+- Atheist Discussion (https://atheistdiscussion.org/forums)
+-- Forum: General Discussion (https://atheistdiscussion.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=89)
+--- Forum: World News, Politics and Current Events (https://atheistdiscussion.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=102)
+--- Thread: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread) (/showthread.php?tid=4797)
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread) - Aroura - 02-27-2020
I thought perhaps this deserves it's own thread. Maybe we can discuss the threat of pandemics in general as well.
The stats as of today, Feb 27th are:
Confirmed cases worldwide: 82,781
Deaths: 2,817
Serious or critical condition: 8,471
Number of countries affected: 51
Number of cases in Italy: 655
Number of cases in the US: 60
My understanding is that the CDC has identified the first non-direc, community communicated case of the illness in the US this morning. That means it is outside of quarentine.
The CDC has, as of Tuesday, classified this as a pandemic, due to community spread in multiple countries.
The CDC has also announced they expect it to spread inside the US.
Quote:The CDC said Americans should prepare for the possibility of disruptions to their daily lives if the virus were to start spreading in the U.S. That could include closing schools, working from home and delaying elective medical procedures.
. 25, 202001:44
"We should all be dusting off our pandemic preparedness plans and rehearse them very quickly," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. "The core concept is social distancing."
President Trump is downplaying the concerns raised by the CDC, and has appointed Mike Pence to be in charge of a committee to be in charge of the US response.
While Governor of Indiana, Mike Pence closed the last Planned Parenthood clinic, which was also the last free clinic int he sate that did AIDS testing. This resulted in an AIDS outbreak in the area. Mike Pence has also taken very anti-science positions in the past, such as stating "Smoking doesn't kill". Americans are not reasured.
This isn't to say people should panic. We absolutely shouldn't. But I do think people should take CDC warning seriously. Do what you can for emergency preparedness. Check on your elderly neighbors to make sure they have enough for at least a week. The elderly are at the highest risk in the event of a spread, and we should do what we can to protect them.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Thumpalumpacus - 02-27-2020
The economic fallout from this will probably last months.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Bucky Ball - 02-27-2020
Trump lied to the nation in his press conference last night. Today, the Admin told the medical people that ALL information must be run through Pence's committee. Not to worry. There will be whistle-blowers. Pence is a fool, and utterly incompetent. He wanted to pray away the gay.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Marozz - 02-27-2020
Just had the first case in Northern Ireland. The person arrived from Italy. His plane landed here in the Republic, Dublin airport. Now authorities are trying to trace all other passengers that took the same flight. A bit of an overreaction here in Ireland, face masks have completely sold out nationwide
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-27-2020
Although I agree people shouldn't overreact, I don't think buying face masks falls into that category. They have been sold out around where I live for 2 weeks already. I only know because the shop teacher couldn't find any for my daughters design class.
This Coronavirus has a 2-4% death rate (it's not yet clear), which is higher than the flu that killing millions in 1917, and 2000x higher than the seasonal flu. It's not like plague levels of bad, but it's also nothing to sneeze at. Pun intended.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Minimalist - 02-27-2020
(02-27-2020, 09:26 PM)Bucky Ball Wrote: Trump lied to the nation in his press conference last night. Today, the Admin told the medical people that ALL information must be run through Pence's committee. Not to worry. There will be whistle-blowers. Pence is a fool, and utterly incompetent. He wanted to pray away the gay.
![[Image: Neil123.jpg]](http://www.chicagonow.com/an-atheist-in-illinois/files/2016/08/Neil123.jpg)
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-27-2020
Welcome to communist China?
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Rainy_D - 02-27-2020
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Rainy_D - 02-27-2020
Quote:The New York Times reported that Iran is fast becoming a second focal point after China over the spread of the virus. Cases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, the UAE and Canada have all been traced to Iran. Pakistan has also confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus amid reports that it has started to quarantine pilgrims returning from the Iranian holy city of Qom. Pakistan has already sealed its border with Iran.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200227-third-senior-iranian-official-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/
China --> Iran
Interesting path of travel AND to hit so many officials.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-27-2020
My understanding is that they don't yet fully understand all paths of transmission.
The confirmed case in the US had no direct contact with anyone that has traveled outside the US, so they're still trying to figure out the path in that case.
Most countries are not equipped to deal with what appears to be coming, including the ones we consider "developed".
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Cheerful Charlie - 02-27-2020
The virus is already beginning to spread in Iran. I wonder when some ISIL demented leader gets the idea to spread this virus via infected jihadists to large cities as a weapon of war?
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Rainy_D - 02-28-2020
(02-27-2020, 11:27 PM)Aroura Wrote: My understanding is that they don't yet fully understand all paths of transmission.
The confirmed case in the US had no direct contact with anyone that has traveled outside the US, so they're still trying to figure out the path in that case.
Most countries are not equipped to deal with what appears to be coming, including the ones we consider "developed".
There is so many unknowns I am not ready to become alarmed at this point.
EDIT:
No known direct contact does not rule out passing thru the same store/resturant/bank/etc as some traveler back from a business venture in an affected area and just being the unlucky one who got the infected dollar(s) back from the cashier.
end EDIT
City of Wuhan pop 11 mill. If 80K infections in Wuhan alone, that is 0.7% of population. Without looking up the numbers, I think that is pretty close to an average flu season infection rate.
Hubei provence pop 58mill. If 80K infections out of 58Mill = infection rate of 0.14%
But I personally dont trust china numbers. Yet we do have the cruise ship examples, where people were intermingling with a virus exposure unabated for a while to compare with and I just dont see the risk as being exceptional for most people.
Something I never heard of until yesterday:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pandemic+bonds
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Dr H - 02-28-2020
I've been telling people for years not to drink that beer, but do they listen?
No. And look what happens.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Rainy_D - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 01:32 AM)Dr H Wrote: I've been telling people for years not to drink that beer, but do they listen?
No. And look what happens.
Earlier today I was thinking hmm... mexico does not seem to be a chinese tourist destination.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Tres Leches - 02-28-2020
I just opened the NY Times web page and learned a woman is hospitalized in my city with coronavirus. Apparently the hospital didn't confirm until days after she was admitted that she had the virus and she didn't travel to China. One of my best friends works in this hospital. Oof.
Health care is prohibitively expensive here, even if you have insurance. Many workplaces don't have paid sick leave. Other nations don't have these problems and yet the virus is still spreading in those places.
After the tragic Camp fire in 2018, when we had a horrible, sickening cloud of smoke overhead for 2 weeks, I bought a pack of N95 respirator masks and put them away for the next fire. I forgot about them until a few weeks ago. The same masks are now quadruple and quintuple the price online.
I'm far from being frightened but I'm putting together a worst-case-scenario dystopic pandemic emergency kit with the masks and a few other items.
I told this to a coworker today and he asked for 3 for his family. He offered to pay. I'm giving them to him tomorrow.
-Teresa
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Phaedrus - 02-28-2020
When it's my time to go, it's my time to go.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Tres Leches - 02-28-2020
(02-27-2020, 09:24 PM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: The economic fallout from this will probably last months.
Years.
And the current occupant of the White House might as well start writing his exit tweet.
-Teresa
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Thumpalumpacus - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 02:04 AM)Tres Leches Wrote:(02-27-2020, 09:24 PM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: The economic fallout from this will probably last months.
Years.
And the current occupant of the White House might as well start writing his exit tweet.
-Teresa
I hope it's that easy, but I confess skepticism.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Tres Leches - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 02:05 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:(02-28-2020, 02:04 AM)Tres Leches Wrote:(02-27-2020, 09:24 PM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: The economic fallout from this will probably last months.
Years.
And the current occupant of the White House might as well start writing his exit tweet.
-Teresa
I hope it's that easy, but I confess skepticism.
Oh, he'll never resign. That's after he loses in November.
-Teresa
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 02:02 AM)Tres Leches Wrote: I just opened the NY Times web page and learned a woman is hospitalized in my city with coronavirus. Apparently the hospital didn't confirm until days after she was admitted that she had the virus and she didn't travel to China. One of my best friends works in this hospital. Oof.You live there? That was the case I mentioned, the first community case in the US, meaning she didn't contract it directly overseas, and they don't even know where she contracted it yet. Best wishes to your family! (And your mail is otw, btw, hopefully it arrives soon).
Health care is prohibitively expensive here, even if you have insurance. Many workplaces don't have paid sick leave. Other nations don't have these problems and yet the virus is still spreading in those places.
After the tragic Camp fire in 2018, when we had a horrible, sickening cloud of smoke overhead for 2 weeks, I bought a pack of N95 respirator masks and put them away for the next fire. I forgot about them until a few weeks ago. The same masks are now quadruple and quintuple the price online.
I'm far from being frightened but I'm putting together a worst-case-scenario dystopic pandemic emergency kit with the masks and a few other items.
I told this to a coworker today and he asked for 3 for his family. He offered to pay. I'm giving them to him tomorrow.
-Teresa
I think making a kit is a good idea. Everyone, if they can afford it, should get 2 weeks worth of food (and water, though we just filter and bottle our own).
That's very nice of you to share your supplies and help other people get emergency kits ready.
There are no masks in my area left. I wonder if I should try and order some online.
Basically I just got medicine, food, including a lot of root veggies and supplies to make our own bread. We have no idea how fast it could spread, if it spreads at all, though the CDC seems to think it will.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 01:32 AM)Rainy_D Wrote:Isn't the infection rate on the cruise ship over 60%?(02-27-2020, 11:27 PM)Aroura Wrote: My understanding is that they don't yet fully understand all paths of transmission.
The confirmed case in the US had no direct contact with anyone that has traveled outside the US, so they're still trying to figure out the path in that case.
Most countries are not equipped to deal with what appears to be coming, including the ones we consider "developed".
There is so many unknowns I am not ready to become alarmed at this point.
EDIT:
No known direct contact does not rule out passing thru the same store/resturant/bank/etc as some traveler back from a business venture in an affected area and just being the unlucky one who got the infected dollar(s) back from the cashier.
end EDIT
City of Wuhan pop 11 mill. If 80K infections in Wuhan alone, that is 0.7% of population. Without looking up the numbers, I think that is pretty close to an average flu season infection rate.
Hubei provence pop 58mill. If 80K infections out of 58Mill = infection rate of 0.14%
But I personally dont trust china numbers. Yet we do have the cruise ship examples, where people were intermingling with a virus exposure unabated for a while to compare with and I just dont see the risk as being exceptional for most people.
Something I never heard of until yesterday:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pandemic+bonds
Again, the CDC says this is "possibly" more infectious than the seasonal flu's, and certainly more deadly. Yes, it's not the plague.
I am not encouraging anyone to panic, I just hope people take it seriously enough to make sure they are prepared just in case. Girl Scout Motto: better safe than sorry.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-28-2020
Oh I should specify, the emergency supplies aren't because most of us are at risk of expose or illness, it's because there may be supply chain disruptions as businesses voluntarily close, and if there are hot spots here and there that force voluntary quarantines and the like. It appears some of our overseas supply chains are certain to be disrupted as it currently stands.
I'm not saying we are all gonna die. I'm just saying, don't wait to get groceries until the day you find out your city has had an outbreak and the shelves are empty.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - skyking - 02-28-2020
I have a couple of weeks of canned goods and the like around. Not saying it won't be boring, but everybody can have a modest supply of something to eat and drink.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Aroura - 02-28-2020
It appears that all information will now have to be funneled through Mike Pence. So, here is the danger of fascism, same as the problem of ferreting out the truth in China. We won't be able to trust the health info we are getting from our own government?
This seems to indicate that Trump doesn't want this to interfere with his re-election campaign. Fantastic set of priorities.
Not surprising though.
RE: Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! - Thumpalumpacus - 02-28-2020
(02-28-2020, 02:11 AM)Tres Leches Wrote:(02-28-2020, 02:05 AM)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:(02-28-2020, 02:04 AM)Tres Leches Wrote: Years.
And the current occupant of the White House might as well start writing his exit tweet.
-Teresa
I hope it's that easy, but I confess skepticism.
Oh, he'll never resign. That's after he loses in November.
-Teresa
I don't think anything arising from this pandemic will endanger his job, unfortunately.