Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #76

[MrX]

That's what I'm going to do. Fortunately, I live 7 minutes from the County Clerk's office and they say there will be boxes for drop off there.

This election will be talked about for years to come by those who do the history of elections.



You are far more optimistic about what people in general will do. Did you watch the Sturgis Rally?

At any rate, your plan would lead to far more CoVid infections, so there's that. If that's the desired goal, that'll work.

At any rate, your recipe is not a good one for teachers or others who are going to be exposed to thousands of asymptomatic transmitters. Or for the military. Or for people who have to be around our military in foreign nations.

And as long as people refuse to get tested as a screening measure, many of us with disposable income are not going to go to optional activities and will severely restrict fairly necessary activities.

Be careful what you wish for, because as long as we have a steady death rate, mostly due to asymptomatic carriers, the economy will not fully recover.

50% of CoVid cases (at least) are transmitted by people with no or few symptoms, and who are not going into hospital.

Perhaps a vaccine and therapeutics will make it moot, but time will tell how well economies that lock down cities for six weeks every time a new case is detected will fare.

As numbers decline and/or stabilize, and hospital capacity remains steady, I suspect that more people will return to optional activities. So, yes, I am "optimistic," which is unusual for me.

 

[ZoriahNZ]

CDC was pressured 'from the top down' to change Covid-19 testing guidance, official says - CNNPolitics

A sudden change in federal guidelines on coronavirus testing came this week as a result of pressure from the upper ranks of the Trump administration, a federal health official close to the process tells CNN.

"It's coming from the top down," the official said of the new directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Well, there it is. More pressure and meddling from the top down. Both the CDC and FDA are being compromised, in my opinion. This does not bode well.

It's a spiralling problem. More testing is needed, not less. Perhaps labs wouldn't have been so overwhelmed now, if there had been better leadership in the COVID-19 response in the beginning. MOO.

Isn't it already spelled out in the guidelines to self quarantine 14 days immediately if you suspect you have been exposed? That's the message we are getting here in NZ.

 

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today: As of 10:30-11:00 a.m. this morning, we had 864 new confirmed cases for a total of 58,019 of which 44,870 have recovered (IMO +513). 13 more had passed away for a total of 1,062. https://www.kcrg.com/2020/08/26/863-covid-19-cases-13-deaths-reported-in-iowa-wednesday
/[URL="https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/access"]Iowa COVID-19 Information[/URL]

 

[10ofRods]

I was just thinking this may speed up testing results too. That would be a good thing. Jmo

It's just so odd that virtually every other nation has faster testing than we do. Gee, I wonder if we need to invest a bit more in it? I realize there's not much profit from FREE FAST testing, like other nations. Nations where rates are now a tiny fraction of ours.

 

[10ofRods]

Well, there it is. More pressure and meddling from the top down. Both the CDC and FDA are being compromised, in my opinion. This does not bode well.

It's a spiralling problem. More testing is needed, not less. Perhaps labs wouldn't have been so overwhelmed now, if there had been better leadership in the COVID-19 response in the beginning. MOO.

Isn't it already spelled out in the guidelines to self quarantine 14 days immediately if you suspect you have been exposed? That's the message we are getting here in NZ.

That last guideline you wrote out - no, it's NOT clear here. We hear and see virtually nothing about CoVid in our daily lives. Most people don't watch traditional news - although most also don't have commercial free Youtube - so PSA's on Youtube could be a thing (god forbid the federal government has to pay for same - we could also enact a law requiring Youtube to show them for free - as we did with PSA's for broadcast TV).

And even if people go to a casino in Vegas (high risk for exposure) they don't "suspect they've been exposed." That's why our news pages are filled with, "Gosh! I didn't think that I would get CoVid!" or "I have CoVid! I wonder where I got it? Only half the people at work wear masks and some of those expose their nose, and I do take a crowded elevator every day but how did I get it? No one was sneezing in the elevator!"

The people who do know the risks (educated people, like teachers) are of course quarantining themselves as soon as they know they're exposed - but in a world of nearly all asymptomatic carriers (the kids), how would they know? They have to hope against hope that kids' parents will alert them or that a co-worker will be honest.

I think most people kind of know what the symptoms of CoVId are but the early symptoms are the same as for many other things - so no one who is young (under 60/70) is rushing to get tested.

Almost no one is self-quarantining here, even if they are alerted that they were exposed. Some states are taking it more seriously, but still have no enforcement.

 

[SouthAussie]

Perhaps a vaccine and therapeutics will make it moot, but time will tell how well economies that lock down cities for six weeks every time a new case is detected will fare.

As numbers decline and/or stabilize, and hospital capacity remains steady, I suspect that more people will return to optional activities. So, yes, I am "optimistic," which is unusual for me.

I certainly hope that the healthcare workers in the US are going to be miraculously protected somehow, not just in their work situations but in their daily lives too. Because when they are needed for all the hospitalisations and doctor visits .....

 

[Reasonable & Just]

I have been a pollworker for at least ten years. I decided about a year ago that I was ready to stop doing it -- I'm cancelling many of my other ongoing obligations as well, ready to "retire" and go full-on hermit with life. But the virus clinched it for me.

I felt a little guilt since I'm the youngest of our usual pollworker crew by more than a decade. But they each have the option to quit as well. (One of them has done so. The others are apparently ok with the risk. And on the up side, it's bringing in some new pollworkers).

We don't (knock wood) have much virus here, but who knows by November. And we are as likely as anywhere, if not more so, to have *angry* voters, who don't like the new social distancing rules, mask rules, etc. I quit as much to avoid being around angry people as I did to avoid the risk of the virus...

In our area, we are fortunate to have a lot of young, healthy people willing to be poll workers this year, including (not so young) me. Plus we have early voting, which has been *fabulous*. We have our share of angry voters too, but not about masks, LOL.

 

[SouthAussie]

That last guideline you wrote out - no, it's NOT clear here. We hear and see virtually nothing about CoVid in our daily lives. Most people don't watch traditional news - although most also don't have commercial free Youtube - so PSA's on Youtube could be a thing (god forbid the federal government has to pay for same - we could also enact a law requiring Youtube to show them for free - as we did with PSA's for broadcast TV).

And even if people go to a casino in Vegas (high risk for exposure) they don't "suspect they've been exposed." That's why our news pages are filled with, "Gosh! I didn't think that I would get CoVid!" or "I have CoVid! I wonder where I got it? Only half the people at work wear masks and some of those expose their nose, and I do take a crowded elevator every day but how did I get it? No one was sneezing in the elevator!"

The people who do know the risks (educated people, like teachers) are of course quarantining themselves as soon as they know they're exposed - but in a world of nearly all asymptomatic carriers (the kids), how would they know? They have to hope against hope that kids' parents will alert them or that a co-worker will be honest.

I think most people kind of know what the symptoms of CoVId are but the early symptoms are the same as for many other things - so no one who is young (under 60/70) is rushing to get tested.

Almost no one is self-quarantining here, even if they are alerted that they were exposed. Some states are taking it more seriously, but still have no enforcement.

Also not clear is how this virus is affecting the US healthcare workers. That seems to be a bit of a hush hush subject.

We are far more protected, yet we hear daily about the effect on healthcare workers. There is one hospital in Victoria right now that has 44 active cases among its healthcare workers so about 700 healthcare workers there have been sent to isolate until they determine how widespread (and asymptomatic) this problem is.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/mor...isolation-after-outbreak-20200826-p55pde.html

 

[razzledazzle]

I honestly don't know exactly where I stand in agreeing or disagreeing with the "powers that be" concerning testing, quarantining, etc.

I tested positive August 4th. My college intern was informed that he was exposed from a teacher at his school, and tested positive. He was told by the C19 nurse that he could return to work in 14 days from test date as long as he had no fever for 24 hours prior. He had very minor symptoms. My employer told me to get tested since we work so closely together. I don't think I had any symptoms at all. My C19 nurse told me that I could return to work after isolating for 10 days with no fever 24 hours prior. My employer required both of us to have a negative test before returning to work.

To test again, we both had to wait a full 14 days from the initial test and it took 4 or 5 days to receive our results. I missed 3 weeks of work. I spent 14 days in my bedroom away from my family, and the last week I ventured to the common areas with a mask. I was very concerned about infecting my family. I played by all the rules.

My employer closed our office the day we were notified by the intern and we had a medical grade disinfecting of the building, before everyone else returning to work.

Now to get my finances back in order because my employer is dragging his feet on the 2 weeks of C19 sick-pay I should receive.

 

[roche.analisa]

I honestly don't know exactly where I stand in agreeing or disagreeing with the "powers that be" concerning testing, quarantining, etc.

I tested positive August 4th. My college intern was informed that he was exposed from a teacher at his school, and tested positive. He was told by the C19 nurse that he could return to work in 14 days from test date as long as he had no fever for 24 hours prior. He had very minor symptoms. My employer told me to get tested since we work so closely together. I don't think I had any symptoms at all. My C19 nurse told me that I could return to work after isolating for 10 days with no fever 24 hours prior. My employer required both of us to have a negative test before returning to work.

To test again, we both had to wait a full 14 days from the initial test and it took 4 or 5 days to receive our results. I missed 3 weeks of work. I spent 14 days in my bedroom away from my family, and the last week I ventured to the common areas with a mask. I was very concerned about infecting my family. I played by all the rules.

My employer closed our office the day we were notified by the intern and we had a medical grade disinfecting of the building, before everyone else returning to work.

Now to get my finances back in order because my employer is dragging his feet on the 2 weeks of C19 sick-pay I should receive.

And your family has stayed healthy?

 

[tresir2012]

Just hope those who attended Sturgis are content with their decision to do so now that cases are developing linking Sturgis. Sure angers me that they cared not for their fellow human beings.

IMO that's like saying anyone who goes to a bar or restaurant or goes on vacation did not care for their fellow man and that just is not true.

 

[tresir2012]

I honestly don't know exactly where I stand in agreeing or disagreeing with the "powers that be" concerning testing, quarantining, etc.

I tested positive August 4th. My college intern was informed that he was exposed from a teacher at his school, and tested positive. He was told by the C19 nurse that he could return to work in 14 days from test date as long as he had no fever for 24 hours prior. He had very minor symptoms. My employer told me to get tested since we work so closely together. I don't think I had any symptoms at all. My C19 nurse told me that I could return to work after isolating for 10 days with no fever 24 hours prior. My employer required both of us to have a negative test before returning to work.

To test again, we both had to wait a full 14 days from the initial test and it took 4 or 5 days to receive our results. I missed 3 weeks of work. I spent 14 days in my bedroom away from my family, and the last week I ventured to the common areas with a mask. I was very concerned about infecting my family. I played by all the rules.

My employer closed our office the day we were notified by the intern and we had a medical grade disinfecting of the building, before everyone else returning to work.

Now to get my finances back in order because my employer is dragging his feet on the 2 weeks of C19 sick-pay I should receive.

Sounds like you did everything right and I hope you get your sick pay

 

[SouthAussie]

Just hope those who attended Sturgis are content with their decision to do so now that cases are developing linking Sturgis. Sure angers me that they cared not for their fellow human beings.

I see that the cases linked to Sturgis are growing every day. And those are the ones that we know about.


So far, state health departments have reported 103 cases in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Washington, according to the AP.
More than 100 coronavirus cases in 8 states linked to massive Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota

 

[Auntie Cipation]

IMO that's like saying anyone who goes to a bar or restaurant or goes on vacation did not care for their fellow man and that just is not true.

Except that during a pandemic there IS a communal ethical obligation, even if not a legal one, to not do things that might put others at risk. Especially not to do things that are not essential things. Bars and crowded vacations are not essential things during a pandemic.

People think "I don't feel sick so I don't have it thus I'm not going to give it to anyone" but they forget about or disregard how asymptomatic this virus is. A portion of the people who say that DO have it and DO spread it to others.

Once we all had warning of the existence of the pandemic and the information about transmission risks, going to a bar or restaurant and having sufficiently close contact with others IS, demonstrably, "not caring for others", IMO MOO.

 

[tresir2012]

Chemical found in insect repellents 'can kill the coronavirus' | Daily Mail Online

Is this the same as citronella, does anyone know?

 

[tresir2012]

Except that during a pandemic there IS a communal ethical obligation, even if not a legal one, to not do things that might put others at risk. Especially not to do things that are not essential things. Bars and crowded vacations are not essential things during a pandemic.

People think "I don't feel sick so I don't have it thus I'm not going to give it to anyone" but they forget about or disregard how asymptomatic this virus is. A portion of the people who say that DO have it and DO spread it to others.

Once we all had warning of the existence of the pandemic and the information about transmission risks, going to a bar or restaurant and having sufficiently close contact with others IS, demonstrably, "not caring for others", IMO MOO.

With respect I strongly disagree. If bars, restaurants and vacation spots are open, it is because the local governor or governing body believe it is safe to continue those activities under specific circumstances and mandates. I live in just such a community and it is essential to those living and working here that community spread is low enough for those activities to be open.

 

[tresir2012]

Exactly. There has never been any point in testing thousands of random people, waiting two weeks for results, and never tracing.

In my opinion the focus needs to transition to hospitalization and locations/demographics overrun with negative outcomes, and away from compiling endless lists of cases that never required medical treatment. We are far enough into this that people should know what precautions to follow.

I completely agree. Our government also sent a leaflet to all households explaining it.

 

[tresir2012]

It's just so odd that virtually every other nation has faster testing than we do. Gee, I wonder if we need to invest a bit more in it? I realize there's not much profit from FREE FAST testing, like other nations. Nations where rates are now a tiny fraction of ours.

There is no such thing as free tests. Maybe the consumer does not pay but the governments certainly would.

 

[weepingangel]

That Maine wedding
Coronavirus outbreak at Maine nursing home and jail linked back to wedding reception — CNN
Much more at link

As of Tuesday, there are six cases of the virus at Maplecrest Rehabilitation Center, over 100 miles away from where the wedding took place, according to Maine CDC. Two cases are staff members and four are residents, according to Shah. Those cases are counted in the 60.

Through contact tracing, Shah said they were able to determine that the virus entered the nursing home through a staff member who had been in contact with their parent. Their parent was infected by their other child, who had attended the wedding.


The wedding outbreak is also linked to the spread of the virus at York County Jail in Alfred, over 220 miles away from the August 7 event. Maine CDC has been investigating the outbreak at the jail since August 21.

On Tuesday, Shah said they have confirmed that a staff member of the jail, who was one of the very first positive cases at the jail, attended the wedding. There are 18 positive cases at the jail, he said. Of those cases, nine jail staff members, two employees with the York County government and seven inmates.




Millinocket wedding outbreak grows to 85 COVID-19 cases

Millinocket wedding outbreak grows to 85 COVID-19 cases
Wednesday, August 26th 2020
The CDC says 33 more people who weren't at the August 7 wedding got it from people who were.

Then, 20 more people became infected by those secondary cases.

The Maine CDC says the outbreak led to 18 cases at the York County Jail and six cases at Maplecrest Rehabilitation Center in Madison.

 

[weepingangel]

<modsnip>

6 NH Residents Test Positive for COVID After Attending Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Six New Hampshire residents are among the 100 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus after attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota earlier this month, health officials said Wednesday.

The state Department of Health and Human Services is recommending that all New Hampshire residents who traveled to Sturgis for the motorcycle rally get tested for COVID-19. They should also quarantine and monitor symptoms for 14 days upon their return to New Hampshire, even if they test negative.