Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #70

[JerseyGirl]

Congress returns with only days to pass new coronavirus relief as pandemic rages

Trump administration says next coronavirus aid package should focus on 'kids and jobs and vaccines'

 

[CSIDreamer]

Florida: 90 new deaths push state past 5,000 fatality mark

For the second day in a row, the coronavirus broke its death toll record in Florida on Monday as fatalities climbed past 5,000 for the first time.

The number of COVID-19 fatalities counted statewide has grown by 802 since July 13, a one-week high, to 5,072, with health officials tallying 90 victims between Sunday and Monday morning. The previous seven-day record was set Sunday.

While most of the surge of new cases in the past two months statewide have been found in younger people, the pathogen continues to be especially deadly for the elderly.

The state Health Department logged 10,347 more cases since Sunday, bringing Florida's official case count to 360,394.
—

I think Florida is going to pass New York soon in total cases, New York is currently at 411,000.

They may. Which table are you using? Worldmeters shows 434,000. I wonder why they're different? Jmo

IMO that's a huge difference and very concerning if case numbers are being inflated.

 

[CSIDreamer]

If the state's official source data is all over the map like that, I'm not sure what the answer is, besides pretend no deaths are happening at all.

My state counts as they receive them, too.

 

[JerseyGirl]

They may. Which table are you using? Worldmeters shows 434,000. I wonder why they're different? Jmo

Global COVID-19 Tracker & Interactive Charts | Real Time Updates & Digestable Information for Everyone | 1Point3Acres

 

[Simply Southern]

Virginia Poultry Workers See Victory In New COVID-19 Protection Rules

...Virginia became the first state in the nation last week to require businesses to protect workers from the coronavirus. The state's new emergency temporary standards obligate businesses to give out personal protective equipment, mandate social distancing guidelines and put in place response plans and training for workers, among other measures. Companies risk up to $130,000 in penalties if they are found to be in violation of the guidelines...

...Essential workers are more likely to get COVID-19 than those who can stay at home, and the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on those who work at poultry processing plants. In May, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that among about 130,000 workers at meat and poultry processing facilities in 19 states, 4,913 cases and 20 deaths occurred due to "difficulties with workplace physical distancing and hygiene and crowded living and transportation conditions."...

...Advocates say that before the new safety guidelines were announced, companies had few safety precautions at all — no masks or temperature checks, no training or information on the pandemic and no way of tracking who was sick — despite the fact that poultry workers work closely together, which makes it difficult to socially distance on the line. Moreover, the workers are largely Latinx, a community that is four times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to contract COVID-19, according to the CDC.

There is a little more to the story ....

I became involved when my city had several deaths from a call center and food factory outbreak and no where to get a test. Posted story below, drove 200 miles to be tested.

Initially the Regional OSHA office refused to investigate this outbreak. I was told by the Regional V OSHA director Covid did not apply to OSHA communicable disease standards. The state director had the same opinion. Reaching out to previous federal OSHA work contacts, OSHA was able to help VOSHA understand their obligations under federal law.

After the story below broke. Northam up and makes an announcement Virginia is going to write their own in addition to the federal ones.

As you can see from the article it was much effort/battle to have the food plant become compliance with OSHA standards.


Monogram Snacks in Henry County will shut down voluntarily for COVID-19 testing after positive tests lead to complaints about employee's safety filed with state and OSHA

Angela Hairston’s brother is living in isolation at a hotel, separated from his 81-year-old mother at their home in Henry County. He is listed statistically as a “confirmed COVID-19 male, 56 years old,” along with five of his coworkers at Monogram Snacks in Martinsville.

But Hairston’s brother not only contracted the coronavirus, he also continued to work after being tested because he said he feared loss of income or being fired by Monogram if he didn’t.

That situation has led the Hairstons to seek help and file complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reflecting a mounting anxiety that not enough is being done at Monogram to ensure the safety of its employees, which is the focus of a second investigation by state officials.


Said Hairston: “OSHA did not appear to address those concerns, and the conditions … deteriorated further in the midst of COVID-19. My brother lives with my mother, who is 81 years old and has a number of chronic health issues. Due to her age and underlying medical conditions, she is in the high-risk category for severe illness from COVID-19 … and the virus … could be deadly given her underlying health issues.”


The Bulletin obtained a copy of a letter dated May 1 from the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) in which Monogram Snacks was placed on notice that a COVID-19 complaint had been lodged against them, alleging the company was not following the CDC and OSHA guidelines for meat and poultry processing facilities.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Global COVID-19 Tracker & Interactive Charts | Real Time Updates & Digestable Information for Everyone | 1Point3Acres

Indiana is a little off compared to Worldmeters.

 

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today: As of 10:00 a.m. today, we have 343 new confirmed cases for a total of 38,907 confirmed cases of which 27,950 are recovered; 1 more has passed away for a total of 793. 343 new COVID-19 cases, 1 additional death reported in Iowa
Here are the IDPH numbers as of 11:00 a.m. today: 38,917 confirmed cases of which 27,972 have recovered and 793 have passed away. Iowa COVID-19 Information

 

[Simply Southern]

Teachers union files lawsuit over Florida school reopening order

He is not helping FL at all IMO

Our local school board voted last Monday to open with kids coming 2 days per week.

Friday they announced school would be online only. No explanation and the Superintendent and school board members have no comment.

The announcement states each family would be contacted by the school directly.

We do have a high positivity rate from 12.9% to 21% and have extreme difficulty finding and scheduling test. Some have driven >200 miles. No community testing.

Many are wondering if the teachers are refusing to go back?

 

[Reasonable & Just]

There is a little more to the story ....

I became involved when my city had several deaths from a call center and food factory and no where to a test. Posted story below, drove 200 miles to be tested.

Initially the Regional OSHA office refused to investigate this outbreak. I was told by the Regional V OSHA director Covid did not apply to OSHA communicable disease standards. The state director had the same opinion. Reaching out to previous federal OSHA work contacts, OSHA was able to help VOSHA understand their obligations under federal law.

After the story below broke. Northam up and makes an announcement Virginia is going to write their own in addition to the federal ones.

As you can see from the article it was much effort/battle to have the food plant become compliance with OSHA standards.


Monogram Snacks in Henry County will shut down voluntarily for COVID-19 testing after positive tests lead to complaints about employee's safety filed with state and OSHA

ngela Hairston’s brother is living in isolation at a hotel, separated from his 81-year-old mother at their home in Henry County. He is listed statistically as a “confirmed COVID-19 male, 56 years old,” along with five of his coworkers at Monogram Snacks in Martinsville.

But Hairston’s brother not only contracted the coronavirus, he also continued to work after being tested because he said he feared loss of income or being fired by Monogram if he didn’t.

That situation has led the Hairstons to seek help and file complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reflecting a mounting anxiety that not enough is being done at Monogram to ensure the safety of its employees, which is the focus of a second investigation by state officials.


Said Hairston: “OSHA did not appear to address those concerns, and the conditions … deteriorated further in the midst of COVID-19. My brother lives with my mother, who is 81 years old and has a number of chronic health issues. Due to her age and underlying medical conditions, she is in the high-risk category for severe illness from COVID-19 … and the virus … could be deadly given her underlying health issues.”


The Bulletin obtained a copy of a letter dated May 1 from the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) in which Monogram Snacks was placed on notice that a COVID-19 complaint had been lodged against them, alleging the company was not following the CDC and OSHA guidelines for meat and poultry processing facilities.

This is quite a story, and how wonderful that you played a part in protecting your fellow men and women. Thank you

 

[SoCalDavidS]

At first, the governor tried to continue on with his speech but when he realized his words were being drowned out, he paused and gave an uncomfortable smile.

He then laughed as protesters were being escorted out. No arrests were made.

Having people blame you for Dead citizens is apparently funny.

 

[tresir2012]

LOL - that started my week with a smile. Same category as the athletic guy with a handicapped sticker, carrying heavy boxes out of his car, or a family dog wearing a Service Animal vest in the grocery store.


The issue is that AZ "reports" data, as it arrives, and then logs that data against the correct date. The process is explained, here: Identifying COVID-19 Deaths in Arizona

The implication is clearly that a record number of deaths occurred in AZ in Saturday and that is not true. The number of 147 contains corrections that can go back weeks, or months. The actual death total for last Saturday won't be known for weeks - until death certificate are collected and reviewed. AZ has four days of deaths 60, or above - highest being 65 on July 7. I have seen these numbers frequently change - June 25th, for example, has changed at least six times, that I have tracked - usually up, but the last change was down by one.

The problem is that the erroneous report has already done it's damage. Governor Ducey will have to spend time explaining this, which shouldn't be necessary.

What I started doing with the UK figures was using the weekly totals and comparing the % increase from the previous weeks cumulative. We had four nations reporting at different times of day plus weekends were always less so it was easier using the weekly figure or a 7 day daily average than looking at each days varying numbers, I found. Then they suddenly added on thousands of care home deaths. Now they are saying some deaths were included that shouldn't have been and are having a review. One would think counting Covid deaths would be straightforward, but clearly it isn't.

 

[margarita25]

MOO.. I think WHO may control/pirchase doses for third world countries.

The Gates Foundation donated 100 million dollars to WHO for Covid. I'm not sure if it has a specific earmark.

@margarita25 ....
As our WHO expert do you know what plans WHO has to distribute vaccines when available?

Thorough post on WHO discussion re: vaccines. COVAX, Act Accelerator and comments here:

Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #70

eta: Also see Technical Update / WHO Vaccine Conference here:

Act Accelerator / COVAX Technical PC:

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[slowpoke]

Will it help?


Someone will win $10,000 for wearing a mask on the streets of New Orleans

Someone will win $10,000 for wearing a mask on the streets of New Orleans

 

[Simply Southern]

This is quite a story, and how wonderful that you played a part in protecting your fellow men and women. Thank you

Keeping my skills sharp and in touch with old acquaintances.

Now if I can just get community testing without going to jail (lol) I'll be a happy camper and go back into retirement.

All joking aside, if this is happening in my community its happening in other small communities. We all need to be vigilant, keeping our eyes open for happenings in our backyards.

Moo....

 

[Simply Southern]

Thorough post on WHO discussion re: vaccines. COVAX, Act Accelerator and comments here:

Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #70

eta: Also see Technical Update / WHO Vaccine Conference here:

Act Accelerator / COVAX Technical PC:

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

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Thank you, I knew you'd have the WHO information.

 

[tresir2012]

I thought I had read about a 10% decrease, we’ve probably read the same thing! Hopefully it’ll be at least that amount. Wonder how long it’ll take to sort out.

This is what I think happened. They sent a lot of elderly back to the care homes to free up beds initially. They later discovered they had Covid. Then those elderly started to die, maybe not necessarily of Covid, but with Covid. Then they added on that lump sum from the care homes. Now they realise that some of them died after the 28 day period so they want to deduct them from the numbers. This is my theory for what is going on. IMO based on what we know so far.

 

[margarita25]

Dr. Gottlieb speaks (I’ve been waiting! I posted last week that I wonder when he will comment on the CDC situation):

Opinion | Behind the HHS-CDC Disagreement
An interagency feud over key data demonstrates the inadequacy of U.S. efforts to prepare for a pandemic.

“The Covid epidemic in the South has strained the country’s capacity to keep up with the demand for testing. Six months into the pandemic, we still don’t have enough supplies, equipment or lab services. There’s no national plan for effectively allocating the capacity that does exist or providing a sufficient surge where it’s needed suddenly.

The system is overwhelmed. Major commercial labs are reporting...”

[...]

“Finally, we need incentives to bring manufacturing capacity back to the U.S. We need the ability to make large quantities of vaccines and biologics domestically. The ability of some nations to respond more effectively than the U.S. has created a public-health, economic and security risk. A pandemic has long been feared, and the U.S. wasn’t ready when it finally arrived.“

—-

Eta:

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eta2: I think the is the article Dr. Gottlieb is referencing in the above video:

Who took down the CDC’s coronavirus data? The agency itself.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I saw a Santa Muerte mask at a drive thru food window worker and screamed. Truly horrifying but if it works..

I do love you Tony, you crack me up

 

[JerseyGirl]

Ky. couple on house arrest after wife tests positive for coronavirus, refuses quarantine order

Elizabeth Linscott and her husband, Isaiah, displayed their ankle monitors. Linscott told the station that after testing positive for coronavirus and later refusing to sign a Self-isolation and Controlled Movement Agreed Order, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department arrived at their Hardin County home with stay-at-home orders for her, Isaiah and their infant daughter.

The ankle monitors the couple was ordered to wear will alert law enforcement if they travel more than 200 feet from their house.

 

[10ofRods]

Checkin in.... it's been awhile... the metro area in my hood will go back to base again later this week. We have been in phase 1 for months...... Gov is going to announce distant learning at home for the Fall. My senior is heartbroken to miss homecoming and football games but we have a crisis on our hands...

I hope the teachers push for virtual "recess" and break-out groups where teens can have a bit of time to socialize.

Zoom has that capability, although I do realize that teachers feel completely overwhelmed at trying to manage a Zoom class. Anything other than straight lecture or conversation means new skills for teachers.

But giving kids of all ages some time just to hang out together, via Zoom, is something schools should sponsor and mildly oversee. I suspect that won't happen because of fears that 1-2 students will do something hinky, which is how we live these days.