Coronavirus Updates

[Kara Spengler]

Assuming you have decent health insurance, catching the coronavirus earlier rather than later is probably a blessing in disguise. This kind of intense medical support is not going to be scalable.

I have the coronavirus. So far, it isn’t that bad.

The problem is right now you can not rule out the flu.

 

[Essence Lumin]

Incidentally, elderberry syrup has in clinical trials been found to be effective in avoiding infection and reducing the severity of infection with common colds and flu (google elderberry syrup research).

But then what if my father smelt of elderberries and my mother was a hamster?

 

[Innula Zenovka]

We're talking at cross-purposes, for reasons I can't discern. I'm not advocating a complete lock-down, or any of the most draconian measures taken by China; they're simply not feasible in a democratic society.

Again, the article which you posted made a very specific statement: that there is a choice between maintaining "normal activities" at the cost of some elderly lives OR taking measures that curb the virus, but that affect our social and financial sector. What measures is rather vague, but there are many that can have a negative economic effect without going full China authoritarian.

My argument is that there is no way to chose that first option. It's a fake option because if we all go about our normal activity, giving free rein to the spread of coronavirus, then the disease itself will shut down those "normal activities" anyway. As more and more people become ill, you won't have to cancel events, people will simply stop attending gatherings, they'll avoid stores, they'll cancel flights and vacations, they'll stay home regardless of whether they're ordered to or not.

The choices we face are which normal activities to deliberately disrupt and to what degree and how soon, but there is no avenue toward maintaining our current social/financial health. There is no sacrificial offering of old people that will save us from some pain.

I agree. We do seem to be at cross-purposes.

All I'm saying is that each choice government makes (not "we," I don't think -- no one is going to seek my views on closing schools or public transport) is going to present the decision-makers with a whole load of trolley problems, and I fear that those of us in higher risk groups are going to find ourselves tied to the wrong set of tracks quite frequently.

More on British planning:

Emergency laws to help fight against coronavirus | News | The Times

Emergency laws to help fight against coronavirus First British death as fears grow over contagion updated Britain moved on to a coronavirus war footing last night as a man in Surrey became the first p...

www.evernote.com

and, for a wider perspective on pandemics

Coronavirus: we’re already living in the age of the pandemic | News | The Times

Coronavirus: we’re already living in the age of the pandemic Experts have been warning for years about the threat of a viral apocalypse killing millions worldwide. Technological advances during the pa...

www.evernote.com

ETA: My feelings about this are a bit difficult to explain, in that in some ways I feel I've been here before, when I had to come to terms with having it confirmed that the lump on my throat was, indeed, what I feared it was, but the "good " news was that my chances of survival at the end of a pretty unpleasant process were around 60%.

That, and undergoing the treatment and coming out the other end, changed me in a lot of ways, so the present situation, while obviously extremely unwelcome, is at least one for which I am not wholly unprepared, at least mentally and emotionally.

 

[Beebo Brink]

All I'm saying is that each choice government makes (not "we," I don't think -- no one is going to seek my views on closing schools or public transport) is going to present the decision-makers with a whole load of trolley problems, and I fear that those of us in higher risk groups are going to find ourselves tied to the wrong set of tracks quite frequently.

Agreed. In fact, I daresay we both do agree with each other more than we disagree; we are just drawn to different conflicts and issues to hash out, so ended up walking right past each other on our way to our chosen topic.

ETA: My feelings about this are a bit difficult to explain, in that in some ways I feel I've been here before, when I had to come to terms with having it confirmed that the lump on my throat was, indeed, what I feared it was, but the "good " news was that my chances of survival at the end of a pretty unpleasant process were around 60%.

That, and undergoing the treatment and coming out the other end, changed me in a lot of ways, so the present situation, while obviously extremely unwelcome, is at least one for which I am not wholly unprepared, at least mentally and emotionally.

Despite my curmudgeonly grumblings upthread, on this we're also in perfect agreement. Like others on this forum, I'm always walking on a knife-edge where my health is concerned. I don't expect or even want extraordinary effort at a societal level to accommodate my vulnerabilities. I'm lucky to be here now, and some day my luck will run out, but I have nothing to complain about. It is what it is.

 

[danielravennest]

I kinda hope Trump gets it... nudge nudge wink wink.. cough cough

Seeing as how he and his staff spend a lot of time in big arenas with thousands of people, it is quite likely. It's not likely they are going to disinfect such a large building. In addition, large gatherings like that are effective at spreading a disease to each other. Based on the results of the mass quarantines in China the last few weeks, the best preventative measure seems to be stay away from large numbers of other people, whether at work, school, travel entertainment, etc.

 

[danielravennest]

Frequently Updated COVID-19 Statistics, compiled by Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection

Total number of cases worldwide stands at 84,700, with about 2900 deaths.

 

[Kara Spengler]

Seeing as how he and his staff spend a lot of time in big arenas with thousands of people, it is quite likely. It's not likely they are going to disinfect such a large building. In addition, large gatherings like that are effective at spreading a disease to each other. Based on the results of the mass quarantines in China the last few weeks, the best preventative measure seems to be stay away from large numbers of other people, whether at work, school, travel entertainment, etc.

He also spends a lot of his time in one city or another. Despite what he probably thinks viruses can get to you unless your area is completely sealed off with an independent air supply.

 

[Pamela]

Been doing it wrong.

 

[Kara Spengler]

Been doing it wrong.

Ugh ... I already keep stuff for disinfecting my hands at my desk for after I use public transit.

 

[Soen Eber]

I kinda hope Trump gets it... nudge nudge wink wink.. cough cough

Fify

 

[Beebo Brink]

First U.S. death confirmed

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

First U.S. death confirmed

Yeah last night three new "no known source" infections were announced in quick succession on the west coast and this lady who died today was one of them.

One of the no-known-source patients is a high school student, who has been attending school until he was diagnosed. That school is now closed.

 

[Kara Spengler]

Yeah last night three new "no known source" infections were announced in quick succession on the west coast and this lady who died today was one of them.

One of the no-known-source patients is a high school student, who has been attending school until he was diagnosed. That school is now closed.

If they do not identify a source soon it will be hard to deny it is in the general population. Fun.

 

[Eunoli]

I'm 31 miles away from one of the 'no known source' infections. Everyone here is super nervous and trying to act like they aren't.

 

[Maggy Hazelnut]

I'm less than 100 miles from those Washington state cases. Luckily I live alone in the mountains & rarely talk to or associate with human beings. Any packages to me already get dropped off outside the front door of my house. Yes, there's always a small chance I could get a bug from one of the rare people that I see but I'm safer than most unless they announce that the infection's coming in thru Amazon deliveries. lol

 

[Isabeau]

I’m starting to actually be scared for some of you. Please stay safe, wash hands, etc. I mean, there isn’t a whole lot one can do but if you don’t have good insurance or a job with an understanding boss/good employee policies, please take care.

 

[Beebo Brink]

I’m starting to actually be scared for some of you. Please stay safe, wash hands, etc. I mean, there isn’t a whole lot one can do but if you don’t have good insurance or a job with an understanding boss/good employee policies, please take care.

Mrs. Beebo and I are both apocalypse junkies, so we're always prepared for hunkering down, no matter what the emergency. After a final fill-the-holes-in-the-pantry-stocks shopping trip this morning, we could avoid direct contact with other people for at least 2-3 months, if it ever comes to that. Working from home is not always that comfortable in my cramped little laptop corner, but it's an option I can take advantage of with just a breezy email to the office ("Hi, working from home until further notice.")

Before things reach that point, however, I'm relieved to work at an office with only about 5-10 people showing up on any given day. We all sit in our separate computer nooks ignoring each other, which is the way of Our People (tech nerds).

 

[danielravennest]

Yes, there's always a small chance I could get a bug from one of the rare people that I see but I'm safer than most unless they announce that the infection's coming in thru Amazon deliveries. lol

How many packages can a sick Amazon warehouse or delivery person contaminate? They have the kinds of jobs where they probably don't get sick days or good health insurance, especially the contract delivery people. On a similar note, Uber and Lyft drivers get exposed to a lot of people in closed spaces, and they often have to drive to make rent and car payments. Our society is way more connected these days than when the 1918 Flu Pandemic happened.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Washington State Is Investigating Potential Outbreak at Facility

Washington State officials are investigating a potential outbreak of coronavirus at a health facility that cares for elderly, vulnerable patients, after two people at the facility were infected.

Two people at a LifeCare nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington, were diagnosed with the virus, health officials there said Saturday. One is a health-care worker in her 40s, and is in satisfactory condition at a local hospital. The other is an female resident of the facility in her 70s, and is in serious condition at the same hospital, local health authorities said.

In addition, more than 50 residents and staff at the facility have shown symptoms of a respiratory illness, according to Jeff Duchin, health officer for public health in Seattle and King County. Tests of the residents are ongoing.

 

[Maggy Hazelnut]

I'm one of those "disposable old people" that was mentioned but at least I don't have to worry about going to work. Like Beebo, I have plenty of food & necessities stocked away & fill in the blanks this coming Friday. After that it'll be Amazon for the few misc. things I need that I'm topping off this next week (cat food, dog food, ibuprofen & eyedrops that I need). Yes I still have to come into contact with a human now & then (like the UPS guy delivering my Amazon packages) but it's far reduced compared to what other people have to be around & deal with. And no being around large groups of people even before this. FINALLY a great time to have agorophobia & be antisocial! haha The 4K+ books on my Kindles will keep me busy.