Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #80

[ilovewings]

Let me tell you, I had that test once and have told people it felt like they were probing my brain with the swab. It was awful! I had no idea that that could actually happen! But good to know she had a condition that facilitated that so everyone else is not at risk.

It seems the saliva tests are just as effective, however. So I hope that's what they start using more often. Those swab tests hurt.

My husband had that swab test: he tells me it was icky but not that bad. Hope i don't have to take it---

 

[Satchie]

Well no they weren't. They kept saying there was nothing to worry about. It reminds me what they are saying about the President now. They are saying his symptoms are mild and he is continuing to work. They said similar with the PM and then suddenly he was in ICU. Whether the PM downplayed the seriousness of his condition or continued working instead of resting, we were not actually privy to. We only really found out afterwards how serious it had been with a dedicated ICU nurse by his bed 24/7.

I agree, I was following closely. This was the headline the day after he was taken by ambulence to the hospital, after being sick at home for 10 days: Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for COVID-19 tests
"A spokesperson confirmed his admission was a precautionary rather than emergency measure". IMO this was not true, he was severely ill and it was an emergency.

I do think there's an element of not wanting to alarm people, or cause unnecessary panic and so forth, when it comes to the leader of a country. However, as I recall, Dominic Cumming, the right hand man, also became extremely ill and snuck off to the countryside, and that was kept completely secret. I don't know whether anyone's discovered who, exactly, was running the country during that time period.

 

[tresir2012]

I think it would be impossible, not cost effective and likely dangerous to treat everyone who tests positive with antivirals. However, I do think that it would likely stop symptoms from developing in many people.

Mother who are HIV positive are given intravenous antivirals right before and during birth and the newborns are given the same drug orally for almost two months after birth. This has caused the risk of HIV in babies of positive mothers to plummet. In fact, 99% of moms DO NOT pass the disease to their babies, following these protocols.

UpToDate.

HIV and Pregnancy

I'm no doctor but based on some research I have seen, (gay men on PreP have lower rates of coronavirus infection) and the use of anti-virals to treat patients with severe forms of COVID, I am using deductive reasoning to conclude that the elite have the ability to obtain aggressive prophylactic treatments that no one else can (due to money, health care company protocols and risk) and thus their probability of becoming seriously ill is far lower than those of the general public.

What I have seen in several stories of people who have died or become very ill, is that they're told to go home and then self-treat, and/or never seek care to begin with, thinking this is not a big deal and only come back to the ER when it's too late to effectively treat. That is both a problem with our health care system and a problem with downplaying the seriousness of this virus.

So the outcomes of all the celebrities and politicians who become infected is NOT representative of what could happen to the average person and I am very worried that this will cause people to further downplay this disease to their peril, and the peril of those around them.

I don't think this is the case though. We have seen celebrities in hospital get very sick and die and politicians get very sick and pull through so it is how the virus attacks the immune system, heart and lungs that is so dangerous. We have a National Health Service in UK and all get the same level of care and some people are much more susceptible, especially the over 65's.

 

[gitana1]

He's the POTUS. Of course he's going to get the most aggressive, preventative treatment available---as would the leader of any other country. Why would anyone expect anything less.

Everyone should be hoping and praying for a full recovery for him and Melania.

They shouldn't expect less. I do not expect less. It's obviously the right thing to do.

But neither should the outcomes of those among the elite act as a barometer for possible outcomes for the general population.

We have a problem in this country with people refusing to take this seriously, to help protect each other, and having wealthy, public figures have great outcomes is just more fodder for those who feel this is all overblown nonsense. Especially when it's the president and the inner circle.

Sadly, there is no way, IMO, that this administration will come out and PUBLICALLY explain that yes, this is serious, and that they are lucky to have the best care available so everyone else should be cautious and take it seriously.

Finally, I would not wish COVID on anyone.

 

[tresir2012]

I agree, I was following closely. This was the headline the day after he was taken by ambulence to the hospital, after being sick at home for 10 days: Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for COVID-19 tests
"A spokesperson confirmed his admission was a precautionary rather than emergency measure". IMO this was no true, he was severely ill and it was an emergency.

I do think there is an element of not wanting to alarm people, or cause unnecessary panic and so forth, when it comes to the leader of a country. However, as I recall, Dominic Cumming, the right hand man, also became extremely ill and snuck off to the countryside, and that was kept completely secret. I don't know whether anyone's discovered who, exactly, was running the country during that time period.

Yes that was true and they also said he was getting tests and next thing was he was in ICU, but only so he could receive oxygen etc etc. We all knew it was serious though. I just want people to know he may be sicker than is being reported, that is all IMO. Praying he isn't though.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Did anyone wonder even for just a second, if T's covid diagnosis came at a convenient time to step away, lay low?

I didn't. Why would you think that? That's a bit like hinting he's faking it. Jmo

 

[ilovewings]

Quite a bit to catch up on, but the first thing that came to my mind is if the people involved suffer little or no symptoms, what will that do the tendency to down play the pandemic?

I was wondering the same thing: my fear is if Trump has few symptoms he may continue to down play the pandemic.

 

[gitana1]

I don't think this is the case though. We have seen celebrities in hospital get very sick and die and politicians get very sick and pull through so it is how the virus attacks the immune system, heart and lungs that is so dangerous. We have a National Health Service in UK and all get the same level of care and some people are much more susceptible, especially the over 65's.

We don't have national health service.

We also know much more about effective treatments now than when some celebrities and politicians have gotten super sick.

Again, the problem is, it's not feasible for the general population to receive aggressive, prophylactic treatment, and so the outcomes of the wealthy elite are not representative of possible outcomes for everyone else. My fear though, is that it will be taken that way. Because it is quite clear that too many in the US, do not believe this is a serious crisis.

 

[rogue ant]

My husband had that swab test: he tells me it was icky but not that bad. Hope i don't have to take it---

I've had it twice (both negative). First time, the throat swab was very unpleasant. I gagged, big time. Then both nostrils, which wasn't bad.
The second time, I had prepared myself mentally for the throat swab so I didn't gag as much. The nostril (single this time) burned like heck, but it's only for a couple of seconds.

 

[gitana1]

Did anyone wonder even for just a second, if T's covid diagnosis came at a convenient time to step away, lay low?

I've seen that theory batted around quite a bit. It is not logical to me.

Many politicians have become infected, because they meet so many people. We have all seen the president in large meetings without a mask, shaking hands with the public, etc. So it was a matter of time.

I don't think the president is the type to do anything to make himself seem weak.

 

[gitana1]

I just want to remind posters that we were told the PM was ok and next thing we knew he was in ICU on oxygen so things can change really quickly with Covid. He took a long time convalescing too. I don't want to be negative but they may not report the President's true health status over the next few days.
JMO.

That was six months ago. We know much more about how to treat this now. I'd bet big money he and his circle, as well as Biden and anyone else with power or money who has been around the administration, are hooked up to IV antivirals.

 

[MimosaMornings]

I don't see what being an Amercan citizen has got to do with reading a graph. It's not misleading to me and I am not an American citizen so I take offence. When does unemployment "expire" as you say?

NC
DES
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is for 12 weeks.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension to state unemployment insurance benefits, for benefit weeks ending Saturdays, April 4 through Dec. 26, 2020. PEUC is made available through the federal CARES Act.

PEUC is for people who are eligible for regular state unemployment insurance but have exhausted their 12 weeks of regular benefits.

Each state is different.
Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?

In N.C., unemployment insurance has a set number of weeks. There is no renewal unless the govt steps in and provides additional funds such as during this pandemic.

I am not familiar with other states or how it is handled elsewhere.
Is it similar there?

 

[tresir2012]

NC
DES
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is for 12 weeks.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension to state unemployment insurance benefits, for benefit weeks ending Saturdays, April 4 through Dec. 26, 2020. PEUC is made available through the federal CARES Act.

PEUC is for people who are eligible for regular state unemployment insurance but have exhausted their 12 weeks of regular benefits.

Each state is different.
Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?

In N.C., unemployment insurance has a set number of weeks. There is no renewal unless the govt steps in and provides additional funds such as during this pandemic.

I am not familiar with other states or how it is handled elsewhere.
Is it similar there?

Ok so it won't "expire" till December. In UK I believe it is based on people who register to work not on benefits received.

 

[tresir2012]

This is what i think is nasty:
(and disrespectful and unnecessary)

Trump Implied Hope Hicks Might Have Caught Covid-19 From Military, Police
Trump Implied Hope Hicks Might Have Caught Covid-19 From Military, Police

My view/thoughts

He didn't though. Anyway as a reminder here is the story about the PMs Covid struggle.

PM's Covid-19 timeline: from 'mild symptoms' to a brush with death

 

[CSIDreamer]

I agree, I was following closely. This was the headline the day after he was taken by ambulence to the hospital, after being sick at home for 10 days: Coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for COVID-19 tests
"A spokesperson confirmed his admission was a precautionary rather than emergency measure". IMO this was not true, he was severely ill and it was an emergency.

I do think there's an element of not wanting to alarm people, or cause unnecessary panic and so forth, when it comes to the leader of a country. However, as I recall, Dominic Cumming, the right hand man, also became extremely ill and snuck off to the countryside, and that was kept completely secret. I don't know whether anyone's discovered who, exactly, was running the country during that time period.

National security is involved too. Jmo

 

[gitana1]

What kind of treatment should people get if they test positive and aren't symptomatic?

I don't know. I'm not a doctor. I have read that some of these anti-virals can cause liver damage. A systematic review of asymptomatic infections with COVID-19

So it can be risky. My hope is that people with high risk factors and/or risk factors and the beginning of symptoms, can be given antivirals if they test positive.

All I know is my doctor told me in March that for someone like me with asthma, early treatment is crucial to survival.

Here are the current government health department guidelines for antiviral use (only with people who already have oxygen loss):

Remdesivir
Recommendation for Prioritizing Limited Supplies of Remdesivir

• Because remdesivir supplies are limited, the Panel recommends prioritizing remdesivir for use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen but who do not require oxygen delivery through a high-flow device, noninvasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (BI).

Recommendation for Patients With Mild or Moderate COVID-19

• There are insufficient data for the Panel to recommend either for or against the use of remdesivir in patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.

Antiviral Therapy | Coronavirus Disease COVID-19
Emphasis by me.

So supplies are limited. The general population is not getting this treatment if they have anything but life-threatening symptoms.

 

[Medstudies]

https://www.wthr.com/mobile/article...rday/531-668a96c0-6961-4c88-a618-a08b96a7e645

Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins tested positive for COVID-19 just days after facing criticism for not wearing a mask during the Supreme Court announcement for Amy Coney Barrett at the White House.

In response, Jenkins had said: “I write to express my regret for certain choices I made that day and for failing to lead as I should have."


Yea, I’m completely over the “mea culpa” too little, too late, pleas for forgiveness.

MOO: choices are made. Priorities misplaced. So yea, that “We” are “in it” “ together”, when only some are taking precautions seriously? No, “we” are not.

and I’ve got to go back to lurking. Carry on everyone, be safe.

 

[gitana1]

From what I am seeing there is a measure of concern about Pence. He did not attend the debate on Tuesday, and has tweeted his good wishes to the president.

But if Pence falls sick as well – it is unclear whether his Covid-19 status is known ....
Donald Trump Positive Test Covid-19 Surprise


Biden's entourage all wore masks at the debate. I would imagine their own health was not compromised at the debate.

Biden’s entourage wore masks.
US Pre-Poll Debate

He didn't wear a mask though while they were shouting at one another. And as we know, while certain masks can help protect a person (N95's the most, then surgical masks, with cloths masks coming in last), if others aren't wearing masks and you're only wearing a cloth mask, the ability to be protected is less.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Coronavirus: Major outbreak at Northumbria University as 770 students test positive

Northumbria University says 770 students have tested positive for coronavirus.

A spokesperson for the institution, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, said 78 students were displaying symptoms.

All of them are now self-isolating.

Flatmates and any close contacts are also going into quarantine, and have been advised to book a test if they develop COVID-19 symptoms, the spokesperson added.

 

[tresir2012]

I don't know. I'm not a doctor. I have read that some of these anti-virals can cause liver damage. A systematic review of asymptomatic infections with COVID-19

So it can be risky. My hope is that people with high risk factors and/or risk factors and the beginning of symptoms, can be given antivirals if they test positive.

All I know is my doctor told me in March that for someone like me with asthma, early treatment is crucial to survival.

Here are the current government health department guidelines for antiviral use (only with people who already have oxygen loss):

Remdesivir
Recommendation for Prioritizing Limited Supplies of Remdesivir

• Because remdesivir supplies are limited, the Panel recommends prioritizing remdesivir for use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen but who do not require oxygen delivery through a high-flow device, noninvasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (BI).

Recommendation for Patients With Mild or Moderate COVID-19

• There are insufficient data for the Panel to recommend either for or against the use of remdesivir in patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.

Antiviral Therapy | Coronavirus Disease COVID-19
Emphasis by me.

So supplies are limited. The general population is not getting this treatment if they have anything but life-threatening symptoms.

Only hospitalized patients get Remdesivir as it is IV supplied. So those sent home would not be able to get it anyway.