Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #78

[CSIDreamer]

Seriously? I admit to getting tired of "experts" who prattle off opinions, without actual data to back up their so called "knowledge". This is not meant to downplay the risk. No offense meant to you, @Trino.

I read the article about Covid transmission, community spread in Wuhan, via A/C in a restaurant, which was backed with actual data. COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020

Not "opinion". Although, I don't see how this study, can be generalized to ALL restaurants. And that a blanket statement is made by an "expert" that "No one over age 50 should eat out.".

No one "needs" to eat out at a restaurant, granted, that is a "luxury". But it is something people like to do. I am just endlessly worn out on every single thing being a horrific health risk, for someone over age 50.

My husband and I went out to lunch a few weeks ago, and it was fun. We sat outside, on a patio, our server wore a mask, no one was within 20 feet of us. Finally, something "normal", in a time when almost nothing is "normal" any longer. I guess that this goes to, I am done living my life hidden in our house forever.

I'm right there with you. And my state numbers show 60+ as the real age risk, not 50. Lots of "experts" trying to have their day in the sun. I'm over them.

 

[JerseyGirl]

US daily death toll from COVID-19 shoots back up over 1,000

There were 1,206 new deaths in the U.S. in the last 24 hours.

 

[SouthAussie]

Wow $2,340 that's nearly $500 per day. I wonder how much it costs in India or Brazil? If it is still part of a trial, that seems a bit expensive.

The article says that other countries are buying a generic version of remdesivir - presumably from another supplier(s).

I don't know about other countries, but in Australia generic brands of medications are less expensive while still providing the same ingredients. We almost always get a choice of generic or prescribed version when we take a script in to be filled.
When you read the labels, the ingredients are exactly the same.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus in Scotland: Meeting rules to be tightened - BBC News

Summary

1. Nicola Sturgeon says lockdown restrictions will not be eased and that will "likely be the case for some time yet"
2. In the past 24 hours there have been 161 positive cases, 65 of those in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area
3. Like England, a maximum of six people from two households will be the new rule inside and outside. There will be exceptions for sporting activities, weddings and funerals
4. Working from home will remain the "default position" but there is planning ongoing for a phased return "when the time is right"
5. Scottish Conservative MSP Ruth Davidson quizzes Ms Sturgeon on the community testing regime, saying this is a vital part of fighting the virus
6. Scotland's new contact tracing app to help combat the spread of coronavirus has gone live

 

[JerseyGirl]

Nashville coronavirus test results hidden by lab glitch

Nashville residents who were tested for the coronavirus more than once at city-run testing centers have struggled to access results due to a little-known glitch that undermined laboratory web portals for more than two months and continues today.

The issue predominantly affects people who tested negative, leaving them waiting for online results that never appear. It could also delay results for an infected person by up to a day, lengthening the window during which they might unknowingly spread the virus.

 

[JerseyGirl]

US will lift Covid-19 airport limitations imposed on some international travelers

"Beginning September 14, 2020, the US government will remove requirements for directing all flights carrying airline passengers arriving from, or recently had a presence in, certain countries to land at one of 15 designated airports and halt enhanced entry health screening for these passengers," the CDC said in an updated post on its website.

"Currently, enhanced entry health screening is conducted for those arriving from, or with recent presence in, China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, the Schengen region of Europe, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), Ireland, and Brazil."

We now have a better understanding of COVID-19 transmission that indicates symptom-based screening has limited effectiveness because people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or fever at the time of screening, or only mild symptoms. Transmission of the virus may occur from passengers who have no symptoms or who have not yet developed symptoms of infection. Therefore, CDC is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission.

 

[JerseyGirl]

US Colleges in all 50 states report infections

There have been more than 40,000 cases of Covid-19 among students, faculty and staff at colleges and universities across the country. The number represents cases reported so far -- and is likely higher due to a lag from schools that update their data every few days.

 

[SouthAussie]

US will lift Covid-19 airport limitations imposed on some international travelers

"Beginning September 14, 2020, the US government will remove requirements for directing all flights carrying airline passengers arriving from, or recently had a presence in, certain countries to land at one of 15 designated airports and halt enhanced entry health screening for these passengers," the CDC said in an updated post on its website.

"Currently, enhanced entry health screening is conducted for those arriving from, or with recent presence in, China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, the Schengen region of Europe, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), Ireland, and Brazil."

We now have a better understanding of COVID-19 transmission that indicates symptom-based screening has limited effectiveness because people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or fever at the time of screening, or only mild symptoms. Transmission of the virus may occur from passengers who have no symptoms or who have not yet developed symptoms of infection. Therefore, CDC is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission.

Seems very relaxed.


It said resources will instead be dedicated to "more effective mitigation efforts" focused on individuals.
These will include "pre-departure, in-flight, and post-arrival health education for passengers; robust illness response at airports; voluntary collection of contact information from passengers using electronic means," the CDC said. That should help reduce crowding and lines, it said.
Testing may also be an option, as well as reminding travelers to watch for symptoms and quarantine themselves as possible for 14 days.
US to no longer limit international arrivals from certain countries to 15 airports

 

[JerseyGirl]

Another 884,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week
The number of claims filed was unchanged from the prior week.

That said, the headline number only counts claims for regular benefits that not everyone who lost their livelihood due to the pandemic has access to.

First-time claims for benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, that help workers like independent contractors, totaled 838,916 last week, up from the prior week.

Meanwhile, 13.4 million American workers filed claims for unemployment insurance for at least two weeks in a row.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I don't understand this 'privacy' stuff during this pandemic.

A person can find out if a convicted sex offender lives close by, but they can't find out if a school is having covid outbreaks.

From your linked article:
In fact, the DeSantis administration ordered some districts, including Duval and Orange, to stop releasing school specific coronavirus information, citing privacy issues.

Frustrations, among parents and many many others is palpable here. Duval and Orange Counties (Jacksonville and Orlando) have huge student populations. These counties are having to go through the courts--just to get information.

I hope the courts move fast. It is downright criminal to withhold information from citizens---when people must have the correct information to make life-changing, life altering decisions. If I had young children right now, I would be scared and furious.

The school district, on the advice of the city’s attorneys, is now seeking permission from the Florida Department of Health on the state level to release the data.

“If I were a parent with a child in school right now, I would want to know because that’s going to have an impact on the decisions I make,” said DCPS Communications Director Tracy Pierce. “We believe strongly that parents should have the information.”

Duval Schools works to publish COVID-19 data in schools despite state intervention

 

[nhmemorymaker]

The article says that other countries are buying a generic version of remdesivir - presumably from another supplier(s).

I don't know about other countries, but in Australia generic brands of medications are less expensive while still providing the same ingredients. We almost always get a choice of generic or prescribed version when we take a script in to be filled.
When you read the labels, the ingredients are exactly the same.

Definitely the same here. I remember, back in the day, when generics were considered so inferior, and people fought to get the main brand. Now we all fight and wait for a generic, given the radical cost differences.

 

[mickey2942]

US will lift Covid-19 airport limitations imposed on some international travelers

"Beginning September 14, 2020, the US government will remove requirements for directing all flights carrying airline passengers arriving from, or recently had a presence in, certain countries to land at one of 15 designated airports and halt enhanced entry health screening for these passengers," the CDC said in an updated post on its website.

"Currently, enhanced entry health screening is conducted for those arriving from, or with recent presence in, China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, the Schengen region of Europe, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), Ireland, and Brazil."

We now have a better understanding of COVID-19 transmission that indicates symptom-based screening has limited effectiveness because people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or fever at the time of screening, or only mild symptoms. Transmission of the virus may occur from passengers who have no symptoms or who have not yet developed symptoms of infection. Therefore, CDC is shifting its strategy and prioritizing other public health measures to reduce the risk of travel-related disease transmission.

In other words, we don't want to completely tank our travel industry. Good plan.

 

[mickey2942]

Frustrations, among parents and many many others is palpable here. Duval and Orange Counties (Jacksonville and Orlando) have huge student populations. These counties are having to go through the courts--just to get information.

The school district, on the advice of the city’s attorneys, is now seeking permission from the Florida Department of Health on the state level to release the data.

“If I were a parent with a child in school right now, I would want to know because that’s going to have an impact on the decisions I make,” said DCPS Communications Director Tracy Pierce. “We believe strongly that parents should have the information.”

Duval Schools works to publish COVID-19 data in schools despite state intervention

I have been watching the data from Florida very closely, since February. The data presented by the state, regarding Covid cases, and Covid deaths does not match with the population base, a majority of over age 65, and large minority groups. Both groups that have been labeled "high risk".

Based on the urbanization of South and Central Florida, with large population bases, living in apartments, community living, and reliance on public transportation, the data should have been similar if not higher than New York state.

Just an observation.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

In other words, we don't want to completely tank our travel industry. Good plan.

You had discussed details of your trip. i really feel that the airline industry really does have a good handle on how to make travel safe and secure. As we open up more and more, I really do trust them.... I think so anyway!! Oh ...how that doubt can always sneak back in!

 

[weepingangel]

Tracking Covid at U.S. Colleges and Universities

 

[CSIDreamer]

I think of it as you dress up a bit for a night club and the floor is fairly clean lol.

A lounge (bar) well everybody knows your name and how well you shoot pool.

If you're in a bar where everybody knows your name: (I'm sorry I can't help it)

 

[MrX]

Seriously? I admit to getting tired of "experts" who prattle off opinions, without actual data to back up their so called "knowledge". This is not meant to downplay the risk. No offense meant to you, @Trino.

I read the article about Covid transmission, community spread in Wuhan, via A/C in a restaurant, which was backed with actual data. COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020

Not "opinion". Although, I don't see how this study, can be generalized to ALL restaurants. And that a blanket statement is made by an "expert" that "No one over age 50 should eat out.".

No one "needs" to eat out at a restaurant, granted, that is a "luxury". But it is something people like to do. I am just endlessly worn out on every single thing being a horrific health risk, for someone over age 50.

My husband and I went out to lunch a few weeks ago, and it was fun. We sat outside, on a patio, our server wore a mask, no one was within 20 feet of us. Finally, something "normal", in a time when almost nothing is "normal" any longer. I guess that this goes to, I am done living my life hidden in our house forever.

Thanks for this - I was going to respond, as well. A quick web search seems to indicate that the so called "expert" is a consultant currently flogging some kind of exercise-at-home scheme. There is a lot of this going around. I used to see someone quoted here in AZ who was the former head of Dept of Health Services, but searches showed that he is now tied to lobbying for Banner Health.

 

[beatrixpotter]

Good news that the very ill test vaccine recipient is recovering.


AstraZeneca said a woman in the United Kingdom had symptoms consistent with a rare but serious spinal inflammatory disorder, which led to the British drugmaker's decision to stop its clinical study of the new coronavirus vaccine, Stat News has reported.

The participant was recovering and will likely be discharged from the hospital within a day, according to Stat News, which said on Wednesday the new disclosures by Astra Chief Executive Pascal Soriot were shared by three of the investors participating on conference calls.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/com...ad-neurological-symptoms-20200910-p55u3r.html

That sounds like a pretty darn scary side effect. And it mentions the trial might resume as soon as next week? So how do they decide if this was truly a side effect of the vaccine or not?

 

[nhmemorymaker]

If you're in a bar where everybody knows your name: (I'm sorry I can't help it)

omg! The New Norm..............TOOOO Funny!

 

[JerseyGirl]

South Dakota governor uses coronavirus relief funds for $5 million tourism ad despite COVID surge

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's administration announced that it is using federal coronavirus relief funds to pay for a $5 million tourism ad campaign aimed at drawing people to the state.

The move comes even as the state emerges as one of the nation's top hot spots for COVID-19 infections.

Noem spokesman Ian Fury defended using the federal coronavirus funds for the ads, saying that the state "should absolutely be promoting tourism" because it is vital to South Dakota's economy. After agriculture, it is the state's largest industry. "That's how people put food on the table," he said.

Fury said the line in the ad that touts the state as a "place to safely explore" fulfills Treasury's requirement for using the money to address the pandemic.