Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #66

[CharlestonGal]

"Two days before Guilfoyle’s diagnosis, she joined other Trump campaign officials in following the president’s attempt to downplay the dangers of coronavirus — even as governors across the country have halted re-openings of their states in an effort to stem a surge in cases."

Kimberly Guilfoyle's COVID-19 diagnosis worries party-goers

Seems to me the "party-goers" should have put some of that worry to use before the partying.

 

[Tillicum]

Would you feel okay if everyone was wearing a mask?

I'd feel better. I went in wearing a kn95 and was out in 10 minutes and not concerned. Over 15 minutes and I'd probably walk out without purchasing anything.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Why surviving the virus may be just the beginning

Not the chirpiest of reads but I found it interesting.

 

[anneg]

I would do it.

I think we will see if we can enroll in the vaccine trial, once they are ready. We are both at higher risk due to age (mid 70s) and underlying conditions.

 

[gitana1]

You'd be amazed by these folks. Mix in some permanent damage from alcohol abuse and extensive experience playing the system, and they can mock up symptoms worthy of admission. I remember last summer when one lady called my buddy to arrange a ride to the ER for the following week when she was planning on going - like arranging a ride to the airport for a vacation. It's disgusting, but it's real.

I know we don't want to think people are really like that, but it did cross my mind when I saw those lines waiting for tests. And they weren't queuing up like that in Scottsdale.

No. It’s not like we don’t like to think people are like that. It’s that our system doesn’t work that way.

Again, almost no one wants to stay in the hospital. It’s an awful place.

And doctors aren’t stupid. Unless someone is actually making themselves ill, or making their kids ill, or fake symptoms in their child, doctors are able to determine pretty quickly if a person needs an expensive hospital bed.

Further, one anecdote does not a “these folks” make, IMO.

 

[LadyL]

You'd be amazed by these folks. Mix in some permanent damage from alcohol abuse and extensive experience playing the system, and they can mock up symptoms worthy of admission. I remember last summer when one lady called my buddy to arrange a ride to the ER for the following week when she was planning on going - like arranging a ride to the airport for a vacation. It's disgusting, but it's real.

I know we don't want to think people are really like that, but it did cross my mind when I saw those lines waiting for tests. And they weren't queuing up like that in Scottsdale.

well that'd be a wasted trip then since their blood/Covid test would show the truth

 

[CharlestonGal]

Half of Nevada's businesses failed to follow rules on masks, state investigators say

Nevada is among the states with the fastest rising rates of coronavirus infection, and state investigators have reported less than 50% of the businesses observed on July 2 complied with the governor’s order requiring face masks in public.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has promised “swift and decisive” action this week against industries that continue to flout the rules.

In a statement released July 3, he reprimanded businesses that aren’t following social distancing and face covering guidelines.

“You’re not only jeopardizing people’s health, but you’re also jeopardizing your fellow businesses, your industry, and our overall economy,” Sisolak said.

 

[tresir2012]

But there's still a 99% chance he won't have any problems.

And not at all if he is taking one of the drugs he recommends. Also everyone gets tested around him. He is the most protected person in the world except for HM Queen Elizabeth IMO.

 

[CharlestonGal]

You'd be amazed by these folks. Mix in some permanent damage from alcohol abuse and extensive experience playing the system, and they can mock up symptoms worthy of admission. I remember last summer when one lady called my buddy to arrange a ride to the ER for the following week when she was planning on going - like arranging a ride to the airport for a vacation. It's disgusting, but it's real.

I know we don't want to think people are really like that, but it did cross my mind when I saw those lines waiting for tests. And they weren't queuing up like that in Scottsdale.

Nice. For all you know, the lady you speak of could have had a bed date for a hysterectomy, cancer surgery, detox or other medical procedure. She doesn't owe you any explanation or justification.

 

[Tate123]

You'd be amazed by these folks. Mix in some permanent damage from alcohol abuse and extensive experience playing the system, and they can mock up symptoms worthy of admission. I remember last summer when one lady called my buddy to arrange a ride to the ER for the following week when she was planning on going - like arranging a ride to the airport for a vacation. It's disgusting, but it's real.

I know we don't want to think people are really like that, but it did cross my mind when I saw those lines waiting for tests. And they weren't queuing up like that in Scottsdale.

These folks are in need. The last thing they want is to stay in a hospital..they are often hungry and that is how they eat. They get a meal and might sleep safely for a few hours and leave. This was a big problem for many in NY when Covid hit... they didn't know where to go and the ERs had to crack down. It was tragic.

 

[tresir2012]

If there's actually a greater chance of getting CoVid by, say, newly delivered mail, I'd like to know it. It would be a common enough slip-up. If CoVid survives longer on plastic (especially in its G mutation form), I'd like to know it (surface studies were done early on - they need to be ongoing).

I just read an article yesterday (pre-print, so grain of salt) that said researchers found way more CoVid in the drains, drain traps, shower area than on the other surfaces or floors of the apartments they studied. How long does it remain viable there? That wasn't the point of the study. They just wanted to know where it was. Faucet handles were on the list, too.

They found some on the occasional doorknob, but most people were wiping down that area. It's easy to slip up and not remember to disinfect the faucet handle, I guess. It sure is easy for me to forget. Copper/brass/bronze fixtures (shown in other studies) are supposedly safer.

Most of these damp places (drain, drain trap) are not places that people usually touch. But...what is the effect of evaporation on CoVId? Since it likes to reside inside water aerosols and droplets, would use of the sink cause some kind of aerosol effect? No one knows. The study didn't address where each resident got CoVid, they just wanted to study the homes of CoVid patients.

I'd feel better if this research was more widespread and systematic. It's sad that the US decided to cut funding for testing and research at such a critical juncture.

Our mailman wears disposable gloves. Also the mail is sitting for maybe 24 hours or more before it gets delivered so I think that is probably enough time for any virus to dissipate.

 

[10ofRods]

Speaking of research funded by universities, here's a promising and intriguing study from UC San Francisco:

COVID-19 Relies on Cell’s ‘Master Regulators’ for Survival

The class of drugs indicated by this study are kinase-inhibitors. These are a subgroup of compounds used for chemotherapy for cancer, but the authors propose they would also work for CoVid.

 

[tresir2012]

Once mask wearing was politicized we lost the battle. Sadly, some are digging in their heels out of principle not science. There would never have been complete compliance but it would have given us more of a fighting chance.

We were told we didn't need them initially which has stuck in a lot of peoples minds. You can't just change the justification for economic and supply reasons and then expect the public to take you seriously when you do a 180. I am talking about WHO here.

 

[tabitha111]

I couldn’t open the link to see a photo of him but this one worked for me:

Op de dag dat het RIVM nul doden meldde, stierf verpleegkundige Boy Ettema aan corona

Thank you for that. Was sent to me by a friend in the NL and most of the time his links do not work (I thought it was because I was in the US)
I attached the photo of the nurse with his fiance.

 

[Tate123]

We were told we didn't need them initially which has stuck in a lot of peoples minds. You can't just change the justification for economic and supply reasons and then expect the public to take you seriously when you do a 180. I am talking about WHO here.

So as reasonable people we evolve as new information presents itself...right?

 

[anneg]

Why surviving the virus may be just the beginning

Not the chirpiest of reads but I found it interesting.

Thanks, I did too.

 

[CharlestonGal]

So as reasonable people we evolve as new information presents itself...right?

History says......not so far.

 

[Satchie]

Here in Canada we've never been told we have to wear masks. The public health officers, who tell us what to do (never the politicians) have emphasized social distancing, but have said it's a good idea to wear one if you can't keep 1 m apart.

Where I live there have been no known cases, but as visitors start arriving, and people go out and about more, more people are wearing masks, eg in the grocery store (you still have to line up to get in, strict rules on how many people in any public space).

Yesterday, my first visit to the store in 10 days, it was clear the majority were now wearing masks, so I put mine on too.

The power of peer pressure, I guess, and the TV news about the US.

 

[anneg]

Speaking of research funded by universities, here's a promising and intriguing study from UC San Francisco:

COVID-19 Relies on Cell’s ‘Master Regulators’ for Survival

The class of drugs indicated by this study are kinase-inhibitors. These are a subgroup of compounds used for chemotherapy for cancer, but the authors propose they would also work for CoVid.

Interesting!

 

[gitana1]

Feds Set To Cut Coronavirus Testing Funds As COVID-19 Cases Soar | HuffPost

The federal government is ending funding for coronavirus test sites in 5 states as Trump claims the US is testing too much

Because if we test more, we get higher case numbers. Then the rest of the world doesn't like us. Since the disease is immaterial and 99% harmless, why spend more money? Clearly the money needs to go to businesses and private schools, who are being hurt by increasing amounts of CoVid.

Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Arizona and Florida are among the states reporting test shortages. They need to build their own capacity, as other states know all too well.

Testing is of course, a key part of research, but specific other projects (such as direct study of the virus) have also been defunded. As have some projects regarding treatment (vaccine research is funded by huge grants to pharma, I believe there are 7 of those).

Coronavirus Attacks the Lungs. A Federal Agency Just Halted Funding for New Lung Treatments.

White House ordered NIH to cancel coronavirus research funding, Fauci says

Here's some information on what we *are* funding (so as not to be too negative):

BARDA’S Rapidly-Expanding COVID-19 Medical Countermeasure Portfolio

Almost all of it is now centered on vaccines, and as far as I can tell, interesting questions like "how long is a person contagious?" or "what exactly does "airborne transmision" mean?" are not on the federal list of BARDA projects.

We like funding private research, I guess (with our tax dollars) rather than university-based research. Fortunately, we have a lot of universities who can fund their own.

I knew about the testing issue but not about refusing to fund general research into COVID. And I didn’t really think about the connection between funding testing and how that applies to research. Makes sense.

This is really terrible. We are making a massive mistake. Most Americans aren’t going to be happy about that.