Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #70

[CharlestonGal]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed but info below has been edit to provide context>

Here is the "Pandemic Handbook" in the Stanford University Library ... it's pretty easy to find just about anywhere.

Playbook for early response to high-consequence emerging infectious disease threats and biological incidents

ETA: The link is to Stanford Library, not the actual document itself.

 

[10ofRods]

In Berlin, they still have outdoor seating but with blankets on the chairs.
(Personal experience of Berlin in the cold weather)

This may be one reason Germany fared better (and is still faring better, actually). They like beer gardens instead of pubs. France is in the middle, with more outdoor café seating than any place else I've been. But Germans love to celebrate late autumn and winter events outdoors, as well and are apparently well accustomed to the weather.

 

[Sillybilly]

We certainly don't want to get in hot water with the WH, so an original post and some responses had to be removed due to a "not for publication" notation. Devious diva that I am, I've edited some subsequent posts to provide context in relation to the removed posts. With the posted current links that provide links to the publication, this should keep us all safe from any repurcussions from the WH.

Hope that isn't too cryptic

ETA: I'm waiting for a call back from Tricia. She may or may not approve the above approach.

 

[Satchie]

Interesting revelation this morning. You can catch more bees with honey, as they say.

I'm absolutely not to going to call my fellow humans dumb, stupid, moron, cuss words, or whatever. I may think it lol.

Part of our problem I believe is we are so doggone inflexible and we've (as a society) got so proficient at virtue shaming we're obsessed with it.

I run a small outdoor market on Saturdays. I just showed up with bottles of hand sanitizer this morning. To anyone that didn't have hand sanitizer I just asked "would you mind displaying this prominently? We need to be understanding and considerate to everyone". Not one complaint. I could have said "hey you idiot put this out". It wouldn't have went over well.

I was also shamed, so it goes both ways ha ha. A natural healing place told me a thing or two about the fact (after a discussion) I'll be first in line for a covid vaccine. Followed up with "children that are vaccinated are abused". My reply "you do realize these are my grandchildren in my arms? They look abused?". Literally all that stopped my mouth at that point was (a) grandchildren and (b) I'm a professional market manager. Her I know it all attitude soured me.

That's half the issue with this country. Everyone is so busy virtue shaming based on their beliefs they can't just state their routine calmly and let it go. I really think it would win more people over if we would all tamp it down.

My morning observations.

All jmo

Yes, it is interesting going out there and observing what's going on with people. Some clearly spend too much time on the internet being rude to people, it carries over into real life.

But IMO it does no good to argue with someone either about their opinions (why should you care what some random vendor at a market thinks?), or about the fact that they're being rude.

IMO, we can take several approaches, as we do with the other rude people in our lives:
1. decide they're like a telemarketer and just say no and hang up, or
2. a 6 year old having an absurd tantrum and try to distract them
3. be a bit chilly and condescending, as perhaps the Queen would be if you called her Liz
< modsnip>

 

[CharlestonGal]

Synopsis of the Playbook brouhaha from a couple months back, for those who missed it.

Coronavirus: Mitch McConnell admits Obama provided pandemic playbook

 

[Bravo]

Synopsis of the Playbook brouhaha from a couple months back, for those who missed it.

Coronavirus: Mitch McConnell admits Obama provided pandemic playbook

Thanks for that. Most of us knew that months ago

 

[Trino]

While it seems to be safer to be outside, hence all the outdoor bars and restaurants serving on patios etc. But what happens when the weather turns colder? I mean it may seem obvious to not go inside to these places I have no doubt that it will continue to be a source of many infections. And the people who frequent these places will be hell bent on keeping them open, no matter the cost.
Or they will gather at peoples homes.
And I see much of that in my neighborhood. I fear for this winter.

You said it quite well. We live in Minnesota - now what?

 

[Trino]

The Supreme Court ruled that I have to cover the top of my body, no choice. It's really unlikely that a mask decision would have to go to the SC (I'd love to see which State Supreme Courts take a stance against prior UCSC decisions).

We already have a lot of regulation at the federal level...in fact, much of it deeper into technology and more controversial than wearing masks.

If the current administration can threaten to withhold federal funds to states whose schools open, it could surely threaten to do the same about mask wearing.

Look no further than Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down state's stay-at-home order - CNNPolitics

 

[tresir2012]

We certainly don't want to get in hot water with the WH, so an original post and some responses had to be removed due to a "not for publication" notation. Devious diva that I am, I've edited some subsequent posts to provide context in relation to the removed posts. With the posted current links that provide links to the publication, this should keep us all safe from any repurcussions from the WH.

Hope that isn't too cryptic

ETA: I'm waiting for a call back from Tricia. She may or may not approve the above approach.

TY SB. For your info I notice the Stanford Library copy still states "not for public ...." etc and that it was provided by a body called Politico. As it does not seem to be a handbook that the WH is using ATM I am trying to find the link to the current handbook, which I believe is a HHS publication.

ETA here is a link to the current CDC guidelines. It includes a Pandemic Influenza Plan updated in 2017, which would supercede the Obama playbook.

Pandemic Influenza | Pandemic Influenza (Flu) | CDC

 

[tresir2012]

Wow. $10 billion for Covid . Is this new funding?


HHS To Begin Distributing $10 Billion in Additional Funding to Hospitals in High Impact COVID-19 Areas

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing it will begin distributing $10 billion in a second round of high impact COVID-19 area funding to hospitals starting next week. As parts of the nation confront a recent surge in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitals elsewhere continue to recover and grapple with the financial hardships caused by the pandemic, HHS recognizes the need to quickly get these funds to frontline health care providers.

“The top priority for HHS’s administration of the Provider Relief Fund has been getting support as quickly as possible to providers who have been hit hard by COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Because we’ve carefully targeted support, we can make payments to areas most in need as the pandemic evolves, like we are doing with this round of funds.”

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily lives, HHS is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the pandemic through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers, including those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.

On June 8, 2020, HHS sent communications to all hospitals about plans to distribute a second round of funding to high impact COVID-19 areas and asked them to submit data on their COVID-19 positive-inpatient admissions for the period January 1, 2020, through June 10, 2020. Their submissions were used to determine their eligibility and share of the second round of the funding being announced today to ensure hospitals are equitably supported in the battle against this pandemic. Payments from the $10 billion distribution will provide relief to more than 1,000 hospitals across the nation and begin as early as Monday of next week. In May, HHS announced the first round of high impact funding totaling $12 billion that was distributed to 395 hospitals. This means total committed payments for the two rounds of high impact area funding from the Provider Relief Fund program, to date, is over $20 billion, representing almost 12 percent of the entire $175 billion program.

Methodology

The second round of funding announced today was based on a formula for hospitals with over 161 COVID-19 admissions between January 1 and June 10, 2020, or one admission per day, or that experienced a disproportionate intensity of COVID admissions (exceeding the average ratio of COVID admissions/bed). Hospitals will be paid $50,000 per eligible admission.

The first round of funding was based on a formula that distributed funds to hospitals with 100 or more COVID-19 admissions between January 1 and April 10, 2020 and paid $76,975 per eligible admission. These previous high impact payments were also taken into account when determining each hospital’s payment in this second round distribution.

As some areas of the country face new surges of positive COVID-19 cases, HHS will continue to evaluate and provide necessary relief where possible.

View the current list of hospital recipients.

View a state-by-state breakdown on funding. - PDF

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Distribution Update

In June, HHS announced the opening of the application period and plans to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs who had not yet received a payment from the $50 billion General Distribution. Since the announcement on June 9, HHS has hosted a number of webinars targeted at providers and provider organizations to answer questions and assist those eligible through the application process. A fact sheet - PDFexplaining the application process has also been created to address frequently asked questions. HHS is continuing to work with provider organizations, congressional, state and local leaders to get the word out about this program. To ensure eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers have the opportunity to apply for a funding distribution, the deadline to apply has been extended to August 3, 2020.

###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at News.
Like HHS on Facebook , follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov , and sign up for HHS Email Updates.
Last revised: July 17, 2020

 

[10ofRods]

Look no further than Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down state's stay-at-home order - CNNPolitics

Let's see what happens next. Of course, by the time it gets to the USSC, CoVid will hopefully be over.

(I can't believe the state supreme court did that - poor WI).

 

[slowpoke]

A light read, but practical and comforting with a touch of humor. ( I especially liked the thermometer story at the beginning. :giggle

“NPR spoke to medical professionals and COVID-19 recoverees about the trial and error of caregiving: What works, what doesn't and what might provide hope and humor even at the unlikeliest of moments.”

Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Best Way To Care For A Loved One With COVID-19?

 

[oviedo]

I haven’t caught up but wanted to share something that shocked me - I was at Home Depot this morning picking up charcoal and tomato plants and there was a tent with a sign that said Florida Department of Health Covid testing - no notice, no news Announcing it - just there- I did not stand in line but peeked in and there were 3 inside the tent getting tested and several others in line and at the table - I have to go back and return a chainsaw as I’m not nearly as brave as our @PayrollNerd with her pole saw and if I’m alone I will do the test.

 

[zecats]

While it seems to be safer to be outside, hence all the outdoor bars and restaurants serving on patios etc. But what happens when the weather turns colder? I mean it may seem obvious to not go inside to these places I have no doubt that it will continue to be a source of many infections. And the people who frequent these places will be hell bent on keeping them open, no matter the cost.
Or they will gather at peoples homes.
And I see much of that in my neighborhood.
I fear for this winter.

The places that are open here in NJ for patio and canopied dining are not permitted to have indoor seating at this time. I confess I don't mind sitting outside to eat - it would be my choice most times anyway (except this week when the heat index will be 100+). But, in colder weather, if still not permitted, restaurants won't be opening up their inside rooms.

 

[10ofRods]

TY SB. For your info I notice the Stanford Library copy still states "not for public ...." etc and that it was provided by a body called Politico. As it does not seem to be a handbook that the WH is using ATM I am trying to find the link to the current handbook, which I believe is a HHS publication.

There really isn't a comparable contemporary document. If HHS has one, it would be nice if they actually would feature it prominently on their website. But, unless it was properly vetted, it is unlikely to be as comprehensive as the one already posted.

(BTW "not for public distribution" != we must keep it private).

It means that the public is not yet being invited to comment and it's still a work in progress. In the US, it is common and ordinary for relevant professionals and libraries to have copies of such works in progress. Some documents are always "in progress," IME but that doesn't mean they are private.

It just means that the government isn't going to print and circulate. FOIA probably did not even need to be invoked here. Since the administration that drew up the document is now history, there's no one to attempt to pull the document back (nor do I believe anyone would try that). I have stacks of such documents and while I probably wouldn't send them to a news publication (I might though if I thought it necessary), certainly there's no ban on sharing them in professional contexts. Once that is done (the sharing), it's clear that the document is out.

Still no intent on the part of most disaster planners to publish their work publicly. Usually, people doing this kind of work are happy to send their work in progress...

 

[CharlestonGal]

Wow. $10 billion for Covid . Is this new funding?


HHS To Begin Distributing $10 Billion in Additional Funding to Hospitals in High Impact COVID-19 Areas

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing it will begin distributing $10 billion in a second round of high impact COVID-19 area funding to hospitals starting next week. As parts of the nation confront a recent surge in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitals elsewhere continue to recover and grapple with the financial hardships caused by the pandemic, HHS recognizes the need to quickly get these funds to frontline health care providers.

“The top priority for HHS’s administration of the Provider Relief Fund has been getting support as quickly as possible to providers who have been hit hard by COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Because we’ve carefully targeted support, we can make payments to areas most in need as the pandemic evolves, like we are doing with this round of funds.”

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily lives, HHS is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the pandemic through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers, including those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.

On June 8, 2020, HHS sent communications to all hospitals about plans to distribute a second round of funding to high impact COVID-19 areas and asked them to submit data on their COVID-19 positive-inpatient admissions for the period January 1, 2020, through June 10, 2020. Their submissions were used to determine their eligibility and share of the second round of the funding being announced today to ensure hospitals are equitably supported in the battle against this pandemic. Payments from the $10 billion distribution will provide relief to more than 1,000 hospitals across the nation and begin as early as Monday of next week. In May, HHS announced the first round of high impact funding totaling $12 billion that was distributed to 395 hospitals. This means total committed payments for the two rounds of high impact area funding from the Provider Relief Fund program, to date, is over $20 billion, representing almost 12 percent of the entire $175 billion program.

Methodology

The second round of funding announced today was based on a formula for hospitals with over 161 COVID-19 admissions between January 1 and June 10, 2020, or one admission per day, or that experienced a disproportionate intensity of COVID admissions (exceeding the average ratio of COVID admissions/bed). Hospitals will be paid $50,000 per eligible admission.

The first round of funding was based on a formula that distributed funds to hospitals with 100 or more COVID-19 admissions between January 1 and April 10, 2020 and paid $76,975 per eligible admission. These previous high impact payments were also taken into account when determining each hospital’s payment in this second round distribution.

As some areas of the country face new surges of positive COVID-19 cases, HHS will continue to evaluate and provide necessary relief where possible.

View the current list of hospital recipients.

View a state-by-state breakdown on funding. - PDF

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Distribution Update

In June, HHS announced the opening of the application period and plans to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs who had not yet received a payment from the $50 billion General Distribution. Since the announcement on June 9, HHS has hosted a number of webinars targeted at providers and provider organizations to answer questions and assist those eligible through the application process. A fact sheet - PDFexplaining the application process has also been created to address frequently asked questions. HHS is continuing to work with provider organizations, congressional, state and local leaders to get the word out about this program. To ensure eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers have the opportunity to apply for a funding distribution, the deadline to apply has been extended to August 3, 2020.

###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at News.
Like HHS on Facebook , follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov , and sign up for HHS Email Updates.
Last revised: July 17, 2020

"Wow. $10 billion for Covid . Is this new funding?"

No. According to your post it's a 12% of the original $175 billion funded by the program months ago.

 

[tresir2012]

There really isn't a comparable contemporary document. If HHS has one, it would be nice if they actually would feature it prominently on their website. But, unless it was properly vetted, it is unlikely to be as comprehensive as the one already posted.

(BTW "not for public distribution" != we must keep it private).

It means that the public is not yet being invited to comment and it's still a work in progress. In the US, it is common and ordinary for relevant professionals and libraries to have copies of such works in progress. Some documents are always "in progress," IME but that doesn't mean they are private.

It just means that the government isn't going to print and circulate. FOIA probably did not even need to be invoked here. Since the administration that drew up the document is now history, there's no one to attempt to pull the document back (nor do I believe anyone would try that). I have stacks of such documents and while I probably wouldn't send them to a news publication (I might though if I thought it necessary), certainly there's no ban on sharing them in professional contexts. Once that is done (the sharing), it's clear that the document is out.

Still no intent on the part of most disaster planners to publish their work publicly. Usually, people doing this kind of work are happy to send their work in progress...

I have edited my post and added the link to where the current HHS pandemic guide can be found . It is on the CDC site and is a 2017 document.

 

[10ofRods]

I have edited my post and added the link to where the current HHS pandemic guide can be found . It is on the CDC site and is a 2017 document.

Yes, I've seen it. The CDC has had it up for some time. It's thin and puny.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Yes, it is interesting going out there and observing what's going on with people. Some clearly spend too much time on the internet being rude to people, it carries over into real life.

But IMO it does no good to argue with someone either about their opinions (why should you care what some random vendor at a market thinks?), or about the fact that they're being rude.

IMO, we can take several approaches, as we do with the other rude people in our lives:
1. decide they're like a telemarketer and just say no and hang up, or
2. a 6 year old having an absurd tantrum and try to distract them
3. be a bit chilly and condescending, as perhaps the Queen would be if you called her Liz
4. show a detached, amused interest, as though they were a mentally handicapped person telling you an elaborate story involving their pet dog and UFO's. I prefer this one.

BBM. As I said, I'm the market manager. It isn't a random vendor. Part of the duty of a market manager is to make nice to my vendors, even when they're rude.

 

[tresir2012]

"Wow. $10 billion for Covid . Is this new funding?"

No. According to your post it's a 12% of the original $175 billion funded by the program months ago.

It is new funding going to the states.
The $175 billion was allocated but is now being distributed so it is new additional funding for the states. They still have most of the money allocated but unspent and it looks like they are distributing it in $10 billion tranches. This should mean faster testing and results hopefully.