Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #88

[margarita25]

Former State Sen. Martin Sandoval Dies After COVID-19 Diagnosis
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The Swiss Cheese Model of Pandemic Defense
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BBC / 3 days ago
Vaccine rumours debunked: Microchips, 'altered DNA' and more

 

[Sprockett7701]

I said to an Aussie mate yesterday "50% of US people are doing the right thing, and are so uncomfortable with the 50% who are not". (Stats may be way out, but I wanted to get across that there are many of you good people there.)

I wish the US media would promote the actions of all the people who are doing the right thing. They are 'rewarding' the people who are causing trouble by giving them infamy.

It’s been difficult to watch you guys descend into this pandemic and I know for me certainly, it has been hard posting when I know that others do not agree, on this subject, but on any other thread we would easily agree...I know I’m not putting this across well lol And I know a lot of members have bowed out of these threads because of the disagreements, which is weird cos I spend so much time here, and am like “where is everyone?!”...

It’s not an ideal situation and if I was American I probably too would feel embarrassed, but we’re not blaming individuals, it was the dire leadership of your country that got you where you are.

We don't understand the issues with masks either. My state has 7 active cases of covid at the moment. We are hoping that within 7-10 days we will again have zero cases.

I was at the mall today with my daughter. We wore masks, as did a good 50% of people there. The rest of the people maintained a good social distance. All for 7 active (and isolated) cases.
We are serious about getting rid of this virus. I wish everybody was.

See SA, this is what scares me...everyday here in WA we literally are going about normal life. We do not wear masks, we do not social distance, etc. Which is fine considering our current little bubble and our Premiers trigger happy border closure finger But I’m not naive to believe this will last forever, and I’m not ready to get a vaccine yet, let alone give it to my children...
I’m just worried that if we do get an outbreak in WA, it could spread quickly like VIC, possibly even worse because we are so damn complacent here. The school is pretty much the only place still talking about Covid for school Christmas concerts and the shops obvs, but in reality there is no social distancing or masking...no Covid in WA. Yet.

 

[margarita25]

California:

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Stay-at-home order will be imposed in Southern California and San Joaquin Valley

“The regions will implement the order Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Bars, wineries and personal-care services must close; restaurants must halt all dining; and gatherings of people from different households will be prohibited, the state confirmed. The rules will remain in place for at least three weeks.

The order — the latest in a series of attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus and prevent local healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed — is triggered when a region’s ICU capacity drops below 15%. Southern California’s ICU capacity Saturday was 12.5%, and the San Joaquin Valley’s was 8.6%, according to data released by the state.“

[...]

“In addition to Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Riverside, the Southern California counties affected by the order are Imperial, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The San Joaquin Valley region covers Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.“
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COVID update: Fauci expects 'drastic' restrictions; Thanksgiving surge
Coronavirus updates: Southern California to enter lockdown; daily cases reach another record

The California Department of Public Health announced Saturday that a shortage of intensive care beds in the 11-county Southern California region had triggered the new measures, which take effect Sunday evening. The region includes the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego and is home to about 24 million people, almost half of the state’s population. Earlier Saturday, the order was also put in effect for the San Joaquin Valley in central California.

The new state stay-at-home order bans all on-site restaurant dining and closes hair and nail salons, movie theaters and many other businesses, as well as museums and playgrounds. It stays in effect for at least three weeks. It also means people may not congregate with anyone outside their household and must always wear masks when they go outside.

Some Southern California law enforcement officials have said they will not enforce stay-at-home orders, with Orange County and Riverside County sheriffs publicly criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom in confrontational statements that stressed individual responsibility.

Five San Francisco Bay Area counties have also imposed a new stay-at-home order for their residents that will take effect Sunday, although the region is not yet been required to do so by the state. Separately, Los Angeles County announced a stay-home order last week.
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[Sprockett7701]

RSBM

Where I live, the number of fatal and other serious car accidents is so much higher than before the pandemic (reckless driving, speeding). I sometimes wonder whether there's a connection. If as a society we allow recklessness in one domain - why not another?

OMG, this is definitely a thing, people are so much more reckless drivers in my area, I regularly fear for my life on the school run, tailgating in school zones, road rage and I found just general apathy towards others seems to have increased too...zero f’s to give! It’s definitely an interesting time from an anthropological point of view...lots to ponder for sure...

 

[Sprockett7701]

Interesting survey asking where US adults say they get their news. “Print” (newspapers, Time magazine, etc) has dropped to 3%. Network, Local and Cable TV are evenly split at about 16% each. Almost 1 in 5 say they rely primarily on social media for news.

I’ve been curious and asked a number of friends this question recently. Several told me they rely on facebook for their news and for the most part these are the same people who were unaware COVID was spiking or why masks were being encouraged.

The 1000’s of info sources available to us today is wonderful but also by definition fragmented . I wonder if COVID awareness and precaution compliance would be higher if we were back in a time when we had limited newspaper/news magazine options and all watched tv news on one of 3 networks. I was just a kid back but seems to me there was a greater collective consciousness back then, which might not be a bad thing right now.

View attachment 274454


Americans Who Mainly Get Their News on Social Media Are Less Engaged, Less Knowledgeable

As a a child growing up, for good or bad, I would normally see at least one news broadcast per day on the tv, or different parts of, most houses got a daily newspaper or two and probably several magazines a week. When I was older I would still watch tv, but did read print sometimes, and definitely had a teen phase of magazine buying/reading...and then again as I got older, I still watched tv news, but only select print and hardly any magazines. I now know not to believe everything I see/read/hear...but I’ve also found here ha ha so I know if I want the truth I can find it here.

But many of my associates are “news” dumb, they just don’t seem to be interested in what is happening outside of their little bubble...they don’t have time, don’t feel a societal responsibility maybe? I don’t know...but a lot of people will watch a 2 min brief newscast on Facie and think they’re up to date with world affairs...lol

 

[mickey2942]

Austin mayor apologizes for taking Mexico trip while urging residents to stay home | KRON4

What is with the ongoing hypocrisy with the leadership in this country?! No wonder the place is such a disaster.

 

[margarita25]

Covid-19: The World Watches as Russia and Britain Lead the Way in Mass Vaccinations

 

[ColyH]

I really believe the plan for most state governments is to get through the Christmas holiday without a lockdown. After the Christmas holiday travel dies down a lot and a lockdown won't be as unpopular as it would be during our busiest holiday season. I am not saying that's a good idea in fact I see our January numbers going way up but I believe that is what the mindset is of our leaders.

 

[margarita25]

Colorado:

Experimental COVID-19 drug being given to some patients in Colorado Springs - KRDO

One in 40 people in Colorado are contagious for the novel coronavirus

More than 46,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine will soon head to Colorado. Here’s what happens next.

Colorado lab flips business model, turns to COVID-19 testing during pandemic

‘We’re Almost There’: Polis Expects 1st COVID-19 Vaccine Doses As Soon As Next Week

“In an interview with Colorado Matters on Friday, Gov. Jared Polis said the Pfizer vaccine would be made available first, followed a few weeks later by the Moderna vaccine. Both vaccines require two doses with 30 days in between.

"We are only hopefully a week away from the first highly effective vaccine arriving at our state," he said. "And I would encourage anybody just to look at the data on the efficacy of this vaccine — 90 percent, 94 percent, there’s two of them."

"We’re excited, double down, wear masks, avoid others," Polis exclaimed. "We’re almost there."”

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“Ryan Warner: This is Colorado Matters from CPR News. I'm Ryan Warner. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been steadily climbing in Colorado to their highest numbers of the pandemic. Deaths from the virus are averaging more than 200 a week here for the first time since April. Meanwhile, lawmakers met this week in special session to help Coloradans who need financial life support. These are topics we'll broach with Colorado's Governor Jared Polis. We'll also talk about how vaccines will roll out in the state.”

[...]

“RW: And you remain in quarantine. Are we going to see any counties move to purple status, the strictest phase of the state's dial, the equivalent of a local stay-at-home order, anytime soon?

JP: Well, I sure hope not, Ryan. What that is designed to do is really make sure that we do not overwhelm our hospitals, which means that there would no longer be a bed, not just for COVID, but a heart attack, a stroke, appendicitis, whatever you need. We are not out of room right now, but it is very strained, very strained, some systems more than others, some parts of our state, more than others. We've been working with the hospitals around additional capacity. They have additional capacity since March, thank goodness, to serve people. We also have a little bit of room at the alternative care sites, which we monitor the information in real time and we stand by ready to trigger if needed.“

[...]

“JP: Well, first of all, thank goodness for the triumph of modern science, Ryan. We are only hopefully a week away from the first highly effective vaccine arriving at our state. And I would encourage anybody just to look at the data on the efficacy of this vaccine, 90 percent, 94 percent. There's two of them. And there's additional evidence. This is not enough to be conclusive yet, but even those who contract it get mild cases if you've been vaccinated. And that's nothing unusual, that happens with a flu vaccine too. So very effective, it will end the pandemic coming next week. We're excited, double down, wear masks, avoid others. We're almost there, Ryan, we're almost there. And yes, those very first doses will be available for the people who work in COVID wards and are exposed to people every day, and then, of course, our most vulnerable population.“

more at link
Interview Transcript

 

[Lilibet]

Pay attention to science and medicine, or else you may be the next careless victim

A very moving tale from a nurse on the front lines about a patient who thought masks were stupid and he refused to wear one: His "freedom" to not wear a mask, wound up taking his life and no doubt spreading the virus: this nurse is begging people to wear masks- I feel however, her message will fall on deaf ears---

From the link, quoting “Johnny” on why he wouldn’t wear a mask...this could have been taken directly, word-for-word from FB comments on our local TV stations’ pages here in southern Oregon and so many other places:

“He said it was against his right of freedom to wear a mask. He said it was a muzzle. He said he wasn’t going to be one of those sheep that follow a ridiculous rule of social distancing, washing hands, and wearing a mask. The muzzle, he said, suppressed his right to speak.”

Yes, unfortunately this nurse’s message will fall on deaf ears and minds not open to reason...if they even bother to read this heartbreaking article.

 

[margarita25]

Dbm

 

[sds71]

Has testing been done to see if recently vaccines will protect against multiple strains?

Because the vaccines being developed are based on an immune response against multiple sites on virus surface proteins, the small amount of variation that exists globally in SARS-CoV-2 isolates to date is not likely to make a difference in vaccine efficacy.
Long term, however, as the virus has more time to evolve, effective first-generation vaccines may need to be revised to cater for growing diversity in the virus. The good news is that so far, SARS-CoV-2 does not appear to be evolving as quickly as flu.
COVID-19 FAQ: AskCIDD - The Huck Institutes.

One vaccine will be good enough for all mutant strains of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, according to new research emerging out of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia.
One vaccine good for all strains of novel coronavirus

1. McAuley, A. et al. Experimental and in silico evidence suggests vaccines are unlikely to be affected by D614G mutation in SARS-CoV-2spike protein. npj Vaccines. (2020)

The virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, presents at least six strains. Despite its mutations, the virus shows little variability, and this is good news for the researchers working on a viable vaccine.
The six strains of SARS-CoV-2
Geographic and Genomic Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations

 

[Colorado303]

Because the vaccines being developed are based on an immune response against multiple sites on virus surface proteins, the small amount of variation that exists globally in SARS-CoV-2 isolates to date is not likely to make a difference in vaccine efficacy.
Long term, however, as the virus has more time to evolve, effective first-generation vaccines may need to be revised to cater for growing diversity in the virus. The good news is that so far, SARS-CoV-2 does not appear to be evolving as quickly as flu.
COVID-19 FAQ: AskCIDD - The Huck Institutes.

One vaccine will be good enough for all mutant strains of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, according to new research emerging out of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia.
One vaccine good for all strains of novel coronavirus

1. McAuley, A. et al. Experimental and in silico evidence suggests vaccines are unlikely to be affected by D614G mutation in SARS-CoV-2spike protein. npj Vaccines. (2020)

The virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, presents at least six strains. Despite its mutations, the virus shows little variability, and this is good news for the researchers working on a viable vaccine.
The six strains of SARS-CoV-2
Geographic and Genomic Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations

Thank you! That’s great to hear.

 

[SouthAussie]

This article states that the individual US states have until Friday to get their vaccine orders in to the CDC.

The FDA is meeting on Thursday, and if all goes well they will order emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine. Technically speaking, US vaccinations of healthcare workers could start on Friday.



"The first vaccine shipments are expected to be divided among states and agencies including the Department of Defense. That first effort will fall far short of protecting high-priority groups such as healthcare workers, a Reuters analysis found.

Such help is needed. In Boise, Idaho, national guard troops have triaged patients outside health facilities stretched to breaking point.

In Arizona on Saturday, health officials spoke in blunt tones as the state reported 6,799 cases, its second-highest daily increase.

Fauci said on Friday healthy Americans should not expect to receive a vaccine soon. A healthy non-elderly person with no recognisable underlying conditions will likely start … in the end of March, early April."

US sees record coronavirus infections as states face deadline for vaccine orders

 

[SouthAussie]

See SA, this is what scares me...everyday here in WA we literally are going about normal life. We do not wear masks, we do not social distance, etc. Which is fine considering our current little bubble and our Premiers trigger happy border closure finger But I’m not naive to believe this will last forever, and I’m not ready to get a vaccine yet, let alone give it to my children...
I’m just worried that if we do get an outbreak in WA, it could spread quickly like VIC, possibly even worse because we are so damn complacent here. The school is pretty much the only place still talking about Covid for school Christmas concerts and the shops obvs, but in reality there is no social distancing or masking...no Covid in WA. Yet.

In reality, if you do have an outbreak (and, yes, you might) you will likely have an instantaneous lockdown, and quarantining of relevant contacts - which could be in the hundreds, like it was here.
Your Premier is tough. I doubt that he will mamby-pamby around like they did in Victoria for a while before they locked down.

SA Health

We are down to 5 active cases now - no cases in hospital - no new cases. The lockdowns and quarantining works.
.

 

[weepingangel]

We were told last week there will be vaccines in the building as of this upcoming week. Though not enough for everyone who may want one. I’m guessing physicians Will be prioritized (and maybe Ed/icu/respiratory medical staff)
At this time it wont be a mandatory vax for employment (how could it since there’s not enough anyway lol)

A Family member tells me the vaccine wont be mandatory for the military (as long as it’s under emergency usage approval?)

This article states that the individual US states have until Friday to get their vaccine orders in to the CDC.

The FDA is meeting on Thursday, and if all goes well they will order emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine. Technically speaking, US vaccinations of healthcare workers could start on Friday.



"The first vaccine shipments are expected to be divided among states and agencies including the Department of Defense. That first effort will fall far short of protecting high-priority groups such as healthcare workers, a Reuters analysis found.

Such help is needed. In Boise, Idaho, national guard troops have triaged patients outside health facilities stretched to breaking point.

In Arizona on Saturday, health officials spoke in blunt tones as the state reported 6,799 cases, its second-highest daily increase.

Fauci said on Friday healthy Americans should not expect to receive a vaccine soon. A healthy non-elderly person with no recognisable underlying conditions will likely start … in the end of March, early April."

US sees record coronavirus infections as states face deadline for vaccine orders

 

[ilovewings]

How the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Works - The Atlantic

I thought this was an interesting article written prior to the pandemic

 

[SouthAussie]

It really was hard to witness this woman's pain. I understand that the film project probably involves bubbles and testing, but I get why it is so galling to her. I don't understand the rationale for the outdoor dining restriction, and I don't understand why we aren't helping small business owners survive this crisis.

You all can help them by using their takeaway food service. They can't stay in business by having five tables open, but they can stay in business if their regulars and others use their takeaway food service.

Now is the time the community needs to support their local restaurants and cafes.
It is not all up to the govt to provide them with money, which will only raise your taxes.

Local support does work. And there are already tax breaks in place for these businesses during this pandemic, which we have explored before.

People do not like change. But the federal leadership during this pandemic has been appalling. The least people can do is support their local leadership in trying to suppress this virus. IMO
The virus needs to be suppressed before businesses can be safe again.

The restaurants here whinge and whine as well, but we are supporting them. They are still in business.


"A lot’s changed, and continues to change, but throughout the crisis, takeout and delivery have remained constant. Now is the time to support a beloved restaurant or try something new. "
Where to Order Takeout and Delivery in LA Right Now

 

[weepingangel]

'It feels like suffocation': Doctor describes Covid-19 working conditions - CNN Video

 

[ilovewings]

You all can help them by using their takeaway food service. They can't stay in business by having five tables open, but they can stay in business if their regulars and others use their takeaway food service.

Now is the time the community needs to support their local restaurants and cafes.
It is not all up to the govt to provide them with money, which will only raise your taxes.

Local support does work. And there are already tax breaks in place for these businesses during this pandemic, which we have explored before.

People do not like change. But the federal leadership during this pandemic has been appalling. The least people can do is support their local leadership in trying to suppress this virus. IMO
The virus needs to be suppressed before businesses can be safe again.

The restaurants here whinge and whine as well, but we are supporting them. They are still in business.


"A lot’s changed, and continues to change, but throughout the crisis, takeout and delivery have remained constant. Now is the time to support a beloved restaurant or try something new. "
Where to Order Takeout and Delivery in LA Right Now

You are so right: the Federal Government ( Democrats and Republicans have been appalling)---