Coronavirus pandemic

[tolbs17]

Raleigh, North Carolina.

Coronavirus from a traveler from Washington state. Hope this doesn't spread..

[vdeane]

So two people at NYSDOT's Buffalo office came back from Northern Italy with symptoms and went into work as if nothing was happening.  Scary.

Meanwhile we've just had our first case of community spread, and it's resulting in quarantines beyond the person who has it.  Everyone in his place of worship has been put under mandatory self quarantine.  Imagine that, you can be going about your life, no sign of coronavirus in yourself, and then placed on lockdown in your home or apartment, with no ability to do laundry, take out the trash, get groceries, etc.  As someone who can't cope with uncertainty and disruptions to my routine and plans, it's quite nerve-wracking.

[bing101]

https://abc7news.com/health/evacuees-held-at-travis-air-force-base-released-from-quarantine/5979137/




https://www.kcra.com/article/travis-air-force-base-evacuees-released-14-day-quarantine/31188725




Update some of the victims are being released from Travis Air Force Base over quarantine operations.

[Rothman]

So two people at NYSDOT's Buffalo office came back from Northern Italy with symptoms and went into work as if nothing was happening.

Ugh.  If this is true, it shows how much priorities are out of whack.  NYSDOT employees accrue ample sick leave.

But, if it is just a rumor coming from jerk employees, that's another matter.

[bing101]

https://fox6now.com/2020/03/03/amazon-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/


A new report is saying that an Amazon Employee is tested positive for COVID-19 and is in quarantine.

[Tonytone]

1st case in philly is under investigation


iPhone

[bing101]

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/health-officials-to-make-major-announcements-1-day-after-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-l-a-county/




The County of Los Angeles has announced a Coronavirus case in the county.

[ozarkman417]

VP Pence says ten Americans have died to the virus, 1k in self-quarantine.

[1995hoo]

This coronavirus stuff just got serious: CNN reports the new James Bond movie's release date has been delayed from April to November.

[Max Rockatansky]

This coronavirus stuff just got serious: CNN reports the new James Bond movie's release date has been delayed from April to November.

Probably will be a letdown anyways, SPECTRE was. 

[bing101]

https://www.kcra.com/article/first-california-coronavirus-death-confirmed-placer-county/31228355
Update now there are reports that a Placer County,CA Person has died of COVID-19 and it is the first known reported death in California form COVID-19.
https://www.ktvu.com/news/first-coronavirus-death-reported-in-california-person-had-been-on-cruise-to-mexico

[jeffandnicole]

Bing...any updates on all the news reports you posted regarding potential cases?

The first Philly apparently was negative, although they're testing someone else. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-negative-test-20200304.html

However, I couldn't help notice this blurb in the article: "Health officials have been directed to err on the side of caution in deciding whom to test, now that cases with no known source of infection suggest the virus is spreading from person to person in California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond."  Except...nearly all the cases reported seem to be potential cases, with most either being found negative, or whem tested positive the person having a true source, such as recent travels.

I read how several schools have cancelled domestic travel for their sports groups. This is where fear mongering takes full effect. Let's say Penn State doesn't want to travel to Pittsburgh for fear of the virus. Is the school banning students from traveling to Pittsburgh to see their families? What's the difference?

Just absolute craziness...especially when, in most cities, there's were more deaths from shootings or drug use today than from this virus.

[kevinb1994]

Apparently there is report of about a dozen unconfirmed cases here. Stay tuned.

[kalvado]

I read how several schools have cancelled domestic travel for their sports groups. This is where fear mongering takes full effect. Let's say Penn State doesn't want to travel to Pittsburgh for fear of the virus. Is the school banning students from traveling to Pittsburgh to see their families? What's the difference?

Just absolute craziness...especially when, in most cities, there's were more deaths from shootings or drug use today than from this virus.

China went from first signs to total hell in a month. US is in the first week of that journey  - and it's anyone's guess if same thing is going to happen, or weak government would make it worse.
Yes, for now there are just a few deaths - but who knows if it would be few tens or few tens thousands in a month? I am not betting here.
CDC failed miserably so far, and apparently there were no whistleblowers in medical community. If what happened so far is not a wake up call... prepare for the worst.

[MikieTimT]

I read how several schools have cancelled domestic travel for their sports groups. This is where fear mongering takes full effect. Let's say Penn State doesn't want to travel to Pittsburgh for fear of the virus. Is the school banning students from traveling to Pittsburgh to see their families? What's the difference?

Just absolute craziness...especially when, in most cities, there's were more deaths from shootings or drug use today than from this virus.

China went from first signs to total hell in a month. US is in the first week of that journey  - and it's anyone's guess if same thing is going to happen, or weak government would make it worse.
Yes, for now there are just a few deaths - but who knows if it would be few tens or few tens thousands in a month? I am not betting here.
CDC failed miserably so far, and apparently there were no whistleblowers in medical community. If what happened so far is not a wake up call... prepare for the worst.

There aren't likely to be as many deaths here with better medical treatment, but the culture of work in this country means that there will be lots of opportunity for transmission as most people work through sickness with the lack of paid sick days or fear of retribution otherwise.  Most healthy people will just assume they have a mild cold or flu and push through just like they normally do.

[stormwatch7721]

This is just scaring me with the way cases are rising.

[kalvado]

There aren't likely to be as many deaths here with better medical treatment, but the culture of work in this country means that there will be lots of opportunity for transmission as most people work through sickness with the lack of paid sick days or fear of retribution otherwise.  Most healthy people will just assume they have a mild cold or flu and push through just like they normally do.

It is not about quality, it is about quantity. It is not about heart transplants, it is about checking everyone's lungs with a 18th century tool.
US has more doctor than CHina per capita - but not 2x as much.
And with no domestic manufacturing for things like IV systems and masks, US can be in a worse situation pretty quickly.

[Max Rockatansky]

This is just scaring me with the way cases are rising.

Did it get to you when it was the other 21st pandemics I listed up thread?  It seems that almost all the fear is driven by 24/7 media coverage which still wasn't fully a thing until this past decade. 

I just spent a good portion of my afternoon fielding questions from workers if they should cancel trips.  I told them all the same thing, their odds of catching anything are so remote that it would just be a waste of money not to do the things they planned.  I can understand that it is in their face on the news everyday but this is getting annoying and frustrating for me since I'm the one who has to abate the workforce paranoia. 

[stormwatch7721]

I didn't see your thread.

[Max Rockatansky]

I didn't see your thread.

Upthread in this thread.   Some examples; Bird Flu, SARS, H1N1 Flu outbreak, and even the post 9/11 Anthrax scares. 

[ozarkman417]

There are unconfirmed reports of several people infected in Arkansas. 

On a semi-related note,  the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office has offered free testing of meth for Corona virus
https://www.foxnews.com/us/arkansas-police-offer-to-test-meth-for-coronavirus-better-safe-than-sorry

Battlefield, MO also tested meth for the virus. It's called 417 for a reason 

[kalvado]

I didn't see your thread.

@Max Rockatansky is referring to comparison with swine flu, mexican flu, whatever else came and went without major effect.
It is anyone's guess if this is the same situation, and we'll all vaguely remember something few months from now. Or it could be a real thing at the end of the day.

[Max Rockatansky]

I didn't see your thread.

@Max Rockatansky is referring to comparison with swine flu, mexican flu, whatever else came and went without major effect.
It is anyone's guess if this is the same situation, and we'll all vaguely remember something few months from now. Or it could be a real thing at the end of the day.

The concerning thing for me as someone who has been involved in emergency Managment is that every time there is something in news like this the coverage has become increasingly alarmist in nature.  In turn it causes a lot of regular people to panic and do things like clear off shelves at stores or start doing things that grind everyday life to a halt.  Compared to some of those other diseases I listed this is by far the most panicked general response I've seen in my career.  Similarly I've seen similar escalations with natural disasters during the last two decades as well.  On the whole I don't think it is a good thing, it affects people who shouldn't be uprooting their lives and tied up a lot of emergency resources. 

Then again I could be the one who is wrong and pretty soon we'll be settling our disputes via Thunder Dome or Face the Wheel.  Either way I just can't bring myself to believe sitting around cooped up waiting for the worst or an emergency to happen is a good way to live.

[kalvado]

I didn't see your thread.

@Max Rockatansky is referring to comparison with swine flu, mexican flu, whatever else came and went without major effect.
It is anyone's guess if this is the same situation, and we'll all vaguely remember something few months from now. Or it could be a real thing at the end of the day.

The concerning thing for me as someone who has been involved in emergency Managment is that every time there is something in news like this the coverage has become increasingly alarmist in nature.  In turn it causes a lot of regular people to panic and do things like clear off shelves at stores or start doing things that grind everyday life to a halt.  Compared to some of those other diseases I listed this is by far the most panicked general response I've seen in my career.  Similarly I've seen similar escalations with natural disasters during the last two decades as well.  On the whole I don't think it is a good thing, it affects people who shouldn't be uprooting their lives and tied up a lot of emergency resources. 

Then again I could be the one who is wrong and pretty soon we'll be settling our disputes via Thunder Dome or Face the Wheel.

One thing for sure - in a month or two we'll know; one way or the other. I wish you're right, though.

[Max Rockatansky]

I didn't see your thread.

@Max Rockatansky is referring to comparison with swine flu, mexican flu, whatever else came and went without major effect.
It is anyone's guess if this is the same situation, and we'll all vaguely remember something few months from now. Or it could be a real thing at the end of the day.

The concerning thing for me as someone who has been involved in emergency Managment is that every time there is something in news like this the coverage has become increasingly alarmist in nature.  In turn it causes a lot of regular people to panic and do things like clear off shelves at stores or start doing things that grind everyday life to a halt.  Compared to some of those other diseases I listed this is by far the most panicked general response I've seen in my career.  Similarly I've seen similar escalations with natural disasters during the last two decades as well.  On the whole I don't think it is a good thing, it affects people who shouldn't be uprooting their lives and tied up a lot of emergency resources. 

Then again I could be the one who is wrong and pretty soon we'll be settling our disputes via Thunder Dome or Face the Wheel.

One thing for sure - in a month or two we'll know; one way or the other. I wish you're right, though.

Hey, I'm always ready for a round of Thunder Dome.  Somehow I don't think Face the Wheel would go so great for me.