All things political. Coronavirus Edition. (17 Viewers)

[Maxp]

I fear we are really going to be in a bad place due to the obvious cuts to the federal agencies that deal with infectious disease, but also the negative effect the Affordable Care act has had on non urban hospitals. Our front line defenses are ineffectual and our ability to treat the populous is probably at an all time low. Factor in the cost of healthcare and I can see our system crashing. What do you think about the politics of this virus?

 

[MT15]

It’s really concerning. There’s no need to panic yet, but if you’re not concerned about the US response, or rather really the lack of planning and response, then you’re just not paying attention.

This could get really, really bad. We’re not prepared for a bad outcome, and that’s a crucial part of crisis management, to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

 

[SystemShock]

Is your uncle a genius, too?

My only uncles are from my mom's side. One was a theater actor who dabbled in modern dance, and died of an AIDS related illness. The other a 3 tour Vietnam veteran who adopted the family of his dead copilot and now lives in Tampa.

I thought they were smart, but I wouldn't call them geniuses...

 

[superchuck500]

It’s really concerning. There’s no need to panic yet, but if you’re not concerned about the US response, or rather really the lack of planning and response, then you’re just not paying attention.

This could get really, really bad. We’re not prepared for a bad outcome, and that’s a crucial part of crisis management, to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

I think that's exactly the concern - it's not something that is panic-worthy, but if left unmitigated, it will become a problem. And as we continue down that road, concern grows.

The official federal policy remains "It isn't going to be that bad" - we'll see if there's a pivot this week as the case numbers grow. But we now have community (untraceable) transmission happening in Boston, New York, South Carolina, Florida, Chicago, Southern California, the Bay area, Oregon, and the biggest cluster in Washington. With a few minor exceptions, there is virtually zero mitigation happening.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar will self-quarantine after interacting with individual with coronavirus | CNN Politics

Two Republican members of Congress on Sunday announced they will self-quarantine after interacting with an individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference.

www.cnn.com

Washington (CNN)Sen. Ted Cruz announced Sunday he will self-quarantine in Texas after interacting with an individual who tested positive for the novel coronavirus at last week's Conservative Political Action Conference.
Cruz, the first member of Congress to announce such a step, said in a statement he is "not experiencing any symptoms" but "out of an abundance of caution" will remain in Texas until a full 14 days after the interaction have passed.
The Texas Republican said his interaction with the individual consisted of a "brief conversation and a handshake."
"Given that the interaction was 10 days ago, that the average incubation period is 5-6 days, that the interaction was for less than a minute, and I have no current symptoms, the medical authorities have advised me that the odds of transmission from the other individual to me were extremely low," he said in a statement.

 

[BobE]

 

[B4YOU]

Dems and Repubs could call it the Purple Unicorn Virus for all I care. Get off Twitter and get real planning and testing done.

 

[The moose]

You're right that we don't really know, and South Korea gives me great hope that the mortality rate will be very low, since they have only had about 42 deaths out of 6284 confirmed cases, and they've tested over 100,000, so they probably have identifed nearly everyone that got it. They seem to have done more than any other country to assess their population. If their results are replicated elsewhere, then that would make the mortality rate similar to the normal flu, however there are a couple of strains, so it remains to be seen.

Yeah I hear you but south Korea has some real advantages we don't.

The free public health care is huge factor in their potential success.

When the vast majority of Americans are scared of the potential bill we are not going early to the hospital.

I know it will wipe me out. Then fighting with my cruddy carrier on what they cover or not would absolutely suck if I don't die.

But yes South Korea is doing this well but they do all the health related stuff better than us.

 

[RobF]

There are a lot of things which affect what the mortality rates look like.

For example, South Korea has been (correctly) aggressive in testing. That means they're highly likely to be identifying cases earlier, which means three things. It means earlier intervention is possible which may improve survival rates. It means they may be more likely to identify mild cases compared to countries with more limited testing who may be biased towards the most severe cases. But it also means, for those who don't survive, the time from case identification to death is longer than it is for countries which aren't picking up the case until the last moment (or possibly after).

So if you compare Italy to South Korea, they both have similar numbers of confirmed cases now, but Italy has had 366 deaths compared to South Korea's 51. Italy has carried out around 50,000 tests and South Korea have tested over 130,000.

So it could be that Italy has many more cases than South Korea, and had them earlier, but failed to identify them as early as South Korea, and so inevitably has had more deaths at this point. That would mean that the differing mortality rates are to some extent an artifact of early more comprehensive testing compared to later more limited testing.

It could also mean that South Korea is treating the cases more effectively due to earlier diagnosis, which would mean the differing mortality rates are to some extent a reflection of better healthcare.

And it could also be that Italy is biased towards identifying the severe cases and is missing mild ones, which South Korea is picking up, and that would mean the differing mortality rates are to some extent a reflection of South Korea capturing a more accurate picture through extended testing.

All of those are likely to be true to some degree.

Then there's also population demographics (~21% over 65 in Italy, ~14% over 65 in South Korea), which, with a virus that's particularly dangerous to the older population, will also affect mortality. The nature of the initial spread of the outbreak within a region can also affect that.

So the mortality rate is inevitably going to vary country to country, and within countries over time, especially initially. Italy's rate may come down (let's hope so) and South Korea's rate may creep up (let's hope not).

At this point, it's too early to make a definitive call on what the mortality rate may look like. We do know enough to say it's bad though. And definitely worse than seasonal flu.

 

[wardorican]

Southwest just sent out an email to customers that in addition to the usual nightly disinfecting of lavatories, they will add disinfecting to the main cabin. They used to just clean the cabin, now they will use the same hospital grade disinfectant.

Still, only overnight, but that's something.

 

[JimEverett]

Yeah I hear you but south Korea has some real advantages we don't.

The free public health care is huge factor in their potential success.

When the vast majority of Americans are scared of the potential bill we are not going early to the hospital.

I know it will wipe me out. Then fighting with my cruddy carrier on what they cover or not would absolutely suck if I don't die.

But yes South Korea is doing this well but they do all the health related stuff better than us.

Sorry, but this sounds like someone trying to score a political point on the healthcare debate.
People here are being told not to go to the hospital if symptoms are relatively mild. Only if certain conditions are met - which seem rather extreme by book (like temperature over 101.4 r something for more than 5 days). And the reason is not because they don't want to be overwhelmed but because self-quarantine is the best way not to spread and having a bunch of potential carriers coming to the hospital will likely spread it more.

Of course all that advice could change.

 

[Goatman saint]

Sorry, but this sounds like someone trying to score a political point on the healthcare debate.
People here are being told not to go to the hospital if symptoms are relatively mild. Only if certain conditions are met - which seem rather extreme by book (like temperature over 101.4 r something for more than 5 days). And the reason is not because they don't want to be overwhelmed but because self-quarantine is the best way not to spread and having a bunch of potential carriers coming to the hospital will likely spread it more.

Of course all that advice could change.

Also, because there is really nothing they can do for mild to moderate cases what’s the point of going to the hospital if you’re not having breathing problems? For the bad cases you’re either put on oxygen or for bad cases a ventilator. Those are your two choices. So.... not quite sure what the hospital is going to do for the majority anyway.

 

[Nebaghead]

They halted trading. 1800 point drop. Corona Virus fears and Oil. I assume the travel industry tightening their belts spooked Oil futures.

 

[The moose]

Sorry, but this sounds like someone trying to score a political point on the healthcare debate.
People here are being told not to go to the hospital if symptoms are relatively mild. Only if certain conditions are met - which seem rather extreme by book (like temperature over 101.4 r something for more than 5 days). And the reason is not because they don't want to be overwhelmed but because self-quarantine is the best way not to spread and having a bunch of potential carriers coming to the hospital will likely spread it more.

Of course all that advice could change.

You can look at it anyway you want.

South Korea is killing Americans all kinds of ways.

Average income three hundred bucks more month.

Life expectancy like 5 years more.

So let's see more money and live longer and have free healthcare?

Yeah if that is pushing an agenda then it seems to be a good one.

 

[Joe Okc]

The other a 3 tour Vietnam veteran who adopted the family of his dead copilot and now lives in Tampa.

My Word... That is a hero for certain and definitely defines integrity and honor. A toast to your Unkle.

 

[Eeyore]

Our stable genius retweeted this today



Either he's too stupid to understand or he really doesn't care.

 

[MT15]

Why would the WH tweet that to begin with? Isn’t Scavino his comm director or something? That seems to mock the sick and dying. What am I missing?

 

[Eeyore]

Why would the WH tweet that to begin with? Isn’t Scavino his comm director or something? That seems to mock the sick and dying. What am I missing?

Nero fiddles while Rome burns.

 

[insidejob]

I heard on NPR that there's a group of memes going around suggesting that you just drink bleach to kill or prevent the coronavirus. Needless to say, the doctor they had on who's been studying coronavius for 38 years said that drinking bleach won't do anything to the virus but it could kill you- depending on how much you drink.

People can't really be that stupid, can they?