Wuhan Corona virus

[Hydra009]

I hate to say it, but I think the U.S. statistics are only marginally more reliable than China's.

The general rule of thumb is that there are 10 unreported cases for every reported case.  So upwards of 12 million infected in a country of 328 million is pretty alarming.

[Baruch]

The general rule of thumb is that there are 10 unreported cases for every reported case.  So upwards of 12 million infected in a country of 328 million is pretty alarming.

Hard to read but ...

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm

The flu season two years back, in the US, was severe.  We now know that the feared level of fatality for Covid is not correct, based on new blind studies on the general population.  So doom porn, that everyone will get this coronavirus and that it is highly fatal, is wrong.  Which is good news.  That referenced flu season was worse in that it was over more age groups, not just old and vulnerable people.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6490/489

I got a flu mist or flu shot, as a health worker, every year for 22 years.  It never came from Bill Gates or with a chip or vaccine passport (aside from my vaccine record at work).

China knew this was bad on 12/31.  China knew this was super bad on Jan 23, because they locked down Wuhan hard.  But for weeks later they were fine with Wuhan people and other Chinese traveling outside of China.  The US only blocked incoming Chinese etc from Wuhan/China on Jan 31.

Speculation by Victor Davis Hanson: Why do US liberals hate Communist Putin but not hate Communist Xi?  Because Putin is White, and all White must die ;-(  Liberals are racist against White people, and decry any restrictions on non-White people as racist.  As the Virtuous People, the end justifies the means.  Hence the Dem and Italian anti-racist hysteria even in February to show that liberals love Chinese.  I do like Chinese myself, but I don't hate White people.  And I don't think I am part of the Virtuous People (SJW) nor do I think the end justifies the means.

[Mermaid]

I think the US stastics are sorely lacking. People cannot even get tested, so we have no way of knowing how many cases there are.

[Baruch]

I think the US stastics are sorely lacking. People cannot even get tested, so we have no way of knowing how many cases there are.

In a literal sense, that is true.  For no previous epidemic, or this one, has there been continuous real time testing (objective reality).  So statistical samples are taken and reasoned from, as in the linked articles above.  Also previous epidemics weren't political footballs, are examined after the fact, by unbiased professionals.  Even death statistics are problematic, because professional autopsies aren't performed in almost all cases, unless foul play is suspected.  Only now have a few pre Feb 29 deaths (with associated Covid) been discovered at all.  A coroner does that.  A attending doctor gives his best guess on the certificate ... if you die under care.  If you die and are not under a doctor's immediate care, you don't even get that (but are more likely to be a candidate for the coroner).

Since these studies are statistical, there is a wide error band on the number infected and the number who die (from a particular cause).  Co-morbidities make this hard work even for professional doctors or coroners.

[Mermaid]

In a literal sense, that is true.  For no previous epidemic, or this one, has there been continuous real time testing (objective reality).  So statistical samples are taken and reasoned from, as in the linked articles above.  Also previous epidemics weren't political footballs, are examined after the fact, by unbiased professionals.  Even death statistics are problematic, because professional autopsies aren't performed in almost all cases, unless foul play is suspected.  Only now have a few pre Feb 29 deaths (with associated Covid) been discovered at all.  A coroner does that.  A attending doctor gives his best guess on the certificate ... if you die under care.  If you die and are not under a doctor's immediate care, you don't even get that (but are more likely to be a candidate for the coroner).

Since these studies are statistical, there is a wide error band on the number infected and the number who die (from a particular cause).  Co-morbidities make this hard work even for professional doctors or coroners.

This all makes a lot of sense, especially the part about it being a political football. Yet we are making big and important decisions based on these statistics. I am never leaving the house again, it feels like, because I sure as shit do not want this virus.

[Munch]

If this had happened before the crisis, he would have been in a hospital, right? He is in a hospital. He'll be treated accordingly. Don't be scared. Hang in there.

he's doing better, he's stable now, they're going to run tests tomorrow while monitoring his BP and other vital readings. Do still feel nervous about him being in a hospital during this time, but as his own mum said they are keeping patients with other complications separate from covid19 patients and nurses/doctors.

[Baruch]

This all makes a lot of sense, especially the part about it being a political football. Yet we are making big and important decisions based on these statistics. I am never leaving the house again, it feels like, because I sure as shit do not want this virus.

Some people are more vulnerable, including myself and family.  People like us have to take care.  Would we make decisions without even statistics?  Not a lot of choices there.  And we are living in a very politicized time.

[drunkenshoe]

I have written a whole post and deleted it. Just be extra careful with people if you have to go outside. The forms of behavior, people's reactions to daily events have completely changed everywhere.

People should try to do something by themselves in small units. For example, starting groups by social media and create a sense of solidarity where they live. There must be something to do against any possible riots; the mass psychology of it. 

[SGOS]

The White House declares "Victory Over Corona Virus."  That's like the losing team quitting and going home at half time and saying they beat the other team.

[SGOS]

There are only two reported cases of the virus in my county, and with the virus still rising in communities that are dropping safety restrictions, I notice people here are starting to act like the threat is over.  At first, I thought I may have been imagining it, but now it's blatantly obvious.  This is a small population spread out and sparse, but people congregate in large numbers at grocery stores.  Our biggest plus is that outsiders have little reason to come here.  We don't have an interstate so most travelers aren't even stopping for gas.  Some local residents are being careful.  But I would guess those taking the threat seriously number around 10%, and it's declining.

[trdsf]

The White House declares "Victory Over Corona Virus."  That's like the losing team quitting and going home at half time and saying they beat the other team.

[SGOS]

That's the same thing that came to my mind when I heard, "We now have Victory over the virus."  While the latest victory speech lacks the grandiose fanfare to make a premature declaration, the cost in American lives will be much greater.  While Bush was misguided, he did act decisively to get to to his speech.  Trump has done nothing but bumble,fumble, and sit on his ass to find his way there.   

[GSOgymrat]

Retail workers deserve the same amount of respect as doctors and nurses. Sadly seems doctors and nurses are dealing with less karens and the retail workers aren't being applauded so much when heading to work (of course doctors and nurses deserve it just think more respect should be given to all service people right now)

My husband works for a grocery store. They limit the number of people who enter the store, greet each person, offer hand sanitizer, and give them a sanitized cart. He says people have been very appreciative and complimentary. A couple of his regular customers have brought him homemade treats. His boss is encouraging everyone to work additional hours because they are so busy.

A problem we have in the US that you apparently don't have in the UK is being in a situation where you have to work to receive affordable healthcare. My husband was scheduled to have a hip replacement but it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Standing and walking is painful but if he doesn't work 30 hours per week he loses his health insurance. So he is hobbling around the grocery store waiting for surgery restrictions to be lifted because the average cost of hip replacement surgery without insurance is $39,299, which doesn't include physical therapy.

I work for a hospital and it's been a very frustrating time. The message has been "You're heroes! We appreciate you! Now go home because we're going broke." I don't mind working fewer hours because we have the same workload with half the staff and patients and coworkers are overwhelmed. Every patient I talk to cites COVID-19 as a primary stressor. I saw an elder woman last night who said "This is the first human contact I have had in 52 days. I realize now I'm disposable. I'm ready to die." Then I have a doctor calling me wanting to know why behavioral health patients are backing up. "Because we have seven emergency departments and two mental health counselors. Please contact administration and express your dissatisfaction with the wait times for behavioral health patients."

People can say what they want about McDonald's but they are giving free meals to healthcare workers and first responders. You just go through the drive-thru, present your ID badge and get a double cheeseburger, fries and a drink. There are no questions asked and it appears you can go as many times as you want. Frankly, after working 12 hours all night non-stop that free egg McMuffin does make me feel a bit better.

[Cassia]

@GSOgymrat

You are not alone. I wonder if fundamental changes will come from this?
About 20 years I got divorced and was just treading water, getting nowhere and made a decision to downsize every aspect of life, cut my spending and started investing 1/2 of my income. It wasn't bad really, the more stuff I owned the more stuff I worried about. I learned to care for things, my car has >200K miles. Last year I hit well over seven figures so I reinvested conservatively and quit my job (some one say way too young, LOL). I am not sure but this pandemic may have many Americans learning how to really live on the cheap.

A student of history will tell us this pandemic will have a second wave that is even worse and we do seem to be setting up for that. I enjoy Halloween, but this may truly be scary. I really hope not.

[Hydra009]

Sitrep 5/4 SARSâ€'CoVâ€'2
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

USA:

New cases (daily):  24,713 (decreased, three day trend)
New deaths (daily): 1,324 (increased)
Currently infected: 938,721 (increased)