Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #82

[JerseyGirl]

A day after Trump left the hospital and urged Americans not to be afraid of COVID-19, the head of the White House’s coronavirus task force avoided directly criticizing or even commenting on the president’s latest actions and comments as she visited a New Jersey university on Tuesday.

But during her appearance, Dr. Deborah Birx ... urged Americans .. to keep making sacrifices and changing behaviors to help protect against new surges in the fall.

That, she noted, includes wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing your hands, refraining from large gatherings, and being extra cautious when interacting with family members and neighbors — especially in the Northeast, where more activity is moving indoors because of the colder weather.

Dr. Deborah Birx, head coronavirus task force, calls for sacrifices to slow COVID-19 outbreak this fall in N.J. visit

Where’s The White House Coronavirus Task Force? Fauci, Birx Largely Silent About Trump’s Covid Diagnosis, Behavior

Birx warned people to take “extra precautions” when attending events outside their house or when interacting with neighbors. She also said you should wear a mask if you’re around “vulnerable” family members indoors.

“I know I’m asking people to make further self-sacrifices for the protection of their families, their neighbors, and their communities," Birx said. “ .... as Americans, we should be able to alter our social experiences through the fall to protect one another.”

 

[GRT]

Was there any difference between uni students partying and the WH Rose garden event?

Me thinks not.

There's no quantifiable difference. Some will try to make excuses for one group or the other, but in reality, it's the same thing. The virus doesn't pick and choose who it infects. In that sense, it's an equal opportunity infector.

 

[GRT]

The thing is, GRT, those essential workers are careful. We have them, too. Carefully making state border crossings (in my country), stopping at the checkpoints, having their exemptions ready, Aussies repatriating from overseas going into 14 day quarantine when they arrive ... having a minimum of 2 covid tests while in quarantine (Day One and Day Twelve).

I don't believe that is happening everywhere, is it?

The borders are not so much closed as very tightly monitored, and crossing is only allowed for certain exempt persons, in a closed border place.

Health workers are likely much more careful than truckers, but because a person may be exposed a few days before they test positive, anyone, health worker or not, can unwittingly carry the virus without showing symptoms or testing positive. Once an infected person becomes contagious, no matter which side they're on, they pose a risk to others.

 

[Simply Southern]

I guess it helps if you give them the correct advice at first instead of trying to bamboozle them so that you can shore up you country's medical supplies. That is what happened IMO.

I remember the early days and even the days before the thread was started. When WHO made the decision we didn't need mask, myself and many other HC workers had a jaw drop moment. The recommendations were against everything we had been taught our entire HC education.

Its hard for any country, hospital or healthcare worker to publicly speak out against WHO. Many of my neighbors thought I was nuts when I offered them N95s. I shared this in an early thread and much venting about my neighbors, my frustrations and my hurt feelings. I learned quickly to keep my opinion and my masks to myself. Several weeks later, folks were asking for those N95s. Of course, I gladly shared.
MHO....

 

[SouthAussie]

Health workers are likely much more careful than truckers, but because a person may be exposed a few days before they test positive, anyone, health worker or not, can unwittingly carry the virus without showing symptoms or testing positive. Once an infected person becomes contagious, no matter which side they're on, they pose a risk to others.

Do you live in a closed border place?
I am not sure that you understand how it works. And maybe I am not explaining it very well.

Yes, the odd infected person comes through. They are placed into isolation right away, before they can start community spread.

We have two statuses here for new covid cases.
Quarantined traveller new cases (no community risk)
Community new cases (tons of people go for testing)
When we have new cases, they always tell us which type of new cases they are.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I almost got kicked off an airplane on March 6th, for WEARING a mask. Seriously...

I was flying to visit my Mom for her birthday and because I was reading this thread I was very nervous about the flight.

I had some masks from a previous hospital visit, so I wore one to the airport. People looked at me like I was crazy.

The flight attendant frowned at me when I boarded the plane. She came to my seat as I was putting up my back pack---and asked me if I was ill or contagious. I said 'NO, I am just trying to protect myself.'

"from what?" she asked...

"The virus I have been reading about. "

So she lectured me and said loudly " masks do not protect you, they only protect others. Wearing it makes it appear toasty we have something to worry about around you. I suggest you remove it on the flight."

I did have it pulled down while I was speaking to her, which when I look back, it was stupid to do.

But I ignored her the rest of the flight. Even waved off my peanuts and ginger ale..."

Good for you! It was rough to be the only sane people back then, especially when people made us feel precautions were insane!

 

[Bravo]

Same here in Canada SouthAussie. I could go visit my immediate American Family but have to quarantine upon return for 14 days. If they were to come here they have to have a detailed quarantine plan for 14 days as well. Then they could visit. When they return to U.S. no quarantine. We are all staying put.

 

[GRT]

CBS this morning - Gayle asking Dr Jha why the last negative test for the President hasn’t been released - he is baffled - will look for the link as I’m watching it live

Well, we know that he was tested multiple times per day, so the hour of the last test probably isn't all that important.

There's always going to be a last negative and a first positive.

 

[JerseyGirl]

I will say that those of us here at WS early on were seriously talking wearing masks as early as February/March. I was sent home for 3 months on March 18th and was wearing a mask for at least 2 weeks prior to that I remember at the time betting my husband he could not walk into Square Deal and buy a box of N95's for $15 (he did). I used those masks and passed them around to my commuter mates, co-workers, food delivery people, mailman, anyone I saw who didn't have one at the time. In fact, a thread was finally set up by the end of March discussing how to sew them. At that time, PPE was in governmental short supply so we were reduced to making our own masks. I actually prefer the handmade masks and have quite a few stylish ones in my collection now.

Facial Mask Making - Coronavirus

 

[Bravo]

Well, we know that he was tested multiple times per day, so the hour of the last test probably isn't all that important.

There's always going to be a last negative and a first positive.

No I don't think we do "know" that. Given they wont say it speaks volumes. To me.

 

[ilovewings]

I've taken a 5 day dose, four times in my life. The only side effect I had was a clean house.

I took prednisone when i was in my 40s for asthma attacks: in those days i had no side effects. Fast forward 20 years later when I needed prednisone (oral)- for an asthma attack: the pills made me so jumpy and agitated. I haven't taken them since. The Dexamethasone the president is getting is I am sure much stronger than what most people take for inflammatory conditions at home and the side effects would be much more pronounced.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Same here in Canada SouthAussie. I could go visit my immediate American Family but have to quarantine upon return for 14 days. If they were to come here they have to have a detailed quarantine plan for 14 days as well. Then they could visit. When they return to U.S. no quarantine. We are all staying put.

Ha! So I can fly to Australia and do not have to quarantine at all upon return to the US.

BUT, if I travel to visit my daughter in Florida and return to New Jersey, I have to quarantine in New Jersey for 14 days.

 

[Bravo]

Over the years I could always tell when my Brother was on Prednisone. He couldn't sit still. When he did his leg was going Mach 90. He was typically on a fairly high dose for an extended period of time.

 

[SouthAussie]

Ha! So I can fly to Australia and do not have to quarantine at all upon return to the US.

BUT, if I travel to visit my daughter in Florida and return to New Jersey, I have to quarantine in New Jersey for 14 days.

No, sorry. You can't fly to Australia. I wish you could.

(I get what you mean)

 

[ilovewings]

I remember the early days and even the days before the thread was started. When WHO made the decision we didn't need mask, myself and many other HC workers had a jaw drop moment. The recommendations were against everything we had been taught our entire HC education.

Its hard for any country, hospital or healthcare worker to publicly speak out against WHO. Many of my neighbors thought I was nuts when I offered them N95s. I shared this in an early thread and much venting about my neighbors, my frustrations and my hurt feelings. I learned quickly to keep my opinion and my masks to myself. Several weeks later, folks were asking for those N95s. Of course, I gladly shared.
MHO....

It is hard to believe a trusted organization like the WHO has made so many jaw dropping statements- specifically involving masks and how the virus is transmitted -- they also initially said (get this) that they did not think the virus was transmitted from one human to another. SMH

 

[CSIDreamer]

I took prednisone when i was in my 40s for asthma attacks: in those days i had no side effects. Fast forward 20 years later when I needed prednisone (oral)- for an asthma attack: the pills made me so jumpy and agitated. I haven't taken them since. The Dexamethasone the president is getting is I am sure much stronger than what most people take for inflammatory conditions at home and the side effects would be much more pronounced.

The first link isn't about covid but it does compare the 2 steroids. It sounds like Dexamethasone isn't as unusual as I thought. I've only been prescribed prednisone.

Narrative from here is copied from links.

Dexamethasone is a long-acting glucocorticoid with a half-life of 36 to 72 hours, and is 6 times more potent than prednisone. Prednisone is shorter acting, with a half-life of 18 to 36 hours.

Use of dexamethasone and prednisone in acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients

One of the concerns about steroids is, given too early in the course of Covid-19, they might hamper the body’s ability to eliminate the virus, leading to worse outcomes. But steroids might also benefit a subset of Covid-19 patients who don’t yet need oxygen but have lab tests indicating early signals of their immune system going into overdrive.

“It would be interesting to know if co-administration of an antiviral may help reduce viral load while the earlier steroids work on the inflammatory component in that group of people,” Bhadelia said. “We also need more data around co-infections in the setting of steroid use.”

Steroids cut deaths of hospitalized Covid-19 patients by one-third - STAT

 

[ilovewings]

About 80 Orthodox Jews protest over Cuomo's restrictions in areas with COVID surges | Daily Mail Online

Well here's an ugly scene: Orthodox Jews burning masks ( this is not anti-semetic post as I am jewish)-- I am just a tad shocked with this display.

 

[weepingangel]

Gonna be a long winter
Massachusetts/more at links
https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-october-6-2020/download
********

‘This is not a blip; this is a trend’: A closer look at COVID numbers shows jump in the past two weeks

For the first time since Massachusetts “flattened" the curve of coronavirusinfections, the percentage of positive tests has risen dramatically over the last two weeks compared to August and September, prompting warnings from health experts as colder weather moves in.
“This is not a blip; this is a trend,” said Dr. Douglas T. Golenbock, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology at UMass Medical School. “I don’t know how you couldn’t be very concerned.”
********


Massachusetts governor weighs in on differing COVID-19 positivity rate
Much more at link

Over the past month, the rate of individuals who tested positive has climbed from an average around 1.8% to an average between 3 and 4%, prompting warnings from medical leaders and public figures that risks might be growing in Massachusetts after months of progress.

The rate of positives among total tests includes every sample from repeat tests of the same individual, a process that is happening regularly on many college campuses. That figure has stayed lower, climbing only from an average of about 0.8% to an average of about 1.1%.
********


Hudson reports 4 coronavirus cases in 2 of its elementary schools
Hudson announced its fourth coronavirus case in its elementary schools on Monday.The positive tests date back to Friday at two schools, when Superintendent Marco Rodrigues said two individuals at the Forest Avenue Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19 along with one person at the Farley Elementary School.

On Monday, Rodrigues announced another case of coronavirus at Farley Elementary School. Rodrigues said the cases were not connected.
Individuals quarantined as a result of contact tracing from Friday’s positive cases tested negative for the virus, Rodrigues said. “This means that no virus transmission has occurred inside our schools,” Monday’s letter said.
(Bbm- Except in the case of inaccurate test results, could happen? moo)
********

137 inmates, 31 staff and vendors test positive for COVID-19 at Mass. jail
MIDDLETON, Mass. —
A Massachusetts jail has seen a large jump in coronavirus cases among its inmates after widespread COVID-19 testing was conducted over the weekend.

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger reports that 137 inmates at the Middleton House of Correction have tested positive for COVID-19 after 889 of them were tested on Saturday and Sunday.
There were 25 COVID-19 cases among inmates at the Middleton facility as of Saturday night.

In addition, cases among employees and contractors who work at the jail increased from 23 to 31. The sheriff said 401 employees and contractors were tested over the weekend.

According to Coppinger, all of the inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 have mild symptoms, and about 72% of them are asymptomatic. He also said most of the cases among employees and contractors are mild. There have been no hospitalizations thus far. (Bbm)
*******

UMass to provide COVID-19 testing to Amherst first responders after virus uptick
The University of Massachusetts Amherst will provide asymptomatic coronavirus testing for first responders in the town following an uptick in cases of the viral respiratory infection among students.

As part of the university and the town’s joint efforts to deter the spread of COVID-19, roughly 100 firefighters, police officers and inspectors will be tested once per week in the school’s Public Health Promotion Center at the Mullins Center, UMass Amherst said in a statement.

The town is expected to reimburse the university for the costs associated with the testing.
“UMass has a long tradition of supporting and partnering with the town’s front-line responders and is deeply appreciative for the invaluable role they play in enhancing the public safety of our campus community," university Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said. "Currently our resources and capacity are limited, but we are pleased to be able to make this commitment for the well-being of the entire community.”
The announcement about the testing initiative comes after Amherst’s COVID-19 case count rose 58% in one month, with 80 new cases reported in 30 days.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I will say that those of us here at WS early on were seriously talking wearing masks as early as February/March. I was sent home for 3 months on March 18th and was wearing a mask for at least 2 weeks prior to that I remember at the time betting my husband he could not walk into Square Deal and buy a box of N95's for $15 (he did). I used those masks and passed them around to my commuter mates, co-workers, food delivery people, mailman, anyone I saw who didn't have one at the time. In fact, a thread was finally set up by the end of March discussing how to sew them. At that time, PPE was in governmental short supply so we were reduced to making our own masks. I actually prefer the handmade masks and have quite a few stylish ones in my collection now.

Facial Mask Making - Coronavirus

We've come a long way from the first simple pattern put out by an Indiana hospital, so much changing information about the best materials, and elastic shortages.

 

[oviedo]

I will say that those of us here at WS early on were seriously talking wearing masks as early as February/March. I was sent home for 3 months on March 18th and was wearing a mask for at least 2 weeks prior to that I remember at the time betting my husband he could not walk into Square Deal and buy a box of N95's for $15 (he did). I used those masks and passed them around to my commuter mates, co-workers, food delivery people, mailman, anyone I saw who didn't have one at the time. In fact, a thread was finally set up by the end of March discussing how to sew them. At that time, PPE was in governmental short supply so we were reduced to making our own masks. I actually prefer the handmade masks and have quite a few stylish ones in my collection now.

Facial Mask Making - Coronavirus

Yes and I was one who "rolled the dice" and went on the last RCCL cruise March 13 - Sunday night chef's table was extra delicious because the chef was told the ship was docking for good that Monday upon our return - multiple lobster servings, extra wine and filet mignon - etc - and when I arrived home - I had a home made mask to wear and returned to work wearing it. Then all the talk started about masks not being necessary and so the lawyers were lunching every day - and only began wearing masks when it was mandatory by the County our business is in. They still don't wear them unless meeting with clients but my office is 15 feet away and I social distance at the office. This thread convinced me of the severity of Covid and I've been a believer since returning from that cruise. No Covid was reported post cruise so I count my lucky stars -
JMO