Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #73

[Clair Louise]

Several reasons. Without ubiquitous testing, fast/accurate results and robust contact tracing, there is no way to monitor the effects of such a policy. There is also a large segment of the population that isn't going to cooperate. It's very easy to find groups all over the U.S. that are actively fighting against the restrictions that are already in place. I tried to find similar groups in Australia and only encountered lone voices who say they are vastly outnumbered. Finally, once numbers are down to a level that everyone is happy with, how is that maintained? Australia cordoned off Melbourne and States closed their borders to each other - seems impossible to picture that here.

Why does it seem impossible?

 

[CSIDreamer]

Grocery stores are certainly not closed in Melbourne, Victoria.

A verified poster said they are. That's all I know.

 

[ZoriahNZ]

Grocery store stores were deemed essential in New Zealand when we had our level for lockdown. Very strict protocols were put in place. Plexiglass shields for the checkout people. Masks were mandatory, stickers on the floor to mark 6 feet distances. Only single shoppers were allowed in, very limited number allowed in the store at one time. Hand sanitiser (and sometimes free disposable masks) was handed out to all customers at the door by security guards, all trolleys were wiped down for every use.

And luckily our big supermarket chains gave their workers 'hazard pay' bonuses to compensate them for being on the front lines.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Grocery store stores were deemed essential in New Zealand when we had our level for lockdown. Very strict protocols were put in place. Plexiglass shields for the checkout people. Masks were mandatory, stickers on the floor to mark 6 feet distances. Only single shoppers were allowed in, very limited number allowed in the store at one time. Hand sanitiser (and sometimes free disposable masks) was handed out to all customers at the door by security guards, all trolleys were wiped down for every use.

And luckily our big supermarket chains gave their workers 'hazard pay' bonuses to compensate them for being on the front lines.

All the stores around me are like this. Southern Indiana.

 

[tmar]

A verified poster said they are. That's all I know.

Thanks, I replied to the verified poster!!!
Shoppers urged to be patient as Victorian coronavirus restrictions impact food supply
Victorians are being urged not to buy more meat and vegetables than they need, as the rise of COVID-19 cases across the state forces food processors to reduce staff numbers.
There are warnings some food supply will be impacted in the coming weeks, as industries adapt to tough new restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus, but experts say the pain will be short-lived.

Werribee vegetable farmer Catherine Velisha said the first round of restrictions, which led to empty shelves, was intense for farmers but they managed to keep supermarkets well supplied.
"COVID is obviously causing havoc in everyone's lives but you know farmers are used to rain, drought, supply shortages, supply abundance. It's just another day in the office really," she said.

She urged shoppers to be patient and sensible.

"If there are any gaps, it's just a little bit of a supply chain issue with obviously people trying to buy a little bit more, but there is definitely food in that supply chain," Ms Velisha said.

"So if you can't get your tomato today you'll be able to get it tomorrow."

 

[CSIDreamer]

Thanks, I replied to the verified poster!!!
Shoppers urged to be patient as Victorian coronavirus restrictions impact food supply
Victorians are being urged not to buy more meat and vegetables than they need, as the rise of COVID-19 cases across the state forces food processors to reduce staff numbers.
There are warnings some food supply will be impacted in the coming weeks, as industries adapt to tough new restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus, but experts say the pain will be short-lived.

Werribee vegetable farmer Catherine Velisha said the first round of restrictions, which led to empty shelves, was intense for farmers but they managed to keep supermarkets well supplied.
"COVID is obviously causing havoc in everyone's lives but you know farmers are used to rain, drought, supply shortages, supply abundance. It's just another day in the office really," she said.

She urged shoppers to be patient and sensible.

"If there are any gaps, it's just a little bit of a supply chain issue with obviously people trying to buy a little bit more, but there is definitely food in that supply chain," Ms Velisha said.

"So if you can't get your tomato today you'll be able to get it tomorrow."

Thank you. I was gobsmacked there for a bit.

 

[beatrixpotter]

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - PA State Rep. Chris Dush is alleging that some individuals in the state are receiving calls stating they tested positive for COVID-19 even though they never took a test.

Listen Live Now on Newsradio 1020 KDKA



These individuals allegedly went to a testing site - signed in and provided contact information - but never received a test because the wait was too long.

“If that kind of thing is going on, that’s fraud, and we want to try and nip it in the bud as quickly as possible,” Rep. Dush tells the KDKA Radio Morning Show. “We’re doing the follow up on the leads that we’ve gotten so far.”
Some People Are Allegedly Testing Positive For Coronavirus Without Taking Test



That^^^ makes sense to me that a mix up could happen. If a patient shows up to the clinic, signs in, gives all contact info, then leaves because it is taking too long?

I think they could mistakenly receive a call about their results. JMO

Where I live we can't even get call back results when we have taken tests. They are completely overwhelmed by the amount of tests they are dealing with. But people latch on to anything they can that makes it seem like the states are faking positive tests. What's the motivation? How do they talk low level employees into this level of fraud all over the place?

 

[SouthAussie]

And if they’re short on PPE and only one set for the day, we’ve seen where some have had to hold it and not go to the bathroom, in order to avoid cross contamination.

Victoria's meatworkers have to wear full PPE now as well .... gloves, gowns, masks and shields.
It is no longer only for medical workers.
Protecting the food supply, as well as the people.


ETA: Link Victorian meatworks, processing plants facing reduced hours

 

[ZoriahNZ]

Straight from the horse's mouth the Victoria state government website:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions Victoria

The following retail services (plus everyone involved in our frontline response) will continue to operate:

• supermarkets
• grocery stores
• bottle shops
• pharmacies
• petrol stations
• banks
• newsagencies
• post offices

 

[tmar]

Thank you. I was gobsmacked there for a bit.

I have bought sufficient meat, vegs and fruit for the week: at a central 'hot spot'.
First 'shut down' caused panic buying, and this has been highlighted to stop: there are sufficient supplies for everyone.

 

[SouthAussie]

Finally, once numbers are down to a level that everyone is happy with, how is that maintained? Australia cordoned off Melbourne and States closed their borders to each other - seems impossible to picture that here.

As I understand it, once the levels get to be consistently under R1 everywhere in the country, community transmission stops.

Until that happens you keep state borders closed. Each state gets under R1 in their own time.

 

[Clair Louise]

Where I live we can't even get call back results when we have taken tests. They are completely overwhelmed by the amount of tests they are dealing with. But people latch on to anything they can that makes it seem like the states are faking positive tests. What's the motivation? How do they talk low level employees into this level of fraud all over the place?

On person on SM told me that testing centers get paid for positive tests and hospitals get more for Covoid deaths. I don't believe the positive test payment but I think it is highly likely that anyone on a ventilator (for any reason) attracts a higher fee.

 

[SouthAussie]

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.

I am glad Dr Birx is doing this. She will not be shunned by people on either side of the great divide.

I guess I do wonder if closing bars 'early' is going to be a big help. It is not as if covid sleeps all day and only visits the bars after 10pm.

But it is good to hear that a respected doctor is doing her best. It is never too late. imo

 

[tmar]

A lighter response:
Problems with stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne.

Thanks for all the coverage so far bloggers. Hardest hit by Stage 4 so far are my two rescue Kelpies, who are used to two walks and a run at the leash free area each day. I'm going to be spending most of lockdown filling in the holes they dig in the backyard!

-PDTM

 

[tmar]

Tougher penalties for Victorian rule breakers expected

Tougher penalties for Victorian rule breakers expected

9News Staff

2 hrs ago
...
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is set to announce harsher penalties for anyone who has tested positive to COVID-19 but isn't found to be at home.

The move - expected to be announced today - comes after 172 fines for breaching restrictions were issued in the 24-hour period to yesterday morning, totalling $250,000. It is the largest amount since stage three restrictions were introduced last month.

The fines included one Sunshine Coast man who drove 14kms into the CBD claiming he was there to play Pokemon Go.
Police also carried out 4355 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across Victoria.

Mr Andrews is also expected to announce a beefed-up door knocking operation by the Australian Defence Force to make sure people who had tested positive and their close contacts were not breaching quarantine rules.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

AFAIK the phases were clear but maybe some states thought it would not affect them with the hot weather claims and info that only elderly or those with underlying conditions were most at risk. TBH we had very little info coming out of China and could only watch Italy and know that would be us next. It was like watching a slow mud slide or tsunami and knowing it was coming but just having a tent up to try and stop it. MOO.

Totally agree.

I remember back in March, being in work meetings and trying to get my point across about what was coming. I kept saying - we are three weeks behind Italy. That seems ages ago. Now look at us all.

 

[Simply Southern]

On person on SM told me that testing centers get paid for positive tests and hospitals get more for Covoid deaths. I don't believe the positive test payment but I think it is highly likely that anyone on a ventilator (for any reason) attracts a higher fee.

Test are paid based on an ICD code, the code is the same positive or negative. ICD is a national coding system used by all healthcare providers, labs, Physicians, hospitals, home health, etc.

Medicare does pay a higher rate for Covid, however, all Covid diagnosis hospital inpatients require precise medical documentation be submitted for the additional payment. Got RN friends working Medical Case management, ensuring all testing, physician notes, labs, chest xrays, etc are in order to send for review.

No way to fudge the system for counting patients.

 

[katydid23]

Where I live we can't even get call back results when we have taken tests. They are completely overwhelmed by the amount of tests they are dealing with. But people latch on to anything they can that makes it seem like the states are faking positive tests. What's the motivation? How do they talk low level employees into this level of fraud all over the place?

I don't think it is fraud. I think it is confusion or employee error, in many cases.

Another example:

Autopsy shows Wellington nurse died of kidney infection, not COVID-19

Autopsy shows Wellington nurse died of kidney infection, not COVID-19

WELLINGTON, Fla. (CBS12) — A report from the Palm Beach County Medical examiner obtained by CBS12 News shows that a young Wellington nurse believed to have passed from COVID-19, was never infected with the virus at all.

The report shows that 33-year-old Danielle DiCenso died from "complications of acute pyelonephritis," otherwise known as a kidney infection.


I-Team: Deaths incorrectly attributed to COVID-19 in Palm Beach County

I-Team: Deaths incorrectly attributed to COVID-19 in Palm Beach County


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A 60-year-old man who died from a gun shot wound to the head.

A 90-year-old man who fell and died from complications of a hip fracture.

A 77-year-old woman who died of Parkinson's disease.

These are some of the deaths in Palm Beach County recently, and incorrectly, attributed to COVID-19 in medical examiner records.

The CBS12 News I-Team uncovered several examples in Medical Examiner reports of people counted as a COVID death who did not die of COVID.

We requested a list of all COVID-19 deaths in Palm Beach County from the Medical Examiner's office and received a spread sheet of 581 cases.

Each person on the spreadsheet is someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

 

[SouthAussie]

We canceled the multigenerational family get together this fall in the large beach house. We'd rented it last winter. We've technically postponed it till next fall but I feel really sad that I'm not sure if that will happen next fall either.

I know a family here who is still having fun with the rest of their family over distance.

Each Monday evening three branches of the family get together on Zoom and play a quiz game.

They sip wine (or the beverage of their choice), munch on snacks, and play a very competitive quiz game together for a couple of hours. Kids and adults all get into it for different periods during the 2 hours - sometimes all of them for the entire duration of the game. There is lots of laughter and kidding around, and high 5s when each group win a question.

 

[Barnabas]

I wish my neighbors would have their parties over a distance. They are still packed into their house and basically hanging out in the yard eating with kids running all over the place all day. Even when it rained they were out there. Tonight there are tents in the backyard...some backyard stargazing is in order I guess. Hopefully they won't pull their car into the yard and use the car stereo to play loud bass music all night like they did on Saturday. No one wears masks and a lot are from out of state.

One upside is for the neighborhood strays I guess. I have watched a beautiful cat come by every morning and eat scraps they dropped in the yard.