Coronavirus 2

[Smee]

34 minutes ago, Ozlsn said:

Did they also test for other viruses do you know?

No, he hasn’t actually been sicker than he usually is with a bad cold. He’s had a cough and been sneezing for a week or so, living off Codral, but no fever and still has some energy. But we’re in an area where the government has ordered testing for ANY respiratory symptoms because there have been a number of confirmed cases without a known source or connection, so they want a better picture of community spread here. He went to a drive-through testing clinic rather than the GP.

[fraurosena]

 

Please tell me this is fake.

[fraurosena]

Another update from Europe and around the world:

• Yesterday there were 189 new reported deaths in the Netherlands; the rise is presumably due to the Easter weekend as most hospitals have only just reported after the long weekend. The total number of deaths now stands at 3134. There were 188 new hospitalisations. The total number of confirmed cases is now 28.153.
  It looks like the corona measures are having a positive effect, as there has been a downward trend in hospitalisations and deaths since the beginning of the month. Since last week, the number of patients in the ICU has also been going down.
• Germany is heading towards 130.000 confirmed cases. The country is reporting a relatively high number of confirmed cases because their rate of testing is much higher than in other countries. The number of deaths is relatively low: 3222. 
  Chancellor Angela Merkel and the states pm's will make a decision today if the restrictive corona measures need to be prolonged until May 3.
• Despite the pandemic, voters in South Korea will be heading to the polls today. The 44 million eligible voters were requested to wear face masks and have to have their temperatures taken before entering the polling stations; if their temperature is higher than 37.5 C they have to vote in a separate polling booth. They will also be tested for the virus.
• China has started an investigation in nine regions of the country to research how many asymptomatic corona cases there are, and how many people may be immune. The increase in number of confirmed cases without symptoms is feeding the Chinese government's fear of a new outbreak. They fear that by lifting the lockdown measures in China, thousands of asymptomatic cases will start a new wave of infections.
• New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Adern will reduce her income by 20% for the coming 6 months in a reaction to the economic consequences of the corona crisis. Her ministers and others in her administration will also be reducing their incomes. 
• Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, has reacted to Trump's temporary freeze on WHO payments. He says "this is not the moment" to reduce the financing of WHO activities. "In my opinion the WHO should be supported, as it is crucial to the global efforts to win the war against Covid-19," Guterres said. "Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to cease the virus and its damaging consequences."
  German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted: "Accusations don't help, we need to work together in the battle against Covid-19." According to Maas, financing the WHO is one of the best investments.
  Conversely, Australia's Scott Morrison is partially supporting Trump's criticism of the WHO, saying it's incomprehensible that the WHO supported China in the reopening of its wet markets.
• There was a record rise in number of deaths in the US yesterday, when 2228 corona deaths were reported. A total number of 25.757 corona patients have died; more than 600.000 people have been confirmed to have been infected.
  New York City has added an additional number of 3700 deaths to its official death toll; these are victims who weren't tested but in all probability did die of the corona virus. Although they didn't die in hospitals, all had symptoms of the virus. This brought the total number of deaths in NYC up to more than 10.000.
  "We are focussed on registering every single New Yorker who died as a consequence of Covid-19," said health commissioner Oxiris Barbot in a statement about the new numbers. "Although this information shows the tragic impact of the virus on our city, it will also help us determine the extent of the epidemic and aid us in our decision making."
• A man in Adelaide, Australia, who recently lost his job because of the corona crisis, has suddenly become 2.8 million euro richer by winning a lottery that is giving him a monthly payment for the next twenty years. The lucky young man had recently become a father and had been stressed out because of the loss of his job. 
• The number of new confirmed cases in Russia is rising fast. There were 3338 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases up to 24.940. Russia reports 198 corona related deaths and 1986 recoveries.
  Since last Monday people need a QR-coded lockdown pass if they have to travel. They are risking high fines if they don't have one. The police have placed checkpoints on main roads and metro stations, which are leading to enormous queues and traffic jams. 
• Iraq has rescinded Reuter's licence after an article naming a higher number of corona cases in the country than the authorities are officially reporting. Iraq's media supervisory board has rescinded the licence for three months and has issued a 19.000 euro fine. Reuters will also have to issue an apology. According to Iraqi authorities, under the current circumstances the article has serious consequences for safety and health in Iraqi society.
  Reuters regrets the Iraqi measures and maintains that the article, published on April 2, is correct. The article cited three doctors who were part of testing, an official from the Department of Health and a political source. They said the country has thousands of confirmed corona cases, much higher than the 772 the authorities were reporting. Reuters states that it later added the statements of an official government spokesperson.
• Schools in Denmark have cautiously opened again for the first time since March 11. Schools have received a long list of rules they will have to meet in order to open. Many of the rules concern hygiene and how children must enter and leave the building. Another important rule is that there must be two meters distance between students at all times. This means breaking up classes to ensure there aren't too many children in one class; this means there is only room for the first 5 classes -- classes for children between 5 and 11. For the time being there is no room for older kids.
  In three weeks time, the Danish government will evaluate if the new system is working and if more students can return to school.

Edited April 15, 2020 by fraurosena
added a t to make the from he

[Howl]

Quote

Steve Stockman, a former Texas congressman and conservative firebrand, was sentenced Wednesday [November 2018] morning to 10 years in federal prison.

But he's such a good Christian man!  And an Evangelical! And he loves Trump! And he should be pardoned and released from prison now, because CV-19 and he just loves Trump!  Stockman's wife has created a video lauding Trump's wonderfulness and asking Trump to pardon her husband, who is an overweight diabetic with lung issues, because he might be exposed to CV 19 in his Federal low security facility.  A bazillion Evangelicals and politicians have piled on in support of this guy, because he's a wonderful Christian man! 

Quote

His wife made a plea this week, along with several former cabinet members, ex-congressmembers and other evangelical and conservative officials, for compassionate release, saying he is among the nonviolent “sitting ducks” who are especially vulnerable and should be pardoned.  Houston Chronicle Convicted ex-U.S. Congressman Steve Stockman asks Donald Trump for COVID-19 pardon

Stockman who was convicted of the following

Quote

In April, 2018, a Houston jury convicted Stockman of 23 felonies, including fraud, in a series of illegal acts prosecutors called "a white-collar crime spree." During a bizarre, weeks-long criminal trial this year, prosecutors said Stockman misused $1.25 million in funds from political donors to pay for miscellaneous and sundry personal expenses: hot air balloon rides, kennel bills and a new dishwasher. Stockman was also accused of planting an undercover intern in the state House office of a political rival, state Rep. James White, R-Hillister.

This is par for the course in Texas politics.  He represented a district in East Texas, which is profoundly conservative.  I'm surprised he was even convicted, but apparently his many sins were so compelling the jury couldn't ignore them. 

Quotes above from the Texas Tribune article:  Steve Stockman, former Texas congressman, sentenced to 10 years in federal prison   Stockman — who served two nonconsecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives — was convicted in April 23, [2018]  of felonies, including fraud and money laundering.

There's a very good chance Trump will respond and pardon him. 

 

31 minutes ago, fraurosena said:

The increase in number of confirmed cases without symptoms is feeding the Chinese government's fear of a new outbreak. They fear that by lifting the lockdown measures in China, thousands of asymptomatic cases will start a new wave of infections.

The US is not paying attention to this.  It happened in the 1918 Flu pandemic, when things were somewhat under control, restrictions were loosened that resulted in a 2nd and subsequent 3rd wave of illness. 

There is so much insanity in my country right now.  Trump is showing zero leadership, he can only act within the crippling confines of his malignant narcissism.  Mayors and governors are taking charge, but not all of them are showing competent leadership either. 

 

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Howl

[HerNameIsBuffy]

I spilled a cup of coffee on my keyboard so am on my phone (hence why I’m asking and not googling myself)...is there a map or anything that shows when each state is expected (atm) to hit its peak?

I know things change day to day but was just curious as to how some of the states handling this badly haven’t had the same impact as others who are handing it better.  

Looking at you, Florida.

[Cora Persephona]

"Romania’s Ministry of Interior has reached an agreement with the Romanian Orthodox Church to form mixed crews that will distribute the Holy Light on Eastern night. The authorities have also allowed the Church to distribute blessed bread (Paste) to believers on Friday and Saturday." - And by distribute bread they mean people will be allowed to go and pick up the bread from church. This has caused a lot of negative feedback. The president is trying to make them undo the agreement. He even had a press conference to say "Stay at home! Otherwise, after the holidays, we will have funerals!"

But of course the government officials are worried about not getting votes in the next elections if they don't allow people to have access to the bread/light and the church is encouraging this.

The way the catholic church in Romania has handled Easter last week was absolutely wonderful. The spokesman for the church displayed a lot of common sense in his speeches, he was very encouraging and a pleasure to listen to even for culturally orthodox/actually agnostic me (probably because it's very rare to hear common sense from religious figures in my experience). 

Meanwhile the orthodox church has been moaning and groaning about the safety measures that restricted church activities from the beginning. And now this!

Some details about the situation here: a state of emergency has been declared about a month ago extending to at least May 15. People are only allowed to go outside only for very clear reasons, similar to other countries.  We have currently 7216 infected,  372 dead, but I don't think we are testing enough so the numbers are probably higher.  We have had some issues with entire hospitals being contaminated and some are now under military oversight because of faulty management that led to a high risk of infection. The specialists say we haven't reached the peak yet.

I have been working from home for the past 5 weeks and every day I think about how lucky I am to be able to do that,  to not have to worry about job security,  to have an apartment where I can self-isolate, to have enough resources to be able to order food and other necessities. 

[Vivi_music]

So, I had been diagnosed with gallstones in early march. My surgery was suppose to take place on March 24th. Where I live, we have been on lockdown almost since March 13 or 14th (around that day). It was announced that all elective surgery would be postponed. I totally understand. It is to free the most hospital beds that we can during this pandemic. By freeing my bed, that way I maybe can help someone who needs to be hospitalized because of COVID-19.

So since early march, I've been following my zero fat diet. Gallstones are relatively manageable. But since this weekend, the pain has come back. I called the health info-line and considering the pain is there but not very sharp, I will have to be patient. And I am patient. I don't want to use ressources that could be helpful to save someone's life. Not to mention hospitals aren't the best place to be right now.

But I am DAMN TIRED of living like this. I find very little fun in eating at all, considering this zero fat diet made my whole digestive system go bunkers. I feel pain in my stomach often when digesting. My intestines are completly mad at me (I'll spare you the details but I'm pretty certain that the way I go to the toilet isn't healthy). I asked a doctor and a pharmacist about my... intestinal issues. Both said it was caused by the drastic diet change. But it's been more than a month now. Almost 6 weeks. I would think my body would start getting used to it. It can't be healthy? Just so you know, I lost 14 lbs...

There is also the fact that self-isolation without comfort food is boring as hell, it isn't the most annoying. Me and Mr. Music have to live on two different menus, which means double the items on the grocery list. So not only am I in pain, this whole thing is also costing me more money.

Ugh sorry for venting you guys. I know some people are currently living in way way worst conditions than I do (with also more stress). I heard stories about some postponed surgery concerning cancer and I couldn't even imagine the level of stress these people are going through. I do have things I'm grateful for. I continue to work from home, with a salary coming in. I have a not too big but cute appartment, with all the things I need in it. Thanks to my income, I can still afford my food, my rent, etc. I live with Mr. Music, and he gives me very nice back rubs when I tell him my gallbladder hurts. (hehe)

I just... I needed to let it out and rant a little. Let's just say that the day I'll get my gallbladder removed, I'll be forever grateful for the taste of cheese, avocado, a good muffin, or just little sauteed potatoes in a bit of butter. Ugh.

 

 

[Coconut Flan]

I hate to burst your bubble, but after gallbladder removal many people don't have the fat tolerance that they had before.  Muffins yes and some cheese, but you'll need to be careful adding fat back in after the surgery.  There likely will be some foods that you won't tolerate or will only tolerate in smaller amounts.  Also 10% of people who have their gallbladders removed no longer tolerate tomato paste or products made with tomato paste.  Good luck and I hope you don't have to wait much longer.  I think I lost 10 to 15  pounds while getting my surgery scheduled.

[Dandruff]

4 hours ago, HerNameIsBuffy said:

I spilled a cup of coffee on my keyboard so am on my phone (hence why I’m asking and not googling myself)...is there a map or anything that shows when each state is expected (atm) to hit its peak?

This is the website I've been regularly checking:

https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america

It displays graphs vs. a map, which list projected peak dates, resource usage (beds, ICU beds, and ventilators needed), and numbers of deaths.  Use the pulldown menu to get data for individual US states or other countries.

[HerNameIsBuffy]

20 minutes ago, Coconut Flan said:

I hate to burst your bubble, but after gallbladder removal many people don't have the fat tolerance that they had before.  Muffins yes and some cheese, but you'll need to be careful adding fat back in after the surgery.  There likely will be some foods that you won't tolerate or will only tolerate in smaller amounts.  Also 10% of people who have their gallbladders removed no longer tolerate tomato paste or products made with tomato paste.  Good luck and I hope you don't have to wait much longer.  I think I lost 10 to 15  pounds while getting my surgery scheduled.

This is true, but everyone is different.  After I had mine out I've been able to eat normally, as long as I have cholestyramine, which is a powder I drink mixed with water, for if I go too heavy on fried or fatty foods.  It binds the cholesterol in the bile so you can digest without incident.

Just go slow at first, keeping a notebook is handy to jot down what you'd eaten if your stomach gets upset, or other GI distress.  

I know it's hard to have to wait, but it will be worth it.  I cannot tell you how much better I felt after having mine out and wished I had done it much earlier.

[fraurosena]

Poor @Vivi_music! Please don't be sorry for venting! Not being able to have your painful gallbladder removed really sucks, and I think we can all sympathise. I hope the diet will start having the desired effect soon and that this need for isolation will not last much longer so you can have your operation soon too. 

17 minutes ago, Coconut Flan said:

I hate to burst your bubble, but after gallbladder removal many people don't have the fat tolerance that they had before.  Muffins yes and some cheese, but you'll need to be careful adding fat back in after the surgery.  There likely will be some foods that you won't tolerate or will only tolerate in smaller amounts.  Also 10% of people who have their gallbladders removed no longer tolerate tomato paste or products made with tomato paste.  Good luck and I hope you don't have to wait much longer.  I think I lost 10 to 15  pounds while getting my surgery scheduled.

After my dad had his gallbladder removed he could not tolerate any fried foods at all and even now, decades later, he still can't eat much of anything that has been fried. I guess I was one of the lucky ones after my gallbladder was removed, because I never had any problems to speak of -- although I can't say anything about tolerance for tomato paste. I'm allergic to tomatoes, and already couldn't tolerate the stuff beforehand.

[Vivi_music]

Thanks guys for your kind words.

I know there are side effects even after surgery and maybe my eating habits will need adjusments (depending on what my body can digest). I'll see all that in good time. Of course, everyone loves some yummy fries on the side at the restaurant. But I'm not even talking that. At the moment, my doctor proscribed even fat of vegetal origin (like avocado, nuts, olive oil) or good fats like fatty fishes. Can't even make a salad with avocados, nuts and a bit of vinaigrette. No salmon either. I surely hope these kinds of food won't be too hard to digest after surgery! ?

@fraurosena The diet did work at first. I was not in pain, so I was bearing with it and ya know... trying not to be too crumpy about it. It is only since this weekend that the pain came back and I don't know why. I have not changed anything in my diet since the past 6 weeks. So it kind of bummed me out.

[JMarie]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/study-of-trump-touted-chloroquine-for-coronavirus-stopped-due-to-heart-problems-deaths/ar-BB12Gs0e?ocid=spartanntp

Quote

A double-blind research study of a drug touted by President Donald Trump early on to treat coronavirus found it to be so dangerous at high doses the trial was shut down after six days. 

The study on chloroquine, conducted in Brazil, found one-quarter of the patients taking the anti-malaria medication developed potentially deadly changes in the electrical system regulating their heartbeats. While a small and imperfect study, it highlights the compelling need for more rigorous data.

Quote

Despite the lack of certainty surrounding the efficacy of the drugs, Trump continues to promote them. He first heralded both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as possible cures for COVID-19 in briefings in March and has done so repeatedly, as recently as Tuesday, during a White House media event with people who've recovered from COVID-19.

Trump asked if they'd taken "the Hydroxy" and said, "I actually haven't heard a bad story" about the drug. He went on to indicate that while Americans understood its importance, the news media did not. 

 

[nst]

well it looks like one of my tenants might have it. 

[nst]

i am having a mini breakdown - the tenant is a nurse....so I feel for her. 

the vicar asked me today whether I like working from home, I was like - um I like the office better, where I don't work for 8 hours  - yes i have a job - but would rather be in the office normal working hours not ALL day long hours....

 

Edited April 16, 2020 by nst

[CarrotCake]

I spoke to my dad this morning for the first time ?

I got quite emotional when I talked about how I was afraid he would not be at my wedding and now he will be but for the rest it was a nice talk. He was complaining about me still being at my pyjamas (it was 08.30 and I work from home so I have to be ready at 08.59 only ? ) and I was teasing him with his mustache (they can't shave his upper lip because of the oxygen tube). He was still very tired and has a hard time grasping the concept of time and what is happening in the world but for the rest it really was my dad being back ❤️

Edited April 16, 2020 by CarrotCake

[HerNameIsBuffy]

9 hours ago, nst said:

i am having a mini breakdown - the tenant is a nurse....so I feel for her. 

the vicar asked me today whether I like working from home, I was like - um I like the office better, where I don't work for 8 hours  - yes i have a job - but would rather be in the office normal working hours not ALL day long hours....

 

You really need to set boundaries with her about your hours so you don't feel you're being taken advantage of.  It can be a slippery slope with some people.

You can always come over and post in Work Related Woes, the advice is pretty darn good over there.  (not saying you can't post here, too....just saying people give work specific advice and commiseration over there.)

[clueliss]

KC Stay at Home Extended to May 15.  

 

rapid tests for everyone!  Oh wait so when does 115 = everyone?

Quote

 

Personally speaking - stimulus check hit my bank account.  I moved it to savings (because I can).  I do two weeks of furlough in June and will have to deal with unemployment stupidity then.

Smithfield Foods closing Martin City MO plant (this after the largest cluster in the county out of their Sioux Falls plant (something like 600 people)

Spoiler

 

17 bodies discovered in New Jersey Nursing home (after someone called in a tip)

Spoiler

 

 

[fraurosena]

Update time again:

• The RIVM (equivalent of the CDC) is looking into the possibility of lessening the corona measures for the three northern provinces in the Netherlands where there are much less cases than elsewhere in the country. 
  Mandating the wearing of face masks is unnecessary, according to the RIVM; if you stick to the rules, stay at home when you have symptoms, keep to the hygiene measures and keep a safe social distance, then the added benefit of wearing a face mask is negligible. As there is a shortage for healthcare workers, it would be more prudent to save face masks for those that need them the most.
  According to the Dutch blood bank, who researched blood plasma in the past three weeks, about 3% of donors have antibodies in their blood.  
  There were 181 new deaths reported, bringing the total up to 3315. There were 182 new hospitalisations. The total number of confirmed cases is now 29.214. There are 1279 patients in the ICU, 24 less than the day before.
  Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned that even though the number of ICU patients is going down, this doesn't automatically mean that everything will be getting to normal any time soon. The society that we had before won't suddenly come back. He emphasised that society will remain changed for the time being, and even if a reduction of measures were to be possible, it would be effectuated slowly and cautiously. A decision on prolonging the current measures after April 28 will be made next week. 
• All 41 countries that would have competed in the now cancelled Eurovision Songfestival will take part in a one-off alternative Eurovison: Europe Shine A Light. Even countries who originally wouldn't have taken part will participate (Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kazakhstan).
• German automobile factories such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz will start up their production again next week, following the lessening of the lockdown in Germany and other European countries. Germany will also be opening some stores next week, Angela Merkel promised. Children will be able to go to school again as well.
  Germany reported 315 deaths, bringing their total up to 3600. The total number of confirmed cases is now 130.450.
• Belgium has reported the highest number of deaths to date: 417; 127 died in hospitals, and 289 died in care homes.
• The lockdown in Australia has been prolonged with an additional 4 weeks, despite the low number of new confirmed cases in the country. The coming months there will be more tests and there will be more attention to tracing people who have been in contact with an infected person. New plans are being made to restrict regional outbreaks.
• New Zealand is expecting to reduce their measures somewhat in the near future. According to Jacina Adern there are promising signs, but she emphasised that a return to normal life won't be coming soon.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants to issue more cheap loans for the poorest countries, in order to aid them in combatting the corona crisis. According to IMF CEO Kristalina Georgieva, the number of short-term cheap loans to poor countries should triple; in total 18 billion euro should be freed up.
  Yesterday the G20 Finance ministers agreed to temporary debt reprieves for the poorest countries. 
• The US is the worst hit country in the world. There are more than 636.000 confirmed cases.
  A record number of 2569 corona related deaths were reported yesterday, bringing the total number of deaths up to 28.326.
  Unemployment in the US is rising by millions per week. Since last week, another 5.2 million people have registered as seeking unemployment benefits, bringing the total up to 22 million in four weeks time. The actual number of unemployed is much higher, as not all unemployed are eligible for benefits. Economists predict that unemployment could rise to 20% this month. That would mean by far and away the highest rate of unemployment since the Great Depression of the 30s. For comparison, during the Great Recession ten years ago the US had an unemployment rate of 10%.
• A 28-year-old heavily pregnant nurse in Britain has died because of the virus. Her baby, a girl, was saved by performing an emergency C-section and is doing well. The baby's father has also been tested for the virus and has self-isolated for two weeks. 
• Facebook has said it has removed hundreds of thousands of contents in the battle against misinformation about the corona virus. It concerns damaging claims, like drinking bleach will cure you. Based on fact-checks, Facebook has posted warnings on 40 million posts. After seeing these warnings 95% of readers did not go on to the original content.
  Facebook is also going to show correct information about the corona virus to people who have liked misleading information about the virus, or who have had their comments on misinformation removed by Facebook. 
• Swedish princess Sofia has followed a three-day medical training so she can aid healthcare workers taking care of corona-patients. She is going to work in the Sophiahemmet, the hospital in Stockholm of which she is honorary president. "During this crisis the princess wants to be involved and contribute as a volunteer to soften the heavy workload of healthcare workers," a spokesperson for the court told Swedish media. Volunteers won't have direct contact with patients, but will be doing tasks such as disinfecting equipment, working in the kitchen, and cleaning.

Personal news:

It turns out that despite all the hiccups and hilarity, the Skype job interview I did last week went better than I expected, because I have just been asked for a second interview. Yay!

[clueliss]

The ongoing saga of Heritage Baptist Church outside Lawrence KS an the governor's no religious gatherings order.  They did at least move outdoors.  

A deputy had to respond due a sole protestor.  (yes, one)

 

[HerNameIsBuffy]

43 minutes ago, fraurosena said:

It turns out that despite all the hiccups and hilarity, the Skype job interview I did last week went better than I expected, because I have just been asked for a second interview. Yay!

Yay!  Fwiw any company would be so lucky to get you!  I hope it's a great fit!

[clueliss]

Saline County Missouri (I70 is in the south end of the county - Marshall area) has 51 cases (only 3 recovered).  Me mentally:  Missouri is not ready to be released from stay at home, we've got cases bubbling around in the smaller counties.  (but you know, dumbass said in the presser yesterday that STL is good (no it's not!)

Quote

The county has added at least 32 confirmed novel coronavirus cases over the past week.

 

[clueliss]

I hadn't hit the Johns Hopkins site for a bit.  They have a new US only map feature and I like it - it shows counties.

[CTRLZero]

I was happy to see my county has gone from single digit cases in week one, to double digit cases in weeks 3 and 4, but now back to single digits, with only a couple cases diagnosed so far this week.  Hope this trend can continue.  I am still wondering if we'll see increased cases after the Easter weekend nationwide. 

[clueliss]

St. Louis also extends