news Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news

[Mister Funsky]

Having relatives and friends scattered all over the globe, I am getting an overload of input (some on the record and some off the record).

My intention for this thread is for community members from around the world to post first hand stories and/or links to information sources that, for the most part, should be reliable.

In my community, just outside a major southeastern city, 'assets' have been placed. Only because I have friends in both high and low places have I heard about some of this. At this point it is only some basic medical supplies that should be equally distributed anyway in preparation for a natural emergency (hurricane/wildfire/etc.).

I will start with posting a link to a site with current data that seems to come from an aggregate of sources and hope others will do the same as they come across similar sites/pages.

Because of the 'typhoid Mary' spread-ability of this disease, I feel we may be in for a really large spread globally which will impact the global economy and through extension, retail domain prices.

One thing is for sure...things will get worse before they get better.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa-coronavirus/

 

[koolishman]

Scientists warn it may be years before students can return to school without masks, social distancing

As schools consider whether it’s safe to reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, scientists and medical experts warn it could take years before students and teachers can return to in-person education safely without masks, social distancing and other measures intended to curb the spread of the virus

Scientists and medical experts note it may take up to a couple of years before students can resume classes without the risk of an outbreak, especially among grade school children. They say a combination of herd immunity, a coronavirus vaccine and hygienic practices are needed to bring the virus down to low enough levels and allow schools to safely return to “normal.”

 

[J Sokol]

A person with Covid-19 may have exposed others at a bar during Sturgis motorcycle rally

The bar-goer visited One-Eyed Jack's Saloon in Sturgis on August 11 from noon to 5:30 p.m. while able to transmit the virus to others, health officials said. Anyone who visited the saloon during that period should monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the visit.

South Dakota Department of Transportation officials tracked over 462,000 vehicles entering Sturgis during the rally, according to CNN affiliate KDLT/KSFY. That total is a 7.5% decline from the previous year but still represents one of the largest gatherings since the coronavirus pandemic began.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/us/sturgis-south-dakota-rally-coronavirus-trnd/index.html

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 791,696
United States: 176,376
Brazil: 111,189
South Africa: 12,423
United Kingdom: 41,397
Canada: 9,049
Mexico: 58,481
Russia: 16,099
India: 54,017
Bolivia: 4,233
Japan : 1,128
Indonesia: 6,418
Italy: 35,412
Spain: 28,797
Belgium: 9,969
France: 30,468
Netherlands: 6,181
Chile: 10,578
Philippines: 2,883

 

[Mister Funsky]

One branch of my family has been filled with educators for generations...it is no surprise to any of them (still in the industry) this is a issue.

Children Might Spread Coronavirus More Than We Thought—and Get Different Symptoms

https://www.newsweek.com/children-coronavirus-spread-symptoms-1525878

 

[Mister Funsky]

COVID-19's death and suffering could lead us to rebirth, as the bubonic plague did in Europe

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opini...ing-could-lead-us-rebirth-bubonic-ncna1237535

Interesting read...

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 797,695
United States: 177,456
Brazil: 112,423
South Africa: 12,618
United Kingdom: 41,403
Canada: 9,054
Mexico: 59,106
Russia: 16,189
India: 55,002
Bolivia: 4,305
Japan : 1,144
Indonesia: 6,500
Italy: 35,418
Spain: 28,813
Belgium: 9,976
France: 30,480
Netherlands: 6,191
Chile: 10,671
Philippines: 2,940

 

[Sutruk]

Optimism on Covid-19 immunity climbs as studies show antibodies protect and T-cells last longer

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-...unity-climbs-studies-show-antibodies-protect/

Fishing boat study provides first real-life example of antibodies in action

A study of a Covid-19 outbreak on a Seattle fishing boat involving more than 100 sailors has all but proven that antibodies provide protection against re-infection. Meanwhile, an encouraging body of evidence has found that T and B cells remain in the blood even once antibodies fade.


“This is exactly what you would hope for,” Marion Pepper, an immunologist at the University of Washington and an author on one of the new studies, told The New York Times. “All the pieces are there to have a totally protective immune response.”

It tracked the 122 strong crew of a fishing boat operating in the Pacific off the coast of Seattle, Washington. All were tested for both antibodies and the virus before they sailed and after. An outbreak occurred on the vessel and 104 people become infected - an attack rate of 85 per cent.


However, only those without pre-existing antibodies caught the virus. Of the three crew members who had already been exposed to the disease prior to the boat’s departure and had antibodies, none showed evidence of reinfection.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 804,028
United States: 179,248
Brazil: 113,454
South Africa: 12,843
United Kingdom: 41,405
Canada: 9,064
Mexico: 59,610
Russia: 16,310
India: 56,030
Bolivia: 4,366
Japan : 1,155
Indonesia: 6,594
Italy: 35,427
Spain: 28,838
Belgium: 9,985
France: 30,503
Netherlands: 6,200
Chile: 10,723
Philippines: 2,966

 

[J Sokol]

In the Hamptons, some hosts are paying for party guests to take rapid coronavirus tests at the door

(CNN)Dr. Asma Rashid goes to a lot of exclusive parties in New York these days -- but for a different reason. Hosts pay her to administer rapid coronavirus tests to guests at social events in the Hamptons, where the wealthy fled to seek refuge from the pandemic.

The tests have become a common feature before guests can be allowed into parties at the affluent seaside communities -- and cost up to $500 per person, says Rashid, who runs a members-only medical concierge service.

And unlike regular tests, where people are waiting for days or even weeks, clients get their results on the spot. It's a stark contrast to the rest of the country, where testing delays have been rampant. Experts say the longer turnaround has undermined the tests' usefulness in identifying the virus and curbing its spread.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/22/us/hamptons-parties-coronavirus-tests-trnd/index.html

 

[Sutruk]

In the Hamptons, some hosts are paying for party guests to take rapid coronavirus tests at the door

(CNN)Dr. Asma Rashid goes to a lot of exclusive parties in New York these days -- but for a different reason. Hosts pay her to administer rapid coronavirus tests to guests at social events in the Hamptons, where the wealthy fled to seek refuge from the pandemic.

The tests have become a common feature before guests can be allowed into parties at the affluent seaside communities -- and cost up to $500 per person, says Rashid, who runs a members-only medical concierge service.

And unlike regular tests, where people are waiting for days or even weeks, clients get their results on the spot. It's a stark contrast to the rest of the country, where testing delays have been rampant. Experts say the longer turnaround has undermined the tests' usefulness in identifying the virus and curbing its spread.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/22/us/hamptons-parties-coronavirus-tests-trnd/index.html

I think that in the Hamptons they should be more focused in following real social distance and avoiding as much as possible having "party guests".

From the cnn.com article:

"The Food and Drug Administration has warned against the use of some rapid tests, saying they may give inaccurate negative results."

And from the FDA website:

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/pre...ossible-accuracy-concerns-abbott-id-now-point

FDA Informs Public About Possible Accuracy Concerns with Abbott ID NOW Point-of-Care Test

"... the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting the public to early data that suggest potential inaccurate results from using the Abbott ID NOW point-of-care test to diagnose COVID-19. Specifically, the test may return false negative results."

"The FDA has received 15 adverse event reports about the Abbott ID NOW device that suggest some users are receiving inaccurate negative results."

 

[Samer]

It’s been a while since i was here,

What’s the deal with;
Hydroxychloroquine + Zinc and Azithromycin or Doxycycline to Treat Covid-19

US govern says Phase 4 scheduled complete;
December 31, 2020
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04370782

 

[Sutruk]

The only solution to combat covid-19 is to keep social distancing and use face masks, wherever, whenever and whoever you are with (except the ones who you live with), until there's an effective vaccine.

The following articles might be not easy to understand, but they basically say, that you cannot believe 100% covid-19 tests. Basically its resumed in this sentence:

"PCR nasal swab tests may come up negative after the virus migrates from the nose and throat to the lungs, Dr. Caliendo explained; but the body may not produce enough antibodies to be detectable in the blood until more than two weeks have passed"

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/21/health/coronavirus-antibody-tests.html

Why Antibody Tests Won’t Help You Much

"...Because current tests cannot determine if someone is immune, the society said, they “cannot inform decisions to discontinue physical distancing or lessen the use of personal protective equipment.”

"Antibody testing generally should be used only for population surveys, not for diagnosing illness in individuals, the panel said."

"...antibody tests should not be used to diagnose individual infections, the society said. When a patient has all of the symptoms of Covid-19, including X-ray evidence of pneumonia, but still comes up negative on repeated diagnostic PCR tests for the virus, an antibody test may be useful."

"Ideally, it should be given not immediately after symptoms appear, but three to four weeks later — “the sweet spot,” Dr. Caliendo said."

"PCR nasal swab tests may come up negative after the virus migrates from the nose and throat to the lungs, Dr. Caliendo explained; but the body may not produce enough antibodies to be detectable in the blood until more than two weeks have passed"

The following article, from Infectious Diseases Society of America:

https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-serology/

Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Serologic Testing

If you click on "Discussion and Conclusions", scroll down and go to the last line of "Conclusions" you will read:

"...Thus, serologic testing cannot be used to determine immune status.".

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 809,141
United States: 180,191
Brazil: 114,287
South Africa: 12,987
United Kingdom: 41,423
Canada: 9,071
Mexico: 60,254
Russia: 16,383
India: 56,883
Bolivia: 4,442
Japan : 1,169
Indonesia: 6,680
Italy: 35,430
Spain: 28,838
Belgium: 9,988
France: 30,512
Netherlands: 6,200
Chile: 10,792
Philippines: 2,998

 

[Cannuck]

Histograms comparing US states and Canadian provinces, damn, Mississippi and North Dakota are getting slammed!

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coron...vinces-rank-against-american-states-1.5051033

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 813,047
United States: 180,605
Brazil: 114,772
South Africa: 13,059
United Kingdom: 41,429
Canada: 9,073
Mexico: 60,480
Russia: 16,448
India: 57,715
Bolivia: 4,509
Japan : 1,176
Indonesia: 6,759
Italy: 35,437
Spain: 28,838
Belgium: 9,992
France: 30,513
Netherlands: 6,200
Chile: 10,852
Philippines: 3,010

 

[koolishman]

Hong Kong reports first coronavirus reinfection

The 33-year-old’s second SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected via airport screening on his return to Hong Kong from Europe this month. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used genomic sequence analysis to prove that he had been infected by two different strains. The information technology worker didn’t develop any symptoms from his second infection, which might indicate any “subsequent infections may be milder,” the researchers said.

“Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in humans,” Kwok-Yung Yuen and colleagues said Monday in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The findings are reminiscent of the coronaviruses that cause the common cold, and suggest SARS-CoV-2 may continue to circulate “even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection or via vaccination,” they said.

 

[J Sokol]

Kentucky Man Accused Of Breaking Canada's COVID-19 Rules Faces $569,000 Fine

A Kentucky man accused of breaking Canada's coronavirus rules — twice — could be forced to pay a $569,000 fine ($750,000 Canadian), spend up to six months in prison, or both.

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/25/9058...ing-canadas-covid-19-rules-faces-560-000-fine

If the U.S. were stricter about enforcing coronavirus regulations, maybe our numbers would be lower, too. It's 180,605 vs. 9,073, as of yesterday.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 10:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 824,535
United States: 182,472
Brazil: 116,666
South Africa: 13,308
United Kingdom: 41,449
Canada: 9,090
Mexico: 61,450
Russia: 16,683
India: 59,736
Bolivia: 4,664
Japan : 1,196
Indonesia: 6,944
Italy: 35,445
Spain: 28,924
Belgium: 9,996
France: 30,544
Netherlands: 6,215
Chile: 10,958
Philippines: 3,137

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 9:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 830,458
United States: 183,685
Brazil: 117,756
South Africa: 13,502
United Kingdom: 41,465
Canada: 9,094
Mexico: 62,076
Russia: 16,804
India: 60,652
Bolivia: 4,726
Japan : 1,209
Indonesia: 7,064
Italy: 35,458
Spain: 28,971
Belgium: 9,879
France: 30,544
Netherlands: 6,218
Chile: 10,990
Philippines: 3,234

 

[J Sokol]

From Southern Hemisphere, Hints That U.S. May Be Spared Flu On Top Of COVID-19

This year's flu season in the Southern Hemisphere was weirdly mild.

A surprisingly small number of people in the Southern Hemisphere have gotten the flu this year, probably because the public health measures put in place to fight COVID-19 have also limited the spread of influenza.

That makes public health experts hopeful that the U. S. and other northern countries might be spared the double whammy of COVID-19 and a bad flu season this winter.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsa...that-u-s-may-be-spared-flu-on-top-of-covid-19

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information.

Total: 836,346
United States: 184,834
Brazil: 118,726
South Africa: 13,628
United Kingdom: 41,477
Canada: 9,102
Mexico: 62,594
Russia: 16,914
India: 61,725
Bolivia: 4,791
Japan : 1,226
Indonesia: 7,169
Italy: 35,463
Spain: 28,996
Belgium: 9,884
France: 30,576
Netherlands: 6,218
Chile: 11,072
Philippines: 3,325

 

[Mister Funsky]

That makes public health experts hopeful that the U. S. and other northern countries might be spared the double whammy of COVID-19 and a bad flu season this winter.

I've been doing so much writing lately, I am having trouble remembering what I wrote and where.

Just wanted to share with everyone reading that I received a quad flu shot earlier this week and for the first time ever had some side effects. Of course the flu is not transmitted during the shot but the body can react as though it is having an infection. All better now.

Had another discussion with someone I know in the vaccine/bio medical field and they told me that there is about a 20% reduction in total 'regular' flu doses this year as so many assets have been moved to battle covid19. They also shared with me a internal company document that says there could be as much as a 40% increase in demand for the flu shot this year.

The bottom line is that if you are planning to get a 'regular' flu shot this season, do it now.

 

[Mister Funsky]

Current Covid19 death numbers as of 8:00 am EST are below, primarily from the source in the original post (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). If your country of interest is not listed below, simply go to the link above to do a search for relevant information

Total: 842,094
United States: 185,985
Brazil: 119,594
South Africa: 13,743
United Kingdom: 41,486
Canada: 9,108
Mexico: 63,146
Russia: 17,025
India: 62,817
Bolivia: 4,846
Japan : 1,238
Indonesia: 7,261
Italy: 35,472
Spain: 29,011
Belgium: 9,886
France: 30,596
Netherlands: 6,220
Chile: 11,132
Philippines: 3,419

 

[Samer]

'It's just madness': bikers throng South Dakota town despite Covid threat

At least 100,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota’s Black Hills from Friday, as opportunities for the local economy have overridden concerns it could become a coronavirus superspreading event.
This year is the 80th anniversary of the event that in normal years sees upward of 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts descend on the small town of Sturgis and the surrounding area. The rally injects $800m into South Dakota’s economy.
Local authorities expected fewer people to attend this year, and before the event halved the number of vendors allowed to participate.
Yet on Friday, a worker at the event told the Guardian the crowd seemed larger than in previous years – and warned that Sturgis attendees were paying little heed to medical advice.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/07/south-dakota-bikers-rally-coronavirus-pandemic

Looks like there's going to be a huge spike in infections in South Dakota in a month or so.

“Georgia 2.0” (fought mask every step the way

 

[Mister Funsky]

First U.S. novel coronavirus reinfection case identified in Nevada study

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-reinfection-idUSKBN25O2L9

"Earlier this week, University of Hong Kong researchers reported details of a 33-year-old man who had recovered in April from a severe case of COVID-19 and was diagnosed four months later with a different strain of the virus."

Mutations are going to be a B***H.