COVID COVID-19 Coronavirus Containment Efforts

[kadiot]

Do you have an article about this? Would be useful for Wikipedia's list.

Here is the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary

 

[kadiot]

When Canada’s leader Trudeau was asked if he would seal the border between Canada and US, he answered;
“NOT YET TIME...”

Italy’s leader, Conte, also said a similar response... until... 1,000 died of Covid-19 and now he has now finally declared the lockdown of the entire country...

Lessons to be learned by other leaders? Maybe ...

 

[bhobba]

A chart explaining why the number of confirmed cases in the US likely greatly underestimates the actual number of cases (and how countries like South Korea have been more effective in managing the outbreak and keeping death rates low)

This is what gets me. We know what works:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/opinion/coronavirus-best-response.html

Just do it. First - new breakthrough:
https://kdvr.com/news/coronavirus/e...an-get-covid-19-test-results-in-2-10-minutes/

A complete lock-down of the country like NZ has done will likely work:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...prime-minister-updates-nz-on-covid19-outbreak

Australia where I live could do the same. But will it work any better than test, test, then test some more? Test everyone coming in, have roving teams going around testing everyone on the streets - ensure people that need to quarantine actually do. Trace infected individuals thoroughly. Do social distancing measures - great, wash your hand s etc - well really you should do that anyway just to reduce the cases of flu and the common cold - reinforce it - yes - but a complete lock down?

Thanks
Bill

 

[bhobba]

If I'm not mistaken, calling 911 for am ambulance can cost thousands?

That depends on where you live. In Australia, its free in many (but not all) states, paid for in various ways depending on the state you live in by a levy on something eg electricity bills. Otherwise its always part of any medical insurance you have. But in places that do not have that its reached farcical proportions. Everyone is told in an emergency you ring 000 (I think 911 works here as well). You are then asked - police, fire or ambulance. Woe is you if you say ambulance, because you have to pay the bill which here, just to get them out, not including anything else they might do, costs about $1000.00. One good Samaritan is still being chased by debt collectors for calling the ambulance when he saw a car accident. Amazing.

But as to your question - ring emergency and say police - they should get you to hospital without cost - this is your life we are talking about.

Thanks
Bill

 

[wukunlin]

A complete lock-down of the country like NZ has done will likely work:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...prime-minister-updates-nz-on-covid19-outbreak

Australia where I live could do the same. But will it work any better than test, test, then test some more? Test everyone coming in, have roving teams going around testing everyone on the streets - ensure people that need to quarantine actually do. Trace infected individuals thoroughly. Do social distancing measures - great, wash your hand s etc - well really you should do that anyway just to reduce the cases of flu and the common cold - reinforce it - yes - but a complete lock down?

Thanks
Bill

NZ is just having people quarantined, unlike how in China where some cities are disallowing everyone from entering or leaving, except for supply runs and medical teams. I'm not sure how the quarentine will be implemented in NZ. During SARS, people from danger zones just had to stay at home for 14 days with no way to tell if they actually did that.

China had to be draconian because a lot of people in surburban regions are still lacking that public health awareness. It was difficult to make them understand just how serious this is, especially when visiting relatives during the Chinese New Year was a very important practice. Some were successful through hefty bonuses to village council leaders if they can keep their regions disease free, which lead to loud speakers telling people to stay at home and even trenches and roadblocks sealing up these villages.

 

[hagopbul]

Yes, I have a primary care doctor.

I am also self-iso-ing.

I also do not have work for at least a couple of weeks. So, this is all-aroudn good.

My main thing I'm trying to figure out is if I feel really ill, but still lucid and able to drive, would it be better to drive myself to an E.R. if things get bad over calling an ambulance?

If I'm not mistaken, calling 911 for am ambulance can cost thousands?

Please do not panic

But why on Earth an ambulance will cost you money , if you don't have money or you are not insured they won't come take you .

Seriously they ask money from you or from some the insurance company ?!?

I don't live in the US so I don't know how your medical system work

But just do not panic and take care of yourself

 

[bhobba]

But why on Earth an ambulance will cost you money , if you don't have money or you are not insured they won't come take you .

Of course do not panic - that's the worst thing you can do.

I do not know how it is in other countries, but here in Aus, you ring the ambulance (or rather emergency and ask for an ambulance) then they come. They will if necessary chase you for money later. Until recently most people in Aus had some form of medical insurance, and in some places its free so was not a big issue - but still an issue. Recently people have been deciding they are sick and tired of insurance due to its very fast rising cost, and the sneaky tricks insurance companies/private hospitals use so you keep getting bills that trickle in for months after. You go to a public hospital - no charge at all. So people are leaving in droves. Basic actuarial science - less people to spread risk - up goes your premiums, which causes more to leave and you have a death spiral. Anyway we now have a lot less insured and the chasing of ambulance bills is fast becoming a big issue.

All this is of course solvable, but the exact method depends on your philosophical inclination, those more on the personal responsibility spectrum will want a different resolution than those more on the collectivist spectrum, so it gets grid locked in politics.

Thanks
Bill

 

[pinball1970]

A study as to whether it's air borne. Pre print

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033217v2

 

[atyy]

Doctor called Corona helps Indonesia battle coronavirus
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/reg...led-corona-helps-indonesia-battle-coronavirus

 

[kyphysics]

But as to your question - ring emergency and say police - they should get you to hospital without cost - this is your life we are talking about.

Possibly, but they could also call for an ambulance to take me, esp. if they think I have coronavirus, lol. They wouldn't want to come to my house and get infected.

I will definitely get to an E.R. one way or another. For sure, not playing around with my life or LUNGS:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/people-fully-recover-coronavirus-left-103917303.html
People who fully recover from the Coronavirus can be left with '20 to 30%' less lung function, and gasping for breath when they walk quickly, Hong Kong doctors find

 

[kyphysics]

Call your doctor and ask. If you can't reach them, call your nearest hospital and ask. Do not just show up in the emergency room.

When you say "an ambulance can cost thousands", I assume that means you are uninsured (also as per a previous thread)? If you can still drive, the hospital may direct you to an outside-the-hospital triage area or just meet you in the parking lot.

Also, while it hasn't been decided yet, it is possible if not likely that the US government will be reimbursing uninsured people for Coronavirus related medical costs:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/p...edical-bills-for-coronavirus-tests-2020-03-10

Yeah, I've heard the worry was a healthy person GETTING COVID19 going to a doctor and waiting to be seen. Calling is a better idea.

I have disaster insurance (super high deductible) and covers nothing (except for disaster).

I did see something about that - Trump asking health providers to waive medical debt for COVID19. Not in stone yet, but could be soon and would make sense.

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

ALL of the above can also possibly be explained from very, very little sleep the past few days, as I stayed up 20-hours or so for 3 or 4 days straight every day (i.e., 4-ish hours sleep/night). Lots of panic stockpiling as well, because I had been so busy before and lazy about it. When I got to Costo, Walmart, Target, etc., lines were crazy and stuff was out. Made trips all over town to stock up on TWO months worth of stuff.

I figure there will be a "less informed" class of U.S. citizens who still don't get it and will be out and about the next 30-days. Add to that the growth case rate of this disease (exponential) and April is when I think we possibly get all out craziness. I actually think U.S. lockdown could be in full affect even from April to May (at least, in a worst case scenario).

Hence, my past few days of major stockpiling. Fatigue could easily have come from that. Shortness of breath is the MAIN thing I'll be self-monitoring the next few days. Could be from being exhausted too.

 

[atyy]

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

Why not call your doctor immediately?

In Singapore, many people had to consult a general practitioner twice (or more times) before being tested for COVID-19. This is because the first time the symptoms may be quite mild, and the doctor can't distinguish it from something less serious,. It's only when the symptoms don't improve that the doctors can suspect it's something else, then they get sent for testing. Here is information which was given in the Singapore context. It will be different in different health systems.

https://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/2233-the-covid-19-chronicles

 

[DennisN]

I'm in a self-imposed isolation due to a cold with fever

I'm personally feeling better, I 've had no fever today and I have no runny nose anymore. But I will of course continue to be in isolation.

We're in this together.

I just had a realization about how incredibly connected we all are on this planet at this moment in time, and this time it's definitely not a cliché;

Anyone of us could potentially cause harm to anyone else of us without knowing it.

If I was infected with Covid-19 and was careless, I could infect others nearby who then can infect others nearby and so on, and this could eventually end up anywhere in the world.

 

[kyphysics]

Something I'm not seeing much of is how people in the gig economy (I worked a gig economy job part-time and so does another family member of mine) would benefit from any government relief programs.

If there is sick leave, an Uber driver, for example, would not qualify as an independent contractor. Similarly, unemployment would not apply to ICs.

By some professional economist metrics, a full 25% of all American workers are gig economy workers:
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...economy-us-trump-uber-california-robert-reich

Add to that 40% of Americans don't have $400 in emergency money:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/10-americ...0-emergency-expense-federal/story?id=63253846

I wonder how this plays out if we get the economy grinding to a halt? Seems like there could be a big pocket of the country not addressed (so far) by government emergency intervention plans.

With so many Americans without health insurance (or inadequate), 40% living paycheck-to-paycheck, and 25% in gig economy work not covered by traditional unemployment, if we get a few months of halted production in the U.S., that could be tough.

Hoping we don't see things like desperation crime.

 

[DennisN]

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

ALL of the above can also possibly be explained from very, very little sleep the past few days, as I stayed up 20-hours or so for 3 or 4 days straight every day (i.e., 4-ish hours sleep/night). Lots of panic stockpiling as well, because I had been so busy before and lazy about it. When I got to Costo, Walmart, Target, etc., lines were crazy and stuff was out. Made trips all over town to stock up on TWO months worth of stuff.

I have been told it is important to get rest and enough sleep when you are feeling ill. Too much worry and anxiety is not good either, but I of course don't blame anyone feeling this at the moment considering the circumstances. I am feeling worried myself.

Due to this, I have personally drastically cut down watching the news. I will only watch the news to get basic updates of the development, and mainly in my area.

Instead of the news, I've started to listen to music and watching comedy instead.

EDIT:
It's also good to make sure you drink enough water. I also bought lemons and oranges which I squeeze the juice from, mix the juce with water and drink it for vitamins. Personally I already have been taking food supplements (multisupplements with vitamins and minerals) for a couple of years for other health reasons.

 

[mfb]

Here is the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary

I just see that foreigners from Iran and Italy have to get tested within 48 hours (last page). That's very different from your bullet points before.

People who fully recover from the Coronavirus can be left with '20 to 30%' less lung function, and gasping for breath when they walk quickly, Hong Kong doctors find

How is that a full recovery?

Doctor called Corona helps Indonesia battle coronavirus

Saves tests, we are sure his patients have Corona.

 

[DennisN]

You think so? In Aus toilet paper hoarding has reached insane levels. You want to buy toilet paper - forget it.

Some comedy to lighten things up a bit :
(a friend of mine posted this pic yesterday on facebook)

 

[fresh_42]

Here is an interesting article about the current outbreak focused on rigorous data versus public opinion:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11538-019-00684-z

During an epidemic, the interplay of disease and opinion dynamics can lead to outcomes that are different from those predicted based on disease dynamics alone. Opinions and the behaviours they elicit are complex, so modelling them requires a measure of abstraction and simplification. Here, we develop a differential equation model that couples SIR-type disease dynamics with opinion dynamics. We assume a spectrum of opinions that change based on current levels of infection as well as interactions that to some extent amplify the opinions of like-minded individuals. Susceptibility to infection is based on the level of prophylaxis (disease avoidance) that an opinion engenders. In this setting, we observe how the severity of an epidemic is influenced by the distribution of opinions at disease introduction, the relative rates of opinion and disease dynamics, and the amount of opinion amplification. Some insight is gained by considering how the effective reproduction number is influenced by the combination of opinion and disease dynamics.

 

[Vanadium 50]

@kyphysics , you said yesterday you were having tyrouble breathing. We told you to see a doctor.
Today you still have trouble breathing. See a doctor.

Seriously, how many days do you think you can make it without breathing?

 

[Haorong Wu]

When Canada’s leader Trudeau was asked if he would seal the border between Canada and US, he answered;
“NOT YET TIME...”

Italy’s leader, Conte, also said a similar response... until... 1,000 died of Covid-19 and now he has now finally declared the lockdown of the entire country...

Lessons to be learned by other leaders? Maybe ...

What human have learned is that human never learn.

 

[DennisN]

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

If I were you, I would call a medical doctor immediately. Please take care!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Sorry this is taken from a tabloid again. Fact-check, please.

If you want to post something, it is your responsibility to check it is true, not everybody else's. Doing so in normal times is bad enough. Doing so in the midst of a pandemic is reprehensible. We all have to make our choices as to whether we want to be part of the solution or part of the problem.

 

[kadiot]

If you want to post something, it is your responsibility to check it is true, not everybody else's. Doing so in normal times is bad enough. Doing so in the midst of a pandemic is reprehensible. We all have to make our choices as to whether we want to be part of the solution or part of the problem.

Noted. My apology.

 

[nsaspook]

Things people don't buy during a pandemic.

.

 

[chirhone]

Here is the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

 

[wukunlin]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

Hubei cities and Wenzhou ended up doing that. Seems to have worked for Wenzhou, the cities of Hubei blew up anyway, probably because it was too late.

 

[kadiot]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

View attachment 258693

That’s what Dr. Leachon proposed last Tuesday.

8 and counting. We are registering one of the highest death rates in the world. People must comply with government directives.

 

[kyphysics]

If I were you, I would call a medical doctor immediately. Please take care!

Cough still there - getting worse.

Shortness of breath and fatigue gone today. As I said, all my symptoms could also have been from freaking exhaustion the past few days!

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded! Just going to wait another day or two. I figured there was a decent chance it was exhaustion, so if I feel better and better, I think I'm fine.

 

[DennisN]

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded!

Great! By the way, I noticed your avatar is from Cities Skylines. I played that game quite a lot a couple of years ago. I love that game.

 

[Haorong Wu]

Cough still there - getting worse.

Shortness of breath and fatigue gone today. As I said, all my symptoms could also have been from freaking exhaustion the past few days!

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded! Just going to wait another day or two. I figured there was a decent chance it was exhaustion, so if I feel better and better, I think I'm fine.

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!

 

[Haorong Wu]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

Cases are raising rapidly in German, France and Spain where there are no lockdown. Even in Italy where the lockdown is announced too late, the cases are still growing fast.
Well, if you can, maybe China is the most safe place now.
Personally, I would hope no one come to China just for now, because we have just won at big cost, and any infected person could cause another crisis if he or she is not detected sucessfully.

 

[kyphysics]

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!

Your extra warning makes me want to do this:

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

I do feel a it better today, as I said: less shortness of breath and fatigue. If I see continued improvement, then I'll chalk it up to being me being exhausted, not eating much, and getting little sleep. If it gets worse and/or stays the same (after a good 2 days of rest and big good healthy meals), then yeah, I'm worried!

Personally, I would hope no one come to China just for now, because we have just won at big cost, and any infected person could cause another crisis if he or she is not detected successfully.

Hmmm. Hoping you don't take this the wrong way, but I doubt anyone would want to go to China NOW!

Granted, you guys aren't as bad as: Italy, South Korea, and Iran.

The U.S. is "just getting started" from the data the I've seen. It'll be months probably before people feel "safe" traveling internationally.

 

[DennisN]

Reports are coming that Spain may soon impose a nationwide lockdown:

Spain to impose nationwide lockdown - El Mundo (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-lockdown-idUSKBN2110MK

Edit: And a second death due to the virus has now been confirmed in my country Sweden.

 

[wukunlin]

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!
View attachment 258694

Your extra warning makes me want to do this:

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

I do feel a it better today, as I said: less shortness of breath and fatigue. If I see continued improvement, then I'll chalk it up to being me being exhausted, not eating much, and getting little sleep. If it gets worse and/or stays the same (after a good 2 days of rest and big good healthy meals), then yeah, I'm worried!

That paper still needs peer review so I wouldn't worry about it future babies just yet (It went on Hubei's government website for a few hours before the announcement got taken down). Have you guys got any helpline? In China, there is free consultation over the phone or internet, as in, whether you check in for Coronavirus for not.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I'm worried I have it.

I ... did some shopping.

So, given that you think you have it, you a) refuse to see a doctor, and b) go shopping. Do you think this is prudent? Do you think this is responsible?

I ... did some shopping.

I am also self-iso-ing.

Evidently not.

 

[kyphysics]

That paper still needs peer review so I wouldn't worry about it future babies just yet (It went on Hubei's government website for a few hours before the announcement got taken down). Have you guys got any helpline? In China, there is free consultation over the phone or internet, as in, whether you check in for Coronavirus for not.

Not that I know of. I'm doing as much research as I can on what local doctors/facilities are providing.

Everyone should do that.

One MAJOR problem is that many places just DON'T HAVE test kits. I just called one of my doctors. No testing is available for COVID-19 is what they said. Even if I have symptoms, they cannot test specifically for COVID-19. The U.S. is way behind the curve.

I hope the drive-thru testing, which is way safer than everyone congregating in a doctor's waiting lounge, gets set up within a week. Given how inept the Trump admin. has been, I am not holding my breath.

 

[bhobba]

'Nice' story about the UQ people working on the vaccine, and its current status:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/science/coronavirus-three-wise-men-crack-the-code-now-to-save-the-world/news-story/a2d2b5f073b81e2186a9530ff60dc36a

If you can't access the story and get a paywall message see my post below.

Thanks
Bill

 

[kyphysics]

Apparently, in my city, only E.R.'s can test for COVID-19. No other locations can YET.

I called my doctor and "urgent care" centers (covered by my insurance policy). I was told that they have a list of guidelines and if you DON'T meet them (e.g., international travel, exposure to someone with international travel or COVID19 positive test, etc.), then they won't test you.

If I have cold/flu symptoms, but NO guidelines criteria, I still cannot get tested.

I'm guessing it's due to limited test kits, resources, and time right now.

 

[Astronuc]

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

One should have called the doctor already with respect to symptoms. It could be COVID-19 (2019-nCoV), or type of influenza presenting similar symptoms.

Several years ago, I had a case of influenza. I had run a fever of 102-103F (39-40 C) on a Sunday night. By Monday morning I was coughing strongly, sweating, exhibited fever and chills, and felt weak. I called an urgent care clinic, informed them of my symptoms (so they would be prepared) and arranged a visit as soon a possible, which was 3 hours from the time I called. Before I left for the clinic, I took a shower and washed my hands again before I left. When I arrived at the clinic, I put on a mask (dispenser near main entrance) and immediately covered my mouth and nose so as not to pass my potential infection to others. I then approached the admittance desk and checked in. I was careful to minimize touching any surface so as to minimize transmission.

I waited maybe 20-30 minutes, and when I saw the physician they quickly determined I had influenza. I was prescribed Tamiflu and a codeine based cough medication. I was able to get the Tamiflu that afternoon. I was also given a note from the doctor that informed my not to go to work for 4 days, even if I felt better.

I went to pharmacy to collect the prescription about an hour after the visit to the clinic, but I was told that the prescription would not be filled until after 2 or 3 hours. I felt so weak at that point, I left and went home to rest. Before returning to the pharmacy, I called ahead to verify the prescription was ready. I returned from the pharmacy and collected the prescription. The whole time I was out in public, I wore the mask. I took the first dose of Tamiflu (Monday evening) when I returned from the pharmacy.

Because of the strong cough, I took the codeine compound, but while it help reduce the coughing, I had a strong allergic reaction to it with a skin rash and painful itching. I had to abandon the codeine cough medication for something more mild, but as effective (Delsym 12 Hour, trade name; active ingredient Dextromethorphan is found in many brand-name cough, cold, and flu remedies, including Robitussin, Dimetapp, and Theraflu.).

I responded positively to the Tamiflu and the fever decreased, but I had a persistent strong cough for three days Tuesday - Thursday). I returned to work on Friday, wearing a mask, and practiced social distancing, and washed my hands a lot.

I've traveled the past two weeks, and I have seen people wearing masks, but some cover the mouth and not the nose, and some pulled the mask under their chin - and some were coughing, which often happens on a plane because of dry air. I will be traveling tomorrow, but I understand the crowds are significantly reduced. Nevertheless, I will be cautious. Coincidentally, my commute takes me to WA, CA, NY, the three states with the highest numbers of confirmed cases. However, except for the airports, the areas where I stay have low rates of infection, since they are far from the metropolitan areas most affected.

 

[atyy]

Apparently, in my city, only E.R.'s can test for COVID-19. No other locations can YET.

I called my doctor and "urgent care" centers (covered by my insurance policy). I was told that they have a list of guidelines and if you DON'T meet them (e.g., international travel, exposure to someone with international travel or COVID19 positive test, etc.), then they won't test you.

If I have cold/flu symptoms, but NO guidelines criteria, I still cannot get tested.

I'm guessing it's due to limited test kits, resources, and time right now.

OK, take care, and make sure you call your doctor back if you need to.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I called my doctor and "urgent care" centers

Let me get this straight. You called urgent care centers [plural] and you doctor, told them you had difficulty breathing, and they did not say "get in here right away" but instead discussed testing for something for which there is no treatment beyond what they would already do for someone who presented with difficulty breathing? Three different places?

I simply do not believe this.

 

[kyphysics]

One should have called the doctor already with respect to symptoms. It could be COVID-19 (2019-nCoV), or type of influenza presenting similar symptoms.

Thanks for sharing, Astronuc. I've been keeping close watch. I'll make the call tomorrow.

It could also be dyhration + exhaustion + HEAVY caffeine use in my case. I once was driving in the summer time and suddenly got so weak that I felt myself barely able to have energy to keep the steering wheel steady. An urgent care center was literally a few feet from me, as I was at the stoplight right beside it. I immediately pulled in and collapsed on their floor. They had staff all gather around me and place me in a bed. Did all sorts of tests and found it was simple dehydration.

I got a few IV bags of fluids pumped into me and able to leave same day.

I had had: a.) diarrhea the past few days + b.) lots of soda (caffeine - which is a diuretic that makes you urinate) + c.) in 95 degree hot summer weather. That combo made me so weak and dehydrated that I collapsed.

Slight similarities from then and now, except for my cough and shortness of breath. I did have diarrhea too earlier this week and have also been exhausted and on a caffeine binge (vicious cycle, as I take more caffeine the more tired I am)...so that's all on my mind. I could also be dehydrated (I have gatorade and water I'll be taking) + sleepless exhaustion + common cold cough.

I'll make the call tomorrow whether to go in or not. Problem is, I doubt they'd send me to E.R. for COVID-19 testing, b/c I don't fit their guidelines per my previous post. I could still get flu treatment, though, if I really have it.

OK, take care, and make sure you call your doctor back if you need to.

Thanks.

Different topic: What is everyone doing with their free time with so many cities on shut down mode?

I personally have 2 months worth of food/supplies stocked. Work email said no work for at least two weeks (have to monitor to see if that gets extended).

I have no plans to leave home. I have DVDs I can watch. Internet surfing. I don't plan to meet up with anyone or go out at all during this time. No eating out, no sports/gym...nothing.

 

[bhobba]

I posted a link to a 'nice' story in the Australian newspaper about the UQ efforts to develop a vaccine. Unfortunately its behind paywall but you may be able to see it or find it by searching 'Coronavirus: Three wise men crack the code, now to save the world'

Anyway what follows are what I consider the highlights.

The plan was for the UQ team to conduct a “stress test” next year of the new molecular clamp technology they developed to show it could produce a vaccine for an emergent pandemic agent within 16 weeks.

Instead, COVID-19 plunged the researchers and their augmented staff of 20 into an exhausting, real-world test of the fledgling technology.

Vials of frozen Chinese hamster ovary cells seeded with the candidate vaccine have been sent to the CSIRO’s Clayton vaccine-making plant in Melbourne to pave the way for scaled-up production, while Big Pharma companies including Australia’s CSL-Seqirus and British multinational GlaxoSmithKline are on-board, offering their expertise.

Another group of scientists at the Doherty Institute was plotting antibody responses to the vaccine and identifying potential human immune markers to confirm its effectiveness, under the partnership between the University of Melbourne, University of Queensland and the CSIRO.

Further animal testing involving live Coronavirus would be conducted at CSIRO’s Laboratory outside Geelong. The first results from the lab mice at UQ are due next week.

Scientists in China, Israel and the US are also scrambling to produce a vaccine, with American company and CEPI beneficiary Moderna Therapeutics considered to be best placed to deliver.

While emphasizing it was not a race - “we are keen for everyone to work on this and the prize is a viable vaccine, not who gets there first,” Professor Young said - the gains made by Moderna were early ones using a different process to target viral spike proteins with synthetic messenger RNA.

“With us, having optimized the protein process, we think we are in a better stage in terms of the vaccine-induced immune response"

Professor Munro said the science of developing the vaccine was nearly complete, and the question was now how to get the drug into production. This would cost between $20m and $30m.

“We would love to be able to do all the manufacturing here in Australia, to make the vaccine here, but that is going to be very, very difficult,” he said. “That whole sector has been eroded … even though companies like CSL-Seqirus have great manufacturing capabilities. We would just love to see more of that.”

Thanks
Bill

 

[Vanadium 50]

Bayes Theorem and testing:

There has been a cry on this thread for "more tests!". Since there is no specific treatment for coronavirus, there is no benefit to individuals to get tested. It is purely an epidemiological tool. Suppose instead of just testing people who we have reason to be more likely to be exposed (a "Bayesean prior") we had the ability to test all 320M people in the US. Further suppose the prevalence is 10x higher than we think it is, and that the test is 99% accurate (the upper end of a home pregnancy test). What fraction of people who test positive actually have coronavirius?

Crunching the numbers, 0.69%. 99.3% of those who test positive actually don't have it, and any studies trying to track where people are coming and going will be overwhelmed by noise.

OK, so how many people will need to be infected for the sample of positive testees to be half infected and half healthy? It would have to be 1400x larger than what we think it is.

 

[bhobba]

Since there is no specific treatment for coronavirus, there is no benefit to individuals to get tested.

I thought the treatment was isolation so as not to infect others and monitoring to pick up complications that may occur as early as possible.

Thanks
Bill

 

[kyphysics]

Incidentally, I was Googling stuff related to muscle weakness and saw that fear/anxiety can CAUSE muscle weakness too.

*Google this to see.*

If one is FEARFUL of COVID19 and you're all anxious and emotionally stressed, that can cause ONE its SYMPTOMS (which is muscle weakness). And the more weakness you feel in your muscles, the more fearful you might get. And round and round we go in the vicious cycle.

Just something to be aware of! WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE IS FEAR - NOT COVID19.

(possibly the same with gastro-intestinal issues - the more fear/anxiety you have, the more your stomach churns and feels upset...not to say you should not be cautious and take serious the symptoms, but just that you shouldn't be so fearful that you cause the symptoms too, LOL. And do try to be aware that fear/anxiety can do this.)

 

[DennisN]

If one is FEARFUL of COVID19 and you're all anxious and emotionally stressed

Different topic: What is everyone doing with their free time with so many cities on shut down mode?

Here is an excellent video on that topic I watched yesterday:

Managing anxiety and uncertainty during the Coronavirus pandemic
(by DoctorRamani, clinical psychologist, Mar 13, 2020)
(the first ten minutes is about this topic, the rest is about other topics)

 

[kadiot]

I thought the treatment was isolation so as not to infect others and monitoring to pick up complications that may occur as early as possible.

Thanks
Bill

I agree. No test, no case. No case, no isolation.

 

[Astronuc]

I thought the treatment was isolation so as not to infect others and monitoring to pick up complications that may occur as early as possible.

Isolation is not 'treatment' in the sense to which V50 referred. 'Treatment' normally means medication (e.g., anti-viral, . . . ), fluids, rest, anti-inflammatories, . . . As far as I know, there is no medication for 2019-nCoV comparable to Tamiflu for influenza.

Isolation is a practice to prevent further spread of infection. Basic sanitation procedures, e.g., washing hands, wearing a mask, are another way of preventing spread of the disease.

If one has symptoms, avoid others. However, one may be infected and be infectious before onset of symptoms, or one could have contact with the virus and carry the virus on one's hands, face or in one's mouth, throat or lungs, before onset of infection and symptoms. Hence, isolation/quarantine is the only effective method to prevent continued transmission of the virus.

 

[kadiot]

Isolation is not 'treatment' in the sense to which V50 referred. 'Treatment' normally means medication (e.g., anti-viral, . . . ), fluids, rest, anti-inflammatories, . . . As far as I know, there is no medication for 2019-nCoV comparable to Tamiflu for influenza.

Isolation is a practice to prevent further spread of infection. Basic sanitation procedures, e.g., washing hands, wearing a mask, are another way of preventing spread of the disease.

If one has symptoms, avoid others. However, one may be infected and be infectious before onset of symptoms, or one could have contact with the virus and carry the virus on one's hands, face or in one's mouth, throat or lungs, before onset of infection and symptoms. Hence, isolation/quarantine is the only effective method to prevent continued transmission of the virus.

I agree. I think he meant isolation for treatment.

QUARANTINE VS ISOLATION

Quarantine is for those who have been exposed to the disease but are not ill.

Isolation is the separation of persons who have a specific infectious illness.

(These terms do differ in definition, but they are often used synonymously in the media.)