Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #85

[24Roses]

Iowa numbers today: As of 10:00-11:00 a.m., we had 2,621 new confirmed cases (another daily record?) for a total of 124,534 confirmed cases of which 92,272 had recovered (+871). 14 more were reported to have passed for a total of 1,705. 95 were hospitalized in the last 24 hrs. for a total of 606 (new daily record). There are 32,262 active positive cases. Here are the daily age groups: 0-17: 11,059 (+269); 18-40: 55,621 (+958); 41-60: 34,604 (+836); 61-80: 18,037 (+440); & 81+: 5,183 (+117).
IMO some of the high case counts recently are from the Trump rallies. So much for the temperature checks, handing out face masks, and social distancing. Some of the rallies did have chairs spaced apart. Oct. 30: 2,621 new cases, hospitalizations remain high
Iowa COVID-19 Information

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Yeah...sadly, the CDC has, uh, undergone some uh, “changes” to their reporting, documentation, etc. imo.
Like I said to @Seenit when I was looking for guidance, etc., I don’t trust the CDC anymore with a lot of things on record and this is SAD. They have been bullied, and there are articles to prove it. If anyone needs a link or more reference/explanation to support this statement, please ask, as I don’t want to be repetitious.

When was the last time we heard from Dr. Messonnier? Making note.

Whoa, too wierd. I was just this moment before coming onto the thread looking at some of my old interactions with @Henry2326 on Feb 21st and was speaking about Dr. Messonnier. Last transcript and podcast we discussed on threads was early March that I can see.

 

[margarita25]

We know from this documentary about the 1918 flu that during the second and third waves, the virus mutated into a HORRIFIC, more severe strain, one where people were dead within hours after exposure, (eta: and ear drums exploding or something like that, iirc), etc.:

We know that to date, so far, knock on wood, with the exception of the more contagious strain, that the mutations have not accelerated wrt severity. Last I saw, there were well over 5,000 mutations which is common with viruses and to be expected, not worrisome at this time, and that all mutations are being monitored very closely by WHO, etc.

My question is this:

The first wave/strain of the 1918 flu affected YOUNG people. Why is this exactly? I understand how those who are elderly and have underlying health conditions are generally more affected with SARS CoV-2.

I guess my concern and thoughts today revolve around what if this virus mutates to severely affect the healthier, younger populations more, and what exactly is the science behind this. Is there even a possibility that this could happen.

Whoa, too wierd. I was just this moment before coming onto the thread looking at some of my old interactions with @Henry2326 on Feb 21st and was speaking about Dr. Messonnier. Last transcript and podcast we discussed on threads was early March that I can see.

Yes, I also transcribed/documented all her audio telebriefings, which should be available in the CDC thread, and/or earlier posts.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

We know from this documentary about the 1918 flu (insert link) that during the second and third waves, the virus mutated into a HORRIFIC, more severe strain, one where people were dead within hours, etc.

We know that to date, so far, knock on wood, with the exception of the more contagious strain, that the mutations have not accelerated wrt severity. Last I saw, there were well over 5,000 mutations which is common with viruses and to be expected, not worrisome at this time, and that all mutations are being monitored closely.

My question is this:

The first wave/strain of the 1918 flu affected YOUNG people. Why is this exactly? I understand how those who are elderly and have underlying health conditions are generally more affected with SARS CoV-2.

I guess my concern and thoughts today revolve around what if this virus mutates to severely affect the healthier, younger populations more, and what exactly is the science behind this. Is there even a possibility that this could happen.




Yes, I also transcribed/documented all her telebriefings, which should be available in the CDC thread.

I don't know the answer as to why young people are more affected with the every day flu. Hmmm. We do know that even in these days and ages there are age ranges who are more vulnerable for the "everyday flu" is affected more with older adults.

But also consider the age range for the United States at this time.. more older folks who are vulnerable and back in 1918 was the US more like Niger Africa is these days as to age distribution? Or Kenya? Vs. now what UK is?







Source: Dr. Campbell video screenshot from

 

[margarita25]

Slovakia to test all adults for SARS-CoV-2
Oct. 31, 2020 - The Lancet

—
SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody LY-CoV555 in Outpatients with Covid-19
Oct. 28, 2020 - New England Journal of Medicine

 

[Reasonable & Just]

Free Life insurance for healthcare frontline workers (10-25,000 3 year term)
They’ve recently expanded this Offer nationwide. (Originally in New England)

https://www.massmutual.com/cm/healthbridge
We’ll protect those, protecting us
We have created the MassMutual HealthBridge program, a free life insurance program for eligible healthcare workers on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s our way of supporting healthcare workers and protecting the ones they love.

What is MassMutual's HealthBridge program?
In response to COVID-19, MassMutual has committed to pay the premiums for $3 billion of insurance coverage for the HealthBridge program, which will offer free 3-year term life insurance policies to frontline healthcare workers.

• No physical exam or lab testing required
• $25,000 death benefit for an applicant age 18-50; $10,000 for an applicant age 51-60
• Easy online application

Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Live or work in the United States where HealthBridge is available (not available in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Be between the ages of 18 and 60
• Have either a U.S. citizenship and residency or a permanent residency status
• Be recently actively employed or volunteering at least 10 hours per month at a healthcare or emergency medical service provider that is testing, treating, or evaluating patients for COVID-19.
• Work in a role with COVID-19 exposure risk
• Have annual income of no more than $250,000

In addition to doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, the following types of personnel will also be considered for policies: lab technicians, custodial staff, maintenance crews, cafeteria workers, security personnel and others who meet the requirements as above. Proof of recent employment (a pay stub) will be required to be submitted as part of the application process.

Good, though I'm sorry it's needed. I cannot tell you how upsetting it is to hear the hateful aspersions cast towards our health care workers today and pretty much every day by powerful people who should know better. At least someone has their backs, even if it's a life insurance policy.

 

[10ofRods]

I don't know much about the 1918 flu, but I know that the more times you've gotten the flu, the more likely your body is trained to deal with future flus (although the flu mutates far faster than Coronavirus-19). So little kids have less immunity and are very good at transmitting flu to each other. The leading theory on why healthy kids die from flu is that their young immune systems over-react, creating the kind of storm we see in some adults with Covid.

With Covid, there's good research that little kids have different immune reactions and that their little noses contain antibody generating capacity that an adult can't match. So while adults end up with it in their lungs, little kids typically experience it only as a mild cold and it doesn't get to their lungs. The adults who are dying are often very elderly (no ability to form proper antibodies - especially after age 85) but also, there are people whose immune systems are quite healthy, in fact, too healthy/reactive, so that their bodies proceed quickly to attacking all cells that have coronavirus - which means attacking health body cells.

Unlike the flu, coronavirus-19 is made of RNA, a tiny molecule that can slip through the nuclear membrane in an infected cell, so that in order to kill it, the body kills that entire cell (not good when it's a lot of cells, even just the byproducts of dead cells are not good for a human).

Flus have RNA too, but the way I understand it is that the flu virions attach themselves to human body cells (hosts) and then reproduce more virions outside the host cell. Coronavirus-19 attaches to receptors (more than one seem to host it, ACE-2 was the earliest studied, I believe) and then enters the cell. Further, in this process, it damages the cell's outer wall by fusing the two outer membranes so that only CV-19 can get in, making it hard for the body to kill CV-19. Eventually the cell dies and the virions inside the cell are now at liberty to wreak havock (through being breathed out into the air and infecting someone else 0r by moving on to new body cells and making the person more sick).

This is no way a professional summary. My own field has to do with things that go wrong with the brain (and CoVid does get inside the brain - that whole story is under research, scary and fascinating). And still, I'm not an expert on the brain (not sure anyone is), but I'm not even a specialist on any one aspect - there are people who spend nearly their entire lives studying the genetics and biochemistry of just one neurotransmitter...

 

[margarita25]

GOOD. I cannot tell you how upsetting it is to hear the the hateful aspersions cast towards our health care workers today and pretty much every day by powerful people who should know better. At least someone has their backs.

This I can say is one of my biggest heartbreaks to date.

How I wish our country could have rallied behind and supported our health workers who are, SPENT, for lack of a better term, and really taking the brunt of this virus and fighting it for us.

One of my best friends is a respiratory therapist and has been on the front lines since the beginning. She has been the one to hold the hands of people dying alone.

Long story short, and I am bringing this forward as just an example, she lost her long term sobriety the other day and drank. This has taken its toll. I told her she has got to take care of herself and her mental health, that she has helped endless people and now she needs to take a break or whatever it is. This brings me to my next post in progress re: how to stay ahead of mental decline, etc.

As I mentioned last night wrt the nurses crying in sooooo many of the news videos we see, I am very concerned about them going forward. Yes, they are strong, and this is the course in life that they chose, to help in medical settings, but this is faaaaar more than they signed up for as far as literally risking their own lives, and more.

I look at 9/11 and see how much the tragedy brought people together to help each other, supporting first responders, etc. THAT is what we are capable of, but severely missed the mark.

What has happened to these health workers is just, no words...not enough PPE, people disregarding and minimizing the virus only to overload them and make their jobs as hard as it can possibly be. And hospitalizations and deaths ARE going to rise.

@Reasonable & Just, I LOVE your signatures by the way.

 

[ilovewings]

As you all know my husband was in the hospital for four days---- While hospitalized I found out that Covid patients are mingled with regular patient rooms: in response to this discovery I sent the administration of the hospital system my concerns with this practice. I just got off the phone with a representative from administration who reassured me that all protocols are followed and I should be assured that everything is done to protect regular patients from contracting Covid as a result of this practice.

Well, I am not reassured- for two reasons: There are no dedicated Covid rooms. That means the room my husband was assigned to could have been inhabited by a Covid patient before him. She explained that the rooms are sanitized--- I told her I used to be in hospital Risk Management, and while I understand their intentions are good, lots of things can happen that can result in the sanitization process not being done properly: perhaps the person is in a hurry or she isn't very conscientious: there are numerous ways in which protocol can be breached-- Secondly, nurses on the floor go between Covid and regular patients. That surprised me as well. I thanked her for contacting me but I am not reassured by what she told me. Just shaking my head knowing this practice is what is being done in most hospital systems when hospitals do not have a lot of Covid patients.

 

[GRT]

As you all know my husband was in the hospital for four days---- While hospitalized I found out that Covid patients are mingled with regular patient rooms: in response to this discovery I sent the administration of the hospital system my concerns with this practice. I just got off the phone with a representative from administration who reassured me that all protocols are followed and I should be assured that everything is done to protect regular patients from contracting Covid as a result of this practice.

Well, I am not reassured- for two reasons: There are no dedicated Covid rooms. That means the room my husband was assigned to could have been inhabited by a Covid patient before him. She explained that the rooms are sanitized--- I told her I used to be in hospital Risk Management, and while I understand their intentions are good, lots of things can happen that can result in the sanitization process not being done properly: perhaps the person is in a hurry or she isn't very conscientious: there are numerous ways in which protocol can be breached-- Secondly, nurses on the floor go between Covid and regular patients. That surprised me as well. I thanked her for contacting me but I am not reassured by what she told me. Just shaking my head knowing this practice is what is being done in most hospital systems when hospitals do not have a lot of Covid patients.

That sounds like poor planning to me, too.

If they don't have enough room to put them on a separate floor, they could at least separate them by wings and have dedicated covid nurses.

I would also worry about the virus being recirulated in the building's HVAC system from room to room.

It seems like it would be better to set up mobile hospitals in separate buildings for now to keep from infecting vulnerable patients who are not yet infected.

 

[drama_farmer]

This I can say is one of my biggest heartbreaks to date.

How I wish our country could have rallied behind and supported our health workers who are, SPENT, for lack of a better term, and really taking the brunt of this virus and fighting it for us.

One of my best friends is a respiratory therapist and has been on the front lines since the beginning. She has been the one to hold the hands of people dying alone.

Long story short, and I am bringing this forward as just an example, she lost her long term sobriety the other day and drank. This has taken its toll. I told her she has got to take care of herself and her mental health, that she has helped endless people and now she needs to take a break or whatever it is. This brings me to my next post in progress re: how to stay ahead of mental decline, etc.

As I mentioned last night wrt the nurses crying in sooooo many of the news videos we see, I am very concerned about them going forward. Yes, they are strong, and this is the course in life that they chose, to help in medical settings, but this is faaaaar more than they signed up for as far as literally risking their own lives, and more.

I look at 9/11 and see how much the tragedy brought people together to help each other, supporting first responders, etc. THAT is what we are capable of, but severely missed the mark.

What has happened to these health workers is just, no words...not enough PPE, people disregarding and minimizing the virus only to overload them and make their jobs as hard as it can possibly be. And hospitalizations and deaths ARE going to rise.

@Reasonable & Just, I LOVE your signatures by the way.

I recall that within hours of the towers' collapse, missing posters became like wallpaper all over Manhattan. Faces of the loved, missing and lost could not be ignored, and those posters made the loss so much more impactful and gut-wrenching.

Today's ongoing, slow motion attack on our nation is missing that sort of representation of the infected and dead.

The tragic deaths of the "elderly" and those with underlying conditions on September 11 were not minimized by people saying "they were probably going to die in a few years, anyway."

Strange and unsettling to compare the two responses. Imo

 

[margarita25]

As you all know my husband was in the hospital for four days---- While hospitalized I found out that Covid patients are mingled with regular patient rooms: in response to this discovery I sent the administration of the hospital system my concerns with this practice. I just got off the phone with a representative from administration who reassured me that all protocols are followed and I should be assured that everything is done to protect regular patients from contracting Covid as a result of this practice.

Well, I am not reassured- for two reasons: There are no dedicated Covid rooms. That means the room my husband was assigned to could have been inhabited by a Covid patient before him. She explained that the rooms are sanitized--- I told her I used to be in hospital Risk Management, and while I understand their intentions are good, lots of things can happen that can result in the sanitization process not being done properly: perhaps the person is in a hurry or she isn't very conscientious: there are numerous ways in which protocol can be breached-- Secondly, nurses on the floor go between Covid and regular patients. That surprised me as well. I thanked her for contacting me but I am not reassured by what she told me. Just shaking my head knowing this practice is what is being done in most hospital systems when hospitals do not have a lot of Covid patients.

Again, as one with an immediate family member with cancer who has been in the hospital for some weeks now, this chills me to the absolute core. Yes, this person may be older and may be/ likely is approaching “their time” due to cancer and age, etc, BUT, still...and what if they were young and had a chance at remission?

We know that there has been nosocomial transmission in some places, and I am sure they ARE taking precautions, however imo this just doesn’t jive. Here I am assuming that my family member is being treated by those who are not commingling with covid patients. Gah.

(eta: actually they told me they have a separate ward. I think this remains to be the case)

See, we can expect this type of thing to perhaps get worse, because simply put, they are likely overloaded and understaffed, etc. This also brings to the table, again, the concern about the effects of non covid related medical treatment. Heart attack patients, whatever it is. There are reports that patients die bc they aren’t getting enough care, etc.

Thank you for posting about this.

Another huge concern, which we have learned since the beginning, are the ripple of effects of when the hospital systems become overwhelmed.

Gah. I’m studying your post closely.

I wonder if this is standard practice in some other hospitals as well, it likely is. See, that’s the damn problem with more and more infections! If there were less patients, then maybe they could have separate space, or extra staff...

See, these superspreaders and antimaskers can’t see beyond themselves and understand these sorts of things. The less transmissions we have, the better we can have open schools, and get the special care we need, open our businesses...

GRRR

-

Eta:

On a happy note, the Great State of Colorado has been allowing for the expansion of legal medical marijuana delivery. For all of us stoners and mmj patients, this is an absolute GODSEND during this pandemic.

 

[ilovewings]

Again, as one with an immediate family member with cancer who has been in the hospital for some weeks now, this chills me to the absolute core. Yes, this person may be old and may be/ likely is approaching “their time” due to cancer, etc, BUT, still...and what if they were young and had a chance at remission?

We know that there has been nosocomial transmission in some places, and I am sure they ARE taking precautions, however imo this just doesn’t jive. Here I am assuming that my family member is being treated by those who are not commingling with covid patients. Gah.

(eta: actually they told me they have a separate ward. I think this remains to be the case)

See, we can expect this type of thing to perhaps get worse, because simply put, they are likely overloaded and understaffed, etc. This also brings the table, again, the concern for non covid related medical treatment.

Thank you for posting about this.

Another huge concern, which we have learned since the beginning, are the ripple of effects of when the hospital systems become overwhelmed.

Gah. I’m studying your post closely.

I wonder if this is standard practice in some other hospitals as well, it likely is. See, that’s the damn problem with more and more infections! If there were less patients, then maybe they could have separate space, or extra staff...

See, these superspreaders and antimaskers can’t see beyond themselves and understand these sorts of things. The less transmissions we have, the better we can have open schools, and get the special care we need...

From my perspective this is irresponsible and dangerous, and honestly, i am shocked
with what she considers reassuring!!!!

 

[margarita25]

From my perspective this is irresponsible and dangerous, and honestly, i am shocked
with what she considers reassuring!!!!

Is your hubby doing well now? I’m glad to hear he is back home.

 

[ilovewings]

That sounds like poor planning to me, too.

If they don't have enough room to put them on a separate floor, they could at least separate them by wings and have dedicated covid nurses.

I would also worry about the virus being recirulated in the building's HVAC system from room to room.

It seems like it would be better to set up mobile hospitals in separate buildings for now to keep from infecting vulnerable patients who are not yet infected.

It scares me to think we go to a hospital for whatever reason, and could contract Covid from being a patient---- that is outrageous

 

[ilovewings]

Is your hubby doing well now? I’m glad to hear he is back home.

Thank you for asking--- he came home yesterday --- he is doing well

 

[10ofRods]

As you all know my husband was in the hospital for four days---- While hospitalized I found out that Covid patients are mingled with regular patient rooms: in response to this discovery I sent the administration of the hospital system my concerns with this practice. I just got off the phone with a representative from administration who reassured me that all protocols are followed and I should be assured that everything is done to protect regular patients from contracting Covid as a result of this practice.

Well, I am not reassured- for two reasons: There are no dedicated Covid rooms. That means the room my husband was assigned to could have been inhabited by a Covid patient before him. She explained that the rooms are sanitized--- I told her I used to be in hospital Risk Management, and while I understand their intentions are good, lots of things can happen that can result in the sanitization process not being done properly: perhaps the person is in a hurry or she isn't very conscientious: there are numerous ways in which protocol can be breached-- Secondly, nurses on the floor go between Covid and regular patients. That surprised me as well. I thanked her for contacting me but I am not reassured by what she told me. Just shaking my head knowing this practice is what is being done in most hospital systems when hospitals do not have a lot of Covid patients.

First of all - I'm glad your husband's stay is now past tense.

But the details of his stay are horrifying. Especially the part where the nurses circulate among Covid and non-Covid patients.

Good on you for going to the administration (and documenting it here!)

 

[ilovewings]

First of all - I'm glad your husband's stay is now past tense.

But the details of his stay are horrifying. Especially the part where the nurses circulate among Covid and non-Covid patients.

Good on you for going to the administration (and documenting it here!)

I am considering contacting one of our local TV stations see if they would
investigate this horror-- do you think it would do any good, or would i just
be spining my wheels? i never expected her to tell me nurses go between Covid
and regular patient rooms--i was stunned

 

[Reasonable & Just]

I recall that within hours of the towers' collapse, missing posters became like wallpaper all over Manhattan. Faces of the loved, missing and lost could not be ignored, and those posters made the loss so much more impactful and gut-wrenching.

Today's ongoing, slow motion attack on our nation is missing that sort of representation of the infected and dead.

The tragic deaths of the "elderly" and those with underlying conditions on September 11 were not minimized by people saying "they were probably going to die in a few years, anyway."

Strange and unsettling to compare the two responses. Imo

Not to mention that the people who worked to save lives were considered heroes then. Somewhere along the way we got stuck in the tar-pits of the hate that we all rallied against back then.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Boris & Carrie send their thanks to the NHS, and announce their nominations for this years Pride Of Britain Awards.

Ms Symonds says in the video: 'You continue to provide care for all of us in the very toughest of times and it's because of you that not only is Boris still here, but that we are proud parents to our sweet baby boy.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8898131/Boris-Johnson-Carrie-Symonds-praise-utterly-brilliant-NHS-staff-saving-life.html