SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Why do you think so?

 

because you are politicizing a non fhopol forum, and we already have one going over there

 

In recent days, 4 U.S. cases not directly related to travel nor known contacts to each other. Epidemiology probabilities would suggest there are most likely thousands of cases already here in the U.S. and that COVID-19 has probably been here among the non-quarantined for at least a couple weeks.

While that is bad news in and of itself, it is reassuring that the mortality and severity rate is much lower than earlier feared by some. But that will probably change the calculus of how we quarantine people in general and in hospitals/medical facilities in coming weeks. Also, as noted above, a longer term question becomes if "this gets shut down like SARS, or becomes a seasonally recurring burden."

 

i wonder how many people just think it's the flu? and for all intents and purposes, that may be all it is

 

Better question might be how many think it's just a cold - well for them, that is indeed all it is. Cold symptoms are much more common compared to influenza-like high spiking fevers, myalgias, etc.

 

Over where?

These are crucial facts to add to reasoning why the United States dissemination of information has been lackluster, at best. This is why this forum knows more about this pandemic than 95% of the u.s. population.

 

Some unlucky soul(s) right now with common cold symptoms may insist on getting COVID-19 testing. That's currently a sure fire way to end up in quarantine. At this point, placing in quarantine just a small percent of the large majority of asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic will do little to lessen the spread of disease.

As it has been stated from health professionals from the beginning, the best defense against spreading disease remains the same as for other viral respiratory tract infections:

-hand hygiene (soap/water, hand sanitizers)
-don't touch your face with unsanitized hands when around areas of high risk
-if you are sick and in the same room or in close proximity to others, wear a mask (much less effective to wear as prevention)
-stay out of public (work, shopping, etc) when you are sick (self quarantine)

 

The kindergarten...

FHOP_P

 

The politics section. @Tideland Prius or another moderator can get you access.

 

You’re probably better off out here.

Only 5-6 people really ever go down there....and more of them are a little ‘off.’
There’s one poor soul that’s been trapped down there for ages.....

 

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387?query=RP

 

Very many appear to believe that it is just a common cold, thanks in part to a certain opinion leader or influencer (to be named only in the other forum). True, several older coronaviruses are just common colds. But the much more serious SARS and MERS are also coronaviruses.

The disease specifics and medical responses are appropriate here. The politics often devolves into turd throwing, so it restricted to:
https://priuschat.com/forum/freds-house-of-politics.70/

The first 'community spread' case identified in the U.S. was such a case where medical staff insisted on such a test, but CDC staff refused. And U.S. testing capacity simply wasn't there for such cases, at least until just the past very few days.

The great majority of quarantines are allowed at-home. Public health staff will bring needed groceries to your doorstep. My state's initial quarantine facility, effectively in my back yard, are for those who cannot effectively do an in-home version.

The nation's first case (some weeks ago), first death (today), another confirmed case yesterday, and some school closures, were/are effectively in my backyard too.

 

Thanks, guys.

Information is power.

In late January, we had a meeting scheduled with business men from Wuhan. I was a prominent leader in strongly urging to reschedule this meeting, due to, at the time, credible information brought to light from sources other than mainstream outlets. This hit really close to home for us. If it were not for sources like this, things could have become serious.

Coincidentally, business relations are resuming with our contacts in Wuhan (from a distance). China is really pushing for reenergizing their economies gears. Hopefully, not too soon.

 

Indeed, but was referring to a potential shift to voluntary self quarantine for suspected infections, not simply those who were potentially exposed and asymptomatic.

Since current evidence points to community spread now as representing most cases (diagnosed and multiples of those who are undiagnosed) and going forward, this would likely require a change in strategy to mitigation from containment. In such cases that would mean moving to home voluntary isolation among several strategies, something we would normally ask of the large majority of those with known or suspected influenza.

Understand, there is plenty of absurd political theater and media sensationalism out there, just trying to focus on medical perspective.


One of many reasons the quarantine issue is important is that in our U.S. hospitals right now, known, suspected, and rule-out cases are typically being quarantined with an “aerosolized” protocol which would soon exceed our limited quarantine space for such. Of course there are also significant human resources required to maintain aerosolized isolation.

Since the virus is most likely spread by droplet, de-escalating to “droplet” precaution level isolation would likely be similarly effective and less taxing on medical and public health systems. I am suggesting that recommendations may evolve to that at some point.

To this point, out of an abundance of caution and awaiting strategic changes with the analysis of real time data, patients identified locally are still being isolated as if the virus is “aerosolized”, the more aggressive level of isolation.

Still, it should be emphasized that transmission rates can be best mitigated using the same things we recommend to prevent colds and flu from spreading.

 

This portion first posted in the politics forum, but may as well be here instead. Washington State.
==================================

The death was a man in his 50s, who was already hospitalized at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland. Multiple underlying health issues.

The woman in her 50s was a traveler to South Korea, and is recovering at home.

Two other cases are a resident (70s) and an employee (40s) at Life Care Center in Kirkland. This might account for part of the "22" discrepancy from Trump's news conference.

So Washington State's count now appears to be 6 (4 King County, 2 Snohomish County), all in the Seattle-Everett area. My yard.

============
Public Health - Seattle and King County press release
First death due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a resident of King County

"In addition, over 50 individuals associated with LifeCare are reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of unknown cause and are being tested for COVID-19. Additional positive cases are expected."

 

That’s a big problem in nursing homes and senior centers

Hmm... mrs bisco and i just picked up colds about a week ago here in Orlando.
A lot of international travelers, and no cases reported that I’m aware of

 

My state is already doing in-home quarantine for confirmed infection.

 

that may all change this week