COVID-19 (f/k/a "the Coronavirus")

[wadesworld]

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tribes-covid-19-federal-relief-treasury-deb-haaland_n_5ea9decac5b633a8544487d9

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Head of Harvard Global Health Institute

https://mobile.twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1271411982965579776

Interesting analysis by Dr Tom Friedman (former cdc head)

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrTomFrieden/status/1271850285363859457

A voice from a prior tragedy (LTG Honore)

https://mobile.twitter.com/ltgrusselhonore/status/1271554592585760773

[forgetful]

Head of Harvard Global Health Institute

https://mobile.twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1271411982965579776

Interesting analysis by Dr Tom Friedman (former cdc head)

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrTomFrieden/status/1271850285363859457

A voice from a prior tragedy (LTG Honore)

https://mobile.twitter.com/ltgrusselhonore/status/1271554592585760773

What bothers me is that so much of what is going on lately, in so many regards, are things that would have previously been universally condemned. All news outlets would make it clear that everything is a mess, and the actions of those in charge are wrong.

Now, we have a ton of apathy. One side just doesn't have the energy/will to keep pointing out the problems. And the other side doesn't even care, or hides from it. It is all a bit depressing and exhausting.

And most of congress, just wants to fight amongst themselves while nothing gets done.

[GooooMarquette]

Head of Harvard Global Health Institute

https://mobile.twitter.com/ashishkjha/status/1271411982965579776

Interesting analysis by Dr Tom Friedman (former cdc head)

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrTomFrieden/status/1271850285363859457

A voice from a prior tragedy (LTG Honore)

https://mobile.twitter.com/ltgrusselhonore/status/1271554592585760773

This is horribly depressing, but they are correct. The head of the Harvard Global Health Institute best summarizes what I have seen - at least from the highest levels - that "the federal government has just thrown in the towel." The people within CDC still seem to be trying to do their jobs, but their recommendations and data are kept from public view and willfully ignored by higher leadership. And the President holds rallies....

[TSmith34, Inc.]

This is horribly depressing, but they are correct. The head of the Harvard Global Health Institute best summarizes what I have seen - at least from the highest levels - that "the federal government has just thrown in the towel."

Jared is fixing it just like he fixed everything else

[shoothoops]

COVID-19 Hospital Bill:

https://twitter.com/liamstack/status/1271798025413951490?s=19

[GooooMarquette]

COVID-19 Hospital Bill:

https://twitter.com/liamstack/status/1271798025413951490?s=19

This tiny virus could do more to move us toward universal healthcare than Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren put together.

[jesmu84]

This tiny virus could do more to move us toward universal healthcare than Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren put together.

Our country will never pass universal healthcare. Too many monied interests against it, regardless of whether or not it would be better for society as a whole.

[GooooMarquette]

Our country will never pass universal healthcare. Too many monied interests against it, regardless of whether or not it would be better for society as a whole.

I agree with you...but only if you are referring to a single–payer system.

However, I think we will get universal coverage sooner than later, to fill the gap for those who make too much to be eligible for Medicaid but not enough to afford insurance. There will still be private insurance (most of it provided through employers) IMHO.

[Warriors4ever]

Starting from scratch, insurance would never be tied to employment. Somehow we have to find a way to fix this mess.

[GooooMarquette]

Beijing closes market, locks down area in new virus outbreak

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/13/beijing-closes-market-locks-down-area-in-new-virus-outbreak

The largest wholesale food market in Beijing was shuttered behind police guard and the surrounding neighborhood locked down Saturday after more than 50 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the Chinese capital.

The outbreak — coming more than 50 days after the last local case in the city of 20 million people — showed how the virus can still come back as restrictions are eased. The city’s swift response reflected China’s emphasis on moving quickly to stem the spread of new cases wherever they appear, a lesson learned from fighting the outbreak earlier.

—————

I suspect the lower overall numbers in China reflect skewed reporting, but also swift and decisive action when an outbreak occurs.

No – I am not advocating that the US become China, or anything like it. But in times of a public health emergency, swift and decisive action is often critical.

[Jockey]

Beijing closes market, locks down area in new virus outbreak

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/13/beijing-closes-market-locks-down-area-in-new-virus-outbreak

The largest wholesale food market in Beijing was shuttered behind police guard and the surrounding neighborhood locked down Saturday after more than 50 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the Chinese capital.

The outbreak — coming more than 50 days after the last local case in the city of 20 million people — showed how the virus can still come back as restrictions are eased. The city’s swift response reflected China’s emphasis on moving quickly to stem the spread of new cases wherever they appear, a lesson learned from fighting the outbreak earlier.

—————

I suspect the lower overall numbers in China reflect skewed reporting, but also swift and decisive action when an outbreak occurs.

No – I am not advocating that the US become China, or anything like it. But in times of a public health emergency, swift and decisive action is often critical.

I think China is lying to us. Zero cases for over 7 weeks in a very dense city? Hardly. And then 50 cases in that same city in one day? Very dubious.

[injuryBug]

I think China is lying to us. Zero cases for over 7 weeks in a very dense city? Hardly. And then 50 cases in that same city in one day? Very dubious.

I agree no doubt those numbers are even close to real for china especially with how many people they have.

[shoothoops]

Florida:

https://twitter.com/NPR/status/1272173594043453440?s=19

[pbiflyer]

Florida:

https://twitter.com/NPR/status/1272173594043453440?s=19

Ironic this was posted right above a post saying you can’t trust China’s numbers.
I certainly don’t trust Florida’s numbers.

[mu03eng]

Ironic this was posted right above a post saying you can’t trust China’s numbers.
I certainly don’t trust Florida’s numbers.

Any direct evidence supporting this? Depending on where you sit politically determined whether someone trusts some organizations data over another. So much for science based.

[GooooMarquette]

Any direct evidence supporting this? Depending on where you sit politically determined whether someone trusts some organizations data over another. So much for science based.

It has been documented that Florida - unlike other states or standard public health reporting practices - is not counting any deaths that occur in people who do not list Florida as their primary residence. As you probably know, Florida has a significant number of such people. And it just happens that many of them are among the highest risk groups.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/04/11/floridas-count-of-coronavirus-deaths-is-missing-some-cases/

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2020/05/08/blocked-data-floridas-medical-examiners-expose-covid-19-failures-unredacted/3058832001/

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Opinion from Scott gottleib on reopening/way forward.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-rules-for-covid-summer-be-flexible-and-vigilant-11592167772

[injuryBug]

Opinion from Scott gottleib on reopening/way forward.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-rules-for-covid-summer-be-flexible-and-vigilant-11592167772

Good read and much different than what I have seen from Gottleib.  Much more optimistic about the future

[GooooMarquette]

Dr. Scott Gottlieb warns U.S. coronavirus hot spots ‘could quickly get out of control’

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/15/dr-scott-gottlieb-warns-us-coronavirus-hot-spots-could-quickly-get-out-of-control.html

States like Arizona, Texas and Florida that are seeing surges in confirmed cases, as well as spikes in hospitalizations, in some cases should be conducting aggressive contact tracing, Gottlieb said. Contact tracing occurs when trained personnel interview infected individuals to pinpoint where they were infected and to track down others who might have been exposed.

“We’re not going to be able to shut down the country again this summer. We’re probably not going to be able to shut down the country again this fall,” he said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “And so we’re going to need to try to isolate the sources of these outbreaks and take targeted steps. If we can’t do that, these will get out of control.”

---------

Several of us have been beating this drum from the beginning, and yet contact tracing efforts are lacking and variable throughout the country. If CDC hadn't been shoved to the sideline, it could be coordinating a massive (and consistent) contact tracing program that would help keep the country open. But as it looks now, we may still be looking at sporadic opening and closing of cities, states or regions.

[mu03eng]

Dr. Scott Gottlieb warns U.S. coronavirus hot spots ‘could quickly get out of control’

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/15/dr-scott-gottlieb-warns-us-coronavirus-hot-spots-could-quickly-get-out-of-control.html

States like Arizona, Texas and Florida that are seeing surges in confirmed cases, as well as spikes in hospitalizations, in some cases should be conducting aggressive contact tracing, Gottlieb said. Contact tracing occurs when trained personnel interview infected individuals to pinpoint where they were infected and to track down others who might have been exposed.

“We’re not going to be able to shut down the country again this summer. We’re probably not going to be able to shut down the country again this fall,” he said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “And so we’re going to need to try to isolate the sources of these outbreaks and take targeted steps. If we can’t do that, these will get out of control.”

---------

Several of us have been beating this drum from the beginning, and yet contact tracing efforts are lacking and variable throughout the country. If CDC hadn't been shoved to the sideline, it could be coordinating a massive (and consistent) contact tracing program that would help keep the country open. But as it looks now, we may still be looking at sporadic opening and closing of cities, states or regions.

Practically speaking how does one contact trace with all that has gone on the last month or two? Not sure that you can put the type of infrastructure in place to trace the sheer volume of engagement we've seen. Put another way, is the spread so general that tracing is even practical.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Practically speaking how does one contact trace with all that has gone on the last month or two? Not sure that you can put the type of infrastructure in place to trace the sheer volume of engagement we've seen. Put another way, is the spread so general that tracing is even practical.

I think the answer is start tracing.

In the ideal sense you get a low(er) level of spread and start from a base where it is more outbreak dependent.  I think the northeast is getting there.  I think some states that had lower spread are getting there.

Wouldn't we be better off doing this on all positive cases...then force their contacts to get tested or ask them to quarantine?  Or is it a more positive result to roll the dice and only have shut-down at our disposal. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Maybe I'm being too pessimistic here, but I have my doubts that a lot of these southern states are going to make large investments into things like contact tracing.  I think we have simply made the decision that we are going to Sweden this thing out until we get a vaccine.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I don't disagree Fluffer. Early on Scott Gottleib said that this could be an Achilles heel.  We are only as good as the weakest link in this regard.  Then again.  If there is a scare in some places on hospitalization capacity, there is still time to get the infrastructure in place for when it matters most (fall).

[Jockey]

Practically speaking how does one contact trace with all that has gone on the last month or two?

Maybe have a national leader who cares about dealing with Covid. That is the one thing this country has not tried.

Or maybe takes the shackles off of the CDC and let them do their job.

Or maybe have a gov't that sets up an infrastructure for governors to deal with the problem.