Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #69

[MrX]

The Latest Pandemic Shortage: Coins Are The New Toilet Paper

Ha - someone just messaged me today asking if the "coin thing" was real. I always use a card, so I didn't know what he was talking about. Interesting that a slow down in certain transactions could cause coins to vanish. Someday someone will probably make a "Beautiful Mind" (John Nash) type discovery, tying this phenomena to an unrelated discipline.

 

[Black Widow]

Even our defense sucks.

Some of you...Pocket..Jane Eyre...Oviedo..etc etc are sounding so down tonight. I can’t say I blame you and my heart goes out to each of you. BUT.....you Americans on this forum are intelligent and you see things very clearly. You know what you need to do to stay safe and you are doing it. You WILL make it through this ordeal and come out stronger on the other side. Try to ignore the idiots, the hypocracy and try to just focus on what you need to do for yourself and your family to stay safe. This may last a long time but it won’t last forever.

 

[gitana1]

It's exhausting. And crazy-making. I find myself uttering platitudes in various ways: Oh, it will get better or umm...vaccine?" But it's getting bad so quickly in several states. California is right behind you - but I do not think we will open the schools, so we haven't turned that particular dial all the way up.

Mask wearing has gone up in coastal SoCal (except Orange County, they've decided apparently to run an experiment on themselves).

To me, it seems that there's this Big Thing looming over us, and first it starts a little fire here - and then another one over there, and it just grows. Sometimes it seems like not nearly enough is being done by public health and tax dollars.

OC Board of Supervisors has ordered schools to be reopened without masks for social distancing.

However, people keep telling me that kids can’t spread the virus and most don’t get it when exposed. And that in Europe everyone has sent the kids back to school with no restrictions and it’s working well.

I know that kids aren’t learning at home the way they did at school. Many parents aren’t able or equipped to shift to homeschooling.

Then there’s the matter of kids whose parents work. Where do they go? If they go to a daycare facility, it’s the same thing.

So I don’t know what’s right.

Either way, if kids can spread this, a lot of teachers and/or daycare workers are at grave risk.

 

[TravelingBug]

I know some other "long hauler" Covid case accounts have been posted but I hadn't read this one yet.

43 yr old female, no pre-existing conditions with a very mild case, but it's lasted and been impacting her tremendously for months now.

Very fascinating read.

IMO worth going to the link to read the whole thing.

“Call Us If You Get Worse”: What Covid-19 can do to a “healthy” person.

I am writing to you because we are four months into the pandemic and we are all tired and some people are wondering, because they lack direct firsthand experience of anyone with the virus, whether there is really anything to worry about. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but I want you to know that this virus does not just kill people — it can give healthy people a chronic illness that lasts for months. I caught the virus very early, and I can’t tell you how long it takes to recover from it, because I have not recovered. I am telling you about my experience with Covid-19 so far to help you keep your strength during this period of uncertainty and restrictions. I don’t want to scare you, this situation is scary enough, and many of us are anxious or depressed. Some of us are bored. I want to tell you some of what happened to me to help you find the focus and energy to keep following the advice and measures put in place to help slow the spread of the virus. And I want you to know that a ‘mild case’ of this virus can turn a healthy person into a very unwell person with chronic health problems. I want you to know that if that happens to you, at the moment, there will be very little targeted support from health professionals. They will be kind to you, when they have time and if they are not exhausted from months of stress from working during a pandemic, but they will not be able to do much more than say: “Call us if you get worse” and “We don’t know what this virus does to your body.”

 

[KALI]

Friends. I have posted the numbers, for the likelihood of us getting, and most importantly, dying from this horrible new disease.
The numbers show that it is very unlikely that you will die from this ugly, nasty disease.
I personally, do not take this disease lightly.
I am nearly obsessed with it. Everywhere I go, everything I do, this hateful disease is on my mind.
Especially, in regards to my employees and customers at our restaurant.
The news media, in my opinion, has not been honest with us.
They are pushing the worst cases in headlines daily
Why? They get people to click on their stories. Clicks equal advertisers paying money.
We really are getting better at learning how to control this virus and stop the death count.
Keep your eye on the number of deaths. Not. The number of cases.
wishing you all a safe, sleep.
Kali in crazy California...

 

[doublestop]

Keep your eye on the number of deaths. Not. The number of cases.

Even if we ignore the 138,000 deaths in the US alone, the number of cases is indeed important. Many of those sickened will have long-lasting health issues. It's not just a couple weeks sick and then you're fine.

 

[SouthAussie]

Oh boy ... Victoria has recorded over 300 new cases today (317), for the first time ever.
7 new outbreaks in aged care facilities .... overall 39 aged care facilities now have positive cases.
TV footage of medical staff putting a young child on a ventilator in Melbourne.
Their Premier pleading with people "Please! Stay home!"

Their hospitals say they have plenty of room, and are ready.

The Premier says he thinks, he hopes, that the numbers will come down soon. They have just been in lockdown for one week. Not enough time yet. "This is in the hands of every Victorian".

TV footage shows the great majority of Melbourne people wearing masks and carefully social distancing as they shop for essentials.
However, there are a few people saying "masks make me feel claustrophobic" "if I wear one every day how much will that cost me" "I just came outside for a quick coffee".

Their chief medical officer says that a mask mandate is about to happen, if they don't straighten up.

Live: Record 317 new cases and two more deaths from COVID-19 in Victoria

 

[tmar]

Does anyone have a link for some good news? Please. There has to be some out there
somewhere.

Here is great news.

Ya gotta love our Aussie Cops.

Policeman's kind favour for resident of quarantine tower

Policeman's kind favour for resident of quarantine tower

One woman living in Flemington, known to other residents as Aunty G, expressed her gratitude for the kind gesture.
Aunty G said police walked her dog three time a day, sometimes at 2am for the duration of her quarantine.
She was elated that while she had to face a hard lock down, her blind and half deaf pooch did not.
Melbourne tower resident tells of police officer's act of kindness during lockdown


they'll get you,

 

[SouthAussie]

Grocery store shopping in Melbourne - shopper numbers are limited - so some shops have a large electronic scanner/reader at the entrance saying how many people are in the shop at any given time. Another grocery store has an online app so you can pre-book your shopping time (only 15 mins per person).

 

[Snoods]

Yes, the normal layperson just does not understand and get what a model and projections are. Each one of those had different conditions for different options. Many of us discussed in early threads this issue, and @JerseyGirl (whoa! there are two Jersey girls here.. one with an * to confuse me) and @margarita25 are good at trying to continue to update and educate us here, thanks.

Folks say they were wrong? Pffft. It's ignorance of the public as to what models are for. MOO.

Of course they were incorrect. Models are models, and they change over time. It was new, they did different scenarios and we are learning all the time. That is what science is! To build on new information and adjust.

Problem is, that communication for adjusting is having an issue, and some are still stuck on such as the first "it's not bad" it's.............well......... Folks mostly here get it I think vs. mainstream public who, for some reason, have issues with it that are personal to them.

I have to keep in mind that it's said that articles need to reach an 8th grade learning level. And I'm seeing such play out that some folks just don't (MOO) have the capacity to understand leading indicators/logrithmic growth (e.g. shut down BEFORE it gets to overwhelming) etc.

MOO

I don’t think you understood my post. I also don’t appreciate being called ignorant. We are all normal laypersons here, nobody is a verified Covid-19 expert.

Not to worry Dixiegirl, I have now been driven from this thread and this website. Thanks.

 

[SouthAussie]

Found some good news to post. Woohoo Australian nurses!

https://www.smh.com.au/national/bes...id-19-icu-survival-rates-20200714-p55byq.html

The headline: 'Best doctors and nurses': Australia leads world in COVID-19 ICU survival rates

Look at the new covid hood they are trialing in Melbourne (in your link). Non-invasive oxygen therapy. Reminds me of the 'oxygen tent' my nephew was in many moons ago when he had croup when he was little.

Really good video (only 3 mins) in the article as well. Showing how they are tackling covid inside a major Sydney hospital.
We are very fortunate. We have been able to learn from what other places have been doing right and wrong, so we can handle things better.

Spending $30,000 on a testing machine has sure been a big boost. Test results ready in one hour!

 

[margarita25]

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/f...ratory-acute-care-facility-data-reporting.pdf

Instructions for change on July 15 are on page 10.

"Submit data to TeleTracking™ [https://teletracking.protect.hhs.gov]. All instructions on the data submission are on that site. To become a user in the portal: (This portal is will have the new and updated fields ready as of July 15, 2020)"

Has Dr. Nancy commented on this? I’m guessing she’s not happy.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Phase 4 deferred as Covid reproductive rate rises
(Ireland)

The Taoiseach announced this evening that Ireland will not progress to Phase 4 of the roadmap on reopening as planned next week.

Micheál Martin said that Cabinet has agreed that current health measures on Covid-19 should remain in place until 10 August.

Speaking at a press conference following a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle, Mr Martin said that the Government identified five key priority areas:

• Face coverings must be worn in all shops and retail settings and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be required to wear them unless there is a partition in place or there is a space of 2 metres between them and customers.
• Pubs, bars, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will remain closed until 10 August. Pubs currently serving food can remain open.
• Social visits to people's homes should be limited to a max of ten people from no more than four different households.
• Current restrictions of 50 people in indoor gatherings, 200 at outdoor gatherings is being extended until 10 August.
• It is continuing to advise against all non-essential travel.

(...)

The Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Dr Ronan Glynn, said that the reproductive rate of the coronavirus, the R number, in Ireland is now between 1.2 and 1.8.

He warned the public that the pandemic is not over, and that it is accelerating globally.

Dr Glynn said efforts must now be redoubled to suppress the virus, and that it remains active in communities in Ireland.

The Taoiseach said the priority now must be on getting the R number below one. If that happens it gives the country the best chance possible to get schools reopened in late August, he said.

(More at link)

Phase 4 deferred as Covid reproductive rate rises

 

[margarita25]

Coronavirus hospital data will now be sent to Trump administration instead of CDC

Hospital data on coronavirus patients will now be rerouted to the Trump administration instead of first being sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed.

Michael Caputo, the assistant secretary for public affairs at HHS confirmed the change first reported by The New York Times, saying in a statement that the "new faster and complete data system is what our nation needs to defeat the coronavirus and the CDC, an operating division of HHS, will certainly participate in this streamlined all-of-government response. They will simply no longer control it."

The Times said hospitals are to begin reporting the data to HHS on Wednesday, noting also that the "database that will receive new information is not open to the public, which could affect the work of scores of researchers, modelers and health officials who rely on C.D.C. data to make projections and crucial decisions."

bbm

I anticipate a reporter will ask WHO about this is in an upcoming conference, and I’m eager to hear their response. I know Dr. Mike had talked extensively about their current communication and positive relationship with CDC, HHS officials, etc.

—-

Newark (NJ) residents fan out to get people on board with governor's outdoor masking rule

A team of residents, clergy and Newark Police officers handed out fliers and free masks to people outside, reminding them of a new rule issued by Gov. Phil Murphy last week that requires masks outdoors when social distancing is impossible.

"We are out to encourage everyone to wear masks," said Ralph Cadet, a member of the Newark ambassadors program.

Approaching people in the park near Penn Station and checking stores in the area where lines typically form, the team hit the streets to let everyone know a mask is required outdoors.

They've been deployed since Monday to educate the public and pass out free masks. "I don't know anyone we reached out to who did not take a mask or did not agree to take a mask," one ambassador said.

This is awesome and we need more of this. This is something Dr. Mike has also spoken extensively about, the important of “community engagement” being a part of the “comprehensive strategy”, which also includes “a whole of government approach, community approach, finding, testing, tracing, isolating...”

 

[CeeCeeCat]

Phase 4 deferred as Covid reproductive rate rises
(Ireland)

The Taoiseach announced this evening that Ireland will not progress to Phase 4 of the roadmap on reopening as planned next week.

Micheál Martin said that Cabinet has agreed that current health measures on Covid-19 should remain in place until 10 August.

Speaking at a press conference following a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle, Mr Martin said that the Government identified five key priority areas:

• Face coverings must be worn in all shops and retail settings and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be required to wear them unless there is a partition in place or there is a space of 2 metres between them and customers.
• Pubs, bars, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will remain closed until 10 August. Pubs currently serving food can remain open.
• Social visits to people's homes should be limited to a max of ten people from no more than four different households.
• Current restrictions of 50 people in indoor gatherings, 200 at outdoor gatherings is being extended until 10 August.
• It is continuing to advise against all non-essential travel.

(...)

The Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Dr Ronan Glynn, said that the reproductive rate of the coronavirus, the R number, in Ireland is now between 1.2 and 1.8.

He warned the public that the pandemic is not over, and that it is accelerating globally.

Dr Glynn said efforts must now be redoubled to suppress the virus, and that it remains active in communities in Ireland.

The Taoiseach said the priority now must be on getting the R number below one. If that happens it gives the country the best chance possible to get schools reopened in late August, he said.

(More at link)

Phase 4 deferred as Covid reproductive rate rises

Ireland is handling this really well, IMO. As is Scotland. I’m following Nicola Sturgeon’s advice, rather than that of the UK PM.

 

[tresir2012]

Umm...I guess I'll have to agree to disagree with you there because it kinda feels like we really AREN'T fighting the pandemic. MOO.

Well I think a lot of doctors and nurses will disagree with you while they are working their butts off for us like they did in the UK, Europe, NY and NJ and now other states. We need to look at the positives, albeit 45k (and 140k) deaths are unacceptable but there will be a UK enquiry so we find out the scandal of the pandemic. (The care home deaths IMO).

PM promises an independent coronavirus inquiry

 

[margarita25]

They are going to have to walk this back by allowing public access to the HHS data. I think the US public and the world will demand it. Loudly. jmo

COVID-19 hospital data will go to White House before CDC | WSAV-TV

Michael Caputo, the HHS assistant public affairs secretary, said in a statement that the “new faster and complete data system is what our nation needs to defeat the coronavirus and the CDC, an operating division of HHS, will certainly participate in this streamlined all-of-government response. They will simply no longer control it.”

But four former CDC directors slammed the decision in a Washington Post op-ed, saying it’s a political move at a time when the White House wants to reopen schools.

“We’re seeing the terrible effect of undermining the CDC play out in our population. Willful disregard for public health guidelines is, unsurprisingly, leading to a sharp rise in infections and deaths,” the four former CDC officials wrote. “America now stands as a global outlier in the coronavirus pandemic. This tragic indictment of our efforts is even more egregious in light of the disproportionate impact we’ve witnessed on communities of color and lower-income essential workers.”

An internal CDC document obtained by the Times called the reopening of schools in the fall the “highest risk” for the spread of the virus.

The CDC’s database is accessible to the public and used by researchers to make projections and decisions, while the HHS database is private.

Yeah well they can’t hide morgue data now, can they? Good luck hiding the truth. We will all know if any reporting is suspicious.

 

[Ninja Bunny]

Coronavirus hospital data will now be sent to Trump administration instead of CDC

Hospital data on coronavirus patients will now be rerouted to the Trump administration instead of first being sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed.

Michael Caputo, the assistant secretary for public affairs at HHS confirmed the change first reported by The New York Times, saying in a statement that the "new faster and complete data system is what our nation needs to defeat the coronavirus and the CDC, an operating division of HHS, will certainly participate in this streamlined all-of-government response. They will simply no longer control it."

The Times said hospitals are to begin reporting the data to HHS on Wednesday, noting also that the "database that will receive new information is not open to the public, which could affect the work of scores of researchers, modelers and health officials who rely on C.D.C. data to make projections and crucial decisions."

bbm

This is horrific. Absolutely horrific, and not a mystery why this is happening.

 

[margarita25]

US labs are getting more coronavirus tests than they can process in a day

“In light of the ongoing spread of Covid-19 in states across the country, many labs are now receiving more test orders than they are able to process in a single day,” American Clinical Laboratory Association President Julie Khani said in a statement.

“We have urged ordering providers to prioritize testing for those most in need, especially hospitalized and symptomatic patients.”

On Monday, Quest Diagnostics, a member of the ACLA, said some of its tests were taking seven days to turn around because of the demand.

Why this matters: Without quick testing, people cannot know whether they have the virus and take steps to avoid spreading it. Fast testing is central to contact tracing, the method that public health experts say is key to controlling the spread of the pandemic.

Yeah, as I have mentioned before, this TOTALLY screws up contact tracing.

 

[PingTheRouter]

iv been a little busy but i thought i would drop in and share how its going

well we are locked back down here in Melbourne for the second time, this wave is much much worse than the first one

today we had 317 infections reported which is a crazy number for here and its the highest daily number reported

so yeah we are back inside and hunkering down, the websleuth live stream and helping trish helps keeps me busy so thats good