Coronavirus Global Health Emergency, 2019-nCoV #2

[Windsorite]

Australia continues to have optics problems around this issue

Coronavirus: Australian Wuhan evacuees complain of poor hygiene at Christmas Island detention centre

 

[JerseyGirl]

US House panel holds hearing on the outbreak

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs is holding a hearing on the outbreak scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET.

Witnesses include senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security Jennifer Nuzzo, senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation Jennifer Bouey and former White House Ebola response coordinator Ron Klain. Congressman Ami Bera, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, announced the hearing last week.

Watch the live hearing here.

 

[otto]

Wuhan crematoriums 'are burning bodies 24/7 to cope with extra workload during coronavirus outbreak'

Wuhan crematoriums 'are burning bodies 24/7 to cope with extra workload' | Daily Mail Online

With only 450 deaths, how can they be overwhelmed cremating people all day every day? That suggests that there are far more deaths, although very likely non-hospital deaths.

 

[MJPeony]

In hurry at the moment and can’t remember what article it was I saw a bit ago- And now I can’t find it. Sorry, will look later. The one where it stated that the 2 Southern California cases were contagious on the airplane (Jan 19th I believe) and that the passengers next to them and in the rows in front and behind were all contacted....

Anyway, article said it has now passed the 14 day incubation period and those people should be in the clear now.

I find that really odd. That this virus that is so contagious did not infect any of the airline passengers on a 10+ hours flight? Great news but bizarre IMO and I’m not sure what to make of it.

ETA: found it.
“CNN is first to report that two airline passengers flew to the United States while actively sick with Wuhan coronavirus, but passengers who sat near them did not become ill, according to a spokesperson for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The sick passengers are among the 11 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US. It’s significant that they were ill on the flights, since health authorities say people who are actively ill are most likely to infect others.

The two sick passengers traveled from China to Los Angeles International Airport on January 20 and January 22. The 14-day incubation period for the virus has since passed, so it’s believed that other people who were on the flights are no longer at risk for contracting the illness.”
Coronavirus death toll soars to nearly 500 -- live updates - CNN

 

[JerseyGirl]

UPS strikes deal with union over flights to China

The union that represents UPS pilots has struck a deal with shipping giant to make flying to China “voluntary.” “This joint effort addresses crew member concerns over safety during the coronavirus health crisis,” the union said in a statement. More than a dozen airlines, including , and have suspended service to mainland China and to Hong Kong, citing a sharp drop in demand because of the outbreak. Others have significantly scaled back service.

Coronavirus live updates: WHO says new cases surged over 24 hours, US accepts 4 new flights from Wuhan

 

[JerseyGirl]

Weather delays chartered flight evacuating Canadians stranded in Wuhan
''Canadians stranded in a quarantined Chinese city were told Wednesday that a flight set to bring them home was delayed, leaving them stranded in the epicentre of the new coronavirus for another day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said weather events forced the delay.

“There is a narrow window given by the Chinese for flights into Wuhan and the weather conditions were such that the plane could not take off,” Trudeau explained as he entered a Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning in Ottawa.

“So everything is delayed by a day. We’re hoping to have these families back on Friday,” Trudeau added.''

Canada to fly in evacuees from Wuhan

A small town in central Canada that is host to the country's largest air force base is preparing for the arrival of some 200 evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Canada plans to fly the evacuees to the base in Trenton, Ontario and hold them in quarantine for two weeks.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that the plane was expected to arrive on Friday.

Coronavirus updates: The latest news on the outbreak and the global response

 

[MJPeony]

San Jose hospital workers sent home after coronavirus exposure

This is interesting- healthcare workers who treated a patient sent home to self isolate. I guess they weren’t prepared to protect themselves?

 

[JerseyGirl]

Wisconsin confirms first case of virus

A Wisconsin resident who recently traveled to China has been infected with the coronavirus.

The patient is currently “doing well” and in isolation at home. Health officials said there is no immediate danger and the risk to the broader public is “low.”

Coronavirus live updates: WHO says new cases surged over 24 hours, US accepts 4 new flights from Wuhan

 

[Ruthbullock]

Coronavirus latest with VIDEO: Paramedic in hazmat suit seen taking patient from York property
it took 48 hours to publicly confirm the previous two cases (36 hours to notify local GPS), so its a waiting game for York. Visitors to vulnerable wards at the local hospital now have to wear masks whilst visiting.

 

[Hatfield]

I won’t be surprised if there is a lot of that going on all the time with all kinds of illnesses. I was in a meeting yesterday with a woman who drove an hour to get there while she has the flu. She wasn’t even essential to the meeting. I told her she should have stayed home and she said she wanted to share the wealth. I moved to the other side of the room.

In years past I have seen that sort of behavior. The old "Misery Wants Company" thing or maybe just resentment they are ill and dont care if others get their turn. So sad and irresponsible if people are going out of their way to spread germs.

 

[Ruthbullock]

In years past I have seen that sort of behavior. The old "Misery Wants Company" thing or maybe just resentment they are ill and dont care if others get their turn. So sad and irresponsible if people are going out of their way to spread germs.

It’s actively encouraged in schools in the UK to keep attendance up- our school even offers calpol to keep their temp down if needed whilst at school- gone are the days where if you are ill, sleep it off.

 

[Strangeworld]

Australia continues to have optics problems around this issue

Coronavirus: Australian Wuhan evacuees complain of poor hygiene at Christmas Island detention centre

A photo of one cockroach and 'poor internet connection' does not outweigh the risk of these people entering the wider community before the quarantine period ends. Unfortunately just some political stuff pushed in this article.

 

[Hatfield]

It’s actively encouraged in schools in the UK to keep attendance up- our school even offers calpol to keep their temp down if needed whilst at school- gone are the days where if you are ill, sleep it off.

Thats interesting. Lets hope the schools rethink that.

Companies can do a lot more too by making their managers tell employees that if you are really sick, then its ok to stay home at least through the worst part of it.

Too many times, companies put pressure on their employees to work anyway even if ill. Like even in that new article about UPS Union getting agreement that pilots only have to fly to China on a volunteer basis. Reading between the lines there....."you better volunteer or this will be a black mark against you as you have shown no willingness to help the company, etc. etc."

 

[Pi Thoughts]

The second wave of Australians that were stranded in Wuhan - the epicentre of the coronavirus - is due to arrive on Christmas Island this morning.
The 35 citizens and permanent residents left the Chinese city last night on an Air New Zealand flight evacuating 98 New Zealanders and a number of others to Auckland.
They are due to touch down on the Indian Ocean island at 9am (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
More coronavirus evacuees to reach Christmas Island

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I cannot recall who here introduced us to Ben, and his daily YouTubes through Channel 4 in UK. Thanks to whoever it was.

It's been enlightening to follow him from his first days shopping in Wuhan, through the evacuation and now his daily routine in quarantine. He's so uplifting also and love his personality. He was so delighted that those in charge bought him beer before the big game, and it was the same beer brand that he had in Wuhan. He has quite the international following, (he jokes about how he will always will be know as Coronavirus guy) and does Q&A's (yes ladies, he's a single unattached 24 year old Irish cutie pie , you'll fall in love following him.) This is a link to his first video of which right now there are 10 that the news agency has all in one place.

Inside Wuhan: Irish teacher on life in quarantine zone - YouTube

 

[Betty P]

Thats interesting. Lets hope the schools rethink that.

Companies can do a lot more too by making their managers tell employees that if you are really sick, then its ok to stay home at least through the worst part of it.

Too many times, companies put pressure on their employees to work anyway even if ill. Like even in that new article about UPS Union getting agreement that pilots only have to fly to China on a volunteer basis. Reading between the lines there....."you better volunteer or this will be a black mark against you as you have shown no willingness to help the company, etc. etc."

Yes, many employers make this situation much worse by punishing employees who stay home sick. Many employers these days don't even offer sick leave. If your employer puts you on a "contract" basis, you get no paid sick days. Every day away from work is money lost that would go towards rent, food, utilities.

 

[mickey2942]

San Jose hospital workers sent home after coronavirus exposure

This is interesting- healthcare workers who treated a patient sent home to self isolate. I guess they weren’t prepared to protect themselves?

Well, they probably had no clue what the patient had. It wasn't until the last Ebola outbreak that patients were even asked if they had been out of the country in the last month.

I wonder if they will receive pay during the time they are home.

 

[Tadpole12]

www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-the-new-coronavirus-keep-spreading-or-not-you-have-to-know-one-little-number/

Will the New Coronavirus Keep Spreading or Not?
You Have to Know One Little Number

Feb 5, 2020

"But a reproduction number is not fixed. For example, it can change as people become immune to a pathogen or change their behaviour to avoid sick people."

 

[gregjrichards]

Is there any news about what the Chinese government is planning to do in the long term about preventing future coronavirus outbreaks? The markets selling and killing wild animals and cats and dogs need to be banned ASAP. I can’t believe the disgusting hygiene at these markets they would be shut down here in the U.K. We have very strict laws about food hygiene.

The Chinese government need to come up with legislation regarding food preparation and what animals can be sold. It’s a miracle an outbreak like this hasn’t happened before over the years. An outbreak like this cannot happen again.

 

[gregjrichards]

Patient is overheard demanding 'no Asian doctor' in a hospital's emergency department due to fears of catching the deadly coronavirus

Patient demands 'no Asian doctor' in a hospital's emergency department amid fears of coronavirus | Daily Mail Online