Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #68

[SouthAussie]

Oh boy ..... a US Marine has brought covid into a state of Australia which has had only 31 covid cases and no deaths. This is a state that has tried really hard to keep covid free - closed its state borders quickly - it contains a significant amount of indigenous people.



The news that a US marine has tested positive for coronavirus on Friday in the Northern Territory has had health authorities scrambling to reassure Territorians that the "risks are low" for the community.

The Northern Territory's Chief Health Officer, Dr Hugh Heggie, said authorities had expected it was likely "risky" arrivals from the US could be carrying the virus before they had arrived in the country.

"Cases of coronavirus particularly in some parts of the world including the Americas is really very high so there was always going to be a risk that there would be more risk of this," he said on Friday.

The NT Health Minister said the marine had arrived in the Northern Territory on July 8 and disembarked through the military side of Darwin Airport.

The minister said the marine had "very, very minimal contact", if at all, with any locals within the NT.

'We are ready': NT Health authorities reassure Territorians about coronavirus risk after US marine tests positive

 

[katydid23]

You can't fix stupid. Even with a medical degree, evidently.

I doubt that he is stupid, considering he is the Medical Director of the Hospital ICU. And I would consider patients with this virus as 'victims' here on WS.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

Texas border county had 'model' Covid-19 response – then the governor stepped in

This is story is both tragic and infuriating.

"But Starr county’s public officials knew months ago that is was especially vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic: roughly one in three residents lives in poverty, a sizable slice of the population doesn’t have health insurance, and risk factors such as diabetes and obesity prevail. To protect their constituents, who are more than 96% Hispanic or Latino, they acted fast to curtail the contagion.".....

"Their strategy worked. The first few coronavirus cases trickled into Starr county in late March, but for three weeks in April, there were no new infections. Before the end of May, weekly tallies of new confirmed positives never once reached double digits. Even seasonal influenza, coughs, colds and fevers that would normally travel through the community suddenly vanished.

“What we did here was a model for the rest of the nation to follow, but it was lost,” said Joel Villarreal, the mayor of Rio Grande City, one of four small cities in the county. “In fact, I think we had it right.”

The inflection point came when the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, unilaterally decided to reopen the state, and stripped local governments of their power in the process. By early May, malls, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and salons threw open their doors, albeit at limited capacity. Texans lost their fear of the virus as politicians told them it was safe to re-emerge from lockdown, and once masks became politicized, localities could no longer require their use"...

"As of last week, Starr county can now mandate face coverings again. But the local government’s other emergency protocols – including a curfew and quotas on gatherings – remain toothless in practice. In Rio Grande City, attorneys are trying to work out what can actually be enforced.

“Here we are, fighting a global pandemic, and we’re having to figure out loopholes on how to keep people safe. That is so ridiculous,” Villarreal said.

Meanwhile, the virus is spreading like wildfire in a community woefully underequipped to handle an outbreak. About 20 members of a single family contracted Covid-19 after a get-together, as did 30 or 40 attendees at a 500-person wedding, said Jose Vazquez, the county’s health authority. A local nursing home system has faced a barrage of cases, and altogether, 936 Starr county residents tested positive for the disease by 4 July.

“Basically, you have no chance to be admitted in a hospital here in the Valley,” said Vazquez. As the situation grows dire, people are starting to realize that “if you were to get sick, nobody can guarantee you any longer that you are going to be doing fine”. Vazquez has also tested positive.

 

[Bravo]

Incredibly sad Reasonable ^

 

[weepingangel]

Just saw a commercial for
https://www.greatwolf.com/

sure, let’s go.

been watching our R #
Creep up the last weeks
Massachusetts Rt

 

[weepingangel]

Boston Public Schools to announce fall reopening plan in coming days
The City of Boston is looking at a variety of options for returning students to school in September and expects to announce a plan in the next week to 10 days, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said Friday.

Grocery
Big Y extends price freeze on 15,000 items to Sept. 2
Big Y operates 71 supermarkets throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.
“When we announced our first price freeze, we heard from over 5,000 customers who indicated how important this action is to them,” said Michael D’Amour, chief operating officer for Big Y, in a statement. “These remain uncharted times, so we feel this is another way we can help our customers and the community.”



Disney NBA bubble
Rajon Rondo upset about Disney World hotel room, calls it “Motel 6”

 

[FrostOwl]

I was talking to a friend last night who was tested at a drive through testing centre this week. Interesting to hear how it was all done with no contact, and encouraging to know she got the result by text message exactly 15 hours & 10 minutes after her appointment.

I do not understand why it’s taking days and days in the US. Surely this can’t be helping contain the spread.

My Region Blekinge have began with self-tests, done at a drive through station, for people with suspected Covid-19 symptoms. You call the Region and get a time and place where the testing is done, and you do the test yourself. Egenprovtagning för covid-19 i Blekinge - 1177 Vårdguiden (click on "Hur går egenprovtagning till?" to see a short clip on how it's done.) It takes 1 - 3 days to get the answer.

 

[Tate123]

I think when Dr. Fauci recently commented with the 100K figure, he knew it was close to being a given. That is because he knows the #'s are several weeks ahead of where we are right now. He said it when the daily #'s were coming in closer to 50K, now they're almost 50% higher.

We could do Significant things TODAY that would keep the #'s from accelerating above 100K, but we're not, so every day that goes by now, means Many more new cases in late July/early August.

Agreed...but people have to understand exponential growth and they don't seem to.

We propose that a root cause for why a sizeable portion of the people doubt the necessity of introducing such drastic measures is that people fail to recognize that the coronavirus can grow in an exponential manner, and, instead, erroneously perceive its growth in linear terms. A striking example of this is President Trump, who remained fixated on the low number of early infections in the United States and appeared not to realize how quickly this low number could spiral out of control (4).

Correcting misperceptions of exponential coronavirus growth increases support for social distancing

 

[CoverMeCagney]

My Region Blekinge have began with self-tests, done at a drive through station, for people with suspected Covid-19 symptoms. You call the Region and get a time and place where the testing is done, and you do the test yourself. Egenprovtagning för covid-19 i Blekinge - 1177 Vårdguiden (click on "Hur går egenprovtagning till?" to see a short clip on how it's done.) It takes 1 - 3 days to get the answer.

Yes that’s how it worked in my friends case. She booked a time slot, rang when she arrived and they hung the test kit on her wing mirror, did the kit herself and had to send a photo so they could check it looked correct, then drove on again to throw it into a basket. No human contact at any point, and she didn’t leave her car. She said it wasn’t pleasant (swabs from tonsils and nose) but was impressed by how organised it was.

Reassuring that it’s straightforward and quick.

 

[Woodland]

My office is in Orange (the Orange Circle) and it’s an old converted California Bungalow and the windows are sealed. I’ve been trying to get the landlord to let me have them unsealed.

But I am deemed an essential worker and have little choice. These people need me to represent them. Hopefully I won’t get anything.

I would definitely think more people who are feeling sick are getting tested. For sure. But if everyone was tested the positivity rate could be around the same, I would think, because many people are asymptomatic. And a lot of others now just get mild symptoms and so don’t get tested. You know what I mean?

What I do know is that scientists and doctors have stated repeatedly that certain positivity rates are an indicator, taking into consideration that most of those getting tested are those who are feeling pretty ill.

Because the higher the positivity rate among just those feeling ill, the more widespread it is in the community at large.

I hope you’re right about the risk percentages. I try to be as careful as I can. It’s hard to be perfect. This is a terrible scourge but we also have to keep things in perspective and not become panicked and fall victim to despair.

We all need to take it seriously. Wear masks. Avoid crowds for awhile. Keep clean. Help protect one another.

That’s a tall order now.

But despite that this thing is going to run its course. Because that’s what pandemics do.

People bash Trump for saying “One day it will disappear.” But he didn’t pull that out of nowhere. He’s grabbing on to things experts have told him.

It is actually true, IMO. (And I’m super far from a fan, let me say).

In the meantime, as most know here, we have a responsibility to minimize the horrific damage and save lives, by being responsible, ethical, citizens. We need to weather the storm until this passes. If we don’t, the economic damage will be harder to recover from. And much more importantly, we will have lost too many valued lives and too many will suffer catastrophic, debilitating illness.

We can prevent a lot of that.

But I firmly believe: This too shall pass.

BBM - beyond shocking imo. Subsequent posts did not clarify this imo. I do agree with the statement 'We can prevent a lot of that'.


President Trump broke with top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Tuesday by saying the U.S. is in a "good place" in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump breaks with Fauci: US in 'good place' in fight against virus

President Donald Trump on Tuesday rebuked Dr. Anthony Fauci's blunt assessment of the US' coronavirus response, claiming that the country is "in a good place" even as new cases surge.

"We've done a good job," the President said. "I think we are going to be in two, three, four weeks, by the time we next speak, I think we're going to be in very good shape."

Trump rebukes Fauci's coronavirus assessment: 'I think we are in a good place' - CNNPolitics

 

[CharlestonGal]

BBM - beyond shocking imo. Subsequent posts did not clarify this imo. I do agree with the statement 'We can prevent a lot of that'.


President Trump broke with top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Tuesday by saying the U.S. is in a "good place" in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump breaks with Fauci: US in 'good place' in fight against virus

President Donald Trump on Tuesday rebuked Dr. Anthony Fauci's blunt assessment of the US' coronavirus response, claiming that the country is "in a good place" even as new cases surge.

"We've done a good job," the President said. "I think we are going to be in two, three, four weeks, by the time we next speak, I think we're going to be in very good shape."

Trump rebukes Fauci's coronavirus assessment: 'I think we are in a good place' - CNNPolitics

What is this plan that will lead us to a good place in two, three, four weeks?

 

[CharlestonGal]

'In A Fight For Our Lives': Mississippi Issues New Mask Order Amid COVID-19 Spike

Mississippi's governor has imposed mandatory use of face masks and limited nonessential gatherings in 13 counties, including those that cover the state's most populous cities, as COVID-19 cases have surged in recent days, causing record hospitalizations.


Shots - Health News
Tracking The Pandemic: Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State?
The state's Department of Health reported 1,031 new coronavirus cases and 11 new deaths from the disease on Friday, one day after the State Department of Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, said intensive care units in five Mississippi hospitals were full because of the increase in cases.

Gov. Tate Reeves, speaking on Friday, said Mississippians should "take this as an alarm."

"Mississippi is in a fight for our lives," Reeves said. "COVID-19 is an ever-present threat and we are in the middle of a spike."

He said the face masks would be required while at public gatherings or in a "shopping environment."

 

[CharlestonGal]

Dozens of US Marines in Japan's Okinawa get coronavirus

TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of U.S. Marines at two bases on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa have been infected with the coronavirus in what is feared to be a massive outbreak, Okinawa’s governor said Saturday, demanding an adequate explanation from the U.S. military.

Gov. Denny Tamaki said he could say only that a “few dozen” cases had been found recently because the U.S. military asked that the exact figure not be released. The outbreaks occurred at Marine Corps. Air Station Futenma, which is at the center of a relocation dispute, and Camp Hansen, Tamaki said.

Local media, citing unnamed sources, said about 60 people had been infected.

“Okinawans are shocked by what we were told (by the U.S. military),” Tamaki told a news conference. “We now have strong doubts that the U.S. military has taken adequate disease prevention measures.”

Tamaki demanded transparency in the latest development and said he planned to request talks between the U.S. military and Okinawan officials. He said Okinawan officials also asked the Japanese government to demand that the U.S. provide details including the number of cases, seal off Futenma and Camp Hansen, and step up preventive measures on base.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Oh, no.

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-county-commissioner-who-voted-against-masks-hospital-covid-1517121

Paul Waldron—the commissioner for St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville, Florida—has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in the hospital in critical condition. Last week, Waldron voted against a countywide order requiring all residents to wear face masks as a way to prevent coronavirus infections.

According to News 4 Jax, Waldron wasn't "necessarily opposed" to the face mask requirement, but wanted county administrators to clarify the types of masks required and whether the county could provide sufficient supplies for employees and citizens entering government buildings.

In a Facebook post written by his daughter, she said he was in the "most critical of conditions," adding that because of "complications from the virus, he went into septic shock and many organs are struggling."

 

[SouthAussie]

Dozens of US Marines in Japan's Okinawa get coronavirus

TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of U.S. Marines at two bases on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa have been infected with the coronavirus in what is feared to be a massive outbreak, Okinawa’s governor said Saturday, demanding an adequate explanation from the U.S. military.

Gov. Denny Tamaki said he could say only that a “few dozen” cases had been found recently because the U.S. military asked that the exact figure not be released. The outbreaks occurred at Marine Corps. Air Station Futenma, which is at the center of a relocation dispute, and Camp Hansen, Tamaki said.

Local media, citing unnamed sources, said about 60 people had been infected.

“Okinawans are shocked by what we were told (by the U.S. military),” Tamaki told a news conference. “We now have strong doubts that the U.S. military has taken adequate disease prevention measures.”

Tamaki demanded transparency in the latest development and said he planned to request talks between the U.S. military and Okinawan officials. He said Okinawan officials also asked the Japanese government to demand that the U.S. provide details including the number of cases, seal off Futenma and Camp Hansen, and step up preventive measures on base.

I am pretty concerned that US military are travelling to other countries and testing positive on arrival.

WTH is the military doing??

We have a quarantine process in place, where they must quarantine for 2 weeks at an Australian Defence Force facility upon arrival. But the marine in our Northern Territory is sick enough that he has now been transferred to the Royal Darwin Hospital, and he only just arrived a couple of days ago. They are now perhaps putting our medical staff and others at risk, too.

And they are covering up significant US military virus outbreaks in Japan as well???

 

[MimosaMornings]

Oh, no.

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-county-commissioner-who-voted-against-masks-hospital-covid-1517121

Paul Waldron—the commissioner for St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville, Florida—has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in the hospital in critical condition. Last week, Waldron voted against a countywide order requiring all residents to wear face masks as a way to prevent coronavirus infections.

According to News 4 Jax, Waldron wasn't "necessarily opposed" to the face mask requirement, but wanted county administrators to clarify the types of masks required and whether the county could provide sufficient supplies for employees and citizens entering government buildings.

In a Facebook post written by his daughter, she said he was in the "most critical of conditions," adding that because of "complications from the virus, he went into septic shock and many organs are struggling."

Oh no, that was sudden.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

What is this plan that will lead us to a good place in two, three, four weeks?

I really hope he’s right and everything will be rosy in a couple of weeks, but it’s a very bold statement to make when the country is riddled with the virus.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Herman Cain is still in the hospital as well. Must be going on about 10 days now? I hope he's doing better.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I really hope he’s right and everything will be rosy in a couple of weeks, but it’s a very bold statement to make when the country is riddled with the virus.

We could be in a good place in four weeks time. Could be. But that would require the immediate implementation of a cohesive, sound plan and round of mandates that do not appear forthcoming, sadly.

There are no brakes on this train. jmo

 

[JerseyGirl]

Los Angeles Apparel factory ordered closed after over 300 coronavirus cases and 4 deaths

Los Angeles Apparel was founded in 2016 by Dov Charney, who previously founded American Apparel. It was first shut down on June 27 after violating the county's mandatory health orders. The company failed to cooperate with the health department's investigation of a reported coronavirus outbreak.