Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #84

[tresir2012]

I think the term "lockdown" should be abandoned when talking about anyone who is not China. I think they are the only ones who ever actually implemented lockdown.

I've been free to move around as I please during this entire episode. As has everyone else in the US. I may have had fewer places to go because things were closed, but certainly I was never in a state of "lockdown".

I have to say you are very lucky if that is the case and you have not been impacted. I have not heard anyone else say that.

Did you not see the poor Italians locked in their flats and singing from their balconies? The lockdowns in Europe have been long and hard.

And they begin again.

Europe scrambles to control coronavirus second wave, with a state of emergency and lockdowns

European leaders are scrambling to put a cap on surging coronavirus infections in the region, with governments reimposing sweeping restrictions and shutdowns in an effort to curb infections.

The situation has got to a point now where, in the last 24 hours, France has declared a public health state of emergency, the U.K. is approaching a second national lockdown and Germany has introduced a raft of new rules in an effort to lower the infection rate.

Europe now has over 7.2 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and hospitalizations are rising at a worrying rate.

Pantheon Macroeconomics’ Chief Economist Ian Shepherdson on Tuesday characterized rising cases in Europe as “out of control,” even when compared to the U.S., the nation with the highest number of cases, at 7.9 million, according to Johns Hopkins University’s data.

 

[oviedo]

Chris Christie: "There was no contact tracing done with me" by White House

"Well, I know that there was no contact tracing done with me. My contact tracing was done by my local county board of health (New Jersey). They called me while I was in the hospital to contact trace and make sure they have all that information, and I hope so,” he said when asked whether there was extensive White House contact tracing.

He blamed political polarization for the mixed wearing of masks in the US.

Christie expressed regret, reiterating his statement that it was a “big mistake” not to wear a mask while he was at the White House for debate prep and the Amy Coney Barrett nomination event and made a push for leaders to “be even more affirmative” about mask usage.

“It was a mistake. You know, I was led to believe that, you know, all the people that I was interacting with at the White House had been tested and it gave you a false sense of security, and it was a mistake. You know I've been so careful for seven months because of my asthma, wearing masks, washing my hands, social distancing and for seven months, I was able to avoid the virus and one of the worst hit states in the country in New Jersey. But I let my guard down. And it was wrong, it was just a big mistake,” he said.

“I let my guard down for a couple of days inside the White House grounds, and it costs me in a significant way,” he added.

Ex-N.J. Gov. Chris Christie says White House didn’t contact trace him after COVID-19 infection

Wow such honesty! Well done Governor
IMO

 

[CharlestonGal]

Coronavirus update: Global COVID-19 cases top 39 million as trial of promising therapy finds it does not stop patients dying

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus illness COVID-19 world-wide climbed above 39 million on Friday, as a clinical trial found one therapy believed to be promising as a treatment to have no effect on mortality in hospitalized patients.

The trial, conducted by the World Health Organization, found that Gilead Sciences Inc.’s GILD, -1.52% remdesivir, as well as hydroxychloroquine, and AbbVie’s ABBV, +1.22% lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon had “little or no effect” on overall mortality, ventilation, and length of hospital stay among 11,330 participating patients.

 

[CharlestonGal]

I have to say you are very lucky if that is the case and you have not been impacted. I have not heard anyone else say that.

Did you not see the poor Italians locked in their flats and singing from their balconies? The lockdowns in Europe have been long and hard.

And they begin again.

Europe scrambles to control coronavirus second wave, with a state of emergency and lockdowns

European leaders are scrambling to put a cap on surging coronavirus infections in the region, with governments reimposing sweeping restrictions and shutdowns in an effort to curb infections.

The situation has got to a point now where, in the last 24 hours, France has declared a public health state of emergency, the U.K. is approaching a second national lockdown and Germany has introduced a raft of new rules in an effort to lower the infection rate.

Europe now has over 7.2 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and hospitalizations are rising at a worrying rate.

Pantheon Macroeconomics’ Chief Economist Ian Shepherdson on Tuesday characterized rising cases in Europe as “out of control,” even when compared to the U.S., the nation with the highest number of cases, at 7.9 million, according to Johns Hopkins University’s data.

No, nothing like that has happened here. If we need food, we go to the grocery store. If we need money, we go to the bank. If we need dog food, we go to the pet store. If we need prescriptions, we go to the pharmacy. If we need fuel, we go to the gas station. If we want to visit friends, we visit friends. Etc. None of our "activities of daily living" have ever been restricted.

We do (in my area) go into "lockdown" periodically during hurricanes, but we have never done that for covid. Not even remotely close.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Throughout April and May in the UK we were pretty locked down. Only allowed out once a day to exercise with household members, no real mixing with friends or family, only essential shops open, no pubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas, gyms, hairdressers, football games. Streets deserted. Didn't fill the car up for nearly 3 months. All schools closed from March to September.

Then in June and July things gradually opened up, the numbers were dropping, we eventually got down to under 10 deaths a day and the hospitals were back to normal.

Summer was ok. We couldn't have our holidays/vacations abroad as normal, but a couple of camping trips made us grateful to be with friends again.

And now... just a month or so after all restrictions were lifted and all the schools and universities resumed, and we all got nicely drunk and complacent and finally had a bit of fun, we're screwed again.

And here is what all of that looks like, in cold hard death statistics:


United Kingdom Coronavirus: 689,257 Cases and 43,429 Deaths - Worldometer

 

[10ofRods]

So...today's numbers from around the world continue to be concerning. The only good news is that the average age of new patients is younger.

We can in fact expect the overall death rate to decline a little, unless we have more infectious inside care homes and elder residences.

Of course, 3% is still a lot of people, especially as compared to many of the diseases we spend so much to control or prevent.

USA continues to have a lot of new cases, but distributed differently among the states. California had only 1378 new cases today, the nation as a whole hasn't completed filing its figures but already stands at 60,122 new cases).

California has been over 3000 cases for most of the last month, but has dropped each day for the past week. So now, of course, we're about to open schools.

We shall see. Still, I remain optimistic that we can avoid any sort of lockdown, and instead, phase mitigation measures in and out in a sensible way - I think we're getting it. People who run salons and restaurants are well aware that they need to follow the rules to stay open - and that means keeping positivity rates for everyone way down.

 

[musicaljoke]

No, nothing like that has happened here. If we need food, we go to the grocery store. If we need money, we go to the bank. If we need dog food, we go to the pet store. If we need prescriptions, we go to the pharmacy. If we need fuel, we go to the gas station. If we want to visit friends, we visit friends. Etc. None of our "activities of daily living" have ever been restricted.

We do (in my area) go into "lockdown" periodically during hurricanes, but we have never done that for covid. Not even remotely close.

Yes, looking back, we have never been denied these outings either. However, I can elaborate some. If we need money, we go to the bank, where we wait in line outside, and enter wearing our mask, one person inside at a time. It's a small bank. We clean our hands at the door coming and going and head on our way.

If we need prescriptions, dog food, and fuel, it's the same drill. We wear a mask, wait our turn outside, clean our hands, touch only what we buy, pay with touchless card transactions, and be on our way.

We can visit friends, outside. We're in N.ON. It is snowing today. I predict outdoor visits will be abbreviated during the coming season.

But, Dr. Musicette is in quarantine for 2 weeks after a move from Victoria BC to Halifax NS. She can't even go out to work in her flower beds. No deliveries come to her door. She gets Public Health calls to make sure she's ok, and random police checks to make sure she stays in lock down. She has no objections because she understands the risks and the need to keep others safe.

 

[SouthAussie]

As far as mitigating actions go, I think the US and UK are way past the point of lockdowns being very effective.

The only thing that lockdowns can do, at this point in time, is allow medical facilities to catch their breath and get ready for a potential onslaught over winter.

To me, local lockdowns are most effective when there are a somewhat manageable amount of cases to suppress. Then you can isolate those cases and stamp them out, then open up again.

IMO

 

[CharlestonGal]

Yes, looking back, we have never been denied these outings either. However, I can elaborate some. If we need money, we go to the bank, where we wait in line outside, and enter wearing our mask, one person inside at a time. It's a small bank. We clean our hands at the door coming and going and head on our way.

If we need prescriptions, dog food, and fuel, it's the same drill. We wear a mask, wait our turn outside, clean our hands, touch only what we buy, pay with touchless card transactions, and be on our way.

We can visit friends, outside. We're in N.ON. It is snowing today. I predict outdoor visits will be abbreviated during the coming season.

But, Dr. Musicette is in quarantine for 2 weeks after a move from Victoria BC to Halifax NS. She can't even go out to work in her flower beds. No deliveries come to her door. She gets Public Health calls to make sure she's ok, and random police checks to make sure she stays in lock down. She has no objections because she understands the risks and the need to keep others safe.

Yes, of course. In no way do I mean to imply we are gadding about willy nilly. We absolutely do carry out these activities with masks, social distancing and other mitigation guidelines in place.

Sorry for the confusion!

 

[weepingangel]

At Least 17 COVID Cases in Outbreak Tied to NH Restaurant
More at link
The cases associated with Fat Katz Food and Drink include one person who went to the establishment knowing they had tested positive for the virus and were supposed to be in isolation. Another person visited who knew they were supposed to be in quarantine, health officials said.

 

[musicaljoke]

Yes, of course. In no way do I mean to imply we are gadding about willy nilly. We absolutely do carry out these activities with masks, social distancing and other mitigation guidelines in place.

Sorry for the confusion!

Oh, there was no confusion. Your message was just fine. "Lock down" back in the early days was an urgently needed lifesaver in places like Italy. Thankfully, we never had to do that.

 

[Tigerlily75]

Victoria, Australia, 17th October: One new case, zero deaths.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...of-coronavirus-no-deaths-20201017-p565yf.html

 

[SouthAussie]

Victoria, Australia, 17th October: One new case, zero deaths.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...of-coronavirus-no-deaths-20201017-p565yf.html

Well done, Victoria! We are all hoping and hoping that Melbourne is now ready for opening up, with mitigating measures in place. It has been a long, hard slog for all the residents. But such a good outcome.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Oh, there was no confusion. Your message was just fine. "Lock down" back in the early days was an urgently needed lifesaver in places like Italy. Thankfully, we never had to do that.

Poor Italy is apparently right back to where they started. Thankfully, the daily deaths are not yet close to what they were.

Daily coronavirus cases surge above 10,000 in Italy for first time

ROME (Reuters) - Italy has registered 10,010 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Friday, the highest daily tally since the start of the country’s outbreak and up from the previous record of 8,804 posted on Thursday.

Daily coronavirus cases surge above 10,000 in Italy for first time

 

[SouthAussie]

Check out what this guy did ... he is on TV this morning. When our lockdown happened many months ago, in my city, he lost his job as a barista.

So he opened up a coffee shop in the garage at his dad's house. (Because we were allowed to travel 20km during lockdown, even while restaurants, cafes, and retail were closed).

He has now moved to his own commercial premises. After making his name and reputation among his locals.

This Quick-Thinking Adelaide Barista, Out of Work Due to Coronavirus, Turned His Back Shed Into a Makeshift Coffee Shop

 

[CharlestonGal]

https://www.thelocal.se/20201016/sweden-confirms-its-first-case-of-coronavirus-reinfection

The first Swedish case of coronavirus reinfection has been confirmed by a Gothenburg hospital.

A 53-year-old woman tested positive for coronavirus in both May and August, writes Dagens Nyheter (DN). Sahlgrenska University Hospital was able to confirm that she had been infected twice after analysing the genome of the two strains of the virus.

"In ten positions, the virus strain from May was different from the one that was tested in August," doctor Johan Ringlander told DN. "That means we can say they are two separate infections and not the same dormant infection."

The Swedish Public Health Agency has said that people who have been diagnosed and recovered from Covid-19 are likely immune from re-infection for several months, even if they don't have antibodies. But much remains unknown about the coronavirus, so people who have tested positive and recovered are also urged to follow the same health and safety guidelines as everyone else.

 

[tresir2012]

Higher Covid deaths among BAME people 'not driven by health issues'

 

[musicaljoke]

Victoria, Australia, 17th October: One new case, zero deaths.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/...of-coronavirus-no-deaths-20201017-p565yf.html

Way to Go! Show us how this is done!

 

[CSIDreamer]

Yes, looking back, we have never been denied these outings either. However, I can elaborate some. If we need money, we go to the bank, where we wait in line outside, and enter wearing our mask, one person inside at a time. It's a small bank. We clean our hands at the door coming and going and head on our way.

If we need prescriptions, dog food, and fuel, it's the same drill. We wear a mask, wait our turn outside, clean our hands, touch only what we buy, pay with touchless card transactions, and be on our way.

We can visit friends, outside. We're in N.ON. It is snowing today. I predict outdoor visits will be abbreviated during the coming season.

But, Dr. Musicette is in quarantine for 2 weeks after a move from Victoria BC to Halifax NS. She can't even go out to work in her flower beds. No deliveries come to her door. She gets Public Health calls to make sure she's ok, and random police checks to make sure she stays in lock down. She has no objections because she understands the risks and the need to keep others safe.

Does one have to preplan groceries for that 14 day period? How does that work?

 

[musicaljoke]

Does one have to preplan groceries for that 14 day period? How does that work?

Yes, fortunately, they had friends deliver food and an air mattress. They have a new baby, so they had to plan all the baby needs ahead of time too. They have nothing in the house except the few things their friends brought in - two plates, two knives and forks, and one pot, and their luggage. Their furnishings won't arrive until after the quarantine is ended. No one can come in to hook up wifi. They sit on the floor and play with the baby.

It's a good thing they like each other.