Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #68

[LovesPeace2]

Hello neighbour. I’m in BC too...and yes in today’s briefing Dr. Bonnie Henry certainly did indicate that she’s in no hurry to see the border reopen. She has been involved in other disease outbreaks in the world and I found it interesting that she admitted during question period that she had not at the beginning ever expected this one to become so out of control. In additional news yesterday, I think coming out of eastern Canada, plans were being made for extra security/ scrutiny at the border.

Yep . I thought our weekend numbers were bad at 62 then I saw Alberta’s at 250 just shook my head most of our cases come from large gatherings. It’s gotta start being common sense wear a mask when out wash ya hands don’t touch your face . What I don’t understand is the no back country camping that just doesn’t make sense to me . It’s not like ya can find a camping spot anymore

 

[ZoriahNZ]

A school district in Missouri is requiring parents to sign a waiver in case children who participate in sports or other activities become infected with COVID-19 and die.

The “waiver of liability” from Hazelwood School District was shared on Tuesday by attorney Natasha Scruggs.

“I feel sick reading it,” Scruggs said.

The document asks parents to acknowledge that COVID-19 is a public health crisis and to relinquish their rights to hold the district responsible even if a student’s death is “caused by the negligence of carelessness” of school staff.

https://twitter.com/AttorneyScruggs/status/1283036954305626116

I think schools often have waivers for sports activities. But the wording is very questionable. Even if they are proven negligent or careless??? Ugh, who would want sign that?

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Tidal Wave of COVID-19 Lawsuits on the Way

As the "new normal" sinks in with social distancing and government-imposed shutdowns, some businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Now, many are about to be slammed with a tidal wave of litigation as consumers and injured parties seek compensation for COVID-related losses. A recent flurry of class action and other mass filings gives us a hint of what lies ahead – and they appear to be only the tip of the iceberg.

Tidal Wave of COVID-19 Lawsuits on the Way

 

[155etta]

Tidal Wave of COVID-19 Lawsuits on the Way

As the "new normal" sinks in with social distancing and government-imposed shutdowns, some businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Now, many are about to be slammed with a tidal wave of litigation as consumers and injured parties seek compensation for COVID-related losses. A recent flurry of class action and other mass filings gives us a hint of what lies ahead – and they appear to be only the tip of the iceberg.

Tidal Wave of COVID-19 Lawsuits on the Way

Lord have mercy.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

Lord have mercy.

I think that we will have a massive problem with litigation preventing the economy from recovering.

 

[musicaljoke]

I'm trying to figure out what's so wrong with HHS getting this information before the CDC.

It is of utmost importance that the public health data is collected and reported at arms length from the possibility of political interference. To do otherwise is extremely dangerous.

 

[Rocco]

Moderna says its vaccine produces antibodies to coronavirus

Biotech Moderna’s potential vaccine to prevent Covid-19 produced a “robust” immune response, or neutralizing antibodies, in all 45 patients in its early stage human trial, according to newly released data published Tuesday evening in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine.

Dow futures jump more than 200 points after Moderna says its vaccine produces antibodies to coronavirus

 

[margarita25]

“The Department of Health and Human Services listed 19 companies that have received contracts under the Defense Production Act to produce emergency supplies, including 600 million N95 respirators and face masks. But experts say it's not enough and that the effort started far too late.

Only about half the masks ordered will be delivered by the end of this year.

While large health systems and hospitals have been able to build up their inventories of equipment through preexisting contracts, smaller physicians' offices and assisted living communities have had trouble getting what they need. As states have reopened and schools and businesses scramble to obtain their own protective gear, demand is likely to continue to outpace supply.

It's a problem that experts say could've been avoided. A former Defense Department official told CNN the administration lost months by not acting aggressively enough with the DPA early on, making it impossible to keep up with demand.“

[...]

“The National Center for Assisted Living, an industry group, found in a survey of its members in June that more than half of the assisted living facilities had less than two-week supplies of specific protective equipment.“

[...]

“Nurses are finding themselves in a similar position, despite comments from the administration that hospital capacity remains strong and states have all they need in terms of supplies.

Cortez described situations where the lack of adequate supplies is putting nurses on the front lines of the pandemic in greater danger.

In particular, Cortez says some nurses in Florida are using N95 masks that are not fit-tested. "That's really putting nurses in danger," she says, because those masks don't form the seal around the nose, mouth and chin that would allow the mask to protect the wearer from the virus.

The shortages of PPE have already started to have an adverse impact. Cortez cited a nurse in LA who rushed in, wearing simply a surgical mask, to help a coronavirus patient who had stopped breathing.

"So far, we have 148 nurses that have died because of the coronavirus, simply because they did not have the proper PPE," Cortez said, noting that figure is only what has been reported to her union and that the actual death toll of nurses is likely higher.”

*much more about Defense Production Act / PPE shortages at CNN link here

 

[Snoods]

Moderna says its vaccine produces antibodies to coronavirus

Biotech Moderna’s potential vaccine to prevent Covid-19 produced a “robust” immune response, or neutralizing antibodies, in all 45 patients in its early stage human trial, according to newly released data published Tuesday evening in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine.

Dow futures jump more than 200 points after Moderna says its vaccine produces antibodies to coronavirus

This is good news!

 

[Trino]

Not concerned about what???

Closed border.

 

[Trino]

I think schools often have waivers for sports activities. But the wording is very questionable. Even if they are proven negligent or careless??? Ugh, who would want sign that?

Doubtful in a lawsuit it would be worth the paper it’s printed on.

 

[margarita25]

“Across the country, nurses, doctors and some state health officials say the lack of personal protective equipment is their most dangerous challenge. N95 masks are the toughest to find.

“This is something that we were talking about four months ago,” said Patrice Harris, former president of the American Medical Association.

AMA has been begging the federal government “to direct the manufacture, acquisition and distribution of PPE.”“

[...]

“The administration listened a little bit too much to corporate interests early on in the crisis,” Magasmen said. “The DPA was not used early enough nor aggressively enough to put us in a position to get the kind of equipment and PPE we need in time.”“

[...]

“Some major hospitals say they are making their own deals to buy scarce supplies at exorbitant prices, and some are even stockpiling PPE.

However, smaller hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices are left out of the supply chain, which jeopardizes even routine medical care, according to the AMA.

“A few months ago, we’re in this really dire, urgent situation and our hope was that that situation would change and improve, Dr. Shikha Gupta said. “And it’s really unfortunate that here we are in the middle of July, and things look more or less the same as they did in mid-March.”“

[...]

““It shouldn’t be seen in the United States. We had the opportunity to do a better job preparing ourselves and preparing the people that we’re trusting to care for COVID patients. And we didn’t do that. We really fell short as a country,” Gupta said.

According to a medical supply chain expert, the PPE shortage may get worse in the weeks and months to come as school systems enter the market, trying to get protective gear so they can reopen.“

Calls grow for Trump administration to aid in PPE production amid shortage

 

[gngr~snap]

Interesting thought!

It's been nagging at me. I am totally willing to admit that I may be a little out there.
I have been on this earth 53 years and as many of you, I question daily what the heck happened? How can this even be real?
Not the pandemic, we have been told for decades it will happen again.
What behooves me is why??
Why the lack of preparation?
Why the lack of PPE?
Why hasn't there been a National Education and Pandemic Response unit been established to educate the children and community on what steps they must take to move forward in a safe way?
This is the United States and this iso far at best has been a "fluster muck".
In only 4 months we as a country are repeating the mistakes made when this started. We are failing our children by not being proactive and listening to, adhering to and acting upon the advice that the professionals are stressing.

I am so fed up with people and their conspiracy theories. At this point, I am starting to think there is a place in the future, where we as humans will rest, when this is over.
Perhaps as a reinvented community that realizes people matter more than "stuff".
Children are raised and educated by those who love them and care for personally to improve their future.
Where children spend more time in the safety of their homes with their families and close friends.
A world where adults focus in the future, not by what they can obtain or gain regarding wealth or material items, but will measure the success of their lives by accessing the quality of their children's future by the things money cannot buy.

Anyway-
Bottom line.
I hope after all of this is said and done, lessons are learned and applied and things get better in every way.
MOO

 

[margarita25]

Hospitals struggle with PPE shortages amid new COVID-19 surges
July 10

“More than four months into the COVID-19 crisis, hospitals are continuing to struggle to find enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line healthcare workers.

Particularly in the wake of new spikes in cases reported in states across the country, the ongoing shortage of PPE has pushed facilities to rely on the once unheard-of practice of reusing equipment—officially known as reprocessing—in order to shore up supplies. “

[...]

“While hospitals have acknowledged the practice isn't ideal, it's the best and most acceptable option in the midst of a crisis that has put the supply chain for PPE under unprecedented strain.“

[...]

“A number of groups representing front-line healthcare workers are concerned about the safety risks it poses.“

[...]

“National Nurses United said that many of the decontamination methods used by systems haven’t been tested against COVID-19.”

[...]

“Things may not get better for hospital systems as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

Hospitals are continuing to stock up to prepare for a potential second surge in the fall, and cases are continuing to rise in major hot spots as hospital capacity fills up.”

 

[Trino]

If I were President during a pandemic...
Mandate manufacture of PPE and federal gov’t would send at no cost where needed.
FEMA housing for those having financial problems.
Close everything for the rest of the year except necessary businesses.
Call military doctors to help.
Masks required everywhere in public.
No travel except very necessary.
Daily national update with helpful words of encouragement.
Data by zip code.
$$ to help unemployed.
Create regional federal czars to coordinate help - medical, unemployment.
Create government jobs, especially infrastructure.

But, since I’m not President, I will retire for the night.

 

[gngr~snap]

Atlanta City and Dekalb Co are moving in the right direction.

I do not believe that brick and mortar school will start until after 2021. Get them started and get the moral up then they will ask them to keep up the good work and we'll see you next year! Home schooling isn't going to be forever, but it is what is the safest, at this time. For the health and well being of all members of the community, hang in there a few more months. Let's not lose what we have gained by opening too soon.
MOO://www.facebook.com/10505090694/posts/10159388195695695/

 

[margarita25]

New Bill Would Require California To Keep 90-Day Stockpile Of PPE
June 19

“As cases of coronavirus continue to increase with more businesses reopening, a local lawmaker is proposing a bill that would require the state, and health care providers to keep months-worth of extra personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand.

It’s been three months of stress and worry for EMT Gabriel Montoya with not enough PPE to go around.

“Every day we are worried that this might be the day that we get it,” Montoya said. “For three shifts, sometimes at length, which means we are going from patient room to patient room with the same mask and we could possibly be giving this to patients.”“

[...]

““This is really a step towards preparedness and that why I think this is an important investment to try to protect our future from a future pandemic and economic decline because of that,” Pan said.

For those on the front lines like Montoya, it would give him the peace of mind he’s been hoping for.

“We feel like the federal government has dropped the ball, we have not been prioritized in our safety and we feel like okay, California it is time to step up,” Montoya said. “We want to go in there and care for patients as best as we can, but we don’t just want to be called health care heroes right, we don’t want to be martyrs.”“

 

[Snoods]

South Carolina sees more than 2,200 coronavirus cases, second highest increase in one day

About one in five tests announced in the daily case update were positive for the coronavirus.


Hospitals also are increasingly burdened with COVID-19 patients.

On Tuesday, the state set another record of hospital beds occupied by patients diagnosed with or suspected to have the sometimes deadly disease. That number jumped to 1,550 Tuesday from 1,472 Monday.

https://www.thestate.com/news/coronavirus/article244215817.html

 

[margarita25]

How Canada is fighting Covid-19: Ramping up PPE production, travel ban from the U.S. and Bonnie Henry
July 13

“Many of Canada’s leading hospitals were generally prepared for an influx of Covid-19. There were initial concerns about a lack of personal protective equipment back in April, but the country quickly ramped up production. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that Canadian companies are producing so much PPE to fight Covid-19 that the country is almost at the point of being self-sufficient.

“We did really quickly retool our manufacturing supply chain,” said Zayna Khayat, a health strategist at Toronto-based SE Health and an adjunct professor of health sector strategy at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. “We never had domestic capacity for things like masks, gowns and vents, so it’s been good to see us get there.””

[...]

“Public health experts note that it’s important to have a spokespersonwho can regularly speak to people about the pandemic in a consistent way. Henry, at least so far, has all the qualities that public health departments typically look for in a public face. Many people find her soft voice to be comforting, and she’s taken time to remind Canadians to be good to each other and to come together in the face of a unified threat. She typically ends her calls and presentations with a trademark line: “This is our time to be kind, to be calm and to be safe.”

Most important, her communication style seems to be working. British Columbia could have experienced a major outbreak, given that a large chunk of its population travels back and forth to China. But public health experts note that it’s been manageable. Thus far, there have been a little more than 3,000 reported Covid-19 cases and less than 200 deaths in the province. “If you look at British Columbia, with its population of millions of people, the fact that they came out relatively unscathed from Covid-19 is a huge testament to her leadership,” said Chagla.”

 

[pocketaccent]

A lot of noncompliance going on by businesses and customers..

Burbank Barbershop Refuses to Close, Openly Defying Governor's Orders

They’re actively defying the governor’s order – not because they say it’s about business – but because they say this business is so personal.
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Tuesday, customers in the barbershop were also openly defying the order by coming in for a fade.
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Riverside gym Mania Fitness says it won't comply with state order to shut down again

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- With coronavirus infections rapidly increasing, many local businesses have once again been forced to shut down but one gym in Riverside says it will not heed orders from state officials.
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"There are some small businesses that spend a fortune trying to help please the governor and do separate things like outdoor dining... (putting) plastic walls up, doing all kinds of crazy things to help be safer and then he goes and shuts us (down) again," Ends said.

Some of the gyms customers say if it's okay to protest in the streets, it should be okay to go to a gym.
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