Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #71

[SouthAussie]

Continued from my last post where I addressed school situations surrounding me and my family personally.
I work from home, have for past 6 1/2 years and nothing has changed in my job situation. For that I am so thankful. I seriously can't imagine being out of work at the present. Not only do I need to still work, but it's a welcome 8 1/2 hr day that I can't focus on this pandemic. It's always there, but I have to redirect my thoughts to work issues and continue.
I have managed in past 9 years to establish a lovely, modest but extremely peaceful home where I thrive. Although I live alone, in past, before Covid became a day to day reality, weekends were filled with friends and family and as most everyone else - not enough time to do all I needed and wanted to do. This year I see as my life on "pause" and so far, I really am not struggling through this pandemic. I feel extremely blessed that if this pandemic had to happen, I am at the point in my life where there are less interruptions to my "normal" than would have been at other times. I have poured my energy into my garden and landscaping and know that will end later this fall. I do love to read and am slowly building a library of new 2020 releases to have in stock for this winter. Also enjoy painting and am building an inventory of canvases and paints. A healthy supply of PPE, paper products, pet food and human food. I have done all I know to prepare for a "hard" fall and winter.

I am SO thankful for this thread, where I can come and easily find links to the latest developments on this pandemic. I feel a camaraderie among others like myself, that take this virus seriously. There is true empathy for those expressing struggles, whether it be adjusting to isolating or concerns over small businesses. Being a nurse, I follow the Medical sites and truly rely on scientific developments and advice. I am a vocal advocate for masks, social distancing, obsessive hand washing and disinfecting anything that may carry the virus and spreading it among the vulnerable.
Thank you all for being here.

Lovely post. And we all learn more and more about each other ... about other people and how they are coping.
Thank you, too.

 

[Rose in SC]

What's the general attitude toward wearing a mask in your area? Are people wearing them voluntarily? What's your personal response to wearing masks? Are you wearing one when social distancing isn't possible?

Although mask wearing isn't mandated in my area, (N. Ontario), I don't see any people entering a building without one. Our last local CoVid case was in late March.

BBM - Last case was in March?!? Wow, that's awesome! I don't go out much at all but I would say most people I see are wearing a mask nowadays. Personally, I love wearing a mask and I think I might keep wearing one even after a vaccine has been created, lol. Our rural South Carolina county of 40,000 has 565 confirmed cases with 17 confirmed deaths since March.

 

[SouthAussie]

I am interested to see how much mask wearing is taken up, now that it has been also endorsed by the country's leader.

I am also wondering if well-known personalities in the US are endorsing masks? To maybe appeal to the younger generations.

I have seen that happening here since mask wearing was brought in for Melbourne yesterday.

One famous Aussie comedian, Adam Hills, is already tweeting #MaskUpMelbourne.

 

[ArianeEmory]

US deaths surpass 1,000 for second straight day, hospitalizations near record; California scrambles for protective gear

The daily U.S. death toll surpassed 1,000 for the second straight day and hospitalizations were again peaking as the paralyzing coronavirus pandemic showed little sign of easing Thursday.

 

[tresir2012]

What's the general attitude toward wearing a mask in your area? Are people wearing them voluntarily? What's your personal response to wearing masks? Are you wearing one when social distancing isn't possible?

Although mask wearing isn't mandated in my area, (N. Ontario), I don't see any people entering a building without one. Our last local CoVid case was in late March.

I live in a very rural area with a lot of tourists. Noone is wearing masks except a few in the supermarkets. Plexiglas and hand sanitizer available plus one way systems in shops. Pubs have reopened with restrictions. I have not seen masks there either when driving past. Mandatory on public transport only ATM.
ETA I have a friend who is a paramedic. Obviously very different for them in their work. I have previously explained what they have to go thru. Tourists have only started returning due to the lockdown changing recently.

 

[Trino]

What's the general attitude toward wearing a mask in your area? Are people wearing them voluntarily? What's your personal response to wearing masks? Are you wearing one when social distancing isn't possible?

Although mask wearing isn't mandated in my area, (N. Ontario), I don't see any people entering a building without one. Our last local CoVid case was in late March.

Won't wear mask? Oh, yeah. My senior brother lives in Nevada, but, according to him, the virus is only in Vegas and Reno, not his small town. No reason to wear a mask, despite Nevada law. Recently sat in a bar for two hours maskless with two friends. Maybe it's best he's 1800 miles away.

 

[tresir2012]

... and starting tonight, will the "asteroid" hit the earth?

These are the final nights to see Comet Neowise before it's gone – returning in 6,800 years

I hope everyone has had a chance to see this. We live in an area with very little light pollution so we have seen it for two nights so far when the skies were clear of cloud.

 

[Trino]

I hope everyone has had a chance to see this. We live in an area with very little light pollution so we have seen it for two nights so far when the skies were clear of cloud.

Paranoid neighbor has LED lights that would illuminate a major city. Really irritating.

 

[SouthAussie]

Won't wear mask? Oh, yeah. My senior brother lives in Nevada, but, according to him, the virus is only in Vegas and Reno, not his small town. No reason to wear a mask, despite Nevada law. Recently sat in a bar for two hours maskless with two friends. Maybe it's best he's 1800 miles away.

I see photos of western NY ... people hanging out in large groups together, drinking beers, at a bike rally.
"We use hand sanitiser"
"We social distance" (pics prove otherwise)
"It is only really in NYC and other parts of the state"

Guess where the busy tourist hub of Niagara Falls is? Yep, western New York. And it is still busy, tourist boats on the river absolutely packed on the US side, very empty on the Canadian side.


https://7news.com.au/news/travel/ov...why-us-is-losing-coronavirus-battle-c-1188203

 

[tresir2012]

The police in Sydney are trying to block a rally planned for next Tuesday by taking the issue to Supreme Court.
The rally is primarily about a death in custody in 2015!

I don't understand these people. Why can't the rally wait a little longer until this virus crisis is over??


Commissioner Fuller said if the police did not manage to block the event in the Supreme Court, he would instruct officers to issue thousands of tickets for people in crowds breaching health orders.

"A lot of people have made lots of sacrifices and then seeing big numbers of people on the TV clearly flouting the health laws and the Premier's advice, I think a lot of people were frustrated about that."

Police threaten to fine thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters if Sydney rally goes ahead

But if they mask up it will be OK won't it? That has been the argument in US and UK (not that I agree because masks slip and they take them off and share megaphones so they are shouting a lot of the time.) MOO.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Ryan Zimmerman gives Dr. Fauci first pitch tips ahead of Opening Day

World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman gives Dr. Anthony Fauci a pep talk before his #OpeningDay first pitch tonight:
https://twitter.com/Nationals/status/1286039095022702592

 

[SouthAussie]

But if they mask up it will be OK won't it? That has been the argument in US and UK (not that I agree because masks slip and they take them off and share megaphones so they are shouting a lot of the time.) MOO.

Evidently the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier don't think it's okay. They have voiced strong concerns that it must not happen ... not when Sydney area is experiencing multiple cluster outbreaks right now, stemming from the Victoria outbreak.

And the police commissioner also thinks it shouldn't happen ... he is taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

So, no, it is not okay. Now is not the time.

 

[MimosaMornings]

But if they mask up it will be OK won't it? That has been the argument in US and UK (not that I agree because masks slip and they take them off and share megaphones so they are shouting a lot of the time.) MOO.

Mask and eye protection/googles
Masks at all times
Social distancing
(There’s nothing magical about the 6 foot rule)
Don’t share megaphones

When people are shouting and getting agitated, they’re often spitting. That’s going to increase the likelihood of getting infected.

The safest way to protect loved ones is to immediately and religiously wear a mask for three weeks post-protest, given the incubation time and infectious window for this virus, if self-quarantining is not an option.

 

[SouthAussie]

Mask and eye protection/googles
Masks at all times
Social distancing
(There’s nothing magical about the 6 foot rule)
Don’t share megaphones

When people are shouting and getting agitated, they’re often spitting. That’s going to increase the likelihood of getting infected.

The safest way to protect loved ones is to immediately and religiously wear a mask for three weeks post-protest, given the incubation time and infectious window for this virus, if self-quarantining is not an option.

Actually, the safest way to protect loved ones and the whole city/state is to have the rally at a safer time.

If this rally happens, the entire country will be angry with them. We are all trying so hard, and would like to open the state borders one day.

It is an insult to the cause, for them to do this at such a dangerous time. The only point they will be making is that they are acting like fools- due to the timing.

I have been watching twitter, there are SO many people angry about this already.

 

[Trino]

Hawaiian flight attendant dies of virus:

Hawaiian Airlines confirmed that one of their senior Los Angeles-based flight attendants has died due to COVID-19 on Tuesday night, July 21.
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant dies from COVID-19, company confirms | KHON2

 

[ArianeEmory]

Regarding demonstrations/protests causing outbreaks, last I checked they are not particularly linked to any surges.

Parties — Not Protests — Are Causing Spikes In Coronavirus

COVID-19 has not surged in cities with big protests, but it has in states that reopened early. Here are some possible reasons.

No Coronavirus Spike From Black Lives Matter Protests in Bay Area, Experts Say | KQED

What Minnesota’s Protests Are Revealing About Covid-19 Spread

Early Data Show No Uptick in Covid-19 Transmission From Protests

Black Lives Matter Demonstrations Are Not A Big Factor In Oregon's COVID-19 Spike

No confirmed local COVID-19 cases have so far been linked to protests, reopened businesses

New York City reports no protest-related upticks in Covid-19

Black Lives Matter protests have not led to a spike in coronavirus cases, research says - CNN

Portland is a good example. Ongoing demonstrations for a while now, and when I looked yesterday Oregon had a couple of hundred new cases.

By comparison, SC and Alabama (not known for demonstrations at this time, AFAIK) both had 1000+ new cases, and 40-50 new deaths.

Outside + mostly masked is far safer than indoor parties, huge family gatherings, bars, restaurants, etc + recycled air conditioning + no masks.

I know some people have a gut feeling that it must be 'obviously' true that outdoor demonstrations are spreader events, but the numbers don't support it so far.

 

[oviedo]

Florida reports fewer than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 for second consecutive day

I guess this is good news???

 

[tresir2012]

Actually, the safest way to protect loved ones and the whole city/state is to have the rally at a safer time.

If this rally happens, the entire country will be angry with them. We are all trying so hard, and would like to open the state borders one day.

It is an insult to the cause, for them to do this at such a dangerous time. The only point they will be making is that they are acting like fools- due to the timing.

I have been watching twitter, there are SO many people angry about this already.

Good luck. I hope they are successful in banning it. They went ahead in New York and London at a dangerous time too but thankfully there does not seem to have been an uptick because of it from either location.

It is particularly annoying when others are not allowed to gather in numbers in the same way as protesters have been allowed, and not even having socially distanced or masked gatherings with friends and family for months, so I understand those frustrations.

I believe we had an example of a 3% estimate of increases due to protests the other day IIRC so the increase was small.

 

[SouthAussie]

Regarding demonstrations/protests causing outbreaks, last I checked they are not particularly linked to any surges.

Parties — Not Protests — Are Causing Spikes In Coronavirus

COVID-19 has not surged in cities with big protests, but it has in states that reopened early. Here are some possible reasons.

No Coronavirus Spike From Black Lives Matter Protests in Bay Area, Experts Say | KQED

What Minnesota’s Protests Are Revealing About Covid-19 Spread

Early Data Show No Uptick in Covid-19 Transmission From Protests

Black Lives Matter Demonstrations Are Not A Big Factor In Oregon's COVID-19 Spike

No confirmed local COVID-19 cases have so far been linked to protests, reopened businesses

New York City reports no protest-related upticks in Covid-19

Black Lives Matter protests have not led to a spike in coronavirus cases, research says - CNN

Portland is a good example. Ongoing demonstrations for a while now, and when I looked yesterday Oregon had a couple of hundred new cases.

By comparison, SC and Alabama (not known for demonstrations at this time, AFAIK) both had 1000+ new cases, and 40-50 new deaths.

Outside + mostly masked is far safer than indoor parties, huge family gatherings, bars, restaurants, etc + recycled air conditioning + no masks.

I know some people have a gut feeling that it must be 'obviously' true that outdoor demonstrations are spreader events, but the numbers don't support it so far.

Most of us here are not into taking chances with covid.

Unlike the US and UK we have been relatively free of the virus ... until someone in Melbourne did something stupid and now the whole city is in a long lockdown and the state has been isolated.

 

[tabitha111]

Why America is running out of aluminum cans

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/22/business/beer-shortage-aluminum-can/index.html

A shortage of one of the most mundane items in daily life -- the humble aluminum can -- means beer fans are likely to find that some of their favorite brews are out of stock right now.



The supply problem is prompting brewers like Molson Coors, (TAP) Brooklyn Brewery and Karl Strauss to cut back on the breadth of brands they sell and exacerbating concerns of out-of-stocks.



"Everyone who makes anything that goes into a 12-ounce can is being challenged in some respect," Adam Collins, Molson Coors' spokesperson, told CNN Business.



One major factor is the coronavirus and changing habits related to it.


Beer that would have ended up in kegs at restaurants and bars has shifted, along with other kinds of alcohol, to being sold in retail stores and through online channels and consumed at home -- often in cans. The boom in pantry loading in the spring has compounded the problem by throwing brewer supply chains out of whack.


Demand for the can was already strong before the pandemic. Brewers increasingly turned to the vessel during the past 10 years.

[...]

Another factor: the White Claw-driven hard seltzer trend. The fervor for those drinks has spurred shortages in the tall, slim varietals of the 12-ounce can, which has become a popular format for alcoholic sparkling seltzers, light beer and some craft brands.

"This is a little bit of Covid, a little bit of market dynamics over the long run," said Lester Jones, the Wholesalers Association chief economist.


Molson Coors, which sells brands like Blue Moon and Coors Light, shifted production in its portfolio away from smaller, slower-moving brands as a result of the can shortage, Collins said. He declined to name specific beers, citing competitive concerns.

[more at link]
sbm & bbm