Updates on COVID 19

[ivinsfan]

If you are interested in state numbers the Washington Post has a link on the front page and it's outside the paywall. it will show the infection rate per 100K for each state and a trend line going back to March. It's a really good way to snapshot certain locations.

 

[brewer12345]

The flu season may not be as bad as some think. Down in the Southern Hemisphere where it is currently Winter, the flu season has been rather weak. It seems that the same stuff we do to prevent the spread of CV also prevents the spread of the common cold and the flu.

Hard to say. Reopening in person schools will spread it. People clustering inside during cold weather will help spread things as well.

 

[audreyh1]

If you are interested in state numbers the Washington Post has a link on the front page and it's outside the paywall. it will show the infection rate per 100K for each state and a trend line going back to March. It's a really good way to snapshot certain locations.

I really like the New York Times page updated daily that shows how each state is doing in terms of trends, and you can click on each state to get many more details.

 

[donheff]

I believe it!

We haven't had a cold, flu, or other virus since early March when we started doing this stuff. I feel a little uneasy about that, since we are probably losing any slight immunity we might have to these ailments. I'll bet that if/when life returns to normal, Frank and I will be sick as dogs with various minor viruses, common colds, or flu for a while. We'll probably think (temporarily) that we have CV even when we don't.

Same here. If we get a good Covid vaccine I will continue to get flu shots and will wear a mask on public transport during flu season. I will probably accept the risk for restaurants.

 

[Lsbcal]

Same here. If we get a good Covid vaccine I will continue to get flu shots and will wear a mask on public transport during flu season. I will probably accept the risk for restaurants.

We will continue with flu shots too.

I wonder if most standard flu's are transmitted mostly by touch as opposed to inhaled. In Asia where mask wearing is the standard, are common flu's lessened?

EDIT: I tried looking this up and came up with a CDC page dated August 2018. It seems to indicate for common influenzas the spreading mechanism is similar.

People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

link: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm

 

[audreyh1]

Texas continues to have a day where a high number of new fatalities are reported like the 306 today. The 7 day average has been around 200 so far this month.

 

[TrvlBug]

I also read the flu in the Southern Hemisphere article and was very upbeat until the article pointed out that they were on lockdown during most of their winter . Assuming ours will be lighter than normal, but the way things are going with Covid, don't hold out too much hope, especially if schools open. Those kids are petri dishes.

Was doing my weekly grocery shopping today and the sign was up for this year's flu shots. On the calendar for next week for DH and I. And we'll get 2 10% off groceries coupons to boot .

 

[audreyh1]

I think if most people in the US are wearing masks this winter, and this includes kids attending schools, and we keep up the social distancing, we could still see a reduction in flu cases.

 

[audreyh1]

In terms of number of cases per 1M population the top 5 are: Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, New York and Mississippi. Georgia is in 8th place. Texas 15th, California 23rd.

I’ve been reading quite a bit about Mississippi lately - their hospitals are getting stressed.

 

[TrvlBug]

I think if most people in the US are wearing masks this winter, and this includes kids attending schools, and we keep up the social distancing, we could still see a reduction in flu cases.

I agree, there will be a reduction. My concern is overwhelming the health care systems. In many areas, it won't take a lot of additional hospitalizations to do so.

I am also saddened by the timing of the availability of the flu shot... ...DH and I always get it as soon as it's available because we'll be off on one of our big trips in early September. Not this year and maybe not next year. We pushed this September's land/cruise Alaska trip off to next year and haven't planned any spring 2021 vacation.

 

[Montecfo]

In terms of number of cases per 1M population the top 5 are: Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, New York and Mississippi. Georgia is in 8th place. Texas 15th, California 23rd.

I’ve been reading quite a bit about Mississippi lately - their hospitals are getting stressed.

Cases is an interesting stat but with varying levels of testing, I'm not sure what story that really tells.

 

[KarlH]

My niece in Tampa just received her positive results, after 8 days of waiting! This is a big part of what is going to keep Florida behind the curve. If they cannot keep up with testing so that results can be timely, contact tracing is virtually impossible.

Florida has focused on the economy instead of the disease while learning simultaneously that you can't fix the economy until everyone believes the virus is under control. No matter how hard you try, people will not go back to malls, restaurants, bars, or their favorite places in numbers that will promote a recovery until people know they are safe. I would love to go to my favorite restaurants and the local brewery, but there are just too many fools without masks for me to feel safe.

 

[Badger]

Think about all the colds and flu that people get when school starts! I'm not saying COVID-19 is the flu or a cold, but it's contagious and probably will increase in a similar way with all those kiddies swapping germs every day.

There is every reason to believe that schools will not be open for very long but it will mean that children and teachers will be getting sick and dying from Covid-19 for that to happen. Trying to control children and keep them separated and wearing masks, especially grade school, is much like trying to herd cats.

Ever take a long car trip with kids in the back seat? "Don't make me stop this car!"



Cheers!

 

[Aerides]

Trying to control children and keep them separated and wearing masks, especially grade school, is much like trying to herd cats.

While I have this same thought, I have seen a lot of small kids out with parents at the grocery stores, and all seem to be keeping their masks on as well as most adults, if not better. Perhaps the "kids are adaptable" thing is true?

 

[brewer12345]

While I have this same thought, I have seen a lot of small kids out with parents at the grocery stores, and all seem to be keeping their masks on as well as most adults, if not better. Perhaps the "kids are adaptable" thing is true?

I think you are being optimistic. A public school takes all, including the troublemakers, developmentally disabled, and those whose parents think the virus is a hoax and going maskless is being a good Patriot.

 

[Chuckanut]

No matter how hard you try, people will not go back to malls, restaurants, bars, or their favorite places in numbers that will promote a recovery until people know they are safe. I would love to go to my favorite restaurants and the local brewery, but there are just too many fools without masks for me to feel safe.

So, as Yogi Berra is supposed to have said, "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

Sorry, I had to drop that one in. But, I do see your point. For every person who flocks to a crowded place, 2, 3, 4 or more see that and decide not to go. It really only takes a small percentage of people without masks and being careless to drive away the more thoughtful and careful people. If I go into a shop and see much more than 10% without masks, I leave. Gresham's law - Bad money drives out good money - also applies to people.

 

[Chuckanut]

While I have this same thought, I have seen a lot of small kids out with parents at the grocery stores, and all seem to be keeping their masks on as well as most adults, if not better. Perhaps the "kids are adaptable" thing is true?

As a former middle school teacher, I can assure you that a child in a group of two dozen children often behaves differently than the same child with a parent.

 

[regenaeb]

Unfortunately, I recently read that Florida is using “isolation areas” in long term care facilities to house overflow COVID positive patients. That can’t end well....

If I had to guess this is what I would guess happened in NY and NJ resulting in the horrible outbreaks in nursing homes.

The hospitals are overwhelmed with ICU patients and they coming and coming everyday and they have no place for these people that have come off a ventilator or out of ICU to go but into a rehabilitation/long term care facility. They can't send them home because they still need constant care, but the hospital is busting at the seams. Rehab center/long term care facilities in FL are the only places that can handle around the clock care. I hope and prey this doesn't turn into another NY/NJ situation as my mother in law lives in a long term care facility in FL. So far they have tried to isolate them, but unless you cut the building in half and completely separate the building how can you keep the virus away. They are an indoor closed facility recirculating air through the AC systems. You don't go opening a window in August in FL with the humidity levels.

 

[MichaelB]

This working paper concludes a significant contributor to the spread of infection in senior homes is the number of caregivers that work in multiple facilities. From the abstract https://www.nber.org/papers/w27608#fromrss

Results suggest that eliminating staff linkages between nursing homes could reduce COVID-19 infections in nursing homes by 44 percent.

It’s hard to judge the 44% estimate, but in the facilities I’ve seen most of the aides and caregivers are hourly, part time and subcontracted, and need to work in multiple locations to get to a 40 or 50 hour week. It’s probably not realistic to limit them to one location / facility.

 

[audreyh1]

Unfortunately, I recently read that Florida is using “isolation areas” in long term care facilities to house overflow COVID positive patients. That can’t end well....

If I had to guess this is what I would guess happened in NY and NJ resulting in the horrible outbreaks in nursing homes.

The hospitals are overwhelmed with ICU patients and they coming and coming everyday and they have no place for these people that have come off a ventilator or out of ICU to go but into a rehabilitation/long term care facility. They can't send them home because they still need constant care, but the hospital is busting at the seams. Rehab center/long term care facilities in FL are the only places that can handle around the clock care. I hope and prey this doesn't turn into another NY/NJ situation as my mother in law lives in a long term care facility in FL. So far they have tried to isolate them, but unless you cut the building in half and completely separate the building how can you keep the virus away. They are an indoor closed facility recirculating air through the AC systems. You don't go opening a window in August in FL with the humidity levels.

Yes, I read the same thing, and was shocked that FL decided to do this in spite of what a disaster this turned out to be in NY and NJ.

 

[Montecfo]

Florida new cases and total number hospitalized are both down sharply. More work to do but trend well established.

https://tallahasseereports.com/2020/08/05/two-charts-show-positive-trends-for-florida-in-coronavirus-battle/

 

[MichaelB]

For some reason Florida did not update the dashboard today. The media reports 180 new fatalities. Below the peak, but still intolerably high.

The new school year begins next week in some counties. I have no idea what state officials are thinking, but this does not look good. It’s not even close to the level of containment suggested by public health officials that would allow safe in-person schooling.

 

[brewer12345]

For some reason Florida did not update the dashboard today. The media reports 180 new fatalities. Below the peak, but still intolerably high.

The new school year begins next week in some counties. I have no idea what state officials are thinking, but this does not look good. It’s not even close to the level of containment suggested by public health officials that would allow safe in-person schooling.

They haven't had enough of a disaster to change their thinking. They will, eventually.

 

[Gigabit77]

I read a recent interview with some Government Medical Official in Italy and he said that the medical profession is MUCH better able to treat this thing than they did in the beginning. The success rates have increased dramatically as they learn along the way what works and what doesn't. It was actually quite encouraging. Wish I could remember where I read it.

 

[rodi]

It's officially hit home. I just found out that a great uncle died 2 weeks ago from Covid at age 78 in Arizona. Other than age, he was healthy. Prior to this I was 2 or 3 degrees separated from covid deaths.... I didn't know anyone personally.

Up till now I had known several people who had been sick, but survived... but hadn't known anyone who had died of Covid.