Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #86

[LadyL]

Tracking Our COVID-19 Response - covidexitstrategy.org

 

[10ofRods]

WTH?! We just went to look at a house and the real estate agent was NOT wearing a mask! Then, she goes to hug my husband. (Who was wearing a mask). I was seriously gonna to B-Slap her.

I intervened, and loudly asked her very pointedly, where her mask was....and could she put it on, or did she need one? <modsnip>

Rant over. For now.

Did I forget to mention that her "mask", looked like a piece of white gauze? Seriously!

We had a similar experience with a loose-mask wearing pharmacy worker who kept approaching my husband and touching him (hand on his knee, leaning into his face - and talking about politics!!!) I was so proud of him for not getting...irritated. She kept doing it! My shot took longer so should have let him go first. Still afraid to report her - they have our personal information.

That’s why I think we might need contact tracing apps like other nations have. No app linked to your ID and device? No go in pharmacy (of all places). If I ran a restaurant, I’d want the same security. No public announcements - just app-based alerts.

Feeling a bit grumpy tonight. Wish we had contact tracing in America.

 

[weepingangel]

Yes! Contact tracing apps!
Though Mass had “good” contact tracing compared to other places- people don’t cooperate with the tracers. So it’s not nearly as effective as it could be

We had a similar experience with a loose-mask wearing pharmacy worker who kept approaching my husband and touching him (hand on his knee, leaning into his face - and talking about politics!!!) I was so proud of him for not getting...irritated. She kept doing it! My shot took longer so should have let him go first. Still afraid to report her - they have our personal information.

That’s why I think we might need contact tracing apps like other nations have. No app linked to your ID and device? No go in pharmacy (of all places). If I ran a restaurant, I’d want the same security. No public announcements - just app-based alerts.

Feeling a bit grumpy tonight. Wish we had contact tracing in America.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Arkansas issues new COVID-19 guidelines for churches after cases rise in congregations

“The new mandate requires masks to be worn at all times by all congregants, except those who are medically exempt, especially while singing. Congregants must also stay 6 feet apart, both indoors and outdoors.

Health officials said on Tuesday that “unmasked congregational singing” is the primary source of outbreaks at churches, even while members are socially distanced.

“The number of cases we’ve seen across Arkansas that come from places of worship has increased,” Hutchinson said at a news conference. “

Sounds like they are attempting to put a plan in place (albeit months later)

How a superspreader at choir practice sickened 52 people with COVID-19 | Live Science

And this was back in March.

 

[MimosaMornings]

WTH?! We just went to look at a house and the real estate agent was NOT wearing a mask! Then, she goes to hug my husband. (Who was wearing a mask). I was seriously gonna to B-Slap her.

I intervened, and loudly asked her very pointedly, where her mask was....and could she put it on, or did she need one? <modsnip>

Rant over. For now.

Did I forget to mention that her "mask", looked like a piece of white gauze? Seriously!

Geez. I don’t even know what to say, that’s just crazy.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

me too! but I don't use silk

I just purchased some Ahimsa silk - cruelty-free. I'm going to test it on myself and I'll let you know if it does as well for these things as regular silk does.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

This is IA/IL border. It's "near unmanageable."

Surging cases are ‘nearly unmanageable’ in the Quad Cities

 

[LadyL]

I just purchased some Ahimsa silk - cruelty-free. I'm going to test it on myself and I'll let you know if it does as well for these things as regular silk does.

yes please do! I didn't know it existed!

 

[mickey2942]

Geez. I don’t even know what to say, that’s just crazy.

I know! I have told that story to three of my friends tonight, they totally can't believe it! And Covid is skyrocketing here. No wonder.

It reminds me of earlier, in April, we didn't have to use masks, it was actually looked down on. I was wearing a mask, and a car salesman was not. I asked him about it, he said that he did what ever the "customer" was doing. All about the sale.

So, if she is trying to sell real estate to "non mask" people, I guess that is what she does. And that is why the Covid rate is racing.

 

[anneg]

The CDC now (finally!) says masks protect the wearer:
Scientific Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Conclusions
Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The prevention benefit of masking is derived from the combination of source control and personal protection for the mask wearer. The relationship between source control and personal protection is likely complementary and possibly synergistic14, so that individual benefit increases with increasing community mask use. Further research is needed to expand the evidence base for the protective effect of cloth masks and in particular to identify the combinations of materials that maximize both their blocking and filtering effectiveness, as well as fit, comfort, durability, and consumer appeal. Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/health/masks-cdc-updated-guidance/index.html
(CNN)Wearing a mask can help protect you, not just those around you, from coronavirus transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in new guidance Tuesday. The statement was an update to previous guidance suggesting the main benefit of mask wearing was to help prevent infected people from spreading the virus to others.

 

[mickey2942]

Montana adds 1,101 COVID-19 cases in update that includes delayed weekend reporting

We are WINNING! Top numbers in the nation! Oh, I guess that isn't good.

 

[SouthAussie]

Tracking Our COVID-19 Response - covidexitstrategy.org

This is one of the scariest things I have seen in a while. "Uncontrolled". Everywhere ... just about.

 

[SouthAussie]

We had a similar experience with a loose-mask wearing pharmacy worker who kept approaching my husband and touching him (hand on his knee, leaning into his face -i and talking about politics!!!) I was so proud of him for not getting...irritated. She kept doing it! My shot took longer so should have let him go first. Still afraid to report her - they have our personal information.

That’s why I think we might need contact tracing apps like other nations have. No app linked to your ID and device? No go in pharmacy (of all places). If I ran a restaurant, I’d want the same security. No public announcements - just app-based alerts.

Feeling a bit grumpy tonight. Wish we had contact tracing in America.

A good way to get around the need for compliance with contact tracing apps is what is starting to happen in NSW (mandatory as of 23rd November).

Mandatory qr code scanning prior to entering shops/pubs/casinos/funeral homes/just-about-everywhere.

A sign with a qr code is placed at the door or on the counter of the venue - monitored to make sure all people scan it - then you must scan the code on the sign before you enter/order.
TGIF's in my state already does it, and has for a while.
It captures your phone details, then they can track you down if there is an outbreak and you have used the location at a relevant time.



Which NSW businesses must get QR code?

Mandatory QR check-in codes to support contact tracing | Small Business Commissioner

 

[sds71]

Dolsten said Pfizer has already started planning a second-generation vaccine that will solve this challenge by coming in powder form.

'We are thinking about a few possibilities for next-generation vaccines,' Dolsten told Business Insider.

'For the COVID-19 disease, I think we'll roll out next year a vaccine in powder format.'

The powder vaccine would only need standard refrigeration rather than being stored frozen.

'We think we could already in 2021 develop a powder form that could be just for refrigeration,' Dolsten said.
Pfizer's top scientist says it is already working on a powder form of COVID-19 vaccine | Daily Mail Online

 

[HongKongPhooey]

A good way to get around the need for compliance with contact tracing apps is what is starting to happen in NSW (mandatory as of 23rd November).

Mandatory qr code scanning prior to entering shops/pubs/casinos/funeral homes/just-about-everywhere.

A sign with a qr code is placed at the door or on the counter of the venue - monitored to make sure all people scan it - then you must scan the code on the sign before you enter/order.
TGIF's in my state already does it, and has for a while.
It captures your phone details, then they can track you down if there is an outbreak and you have used the location at a relevant time.

View attachment 271360

Which NSW businesses must get QR code?

Mandatory QR check-in codes to support contact tracing | Small Business Commissioner

We've had the QR code system in place since the end of September (I think - seem to remember it came in when it became mandatory for shop workers to wear masks and restaurant customers to leave track and trace details). Not that I go out at all, other than the odd day into work, but I scan our workplace codes. It feels reassuring to be doing *something*.

If you receive an alert to self isolate, it's a legal requirement to do so.

It's a bit hit and miss though (gets some bad press here for that) and I know a colleague had a message to isolate from a week prior to the date she received the alert. She had been in work all week! Fortunately she did not develop symptoms.

All that said, I am grateful we have it.

Mass testing is about to be rolled out to 67 towns here too.

Mr HKP just home from his night shift and reports that trains continue to be much quieter as our lockdown goes on .

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Hurrah a proper plan for students to return home for Christmas!

Universities to oversee student exodus for Christmas

In short, rapid testing, staggered exodus and all lectures online from 9 Dec.

 

[SouthAussie]

Dolsten said Pfizer has already started planning a second-generation vaccine that will solve this challenge by coming in powder form.

'We are thinking about a few possibilities for next-generation vaccines,' Dolsten told Business Insider.

'For the COVID-19 disease, I think we'll roll out next year a vaccine in powder format.'

The powder vaccine would only need standard refrigeration rather than being stored frozen.

'We think we could already in 2021 develop a powder form that could be just for refrigeration,' Dolsten said.
Pfizer's top scientist says it is already working on a powder form of COVID-19 vaccine | Daily Mail Online

I was watching our evening news ... there is a special cooler (made from a cardboard box and then special linings) that can hold the current version of the Pfizer vac - with the needed dry ice - for 6 weeks. This is how they plan to get the current version from place to place.

Powder form sounds much easier for transporting and storing.


As an aside, we also heard from the Federal Health Minister that Aussies should start being vaccinated in March. With Pfizer and/or AstraZeneca, which are both testing well. (We also are invested in two other vaccines - four in total.)
Federal vaccine approval may come at the end of January - once safety is established.

Australia is 'on track' to deliver a coronavirus vaccine by March next year, Greg Hunt says

 

[GRT]

Canada - we've had it.

Enough is enough—time for a national response to COVID

My rural community is seeing a massive surge as well and--for the most part--everyone here has been complying with the recommendations I have to say "for the most part" because something absolutely ridiculous happened in the produce department of the grocery store yesterday.

There was a young man stocking produce and I noticed his mask was on his chin so that got my attention right away. A few feet away was an elderly woman who was holding two green peppers and (at the same time) trying to open one of those plastic produce bags. She had her mask on the correct way, but she was having trouble with the bag and she asked the young man if he could help. He took the bag, rubbed it between his hands, and then held the opening to his mouth and blew into it to inflate it. Then he held it out for her to put her green peppers in.

I watched the whole thing with disbelief. I should have said something but I didn't. I've been thinking that I probably ought to call the manager today so he gives the boy better instructions. He seemed like a nice young man, but what the heck?

 

[GRT]

I was watching our evening news ... there is a special cooler (made from a cupboard box and then special linings) that can hold the current version of the Pfizer vac - with the needed dry ice - for 6 weeks. This is how they plan to get the current version from place to place.

Powder form sounds much easier for transporting and storing.


As an aside, we also heard from the Federal Health Minister that Aussies should start being vaccinated in March. With Pfizer and/or AstraZeneca, which are both testing well. (We also are invested in two other vaccines - four in total.)
Federal vaccine approval may come at the end of January - once safety is established.

Australia is 'on track' to deliver a coronavirus vaccine by March next year, Greg Hunt says

That's really good news!

I wonder how if the powder form has to be mixed with a liquid again.

 

[GRT]

A good way to get around the need for compliance with contact tracing apps is what is starting to happen in NSW (mandatory as of 23rd November).

Mandatory qr code scanning prior to entering shops/pubs/casinos/funeral homes/just-about-everywhere.

A sign with a qr code is placed at the door or on the counter of the venue - monitored to make sure all people scan it - then you must scan the code on the sign before you enter/order.
TGIF's in my state already does it, and has for a while.
It captures your phone details, then they can track you down if there is an outbreak and you have used the location at a relevant time.

View attachment 271360

Which NSW businesses must get QR code?

Mandatory QR check-in codes to support contact tracing | Small Business Commissioner

That sounds like a good way. My county is going the old-fashioned route but they put out a video on Facebook telling people to please answer their phones if they get a call from the Health Department.