Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #90

[nightowl1975]

I would think it would be an administrative nightmare trying to collect the monies owing from the people who were forced to quarantine for 14 days in a specific place. It would probably end up costing more in collection activities than they would've received in reimbursements. It's an excellent idea to do though, and congrats to Australia if they can pull it off. That would surely prevent a lot of people from UNessential travel, knowing they'd have to fork out the money for all of the services used, and lose two weeks of their time/life!

I also think it’s a whole lot more straightforward doing something like this in a country that is an island with a population less than the state of Texas. Size, population, and geography matters when we talk logistics in controlling a virus we can’t see.

 

[SouthAussie]

I would think it would be an administrative nightmare trying to collect the monies owing from the people who were forced to quarantine for 14 days in a specific place. It would probably end up costing more in collection activities than they would've received in reimbursements. It's an excellent idea to do though, and congrats to Australia if they can pull it off. That would surely prevent a lot of people from UNessential travel, knowing they'd have to fork out the money for all of the services used, and lose two weeks of their time/life!

Seeing that it is a govt charge, they will likely take it out of your tax return if you don't pay it.
I see now that they have 30 days in which to pay.

Travellers will be handed an invoice for the cost of their stay at the end of their time in hotel quarantine, with 30 days to pay. Hardship arrangements will be in place for those who struggle to pay.
Hotel quarantine has cost NSW $65m, premier reveals, as $3000 fee announced

 

[SouthAussie]

I also think it’s a whole lot more straightforward doing something like this in a country that is an island with a population less than the state of Texas. Size, population, and geography matters when we talk logistics in controlling a virus we can’t see.

Everyone could have done similar, if they had closed their international borders right away.
I get tired of hearing the "island with not much population" thing. It is discipline and quick action that allowed us this system. Stopping the travel, stopping people moving around, not giving the virus human hosts in which to travel and spread.
It hasn't been easy for any of us. We gave up a lot.

 

[deugirtni]

“Dr. Jeff Bahr, president of Aurora Health Care Medical Group in Wisconsin, said Thursday the culprit had taken the vials out of fridge two nights in a row

He not only took them out overnight Friday as first thought but had also done so Thursday - returning them to the fridge the next morning before anyone noticed”

[...]

• He faces charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, adulterating a prescription drug, and criminal damage to property.
  • Wisconsin pharmacist Steven Brandenburg, 46, was booked on Thursday on the same charges
  • Brandenburg is also listed as a licensed pharmacist in Wisconsin.
    
    
  • 

Finding it so hard to believe a person would risk his career, credentials, years spent and money financing his education, future earning-ability, etc., in this way. Surely he will be forced to hand in his license, and surely he will be blacklisted for any other medical/hospital jobs doing ANYTHING of a medical/health nature in the future. Wow. I wonder if there were signs of mental instability beforehand?

 

[Lilibet]

THIS "And yet good leadership, public trust in government and experts, and a sense of solidarity also powerfully shape a population’s vulnerability to infectious disease."

I agree, and unfortunately, millions in the U.S are fractured and divided beyond repair, believing anti-government and anti-science propaganda, with no ability to dig out truth or delay gratification. It would take more than good leadership for the citizens to come together again and trust and to be a solid united force to fight the war against Covid. That’s a change in values and morals and involves ditching selfishness. It’s not likely to happen. A portion of society has been fed conspiracy theories and false information that they cling to like a life raft. So I think we will continue to be vulnerable to infectious diseases because these people will resist scientists’.and government leaders’ attempts to educate them and vaccinate them. They like what “Q” tells them better. So those of us who want to stay healthy and alive are forced into seclusion. Aside from from getting the vaccine, which may give me a milder or asymptomatic case while I spread it to others, the precautions I take now for myself and others won’t change. Welcome to 2021 where hindsight is 2020.

 

[nightowl1975]

I would think it would be an administrative nightmare trying to collect the monies owing from the people who were forced to quarantine for 14 days in a specific place. It would probably end up costing more in collection activities than they would've received in reimbursements. It's an excellent idea to do though, and congrats to Australia if they can pull it off. That would surely prevent a lot of people from UNessential travel, knowing they'd have to fork out the money for all of the services used, and lose two weeks of their time/life!

I also think it’s a whole lot more straightforward doing something like this in a country that is an island with a population less than the state of Texas. Size, population, and geography matters when we talk logistics in controlling a virus we can’t see.

Everyone could have done similar, if they had closed their international borders right away.
I get tired of hearing the "island with not much population" thing. It is discipline and quick action that allowed us this system. Stopping the travel, stopping people moving around, not giving the virus human hosts in which to travel and spread.
It hasn't been easy for any of us. We gave up a lot.

I suppose it depends on what priorities each country has as well. Most (all?) of Europe seems to have the same struggles with surging virus and overwhelmed hospitals. Closing borders on an island is decidedly more simplistic than in other geographical areas, so it’s good they took advantage of this early on. Here, there was little to no political support for even the limited border closings that did happen. I can’t imagine even stricter closings would’ve met with greater support at the time. It’s unfortunate, I guess, though I’m not convinced we could’ve/should’ve kept things closed down for the better part of a year waiting for a vaccine, then kept things closed for the better part of another year waiting for the vaccine to be rolled out. All of this, of course, being done without knowing if/when we would actually have a vaccine. The US is too divided for anyone to agree on what should or shouldn’t be done, but of course there’s no lack of Monday morning quarterbacking.

 

[GRT]

"Currently, the motive for such behavior is not known and law enforcement are trying to establish what triggered Brandenburg into such anti-social behavior."

I no longer believe this statement. Now that they know that he did this intentionally, and that he knew it would render the vaccines useless, I think they probably know exactly why he did it. I imagine it is a reason that they are not going to release, because it will be the most stupid and conspiratorial reason. IMO

I agree. For some reason, they're just not releasing his motive, but I'd sure like to know what it is. If he would do this -- has he done other things in the past to alter medications?

 

[GRT]

Everyone could have done similar, if they had closed their international borders right away.
I get tired of hearing the "island with not much population" thing. It is discipline and quick action that allowed us this system. Stopping the travel, stopping people moving around, not giving the virus human hosts in which to travel and spread.
It hasn't been easy for any of us. We gave up a lot.

I'm sure you have given up a lot, but it seems you don't have the political divisiveness the US and UK have.

No matter what happens here, the party that's not currently in power will oppose it. It's ridiculous but partisan politics takes precedence here.

 

[Cool Cats]

I agree, and unfortunately, millions in the U.S are fractured and divided beyond repair, believing anti-government and anti-science propaganda, with no ability to dig out truth or delay gratification. It would take more than good leadership for the citizens to come together again and trust and to be a solid united force to fight the war against Covid. That’s a change in values and morals and involves ditching selfishness. It’s not likely to happen. A portion of society has been fed conspiracy theories and false information that they cling to like a life raft. So I think we will continue to be vulnerable to infectious diseases because these people will resist scientists’.and government leaders’ attempts to educate them and vaccinate them. They like what “Q” tells them better. So those of us who want to stay healthy and alive are forced into seclusion. Aside from from getting the vaccine, which may give me a milder or asymptomatic case while I spread it to others, the precautions I take now for myself and others won’t change. Welcome to 2021 where hindsight is 2020.

BBM

"Welcome to 2021 where hindsight is 2020. "

Thanks for my New Year motto!

 

[GRT]

BBM

"Welcome to 2021 where hindsight is 2020. "

Thanks for my New Year motto!

Perfect!

 

[Cool Cats]

The Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots will be combined in a 'mix and match' trial to see if the 2 vaccines together produce a stronger immune response

The two shots trigger different immune responses.

A vaccine is given to a study participant in the UK.

• During the trials, patients will receive one dose of the Pfizer shot and another of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca.

• The trial will test whether combining the two shots works better than administering them individually.

• AstraZeneca's vaccine has not yet been approved by UK regulators, but once it is, the trials will kick off.

 

[SouthAussie]

I'm sure you have given up a lot, but it seems you don't have the political divisiveness the US and UK have.

No matter what happens here, the party that's not currently in power will oppose it. It's ridiculous but partisan politics takes precedence here.

Our political parties are usually complaining about each other, just like everywhere in the world. But during this pandemic they have really been pulling together for Australia.
Very little verbal bashing has been going on, as compared to the usual.

It has been a very positive thing that they can put their differences aside and understand that we need the strength of unity to counter this pandemic.

 

[astheworldfallsdown]

Hospitals across UK 'must prepare for Covid surge', senior doctor warns

Hospitals across the UK are being told to prepare to face the same Covid pressures as the NHS in London and south-east England.

Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said the new more-infectious variant of the virus was spreading across the country.

Case numbers were "mild" compared to where they would be in a week, he said, and doctors were "really worried".

 

[musicaljoke]

I perhaps used the wrong term. And I do understand, there is indeed a difference between death rate and case fatality rate. I really didn't use a term, was just doing math.

I wasn't shooting for the case fatality rate (for which the denominator needs to be the number of cases 3-4 weeks prior as the deaths are lagging)

Awh, I understand that you were looking for a different measurement of the impact of Covid. May I ask for what purpose?

It can be very misleading to use data that minimizes the impact and risks of Covid. There are hundreds of thousands of people who will lean on the misleading rates to justify why they don't need to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings, avoiding travel, and supporting lockdowns where and when they are needed. They don't understand the risks to themselves or the people around them. When they don't understand the risks, they act in ways that increase the danger to themselves and others. Not all will survive.

Fortunately, most people will eventually realize what they need to do, and why. We already are seeing that most people understand the need to wear masks. There are fewer anti-mask rallies, and they are more generally abhorred. Eventually, most people will understand why avoiding groups is necessary and how to achieve that. But it will be the best informed who will understand it first, and I believe it is their duty to bring along those who are slow to comprehend.

Understanding the real risk is vital.

Because there are countless numbers of people who don't yet understand the risks of this pandemic, it is important to challenge misleading statistics whenever they pop up.

 

[musicaljoke]

Hospitals across UK 'must prepare for Covid surge', senior doctor warns

Hospitals across the UK are being told to prepare to face the same Covid pressures as the NHS in London and south-east England.

Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said the new more-infectious variant of the virus was spreading across the country.

Case numbers were "mild" compared to where they would be in a week, he said, and doctors were "really worried".

One would think that hospitals across the UK are already prepared as much as it is possible for them to do so. Perhaps it's time to prepare the population for the fact that there may not be medical support for all who will need it.

 

[ilovewings]

I am so sorry to hear this. A young woman, such a shock for her husband and her family. My condolences.
This virus is so frightening. Unknowns and unexpected effects, even for those who have recovered, and had no underlying health conditions.
I don't understand how certain segments of the population still are so blasé about Covid and precautions.
One never knows with this disease.

“Dr. Jeff Bahr, president of Aurora Health Care Medical Group in Wisconsin, said Thursday the culprit had taken the vials out of fridge two nights in a row

He not only took them out overnight Friday as first thought but had also done so Thursday - returning them to the fridge the next morning before anyone noticed”

[...]

• He faces charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, adulterating a prescription drug, and criminal damage to property.
  • Wisconsin pharmacist Steven Brandenburg, 46, was booked on Thursday on the same charges
  • Brandenburg is also listed as a licensed pharmacist in Wisconsin.
    
    
  • 

I checked with a data base I use to find potential defendants in civil cases- the data base indicated that no criminal cases could be found for this person.

 

[musicaljoke]

I'm sure you have given up a lot, but it seems you don't have the political divisiveness the US and UK have.

No matter what happens here, the party that's not currently in power will oppose it. It's ridiculous but partisan politics takes precedence here.

Yes, that is mind boggling. The world will be watching the new administration, to see if they will be able to lead the US to a more united response.

One of the measures in the Canadian Pandemic Response is that all political parties have to work together to ensure a coordinated and consistent health-sector approach. Frankly, it is very refreshing to watch this happen. We've even see members of political parties praising the efforts of those who, in normal times, would be their official opposition.

https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/192/13/E340.full.pdf

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Awh, I understand that you were looking for a different measurement of the impact of Covid. May I ask for what purpose?

It can be very misleading to use data that minimizes the impact and risks of Covid. There are hundreds of thousands of people who will lean on the misleading rates to justify why they don't need to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings, avoiding travel, and supporting lockdowns where and when they are needed. They don't understand the risks to themselves or the people around them. When they don't understand the risks, they act in ways that increase the danger to themselves and others. Not all will survive.

Fortunately, most people will eventually realize what they need to do, and why. We already are seeing that most people understand the need to wear masks. There are fewer anti-mask rallies, and they are more generally abhorred. Eventually, most people will understand why avoiding groups is necessary and how to achieve that. But it will be the best informed who will understand it first, and I believe it is their duty to bring along those who are slow to comprehend.

Understanding the real risk is vital.

Because there are countless numbers of people who don't yet understand the risks of this pandemic, it is important to challenge misleading statistics whenever they pop up.

Thanks, yes, I was merely redoing the math without correcting and explaining the importance of differentiation of case fatality rate vs. death rate which the OP had done. Thanks for the time to explain and giving rationale.

And all here probably know to keep in mind when doing the case fatality rates, they should use the denominator as the number of cases 3-4 weeks prior as the deaths lag. (Which is really significant these days in the difference in those numbers!) I think most here followed Dr. Seheult and Dr. Campbell and know the difference, but others may not if haven't followed all the posts.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Anyone older than the age of 60 probably remembers the various polio vaccines administered between 1955 and 1963.

Actually called poliomyelitis, the term was shortened to polio. The disease was shown in carvings found by archaeologists centuries ago, but was first documented in the late 1700s for its disabling and potentially fatal illness that disfigured limbs of the human body.

By the 1890s, research had been done to identify polio and determine drugs that could address the disease. Awareness of the disease came to the forefront in 1933 with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president, who had been stricken with the virus and confined to a wheelchair, despite his efforts to serve in the office and have people ignore his disability.

In 1938, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was formed to fund efforts to eradicate polio and supported work at the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers and a team of physicians worked on a killed virus which Dr. Jonas Salk and his team felt would be safer than the live culture that was being used by other researchers.

By 1950, polio was an epidemic and nearly every mother in the nation was concerned that her child would become ill with the virus. Success was found in the Salk vaccine and it was approved for use on April 14, 1955, and on April 28 the first 1,399 first- and second-graders in the Steubenville School System and Holy Name Schools were given the “first shot” in what was termed “Operation Lollipop.” The vaccine arrived from the Ohio Department of Health for all Steubenville school students, with Toronto and Mingo Junction to follow.
A look back at mass polio vaccinations of ‘50s, ‘60s

 

[303gmf]

Spoken like a true leader:

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Wow! She’s a brilliant leader
Almost in tears comparing

View attachment 277807
Anyone older than the age of 60 probably remembers the various polio vaccines administered between 1955 and 1963.

Actually called poliomyelitis, the term was shortened to polio. The disease was shown in carvings found by archaeologists centuries ago, but was first documented in the late 1700s for its disabling and potentially fatal illness that disfigured limbs of the human body.

By the 1890s, research had been done to identify polio and determine drugs that could address the disease. Awareness of the disease came to the forefront in 1933 with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president, who had been stricken with the virus and confined to a wheelchair, despite his efforts to serve in the office and have people ignore his disability.

In 1938, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was formed to fund efforts to eradicate polio and supported work at the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers and a team of physicians worked on a killed virus which Dr. Jonas Salk and his team felt would be safer than the live culture that was being used by other researchers.

By 1950, polio was an epidemic and nearly every mother in the nation was concerned that her child would become ill with the virus. Success was found in the Salk vaccine and it was approved for use on April 14, 1955, and on April 28 the first 1,399 first- and second-graders in the Steubenville School System and Holy Name Schools were given the “first shot” in what was termed “Operation Lollipop.” The vaccine arrived from the Ohio Department of Health for all Steubenville school students, with Toronto and Mingo Junction to follow.
A look back at mass polio vaccinations of ‘50s, ‘60s

Yes, I have a memory of waiting in line at my elementary school gymnasium in small town Colorado, petrified at the gun type looking thingy ahead!
Why aren’t we doing similar in 2020/21?