Coronavirus in the United States - news and thoughts

Yeah I wasn't clear. That was her analysis. I don't know if it is right or wrong.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by when. If you mean date, it was late Feb the first time and a week ago the second time.

 

NY and NJ had no choice. Their hospitals were being overrun. I've been saying all along the people of this country are simply not cut out for long-term shutdowns and quarantines. We have no experience in dealing with true pandemics and we are a nation that thrives so heavily on our social contact. Combine that with what researchers are now saying is a mutated form of Covid-19 and it was never going to go away. I mean, it's spreading like wildfire as we speak, yet most governors are still like "oh well". The political appetite for another shut down is basically nil. The people don't want it.

We may just have to take our lumps on this one. A 2nd shut down would flop worse than the 1st. It's summer. Americans want to get out. It's what we do. We're going to pay a heavy price for it, but that's who we are. 'Murica!

 

Yeah, frustration talking. My questions, not being cynical, just asking, are: if we shut down completely for two weeks would this thing go away? If we had just left everything open and mandated wearing masks, would the curve have been affected the same way? Are we experiencing the curve they expected when we closed everything down?

 

Governor Abbot is closing bars back up at noon today and returning dine in restaurants to 50% occupancy on Monday. The hospital rooms filling up is changing appetites and actions.

 

It's one state. And closure of bars only isn't really a shut down. It may be to some unfortunate few, lol, but that's not a shut down. Honestly, I think that proves my point. Texas is clearly entering the danger zone with hospital beds and his answer is to shut down bars. Not saying he is right or wrong, I'm saying it reflects the attitude of the public.

 

Arizona had a record 20% tests come back as positive this week. It's not just more tests that are causing the rising numbers.

 

If only Arizona had some warmer weather this thing would have been gone in April.
That damn dry heat ain't getting it done.

 

You weren't horribly unclear. Long day yesterday and I had a glass or two (or four) when I got home.

 

So, we should not trust science now?

 

What?!?

 

Yeah that's what I meant. Seems like a legit case of re-infection then. I wonder when her antibody tests were, and which antibody tests were used. This is all of very significant scientific interest and carry pretty serious consequences.

In any case, re-infection of the flu does happen as well, but typically if the patient has completely recovered from the first one then the second infection is milder. It's the same reason that even if the flu shot is only 25% effective, we still recommend it to people because you always develop some level of immunity that even if it's not able to prevent an infection, it can mitigate the symptoms. I suspect it's similar for her, despite negative antibody testing.

 

Florida is now suspending sale of alcohol in bars. Between Texas and Florida, that is 50 million people's worth of states making some changes. I'll stand by that the appetite isn't nil. Things are getting worse. Governors that didn't follow guidelines are starting to rethink their actions. Is it a tidal wave of governors making a change yet? No. Are Florida and Texas nil? No. I wouldn't be surprised to see Arizona make some changes before long. Once Governor A sees Governor B do something, they feel like they have some cover for their actions. We'll see.

 

I'm sure COVID isn't living too long on surfaces outside in the 100+ degree temps where all metal and most plastics are too hot to touch. However, the virus is doing just fine inside those already infected. And when the infected go into places like the 8 Scottsdale bars/restaurants that were warned for not following state COVID-19 guidelines, the virus gets airborne, and is then spread around by the A/C, which is running constantly this time of the year to keep the places at a comfortable temperature.

Being outside in the Phoenix heat is probably relatively safe. But being indoors in a an A/C building with 100 people not social distancing and not wearing masks is causing the spread of COVID-19 to be almost out of control in Arizona. And when it's 110 degrees outside, and 76 air-conditioned degrees inside, most people this time of the year stay indoors.

 

The White House Coronavirus Task Force will hold a briefing today. Without Trump.

Fun Fact: Since the last White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing 56,013 Americans have died.

 

I spent some time earlier in the week looking into this. I found nothing from researchers. I'm a bit Schrödinger about whether folks will bury it or rush it given its political nature.

I cannot fathom the disease didn't spread. But the use of tear gas to socially distance people may have helped ;-)

I think NYC would be an ideal exemplar for study.

 

About the ONLY thing the governor of N Carolina has done right in the past 2 months is announced bars, gyms, large public gatherings will remain suspended/closed for at least 3 more weeks. Further, a mask order goes into effect Friday night at 5 PM.

What is the immediate reaction from the ignorant people of the state of North Carolina?

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article243786197.html

It is an embarrassment living in a state where we celebrate ignorance.

 

Doctor Redfield was asked this question point blank during his interview on Wednesday. He stumbled around for a good 10-15 seconds before weakly offering up that the data on new increases has not been broken to that level yet. BS!! PC run amok is actually stopping the people who have the data to come out and say "yes, or course the protests resulted is massive spread" because they fear such data and announcements would be targeted as "racist".

 

Ouch