Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #66

[tresir2012]

Yeah, I already play around with worldometer. Thanks anyway.

You're welcome.

United States Coronavirus: 2,985,535 Cases and 132,610 Deaths - Worldometer

These are US figures also.

Per million population
Tests 113,902 11.4%
Cases 9,019 0.9%
Deaths 401 0.04%

 

[SouthAussie]

CoVid is certainly upsetting the firefighting drill. We are expecting an exceptionally hot and dry year, so we may be facing serious fires. Normally, Canada sends firefighters to assist around the world where and when needed, and they are deployed as quickly as possible. How is that going to work with the need to also protect all firefighters from the possibility of becoming infected?

I haven't found anything that indicates Canadian firefighters won't continue to support other nations in their firefighting efforts, but it's possible that other nations will be reluctant to ask for help. Although the firefighters may be asking for help, the bureaucratic system may not allow for it.

Here is the Chief's Letter of Intent for Wildland Fire - 2020 out of Washington. It looks like they are basically saying they will wing it this summer. I comprehend that they can't publish policies without knowing what conditions lie ahead, but it still makes me feel anxious to see that there really isn't a solid plan.

https://wildfiretoday.com/documents/Chief_Letter_pandemic_Wildland_Fire_2020.pdf

Yes. I know that in 2018 we sent 130 firefighters to help with the California fires. And the US and Canada helped us earlier this year.

This handling of covid by the US is going to test our friendships, I think. How to keep our own safe if we are asked to send our firefighters to assist in the US this year, if the wildfires happen?

 

[mickey2942]

So far, in Montana, we have had very cool weather, lots of rain. Every thing is extremely green here. We haven't even had many lightening strikes, to start fires.

It seems like, even the "Free for All" 4th of July, passed by without any fires. That is amazing.

Hopefully, a cool summer, and early snow, will negate fire season here.

There are no large fires currently.
Active Fire Mapping Program

 

[tresir2012]

Yes. I know that in 2018 we sent 130 firefighters to help with the California fires. And the US and Canada helped us earlier this year.

This handling of covid by the US is going to test our friendships, I think. How to keep our own safe if we are asked to send our firefighters to assist in the US this year, if the wildfires happen?

Aren't the wild fires usually at different times of the year in California and Oz? It would make some sense if firefighters can help each nation out in their off seasons.

 

[musicaljoke]

This is an EU article dated 22 Jun. It has several case studies.
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the context of COVID-19

This is a very recent article from Florida.
Trust Index: Does AC spread coronavirus? Experts say not really

The first article is more reliable than the second article you've linked. It's based on scientific evidence to the time of printing. One key take away is that it differentiates between HVAC systems that have complete air exchanges, and the common air conditioners that just blow cooled, recycled air around the room.

It's a good article and I recommend that interested readers take a look at it. It may help you decide whether or not you wish to enter a room or business that uses the common type of air conditioners. From the article:

In conclusion, the available evidence indicates that:
• Transmission of COVID-19 commonly occurs in closed indoor spaces.
• There is currently no evidence of human infection with SARS-CoV-2 caused by infectious aerosols distributed through the ventilation system ducts of HVACs. The risk is rated as very low.
• Well-maintained HVAC systems, including air-conditioning units, securely filter large droplets containing SARS-CoV-2. It is possible for COVID-19 aerosols (small droplets and droplet nuclei) to spread through HVAC systems within a building or vehicle and stand-alone air-conditioning units if air is recirculated.
• Air flow generated by air-conditioning units may facilitate the spread of droplets excreted by infected people longer distances within indoor spaces.
• HVAC systems may have a complementary role in decreasing transmission in indoor spaces by increasing the rate of air change, decreasing recirculation of air and increasing the use of outdoor air.


The second article that you posted coming out of Florida, has information which is probably inaccurate, and may even be giving people a dangerously false sense of safety. People in Florida, as anywhere else, have to be extremely careful about where they are getting their information about Covid.

 

[tresir2012]

So far, in Montana, we have had very cool weather, lots of rain. Every thing is extremely green here. We haven't even had many lightening strikes, to start fires.

It seems like, even the "Free for All" 4th of July, passed by without any fires. That is amazing.

Hopefully, a cool summer, and early snow, will negate fire season here.

There are no large fires currently.
Active Fire Mapping Program

I guess many were cancelled which probably helped.

 

[tresir2012]

The first article is more reliable than the second article you've linked. It's based on scientific evidence to the time of printing. One key take away is that it differentiates between HVAC systems that have complete air exchanges, and the common air conditioners that just blow cooled, recycled air around the room.

It's a good article and I recommend that interested readers take a look at it. It may help you decide whether or not you wish to enter a room or business that uses the common type of air conditioners. From the article:

In conclusion, the available evidence indicates that:
• Transmission of COVID-19 commonly occurs in closed indoor spaces.
• There is currently no evidence of human infection with SARS-CoV-2 caused by infectious aerosols distributed through the ventilation system ducts of HVACs. The risk is rated as very low.
• Well-maintained HVAC systems, including air-conditioning units, securely filter large droplets containing SARS-CoV-2. It is possible for COVID-19 aerosols (small droplets and droplet nuclei) to spread through HVAC systems within a building or vehicle and stand-alone air-conditioning units if air is recirculated.
• Air flow generated by air-conditioning units may facilitate the spread of droplets excreted by infected people longer distances within indoor spaces.
• HVAC systems may have a complementary role in decreasing transmission in indoor spaces by increasing the rate of air change, decreasing recirculation of air and increasing the use of outdoor air.


The second article that you posted coming out of Florida, has information which is probably inaccurate, and may even be giving people a dangerously false sense of safety. People in Florida, as anywhere else, have to be extremely careful about where they are getting their information about Covid.

What's wrong with the second one (Orlando MSM)? Were the Governor's comments wrong? Maybe you can post a correction with a link? The article was about trust and is supposed to make readers think. The increase in the southern states caseload has got to mean doubts regarding this issue. It would be wrong not to highlight this. I hope someone official addresses it soon.

 

[Niner]

I know there are hardly any other Latvians on this forum besides me - but just in case!

A couple of weeks ago...

Third day in a row without new COVID-19 cases in Latvia

June 23, 2020

Latvia recorded no new cases of COVID-19 on June 23 for the third day in a row, the total number of cases remaining at 1,111 on Tuesday.

No further fatalities were recorded either, with the death toll remaining on 30.

The Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) said 1,413 tests had been conducted during the previous 24-hour period.

In total 140,437 tests have been carried out since February 29.

So far 903 patients have recovered.

Nine patients are in hospital, most of whom have moderate symptoms of the disease but one of whom is designated as being in a serious condition.


So - I looked here:
Coronavirus - Bloomberg

And Latvia has 1,127 cases - so 16 new ones in the last 2 weeks & with still 30 deaths. Sounds good!

 

[CharlestonGal]

Cruise ship staff still adrift after 110 days and counting

Thousands of cruise ship workers, including some Australians, are still trapped on ships unable to dock because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Many are no longer being paid, and the mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic is reportedly declining as some cruise staff clock up more than 110 days afloat.

At least two cruise ship workers have died in apparent suicides since the industry shut down cruising on March 13.

The No Sail Order was extended on April 15 and hundreds of thousands of seafarers are also stuck on board cargo ships.

Citing the strained mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic, the United Nations has called on countries around the world to lift their travel restrictions for seafarers.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I guess many were cancelled which probably helped.

Actually the large fireworks displays are safer than the "buy 3 get 1 free" roadside stands. I'm amazed nothing burned in our town. With no public displays, everybody and his brother were shooting off fireworks. A few years ago someone managed to shoot off a Roman candle horizontally. It shot straight into a hay barn about a block from me. That was quite the fire.

 

[ilovewings]

Thanks! That's really helpful!

I was kinda surprised that going to the hair salon is right up there with a plane ride!!!

 

[ilovewings]

My brother said something similar and has been saying it for the past three months. He let his 20 year old daughter traipse all over the state of California with her friends for the past two weeks. She came home on Thursday and started to get sick on Friday. Was tested on Saturday. Ended up at the ER yesterday morning with a fever of 105F that wouldn’t go down with anything. She was having seizures. She was perfectly healthy before this. The doctors got her fever back down to 102 and sent her home. Anyway he is now singing a very different tune. He is scared out of his mind for his daughter and laments that he let her travel. Seemed it was easy to discount the disease when it didn’t affect him personally. Not so when it’s his daughter laying in bed with her eyes rolling to the back of her head. I only pray she comes through this without any further complications and that neither he nor his wife are infected. We shall know soon.

There is something ( and i dont know what it is exactly) that is causing people to not take this virus as seriously as they should: maybe they believe Trump or stuff that is out there that mistakenly describes this as"not a big deal, only old people get it, it is like the flu, or it's a hoax"---- as long as people keep acting like everything is normal, this virus is going to continue to spread like wild fire.

 

[tresir2012]

Cruise ship staff still adrift after 110 days and counting

Thousands of cruise ship workers, including some Australians, are still trapped on ships unable to dock because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Many are no longer being paid, and the mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic is reportedly declining as some cruise staff clock up more than 110 days afloat.

At least two cruise ship workers have died in apparent suicides since the industry shut down cruising on March 13.

The No Sail Order was extended on April 15 and hundreds of thousands of seafarers are also stuck on board cargo ships.

Citing the strained mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic, the United Nations has called on countries around the world to lift their travel restrictions for seafarers.

This is crazy. Why don't the countries repatriate them and quarantine them on return? I hope the countries listen to the UN.

 

[tresir2012]

Coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts increase by 11, test rate low ahead of Phase 3

Massachusetts health officials on Sunday reported 11 more people have died from the coronavirus and 136 new cases, as statewide hospitalizations declined and the positive test rate remained low ahead of Phase 3 of the Bay State’s reopening on Monday.

The 10 new coronavirus deaths and one new probable coronavirus death bring the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 8,183, the state Department of Public Health announced. The three-day average of coronavirus daily deaths has dropped from 161 at the start of May to 18 now.

The state has logged 109,974 cases of the highly contagious disease, an increase of 111 confirmed cases since Saturday and 25 probable cases. Of the 109,974 total cases, at least 93,157 people have recovered.

 

[SouthAussie]

Cruise ship staff still adrift after 110 days and counting

Thousands of cruise ship workers, including some Australians, are still trapped on ships unable to dock because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Many are no longer being paid, and the mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic is reportedly declining as some cruise staff clock up more than 110 days afloat.

At least two cruise ship workers have died in apparent suicides since the industry shut down cruising on March 13.

The No Sail Order was extended on April 15 and hundreds of thousands of seafarers are also stuck on board cargo ships.

Citing the strained mental health of people still stuck at sea during the pandemic, the United Nations has called on countries around the world to lift their travel restrictions for seafarers.

Wow ... that is horrible for all the cruise ship workers involved. I notice that the Aussies who are stuck are ships entertainers.

I know that our Aussie 'pop icons', Human Nature, have left Las Vegas where they had a very long running show (11 years) and have returned to Australia. They had signed up to continue performing in Las Vegas until 2022. But have decided to come home and tour here this Aussie winter (US summer). Evidently covid has affected their contract and their desire to remain in the US ... at least for the time being.

Human Nature’s musical revue won’t return to the Venetian.

 

[tresir2012]

True. So I don't accept anything anything at face value out of China. No one I know does, either. And ditto for any authoritarian government's assertions about pandemic numbers - such as Turkey, ally or not. Dictators love to use a blend of unrealistic optimism alongside vilification of the "other". It works really well on some of the citizenry and helps puff them up in front of other countries.



Exactly. Always question the pandemic numbers, especially when the free press is vilified.

They likely feel the same about the US.

 

[SouthAussie]

There is something ( and i dont know what it is exactly) that is causing people to not take this virus as seriously as they should: maybe they believe Trump or stuff that is out there that mistakenly describes this as"not a big deal, only old people get it, it is like the flu, or it's a hoax"---- as long as people keep acting like everything is normal, this virus is going to continue to spread like wild fire.

I read an article today that said that the big mistake has been to let the politicians speak about the virus and its dangers instead of letting the state medical experts speak to the public.


Pan, who recently introduced legislation to protect health officials against attacks, said that the governor’s presence at the top of every health briefing, as the face of the pandemic response may have backfired. Governors and mayors across the country probably felt a need to step up, and combat (presidential) dramatic, bombastic – and counterproductive – daily missives, with daily press conferences of their own. “But they should have let their public health officials take the podium.” he said, “They should have let them lead the conversation – to show that this isn’t a political issue.”
‘They feel invincible’: how California’s coronavirus plan went wrong

 

[CharlestonGal]

There is something ( and i dont know what it is exactly) that is causing people to not take this virus as seriously as they should: maybe they believe Trump or stuff that is out there that mistakenly describes this as"not a big deal, only old people get it, it is like the flu, or it's a hoax"---- as long as people keep acting like everything is normal, this virus is going to continue to spread like wild fire.

I think people were taking it seriously at first. The tide seems to have turned when thousands took to the streets in protest of odd and various things, and some governors opening their states early in violation of guidelines. It gave the appearance that things were back to "normal" and people seem to have decided that if everyone else was out and about they could be, too.

Ultimately, it's an abject and ongoing failure of leadership that has landed us here. jmo

 

[COSCitizen]

Actually the large fireworks displays are safer than the "buy 3 get 1 free" roadside stands. I'm amazed nothing burned in our town. With no public displays, everybody and his brother were shooting off fireworks. A few years ago someone managed to shoot off a Roman candle horizontally. It shot straight into a hay barn about a block from me. That was quite the fire.

This is the reason that Colorado keeps having public fireworks despite our dry as dust summers. It professionally siphons off at least some of the enthusiasm for things that go "boom." I like fireworks, but I am very glad that I don't have any noise phobic dogs right now.

 

[Tillicum]

Anti-police demonstrations may have sparked new coronavirus cases, some cities now acknowledge