The COVID-2019 Thread

[harrybarracuda]

Saudi Arabia has just announced a 24 hour curfew over Eid.

That's like asking them not to piss for five days.

[misskit]

Indonesia’s COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 1,000

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/indonesia-coronavirus-05122020165646.html

[misskit]

Mexico and Brazil experience their deadliest days


Mexico and Brazil both experienced their deadliest days as South America becomes a new global hot-spot for the coronavirus.


Mexico's health ministry confirmed 1,997 new cases on Tuesday, along with 353 additional deaths — the deadliest day since the pandemic began. The country now has 3,926 deaths in total, according to an official tally. Meanwhile, the country's health committee announced plans to put some sectors, such as mining and construction, back to work. It will also begin easing some social and economic restrictions from June 1.


Brazil, where the outbreak is accelerating, recorded 881 confirmed deaths from the virus on Tuesday. The number of cases in the country passed those in Germany, while President Jair Bolsonaro has played down the risks of the virus.

Coronavirus: Mexico and Brazil experience their deadliest days

[bowie]

Mexico and Brazil both experienced their deadliest days as South America becomes a new global hot-spot for the coronavirus.

Just reinforces the fact that the horse has left the barn, closing the door won't help.

Draws me back to this statement from Post #5775

Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said...
"This damn virus is going to keep going until it infects everybody it possibly can"...
"It surely won’t slow down until it hits 60 to 70%" of the population, the number that would create herd immunity and halt the spread of the virus.

[jabir]

I've read about herd immunity, and will defer to the experts, but still can't see why 60-70% infections should halt the spread; or how those figures were derived, other than from historical data, which would assume that all viruses have similar properties in this regard.

Next, herd immunity must assume closed borders, fex France-Germany, otherwise the added population from a neighbouring less (or more) infected country would effectively reduce the overall infection rate for one while increasing it for the other.

[harrybarracuda]

I've read about herd immunity, and will defer to the experts, but still can't see why 60-70% infections should halt the spread; or how those figures were derived, other than from historical data, which would assume that all viruses have similar properties in this regard.

This is not new science.

“Herd Immunity”: A Rough Guide | Clinical Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic

[harrybarracuda]

GOP wankers at it again. They should just leak it.

"The Whitehouse is always going to be in favour of transparency".... what a fucking comedian.

GOP Sen. Mike Braun (Ind.) on Wednesday blocked a resolution calling for the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidance on reopening businesses.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) tried to pass the resolution amid reports that Trump administration officials had sidelined the document.

"The president is not a doctor. The president is not a scientist. Many don't even believe he's a stable genius like he thinks he is. ... Anybody who would say drink bleach, use bleach to protect yourself is not much of a medical expert," Schumer said from the Senate floor.

"I wish President Trump and his aides could be trusted to tell the American people the truth about this public health crisis. ... The point is that America needs and must have the candid guidance of our best scientists unfiltered, unedited, uncensored by President Trump or his political minions," Schumer added.

The Associated Press reported earlier Wednesday that the guidance from the CDC on how to reopen businesses and institutions shuttered during the coronavirus outbreak was more detailed and restrictive than guidelines issued by the White House task force.

The CDC guidance, according to the AP, calls for national coordination that would give communities a step-by-step guide for how to reopen shuttered sectors and lift social distancing restrictions.

CDC Director Robert Redfield told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this week that the recommendations would be released "soon."

Braun maintained Wednesday that Schumer was making a "faux argument" and characterized the CDC recommendations as "overly prescriptive."

"This is not about transparency. The White House is always going to be in favor of transparency. ... This is about the minority leader trying to use the bureaucracy at the CDC to bog down the economy," Braun added.

https://thehill.com/homenews/coronavirus-report/497531-gop-senator-blocks-resolution-calling-for-cdc-guidelines-to-be

[HermantheGerman]

Needs repeating.
The virus ain't political.
....will always have the upper hand.
[that wouldn't take too much to secure]

What is he babbling about

Some kind of morse codes?

[harrybarracuda]

No real surprise that the thieving chinky bastards are trying to nick research data on COVID vaccines.

FBI AND CISA WARN AGAINST CHINESE TARGETING OF COVID-19 RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS

Original release date: May 13, 2020

---

WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a Public Service Announcement today warning organizations researching COVID-19 of likely targeting and network compromise by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Healthcare, pharmaceutical and research sectors working on COVID-19 response should all be aware they are the prime targets of this activity and take the necessary steps to protect their systems.


China’s efforts to target these sectors pose a significant threat to our nation’s response to COVID-19. This announcement is intended to raise awareness for research institutions and the American public and provide resources and guidance for those who may be targeted.

The FBI requests organizations who suspect suspicious activity contact their local FBI field office. CISA is asking for all organizations supporting the COVID-19 response to partner with the agency in order to help protect these critical response efforts.

Additional technical details regarding the threat will be released in the coming days. CISA and the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Agency released a similar alert earlier this month warning of malicious actors targeting COVID-19 response organizations using a tactic of password spraying.

https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/05/13/fbi-and-cisa-warn-against-chinese-targeting-covid-19-research-organizations

[HermantheGerman]

'Shobushi' becomes 1st SUMO wrestler to DIE from coronavirus in Japan aged 28

Sumo wrestler Shobushi, 28, is sport's first coronavirus death - CNN

[misskit]

^ That’s awful. Four days to be admitted to a hospital!

[harrybarracuda]

^ That’s awful. Four days to be admitted to a hospital!

But he was an athlete.

[harrybarracuda]

A second Chinese city has gone into draconian lockdown today after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled growing fears of a second wave of infections in China.

The north-eastern city of Jilin, with a population of more than four million, shut down its borders and suspended public transport on Wednesday. All residents are not allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds unless it is necessary.

All cinemas, indoor gyms, internet cafes and other enclosed entertainment venues in Jilin must shut immediately, and pharmacies must report all sales of fever and antiviral medicines, the Jilin government said in a statement.

Local authorities also said that residents are only allowed to leave the city if they obtain reports to prove that they have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past 48 hours and complete an unspecified period of 'strict self-isolation'.

It comes four days after a neighbouring city Shulan, a city of 600,000 people, was put under lockdown over the weekend after registering 12 COVID-19 cases in the space of two days, all linked to the same source.

The cities of Jilin and Shulan are located in the eponymous province of Jilin, which borders Russia and North Korea.

Jilin city reported six new confirmed cases on Wednesday, all linked to the Shulan cluster, bringing the total number of cases linked to a local laundry worker to 21.

A cluster of infections was reported in the suburb of Shulan over the weekend, with Jilin's vice mayor warning Wednesday that the situation was 'extremely severe and complicated' and 'there is major risk of further spread'.

China puts a second city under lockdown in the space of four days | Daily Mail Online

[harrybarracuda]

Another trumpanzee fucktard.

Police in Texas investigating man's 'threatening' Facebook post about Whole Foods mask rule"Do I have to show the lame security guard ... my CV19 test results?" the post said. "Pricey ammo, but worth it in this situation."
May 13, 2020, 9:02 PM +03
By Janelle Griffith

Police in Texas are investigating a man's allegedly threatening Facebook post about a Whole Foods face mask policy. The man was also fired by the Dallas law firm where he worked in administration, the firm said.

The Thompson & Knight law firm did not name the employee in a statement posted on Facebook on May 8, but said it had terminated his employment and notified authorities about the post as a precaution.

"This afternoon we learned that an administrative employee of the firm issued a threatening and offensive post on a personal social media account related to COVID-19 mask protection," the statement said. "This post is a complete violation of the values of our firm, including our commitment to the health and safety of the communities we serve."

"We are deeply sorry for this situation," the statement said. "This type of post is not and never will be tolerated by our firm.”

Kelby Luther, the chief marketing officer for the firm, which has other offices in Texas as well in New York and other cities around the world, confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday that the terminated employee is Kevin Bain, who had worked as a document services manager based in Dallas.

Bain could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Lt. Lance Koppa, a police spokesman in Highland Park, a Dallas suburb where the Whole Foods referenced in the Facebook post is located, said the department was looking into the matter.

Beginning in mid-April, Dallas County residents were required to wear a cloth covering over their mouths and noses in public. On April 27, Gov. Greg Abbott said local officials cannot impose penalties on residents who violate rules about wearing masks in public.

"We strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask," Abbott said at a news conference where he announced plans for reopening the state's economy. "However, it's not a mandate. And we make clear that no jurisdiction can impose any type of penalty or fine for anyone not wearing a mask."

"Everyone should be encouraged, but by my executive order, it supersedes local orders with regard to any type of fine or penalty for anyone not wearing a mask," he added.

According to screenshots of the Facebook post that have been shared widely online, it says: "No more masks. Any business that tells me to put on a mask (Whole Foods on Lomo Alto) in Dallas will get told to kiss my Corona a-- and will lose my business forever. It’s time to stop this BULLS---. Do I have to show the lame security guard outside of a ghetto store my CV19 test results? With Hornady hollow points. Pricey ammo, but worth it in this situation. They have reached the limit. I have more power than they do.....they just don’t know it yet."

Texas has had more than 41,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with at least 1,133 deaths, according to state health data.

Police in Texas investigating man'''s '''threatening''' Facebook post about Whole Foods mask rule

[katie23]

Third interview of Asian boss with Korean epidemiologist Prof. Kim. It's about the origin of COVID-19 and prediction of the next epidemic.



Best to watch the 1st & 2nd interviews first, though this can stand alone.

[thailazer]

Quite amazing to be watching Trump trying to get the US economy rolling again and the protesters defying social distancing. It has been less than 60 days since the USA had 100 corona virus deaths, and now we have over 83,000 deaths. The curve is still rising and the health experts are giving warnings of how dire things can get. Still no real leadership on the health situation and I am wondering how many deaths will occur by fall.

[HermantheGerman]

Europe is second in line even though Sanofi is a European Company!!!


As questions swirl over equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson has laid out some of his company’s plans should its program succeed, Bloomberg reports. A key point? The U.S. will be first in line.
Shortly after the remarks made their rounds, representatives for the company said that the distribution plans are more complex. U.S. plants will make vaccine doses for the U.S., a spokesman said, while other locations will supply to other countries.
In his Bloomberg interview, Hudson said the U.S. stepped up first to invest in the company’s research, so it “has the right to the largest pre-order.”

In fact, the government expects to be rewarded with quick access, Hudson says, after BARDA signed on in February to collaborate with the French drugmaker. Specifically, the U.S. expects that “if we’ve helped you manufacture the doses at risk, we expect to get the doses first,” Hudson told Bloomberg.
A Sanofi spokesman said the company "benefits from a diversified footprint around the world" and has "always been committed in these unprecedented circumstances to make our vaccine accessible to everyone."
Vaccines made in the U.S. will be designated for U.S. use, he said, while other sites will supply to Europe and the rest of the world.
Sanofi's COVID-19 collaboration with BARDA builds on an existing relationship between the drugmaker and the U.S. government that has spanned pandemic influenza and a now-abandoned Zika tie-up.

Sanofi CEO: Up-front funding wins U.S. first access to coronavirus shot | FiercePharma

[jabir]

Thanks 'arry, still not au fait with herd immunity, but less confused than before.

According to the 'experts' heat does have a positive effect against the virus, in which case the next wave should surge around Autumn/Winter, and many are predicting it will be even more virulent than what's already brought the world to a standstill.

From a lay pov, as it will take several months to 'reopen', the timing seems to have us actively lowering our defences to create conditions for the perfect swarm. Won't be looking forward to that!

[bowie]

Well, not to praise, nor to denigrate, any countries administration in control of pandemics. The world went through it in 1918. Did the worlds countries administration of a global pandemic shine or fail miserably then?

Today, we, humankind, has not yet got a handle on the testing for and of Covid. All the numbers we base any assumption on are flawed. As there is not a validated metric, no standardization of test protocol, and really no proven valid test, either for an infected or an antibody positive prior infected, person, our assumptions and projections are flawed and either hopeful or dismal.

Facts that have stood: 60% of the infected are asymptomatic. 20% experience and exhibit minor symptoms of inconvenience and still go to work. 15% experience medial to severe symptoms, really get sick and many of these seek medical care. 5% experience severe symptoms requiring hospitalization and some, the actual percentage is still vague, die.

The fatalities to date have been the elderly and immune system compromised. Question is, Did these people actually die of Covid, or was Covid the “straw-that-broke-the-camels-back?, stated another way, if these fatalities did not contract Covid, would they still be alive?

Figures that haven’t changed since the onset – 15% of the over 80’s who contract Covid die. Stated another way, 85% of the over 80’s who contract Covid survive.



We, humankind has done very serious damage to our economic balance. USA has more than 30 million unemployed persons. 85k fatalities attributed to Covid and a population of 330 million.

330 million 30 million unemployed = @ 10%
330 million 85k fatalities = 0.025%

For imaging purposes we will round up to 100k fatalities. Now, picture this, you have 10,000 pennies in a pile on the kitchen table, and one falls off. That is your Covid fatality. We want the other 9,999 pennies to stay home and live off their minimal government subsidies so another penny, or two, doesn’t fall off the table.


Now, being the compassionate human race that we are, we are more than willing to stay at home to save our old grandpa and his cronies. But, when the kids start crying for their supper, well, it's time to bury grandpa.

[Cujo]

Trump brands Fauci’s caution over reopening ‘unacceptable’; "Unacceptable"?? WTF?
Guess we won't be seeing or hearing much from him in the future.

Deaths worldwide near 300,000The number of lives lost worldwide in the coronavirus pandemic is nearing 300,000, according to Johns Hopkins University figures, with 297,197 deaths reported. There are 4,347,015 confirmed infections.The true fatalities figure is likely to be significantly higher as a result of underreporting or differing definitions of what constitutes a death from coronavirus.

Trump says Fauci’s warning over reopening the economy too soon as “not an acceptable answer”US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described as not acceptable a warning given by top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci this week about the dangers of reopening the economy too quickly.

Virus may never be eradicated – WHO. The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 could become endemic like HIV, the World Health Organization has said, warning against any attempt to predict how long it would keep circulating and calling for a “massive effort” to counter it. “It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away,”

Coronavirus live news: global deaths near 300,000 as WHO says Covid-19 may never disappear | World news | The Guardian

[baldrick]

stated another way, if these fatalities did not contract Covid, would they still be alive?

you can get an idea by looking at the increases in average deaths compared to last year

the answer is that this virus is killing people - and not just the old and obese

[bowie]

the answer is that this virus is killing people - and not just the old and obese

That is a given - yes, there are fatalities on the basis of Covid - Are you willing to shelter in place for the rest of your life to protect yourself and others from this disease?

And, of course, we are willing only until a vaccine is developed. Of course though, it is if, a vaccine is developed.

The real question is - on a personal level, just how much economic damage are you, as an individual, willing to absorb for the greater good of mankind?

To all appearances to date, dying of Covid is on the order of hitting the lottery, getting struck by lightning, etc. Long shot odds. Yet, the odds of being on the receiving end of economic damage seem pretty good. And, I don't care who you are, you have already been inconvenienced by this pandemic. And, many, many, many folk, see them lining up for handouts, have been seriously inconvenienced.

But yet, just how many Covid infected do you know?

[Latindancer]

For imaging purposes we will round up to 100k fatalities. Now, picture this, you have 10,000 pennies in a pile on the kitchen table, and one falls off. That is your Covid fatality. We want the other 9,999 pennies to stay home and live off their minimal government subsidies so another penny, or two, doesn’t fall off the table.


Now, being the compassionate human race that we are, we are more than willing to stay at home to save our old grandpa and his cronies. But, when the kids start crying for their supper, well, it's time to bury grandpa.

That makes it sound not so bad.

But what about the 1,000 people every day that were dying in the USA, the 1,000 who were dying every day in Italy, the 1,000 who were dying every day in the UK, .... Spain too.

[bowie]

But what about the 1,000 people every day that were dying in the USA, the 1,000 who were dying every day in Italy, the 1,000 who were dying every day in the UK, .... Spain too.

Yup, that is the penny that fell off the table. And, in a perfect world, nobody falls off the table.

Death is death, a function of life that no one can avoid. You can attach a picture to each and every death. And, each and every picture has a devoted family attached to it.


The question is how much economic damage is the human race willing to absorb to combat a fairly mild disease. 60% asymptomatic, 20% mild inconvenience, 15% sick, 5% hospitalized. Fatals -unknown, but only a fraction of the hospitalized.


How much does a person who is in their prime earning years with a family to raise and support, sacrifice for the greater good? Where do you draw the line?

What price do you assign to a few additional years of poor quality of life living added to the life of an 80+ year old?

[Shutree]

I haven't noticed anyone else posting this:


Coronavirus: How many people have died in the UK? - BBC News

The number of people who have died because of Covid-19 is nearly twice as high as the figure we hear announced every day.

By 1 May, the number of coronavirus deaths announced by the UK government was just over 28,000.

Looking back at death registrations filed then, the figure is higher: just over 36,000 death certificates mentioned Covid-19.

The measure preferred by statisticians, counting all deaths above what would be expected, was even higher: more than 50,000.


The article gives more analysis.