Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #64

[Lilibet]

Major League Baseball is coming back — but spitting will be banned

As Major League Baseball gets ready to restart its season next month, the league is encouraging players to not socialize or come within six feet of each other during upcoming games. The league is banning spitting of any kind with chewing gum permitted as an alternative.

MLB said all personnel will be required to complete Covid-19 screening and testing before entering club facilities. Clubs can begin full workouts starting Friday with Opening Day games on either July 23 or 24.

The league has told all 30 clubs that they must submit coronavirus health and safety action plans for league approval. Clubs are also being told that they need to physically expand dugout and bullpen spaces at their respective ballparks.

“Players on opposite teams should not socialize, fraternize, or come within six feet of each other before the game, during warm-ups, in between innings, or after the game.”

New non-traditional rules will be in place when the season starts including the addition of a designated hitter in the National League and placing a runner on second base at the start of each teams’ extra-inning frame.

No Crying In Baseball Tom Hanks GIF - NoCryingInBaseball TomHanks Argue - Discover & Share GIFs

Or spitting either.

 

[10ofRods]

Drug is under a parent. Sounds like Gilead is allowing companies in poor countries to make it, but not companies with wealthy countries? So that would leave a country like UK not able to make it.
"The drug, which was invented for Ebola but failed to work, is under patent to Gilead, which means no other company in wealthy countries can make it. The cost is around $3,200 per treatment of six doses, according to the US government statement."
US buys up world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir

From what I'm reading, it may not work so well for CoVid either (not as well as that other, steroid drug anyway).

And, that supply of Remdesivir is distributed by the Feds. Would take some sleuthing to figure out by which branch and how to get it.

 

[jjenny]

From what I'm reading, it may not work so well for CoVid either (not as well as that other, steroid drug anyway).

And, that supply of Remdesivir is distributed by the Feds. Would take some sleuthing to figure out by which branch and how to get it.

Steroid reduced death rate, remdesivir reduced duration. They probably could be given together.

 

[ilovewings]

Florida's virus managment is just soooo bad, erratic and makes many situation worse.

we start the Beach Buzzing again.... When SOME beaches close down, people just keep travelling to the other ones. So people who were travelling to towns in South Florida will just no-show their reservations and try to get to any beach they can find open....
then they gradually all shut down in total disarray.

Coronavirus Florida beaches closed, open for July 4 holiday

Exactly what happened for Spring Break, and now will happen for the 4th.

AND these frustrated people take it out on everyone around them.. Our bars are closed, but restaurants open.

I imagine things will be changing by the day....

The last time they closed miami beaches people migrated to beaches in Naples and
Fort Myers beach

 

[JerseyGirl]

I've seen some reports that kids don't spread it so maybe we don't need to be worried so much about schools. Plus if the virus is weakening as well that can only be good too. MOO

Children can be carriers of the virus.

 

[musicaljoke]

Drug is under a parent. Sounds like Gilead is allowing companies in poor countries to make it, but not companies with wealthy countries? So that would leave a country like UK not able to make it.
"The drug, which was invented for Ebola but failed to work, is under patent to Gilead, which means no other company in wealthy countries can make it. The cost is around $3,200 per treatment of six doses, according to the US government statement."
US buys up world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir

Sorry @jjenny, I looked further and edited my earlier post. I think that we will see other manufacturers producing the generic line. It's prudent that Gilead not hoard it's patent during this time.

May 07, 2020 Gilead Announces Approval of Veklury® (remdesivir) in Japan for Patients With Severe COVID-19 Gilead Announces Approval of Veklury® (remdesivir) in Japan for Patients With Severe COVID-19

14 May 2020 South Asia to expand supply of the drug remdesivir for treating Covid-19. India, Pakistan to make drug to 'fight coronavirus'

Pakistan Set to Make, Export Anti-COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir

February 12, 2020 A Chinese company is already mass producing Gilead's experimental coronavirus drug

 

[tresir2012]

Doctors around world say COVID-19 may be losing its potency, becoming less deadly

Article discussing virus attributes and potency

Doctors across the world are offering preliminary but encouraging reports that the coronavirus may be losing steam and becoming less deadly: a behavior observed in at least one respiratory pandemic before, and a welcome sign for a world weary of nonstop COVID-19 fears.

Optimism over the coronavirus has been in short supply since January, when public health officials and politicians began publicly and repeatedly speculating that COVID-19 may be a semi-permanent fixture of global life for the foreseeable future, possibly for years.

The phrase "the new normal" has become an omnipresent part of American life, with medical experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci speculating that Americans may never shake each other's hands again, and some officials imagining that "social distancing" may persist into 2022 if not beyond.

But numerous prominent doctors and scientists in the last few weeks and months have begun to question that narrative, pointing to evidence that suggests the coronavirus may, unexpectedly, be dying out on its own.

Virus appears to behave the same regardless of lockdown measures

Continued at link.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidelines for the approval of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on June 30, 2020. According to the FDA statement, it indicated that it will require coronavirus vaccines to be at least 50% more effective than a placebo in preventing COVID-19 disease.

This FDA requirement is similar to the annual flu shot’s effectiveness, which is generally about 38%, says the U.S. CDC.

Coronavirus Breaking News

 

[Tippy Lynn]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-coronavirus-linked-condition-children.html

Serious coronavirus-linked condition hit 285 US children

 

[tmar]

Victoria's coronavirus quarantine program to get a 'reset' after breaches

Victoria's coronavirus quarantine program to get a 'reset' after breaches

1 hour ago
...
As Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state would be reimposing lockdowns on some Melbourne postcodes from Thursday, he said failures in the state's hotel quarantine program were a key factor in dozens of coronavirus cases.

The government unit responsible for prisons will now oversee a "reset" of the hotel quarantine program and no new travellers will be hosted in Victoria for the next two weeks.
But how did this start and why are these measures being implemented?

What's the problem?
The Premier said genomic sequencing revealed a number of coronavirus cases can be linked to "staff members in hotel quarantine breaching well-known and well-understood infection control protocols".
...
The inquiry will look at infection-control breaches and "any other issues in relation to hotel quarantine", and will report in 8-10 weeks.

Corrections Victoria staff will start working in quarantine hotels this week.

What does this situation say about hotel quarantine?
Experts have pointed to Australia's mandatory hotel quarantine program as one of the most successful public health measures to be implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNSW epidemiology professor Mary-Louise McLaws said mandatory quarantining was why Australia has seen "far less cases and far less deaths" than some other countries.

But the leader of the Opposition in Victoria, Michael O'Brien, said Victoria's use of private contractors to staff hotels contributed to the "disaster" in the state.

"New South Wales has used police and have used the ADF to secure their hotel quarantines. Victoria hasn't," he said.

"Victoria has used poorly-trained, lowly-paid, private security companies.

"Frankly it has been a mess and now the Government has admitted it has been the hotel quarantine failures which have led to a second outbreak."

 

[jjenny]

Doctors around world say COVID-19 may be losing its potency, becoming less deadly

Article discussing virus attributes and potency

I don't know what is happening around the world, but it doesn't appear to be a case in the US at all. CNN has a video of what is going on in a hospital in Houston. No doctor there was saying that virus is losing potency. We don't have a decline in a number of infections (professor in Israel was opining in there (back in April) that even if country doesn't close, the number of infections would decrease eventually), instead a huge increase in a number of infections.

 

[margarita25]

This is a pretty sad little story. The cancer patient lives in Jacksonville, the woman who spit on her is from my town.....

Woman Coughs on Cancer Patient in Store, Goes Viral - Parentology


This woman, Heather Ross Sprague, is suffering from brain cancer, a patient of our Mayo Clinic, has 10 children, and really appears to be a wonderful, gracious, loving mother and individual... I know there are restrictions on facebook, but her story is stated better from her own words, and if you view her FB site you will see what a wonderful woman she is......

Log into Facebook | Facebook

Yeah I can’t even. Not going there.
I’d get banned.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-coronavirus-linked-condition-children.html

Serious coronavirus-linked condition hit 285 US children

I had requested a specific forum on MIS-C, making note to follow up. (Flagging post)

 

[tmar]

EU excludes United States from 'safe' travel list

EU excludes United States from 'safe' travel list

By Philip Blenkinsop

8 hrs ago
...
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has excluded the United States from its initial "safe list" of countries from which the bloc will allow non-essential travel from Wednesday.

The 27-member bloc gave majority approval on Tuesday to leisure or business travel from 14 countries beyond its borders, the Council of the EU, which represents EU governments, said in a statement.

The countries are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

China has also been provisionally approved, although travel would only open up if Chinese authorities also allowed in EU visitors. Reciprocity is a condition of being on the list.

Russia, Brazil and Turkey, along with the United States, are among countries whose containment of the virus is considered worse than the EU average, and so will have to wait at least two weeks for approval. The bloc will carry out fortnightly reviews.
Within hours of the EU announcement, Italy, which has one of the highest COVID death tolls in the world, said it would opt out and keep quarantine restrictions in place for all nations that were not part of the free-travel Schengen area.

"The global situation remains very complex. We must prevent the sacrifices made by the Italians in recent months have been in vain," Italy Health Minister Roberto Speranza said.

Canada also said it was extending its mandatory quarantine order for travellers until at the least the end of August and a travel ban for most foreigners until the end of July.

 

[jjenny]

If these people need to be hospitalized, I think it's a good guess they are in bad shape.
"Hospitals in Texas are inundated by coronavirus patients. On Monday, the state reported almost 6,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19. That's a record, as cases spike following the state's reopening of bars, restaurants and stores in early May. Because of this latest surge, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently reversed the reopening, closing bars and cutting restaurant capacity."
'Each Day It's More And More': Houston Hospital Makes Room For COVID-19 Surge Cases

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I sure hope they can obey your home quarantine rules for at least 10 days - 14 days would be better after travel down the East Coast. I definitely would get everyone tested at the beginning of their stay - and then if possible, another week later, as any infection would likely not show up for the first 3 days (although could become transmissible during that time).

The goal would be to find out early if anyone has it, and then of course, stick the positive people in strict quarantine within the house - everyone wearing masks and some kind of eye wear when interacting from 6-8 feet apart.

Crazy times. Hopefully the two young people will have plenty of work to do once they settle in and the time will go quickly enough.

everything you say...is what I am hoping!!!!!

 

[gngr~snap]

Dr. Fauci says the number of infections and deaths related to Covid is going to be very disturbing, but feels strongly that we need to do whatever we can to get children back to school.

Disturbing numbers and sending kids to school doesn't make any sense to me.

Fauci warns coronavirus cases could reach 100K a day

I agree. While some children have remained in daycare, most have not.
It hit the elderly in nursing homes (mostly) first.
Then, the 20-30 somethings as bars reopened and social distancing was not observed.
*In my area they are quite sick.

What do you think will happen next?
Schools will open and we will have possibly 2 weeks of school
(MY OPINION)
Before they are shuttered until we have treatment or a vaccine.
IMO the parents in my area just are clueless.
The school released their re open plans and questions abound about drama club and chorus and band.
They still don't get that a room full of teens can't huff all over each other and it not be a super spreader.
*** and this is after the local church had an outbreak from the choir from March 1st!!!
Tha ONLY REASON we don't have a hospital full of teenagers is because they have not been able to socialize in bars like the 20 somethings have.
I don't believe for 1 second their immune systems are any stronger than people 10 years older than them.
Who usually gets mono?
TEENS?
WHY?

All I see is schools being super spreaders... High schools especially!
I hope to be proved wrong!!

Moo

 

[tresir2012]

Children can be carriers of the virus.

Have you got a link because this article discusses children and the virus and they still are not completely sure of the role children play in either the transmission of or susceptibility to the virus.

(Scroll to the 16 June section)

Coronavirus research updates: Test frequency matters more than test sensitivity for stopping outbreaks

 

[JerseyGirl]

Texas Medical Association Urges GOP To Delay State Convention In Houston Due To Coronavirus Surge

As the Texas GOP presses ahead with plans for a 3 day convention, which typically draws thousands of attendees, starting July 16, the state’s largest medical group urged the party to reconsider before Republicans flock to Houston, which has become one of the nation’s worst COVID-19 hotspots.

The state’s GOP leaders have maintained that the Convention will go forward and that face coverings will not be mandated, even as Gov. Greg Abbott urges the public to wear them.

Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey, who previously described the convention as a chance to “lead the way” in promoting personal responsibility, issued a statement in which he thanked the doctors for the letter but was noncommittal about whether it would lead to any changes.

“We are taking all input from those involved with our Convention, including that from our Party leadership and our delegates, very seriously,” Dickey said.

 

[CharlestonGal]

My hospital.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare sees 65% increase in COVID-19 inpatients in 1 day

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Roper St. Francis Healthcare officials say the number of COVID-19 patients treated across their hospitals spiked in one day, signaling the largest increase in patients since the beginning of the pandemic.

“The four hospitals within RSFH had 46 COVID-19 inpatients on Monday,” RSFH officials said on Tuesday. “That number jumped to 76 today.”

Officials said to improve the availability of beds, RSFH beginning Monday will stop performing elective surgeries that require overnight stays and only allow emergent and urgent overnight stay surgical cases.

According to the healthcare network, outpatient and ambulatory surgeries that do not require overnight stays will be allowed as scheduled.

“The rate of increase in our COVID-19 inpatients demands this immediate and impactful response,” said Dr. Chris McLain, chief physician officer with Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “We are also evaluating beds across the system that could be used to care for COVID-19 patients and offering extended home health options to assist with patients after they are discharged from our hospitals.”

A report by RSFH states that their facilities have an adequate number of ventilators.

In addition, they say leaders are also monitoring staffing levels and use of personal protective equipment.

The virus is spreading rapidly and McLain urged Lowcountry residents to take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves, read a statement by RSFH.

“Wear a mask,” Dr. McLain said. “Wash your hands often, socially distance from others outside of your home, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and monitor your health. Roper St. Francis Healthcare is here to serve the community. We are asking that you do your part to prevent infection.”

 

[tresir2012]

I don't know what is happening around the world, but it doesn't appear to be a case in the US at all. CNN has a video of what is going on in a hospital in Houston. No doctor there was saying that virus is losing potency. We don't have a decline in a number of infections (professor in Israel was opining in there (back in April) that even if country doesn't close, the number of infections would decrease eventually), instead a huge increase in a number of infections.

The article states that Italian doctors have been saying this as well as the Israeli doctor. Muddy Tyres posted a link regarding the US also upthread, saying more infections but they are seeing less severity.