable? States opened when they did because the people and the economy couldn't take it anymore. I don't see that that has changed, either.

Once ICU begin to empty then the state/country begins to open. It is just that simple. Cases don't matter so much as ICU capacity.

 

[Bravo]

Concerned about the numbers increasing in the "younger" groups. Yes they have a better chance of survival and not ending up in ICU, however many live at home, have Grandparents etc. etc. Spread is spread IMO as there will be a fallout soon.

 

[MrX]

Once ICU begin to empty then the state/country begins to open. It is just that simple. Cases don't matter so much as ICU capacity.

And still an unsustainable cycle. Seems that capacity will need to increase.

 

[anneg]

THANK YOU for sharing this great news!!!

Decline in new US virus deaths may be temporary reprieve
By CARLA K. JOHNSON and NICKY FORSTER Associated Press
June 18, 2020 08:30 PM
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/article243634672.html

Excerpts:
"The number of deaths per day from the coronavirus in the U.S. has fallen in recent weeks to the lowest level since late March, even as states increasingly reopen for business. But scientists are deeply afraid the trend may be about to reverse itself.

“For now, it’s too soon to be reassured that deaths are going down and everything’s OK,” said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar of Resolve to Save Lives, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent epidemics."
...
"A multitude of reasons are believed to be at play, including the advent of effective treatments and improved efforts at hospitals and nursing homes to prevent infections and save lives."
...
"Experts note that a rise in deaths could take awhile to show up in the U.S. statistics. Stay-at-home orders imposed in March, combined with the use of face masks and other social-distancing measures, have been bringing down the daily death toll since mid-April, and the U.S. as a whole is still seeing the positive effects, even though people are starting to work, shop and eat out again.

Doctors watching for an uptick in deaths will be on the alert for certain signals to emerge in a specific order, Shahpar said.

First, cellphone data will show people moving around more. Next, doctors will report more flu-like illnesses, and the proportion of people testing positive for the virus will rise. Hospitalizations will then go up and, finally, so will deaths."
...
"As for the drop in deaths, "it is probably several things happening at once,” said Dr. Shmuel Shoham, a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Lessons learned from the “awful early days” are now benefiting the severely sick and people in nursing homes, Shoham said."

BBM above. More at link.

 

[Lilibet]

CDC Webinar today at 4:00 pm EDT.


Your COVID-19 Questions Answered: Daily Life, Social Interaction, Returning to Work, and More
Overview
The international outbreak of COVID-19 poses a serious public health threat that has severely affected social, community, and business activities. With prolonged periods of social distancing, the coming of summer, and the need to engage in more social and commercial activities, Americans must consider how to continue to reduce risk. This webinar from CDC’s Emergency Partners Information Connection will discuss the current status of the pandemic in the U.S., factors to consider when deciding to participate in activities outside of the home, and special considerations for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Closed captioning will be available.

Presenter
Sarah Lee, Ph.D.

Call Materials
Call Slides: View Slides pdf icon[PDF – 484 KB]

Webinar Details
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Webinar Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1605185661external icon

Dial In: US: +1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 828 7666

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16692545252,,1605185661# or +16468287666,,1605185661#

Webinar ID: 160 518 5661

Watch on Facebook: You can also participate in this live webinar through the CDC Facebook page on June 24 at 4 p.m. ET.

Add to Calendar

Webinar June 24, 2020 - Your COVID-19 Questions Answered: Daily Life, Social Interaction, Returning to Work, and More

 

[LadyL]

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to quarantine visitors from coronavirus hot spots

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to quarantine visitors from coronavirus hot spots

 

[MuddyTires]

Study from PSU suggests that the initial infection rate in the US may be up to 80 times greater than originally reported.

Initial COVID-19 infection rate may be 80 times greater than originally reported | Penn State University

“Our results suggest that the overwhelming effects of COVID-19 may have less to do with the virus’ lethality and more to do with how quickly it was able to spread through communities initially,” Silverman explained. “A lower fatality rate coupled with a higher prevalence of disease and rapid growth of regional epidemics provides an alternative explanation to the large number of deaths and overcrowding of hospitals we have seen in certain areas of the world.”

And of course here in the United States, it appears that the effect of COVID-19 was primarily exacerbated by a misguided policy imposed by the Governors of just 6 states--New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusettes and Michigan--that forced nursing homes to take back patients who tested positive for COVID-19 to protect and conserve hospital resources.

At least 50% of the US COVID-19 deaths were individuals in nursing homes.

NY, NJ, CT, PA, MA, and MI account for less than 20% of the US population, but more than 55% of the US COVID-19 deaths.

NY, NJ, CT, PA, MA, and MI combined: 69,198 COVID-19 deaths

All other 44 US states: 54,275 COVID-19 deaths

Those 6 states each have the highest rate of deaths per reported/confirmed cases, ranging from 7.3% up to 9.3%. New Hampshire at 6.2% and Louisiana (which is one of the states that most heavily relies on Medicare/Medicaid) at 6.1% are the only two states have rates above 6%.

NY, NJ, CT, PA, MA, and MI combined: Death rate of 7.7% of reported confirmed cases.

All other 44 US states combined: Death rate of 2.2% of reported confirmed cases.

What a devastating and deadly policy decision by the governors of those 6 states.

 

[anneg]

CDC Webinar today at 4:00 pm EDT.


Your COVID-19 Questions Answered: Daily Life, Social Interaction, Returning to Work, and More
Overview
The international outbreak of COVID-19 poses a serious public health threat that has severely affected social, community, and business activities. With prolonged periods of social distancing, the coming of summer, and the need to engage in more social and commercial activities, Americans must consider how to continue to reduce risk. This webinar from CDC’s Emergency Partners Information Connection will discuss the current status of the pandemic in the U.S., factors to consider when deciding to participate in activities outside of the home, and special considerations for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Closed captioning will be available.

Presenter
Sarah Lee, Ph.D.

Call Materials
Call Slides: View Slides pdf icon[PDF – 484 KB]

Webinar Details
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Webinar Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1605185661external icon

Dial In: US: +1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 828 7666

Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16692545252,,1605185661# or +16468287666,,1605185661#

Webinar ID: 160 518 5661

Watch on Facebook: You can also participate in this live webinar through the CDC Facebook page on June 24 at 4 p.m. ET.

Add to Calendar

Webinar June 24, 2020 - Your COVID-19 Questions Answered: Daily Life, Social Interaction, Returning to Work, and More

I will try watching on FaceBook (my DH's account--I'm not on FB myself ).

 

[margarita25]

Here’s another thing that experts have been talking about: It’s also another ballgame when you as a leader are more protected than the average citizen with access to unlimited testing, and the mandated regular testing of everyone around you.


Although, imo, the high risk activities still does provide an opportunity for penetration beyond these walls.