Coronavirus Freakout 48: There Ain't No Cure for the COVID-time Blues

Previous thread

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce

Thanks OP.

Thank you!!!

Some company is selling masks printed with fine art. So this has got to be the mask of the year.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ JULY 29 ~ 5:45 PM EST

🐅 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE TIGER

🐔 NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 17,131,893

DEATHS: 668,364

CRITICAL: 66,548

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,550,144

DEATHS: 153,438

CRITICAL: 19,017

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 LOOKING HIGHLY INTELLIGENT & COHERENT !

Repeating this from the previous thread:

Any UK posters in here? What's going on over there? Are you seeing spikes? UK mandates on masks and distancing seem even more lax than the USA, yet we're not hearing that you're overwhelmed with cases.

R7, I’m not in the UK, but know that the U.K. has one of the highest coronavirus death rates in the world. It’s behind the U.S. and Brazil, but that’s about it.

If by death rate you mean deaths per million, then UK is #3 at 677 per million, and the US is (currently) at #10 with 464 per million.

See attached screen shot from Worldometers site.

USA +1429 deaths today

Loved the "Gowns" credit at the end of the last thread!

You have to admit, r11, they were gorgeous.

Ok everyone, what goggles are we liking best and from where?

In the USA there were at least 1,444 new Covid-19 related deaths today. This daily number hasn't been this high since 2 months ago.

R14 - and that's with the steroid. If there's a 3 week lag - this is just the beginning. The next 3-4 weeks should be a doozy.

Please recall the thirty-five hundred Benghazi investigations and hearings were over four deaths.

Not that every life isn't of value, but....four.

Now six or seven thousand deaths a week just doesn't grab anyone's interest. America sucks.

R14: Worldometer added some more: +1485 Deaths now. With TX (313), FL (216), CA (195) leading the pack.

R17 - they're slipping it in later and later so it's not on evening news. Problem is - it will be there in morning!!

313 deaths is quite a bit for Texas but still nowhere near NY which was having 700-800 deaths a day.

You can do it Texas! Everything bigger in Texas, right?

To stay safe, wear and mask..... and be short!

[quote] Taller people face higher risk of catching COVID-19, survey says

People over six feet tall are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, the results of a new survey reveal.

The global team of researchers, including experts from the University of Manchester and Open University, surveyed 2,000 people in the country, as well as the US, to determine whether their personal attributes, work and living practices might play a role in transmission, The Telegraph reported.

The results found that taller people are at a higher risk, which researchers say suggests that the contagion is spreading through the air — because height would not be a factor if the virus was only contractible through droplets, according to the report.

That makes no sense. Short people would be getting coughed and breathed on from their level and above all the time. Wouldn't it make more sense that, ya know, men get covid more than women and men are, ya know, taller than women? So, taller people get covid because more men get covid.

Tall men think their alpha-ness makes them invincible.

R19 ...... 👽 Say Whaaaat ?

While we're on the subject of reports that sound sketchy ....

Remember that initial report about COVID-19 and Type A Blood being more prone to infection and mortality?

Harvard Medical School has now studied this subject and finds that there's NO relationship between blood type and severity of COVID-19.

Their study did find something in relation to testing, though:

[quote] An intriguing finding from the study was that there appeared to be a greater chance of people with blood types B and AB who were Rh positive testing positive for the virus. Even stronger evidence was assembled by the team that symptomatic people with blood type O were less likely to test positive.

R10 Hold me David. I'm scared.

R19 - I can't tell if that's shitty reporting from NY Post (very likely) or junk science from the researchers.

It makes no sense if droplets fall that taller people would be more susceptible. If anything, shorter people would be at more of a disadvantage - particularly if they have to have their head slightly tilted upward to speak to taller people.

I would be embarrassed to have my name associated with that 'research'.

The point of the research, I believe, is that the virus is spread through aerosols as well as droplets. Droplets start falling as soon as they are expelled, aerosols can be carried up and down by aerosols.

But I still don't understand why tall people would be more at risk.

Well fuck me dead. What a surprise NOT.

[quote]Well fuck me dead.

Address?

DLers in Japan, stay safe.

Herman Cain is DEAD to me.

A bit more about the non-peer reviewed study about the dangers of being tall in the age of Coronavirus-

[quote] Researchers from the UK, Norway, and the US tried to identify which personal and work-related factors can lead to COVID-19 transmission. The scientists surveyed 2,000 people in England and America and discovered that data from both regions supports the idea that the virus spreads through aerosols.

[quote] What they observed is that taller individuals are at a higher risk of getting COVID-19. The non-peer-reviewed study was published in medRxiv and could benefit from more research in the future. But the researchers think that people over 6 feet tall have more than double the chance of catching COVID-19.

[quote] The explanation for the increased risk for tall people is the presence of viral load in aerosols. Saliva droplets are likely to travel a limited distance before gravity pulls them down to nearby surfaces. But microdroplets that turn into aerosols can persist in the air for a longer time and infect people. The aerosols could accumulate in poorly ventilated areas and be moved around by air currents before actually landing on any surfaces.

[quote] “The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible,” University of Manchester Professor Evan Kontopantelis said, per AFP. “This has been suggested by other studies, but our method of confirmation is novel. Though social distancing is still important because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask-wearing may be just as if not more effective in prevention. But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored.”

[quote] The study also indicates that sharing a common space like a kitchen or accommodation can be a significant factor for transmission. Americans using shared spaces had were 3.5x more likely to be infected, while the risk dropped to 1.7x for British people.

HERMAN CAIN DEAD AT 74 ACCORDING TO HIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Herman Cain dead? Good! Louie Gohmert next?

[quote] Their [blood type] study did find something in relation to testing, though: An intriguing finding from the study was that there appeared to be a greater chance of people with blood types B and AB who were Rh positive testing positive for the virus.

It's great that there appears to be no relation to severity of the disease and blood type. But I still think it's kind of significant that type O is less likely to test positive, especially since we have all this noise about how even people with mild forms of the disease MAY have some long-term damage to their body because of Covid. So it's a still a great advantage never to even have tested positive.

MAGAts won’t care until a white one dies.

[quote]Droplets start falling as soon as they are expelled, aerosols can be carried up and down by aerosols.

Make that, aerosols can be carried up, down and all around by air currents.

[quote]The explanation for the increased risk for tall people is the presence of viral load in aerosols. Saliva droplets are likely to travel a limited distance before gravity pulls them down to nearby surfaces. But microdroplets that turn into aerosols can persist in the air for a longer time and infect people.

I still don't understand how taller people are at greater risk -- do aerosols rise and concentrate at a height of 6 foot or so?

[quote] I still don't understand how taller people are at greater risk

Yeah, thank God I don't have to explain the study. I just posted it to counter the years of damage done by Randy Newman's "Short People Got No Reason to Live" song.

There are so many agendas on this forum.

R38 - LOL - I immediately thought of that song when I read the post at r19. Glad to know I have company.

Trump questions whether US should "Delay the Election." He does not have the power to change the date. From CNN's Betsy Klein, Tara Subramaniam, Abby Phillip and DJ Judd

President Trump took the extraordinary step Thursday morning of openly suggesting in a tweet the possibility that the 2020 election, set for November 3 – 96 days from now – should be delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump has previously sought to stoke fear and lay the groundwork to question the election’s results by promoting the idea that mail-in voting leads to widespread fraud and a “rigged” election. The tweet comes as a spate of recent polling in battleground states – and even states he won handily in 2016 – show him trailing or tied with former Vice President Joe Biden, and widespread disapproval of his handling of the pandemic.

Asked about the issue in a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Attorney General William Barr said he had "no reason to think" that the upcoming election will be "rigged." But he did say he believes that "if you have wholesale mail-in voting, it substantially increases the risk of fraud."

But historically, voting by mail has not led to massive voter fraud. And nonpartisan election experts say the possibility of foreign entities printing millions of fraudulent mail-in ballots this November is highly unlikely.

A key point here: The President does not have the power to change the date of the election. Election Day is set by Congressional statute, and most experts agree that it cannot be changed without Congressional approval.

Biden has previously raised the possibility of Trump attempting to delay the election.

"Mark my words: I think he is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can't be held," Biden said at a virtual fundraiser in April, according to a pool report. Biden has maintained the November election should not be postponed and has previously made similar comments.

Tokyo asks restaurants to close early in August as cases hit new daily high

From CNN’s Yoko Wakatsuki in Toyko, Sophie Jeong in Seoul and Isaac Yee in Hong Kong

Tokyo has asked restaurants, bars and karaoke parlors to shorten operating hours as coronavirus cases in Japan’s capital hit a new daily high.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike requested that these establishments reduce operating hours to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from August 3 to the end of the month. Those who comply will be paid an incentive of 200,000 yen ($1,900). The request does not carry any legal enforcement.

The move comes as Tokyo confirmed 367 new cases on Thursday, the highest daily number of infections in the city since the beginning of the pandemic.

"If the situation worsens in the future, Tokyo has to think of issuing its own state of emergency,” Koike said in a news conference. “In order to avoid it, we would like to overcome this national crisis together with each one of the people and companies in Tokyo.”

She pleaded with the public to abide by the prevention measures as the infection spreads through various routes. The Tokyo government will expand testing to identify cases early and contain the clusters discovered in nightlife districts and welfare institutions.

The numbers: The total number of infections in Tokyo is now 12,228. Japan recorded its largest single-day increase of 1,264 new cases on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday -- the first time the country has recorded more than 1,000 new cases in a single day.

It brought the total number of infections in Japan to 33,761, with three new deaths taking the nation's death toll to 1,017.

Guardian-Brazil’s first lady, Michelle Bolsonaro, has tested positive for Covid-19, presidential officials have announced. “She appears to be in good health and will follow all the existing protocols,” the presidential communication secretariat said in a statement, adding that she was being cared for by the president’s medical team.

God forbid the Japanese look to Taiwan and South Korea for examples of how to handle the virus. Sad, Abe.

they can forget about the olympics!

German studies call for further investigation into heart issues in coronavirus patients

New studies from Germany revealed heart inflammation in recovered coronavirus patients and virus presence in the hearts of those who died from the disease.

Both studies called for further investigations of long-term cardiac consequences of COVID-19.

One observational study involved 100 patients with recent COVID-19 illness. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging revealed cardiac involvement in 78 patients and heart muscle inflammation in 60 patients, independent of pre-existing conditions.

The patients were identified from the University Hospital Frankfurt COVID-19 Registry from April to June. Researchers said 33 patients were severely ill and needed hospitalization, while two of the patients underwent mechanical ventilation.

Detectable levels of troponin, a type of protein found in the muscles of the heart, were found in 71 patients and high levels (indicating heart damage) were found in five patients. Biopsies of heart muscle tissue in patients with “severe findings” showed active inflammation, the study authors said.

In a second study involving autopsies from 39 COVID-19 cases, researchers found a presence of viral infection within the myocardium or the middle, muscular layer of the heart, in 24 patients.

The deceased patients were autopsied at the Institute of Legal Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf from April 8 to 18.

The patients’ median age was 85 years and pneumonia was listed as the cause of death for 90 percent of them. Study authors said current data show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in heart tissue doesn’t necessarily cause an inflammatory reaction consistent with clinical myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle).

Staten Island dog, first to test positive for COVID-19 in US, dies

A German shepherd in Staten Island who was the first dog to test positive for the coronavirus has died, the first fatality of its kind, according to a report on Wednesday.

Seven-year-old Buddy began experiencing issues with his breathing in mid-April, not long after his owner, Robert Mahoney, contracted COVID-19, National Geographic reported.

From April 21 to May 15, the pooch continued to lose weight and became increasingly lethargic.

His owners took him to veterinarians who gave him medication, but were doubtful he had the virus.

He was finally tested May 15, a month after his symptoms emerged, at Bay Street Animal Hospital in Rosebank.

His test came back positive, and the results were later confirmed by the New York City Department of Health, according to the magazine.

Buddy died on July 11.

Medical records reviewed by the mag indicate that the pup likely also had lymphoma, a type of cancer.

According to National Geographic: “It’s unclear whether cancer made him more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, or if the virus made him ill, or if it was just a case of coincidental timing.”

Buddy was one of fewer than 25 pets in the country who have tested positive for the virus.

“You tell people that your dog was positive, and they look at you [as if you have] ten heads,” one of his owners, Allison Mahoney, told the mag.

“[Buddy] was the love of our lives….He brought joy to everybody. I can’t wrap my head around it.”

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ JULY 30 ~ 12:00 NOON EST

🍰 NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY

👬 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 17,300,759

DEATHS: 672,366

CRITICAL: 66,393

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,590,809

DEATHS: 154,364

CRITICAL: 18,848

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 [italic] SEXY BEAST !

R46 💔 For Buddy and the family who loved him.

Up next on Netflix. "How to get away with corruption." Starring DJT as himself. With special guest appearances by Melania, DJT junior, Ivanka and the Republican leadership in Congress.

Florida reported a record increase in new COVID-19 deaths for a third day in a row on Thursday, with 252 fatalities in the last 24 hours. Florida’s total death toll rose to 6,709, the eighth highest in the nation.

Arizona also reported a record increase with 172 fatalities on Thursday, bringing that state’s death toll to 3,626.

One person in the United States died about every minute from COVID-19 on Wednesday as the national death toll surpassed 150,000, the highest in the world.

This is not going to end well

Guardian-France has recorded its highest daily increase in new Covid-19 infections since May, prompting authorities there to consider new suppression measures, as Spain said its daily rise in cases was the highest since a nationwide lockdown was lifted in June. According to the latest figures, released late on Wednesday, there were an additional 1,392 confirmed cases over a 24-period in France, and 21 new coronavirus clusters, bringing the total to 147.

Spain reported 1,229 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, topping 1,000 for the second day in a row. It also marked the biggest rise since its lockdown was eased on 21 June.

Don't all the unemployment benefits, eviction and forbearance programs end tomorrow?

673 new cases here in Belgium. My job is telling employees to work from home until further notice. I may never go back to the office

Study finds that some people who haven't had Covid-19 might already have some immunity From CNN’s Jacqueline Howard

The immune systems of some people who have not been exposed to the novel coronavirus could have some familiarity with the pathogen — possibly helping to reduce the severity of illness if that person does get Covid-19, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, found that among a sample of 68 healthy adults in Germany who had not been exposed to coronavirus, 35% had T cells in their blood that were reactive to the virus. T cells are part of the immune system and help protect the body from infection. T cell reactivity suggests that the immune system might have had some previous experience fighting a similar infection and may use that memory to help fight a new infection.

The new study involved analyzing blood samples from 18 Covid-19 patients, ages 21 to 81, and healthy donors, ages 20 to 64, based in Germany. The study found that T cells reactive to the coronavirus were detected in 83% of the Covid-19 patients.

While the researchers also found pre-existing cross-reactive T cells in the healthy donors, they wrote in the study that the impact those cells might have on the outcome of a Covid-19 illness still remains unknown.

So how could their immune system have reactive T cells if they never had Covid-19? They were "probably acquired in previous infections with endemic" coronaviruses, the researchers — from various institutions in Germany and the United Kingdom — wrote in the new study. Using this T cell memory from another-yet-similar infection to respond to a new infection is called "cross-reactivity."

"It does appear in this study that there is a significant proportion of individuals that have this cross-reactive T cell immunity from other coronavirus infections that may have some impact on how they fare with the novel coronavirus. I think the big question is trying to jump from the fact that they have these T cells to understanding what the role of those T cells might be," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, who was not involved in the new study.

"We know, for example, children and younger adults are relatively spared from the severe consequences of this disease, and I think that one hypothesis might be that the pre-existing T cells that exist may be much more numerous or more active in younger age cohorts than in older age cohorts.”

Statistical observation ---

Even with all the cases in California, the state is still below the national average of :Total Cases per 1 Million Population."

The USA average right now is 13,953, with California still below this number at 12,420.

States you don't hear much about are Iowa and Nebraska, yet both come in higher at 13,958 and 13,142, respectively, and Utah very near California at 12,382.

[quote]the dangers of being tall in the age of Coronavirus

No wonder China got over it so quickly...

Wisconsin FINALLY got a mandatory mask order. I think they're going to have to slap a Packers logo or "Flatlanders Suck" on the front to get broad acceptance, though.

Tall people are more at risk because hot air rises, and with so many people running their mouths endlessly about this and every other topic, there is plenty of hot air being spewed.

Short people already got exposed to every other corona virus from having tall people spit fall on them all the time, which winds up being oddly protective - tied up those two findings today.

🎶 Short People Got No Reason To Live

The last time Herman Cain was seen in public was at the infamous Donald Trump rally ............

And then he died from [italic] The Dreaded Corona !

☠️ Tall Tales from the Crypt

🎶 Tall People Got Lots of Reasons To Live....

🎶 (But Corona won't let 'em.)

University of Washington model projects 8,000 more virus deaths by November. This is an increase of 11,000 from last week, attiributable to Americans' reluctance to wear masks.

I assume you mean 80k, R64.

[quote]I assume you mean 80k, [R64].

Yes, thank you!

Every day the news just gets better and better

Vanity Fair: The White House actually DID come up with a decent national testing plan -- but it was killed for political reasons.

The effort ran headlong into shifting sentiment at the White House. Trump feared that more testing would only lead to higher case counts and more bad publicity. Dr. Deborah Birx was reportedly sharing models with senior staff that optimistically—and erroneously, it would turn out—predicted the virus would soon fade away.

Most troubling of all was a sentiment expressed by a member of Jared Kushner’s team, which spearheaded the testing effort:

Because the virus had hit blue states hardest, a national plan was unnecessary and would not make sense politically.

r31 Tall people have bigger lungs, maybe that plays a role somehow.

Hurricane is coming for FL. Heard many outdoor testing sites will be closed for the weekend...

FL is so fucked!

[quote] Tall people are more at risk because hot air rises,

If that's what the claim is based on, then wouldn't "tall" be relative to the average height of the general population based on where one is located?

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ JULY 30 ~ 8:00 PM EST

🍰 NATIONAL CHEESECAKE DAY

👬 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 17,451,759

DEATHS: 675,525

CRITICAL: 66,461

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,634,391

DEATHS: 155,073

CRITICAL: 18,864

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 SHORT VS TALL = MASKS 4 ALL !

Bryan Cranston discloses COVID-19 battle: ‘Keep wearing the damn mask’

Bryan Cranston has revealed that he bested a case of COVID-19, writing on Instagram that “I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still… I contracted the virus. Yep. it sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it. I was one of the lucky ones. Mild symptoms.”

“About now you’re probably feeling a little tied down, restricting your mobility and like me, you’re tired of this,” he prefaced the admission by saying. “Well, I just want to encourage you to have a little more patience.”

“I count my blessings and urge you to keep wearing the damn mask,” Cranston, 64, concluded. “Keep washing your hands, and stay socially distant. We can prevail — but only if we follow the rules together.”

The “Breaking Bad” star explained that he had the illness “a little while ago” and included a video of himself donating his antibody-positive plasma for research. He underwent the hour-long procedure at UCLA Blood and Plasma donation Center and — fun fact — passed the time by watching Andy Griffith’s “A Face in the Crowd.”

Cranston and his “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul announced in April that they were funneling sales of their mezcal brand, Dos Hombres, to various coronavirus relief organizations, including the United States Bartender’s Guild, the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s America’s Food Fund.

my buddy had to take the subway in nyc today and he said it was very full. not packed like sardines but it was full. He was in the east village area to meet some friends and he told me that many young people weren't wearing masks.

What was the mask situation?

R75, most people were wearing masks in the subway (nyc) but many young people were not wearing masks in the east village.

You can now walk into any grocery store, pharmacy, or retail outlet and masks, gloves and hand sanitizer are readily available.

Stop the lame excuses, stupidity, and selfishness.

Just ask Herman Cain.

Maryland's university system makes Covid-19 testing mandatory on campus

From CNN’s Rebekah Riess

The University System of Maryland (USM), which includes 12 institutions and three regional higher education centers, is making Covid-19 testing mandatory for all on-campus students and employees.

Anyone returning in-person to a USM institution now has to be tested for Covid-19 within 14 days prior to arriving and will need to provide university officials with confirmation of a negative test result, according to a release from the university system.

Some of the universities will be conducting this testing on their own as students and employees arrive on campus, while others are beginning the fall semester imminently, within 14 days of the new guidance issued today.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 prior to arrival will not be allowed on campus, and will only be allowed back after a required period of isolation has been met, per public health guidelines, the release said.

“Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, the safety of our students and employees has guided the University System of Maryland’s planning and decision-making. The uncertainty surrounding Covid spread and impact demands that our plans be flexible enough to respond to disease risk in real time, changing as Covid conditions and safety guidelines change,” the university system said.

San Diego gym that defied shutdown order linked to Covid-19 outbreak

From CNN’s Jenn Selva

A San Diego gym that was shut down after operating in defiance of the county’s health order to close last week has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus.

According to the San Diego Health and Human Services Department, The Gym in Pacific Beach defied health orders and remained open despite an order to close indoor operations to prevent spread of coronavirus. The business was sent a letter last Thursday and told to close immediately, but it didn’t shut until days later on Monday, county health officials said.

While it wasn’t clear how many cases were linked to the gym, county health officials said an outbreak is considered three or more cases from different households stemming from a specific location.

According to San Diego Health Officer Wilma Wooten, any business or entity that violates the order faces a misdemeanor and a fine of $1,000 dollars.

County officials said they need to step up contact tracing efforts and crack down on egregious violators. They’ve issued multiple letters to local businesses, including gyms and restaurants.

The facility did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.

San Diego County has reported a total of 28,287 Covid-19 cases and 552 deaths.

Coronavirus cases in Connecticut increase among young people

From CNN’s Alec Snyder

Connecticut has seen a notable increase in coronavirus rates among 10 to 19 year olds, Gov. Ned Lamont said at a news conference on Thursday.

He said the rates have “doubled.”

Lamont blamed the spike on kids drinking and partying, and cited the potential risks to other families and teachers, if or when kids return to school. He went on to say that parents need to make sure their children are following safe protocols.

"The power of shame is greater than anything I can do by edict or punishment," the governor said.

On schools: Lamont also said he is leaving it up to school districts to determine what they want to do with respect to in-person or hybridized learning, with a likely emphasis on more in-person schooling for younger kids.

Any school or district that wishes to opt out of any in-person schooling will have to present its case before the education commissioner, he said.

Lamont said there have been at least six new deaths since the last update and approximately 13 new hospitalizations.

MASK fatigue

The mask is temporary, the casket is forever.

💃 The Dance & Mask are Temporary

⚰️ The Casket is Forever

There are some things worse than death ya know.😱

[quoter]There are some things worse than death ya know.

So, wearing a mask is worse than death?

[quote]He was in the east village area to meet some friends

Why would he get on the subway just to go meet friends out? Stay home people. It's not that difficult.

Could rename this plague? The more we learn about it the less this thing seems only acute or primarily respiratory and having two very different viruses named SARS-CoV is aiding a lot of the disinformation campaigns. I vote for CAMO-CoV - chronic and acute multi-organ Coronavirus.

I suspect here will be a syndrome name, Elderlez.

THE HILL: A report from Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee released Friday finds that the Trump administration overpaid by as much as $500 million for ventilators and was slow to respond to an offer to accelerate shipments in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak.

The report finds that the Trump administration paid the manufacturer Philips $15,000 per ventilator, more than any other American purchaser. Some purchasers buying as few as just one ventilator negotiated prices down to as low as $9,327 per ventilator, the report said.

The committee said the administration failed to negotiate the price down and labeled the talks “inept negotiations led by White House official Peter Navarro.”

Florida breaking it's own daily death record for the 4th day in a row.

257 deaths reported for Friday

253 Thursday

216 Wednesday

186 Tuesday

Florida breaking it's own daily death record for the 4th day in a row.

257 deaths reported for Friday

253 Thursday

216 Wednesday

186 Tuesday

Michael Steele to deplorables: "You will die in that bubble"

r84 True, I've been sick with Covid for 4 months and it is worse than death. No one wants this, I caught it when they said don't wear masks because there weren't any. Wish I'd worn a mask in March.

So sorry, R94. I hope for your sake (and everybody's) that the lingering effects of this beat resolve sooner rather than later.

Dr. Fauci says coronavirus is so contagious, it won’t likely ever disappear

“I do not believe it would disappear because it’s such a highly transmissible virus,” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told a House Select Subcommittee hearing on containing the coronavirus outbreak.

The coronavirus, which emerged about seven months ago, has infected more than 17 million people and killed at least 673,822, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has the worst outbreak in the world with more than 4 million cases and at least 152,075 deaths as of Friday, according to Hopkins data.

Fauci’s comments are at odds with Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that the virus would “disappear.” The president’s remarks come amid warnings from health experts, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that Covid-19 cases and deaths could rise this fall.

While the virus will not disappear, Fauci has previously said it’s possible world leaders and public health officials could work to bring the pandemic down to “low levels.”

He said the U.S. has so many cases because some states did not shut down early in the outbreak while others reopened too soon.

He said other countries were able to eliminate their first wave of outbreaks after shutting down at least 90% of their nonessential businesses.

“In the attempt to reopen in some situations states did not abide strictly by the guidelines that the task force and the White House has put out. And others that even did abide by it, the people in the state actually were congregating in crowds and not wearing masks,” he said Friday.

“I think there was such a diversity of response in this country from different states that we really did not have a unified bringing everything down,” he said.

Fauci also said there’s never a guarantee scientists will discover a safe and effective vaccine for the coronavirus, though he’s “cautiously optimistic.” On Thursday, senior administration officials at the Department of Health and Human Services said on a conference call that Pfizer and competitor Moderna, which began separate phase three trials for their potential vaccines on Monday, have already vaccinated “several hundred people” within the first few days.

“We are going very quickly,” he said. “I do not believe that there will be vaccines so far ahead of us that we will have to depend on other countries to get us vaccine.”

This is consistent with medical experts in the UK who recently warned the government that the virus will be around for several decades, at least, even with an effective vaccine/treatment. Source: The Guardian

Ebola is also a virus that hasn't gone away but you control it. Also, HIV, Dengue, MERS, Influenza, etc. Stop with the fear-mongering. There's enough to worry about without adding reactionary ignorance to the pile.

Guardian (7 minutes ago) - The World Health Organisation said today that coronavirus pandemic effects would be felt for decades as its emergency committee assessed the situation six months after sounding its top alarm over the outbreak, AFP reports.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ JULY 31 ~ 2:30 PM EST

🐕 NATIONAL MUTT DAY

🧙 HARRY POTTER'S BIRTHDAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 17,627,270

DEATHS: 679,631

CRITICAL: 65,503

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,667,579

DEATHS: 155,994

CRITICAL: 18, 780

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 LEAVE ON AT ALL TIMES !

Just posted a very "reasonable" comment on Daily Mail which was immediately shot down. The Russian bots and idiots are working overtime! Have a bad feeling about the upcoming election. Russia has taken social media distortion to a new level.

EBola, while deadly, seems more containable, because victims are only contagious when they themselves begin to display the symptoms - unlike COVID where we can have asymptomatic people walking around for two weeks while spreading it.

Ebola is scary as hell, and don't you think it isn't.

[quote] Michael Steele to deplorables: "You will die in that bubble"

Good lord, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him not be an equivocating, pussyfooting piece of shit.

I wish the Russian trolls would learn a new phrase. "Fear mongering" is losing its bite.

The CDC reports that a coronavirus outbreak at an overnight camp in Georgia resulted in 260 sick campers and staffers.

Yeah, school's going to turn out really well.

France reported 1,346 new coronavirus infections on Friday, taking the total to 187,919 as the daily tally of new cases remained above 1,300 for the third day running, a level last seen during lockdown.

At the end of the first month of school holidays, with millions of French people traveling and mingling with friends and family not seen for weeks, the infection rate has risen back to a level last reported in late April, when the epidemic was in full swing and a strict lockdown was in place.

We all know what’s going to happen. Every school district that opens, about three weeks later huge numbers of kids will bring it home. Some of the teachers will get it and die. The kids will be traumatized because kindly but fat kindergarten teacher Mrs Smith will get sick and die.

Obese and diabetic parents are likely to die, which means Latino and black parents are much more likely to die. The poor parents with no backup. The kids may end up in foster care. Orphaned.

After a few weeks of deaths, other parents will panic and pull their kids out. But it will already have spread wildly through the entire community and local numbers will jump. Republicans will be shaken and surprised at these “unforeseen” events. Many funeral gofundme’s and Facebook calls for prayers for dying parents and teachers on ventilators, accompanied by Facebook pictures of happy, smiling, fat parents and teachers.

Wooooo, I have a crystal ball.

It's makes you wonder how many of these scenarios we have to run through before people realize that we are in this for the long haul? After the schools get shut down (again), what will be the next thing that the magical thinkers force upon the rest of society.

They have to plan this like it's an actual war that will take 2 or 3 years to control. Nobody is a chess player anymore.

Japan is a disaster. Abe was busy playing golf with Cheeto.

Trump knows he's going to lose this election. He's already lost a ton of his own money, and he's giving away every cent that isn't his. He doesn't give a freaking damn what happens to America. He's already destroyed it, and he doesn't know how or where to begin to fix it.

Vote him the fuck out !

[italic] God Bless Us Everyone !

R38 makes me laugh.

R111 I'm really stumped at Japan's reaction to COVID from the beginning of the outbreak.

I've visited the country numerous times over the years and it is one of the most organised and efficient countries you could ever wish to live in.

When the virus first emerged in Japan they were clearly in denial hoping against hope that the Olympics would be held. Despite the Government action earlier in the year being half hearted to say the least they appeared to get onto of the virus - probably more due to the high personal hygiene that the Japanese people have than anything the Government did.

Now it has got a foot hold and it ain't letting go. The Japanese Government response to me is mystifying to say the least.

I can't say I've thought about it much, r115, but my dad lived there for four years and I visited at least half a dozen times. Now that you mention it, I couldn't try to explain it except that it might be related to their special brand of male chauvinism. My Mom refused to live there.

52K cases and 829 deaths in India so far today. Truly a disaster

745 cases today here in Belgium. What will tomorrow and the next days bring? The increase here is consistent with rises throughout Europe. We are fucked...again.

Large demonstration underway in Berlin to protest against Covid-19 restrictions From Fred Pleitgen in Berlin

A large crowd that includes members of the anti-vaccine movement, far-right and neo-Nazi groups have gathered for a “sit-in” at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate to protest against the German government’s coronavirus restrictions.

A march earlier Saturday that was criticized by police for not adhering to rules on social distancing and face masks was halted by organizers. Police filed a criminal complaint against one organizer for violating hygiene rules.

Current coronavirus guidelines in Germany stipulate that people must maintain a distance of 1.5 meters (around 5 feet). Where that is not possible, face masks must be worn.

Police warned the roughly 17,000 protesters who participated in the earlier march would only be allowed to participate in the demonstration at Brandenburg Gate if they wore face coverings and maintained social distance.

A live stream from the protest showed almost no one wearing a face mask although the master of ceremonies told the crowd from the stage to maintain physical distance so as not to give the authorities “a pretext” for breaking up the event.

I see by Worldometer that California and Florida have passed New York in total recorded COVID cases and Texas is racing to join them. Their death rates are starting to look very ugly. Most interesting to me, however, is that the District of Columbia currently has the seventh highest rate of COVID related deaths. How long till Orange Nero finally comes down with a viral load his long-abused body can't deal with?

Arizona congressman tests positive for coronavirus

From CNN’s Aileen Graef and Caroline Kelly

Rep. Raul Grijalva, of Arizona, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from him released by his office.

“I currently have no symptoms, feel fine, and hope to make a quick and speedy recovery,” Grijalva said. “While I cannot blame anyone directly for this, this week has shown that there are some Members of Congress who fail to take this crisis seriously. Numerous Republican members routinely strut around the Capitol without a mask to selfishly make a political statement at the expense of their colleagues, staff, and their families."

Some context: Grijalva said earlier in the week that he would quarantine himself and get tested after fellow Congressman Louie Gohmert, of Texas, tested positive for coronavirus.

Gohmert is the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, which Grijalva is chair of. Grijalva criticized Gohmert at the time for refusing to wear a mask in the hearing.

“This stems from a selfish act by Mr. Gohmert, who is just one member of Congress," Grijalva said.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 1 ~ 2:45 PM EST

👯 INTERNATIONAL GIRLFRIENDS DAY

🥧 HOMEMADE PIE DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 17,902,510

DEATHS: 685,800

CRITICAL: 65,601

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,736,011

DEATHS: 157,278

CRITICAL: 18,685

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 LIFE SAVER !

[quote]A large crowd that includes members of the anti-vaccine movement, far-right and neo-Nazi groups have gathered for a “sit-in” at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate to protest against the German government’s coronavirus restrictions.

Come on, Germany. Do your thing! Take em out en masse. No loss to the world at all.

"...anti-vaccine movement, far-right and neo-Nazi groups..."

Repulsive, useless oxygen suckers the lot of them.

A hantavirus dubbed the "English Sweating Sickness" persisted in Western Europe not for 66 weeks, or 66 months, but 66 YEARS before it "miracously went away" in 1551.

Victims felt fine in the morning at breakfast, and were dead by teatime.

Forget about COVID-19 going away by Thanksgiving.

Hantavirus is only spread thru contact with rodent droppings or getting bitten by a rat or mouse. It is not a human to human contagion

California reported 219 Covid-19-related deaths today, the most reported in a single day in the state.

The state previously reported a high of 197 deaths in one day on Tuesday, according to numbers released by the department.

A total of 9,224 people have died in California from complications due to Covid-19.

CNN: New study finds that health care workers with adequate gloves, gowns and face masks still have 3.4 times the risk of contracting the coronavirus compared to the general population, and minority health care workers had an even greater risk of testing positive.

African American, Latino and other minority care providers were five times more likely to contract Covid-19 than their White counterparts, the study found.

I'm all for social distancing, wearing masks, and other restrictions, but if this thing is staying around as long as people are saying, WTF are people supposed to do for work and paying bills? The government is not exactly helping with stimulus money for working families to pay rent or put food on the table.

Talk to Mitch, r129.

R130 Fuck Mitch the Bitch. I wish HE would die of this virus.

If that random sample study that took place in India that showed that something like 60% of people have or have already had Covid holds up for us, then wouldn't that be a good thing to know? If 60+% of Americans have already had it, it's likely the reason the death and hospitalization rates aren't going up at nearly the rate of new infections. So many would have already had it that the most vulnerable have already been taken out by it.

But, why was India's study so different from the New York study that showed a lower rate of those having already had it? If we had a competent government, they'd be doing widespread antibody testing along with random testing of population groups for infected individuals. We'd actually know what the fuck we were dealing with if that took place. So, January we might start that, unless Russia gets it's way, I guess.

[quote]If 60+% of Americans have already had it, it's likely the reason the death and hospitalization rates aren't going up at nearly the rate of new infections.

If 60+% already had it, the infections wouldn't be skyrocketing like they are.

“with adequate gloves, gowns and face masks still have 3.4 times the risk of contracting the coronavirus”

Were any of the nurses forced to wear the same masks for weeks due to the lack of a federal reaponse?

Trump has HHS receiving the COVID info now so until he's gone we won't know what the actual stats are.

[quote]Were any of the nurses forced to wear the same masks for weeks due to the lack of a federal response?

It was a British study, but I'm sure they were:

"Not only did researchers find that minority health care workers had an increased risk of Covid-19 infection, they also found that they were more likely to report a lack of adequate PPE and said they were forced to frequently reuse equipment."

R133, 40% of Americans is still 130 million people.

What needs to happen is that every single American needs to be tested for Covid, antibodies, and T cells. Until that is done, we have no idea what is happening.

Antibodies dwindle after a couple months so there is no point to mass test. Not to mention they aren't very reliable.

Hence the T cell test, R138. Testing everyone for active infection, antibodies, and T cells covers all the bases.

There's no universal immunity, right? Every person who gets it isn't immune.

Welcome aboard Australia ...

[quote] MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia’s second-most populous state of Victoria declared a state of disaster on Sunday and imposed a nightly curfew for the capital Melbourne as part of its harshest movement restrictions to date to contain a resurgent COVID-19.

No way out

R141 If Sydney goes next I'm afraid then Australia is well and truely stuffed as Sydney & Melbourne and their respective states are the economic powerhouses of Australia. One city out and down for 6 weeks is economically doable. The two will be the end.

If Sydney's community transmission, which remain rather stable at the moment, increase to 20 or more a day for three consecutive days and Gladys doesn't introduce a level 3 lockdown for 6 weeks (which may be reduced if they snuff out all the cases that emerge in the following first two weeks of a lockdown and have next to none in weeks 3 to 4) then Sydney will go the same way Melbourne has.

On the optimistic side Sydney already had in place much better tracking and tracing than Melbourne but there is only so much they can do (and so far they have been doing an excellent job).

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 2 ~ 11:30 AM EST

🦕🦖 DINOSAURS DAY

🔮 PSYCHIC DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 18,095,335

DEATHS: 690,020

CRITICAL: 65,795

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,778,150

DEATHS: 158,039

CRITICAL: 18,720

📈 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 DO IT NOW !

If we have another record day, will we go over 160K today?

Birx is on CNN right now saying if you live in a high Covid area and have high-risk people in your household you should consider wearing a mask AT HOME.

People are now tweeting what a lot of West Coasters have thought for a while: Vegas is a hot spot for spreading COVID.

WHCA President Zeke Miller informed the press corps a member tested positive for COVID this morning. The White House Medical Unit is doing tracing.

[quote]745 cases today here in Belgium. The increase here is consistent with rises throughout Europe. We are fucked...again.

For the most recent 7 days, USA has about 12X the EUs new cases and 24X the EUs death toll on a per capita basis.

The cruise industry is still fucked! Not sure why I booked a cruise to Anartica in March to celebrate my birthday. Sure the price is 50% off but what in the world was I thinking???

Guardian-At least 40 passengers and crew from a luxury cruise liner have tested positive for Covid-19 and the authorities are still trying to trace a number of passengers from two recent Arctic voyages, public health officials in Norway said on Sunday. Four crew members on the MS Roald Amundsen were hospitalised on Friday when the ship arrived at the port of Tromsoe, and later diagnosed with the respiratory illness. Tests showed another 32 of the 158 staff were also infected, Reuters reports.

Who the hell is getting on a cruise ship right now??!??

Norwegians, apparently. It's owned by a Norwegian company.

Statistical observation:

South Africa hits new milestone: Over 500,000 cases.

Most say they're a month or more away from peaking. The country was already in a recession with 30% unemployment. Government corruption has been exposed in handling COVID. And another report at Bloomberg says the death numbers are actually much higher than what's being reported.

One thing that is never talked about with COVID is the medical bills you can receive. Everything is about low death rates or second worst case scenario, having long term damage.

No one in the US talk about the cost. Even with the best insurance, Americans are going to be paying tens of thousands of dollars if you're in the hospital for a week or longer.

Not only are the anti-maskers hurting the economy by not containing the spread and having to re-introduce lockdowns, they are also putting individuals at great financial risk. These bills could destroy many people's savings and derail their retirement goals.

R154, I thought all the major insurance companies and Medicare have all said they are not charging for Covid treatment. Even that story about that guy who got a million dollar hospital bill pointed out that it was just an itemization and he wouldn't actually be paying any of it.

R155 - I thought it was COVID tests and related dr. appts - those are free. I doubt any of the COVID hospitalization cost coverage will last or even pay all of it - including for any residual illnesses and damage from the infection.

I don't trust anything Trump has put into place. Medical bills many times come in several months after the fact.

Whichever it is, millions of Americans lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs.

Unemployed people can apply for Medicaid. If you’re unemployed, apply for it right away. You never know if you’ll need it.

It doesn’t cover every type of treatment, but it will save you from losing everything.

Many people don't have any savings to blow through. The GOP members/voters should have to pay the bills of all COVID19 sufferers, in exchange for their "freedom."

[quote] While waiting for my results, I checked the latest batch of announcements from companies trying to assure their customers that they were doing everything right. A major U.S. airline informed me how it was diligently sanitizing surfaces inside its planes and in terminals many times a day, without mentioning anything about the effectiveness of air circulation and filtering inside airplane cabins (pretty good, actually). A local business that operates in a somewhat cramped indoor space sent me an email about how it was “keeping clean and staying healthy,” illustrated by 10 bottles of hand sanitizer without a word on ventilation—whether it was opening windows, employing upgraded filters in its HVAC systems, or using portable HEPA filters. It seems baffling that despite mounting evidence of its importance, we are stuck practicing hygiene theater—constantly deep cleaning everything—while not noticing the air we breathe. How is it that six months into a respiratory pandemic, we still have so little guidance about this all-important variable, the very air we breathe?

The major insurers are, in fact, waiving all out of pocket costs for people being treated for Covid. The only way you will be screwed for now is if you employer self-funds your insurance (which seems to mean that while the insurance company adminsters the insurance, your employer actually pays for everything) because employers are allowed to opt out of waiving your costs. Hopefully, another stake in the heart of employer provided health coverage.

I remember Before, there was so much talk about how many Americans couldn't handle a surprise $400.00 expense. The economy has been helped by the unemployment surplus, so things are about ready to get Very Bad, and likely worse.

My county is back under lock down, because people wouldn't social distance, and I am feeling dark.

R160, if those places are requiring masks, that would take care of a good portion of the air part.

Americans are getting a real time demonstration of why free market capitalism provides the greatest standard of living in the world.

"Masks Do More than Protect Others during COVID-19: Reducing the Inoculum of SARS-CoV-2" a study about viral doses.

Protecting others should never have been the message. Since when did human beings ever care about "others"?

Possible origin of the SARS CoV 2 virus. Doesn't rule out human intervention / gene splicing but provides a very plausible story of where it all began.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says Netflix film "Red Notice" will resume shooting in a “quarantined bubble”

From CNN’s Sharif Paget

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced Saturday that his production company will resume shooting the Netflix film "Red Notice" in a “quarantined bubble” next month.

Johnson’s company, Seven Bucks Production, and Netflix are working together to provide a bubble for the filmmakers and crew, the actor said in a message and video posted on his Instagram account.

Johnson said that he is receiving advice from the National Basketball Association (NBA), which has resumed its season in its owned enclosed environment in Orlando, Florida.

"“They’ve been great in terms of sharing with us what has been effective with their bubble,” Johnson said. “And we are able to implement that in our bubble.” "

Hundreds gather for secret rave under NYC’s Kosciuszko Bridge

Party like it’s COVID-19 — phase four.

An illicit rave took place under the Kosciuszko Bridge in Brooklyn Saturday night, as bars and clubs remain on lockdown from the coronavirus.

Some revelers wore masks at the wild dance party that rocked into the early hours of Sunday morning, but showed a rampant disregard for social distancing guidelines, according to footage circulating on social media.

A crowd of hundreds could be seen at the unauthorized rave in Greenpoint, grooving to beats spun by DJ Mazurbate — who was behind a turntable setup wearing a surgical mask and bopping his head.

Apparently the event was meant to be a Black Lives Matter protest and it “spiraled out of hand,” according to the website Guest of a Guest.

One attendee could be seen holding a black t-shirt with the words “F–k 12” while others are holding signs in support of the Black Lives Matters movement.

DJ and producer Mike Simonetti tweeted that he declined an offer to perform at the party under the bridge because his father died alone of the coronavirus.

“I saw it as a disrespect to both my mother and everyone else who is going through what she went through,” Simonetti wrote.

“Imagine being married for 50 years and not being able to see your husband on his death bed.”

Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo blasted a weekend Hamptons concert headlined by the The Chainsmokers where 3,000 attendees openly flouted coronavirus social distancing rules.

“We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health,” the governor said about the outdoor concert.

The DJ did not respond to a request for comment. The organizers could not immediately be reached.

It's pretty clear now that Trump's October surprise will be an untested possibly inefficient vaccine he'll try to push on as many American people as possible without regards to the potentially catastrophic consequences. I hope the Joe Biden's campaign is ready for the shit show.

A coronavirus vaccine won’t change the world right away.

Public health experts are discussing among themselves a new worry: that hopes for a vaccine may be soaring too high. The confident depiction by politicians and companies that a vaccine is imminent and inevitable may give people unrealistic beliefs about how soon the world can return to normal — and even spark resistance to simple strategies that can tamp down transmission and save lives in the short term.

A proven vaccine will profoundly change the relationship the world has with the novel coronavirus and is how many experts believe the pandemic will end. In popular conception, a vaccine is regarded as a silver bullet. But the truth — especially with the earliest vaccines — is likely to be far more nuanced. Public health experts fear that could lead to disappointment and erode the already delicate trust essential to making the effort to vanquish the virus succeed.

R170 Absolutely true. It's ridiculous that everyone is putting all of their eggs in the vaccine basket. We need more resources devoted to developing treatments to take if you get infected -- something that you can take at home before you become critically ill, as well as physical mitigation efforts like better ventilation/filtering systems laid out in R160.

Also, cheaper, faster tests that could be administered daily in settings like schools.

All of these would have a greater impact on the pandemic NOW rather than the whole planet twiddling our thumbs waiting for a vaccine.

Absolutely right Sylvia!

Johns Hopkins predicts 231,000 Covid-19 deaths by November 1.

That number could be cut to 199,000 if 80-85% of Americans wore masks.

How the Pandemic Defeated America –– A virus has brought the world’s most powerful country to its knees.

New article in The Atlantic details America's failures in confronting Covid-19:

[quote]Again, everyday Americans did more than the White House. By voluntarily agreeing to months of social distancing, they bought the country time, at substantial cost to their financial and mental well-being. Their sacrifice came with an implicit social contract—that the government would use the valuable time to mobilize an extraordinary, energetic effort to suppress the virus, as did the likes of Germany and Singapore. But the government did not, to the bafflement of health experts. “There are instances in history where humanity has really moved mountains to defeat infectious diseases,” says Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “It’s appalling that we in the U.S. have not summoned that energy around COVID‑19.”

It's long but a good overview of how so many things went catastrophically wrong.

If anyone is interested in the difference between an OTA and a grant or contract.

Between mob mentality and Trump mentality, we'll all be Home Alone for Christmas.

That Atlantic writer is wrong: most Americans didn't make sacrifices in any conscious way so that the Trump Administration could get control of the pandemic in 3 months. This wasn't some unspoken "contract." Red State Americans, in particular, carried on as if it was just the flu, or a hoax, or an imposition on their freedoms and reacted angrily when a few of their governors did attempt to buy them some time.

I was thinking over the weekend how long it's been since I've woken up to any good news, either globally or personally, and I honestly can't remember. And now we're being told we could go on like this for years. I want the leaders of every country who botched this tried for, at the very least, murder.

As for me, I'm giving it until the end of the year. If we don't hear some good news, I'm checking out. I have enough to live on through then if the CARES Act isn't restored, but I don't see any reason to keep going if this thing is going to be with us for years and years and every time I go anywhere, I have to worry if I'm bringing home death or living with diminished capacities for the rest of my life. It's no way to live.

What do you mean by checking out R178?

R178, please don't do that.

Why does that MF always threaten every nation, state, leader, news organisation, and person who does not agree with him! I will celebrate in the streets when he is gone! Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Singapore to make travelers wear electronic tags to enforce quarantine

SINGAPORE – Singapore will make some incoming travelers wear an electronic monitoring device to ensure that they comply with coronavirus quarantines as the city-state gradually reopens its borders, authorities said on Monday.

From August 11, the devices will be given to incoming travelers, including citizens and residents, from a select group of countries who will be allowed to isolate at home rather than at a state-appointed facility.

Similar measures using electronic wristbands to track peoples’ movements during quarantine have been used in Hong Kong and South Korea.

Travelers to Singapore are required to activate the device, which use GPS and Bluetooth signals, upon reaching their home and will receive notifications on the device which they must acknowledge.

Any attempt to leave home or tamper with the device will trigger an alert to the authorities.

Hong Kong in March introduced a scheme for incoming travelers to use a slim electronic wristband, similar to a tag worn by hospital patients, to enforce quarantines for arriving passengers. South Korea has also used such wristbands connected to smartphone apps for those who violate quarantine.

Singapore, which has not given details on what the device will look like, said in a statement that it will not store any personal data and does not have any voice or video recording function.

Those aged 12 and below will not have to wear the devices.

The city-state, which is also planning to give all residents a wearable virus-tracing dongle, has tough punishments for breach of its quarantine and social distancing rules.

Under the Infectious Diseases Act, punishments can be fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,272) or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. It has also revoked the work passes of foreigners who flouted the rules.

Singapore has reported 52,825 coronavirus infections, mostly due to mass outbreaks in cramped migrant workers dormitories, but imported cases have been creeping up in recent days.

Nation’s top CEOs sign letter calling for urgent small businesses aid

This helps to explain Iran's very strange figures which have been steadily around 100-200 deaths per day for months. No peak ever, just a steady stream of disinformation (much like Russia, India and others).

Guardian-One person is dying from Covid-19 every seven minutes in Iran, state television in the country has said, as a report claimed the overall toll from the virus was three times higher than authorities have admitted. A health ministry spokeswoman said on Monday that 215 people had died in the past 24 hours, on top of more than 200 the previous day – the country’s highest figures in nearly a month. Iran’s official death toll is more than 17,000, but the BBC’s Farsi service said on Monday it had seen government documents indicating that the total was actually more than 42,000. The outlet said the records sent by an anonymous source showed the country’s first Covid-19 death occurred on 22 January, a month earlier than the first official case, and that overall confirmed infections were about 451,000 as of 22 July – nearly double the public figures

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Guardian-Researchers in Italy have found that Covid-19 survivors suffer higher rates of psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, insomnia and depression, according to Reuters. The survey by San Raffaele hospital in Milan showed that more than half of the 402 patients monitored after being treated for the virus experienced at least one of the disorders in proportion to the severity of the inflammation during the disease. The patients - 265 men and 137 women - were examined at a one-month follow-up after hospital treatment. Based on clinical interviews and self-assessment questionnaires, physicians found PTSD in 28% of cases, depression in 31%, anxiety in 42% of patients and insomnia in 40%, and finally obsessive-compulsive symptoms in 20%.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 3 ~ 1:00 PM EST

🥜 GRAB SOME NUTS DAY

🍉 NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

🌎 GLOBAL:

CASES: 18,323,921

DEATHS: 694,287

CRITICAL: 64,644

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,827,843

DEATHS: 158,495

CRITICAL: 18,694

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 CHOOSE LIFE !

*Big Pharma is getting a hard on right now*

69 towns could have been infected from 1 cruise ship.

Guardian- A single cruise ship could have spread the coronavirus to dozens of towns and villages across the western coast of Norway, after an outbreak was discovered aboard which infected at least five passengers and 36 crew. On Monday the Hurtigruten cruise line halted all trips and apologised for procedural errors which led to its liner, MS Roald Amundsen, continuing to sail as the outbreak spread on board, according to the Associated Press. The 41 people on the MS Roald Amundsen who tested positive have been admitted to the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsoe, north of the Arctic Circle, where the ship currently is docked. Hurtigren said it had suspended the ship and two others - MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Spitsbergen - from operating for an indefinite period. It has contacted passengers who had been on the MS Roald Amundsen for its 17-24 July and 25-31 July trips from Bergen to Svalbard. The ship had 209 guests on the first voyage and 178 guests on the second. All other crew members tested negative. But since the cruise line often acts like a local ferry, traveling from port to port along Norway’s western coast, the virus may not have been contained onboard. Some passengers disembarked along the route and may have spread the virus to their local communities. As many as 69 towns in Norway could have been affected, Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

[quote]'The next epidemic will be chronic kidney disease in the US among those who recovered from the coronavirus,'

It's just the flu!

[quote] What do you mean by checking out [R178]?

Just exactly what it sounds like. I would take my own life. Right now, what are the options? 1- Go out there and get this thing (or be terrified that every time I went out, I was in danger of getting it, no matter how careful I am, and live with that stress and terror) 2- Get this thing and if I don't die, wind up with scarred lungs, myocarditis, chronic fatigue, impaired brain function or be on dialysis. 3- Be a prisoner in my home and watch my savings dwindle away.

I had not been too fatalistic about this for the majority of the time I've been home, but come on- there has been nothing but bad news, and a large portion of the population has proven it just doesn't care. We can blame the leaders of countries (and like I said before- we ought to hold them responsible for not being more pro-active) but at some point, we have to admit that we as a civilization do not have it in us to do the right thing. I just don't see a way out that doesn't involve years of self-imprisonment, which I might be able to deal with (or at least give it a try) if I had the money to sustain myself.

Please vote before you top yourself r191.

Can I have all your stuff when you go R191

No

[quote] On Monday the Hurtigruten cruise line halted all trips and apologised for procedural errors which led to its liner, MS Roald Amundsen, continuing to sail as the outbreak spread on board

We know that saying "We're sorry" won't bring back your heart, lung, or kidney function, but we're really, truly sorry! We'll prove it by giving you a $250 credit towards your next voyage!

r191 I'm dealing with Number Three on your list. Your concerns are valid, especially if you are in a densely populated US metropolis. Going by the 2016 election statistics of how many adult US citizens didn't vote, and the adult US citizens who voted for Trump, that's a huge percentage of lazy, gullible, entitled, and sociopathic compatriots who won't make sufficient changes to slow the spread and protect their community members from falling ill from the coronavirus.

I ditto the hope you vote before you go. My husband is too sick to vote, and his state government removed him from the voter rolls, so I am asking Americans to register to vote, check registration, and vote Blue (Democratic) on his behalf.

I said I would give it to the end of the year, so yes, I will be voting. I live in California, so it's not likely to make much difference, but I will anyway.

Don’t kill your self, just call out to your congressman and senator and keep up pressure on social media.

The republican senate came crawling back to Capitol Hill today so have some hope.

The democrats are working hard to pass a stimulus but need your help.

Seriously r191, of the three options, only #3 is guaranteed. 50-80% of people who get this won't notice. Fear and terror can be reduced by self-hypnosis and therapy. If you truly have no known existing issues, #2 might be a projected fear. You can minimize your 'transmission vectors' and you can build your immune system. Looking at news and freaking out will overcharge your adrenal glands and fatigue you. Baby steps.

Get active in a sister state or county of your vote doesn’t pull much punch.

This has been a nasty coup since 2016. Hang in there.

[quote] Seriously [R191], of the three options, only #3 is guaranteed. 50-80% of people who get this won't notice. Fear and terror can be reduced by self-hypnosis and therapy. If you truly have no known existing issues, #2 might be a projected fear. You can minimize your 'transmission vectors' and you can build your immune system. Looking at news and freaking out will overcharge your adrenal glands and fatigue you. Baby steps.

I actually do have pre-existing conditions (not to that it seems to matter, considering the number of cases of kidney failure and heart damage where there were no pre-existing conditions), but my immune system is such that if I got this, it would go haywire and attack my body. I've had it happen to me twice in the past 15 years, both with lesser kinds of damage than what is happening with COVID, but neither involved a virus. Both times I had to go through year long therapies to calm my immune system down.

just yesterday I found out someone I knew on fb died and it was suicide. He was HIV positive and heavy set, he was very high risk and it was just too much for him mentally. He was a very nice and generous person, I knew him from visiting a restaurant he worked at.

There must be a hotline you can call. Someone you can talk to. Take care R191. I hope you stay.

[quote]my immune system is such that if I got this, it would go haywire and attack my body.

I've read of 90somethings in nursing homes who tested positive and never felt a thing. Your immune system is shot by them, but they didn't even have a sniffle.

I know somebody who's obese and has progressive lung disease -- she tested positive and the only symptom was a two-day headache.

There are still many mysteries to be unlocked about this virus.

🤔 [italic] Nobody knows nothin 'bout The Corona.

CNN @CNN · 30m Two teenagers in Florida have died from Covid-19 complications, according to data posted by the Florida Department of Health. The teens were between the ages of 14 and 17, the department said.

CBS Evening News @CBSEveningNews · 6m More than 250 employees in Georgia’s largest public school district have reported testing positive for the coronavirus or possibly being exposed to it about a week before the school year is set to begin, according to district officials.

The Deaths of 150,000 Americans Are on Trump’s Hands.

Donald Trump will never pay for what he’s done. Oh, he might lose an election. He might even be compelled to leave office once he loses (though that is still kind of up in the air). But Trump will never be held criminally accountable for the deaths he has caused. We cannot calculate how many Americans would have died even if we did everything right versus how many Americans have died and will die because Trump has done everything wrong, but that number is large. The delta is monstrous.

Trump and his administration should be treated like mass murderers. (But) Everybody involved in allowing people to die from Covid-19 will get away with it, because being a bad person is not illegal. Magical thinking is not illegal. Being a callous, know-nothing, anti-science, willfully ignorant Trump sycophant is not illegal. Allowing people to die in the hope of suppressing voter turnout to win an election is not illegal.

Over 150,000 people are dead. Many, many more will die. And nobody will be held accountable for causing this mass die-off of Americans. There will never be justice for those who have died from the neglect of the Trump administration.

The people responsible for these deaths are monsters. The least we can do is start treating them as such.

Only 2.5% of Italians have Covid-19 antibodies, government study shows

From CNN's Livia Borghese in Rome and Mia Alberti in Lisbon

Authorities in Italy have found that only 2.5% of Italians, or 1,482,000 people, have Covid-19 antibodies despite it being one of the countries hardest hit by coronavirus in Europe.

According to the results of a national survey released on Monday, the northern region of Lombardy, the worse-hit by the pandemic, reported the highest number of people with antibodies, 7.5%, while the two main Italian islands, Sicily and Sardinia, had the lowest number of 0.3 % of the population.

“The different results of the survey in the country’s territory are very relevant. This means that the tough and rigorous measure adopted by the central and regionals governments, and the correct behavior of the Italian people avoided a more massive spread of the virus,” Minister of Health Roberto Speranza said during a news conference on Monday.

According to the survey, almost a third of those who tested positive for antibodies were asymptomatic and the most frequent source of infection, in 41.7 % of the cases, is from a relative living in the same house.

The current number of people with antibodies is six times higher than that registered during the pandemic, said Linda Laura Sabbadini, director of the National Institute for Statistics (Istat).

More on the survey: The survey, carried out in collaboration with the Italian Red Cross, between May 25 and July 15, tested blood samples from 64,660 people from 2,000 villages and cities across Italy, split by sex, occupation and age groups. The survey did not include people living in health care facilities.

In May, the government had said the survey would include 150,000 people, but "the health emergency made the survey procedure more complicated,” but still "an incredibly useful source of data," Sabbadini explained during a press conference.

r178 we all chose to be living at this time. Why? so we could help to do something about it. It may be around for one maybe 2 years but then it will be over. The people that died helped in their way by making this what it is so that we can transition to a new way of being. We are to help that transition for those that come after us. I know this all seems awful and hopeless but the only way to get major changes done is like this. Hold on so you can see what this has done in the end to help the world. Be a part of this history. You didn't choose to come here just so you could bail out in the middle of it.

No one chose to be here at this time, idiot.

[quote]Fear and terror can be reduced by self-hypnosis and therapy.

How will people with dwindling finances afford therapy?

And yes, some 90 year old somewhere probably did have COVID and only suffered from a mere sniffle, but the majority of at-risk people probably won't be able to say the same.

Study: Majority of nursing home residents who had COVID-19 didn't show symptoms.

A majority of residents carrying the virus in a King County, WA nursing home — 57 percent — were "asymptomatic."

I just saw this. “ A top official at the Federal Reserve has recommended that the U.S. were to 'lock down really hard' for four to six weeks, in order to save the ailing economy.

Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, said on Sunday that Congress can well afford large sums for coronavirus relief efforts.

The economy, which in the second quarter suffered its biggest blow since the Great Depression, would be able to mount a robust recovery, but only if the virus were brought under control, he told CBS' Face the Nation.”

Didn’t we do this in March/April? It’s like we’re back to square one again. Is there no one in authority with a plan? And I do feel for the poster R191 up-thread. More than frustrating, it’s all life threatening.

🧐 QUE ? R209

Cheetolini is our president, so, no, there is no one in authority. If Biden is elected, he will at least put competent people in place who can implement long-term strategies to deal with COVID. Even so, I fear Trump's followers and much of the right-wing ilk will do what they can to sabotage efforts so that this virus can never be fully controlled long after he is out of office.

College Students will be the SuperSpreaders .

Imagine life in a dorm or a frat house.

Eating in a cafeteria.

Open classrooms.

There is no way on earth ANY school, college, or university can safely reopen during a widespread and growing pandemic.

Same goes for just about everything else.

r210 all people see things differently and believe in different things but the difference between you and me is that I don't need to insult those that don't see or believe what I see and believe.

[quote]The United States leads the world in Covid-19 deaths, nearing 150,000 lost lives. The unemployment figures brought on by the pandemic are mind-boggling. The Trump administration’s slow and haphazard response has been widely criticized. But what does it look like to young people around the world, whose governments moved quickly and aggressively to contain the coronavirus?

[quote]It is like a clip from Veep, except it is real

This is our President. Our President of the United States.

I don’t think this nightmare will end when there will be a vaccine. On the contrary, the drama will become more intense. I know several people who will definitely refuse to get the vaccine. What will happen with them? Can they get fired? Will they be allowed to travel? I am sure there will be many lawsuits coming and a lot of bad blood.

R219. Beyond pathetic. We are fucked

Another pearl of wisdom from Donald Trump:

[italic] "When I took over the country there was no vaccine"

"When I took over the country"

New York City reported no Covid-19 deaths for the 3rd straight day

From CNN's Kristina Sgueglia

For the third straight day, New York City saw no Covid-19 related deaths, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a release.

Cuomo reported three people died of the virus across the state Monday.

The state added 746 cases, a 1.05% positivity rate as a result of tests reported to the state Monday.

New York State also added Rhode Island to its Covid-19 travel quarantine advisory, and removed Delaware and Washington, DC, according to the governor’s office.

Lies! Lies! Lies! Yeah!

The New York Times @nytimes · 50m Breaking News: New York City’s health commissioner resigned after clashing with Mayor Bill de Blasio over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak

I want that fucking vaccine stat

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

+700K deaths now worldwide and +159.5K deaths in the US. It's looking like a 2 for 1 special kind of night.

OK, Walter Mercado @ r217

ACTIV trials announcement by NIH on Facebook live. DL won’t let me post the link.

Shit. It went from 150k to 160k awfully quick. I stopped looking at the stats daily when it hit 150 and now, a blink of an eye later...

Biden on the attack

Guardian- The presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Joe Biden, told Donald Trump “to step up and do your job” on Tuesday, highlighting that it had been a month since Trump most recently predicted the coronavirus would “just disappear”. “He was wrong – and more than 25,000 Americans died due to the virus last month,” Biden tweeted on Tuesday morning. “Mr President, step up and do your job before even more American families feel the pain of losing a loved one.”

It will probably be like the Swine Flu vaccine in the 70s.. A lot of people will rush out to get it, but then you'll start hearing all kinds of stories of it making people sick a different way, or even causing death. Today's culture of social media will compound this problem. Of course, some stories are true, as with this more recent vaccine for the Swine Flu.

R229: That is with the weekend lag...I am afraid to see what the stats will look like by Thurs/Fri.

If only medical science had advanced in the last 45 years, R234...

The interview that Jonathan Swan did with Chump is a masterpiece. This is the blueprint for dealing with Chump from now on. I hope that Biden can use excerpts from the interview in campaign adds. Absolutely stunning!

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 4 ~ 3:00 PM EST

🍪 NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY

🛥️ UNITED STATES COAST GUARD DAY

🎂 BARACK OBAMA'S BIRTHDAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 18,580,916

DEATHS: 700,590

CRITICAL: 65,743

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,888,389

DEATHS: 159,618

CRITICAL: 18,706

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT !

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

One of my fellow high school students in the 70's was one of the first to get the swine flu vaccine, and spent two weeks in the hospital due to an allergic reaction. It wasn't a common reaction to the shot, but it frightened enough parents to say no to the vaccine for themselves and their children.

But the strangest thing of all was that the Dreaded Swine Flu Epidemic of the seventies never occurred as predicted.

More than half of Covid19 patients had psychiatric disorders BEFORE they were hospitalized.

R236, what does R234's post have to do with anything from 45 years ago (presuming you're referring to the 1976 swine flu outbreak)? The posted article is about a debacle perpetrated by GlaxoSmithKline in 2009. While medical science has evolved since then, we now have even further devolved governments who've proved to be untrustworthy and in the pockets of corporations. It's a given that these devolved governments will prioritize profit, power and politics over conducting due diligence to ensure that these purported vaccines are entirely safe.

It is what it is.

Swine Flu Injection Gun!

[quote] More than half of Covid19 patients had psychiatric disorders BEFORE they were hospitalized.

I can’t wait to see where the Repugs are going to try to take this little bit of bullshit

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issues statewide mask mandate:

[quote]"I want to see college football. The best way for that to occur is for us all to realize is that wearing a mask, as irritating as that can be & I promise I hate it more than anyone watching, is critical."

He's figured out that his citizens aren't going to mask up to save their friends' an neighbors' lives, so he's trying connect it to something they actually care about.

Guardian-Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the US Open citing concerns over coronavirus. The four-time winner at Flushing Meadows does not want to travel to the United States while Covid-19 cases are on the rise. He joins women’s world number one Ashleigh Barty in pulling out of the tournament due to the threat of coronavirus. “After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it,” Nadal wrote.

Guardian-Walt Disney has reported a rare quarterly loss as the Covid-19 pandemic pummeled its theme parks, television networks and movie studio businesses, even as the crisis helped its streaming services gain users. The outbreak forced the company to close some of its parks globally, delay the release of films, including the much-anticipated Mulan, while also dampening advertising on its media networks segment that includes the sports-starved ESPN. Net loss from continuing operations was $4.72bn, or $2.61 per share, in the third quarter ended 27 June, compared with a net profit of $1.43bn, or 79 cents per share, a year earlier.

160K deaths now in the US according to Worldometer.

THE HILL: A vast majority of voters support the idea of a national mask mandate, a new Hill-HarrisX poll finds.

Eighty-two percent of registered voters in the July 26-27 survey said they'd support a national mandate to wear facial coverings, including 61 percent who "strongly" back the idea and 21 percent who "somewhat" support it.

Support it bipartisan – 93 percent of Democratic voters, 85 percent of independents and 66 percent of Republicans endorse it.

I think we can forget about football on any level for the 2020 - 2021 season.

So far, so good for the NHL playoffs.

Can I just get Covid and die, already? Seriously, OVER all of life. I see no future for myself.

I cannot believe we have completely lost our minds over this when not even 1% of the population has it. And yes, 160,000 people are dead, but 625,000 people die from heart disease in this country every year and no one is closing down fast food restaurants. Also, I just got back from the grocery store where they seemed to be having shortages on stuff still. And if I have to pass one more family with all their kids with them while they shop I'm going to fucking lose it. Let your kids stay home. We were staying home alone while my mother went to the store when we were like 10 years old. What is up with having the full family in tow? It was annoying when we didn't have this bullshit "social distancing" mandate, and now it's even moreso.

Four months old, but likely still relevant:

"Coronavirus Case Counts Are Meaningless*

*Unless you know something about testing. And even then, it gets complicated".

I found this information about mortality rates on the Ohio Covid-19 websites.

THESE ARE NOT CASE MORTALITY RATES, WHICH WOULD BE LOWER.

This is the rate that people died if they entered the hospital for Covid-19 by age group.

What are the chances you die if you go to the hospital in Ohio for Covid-19? (Divide Death count by Hospitalizations for every age group)

Age 80 or older: 92%

Age 70 to 79: 41%

Age 60 to 69: 21%

Age 50 to 59: 12%

Age 40 to 49: 6%

Every age group younger than 40 had a death rate between 1% and 3%

Again, THESE ARE NOT CASE MORALITY RATES WHICH WOULD BE LOWER. These are the percentage of people who died if they went to the hospital for Covid-19 in Ohio.

Notes: the death rates for people entering the hospital for Covid-19 could now be lower than stated above since those rates are based on statistics from March to present. We should assume that the rates are now lower since there is a better understanding of how to treat Covid-19 patients.

The Ohio Covid-19 site indicates that the median age of the people who died was 80 years old.

"Just what makes that little old troll. Think he'll make light of the Covid death toll... "

"But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes. He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes"

[quote]And yes, 160,000 people are dead, but 625,000 people die from heart disease in this country every year and no one is closing down fast food restaurants.

When was the last time you could catch heart disease merely from being in an enclosed space with someone else? People can avoid fast food places, but most of us will have to enter a store sooner or later. Besides, you are disingenously equating a year of heart disease deaths with fewer than 6 months of COVID deaths.

Covid-19 isn't just about mortality rates, R255. The many sequelae, even among younger people with mild symptoms, are just being discovered. Including--as just one example--a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

[quote]More than HALF of hospitalised Covid-19 patients develop a psychiatric disorder after being discharged, Italian study finds

I'm not surprised. I'm developing a psychiatric disorder just from being at home all the fucking time, having to be afraid of my groceries, and having to be around the idiot public at work.

Oh, no question, R260. The mental health disruptions of the pandemic (and its economic fallout) will be pronounced and enduring. We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

But infection appears to sometimes cause physical/neurologic damage that outlasts the virus. That's one reason the proponents of school re-opening in regions with significant caseloads are so irresponsible. Kids over 10 get infected almost as easily as adults. Their symptoms may be mild or non-existent, but the long term consequences are unknown and potentially far more serious.

I'm hoping one consequence is infertility. All the fucking idiots who won't wear masks and refuse to stop partying won't be able to procreate and pass on their defective genes.

...And we all know that Covid-19 deaths are under-reported even in the US. Excess deaths, excess deaths, excess deaths

[quote] So far, so good for the NHL playoffs.

Except for the Habs losing

R264 A hotel full of hockey players who aren't allowed to leave should provide many DLers with wank material for weeks!

[quote] The NHL "bubble" consists of limited areas in two hub cities — Edmonton and Toronto — where team personnel will be required to remain as the league tries to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Each club is taking up one floor in a designated hotel. Other access areas include arenas, practice facilities, dining destinations (hotel restaurants and bars, and conference areas where food is brought in) and "other demarcated areas (indoor and outdoor)," according to the league's Phase 4 protocols. Individual access will be decided by the person's role with the club.

Did they bring designated hookers into the bubble?

They draw straws

My turn in the barrel!

The majority of Americans now know someone who has been infected with Coronavirus.

On March 23 - it was 9%

On August 3 - it is 51%

20% of all new Covid-19 cases in New York City come from travelers from other states

From CNN's Julian Cummings

The New York City Test and Trace Corps says that one-fifth of all new Covid-19 cases have been linked to travelers coming in from other states, Dr. Ted Long, head of the New York City Test and Trace Corps, said at a news conference.

Travelers booking a flight, hotel, or arriving in New York City are now required to fill out an online traveler form when coming to the city, according to Long

“The reason that form is important is because that is how we get the information to reach out and call you and ask how we can help,” Long said.

The Test and Trace Corps will additionally begin deploying teams to Penn Station tomorrow to make sure travelers have filled out the form and will make them do so if they have not, Long added.

“We want you to come into New York city but we need you to safely separate for 14 days when you arrive to keep new York city safe,” Long said.

“Test and trace corps has made 86.500 phone calls to people in quarantine and sent 20,870 text messages. We have deployed teams that are now knocking on doors to make sure you are safe,” Long added.

New York City will set up vehicle "quarantine checkpoints" for out-of-state drivers, mayor says

New York City will put a stronger focus on out-of-state drivers coming in from states on the tri-state quarantine list by setting up checkpoints at key entry points into the city, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced at a press conference.

“Travelers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine, they will be reminded that is required and not optional. They will be reminded that failure to quarantine is a violation of state law and it comes with serious penalties.” Mayor de Blasio said.

The checkpoints will be at major bridge and tunnel crossings, according to New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito.

The announcement comes after Mayor de Blasio said that the New York City’s positivity rate has been below 3% since June 10.

“This is serious stuff and it’s time for everyone realizes it. If we are going to hold at this level at health and safety in this city and get better we have to deal with the fact that the quarantine must be applied consistently” de Blasio added.

The checkpoints will start today, according to de Blasio.

New York Times World @nytimesworld · 14m Anyone returning to Germany from 130 different countries and regions will have to take a coronavirus test. But it's fast — and free.

Anyone still out there shouting "Mary" at those of us who believe that Covid19 has changed our lives forever?

Chicago Public Schools, the third-largest school district in the nation, will begin the school year virtually, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 5 ~ 12:30 PM EST

🐶 WORK LIKE A DOG DAY

👙 NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 18,820,095

DEATHS: 706,759

CRITICAL: 65,390

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,927,285

DEATHS: 160,520

CRITICAL: 18,417

📊 WORLDOMETER

😷 NOTHIN' FUNNY 'BOUT THE CORONA

[quote] Anyone still out there shouting "Mary" at those of us who believe that Covid19 has changed our lives forever?

Can we call you a big fucking MARY for holding on to this stupid, petty grudge for all these months?

The Repugs say things like r276 as if they’re not still spouting off stupid nonsense about not wearing masks and opening schools.

[quote] Can we call you a big fucking MARY for holding on to this stupid, petty grudge for all these months?

You want someone to let go of a grudge, you might try apologizing for being wrong first.

[quote]Can we call you a big fucking MARY for holding on to this stupid, petty grudge for all these months?

No.

R276 = Kayleigh McNinny @TheRealKayleighMcNinny

My point was- Of all the things to be worried about with COVID, all R273 could think about was getting recognition for being some sort of a sage (as if). Who gives a fuck, you selfish queen? Yeah, you are a MARY.

^^^ YOUR point, Karen, is meaningless.

That's rich, coming from the Corona Poll Troll. We all know about you.

Time to start blocking. The trolls and bots are back in full force as the situation deteriorates in the US. Funny how that works.

[quote]Anyone still out there shouting "Mary" at those of us who believe that Covid19 has changed our lives forever?

Yes, Mary, because you don't seem to understand what the word 'forever' means. Moron.

😍R283 is the nutball who is sporting a massive hard on for the CORONA POLL TROLL.

SARS-CoV-2 has probably changed the way my office functions forever in terms of staff working from home vs in office and also where home is for some staff.

While everyone I know who has had it has lived so far, I know a number of people who lost close family members. Their lives are changed forever.

There isn't much press about it, but a number of non-profits that handle serious diseases (cancer, diabetes, etc.) have had significant funding shortfalls and have had to cancel or significantly reduce funding for ongoing research grants. You might not realize it as you die of *insert type of cancer her*years from now, but that study would have saved your life.

And don't get me started on college young'uns and school age kids and the lost proms and graduations and changed plans that will impact them for the rest of their lives. And the WEDDINGS.My wife and I had five to attend this year - broadcast via nest, pushed back then cancelled, pushed back, pushed back, only immediate family.

For anyone interested in homemade mask materials updates:

"As of now, MASKFAQ.com has over 100 options and it is often difficult to navigate or understand for the everyday sew-er, so I have decided to team up with my textile artist friend, Debra M. Smith to create a sister site called DIYMASKFAQ.com. This site will simply address EVERYTHING we have learned about fit, filtration, combos, etc BUT in easy to understand format.

I will continue to develop and test my mask pattern for fit and seal- (we want that 200 Fit Factor!), we will continue to ask questions about safety of materials and answer all of your questions. I hope to make a few videos on how I sew 100 masks in a hour! Or why a cupped shape mask is more breathable then a pleated!"

For Europe (courtesy: Shalamar):

"The second time around Ooh, the second time is so much better, baby The second time around And I'll make it better than the first time"

"....Not like the first time (not like the first time) Not like the first time (not like the first time) Not like the first time Talking 'bout the second time"

Welcoming Florida to the very exclusive 500K Club!

We have to give them credit since the state is nearly half the population of California, the only other member.

Receiving some strange messages today that I have been blocked from Worldometer when clicking on the US line for detailed stats by State. Fortunately, it is off and on and I can still see the sad progression of US deaths relative to other countries on the main page. Seriously? Blocked from World-O-fucking-meter for clicking on links on their homepage? Chump/Putin, is that you?

For sure, the Devil is hard at work behind the scenes. John Hopkins, watch out!

R290. And they are only reporting some of the deaths due to their disclaimers concerning private care homes and non residents.

R293 There's evidence that many states have possibly underreported their COVID deaths. This article from mid-July gives an overview of the problem, then lists statistics from each state.

The numbers for Florida are on page 3 of the article.

Able to bypass the Worldometer block by simply opening a new browser...for now. Fortunately, I have many computers and will never stop searching for the truth. Never.

I am with R295!

I've had no problem today with Worldometer. I just keep the page bookmarked, and use Google.

Here are the latest stats:

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 5 ~ 6:15 PM EST

🐶 WORK LIKE A DOG DAY

👙 NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 18,922,063

DEATHS: 709,291

CRITICAL: 65,484

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 SAVE THE WORLD !

CASES: 4,964,551

DEATHS: 161,436

CRITICAL: 18,426

So 1.37% of the population of the US has Covid.

Remind me again why we are freaking the fuck out?

[quote] Remind me again why we are freaking the fuck out?

[quote] CDC Study: Coronavirus Infection Numbers May Be up to 24 Times Higher Than Reported. Still, the U.S.’s numbers are nowhere near what would be needed for herd immunity. (USAToday, July 21, 2020)

Well, R298, CDC thinks that the actual infection rate is substantially higher than that. Plus, we're having trouble with all the dead bodies cluttering up the place.

R298 , Jonathan Swan of Axios is on the phone, and he has some questions for you. Be sure to bring your graphs.

And a Sharpie r298!

🤔 I'm sure that the wide variations and estimations of statistics are all "honest" mistakes.

WaPo: Twitter said it will require President Trump to remove a post containing coronavirus misinformation, banning him from tweeting until he does so.

President Trump’s tweet of a video clip from a Fox News interview — in which he said that children are “almost immune” from covid-19 — violates the site’s rules against misinformation, the company said.

Daaaaaamn.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announces he is authorizing the city to shut off water and power to any houses or businesses that are hosting any parties or unauthorized large gatherings. It will begin Friday night, and LAPD will respond, then contact DWP to cut it off.

That's great, R306. Hope the other cities follow course.

R304: Wow! Even Twitter is getting sick of his bullshit. Did he remove the post?

Stores in Vermont are screening shoppers before they are let in (some stores). One level is asking the same questions many workers must answer each time they go into the office ie have you been out of the state in the past 14 days? have you been around anyone suspected or confirmed to have covid? if you are not a Vermonter, did you quarantine for the past 14 days? etc. and you can and will be denied entry. some are doing no contact temperature checks.

Vietnam's makeshift hospital looks pretty cool to me, well designed.

[quote]VIDEO: Vietnam to open makeshift COVID-19 hospital as cases surge in Danang.

[quote]The city is converting a sports complex into a 2000-bed hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. The city has reported more than 180 cases since July 25. It recorded its first coronavirus death on July 31

Okay, I screwed up the link at r310. It's supposed to be a tweet from Agence France Press about Vietnamese response.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 6 ~ 9:00 AM EST

🎈 " BALLOONS TO HEAVEN" BALOON RELEASE DAY

🍺 INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,009,662

DEATHS : 711,913

CRITICAL: 65,505

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 4,974,277

DEATHS: 161,635

CRITICAL: 18,425

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 PROTECT

🧤 WASH & SANITIZE OFTEN

Shit. Well over 160k deaths.

The Habs won last night so I'll concentrate on that.o

CNNL Dr. Deborah Birx said there are encouraging signs across the South, a region hit hard by a surging pandemic in recent weeks, but she outlined new areas of concern in a private phone call with state and local officials Wednesday.

Cities remaining at high levels or experiencing upticks: Baltimore, Atlanta, Kansas City, Portland, Omaha, Chicago, Boston, Detroit & DC.

States: California (Central Valley region), Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia.

[quote] Dr. Deborah Birx said there are encouraging signs across the South

How was she able to say anything with her lips pressed firmly against Trump's asscheeks?

I wish Birx and Fauci would just walk out and not look back. No need for a formal notice, tell Trump to stick it, and just go.

Let Trump's so called "expert "Dr. Mikey Pence take over the official duties.

All that Trump posterior smooching by Dr. Birx has morphed into a full blown ass kicking for the esteemed Doctor from her hero Trump.

Proof that a great education does not guarantee good common sense.

Dr Birx and Sen Collins seem to be cut from the same cloth, they defer to The Men. Dr Birx in particular has been doing it her whole life.o

I’m with you r316. Their reputations are in tatters. Their continued presence seems ineffective at this point. Fauci has death threats. Just walk already.

Unfortunately, Trump would replace Fauci and Birx with the lady doc from Texas, the one who thinks demons get you sick.

[quote]Unfortunately, Trump would replace Fauci and Birx with the lady doc from Texas, the one who thinks demons get you sick.

She probably believes in blood-letting to balance the humors.

[quote]Unfortunately, Trump would replace Fauci and Birx with the lady doc from Texas, the one who thinks demons get you sick.

BTW, the demon semen doc is apparently behind a new directive from the Texas medical board, warning health providers that it can take action against those who promise a cure for Covid-19.

Fauci shouldn't have to quit, why can't Trump quit? Trump even admits that no one likes him, so he should be the one to leave.

BTW, the demon semen doc is apparently [italic]the reason[/italic] behind a new directive from the Texas medical board,

No worries, Trump told Geraldo Rivera this morning that we'll have a coronavirus vaccine right around the time of the election.

🧟I vuud luv Leddy Vudoo Doktor enn Vhite Haus.

Soooo eggzighting, joost like old cuntry.

If demons zero in on you and strike you down with The Corona, Trump shouldn't have been the first victim.

🤭 Oops ! Trump SHOULD have been the first victim.

Just got home from my first COVID-19 test...

It was the first time in my life I wish someone hadn't gone so deep into my holes.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has tested positive for COVID-19. He has no symptoms at this time.

He was tested as part of the standard protocol to greet President Trump on the tarmac at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland.

Nelson Metz?

How many convalescent plasma infusions do you think Trump's gotten thus far? With his many exposures and lack of precautions, you know he's been mainlining the stuff. I'd love to see his antibody test results.

R332, fat hope!

I'd rather see his taxes.

Fattest vampire ever, r332

kyNews @SkyNews · 1m BREAKING: Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra have been added to the UK's coronavirus quarantine list, after a spike in cases in the affected countries.

The New York Times @nytimes · 1m People without symptoms carry just as much of the coronavirus in their nose, throat and lungs as those with symptoms, and for almost as long, a new study has found. About 30% of those infected never develop symptoms yet probably spread the virus.

From what population group does Trump get his continuous plasma infusions? Small children in Kolkota slums? Strapping young varsity Red State football players? Horny Ozark teen partygoers?

He probably made a deal with Peter Thiel for the blood of male teenage virgins, R337.

I thought it was my imagination, about two weeks ago some fat old guy wearing a pair of wrinkled khakis and a navy jacket with a Mar-A-Lago logo was walking around the grounds of the orphanage, checking out the residents. When he was done, he told Fr. Feeney that he didn't find any suitable candidates, and left. I thought he looked familiar, but all those fat, orange haired circus clowns look alike to me.

OMG ......... Now I know it was HIM, and I know what he was looking for ...... The gift of life from tiny children!

Are you suggesting he doesn't get them, R337? Convalescent plasma is being used informally for treatment resistant COVID patients worldwide. Trump took hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis despite it being useless, not to mention in short supply for RA patients who actually need it. I would wager very large sums he's getting plasma infusions.

Researchers behind an influential model are projecting that the US death toll from coronavirus could reach nearly 300,000 by December 1 -- but that can be changed if Americans consistently wear masks.

"The US forecast totals 295,011 deaths by December," the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation statement says.

The statement said that if 95% of the people in the US wear face coverings, the number would decrease to 228,271 deaths, and a total of more than 66,000 lives.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 6 ~ 6:30 PM EST

🎈 "BALLOONS TO HEAVEN" ~ BALLOON RELEASE DAY

🍺 INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,211,939

DEATHS: 716,029

CRITICAL: 65,314

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,024,694

DEATHS: 162,629

CRITICAL: 18,437

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 GOTTA DO IT EVERYDAY !

Well that will never happen

Imagine having it within your power to help save 66,000 American lives simply by putting a piece of cloth over your nose and mouth -- and refusing.

Selfish doesn't begin to cover it. It's monstrous.

It's Treasonous .........

Off with his head !

From the IMHE release: [quote] IHME’s model assumes that states will reimpose a series of mandates, including non-essential business closures and stay-at-home orders, when the daily death rate reaches 8 per million. This threshold is based on data regarding when states and/or communities imposed mandates in March and April, and implies that many states will have to reimpose mandates. However, if mask use is increased to 95%, the re-imposition of stricter mandates could be delayed 6 to 8 weeks on average.

Seems the US is beyond fucked now, with the assumptions of re-imposition of non-essential business closures are inevitable, the delay being the only variable (6-8 weeks), and that a resident's virus particles linger for hours outdoors, just waiting to enter the eyes of mail deliverers, package deliverers, and LDS & Jehovah Witnesses, whoever gets within six feet of a residence's entryway (" if 95% of the people in the US were to wear masks when leaving their homes", New IHME COVID-19 Forecasts See Nearly 300,000 Deaths by December 1, August 6 2020).

I'd rather have a 6-8 week non-essential business closure early in the pandemic, and every effort made to facilitate contact-free purchase and service transactions, understanding most of us will eventually be infected, and messaging NOW, six weeks before autumn equinox and onset of peak influenza season, on how to gradually bolster the immune system.

I don’t think there will be much of a flu season given the increase in hand washing, distancing and mask wearing and decrease in travel. Influenza is much less infectious than SARS-CoV-2.

And bolstering the immune system can be a double edged sword for a disease that causes some of its deaths via cytokine storm. I mean dexamethasone is one of the two proven treatments and it is an immune suppressant.

R329 what state are you in?

Of the three I've had, it's always been the drive-thru do-it-yourself method (oral swab). Results were back the very next day.

I always feel I'm doing something wrong when it's so damn easy.

'To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d. The goal should be to raise 25(OH)D concentrations above 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L). For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin D3 doses might be useful."

[italic]Nutrients[/italic] . 2020 Apr 2;12(4):988. doi: 10.3390/nu12040988.

"Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths"

PMID: 32252338 PMCID: PMC7231123 DOI: 10.3390/nu12040988

I’m in Virginia and I’ve been tested twice. The first one I got negative result three days later. The second one was through CVS and I never got the results. They lost them and you try to call and you get a message saying how overwhelmed they are. I’m not sick, I was trying to be careful since I traveled on a plane.

Oh, dear r340. Dear, dear r340.....thinks Trump actually took hydroxychloroquine.

R347 Already posted about this on one of the previous threads ... But some countries in the Southern Hemisphere have seen little influenza during the current season down there owing to all the precautions being taken for COVID.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has now tested NEGATIVE for coronaovirus after testing positive earlier today. The first test was required screening before meeting with President Trump which DeWine didn't do after testing positive.

WaPo says:

[quote] DeWine’s initial screening in Cleveland, ahead of his planned meeting with President Trump, was an antigen test, while the test he took later in the day was done via the polymerase chain reaction method, which is used more commonly than the screening required before having contact with Trump.

[quote] While PCR tests are considered more reliable, the wait time to receive results is longer than antigen tests, which can be run in minutes.

R348, I'm in OK. Everyone in my county goes to the health department for a "drive up" test. You call ahead and schedule a time to go. Once you get there, you call the office to check in, and the nurse comes to your vehicle. The test I got was a nasal swab. It was kind of like a q-tip without much of the cotton on the end, and felt like the nurse was trying to hit brain with how far she went up my nose.

I teared up, and coughed a little. It didn't hurt, but it was quite uncomfortable. I should get results in three to five days.

Can you believe the republicans pigs in Washington let the recovery aid money expire?

Of all the evil things they can do, they punish working families and children. They are not getting nearly enough hell for this.

I am really shocked that they did this.

[quote]and that a resident's virus particles linger for hours outdoors

What?

Japan has now identified more than 900 cases of Covid-19 for 10 days in a row

From CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

apan's Health Ministry recorded 1,490 Covid-19 infections on Thursday, the second-highest number of cases the country has identified in a single day during the pandemic and yet another worrying sign that its latest outbreak shows no signs of abating.

Thursday marks the 10th straight day the country has recorded more than 900 cases of the novel coronavirus. Authorities have now identified at least 44,527 cases of Covid-19, more than half of which have been reported since the beginning of July

Seven deaths were reported Thursday, bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,046.

Trouble in Tokyo: Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike urged people in the Japanese capital to refrain from traveling during the upcoming Obon summer vacation season to stop the infection spread.

Authorities reported 360 new infections in Tokyo on Thursday, the 10th consecutive day of more than 200 cases in row.

To date, more than 14,500 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Japanese capital.

Why the fuck aren't countries locking down travel? It's like watching the stupidest people in the world try to do calculus. Why can't any countries figure out to stop moving the fuck around and sit still for a couple months in order to not die? This is what happens in a world that has spent generations worshipping extroverts and their moronic, toddler-like ways. Where's that study?

Introverts, Extroverts, and Covid: How to Die Dumb While Partying Hardy

R358 extroverts are the downfall of EVERYTHING.

Extroversion isn't the problem. Stupidity is, full stop.

R353 DeWine just didn’t want to meet up with Trump. Who would?! Mission accomplished!

R360 They frequently go hand in hand.

R357 Doesn't everyone in Japan wear masks? WTF is going on? I need more details.

The Trump Administration is a "Make Up The Rules As You Go, Change Them If They Don't Suit You" governing body.

No plan.

Never had one. Never will.

65% of Americans say they would get an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine if it were available to them at no cost, 35% would not.

81% of Democrats, 59% of Independents and 47% of Republicans would get the vaccine.

Per Gallup.

More than 2,000 deaths in the U.S. yesterday -- the most in three months.

Trump Tuesday said America is doing "very well" against COVID-19.

At what point would Trump consider the count to be at a level of catastrophic?

When he loses by say, 6,000,000 votes.

🤭 Priceless, r367 !

What the fuck is wrong with 35% of Americans?? Is that how many believe the Deep State nonsense now?

Why would anybody refuse to be vaccinated for such a horrible disease, when the vaccination is free and FDA approved?

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 7 ~ 10:00 AM EST

💜 PURPLE HEART DAY

🐲 SEA SERPENT DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,309,146

DEATHS: 718,597

CRITICAL: 65,216

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,033,723

DEATHS: 162,826

CRITICAL: 18,296

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 LOOKING GOOD !

r362 Masks are poor substitutes for social distancing. Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world, social distancing is close to impossible. I rather believe the immunology and infectious disease professors over public health policy authorities, when it comes to what works and what doesn't in pandemics.

R371 - what do you think has kept Japan's case load so low the past 6 months? Masks - which is already part of their culture.

Yes, Tokyo is crowded but you act like you're constantly pushing and on top of people all the time. Outside of rush hour trains, you are not. Pics of Shibuya crossing doesn't not mean that all of Japan is like that. Not even close.

At this point can the mask dodgers just go fuck themselves? Christ, they're murdering people.

R373 - and THEY are responsible for slowing down the economy and keeping everyone else in confinement.

All these hairdressers and bartenders screaming about how they have to work should be screaming for people to wear masks. Masks = work.

WORLDOMETER.COM is not what CNN and MSNBC use, so I don't understand why you use this source. John Hopkins only reports confirmed cases and that's the source that cable news uses and what the public sees.

[quote] 81% of Democrats, 59% of Independents and 47% of Republicans would get the vaccine.

Wow. More than half of Republicans would refuse to get a COVID vaccine. There's no words.

But maybe it's for the best. All of us Democrats can get vaccinated, and the Republicans can infect one another until they're all dead.

Cue the "Nobody knows nothin' about the Rona" troll.

[quote] Normally, the immune system mobilizes different groups of cells and molecules when fighting three broad groups of pathogens: viruses and microbes that invade cells, bacteria and fungi that stay outside cells, and parasitic worms. Only the first of these programs should activate during a viral infection. But Iwasaki’s team recently showed that all three activate in severe COVID-19 cases. “It seems completely random,” she says. In the worst cases, “the immune system almost seems confused as to what it’s supposed to be making.”

[quote] No one yet knows why this happens, and only in some people. Eight months into the pandemic, the variety of COVID-19 experiences remains a vexing mystery. It’s still unclear, for example, why so many “long-haulers” have endured months of debilitating symptoms. Many of them have never been hospitalized, and so aren’t represented in existing studies that have measured antibody and T-cell responses. David Putrino of Mount Sinai tells me that he surveyed 700 long-haulers and a third had tested negative for antibodies, despite having symptoms consistent with COVID-19. It’s unclear if their immune systems are doing anything differently when confronted with the coronavirus.

[quote] Masks are poor substitutes for social distancing.

Please tell that to the idiots I encounter at the grocery store who won't even try to keep a safe distance from other customers.

The John Hopkins site does seem informative R376, but I don't see anything that provides daily updates. Is that available at the JH site?

r377 Except not all people have a good immune response to vaccines, it works better if everyone gets the vaccine so the virus can not find anymore hosts to infect. This is especially true of elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Vaccines should be thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before they are available to the public. People are free by choice to participate in trials if they choose, but many are hesitant to try a new vaccine until it's proven safe. And even then, there is no guarantee that one won't suffer negative side effects.

[quote] More than 2,000 deaths in the U.S. yesterday -- the most in three months.

R365: Where are you getting 2000 deaths in USA from? I don’t see that number anywhere. The highest I see is 1203. Can you provide a link?

[quote]Where are you getting 2000 deaths in USA from?

There seems to be confidence that a safe vaccine will arrive at some point of time. And I hope that is true but what if, like an HIV vaccine, that never comes? Do we just sacrifice the old like me, the infirm and obese? Give up and let the virus chips land as they will? Focus instead on treatments?

Johns Hopkins? Seriously? Demons and witches, every last one of them!

[italic]~ Stella Immanuel, MD[/italic]

[Quote] Why would anybody refuse to be vaccinated for such a horrible disease, when the vaccination is free and FDA approved?

It'll be free??...umm link please.

[quote]Why would anybody refuse to be vaccinated for such a horrible disease, when the vaccination is free and FDA approved?

Because Trump is president and seems to be controlling everyone and everything. I wouldn't trust the FDA today with Anything. Even the damned tests don't work half the time.

r379 that's my point. I don't want to be anywhere near a masked person. More often than not their hygiene practices fail and they place all their faith and hope in a thin sheath that isn't replaced or cleaned as often as it should. "I get to ignore the store aisles directional arrows, because an unknown quantity of my germs stay with me. I get to be within 6 ft of people because I'm wearing fabric over my nose and mouth. I don't have to sanitize my hands, or try to limit my errands and transmission vectors because I am wearing a mask." More like, a mask is a sign one has to circulate among crowds regularly in enclosed spaces, and that one suspects one has the virus.

I can do better than most at reducing transmission vectors, too many are conditioned to believe a maskless person at 8 meters away or in his car is more hazardous than a masked person within one meter. It helps that I'm not in a high-population area, and that community agencies perform their duty of providing me with a volunteer shopper and stores and pharmacies arrange for parking-lot pickup service. I'm not killing or harming anyone through responsible social distancing, and I'm not wearing a mask. Chances are very low I have it. Just because self-isolating people aren't seen doesn't mean we don't exist.

Wait.

They left town???????????

R385, HIV is a retrovirus, which makes vaccine development a huge challenge. COVID is a coronavirus. There will be a vaccine.

I was on a zoom call the other day, which went off-topic for a few minutes and onto the pandemic. Two people were discussing how the death numbers are higher and over-reported. They claimed that the states get more money for attributing more deaths to the virus. This is the second time this week I've heard this.

These people have their masters, so they are not run of the mill idiots. They live in hotspot states, so I assume they are picking up their talking points from Fox and/or their friends locally.

I just want to confirm....this isn't true, right? I assume there is more money given an individual didn't have some sort of insurance coverage, but overall the states aren't getting more money for declaring deaths due to COVID (or they'd all be up for a cash grab IMO).

Addendum to above: I think they meant that hospitals would get more money (not states), but they didn't specify that.

R389, it's great if you want to be extra careful with distancing, but the bottom line is a mask mandate is the single most effective public health measure.

Look at yesterday's data from Kansas. The governor made mask mandates optional. 90 counties opted out. 15 made them mandatory. Those 15 are more urban, where there's greater density and transmission risk.

See chart below for results. Infection rates in the 15 mandatory-mask counties plummeted. The non-mask county rates were unchanged. Masks save lives. Zero question.

The democrats are still trying to make a deal. So you have a link that says that all of congress has left or is it just the republicans?

Nancy is still begging for a deal but you are saying that Mitch left town?

This virus seems to be spreading more and more every day. When is the white House going to get serious about the problem?

They are whistling past the graveyard.

r394, thanks for providing additional evidence for r389, who hasn't taken the time to research the 1 TRILLION scientific medical articles about the effectiveness of masks in reducing coronavirus transmission, but is relying on his intuition that masked people are filthy gross people who are doing their best to spread COVID. And we wonder why they just upped the projected deaths to 300,000 by December........

[quote] When is the white House going to get serious about the problem?

Did you just land here from another solar system?

CNBC: White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday that the chances of scientists creating a highly effective vaccine — one that provides 98% or more guaranteed protection — for the virus are slim.

[quote] Why would anybody refuse to be vaccinated for such a horrible disease, when the vaccination is free and FDA approved?

R369 Probably because of real-life horror stories like the one at R234 - where vaccines are rushed into production with dire consequences.

I have no doubt a lot of a lot of people would like to take a "wait-and-see" approach to getting a vaccine or at least be at the end of the line. Big pharma engenders about as much trustworthiness as the Trump admin.

[quote]When is the white House going to get serious about the problem?

In 165 days. Sadly, lots more damage to come until then.

Well, there will only be enough vaccine for healthcare providers at first -- and not even enough for all of them -- so the rest of us will be able to wait and see, to a degree.

France reports more than 2,200 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours

From CNN's Pierre Buet and Sharon Braithwaite

France's health ministry reported 2,288 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours and 9,330 over the past week.

"Indicators are worsening, which confirms a more active circulation of the virus on the whole territory," the ministry said in a news release on Friday.

A total of 30,324 people have died from coronavirus in France since the beginning of the pandemic. The ministry has reported 12 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Some details: The health ministry said 5,011 people are currently hospitalized for coronavirus symptoms, with 136 new admissions in past 24 hours. There are 383 patients in intensive care units, with 20 new admissions in the past 24 hours.

More than 5.3 million Covid-19 tests have been done so far, including 593,640 in the past seven days.

California tops 10,000 coronavirus deaths

From CNN's Sarah Moon

California reported 142 new coronavirus deaths on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 10,011 deaths, according to data from the state's Department of Public Health.

While California has the highest number of cases in the nation, the death toll is still well below that of New York and New Jersey.

The state has a total of 538,416 positive cases, including 8,436 new cases added on Friday. The health department also warned that there has been an underreporting of cases due to issues with the state’s electronic laboratory reporting system.

The positivity rate over a 14-day period is now 6.1%, according to the health department.

Note: These numbers were released by the California Department of Public Health, and may not line up exactly in real time with CNN’s database drawn from Johns Hopkins University and the Covid Tracking Project.

Massachusetts governor tightens restrictions indefinitely after "slight uptick" in Covid-19 cases

From CNN's Melissa Alonso

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker indefinitely postponed the state's reopening plan and decreased the limits on gatherings after a "slight uptick in positive cases," he said Friday.

He also authorized state and local police to enforce shutdown orders.

"Due to that slight uptick in positive cases, we are indefinitely postponing step two of phase three in our reopening process," Baker said.

Baker said contact tracers have documented several pool parties, house parties and holiday celebrations with people not adhering to state guidance. "We cannot move forward at this time, or anytime soon in the near future," he said.

Additionally, Baker will sign an executive order that will reduce the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people starting Tuesday, he said.

The governor updated state restaurant guidance "to make absolutely clear that alcoholic beverages may only be served for on-site consumption if accompanied by food prepared on site," Baker said.

"Bars masquerading as restaurants also need to be closed," he said.

To execute the orders, a covert enforcement and intervention team has been created to ramp up enforcement in key communities, Baker said.

The state added 162 positive cases Friday and the seven-day positivity average saw a 0.4% increase, it currently stands at 2.1%, state health officials said.

More details: Baker said the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) and local government officials are cracking down on bars serving chips in an attempt to comply with food service requirements.

"One of the things that's come up a number of times, is that pretzels and potato chips meets the food service requirement. It clearly doesn't," Baker said.

"What we tried to do with the amendment of the order is make absolutely clear. You need to be serving food that's prepared on site and the people who are in your venue need to order and eat food if they're gonna order a drink," Baker said. "That is clearly not consistent with the spirit or the intent of what we put in place when we authorized outdoor dining and indoor dinning."

Italy records most new coronavirus cases in a single day since May

From CNN's Valentina Di Donato in Rome

Italy recorded 552 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the highest daily increase since May 28, according to the Italian Ministry of Health data.

Veneto region in northeast of the country had the most cases, with 182.

Three more fatalities were recorded on Friday, bringing the total death toll from coronavirus in Italy to at least 35,190.

The total number of coronavirus cases overall — including deaths and recoveries — now stands at 249,756.

R392, do you actually believe that there is a system in place that might reward medical establishments for deaths rather than for treatment?

Early on, I heard hospitals received over 10k per covid case from the federal govt. I think it was 13k? Not sure if true, could be fake news.

R404 I think what's more telling about California is that the state is still well below the national average of "Deaths Per 1 Million Population." The national average is now 494, and California is only at 254. More than half the states have a worse number in that column than California.

This is a long article, but it's interesting. He discusses the Famine Early Warning System and how we might set up something like that for pandemics.

[quote]Texas A&M disaster expert: Aerial photos of Chinese parking lots could've flagged COVID last year

Can you post some of that article, r410? It’s paywalled

R399 you left out a huge part of the story. So I will post it for you:

White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday that the chances of scientists creating a highly effective vaccine — one that provides 98% or more guaranteed protection — for the virus are slim.

Scientists are hoping for a coronavirus vaccine that is at least 75% effective, but 50% or 60% effective would be acceptable, too, Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during a Q&A with the Brown University School of Public Health. “The chances of it being 98% effective is not great, which means you must never abandon the public health approach.”

“You’ve got to think of the vaccine as a tool to be able to get the pandemic to no longer be a pandemic, but to be something that’s well controlled,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration has said it would authorize a coronavirus vaccine so long as it is safe and at least 50% effective. Dr. Stephen Hahn, the FDA’s commissioner, said last month that the vaccine or vaccines that end up getting authorized will prove to be more than 50% effective, but it’s possible the U.S. could end up with a vaccine that, on average, reduces a person’s risk of a Covid-19 infection by just 50%.

[quote]Early on, I heard hospitals received over 10k per covid case from the federal govt. I think it was 13k? Not sure if true, could be fake news.

Do you really have to ask? It's fake news.

[quote]The democrats are still trying to make a deal. So you have a link that says that all of congress has left or is it just the republicans? Nancy is still begging for a deal but you are saying that Mitch left town?

Mitch isn't part of the negotiations and hasn't been from pretty much the beginning, although he claims to be in touch with the White House negotiators. It's the White House (Mnuchin and Meadows) with Democratic leadership (Pelosi and Schumer). McConnell has been sitting this out, mostly because he doesn't even have his own caucus in order, with as many as 20 of them thinking that they shouldn't pass a bill at all, per McConnell's own public comment.

The House and Senate have both adjourned but members were given instructions to be ready to vote on a compromise at any moment if one could be reached.

For now, anyway, the talks are over, as the White House insisted that today was a "drop dead date" and that without a deal today, there would be no deal at all. Trump is going to act unilaterally, if stories are true and he lives up to what he has said.

[quote]Trump said he may issue executive orders on home evictions, student loan debt and allowing states to repurpose COVID relief funding into their unemployment insurance programs. He also said he’ll likely issue an executive order to defer collection of Social Security payroll taxes, an idea that has less support among his Republican allies.

Ok, here's a random (probably very flawed) thought: I read something where it was estimated that as many as 20x as many people who have tested positive may have had the virus already. If we have had 5M confirmed cases (source: Worldometer), then if this is true it would translate to 100M people. If the entire US population is 328M, then over 30% of the population has already had the virus in this example. That sounds scary but is oddly calming in a way....it would mean that in 6 months the virus already tore through 30% of the population and caused 160K deaths. Within another 6 months whoever is going to get it will probably get it. Then we're done.

Totally flawed thought process perhaps. But with so many unknowns, it is a possibility.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 7 ~ 10:00 PM EST

💜 PURPLE HEART DAY

🐲 SEA SERPENT DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,541,219

DEATHS: 724,050

CRITICAL: 65,015

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES,: 5,095,524

DEATHS: 164,094

CRITICAL: 18,051

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 EVERYBODY NEEDS ONE !

I just watched something that said Russia is going to have a vaccine shortly. They are giving it to their health care workers first even though they have done NO TESTS. If Trump tells us he has a vaccine we know where he got it from. Be careful.

That’s my fear, r417. I know Fauci and Sanjay Gupta say the FDA wouldn’t rush anything through that’s not safe but Trump has stacked his cronies everywhere.

Trump is desperate to win the election.

We know he's a liar on a grand scale, so nothing out of the tiny whole should surprise us.

It would be very telling if trump announced a vaccine was ready but the stock market didn't move.

I could also see him losing the election and then giving all our vaccine away to other countries to spite Biden and the liberals.

Crazy

Guardian-As airlines and travellers continue to suffer from Covid-19, one operator in Taiwan is refusing to wait for borders to fully reopen to resume flights. Starlux airlines, which unfortunately launched earlier this year as travel ground to a halt, has begun offering flights that depart Taipei and land in ... Taipei, several hours later. According to Nikkei Asian Review, almost 200 passengers boarded one of the services on Friday morning, which toured along Taiwan’s east coast and over the Philippines, before returning to the airport it took off from. Some of the flight-hungry passengers reportedly prepared duty free shopping lists, and lined up at the check in counters before they opened.

R422, at this point, if it stops them from actually traveling internationally, let them take their little circular plane tour.

THE HILL: President Trump on Friday teased an executive order to require health insurers to cover all preexisting conditions, something already established under the Affordable Care Act, which his administration is suing to dismantle.

“Over the next two weeks I’ll be pursuing a major executive order requiring health insurance companies to cover all preexisting conditions for all companies,” Trump said during a news conference at his Bedminster property in New Jersey. “That’s a big thing. I’ve always been very strongly in favor. We have to cover preexisting conditions.”

Trump claimed such a move “has never been done before,” though insurance companies are already required to cover patients with preexisting conditions under the Affordable Care Act, which was enacted in 2010.

Andy Slavitt:

COVID Update March 7: The US response has prized one thing above all others.

Human lives.

Just kidding. I mean profits.

Moderna to charge $32 to $37 a dose for its COVID vaccine. The CEO who has been selling stock routinely, describes this as a gift, “well under its value.”

Considering we taxpayers paid for it, I think it’s approximately $32-$37 too high.

Who is in a better mood than drug companies? Insurance companies.

The drug companies have great scientists at work. Insurance companies are making massive amounts for doing ... nothing. Health care use has declined 30-40%. Anthem & United doubled their profits in 3 months. A few billion more each. Another billion more for Aetna’s parent company.

People paying for care and not using it is great business.

Executive Orders are like soap bubbles they pop as soon as the POTUS leaves office.

Andy Slavitt:: "Health care use has declined 30-40%. Anthem & United doubled their profits in 3 months. A few billion more each. Another billion more for Aetna’s parent company. People paying for care and not using it is great business."

But here's the kicker he added-

[quote] Meanwhile insurance companies are warning they need to INCREASE premiums for next year because costs could spike back.

Concerning the response to a once in a hundred years health crisis:

[quote] We’ve created a system that says “we’ll help but, but first what’s in it for me?”

I'm still laughing at r422's post.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 8 ~ 11:00 AM EST

😸 INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY

🚣‍♂️ CELEBRATE YOUR LAKE DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,607,761

DEATHS: 725,136

CRITICAL: 64,939

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,100,910

DEATHS: 164,196

CRITICAL: 18,043

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 BE A LIFE SAVER !

R415 - The numbers from Long Island comparing confirmed infections vs. antibody rates earlier in the year showed that infections were about 5 times higher than confirmed cases. I think that has been pretty consistent with what has been found elsewhere, but I'd love to see other articles looking at it.

R378/Sylvia that was a great article. Thanks for posting. Attached is is a little more from Dr. Krammer.

The news release for the the ACTIV studies.

Dumbasses keeping the Minnesota funeral industry in business.

[quote] “I just thought I had to be there and I took a chance and it is what it is,” Keen said.

I swear, the next time I hear that phrase I'm going to knife somebody.

It much easier to say "It Is What It Is" as opposed to "I'm about as freaking stupid as a person can be, and it's bad enough that I'm infected, but how many others might become infected, and possibly suffer and die from the snowball effect of my selfishness and stupidity?"

This is probably the most hopeful article I've read in a long time from WaPo. It's a nice break from the general feeling of no hope, and we're all gonna die.

It pulls together some of the new research on immunity mentioned upthread as well as explaining why masks may actually be protecting the mask-wearer, and not just protecting everyone else from the mask-wearer's possible infectious status.

Immunity- at high levels in the population already???

[quote] News headlines have touted the idea based on blood tests that 20 percent of some New York communities might be immune, 7.3 percent in Stockholm, 7.1 percent in Barcelona. Those numbers come from looking at antibodies in people’s blood that typically develop after they are exposed to a virus. But scientists believe another part of our immune system — T cells, a type of white blood cell that orchestrates the entire immune system — could be even more important in fighting against the coronavirus.

[quote] One of the first peer-reviewed studies on the coronavirus and T cells was published in mid-May... The group was researching blood from people who were recovering from coronavirus infections and wanted to compare that to samples from uninfected controls who were donors to a blood bank from 2015 to 2018. The researchers were floored to find that in 40 to 60 percent of the old samples, the T cells seemed to recognize SARS-CoV-2.

Masks- even better than we thought

[quote] While we don’t know what that level might be for the coronavirus (it would be unethical to expose humans in this way), previous work on other nonlethal viruses showed that people tend to get less sick with lower doses and more sick with higher doses. A study published in late May involving hamsters, masks and SARS-CoV-2 found those given coverings had milder cases than those who did not get them.

[quote] In an article published this month in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Gandhi noted that in some outbreaks early in the pandemic in which most people did not wear masks, 15 percent of the infected were asymptomatic. But later on, when people began wearing masks, the rate of asymptomatic people was 40 to 45 percent.

[quote] She said the evidence points to masks not just protecting others — as U.S. health officials emphasize — but protecting the wearer as well. Gandhi makes the controversial argument that while we’ve mostly talked about asymptomatic infections as terrifying due to how people can spread the virus unwittingly, it could end up being a good thing.

[quote] “It is an intriguing hypothesis that asymptomatic infection triggering immunity may lead us to get more population-level immunity,” Gandhi said. “That itself will limit spread.”

I hate this administration- a huge project that I was hoping to get on is now going to move to either London or Queensland because the U.S. can't get their shit together.

NBC:

Trump signs executive orders on coronavirus economic relief

we'll see if any of it can actually be enacted. I don't think the President can just cut any taxes without Congress' approval.

Proving once again he's never actually read The Constitution.

R436: Actually, that is better than nothing IF it can be enforced....

I’m pretty sure this executive order is another scam. Did he do it from his golf course?

They will figure it out soon when the checks don’t come. At least they will know who to blame.

"Lookat mee Mommy, I signed something!" *squints proudly*

He's such a fucking idiot. McConnell's plan in place. Stall everything. Let the moron pretend he did something. Hope no one notices.

Well, we all fucking noticed, you dumb motherfucking assholes. Where's the Repug killing virus when we need it? Oh, that's right, it's vacationing in Sturgis right now after its visits to Florida and Texas and Arizona and Georgia....

On Trump's executive order and memoranda:

The first purports to extend $400 in additional federal unemployment benefits but with $100 of that coming from the states. He is redirecting up to $44 billion from the Disaster Relief Fund for this. There are three problems with this, aside from whether he can legally do this:

Problem #1 is that the states don’t have the money and, the way this is written, if the states don’t first cough up the $100, then the workers get no federal benefit at all

Problem #2 is that in some states it will take weeks to retool their systems yet again, as they did earlier this year for the $600 benefit. It will also take the White House weeks to set up their own part of this. People need the money right fucking now, not weeks from now.

Problem #3 is that the available funds he's talking about redirecting will last only about five weeks. The White House did not provide a timeline as to when these benefits might begin.

The second memo is on deferring the employee portion of payroll taxes – 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare – for workers making less than $100,000 a year. The move would last until the end of the year, although Trump has said that if he’s reelected, he will forgive the taxes and make the cuts permanent. Without that, workers would be on the hook for the deferred taxes at the end of the year.

“The impact of this measure could depend on whether companies decide to comply, as they could be responsible for withdrawing large amounts of money from their employees’ paychecks in a few months when the taxes are due.”

The third aims to extend student loan relief granted by Congress in March through the end of the year.

The fourth is an executive order stating that it is U.S. policy to minimize evictions and foreclosures. The order does not reinstate the federal eviction moratorium that expired last month or provide any funding to renters or landlords, which means that it does nothing and will have no impact.

And that's not even taking into consideration that all four of those might be illegal because he's exceeding his authority.

so will they continue to talk or what the fuck are they doing? fucking useless cunts!

Pelosi and Schumer have repeatedly said that they want to continue talks. The Friday deadline imposed by the Trump administration had no rhyme or reason to it. I think it likely that once the news media start spreading the info that nothing really has changed that you'll see Meadows and Mnuchin back at the bargaining table, but we'll see.

So the article cited above about how mask users may have less infection and able to fight it off better - this all goes to some discussions a few months ago that no one talks about.

Average infection of COVID is 600 particles (per what, I can't remember), but you can get it with just 100. Masks would reduce that down to 200, so still possible to get, but much less.

This only makes sense. For all the people who are asymptomatic, I would reckon a good portion had a 'low' dose of COVID -maybe 100-150 - and their body is effective at fighting it off.

However, COVID in high concentrations just overwhelms a person's system - particularly in the infirm and elderly. You get the high concentrations from close contact - coughing, talking, etc. - with two unmasked persons.

This all makes such sense - what am I missing here? Many of you are more informed and have degrees/experience with this. Is what I'm saying bullshit?

“Today’s meager announcements by the President show President Trump still does not comprehend the seriousness or the urgency of the health and economic crises facing working families. We’re disappointed that instead of putting in the work to solve Americans’ problems, the President instead chose to stay on his luxury golf course to announce unworkable, weak and narrow policy announcements to slash the unemployment benefits that millions desperately need and endanger seniors’ Social Security and Medicare.

“These policy announcements provide little real help to families. For instance, not only does the President’s announcement not actually extend the eviction moratorium, it provides no assistance to help pay the rent, which will only leave desperate families to watch their debt pile higher. Instead of passing a bill, now President Trump is cutting families’ unemployment benefits and pushing states further into budget crises, forcing them to make devastating cuts to life-or-death services.

“Furthermore, these announcements do nothing to increase testing, nothing to reopen schools, nothing to put food on the table for hungry families, nothing to prevent heroes being laid off across state and local government, nothing to protect the Postal Service or the integrity of our elections, nothing on many critical needs of the American people.

“Since the House passed The Heroes Act twelve weeks ago, more than 3.5 million Americans have become infected and 70,000 have tragically died. The coronavirus is moving through our country like a runaway freight train and the economy is quickly running out of steam. The only solution to crush the virus and protect working families is to pass a comprehensive bill that is equal to the historic health and economic catastrophe facing our country.

“Democrats repeat our call to Republicans to return to the table, meet us halfway and work together to deliver immediate relief to the American people. Lives are being lost, and time is of the essence.”

[quote] Is what I'm saying bullshit?

Not at all. Even if masks aren't 100%, they give you a fighting chance if you do take in some virus but reducing dosage.

Imagine the virus like radioactive particles. Would you rather get an X-ray, or walk into Chernobyl? Dosage matters.

Nine people (and counting) test positive for COVID at Georgia high school where students were suspended for posting photos of crowded / unmasked hallways.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 9 ~ 11:00 AM EST

👨‍👨‍👦 GAY UNCLES DAY

📚 BOOK LOVERS DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 19,874,737

DEATHS: 730,790

CRITICAL: 64,964

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,153,054

DEATHS: 165,109

CRITICAL: 18,021

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 DO IT !

I am really tired of hearing "if you give them extra money on unemployment, they won't go back to work, because they'll make more $ on unemployment". Obviously none of them have ever had to be on unemployment, as if you refuse a job, even the one you were laid off from, you stop getting unemployment.

You just can't fix stoopid...

NYT: New Zealand on Sunday marked 100 days without any new reported cases of local transmission of the coronavirus. Public life has resumed for many in the country, as they eat out at restaurants, socialize at bars, and attend sports and cultural events.

they need the money, there are no jobs to go back to. many biz have closed and many will close, they (biz) haven't even been able to pay rent. the worst is yet to come.

New York state sees lowest one day positive infection rate since start of the pandemic

From CNN's Sheena Jones

New York state has the lowest one day positive infection rate for coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday during the state’s Covid-19 call.

New York has an infection rate of 0.78% which is normally around 1% or a little under, the governor said.

“Congratulations New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “It’s really an incredible achievement."

At least 548 people are hospitalized with Covid-19 and seven New Yorkers died from the virus yesterday, the governor said.

The intensive care unit number is the “lowest number of people we had in ICU units since the start,” Cuomo said.

Some of Europe's biggest countries are seeing Covid surges -- but not this one

From CNN's Barbie Latza Nadeau and Livia Borghese

A horrifying moment in the Covid-19 pandemic hit Italy on March 27, 2020, when the civil protection authorities announced that 969 people had died in just 24 hours. In the weeks before that, images of coffins stacked up in church parlors and being driven down the streets of the northern Italian town of Bergamo in a caravan of military trucks poured into the homes of Italians, by then locked down for nearly three weeks.

Now, just four months later, life in Italy, the country US Vice President Mike Pence once said "no one wanted to be like," is nearly back to normal, despite occasional spikes in cases that have been attributed to migrants arriving in the country or living in close quarters.

The death toll has leveled off at just over 35,000, with the number of new reported deaths now less than a dozen most days. The total number of cases now at 250,103 with daily increments in the low hundreds at most.

Nightclubs and schools aren't yet reopened, face masks are mandatory and social distancing is enforced, but summer is in full swing in this country. People are going out for dinner at restaurants, enjoying the summer tradition of an aperitivo on an open square, going on vacation and generally moving forward. It's nothing short of a miracle, especially compared to nations like Brazil and the United States, where the pandemic is still very much out of control.

WaPo: In closed-door meetings, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has revealed his skepticism of the two physicians guiding the anti-pandemic effort, Deborah Birx and Anthony S. Fauci, routinely questioning their expertise and wisdom of wearing masks.

A photo taken on Miami Beach Saturday afternoon shows beachgoers crowded on the sand and water. Jason Mac took the photo around 4 p.m. with his 600mm telephoto lens, which he says compresses the image and space between people.

Miami Beach is in Miami Dade County. The county has the most infections in Florida with 131,553 total Covid-19 cases as of Sunday.

I have a curiosity question for those that live in high rise condos/apartments. What is elevator etiquette in the age of COVID? Do folks all still crowd in? Wait for a single person ride?

When I lived in a high rise, the parking structure was 12 floors and by the time an elevator car appeared, it could be chock a block with people & grocery carts riding up to their floor. Is social distancing even possible during before and after work hours?

[quote] What is elevator etiquette in the age of COVID?

If you cough in the elevator, the other passengers take their knives out and slaughter you right there on the spot, throwing your corpse out at the next stop.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 9 ~ 7:30 PM EST

👨‍👨‍👦 GAY UNCLES DAY

📚 BOOK LOVERS DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 20,005,383

DEATHS: 733,284

CRITICAL: 64,920

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,196,749

DEATHS: 165,564

CRITICAL: 17,897

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 THE FACE OF A HERO !

I honestly don't understand all of these beach pics and the supposed outrage. You can't tell how far apart they are - beaches are large. And people aren't up talking with other strangers.

I don't see how these are good examples of bad behavior. It's just a public crowd - in the summer. At beaches - that are legally open.

[quote]If you cough in the elevator, the other passengers take their knives out and slaughter you right there on the spot, throwing your corpse out at the next stop.

If the person wasn't at least wearing a mask, I'm fine with this.

^^^

😬 Stuck on Stupid .......

R459, our building has a two person per elevator policy. It’s enforceable, in part, because everyone is working at home; there’s no morning or evening rush.

You're totally safe at the beach as long as you keep your distance from others. I would go to the beach in a heartbeat if I could.

r466, the operative phrase being "as long as you keep your distance from others." You have no control over what other people are going to be doing.

Please, totally safe at the beach if you keep your distance?

Yes, and schools and colleges are just as safe.

And bars, and restaurants, malls and movie theaters, etc.

Remember what one single infected person can do to an entire group of people?

The positivity rate in Texas on Saturday was 19.41%, the highest since the pandemic began.

Florida saw 3,355 hospitalizations from last Sunday to today, a new record for COVID-19 admissions in one week. In the span of five days alone — Tuesday to Saturday — the state reported more than 500 new hospitalizations per day, including a high of 621 on Wednesday.

AP: Europeans are incredulous that Americans are faring so poorly with the virus, especially because we had the advantage of seeing what they were going through before it hit us hard.

Donald Trump: “We’re doing very well.”

Some of us simply place a higher value on our lives than others do.

R459, my smallish apartment building has a one-household-per-trip policy. It gets to be a real PITA when dog-walking time comes around. I live on the next to top floor and the elevator can stop two or three times on my trip downstairs, and I get dirty looks from dog owners whose pets are ready to burst. I've taken to walking down the eight flights to street level just to avoid the problem (and get some exercise).

Covid is now an IQ test.

Wow -- according to the Worldometer page, the US now has 17 states with more than 100K cases, as Alabama, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia joined the club this weekend.

Trump should be hanged for this.

[quote]Trump should be hanged for this.

Someone's written a song about it.

There were 407,000 Americans killed in WWII. Wonder how long until we hit that number? Over 600,000 in the Civil War. Think we'll hit that? Trump and all his winning.

R468 - yes - one is outdoors with a lot of distancing. The others you mentioned are all indoors circulating the same air and without enough social distancing.

It's not the same.

yes, but when you go into the sea, there is no social distancing, you are bouncing around in sea being pushed around by the waves etc.

Our building has 4 elevators for 300 units, 20 stories. The wait is normally less than 2 minutes.

The rule is one household per elevator. Most folks are reasonable, but every now and then someone will just walk in at a stop, even when the car is occupied.

We've asked if the elevators can be reprogrammed to not make any stops if a car already has a floor selected. We've been told that it can't be done.

The scofflaws are usually visitors. There have been confrontations, but most neighbors I've talked to say they just exit the elevator if someone does this to avoid the possibility of having an idiot get in their face, possibly exposing them.

I'm old (over 55), ugly, and intimidating (not on purpose). I also stand in the way when the door opens at a stop. No one has tested me yet.

R477 - what? People aren't getting closer together in the ocean. Bullshit.

Bill Gates explains what is wrong with testing in the US (from WaPo, based on a CNN interview)-

[quote] Gates said it is “mind-blowing” that the federal government has not improved the nation’s testing strategy “because they just want to say how great it is.” He focused on the extended delays that many Americans have to endure before they get their test results back — delays he said made the tests “worthless.”

[quote] Swift testing is vital because health officials can work to isolate sick patients and notify the people who interacted with them that they were exposed to the virus. Delayed results prevent people from changing their behavior and can lead to the spread of the disease. Gates suggested that the government not pay testing companies for tests that take longer than three days to return a result. Otherwise, he said, the companies are incentivized to have long lines and to waste government money.

The last two days I haven't been feeling great - feel like there's a weight on the left side of my chest, general body aches and pains, lethargic.

NO one will test me. Not severe enough and I'm not in a high-risk group.

CVS may test, but I won't get the results for up to 10 days. This is some serious bullshit.

[quote] Unless Americans use the dwindling weeks between now and the onset of “indoor weather” to tamp down transmission in the country, this winter could be Dickensianly bleak, public health experts warn. “I think November, December, January, February are going to be tough months in this country without a vaccine,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

[quote] “We should be aiming for no transmission before we open the schools and we put kids in harm’s way — kids and teachers and their caregivers. And so, if that means no gym, no movie theaters, so be it,” said Caroline Buckee, associate director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “We seem to be choosing leisure activities now over children’s safety in a month’s time. And I cannot understand that tradeoff.”

Antonio Banderas tweeted this morning that he has tested positive and is feeling "relatively well" as he quarantines. Today is his 60th birthday.

[quote]Unless Americans use the dwindling weeks between now and the onset of “indoor weather” to tamp down transmission in the country, this winter could be Dickensianly bleak, public health experts warn. “I think November, December, January, February are going to be tough months in this country without a vaccine,”

I just don't see this happening. In this case, people staying home is going to help stop the spread. The usual gathering places that people go to in the winter will remain limited (at least in the smart states) or closed down completely again. The option of then hanging out with a hundred people by the pool or in a park or at a beach will no longer be there in the winter. Those who would crowd into a house for a party are already doing that. Maybe winter will put some of those assholes in a hibernation mode.

R481, anecdotal, the Ralph’s Supermarket checker reappeared at work this morning. He said he had some body aches so they sent him home and to test. The test came up negative after a 15 DAY WAIT. Such bullshit. I hear your frustration. This response time is clearly unacceptable. No pay, no peace of mind for two weeks for him.

We can spend trillions on useless war machines and can’t test properly.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 10 ~ 3:00 PM EST

🦁 WORLD LION DAY

🐩 NATIONAL SPOIL YOUR DOG DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 20,147,024

DEATHS: 736,098

CRITICAL: 64,751

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,220,545

DEATHS: 165,855

CRITICAL: 17,803

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 FORGET SOMETHING ?

hope you feel better R481

soon!

Trying to book a trip with Booking.com for next year to Hawaii. Instead of talking with a real person, I am now speaking with a fucking bot. The first question the bot asked me is if I'm sure that I want to take a trip to Hawaii instead of a trip in my own country. Seriously? This was the purpose of my query in the first place. For my next question, the bot immediately responded to ask me if I could ask the question in different words. Honestly, I do not have time for this shit. This undeveloped bot technology will be the ruin for us all. It has already contributed to Chump's first election and to the massive disinformation campaign on social media regarding this crisis. Please take the comments and posts that you read with a grain of salt!

R411, here's a link to the Houston Chronicle article on a possible pandemic early warning system, per your request.

R481 here - thanks for the well wishes. I do feel slightly better today - but still concerned. I finally got an appt through the county health department for Wednesday morning. I leave Friday for 3 weeks - I'd like to get it back before then, but probably won't.

R485 - where was this? You're clearly in SoCal because of Ralphs. I'm in PS. All of the places listed in the Desert Sun to get tested and find info was 100% horseshit. The only way is through the county.

Ralph’s Indio.

Got tested at the Indio Fair Grounds. 3 day turnaround. As it should be.

R453 And now it's back in New Zealand. Auckland is in lockdown again.

AP: Russia on Tuesday became the first country to clear a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ready for use, despite international skepticism. President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated.

Russia...this won't end well

[quote]NO one will test me. Not severe enough and I'm not in a high-risk group.

But Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday the U.S. has a surplus of tests!

I hope you're okay. But until you know, it doesn't seem prudent to "leave Friday for three weeks."

As the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows is responsible for coordinating the vast executive branch, including its coronavirus response. But in closed-door meetings, he has revealed his skepticism of the two physicians guiding the anti-pandemic effort, Deborah Birx and Anthony S. Fauci, routinely questioning their expertise.

Meadows no longer holds a daily 8 a.m. meeting that includes health professionals to discuss the raging pandemic. Instead, aides said, he huddles in the mornings with a half-dozen politically oriented aides — and when the virus comes up, their focus is more on how to convince the public that President Trump has the crisis under control, rather than on methodically planning ways to contain it.

During coronavirus meetings, Meadows has repeatedly questioned the scientific consensus that wearing masks helps contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. He has regularly raised with Fauci and others a range of issues on which he thinks Fauci has been wrong, and he personally monitors the infectious-disease expert’s media appearances. When he catches Fauci sounding out of sync with Trump, the chief of staff admonishes the doctor to “stay on message" — and he has impressed upon Fauci, Birx and other public health professionals that they should not opine on restrictions or make policy in the media.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is taking Pres. Trump's admonishment that "we test too much" in this country to heart.

Even as the virus has been raging throughout the state, testing has dropped 42% over the past two weeks.

As positivity is 20% in Texas

You can see the positivity rate of any state on this site (see link). The blue line represents the percent of tests that are positive over time.

It also can show the current postivity rate for all the US which appears to be about 7.4%

The graph shows the number of daily tests in bars, and the moving average of positivity rates (blue line). If you look at Texas you can see current total tests going down, but the positivity rate going up.

One of our colleges reopened for classes yesterday. This morning it was announced that four students have tested positive for the Corona, and will be quarantined in a "hot housing unit."

Yesiree, let's get those kids back in the classrooms and out on the football fields.

And in the locker rooms r501!

And in the showers!

R500 - that's really interesting. I was concerned that California's cases were increasing while FL and TX were decreasing, but CA is testing more. FL and TX are testing LESS in the past 7-10 days.

So the question is - are they testing less or suppressing test results? Are they trying to lower the positives for school openings / political reasons?

I can't believe this country - if this were done years past, heads would have rolled. Now? No outrage - just a "what are you gonna do?"

This is treasonous behavior.

[quote]So the question is - are they testing less or suppressing test results?

From the article at R497:

The number of Texans being tested for the coronavirus has fallen sharply in recent weeks, a trend that has worried public health experts as officials consider sending children back to school while thousands more Texans are infected each day.

In the week ending Aug. 8, an average 36,255 coronavirus tests were administered in Texas each day — a drop of about 42% from two weeks earlier, when the average number of daily tests was 62,516.

At the same time, the percentage of tests yielding positive results has climbed, up to 20% on average in the week ending Aug. 8. Two weeks earlier, the average positivity rate was around 14%.

Taken together, the low number of tests and the large percentage of positive results suggest inadequacies in the state's public health surveillance effort at a time when school reopenings are certain to increase viral spread, health experts said.

[quote] So the question is - are they testing less or suppressing test results?

The John Hopkins site points out that if your testing is low then the percent of positives can go up because the people most eager to get tested have the most severe symptoms and are more likely to be positive. To get near the real postitivity rate in the population, you really need to be testing lots of people including those who may not be as motivated to get a test as someone who is clearly sick.

So if someone is trying to hide problems and seek a lower positivity rate with fewer tests, they may be sadly mistaken.

Thanks R500. Pennsylvania's graphs look reassuring.

Sorry about the Penguins, Sylvia.

Fuck the Penguins :-) Nice birthday present for Crossie.

R505 - but, respectfully, the common person doesn't look at positivity rate - they look at total cases. The media reports on two data points: cases and deaths.

I see the positivity rate for TX and FL has not decreased - but no one talks about total cases vs. total tests. Those pos rates are scarily high.

Arizona seems to have turn things around a bit though.

CNN: "When we looked in the setting of Covid disease, we found that people who had prior vaccinations with a variety of vaccines -- for pneumococcus, influenza, hepatitis and others -- appeared to have a lower risk of getting Covid disease," Dr. Andrew Badley, an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic.

Last month, researchers found that countries where many people have been given the tuberculosis vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) had less mortality from coronavirus, a finding that fits with other research suggesting the vaccine can boost people's immunity in general.

(The only vaccine I've had in the last 10 years is a tetanus shot, hope that counts.)

They have no one to blame but themselves, R507.

R510 I wish this info was more widely available to doctors. I'd read something similar about measles vaccines, so I got myself a booster last month, but I had to cajole my doc into it. If it helps with COVID, great...if not, I won't get measles. Where's the harm?

After not only holding steady but not having more than one death statewide in quite a while, out of state college students are back for a week and holding backyard slip, slide and drink parties with large numbers of unmasked, drunken college students. fuckers.

Good for her

Tiffany Putin, r493?

[quote]And Trump took hydroxychloroquine...yeah, right

Something I have NEVER believed r515.

And nobody should have believed it, r516. It drove me crazy at the time and it still does whenever a talking head refers to him having taken it. I mean, not even rolling their eyes after saying it.

As if. School openings will be the final nail in the coffin this year. It's like adding kindling wood to a fire that is already burning out of control. I wish that Boris would stop taking cues from Trump. Apparently he has not learned a thing after his near death experience.

Guardian-The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has insisted it will be safe for children to return to school in England in September despite reports a study has found secondary school pupils transmit coronavirus like adults do. Johnson said he had “no doubt” that schools would be able to reopen, but stressed the need for discipline to prevent the spread of the virus.

MOVING DAY

I can't believe NZ is locking down after only 4 cases? That is crazy

r520, why wait until the problem is big? We in the States are in trouble because we didn't deal the virus from the start.

R519, Regarding mass evictions, it just occurred to me that people who are evicted from their homes between now and November may not be able to register to vote in the communities they end up going to, which may be in other cities or other states. Could this be yet another GOP tactic to suppress the vote?

John McAfee apparently arrested for wearing thong instead of face mask in Norway

John McAfee knows a thing or two about viruses, but not the kind face masks are meant for — so he was apparently arrested in Norway for wearing a thong over his face instead of a proper cover, according to a report.

McAfee, 74, the eccentric, eponymous founder of the PC antivirus software giant, took to Twitter on Monday to announce that he had been detained because he refused to don a medically certified mask instead of — or over — the ladies underwear, the Daily Mail reported.

“Trivial issue but waiting for high level beaurocrats [sic] to arrive. Slow bastards, as you know,” the British-born crypto baron wrote.

“My Coronavirus mask is the problem. I am insisting it is the safest available and I’m refusing to wear anything else — for my health’s sake. Authority!?!?!?!?” he said in another tweet.

“Going to have to cancel the Red Scarf Society meeting. I am so sorry. Note to future adventurers: Always joke with you captors. No matter what,” McAfee added, referring to his group.

His wife, Janice, then took over his Twitter account and said she’d managed it “until he escapes (usual method), bribes someone (very quick – might be out in a few hours), retains the right lawyer (will be a few days) or becomes warden of the jail, in which case we will have to force him out.”

She added: “He was not arrested for wearing the thong as a mask. He was arrested for refusing to replace it with a ‘medically certified’ over the ear mask. I refused as well. But they chose to arrest John, and leave me be.”

Janice also repeated her husband’s contention that masks stop bacteria, not viruses, and posted images of him wearing a black lace thong.

Later, she shared a video from their private jet as it took off for Munich, where they live.

“I’m following John’s instructions and heading back. He assured me he would be released,” she wrote.

In a subsequent tweet, McAfee announced that he was “back in Belarus and, with the exception of a black eye, no worse for wear.

“I cannot speak publicly about my fun and games yesterday, regrettably, but after a few hours sleep I will be back with my usual stream of conscious [sic],” he added.

On Saturday, he dispensed some pearls of wisdom about viruses and bacteria.

“Yes, coronavirus, although large for a virus, is still 2,000 times smaller than a large bacteria, which masks do stop. And yes, I know viruses in droplets are released when the droplets evaporate. Duh!! But … I have breathed through this mask. What could survive?” he wrote.

A day earlier, he announced that he’d auction off his collection of intimate apparel — and included a photo of himself wearing a thong that appears to be the one seen worn in a more traditional fashion by his wife.

“Proof that @theemrsmcafee actually softened the fabric for me before I protected myself with the mask,” he wrote.

Ardern's strategy in NZ has been "hard and fast." It worked before.

Being overweight or obese linked to increased risk of hospitalization due to Covid-19, UK study shows

From CNN's Jacqueline Howard

Obesity is linked with higher odds of having severe Covid-19 symptoms that require hospitalization –– and the higher the body mass index, the higher that risk of hospitalization, according to a new study out of the United Kingdom.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Tuesday, found "an upward linear trend in the likelihood of COVID-19 hospitalization with increasing BMI" even with modest weight gain. Body mass index or BMI is a common measurement based on a person's height and weight to determine whether they are underweight, overweight or obese.

The researchers, who are from various universities in the UK, examined data on at least 334,329 UK adults ages 40 to 69, taking a close look at their BMI and weight and then whether they went on to be hospitalized with Covid-19.

Among those adults, 640 or 0.2% were hospitalized with Covid-19.

The researchers found that the crude incidence of Covid-19 hospitalization was 19.1 per 10,000 people among those who were overweight. According to the study, that rose to 23.3 per 10,000 among those with obesity stage I and to 42.7 per 10,000 among those with obesity stage II, as compared to people at normal weight, which had a crude incidence of 12.5 per 10,000.

The study had some limitations, including that the data captured Covid-19 cases that warranted in-patient care, therefore the true prevalence of the disease in the data remains unknown.

Overall "we observed a higher likelihood of COVID-19 hospitalization with increasing overall and central adiposity, even in participants with modest weight gain," the researchers wrote, referring to being significantly overweight or obese as adiposity.

"Since over two-thirds of Westernized society are overweight or obese, this potentially presents a major risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection and may have implications for policy," they added.

Four cases in a family of seven living in the same roof. At least two of the infected didn't miss a day of work after the first one developed a cough and fever five days prior to being tested. The third is a toddler who isn't believed to have had any contact with people outside the home, and no information has been released on the fourth.

As I said in another thread, South Auckland is the worst possible place for this due to multigenerational families living together in cramped houses, with rampant obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

^^UNDER the same roof! Not in; not on; they're not Bai Ling.

The other factor in NZ's outbreak is that they don't know where it originated. The family affected had no known foreign travel or other contacts that would explain the infection. It appears to still be in the community. The person infected may be the first to show serious symptoms in the last few months that led to his diagnosis.

NPR @NPR · 2m Russia's new COVID-19 vaccine, dubbed Sputnik-V, has been met with initial skepticism, as it has yet to complete Phase III trials to assess safety and effectiveness in the general population.

Its funny (and not entirely wrong, but still) that Russia vaccine gets 'initial skepticism' while USA vaccine gets 'potential hope' or 'continued progress'.

Florida father and son, both doctors, die from COVID-19

A Florida father and son — who both dedicated their lives as doctors to helping patients — died from coronavirus-related complications within weeks of each other.

Dr. Jorge A. Vallejo, 89, and his middle son, Dr. Carlos Francisco Vallejo, 57, were hospitalized the same day in late June after their family believes the younger physician caught the virus from one of his patients, the Miami Herald reported.

Carlos, who was an internist, cared for dozens of patients on the front lines before he fell sick with the disease.

His family said he lived in Hialeah close to his father, whom he saw often and provided care for, the outlet reported.

The elder Vallejo, who was a retired obstetrician, died six days later after he was admitted to Palmetto General Hospital.

Meanwhile, Carlos succumbed to the virus on Aug. 1 after spending 42 days in the intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston.

“We just lost basically both of our anchors of our whole entire family,” Jessica Vallejo, who was Jorge’s grandaughter and Carlos’ niece, told the Herald.

107-year-old New Jersey woman who beat Spanish flu survives COVID-19

A 107-year-old New Jersey grandmother who survived the Spanish flu a century ago is now a two-time pandemic survivor after beating COVID-19.

Brooklyn native Anna Del Priore, who turns 108 next month, was diagnosed with the coronavirus in May and her granddaughter, Darlene Jasmine, had assumed the worst, the Asbury Park Press reports.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is it,’” Jasmine told the newspaper. “This is the thing that’s going to take her down.”

But Del Priore, who contracted the Spanish Flu during the influenza pandemic in 1918 that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, didn’t succumb to the virus. Instead, she’s still mobile, dancing whenever possible at Brighton Gardens, an assisted living facility in Middletown.

“She always danced, always loved music,” Jasmine, 66, said. “As soon as she hears music, her foot starts tapping.”

Del Priore had a fever and lost her appetite following her COVID-19 diagnosis, but she didn’t need to be placed on a ventilator or be taken to a hospital, her granddaughter said.

She has since resumed her daily activities of swimming, sewing and a few dance steps whenever she can, the spry centenarian told the newspaper.

“I feel good,” Del Priore said. “I thank God I’m alive.”

Jasmine thinks her grandmother’s bout with the Spanish Flu, which also attacked her respiratory system, may have something to do with her ability to stave off the coronavirus — which has killed 163,473 Americans as of early Tuesday, according to John Hopkins University data.

Jasmine said her grandmother’s survival is a “miracle,” but noted her lifetime of staying in shape and eating well.

“She’s constantly moving,” Jasmine said. “We always walked in Brooklyn — to the grocery store, to the bakery. Every night she would make a homemade meal from scratch. All Mediterranean food — olive oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts. It’s like the old peasant food that now they charge you so much for.”

Del Priore is now among a select few of centenarians who have survived COVID-19, according to a gerontology site cited by the Asbury Park Press. Two 108-year-old Americans have bested the virus, while seven US citizens ages 107 or older have done so, the newspaper reports.

The oldest person worldwide confirmed to have beaten the coronavirus is a 113-year-old woman in Spain, according to the site.

Anna younger’s sister, 105-year-old Helen Guzzone, of Queens, also survived both the Spanish Flu and COVID-19, Jasmine said.

Staff at Del Priore’s living facility, meanwhile, said she’s an inspiration to behold.

“People don’t believe me,” said Del Priore’ health care coordinator, Laura Halle, said. “It’s really been amazing to watch her journey … For the rest of my life, I’ll be able to say I met and loved someone who’s made it this far and stayed healthy.”

As someone posted earlier, the shutdown in New Zealand is not about 4 cases. The family contacted the virus from an unknown origin which means that at least one other person (probably more) is infected. On top of this, there are several possible cases in a care home there. Test results are pending. Kudos to New Zealand for immediately responding to the threat

New York Attorney General Sues Egg Distributor for Price Gouging Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

I want to remind everyone that if Trump had handled this virus well and the economy stayed up the way it was, you know who would have won the election? It had to go this way in order for him to lose.

I want to remind you, R535, that Biden topped Trump in polls before anyone had ever heard of this virus. We didn’t “need” 160,000 dead Americans and millions more suffering economic calamity to rid ourselves of the worst president in our history.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 11 ~ 8:45 PM EST

🤡 PRESIDENTIAL JOKE DAY

🏖️ PLAY IN THE SAND DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 20,500, 676

DEATHS: 744,454

CRITICAL: 64,424

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,304,355

DEATHS: 167,650

CRITICAL: 17,339

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 MASKS REQUIRED @ ALL TIMES

[quote]DeSantis pushes football; Florida breaks virus death record

276 in one day

r536 think what you want

Clearly the United States really has it's priorities screwed up.

There is nothing admirable or attractive about blantantly selfish stupidity.

McNinny is probably screwing Donnie Jr.

ABC News: More than 900 healthcare workers in the United States have died from Covid19.

[quote]More than 900 healthcare workers in the United States have died from Covid19.

See? Proof! They all wore masks, right? Masks kill!!!1!1!

Has anybody done the Quest Lab antibody test? I'm one of those from the December "what is this hardcore flu" thread or whatever it was called who was sick for 6 weeks while in Europe for Christmas vacation. Hacking dry cough, fever, night sweats. It's a $115 for the test. I'm wondering if it's worth it.

USA +1504 deaths yesterday. Highest since May 27th.

[quote][R536] think what you want

How very kind of you. I am not r536, but can that apply to me as well r539?

It has become increasingly tiresome to think what you want.

[quote] I want to remind everyone that if Trump had handled this virus well and the economy stayed up the way it was, you know who would have won the election? It had to go this way in order for him to lose.

Yes, if dump were even semi-competent at his job, he might have been re-elected

But he’s not, so the point is moot

Never take anything for granted.

Any crisis that he had to deal with would have proven his incompetence

He would have fucked anything up

[quote]He would have fucked anything up

Would have/shmould have.

He HAS fucked everything up.

True, but until now he’s been able to gaslight much of America about how big a fuck up he was.

I call him President Fuck Up

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Blood test could determine severe COVID-19 cases, risk of death: study

Several biomarkers found in blood tests performed on coronavirus patients can allow doctors to detect the more critical cases and help them prevent those infected from getting worse, according to a new study.

Researchers at George Washington University said in the study published in Future Medicine that five biomarkers were linked to greater chances of deterioration and possible death from the illness, Fox News reported.

“This study has identified these five biomarkers as having an association with bad outcomes and not causation in a US cohort,” study authors Drs. Juan Reyes and Shant Ayanian told the news outlet in a statement.

The authors said they decided to embark on the research after early findings in China showed biomarkers associated with poor outcomes in patients stricken by the deadly bug.

The scientists studied the blood of 299 people who tested positive for COVID-19 and then analyzed five biomarkers present in their blood, according to the release, cited by Fox News.

Of the total, 200 patients had all five biomarkers analyzed, including CRP, D-dimer, IL-6, LDH and ferritin, the network reported.

Higher levels of the biomarkers were linked with bleeding disorders and inflammation that showed an increased risk for admission into intensive care units, ventilation support and death, the report said.

The greatest risk of death occurred when the D-dimer level was greater than 3 μg/ml and the LDH was higher than 1200 units/l, the authors said.

“We hope these biomarkers help physicians determine how aggressively they need to treat patients, whether a patient should be discharged, and how to monitor patients who are going home, among other clinical decisions,” said Ayanian, an assistant professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Doctors have so far been gauging the severity of the disease progression based on age and pre-existing medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and a compromised immune system, the authors noted.

But a simple blood test could help guide patients’ treatment, they added.

“In light of the current challenges faced by the pandemic, especially for institutions dealing with an overwhelming number of patients being hospitalized, this study could be useful for clinicians in order to identify sicker patients and aid resource utilization,” the authors told Fox News.

Face masks will be mandatory on Swiss flights starting this week

From CNN’s Niamh Kennedy in London

Face masks will be mandatory on all flights taking off or landing in Switzerland starting on Saturday, the Swiss government announced Wednesday.

Starting Oct. 1, gatherings of more than 1,000 people will also be allowed for events such as a football matches or concerts, government spokesperson André Simonazzi said in a series of tweets.

However, local authorities can refuse permission if there is a coronavirus outbreak in the area or contact tracing cannot be guaranteed.

It comes after France on Tuesday extended its ban on mass gatherings of 5,000 people or more until Oct. 30.

2 hr 48 min ago Here's which masks and face coverings are most effective, according to research

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

Duke University professor Warren S. Warren and a group of researchers conducted a test to analyze which masks and face coverings are most effective in combating the coronavirus.

Using a laser to see droplets when people speak, Warren and his team concluded that standard cotton masks “really do a pretty good job,” but other designs are not as effective, he said on CNN’s “New Day.”

“My rule of thumb would be if you can see a light through the fabric stretched out the way you're normally wearing it, it probably isn't doing a very good job protecting you,” Warren said.

Based on the Duke University research, these are the types of masks that work best:

N95 masks

three-layer surgical masks

cotton masks

And these are the types that do not work as well:

Neck fleeces (gaiter masks)

bandanas

knitted masks

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta says his review of different mask research was similar to Warren’s findings, and cautioned people to not let up on mask-wearing.

“It's amazing to me that so many people still don't wear these properly, or they're potentially constantly touching the outside of the mask, getting their hands contaminated and then potentially infecting themselves by touching their eyes, nose or their mouth … You want to wear the right material and make sure you're doing it properly,” Gupta said.

He also advised people to continue wearing masks indoors as well.

“Unless you're with your own family that you’ve been with, if you're going to be indoors with other people at a workplace, school, whatever, you need to have a mask on,” Gupta said, adding that “it’s amazing to me at this point in the pandemic that this basic thing is not being followed” without mask mandates in states like Georgia.

What we know -- and don't know -- about Russia's 'Sputnik V' vaccine

From CNN's Zamira Rahim

Russia raised eyebrows on Tuesday when it announced the world's first approved coronavirus vaccine for public use.

President Vladimir Putin says his own daughter has already received it, but testing is yet to be completed and experts are skeptical about how quickly the vaccine has been registered.

Here's a summary of what we know -- and don't know -- so far.

Is the Russian vaccine safe and effective?

The short answer is that we don't know. Russia has released no scientific data on its vaccine testing and CNN is unable to verify claims about its safety or effectiveness. But Russia says the vaccine has passed through Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials which were completed on August 1.

A Phase 3 trial on more than 2,000 people only began today. Typically Phase 3 trials are conducted on tens of thousands of people. "We do not have any information whatsoever on whether this is safe," Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, told CNN."

How did Russia pull this off so quickly?

In April, Russia enacted a law which eliminated the need for a Phase 3 vaccine trial before approval.

Approval now means the coronavirus vaccine can be distributed even as Phase 3 tests get underway -- though practically speaking, mass-manufactured doses aren't expected to be ready for weeks.

"They're not as far ahead as other vaccines," Neal said, noting that Moderna and Oxford's vaccines have already begun Phase 3 trials. Critics say Russia's haste is partly due to political pressure from the Kremlin, which is keen to portray the country as a global scientific force.

I heard that they only tested the Russian vaccine on 76 people !!!!!!!!

Belgium makes face masks compulsory in Brussels region

From CNN's Barbara Wojazer

Face masks have been made compulsory in Belgium's Brussels region, according to local authorities. The new rule came into effect Wednesday.

The rule applies to anyone aged 12 years or older, "in public spaces, as well as on private premises accessible to the public."

The decision comes as cases in the region crossed the threshold of 50 daily cases per 100,000 people, the local government said.

Weekly infections in Belgium rose at the end of July and officials in countries across Europe are scrambling to prevent a second wave of the virus.

Belgium has 75,008 cases of coronavirus according to Johns Hopkins University.

UK economy enters recession after plunging more than 20% in worst quarterly slump on record

From CNN’s Chris Liakos he UK economy shrank 20.4% in the second quarter of 2020, capturing the direct effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the government measures taken to reduce transmission of the virus, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This is the worst quarterly slump since such records began in 1955. It follows a 2.2% contraction in the first quarter, meaning the UK economy is now officially in recession.

Output of services, production and construction -- industries most exposed to government restrictions -- saw record drops from April to June. But as coronavirus restrictions eased in June, the UK economy rebounded 8.7%.

"The economy began to bounce back in June with shops reopening, factories beginning to ramp up production and housebuilding continuing to recover. Despite this, GDP in June still remains a sixth below its level in February, before the virus struck," said Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Economic Statistics Jonathan Athow. "Overall, productivity saw its largest fall in the second quarter since the three-day week," he said, referring to a 1973-74 measure. "Hospitality was worst hit, with productivity in that industry falling by three quarters in recent months."

Deepest recession: This is the worst quarterly drop for the second quarter of 2020 among the G7 economies.

UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I’ve said before that hard times were ahead, and today’s figures confirm that hard times are here. Hundreds of thousands of people have already lost their jobs, and sadly in the coming months many more will. But while there are difficult choices to be made ahead, we will get through this, and I can assure people that nobody will be left without hope or opportunity.”

Dr. Sanjay Gupta seems to be amazed a lot.

Germany sees new spike in coronavirus infections

From CNN's Fred Pleitgen in Berlin

Germany’s daily new coronavirus infections soared above 1,000 again on Tuesday, after several days with lower numbers, according to data from the country’s center for disease prevention, the Robert Koch Institute.

The institute recorded 1,226 new cases over the past day, up from 966 the day before.

Germany has been dealing with a rise in infection numbers for several weeks. The government is urging citizens to strictly adhere to social distancing rules, mask wearing and hand sanitizing. It has also rolled out free tests for anyone entering the country.

US health chief: If Covid-19 had emerged in Taiwan, it "would have gone very differently"

From CNN’s Jen Christensen

If Covid-19 had first emerged in Taiwan, the United States or any other open society, it “would have gone very differently,” US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a teleconference from Taipei on Wednesday.

“It would have been reported to public health authorities who would have shared that information with the public and with medical professionals, even more important, it would have been reported in a timely, accurate and transparent manner, under the International Health Regulations, under which Taiwan has been a model of compliance on information sharing,” Azar said.

Azar met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, the Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung and members of the Taiwan CDC to discuss Covid-19 during his three-day trip to the self-ruled island, the highest-level visit by a US cabinet official in four decades.

“My visit to Taiwan is a recognition of its success in combating Covid-19, and a testament to our shared beliefs that open democratic societies are best equipped to combat infectious disease threats like Covid-19,” Azar said.

Criticizing China: In contrast to his praise for Taiwan, Azar was highly critical of the way China handled the initial outbreak.

“China could have, and should have, disclosed more information more transparently and more cooperatively regarding Covid-19,” Azar said. “They should have disclosed ... the rapid human to human transmission of the disease that they knew about, they should have disclosed the asymptomatic carriage and transmission of the disease.”

Azar also accused China of a month-and-a-half delay in allowing outside experts into the country to learn more about the disease, and pressuring the World Health Organization to stop other countries from establishing border controls and travel restrictions.

“Even as China imposed internal travel restrictions, [it still allowed] their people to travel throughout the world including to Europe, which then allows … travelers in Europe to spread disease across the United States,” Azar said.

⏳ CORONA TIME ~ AUGUST 12 ~ 1:30 PM EST

🍟 JULIENNE FRIES DAY

🤼 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

🌎 GLOBAL

CASES: 20,642,434

DEATHS: 748,543

CRITICAL: 64,657

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES

CASES: 5,324,396

DEATHS: 168,319

CRITICAL: 17,342

📊 WORLDOMETER.COM

😷 HEY, GOOD LOOKIN'

It pleases me to know that there is a julienne fries day.

The good news: The United States has a window of opportunity to beat back Covid-19 before things get much, much worse.

The bad news: That window is rapidly closing. And the country seems unwilling or unable to seize the moment.

Unless Americans use the dwindling weeks between now and the onset of “indoor weather” to tamp down transmission in the country, this winter could be Dickensianly bleak, public health experts warn.

Those hard core party people and college students ( the future of America ) don't have time for that "be smart-be safe-be calm-stay home" nonsense right now. Too busy planning their end of summer and autumn festivities.

They will then depart for home to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with their families and hometown friends, bringing home a little something to spread around, and I'm not talking about the Spirit of the Season.

Sorry too busy, too ... green. Love the design but prefer simpler, clean lines (and in silver or pewter). Wouldn't give it houseroom. But if you like this sort of thing, go for it...

[quote] They will then depart for home to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with their families and hometown friends .....

Before all that, I imagine Halloween parties galore, with everyone claiming they're okay, because revelers can wear masks.

Of course, you can't drink with masks over your mouth.

R569, there is a mask with a small flap secured with Velcro. Lift the tab, and you'll find a circular opening to accommodate a straw !

I saw another design a few weeks ago with a zippered opening that will allow you to drink and eat.

It was only a matter of time ............

R569, there is a mask with a small flap secured with Velcro. Lift the tab, and you'll find a circular opening to accommodate a straw !

I saw another design a few weeks ago with a zippered opening that will allow you to drink and eat.

It was only a matter of time ............

‘A Smoking Gun’: Infectious Coronavirus Retrieved From Hospital Air

Skeptics of the notion that the coronavirus spreads through the air — including many expert advisers to the World Health Organization — have held out for one missing piece of evidence: proof that floating respiratory droplets called aerosols contain live virus, and not just fragments of genetic material.

Now a team of virologists and aerosol scientists has produced exactly that: confirmation of infectious virus in the air.

“This is what people have been clamoring for,” said Linsey Marr, an expert in airborne spread of viruses who was not involved in the work. “It’s unambiguous evidence that there is infectious virus in aerosols.”

A research team at the University of Florida succeeded in isolating live virus from aerosols collected at a distance of seven to 16 feet from patients hospitalized with Covid-19 — farther than the six feet recommended in social distancing guidelines.

Got my test this morning - results will come back in a swift 5-7 days.

Not sure what the point is - and also shows the potential delays in positive case reporting. I would say most states are several days behind in case reporting.

Death reporting can be up to a couple of weeks delayed based on recent reports.

New thread?

Count on 10-14 days for those test results to come back.

R574 New thread

Bajour?

por que?

MAME

Does anyone understand anything about California (or anywhere) unemployment?

Say you are furloughed, and you gain part time employment in the meantime. Then you leave the part time work...would one still receive unemployment from the furloughed work? I hope this makes sense.

Impossible to get through to by phone, and an email I sent back in March/April just received a reply this past week...in August.

Good luck on getting any money, r580, I've had friends who applied for UN at the beginning of the pandemic, was approved, but still haven't received any money. I was lucky enough to have applied a month before, so I got my money.

Did you leave the part time job voluntary? If so you had better have a valid reason or the will probably be denied. At least that is what happened to me.

These threads seem to lock around 450 these days. If I am not logged in, I can't post.

I am furious about the testing. I took one four weeks ago and never got the results. It’s obvious I don’t have it, but how is anyone supposed to do anything if you have no clue what is going on?

Mine took 13 days to come back. When it did I was already over it. Crazy.

If you have to wait more than 2 days the test is essentially worthless.

Nationwide, testing numbers are going down even while cases are going up. Trump gets his wish. Can you imagine what the real numbers are?

R581 I'm grateful to be receiving unemployment from the two jobs I was furloughed from back in mid-March. This new part time job just came about this month, and I have a feeling it's not going to last. But my unemployment is from the other jobs, I certainly don't expect to receive any from this part-time gig, I just don't want it to have a negative effect.

R582, exactly, I'm nervous because I do want to leave but fearful it will affect the unemployment I already have in the worst way. I'm hoping maybe I'll do a bad enough job so they just let me go instead of me leaving on my own accord, if that makes a difference. Part of me is grateful to have the work, but it's not going well. They don't sanitize and they don't seem to care about it either. Doesn't seem like a safe working environment. And yes, I know that is not a valid reason to leave a job. I hope you're better and either working or found a way to get some sort of unemployment-

great video

Anyone in CA know when this $300 unemployment kicks in?

Threads are slowing down, but Corona sure isn't!

Labor Day is bound to bump up those numbers, sadly. If you're in California, another heatwave is coming, worse than the one last week, and although the beaches won't be closed, I'm thinking there won't be much mask-wearing or proper distancing.

Pretty much, a repeat of Memorial Day, July 4th, etc...

In the beginning if these threads it was strategizing and sharing tips. Now it appears to be secretly hoping Covid has a spikes over Labor Day weekend. Dare to dream R591.

R590 - I think it starts 9/7. I read a couple of articles on reddit.

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