Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #73

[ilovewings]

It's really sad that Dr. Birx is caught between the leadership of two political parties during an election year, but knowing her ability and professionalism, she will forge on and continue to do whatever she can on behalf of our country.

I have mixed feelings about Dr. Birx: I know she is a knowledgeable professional, but I think at some point she wanted to stay on the good side of Trump and told him what he wanted to hear. Now the situation is getting much worse regarding spread of the virus and she cannot sugar coat the situation so she is just being honest at this point.

 

[Tillicum]

I have mixed feelings about Dr. Birx: I know she is a knowledgeable professional, but I think at some point she wanted to stay on the good side of Trump and told him what he wanted to hear. Now the situation is getting much worse regarding spread of the virus and she cannot sugar coat the situation so she is just being honest at this point.

I think she's been honest all along.

 

[weepingangel]

Baystate Medical Center reports 55 coronavirus cases tied to outbreak
More at link/Massachusetts

]SPRINGFIELD — More than 50 infections have been tied to a recent coronavirus outbreak at Baystate Medical Center but the outbreak has not spread beyond the affected unit, hospital officials said Monday.
Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, said the outbreak — which totaled 36 COVID-19 infections a week ago — has now climbed to 55 known cases. The figure includes 33 employees and 22 patients at a 37-bed, non-coronavirus unit at the Springfield hospital.

 

[ilovewings]

Is the Subway Risky? It May Be Safer Than You Think

Interesting article about subway transportation with the idea that the subway may be safer than we think (at least that is the title of the article): i think though at the end of the day i am left with this reality: If the subway is going to get crowded like it was when the pandemic first started,the subway is not safe: if there is decreased ridership it might not be as unsafe as it is with lots of people on it shoulder to shoulder.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

https://www.kentucky.com/news/coronavirus/article244030112.html

Has this been discussed previously at all?

Also, some further info about sweet wormwood below.

Sweet Wormwood

interesting. WHO's warning seem to be more in countries with higher malaria cases, since Artemisia resistance can be a problem with malaria cases. But the warnings don't seem that severe....

Artemisinin raises hopes and fears amid COVID-19

 

[10ofRods]

Yeah, about travelling around the country ...

<facepalm>

I get your sentiment, but in fact, I do think infectious disease specialists at the top levels of the hierarchy need some on-the-ground experience and data. That's what she signed up for and she needs to do some travel.

I think it's more essential than having trucks driving all around the US with loads of non-essentials (and we can all have our views on that, but I don't think transporting hair driers and massage chairs is essential). If you look at how CoVid spread, it's scary how it's along our interstates - that's a huge reason that Central California and along the I-10 and I-20 in Texas have so much CoVid and got it early - same thing on north/south routes on the East C0ast).

Australia has the right idea on this, IMO.

Understanding why the heck people are doing what they are doing right now is really hard. She could watch tons of videos, but that isn't the same as seeing airport behaviors, etc. It also keeps all doctors acutely aware of the risks that others are taking, as opposed to ivory towering them. She also needs to hear local concerns from medical personnel and show them she cares - at least a good leader should do that.

She surely has frequent testing for herself- which is of course a huge preventative.

If we only had a focus on rapid testing (everywhere). That's what she and Dr. Fauci want to happen - and what could happen if our nation truly focused on the pandemic.

In fact, if we did have even limited fast tests, you'd see more people returning sooner to economic activities, and that's a part of this too.

But oh well, that's pretty much a pipe dream.

I'm not a huge fan of Dr. B, but I think she has one of the worst jobs a scientist could have and I have empathy for her.

 

[Trino]

I was just going to post this: saw this on MSNBC- what is wrong with people- OMG- at this point in time there is no plan to postpone it--- unbelievable.
I feel sorry for the residents because they do not want this to proceed: I can't even imagine the level of virus this will cause- to innocent people who just want to be safe.

Have you seen this? More and more rallies through October in Nevada.
NEVADA Motorcycle Events & Biker Rallies

 

[Trino]

It's really sad that Dr. Birx is caught between the leadership of two political parties during an election year, but knowing her ability and professionalism, she will forge on and continue to do whatever she can on behalf of our country.

I'd like her to respond by quitting. Maybe that would let reality sink in. But, then, a probably less than reputable person would take her place. Not much she can do after she's told the truth.

 

[beatrixpotter]

JMO
Unless there are people dying in the street in front of them and hearing ambulance sirens continuously - I doubt people will change their behavior.

Just from what I see locally in person and postings on neighborhood apps - I’m not hopeful.

I know someone whose husband is a nurse in a hospital system in GA that was recently diverting patients and out of ICU beds. They are steadfastly insistent on downplaying it entirely. "The majority of patients aren't COVID patients." "It turns out that was fake news. My husband asked someone at the hospital and they said they weren't out of ICU beds." I'm going to guess they are waiting for refrigerated morgue trucks outside the hospital? A hospital system so crashed that COVID patients ARE the majority?

They are heavily invested in downplaying it and I think this has everything to do with protective mechanisms. I know they are actually anxious people. They are handling the fear with avoidance and not facing reality.

I'm struggling with my own personal anger at so many people doing this. Maybe I'm not being entirely fair in doing that? The problem is when those in charge of handling the situation are doing the exact same thing it prevents everyone else from facing facts and adjusting. Basically everyone else outside of the U.S. can't see what we are dealing with except those in the thick of it?

 

[gitana1]

I would not want that woman coughing on me or worse -- i would not intervene unless i called the police----i hope that woman does not have Covid

Yeah. I understand. It’s a hard position. But I think there’s a way to intervene that’s safer. I come from a family on both sides who risked their lives to do what’s right so it’s a challenge for me.

I don’t think I can stay quiet when someone is berating workers. They put up with enough. I have spoken up many times before.

Once right before the pandemic there was a man just berating his elderly father. He went on and on and trying to rush him into making a decision on shoes. He started using the F bomb. I had to step in. He was a big guy but I was pissed. But I didn’t blow up. I just told him, “Whoa. Whoa. You cannot talk to him like that. You need to calm down.”
He gave me some excuse and his dad tried to excuse him too and I said, “I don’t care. There’s no reason to talk like that. You need to have respect.”

I mean you never know when someone is insane and can shoot you, stab you, punch you and now we have to worry about being coughed on. It’s scary. But in that moment I have a hard time keeping quiet.

I guess they video because it’s a way to make people try to control themselves for fear of getting caught doing something wrong?

I feel so badly for her kids. No idea what that life is like.

 

[gitana1]

I know someone whose husband is a nurse in a hospital system in GA that was recently diverting patients and out of ICU beds. They are steadfastly insistent on downplaying it entirely. "The majority of patients aren't COVID patients." "It turns out that was fake news. My husband asked someone at the hospital and they said they weren't out of ICU beds." I'm going to guess they are waiting for refrigerated morgue trucks outside the hospital? A hospital system so crashed that COVID patients ARE the majority?

They are heavily invested in downplaying it and I think this has everything to do with protective mechanisms. I know they are actually anxious people. They are handling the fear with avoidance and not facing reality.

I'm struggling with my own personal anger at so many people doing this. Maybe I'm not being entirely fair in doing that? The problem is when those in charge of handling the situation are doing the exact same thing it prevents everyone else from facing facts and adjusting. Basically everyone else outside of the U.S. can't see what we are dealing with except those in the thick of it?

I have now had two people tell me that they personally know of someone who went to get a test, never actually did the test (left early) and got notification of positive “results”.

I don’t believe them. I think it’s bs people say to push the theory that this is overblown. Both people seem to have an agenda.

 

[10ofRods]

I have mixed feelings about Dr. Birx: I know she is a knowledgeable professional, but I think at some point she wanted to stay on the good side of Trump and told him what he wanted to hear. Now the situation is getting much worse regarding spread of the virus and she cannot sugar coat the situation so she is just being honest at this point.

Yeah, she has to step out in front of this - as best she can (the relevant parties all over the US are *not* going to listen).

For example:

Pennsylvania man opens fire on cigar store and then has shoot out with police - over masks.

He used an AK-47 in the assault on the police.

Someone near the top of the administration has to say something. But at this point, only a massive, federally-sponsored PR campaign involving every form of media would work. There needs to be a constant, steady message about what the virus actually is, what the pulmonary response is (and yes, introduce people to a bit of anatomical information) and then constant showing of graphs and data for each region.

And *every* government employee (including all those sheriffs refusing to wear masks and to enforce) has to be put on federal notice and there needs to be an agency that enforces compliance federally, the way we have with drugs and firearms.

Poor Dr. B. All she can do is speak truth to ignorance, and that's not enough.

 

[gitana1]

Yes, learned of these details later. I thought she’d already filed charges. I hope she did. It’s unfathomable to me what the suspect did, even without Covid!

I know! This has really brought out the crazies. I mean I don’t need the flu, TB or whatever else someone might have. But this pandemic has weaponized a cough!

 

[nhmemorymaker]

And so money still talks. Sturgis rally. Aug 7-16. 250k expected. Never mind what the citizens think.

In a survey of residents conducted by the city, more than 60% said the rally should be postponed. But businesses pressured the City Council to proceed.

South Dakota numbers are really so so low......... but I remember what Florida felt like in early May. ... delusion will lead.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Dr. Birx visited Virginia last week. She met with our state legislators, governor, and a few friends of the governor. This was ALL behind closed doors, no media were allowed.

Dr. Birx later spoke to the press in a very short PC, that most Richmond stations did not even play. The governor nor any Virginia state official showed up for the PC, just Dr. Birx all by herself. Our local media had a very hard time obtaining just a few clips of the PC.

She recommended CLOSING bars, and rolling back to phase 2, as Virginia has not only metro but rural outbreaks. Eastern shore (beach/chicken processing plants) running 16 to 21% positivity, and rural counties 15 to 25 % positivity.

Our state numbers are running 7.2 to 7.8 % which is not a true reflect of virus prevalence. NOVA ( 40% of VA population), has contained the virus and running below 5%., where the rest of our health districts are above 9 to 20%. Factoring in NOVA numbers scuse the outbreak we are experiencing in the entire rest of the state.

Our governor, who is a Physician, did NOT listen or take the advisement of DR. Birx. He stopped the sale of alcohol at 10pm, and is closing bars at 12pm, in Eastern Virginia only, limiting gatherings to 50 or less.

The CDC team is on its third trip to eastern shore to try and contain, with no assistance from our state leaders.

MOO, Virginia cases will continue to rise in rural areas, as the governor has ask local counties to NOT roll back restrictions, it could affect cities CARES funding from the state. We have NO state wide testing, and rank in the lowest for testing in the US.

Some governors are NOT listening to the CDC, WH taskforce, nor are they using dollars received under CARES to provide an effective response to COVID.

A national responsse will not work, the federal government does not have jurisdictions over the states. We have seen in recent weeks how federal intervention is NOT received well in most states.

When the 15 day plan was issued by the WHTF it was up to individual governors to close schools, businesses, etc.

I don't see this ending any time soon. I hear the same message my state leaders hear, daily from CDC, WHTF, Dr. Fauci, all being ignored.

Shaking my head in Virginia.....as we brace for high wind and flooding in the middle and western rural communities over the next two days from the tropical storm. Stressing our local volunteer EMS personnel even more.

White House expert recommends Northam close bars, limit indoor dining

Dr. Birx recommended Northam close bars 'where social distancing isn't possible' and limit indoor dining, according to WRIC.

She said that these restrictions would be most effective statewide, but ultimately it's up to Northam.

"It could really prevent Virginia from having the experience that our southern states have had by starting mitigation efforts sooner rather than later," Birx said.

MOO....

Reading this just makes me so depressed. She is such a statistics based person, and it is just so sad how she was received.
I gather NOVA is Northern VA?
When Virginians get up close and personal what do they think about Northam. Or is it different in the rural parts?

I don't expect her to visit Florida. But I wish she would come anyway..... somehow.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I have mixed feelings about Dr. Birx: I know she is a knowledgeable professional, but I think at some point she wanted to stay on the good side of Trump and told him what he wanted to hear. Now the situation is getting much worse regarding spread of the virus and she cannot sugar coat the situation so she is just being honest at this point.

I, too, have mixed feelings. Or had is more appropriate, I guess. In the beginning I would see her nod her head, and think she is just giving trump a nod, cause she thought he said the right think that time, or another time. I guess we just have to accept that both she and Fauci would have been out a long time ago, had they not accepted so much more than they should. But technically, both have been silenced.

So it might just be a case of too little too late. But I do feel she is factually and statistically so very sharp. And we do need her. So maybe if she continues to travel, her voice will be more heard in states other than how SS said it was in Virginia. So sad to me.

 

[Simply Southern]

Dr. Birx met with the Governor of Ohio last week, also, and he followed her advice on a number of issues, including closing bars early, and other initiatives. She has been travelling across the country and meeting with governors, state health department officials, and others, advising them of mitigating actions they can take to deal with hot spots in their communities.

Governor Northam amended Dr.
Birx recommendations, she recommended closure of all bars for the entire state. New cases in Virginia are 50% 20 to 40 year olds. Rural area are seeing positive rates >17%.

He cut off alcohol sales at 10 pm but allowed bars to stay open til 12pm, only on the eastern shore. This allows 2 hours of socialization and dancing up close and personal, in our beaches.

 

[ilovewings]

Yeah. I understand. It’s a hard position. But I think there’s a way to intervene that’s safer. I come from a family on both sides who risked their lives to do what’s right so it’s a challenge for me.

I don’t think I can stay quiet when someone is berating workers. They put up with enough. I have spoken up many times before.

Once right before the pandemic there was a man just berating his elderly father. He went on and on and trying to rush him into making a decision on shoes. He started using the F bomb. I had to step in. He was a big guy but I was pissed. But I didn’t blow up. I just told him, “Whoa. Whoa. You cannot talk to him like that. You need to calm down.”
He gave me some excuse and his dad tried to excuse him too and I said, “I don’t care. There’s no reason to talk like that. You need to have respect.”

I mean you never know when someone is insane and can shoot you, stab you, punch you and now we have to worry about being coughed on. It’s scary. But in that moment I have a hard time keeping quiet.

I guess they video because it’s a way to make people try to control themselves for fear of getting caught doing something wrong?

I feel so badly for her kids. No idea what that life is like.

I admire that you intervene in some situations like what you described: I guess I am a coward--- Thank goodness I have never seen that scene you described- it sounds horrible. I probably would not have said anything though.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I'd like her to respond by quitting. Maybe that would let reality sink in. But, then, a probably less than reputable person would take her place. Not much she can do after she's told the truth.

I'm not sure what quitting would accomplish. She is a very strong, very intelligent woman. I can't really think of any intelligent women in higher positions in the US involved in this pandemic other than her off the top of my head. We need her. Jmo

 

[margarita25]

'Stop! Sanitize!': Alabama principal parodies MC Hammer ahead of students' return to school amid coronavirus

With schools in certain states starting to open for in-person learning during the the ongoing pandemic, Alabama principal Quentin Lee wanted to make sure the more than 300 students at Childersburg High got the message about the school's new restrictions.

In a musical parody of MC Hammer's “U Can’t Touch This,” Lee shows how the school is looking to keep kids safe.

Water fountains? Doorknobs? Vending machines? Can’t touch this. Students are also told to social distance and Lee is seen with a no-contact thermometer. The song ends with a, “Stop! Sanitize!” to drive the point home.

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ROTF!!! This made my DAY!!!

“Can’t touch this! Stop! Sanitize!!!” Brilliant!!

Lol!! I could do this all day, this is one of my my favorite past times, making up my own lyrics Weird Al style!!!! I’m now inspired to make up my own song!!! Stay tuned!!