The COVID-2019 Thread

[HermantheGerman]

People with blood type A may be more vulnerable to coronavirus, China study finds

People with blood type A may be more vulnerable to coronavirus, China study finds | South China Morning Post

[Troy]

^ That's another box ticked...

Looking at the deltas between each day, South Korea had the steepest rise (1.5 mean) but managed to control it after 2 weeks. Italy has the lowest rise (1.32) but it has continued to increase for at least a week longer. It will take 2 or 3 days before knowing if the peak has been reached. Germany and France are about a week behind. Trend lines are similar but many mild cases are going to be ignored, which will bias the virus overall figures. For example, UK and Germany are not bothering if people only have a fever and sore throat. More symptoms required before a test will be given.

[harrybarracuda]

Something to read for those on lockdown:

We haven't had a widespread flu problem since 2018. Yet despite it only being 2020, some insist this year's coronavirus must be the product of government scientists, though some also suggest it was the result of 5G cellular service in Wuhan. Then China claimed it might be the U.S.


What is the truth?


The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that emerged in the city of Wuhan is the product of natural evolution, finds an analysis of genome sequence data from SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses published today.


If a government were going to create something, it wouldn't be this. Though the virus is easy to transmit, coronavirus is in the same family as the common cold, it is hard to get COVID-19, and unless you have risk factors it won't be severe. That makes for a terrible pandemic, so no one would decide to make this in a laboratory. Yet it is causing a worldwide recession anyway.


"By comparing the available genome sequence data for known coronavirus strains, we can firmly determine that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes," says Kristian Andersen, PhD, an associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research and corresponding author on the new paper.


It's nature, that's why it's the third corona virus pandemic of the last 20 years


Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging widely in severity. They were first categorized in the 1960s but obviously they were around long before that. The first known severe illness caused by a coronavirus emerged with the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in China. A second outbreak of severe illness began in 2012 in Saudi Arabia with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).


On December 31 of last year, Chinese authorities finally responded to concerns by medical personnel, one of whom later died despite being young, and alerted the World Health Organization that an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus causing severe illness was in Wuhan. The Wuhan Flu was subsequently given the subsequent designation SARS-CoV-2. As of February 20, 2020, nearly 167,500 COVID-19 cases have been documented, although many more mild cases have likely gone undiagnosed. The virus has killed over 6,600 people and led to worldwide concern even though flu will kill 10X as many. If even 6,000 died in the U.S. alone it would be the best flu season on record, so 70 deaths are not reason to panic, but the virus has the coasts of the U.S. telling people to stay in their homes.


Shortly after the problem was acknowledged, Chinese scientists sequenced the genome of SARS-CoV-2 and made the data available to researchers worldwide. The resulting genomic sequence data has shown that the number of COVID-19 cases have been increasing because of human to human transmission after a single introduction into the human population. That's what led to government conspiracy theories. In the new paper scientists used this sequencing data to explore the origins and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 by focusing in on several tell-tale features of the virus.


They analyzed the genetic template for spike proteins, armatures on the outside of the virus that it uses to grab and penetrate the outer walls of human and animal cells. More specifically, they focused on two important features of the spike protein: the receptor-binding domain (RBD), a kind of grappling hook that grips onto host cells, and the cleavage site, a molecular can opener that allows the virus to crack open and enter host cells.


Evidence for natural evolution


The scientists found that the RBD portion of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins had evolved to effectively target a molecular feature on the outside of human cells called ACE2, a receptor involved in regulating blood pressure. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was so effective at binding the human cells, in fact, that the scientists concluded it was the result of natural selection and not the product of genetic engineering.


This evidence for natural evolution was supported by data on SARS-CoV-2's backbone - its overall molecular structure. If someone were seeking to engineer a new coronavirus as a pathogen, they would have constructed it from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness. But the scientists found that the SARS-CoV-2 backbone differed substantially from those of already known coronaviruses and mostly resembled related viruses found in bats and pangolins.


So much for claims that it is a corporate or government conspiracy.


Two possible origins of the virus that don't involve corporate or government conspiracies


Based on their genomic sequencing analysis, Andersen and his collaborators concluded that the most likely origins for SARS-CoV-2 followed one of two possible scenarios.


In one scenario, the virus evolved to its current pathogenic state through natural selection in a non-human host and then jumped to humans. This is how previous coronavirus outbreaks have emerged, with humans contracting the virus after direct exposure to civets (SARS) and camels (MERS). The researchers proposed bats as the most likely reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 as it is very similar to a bat coronavirus. There are no documented cases of direct bat-human transmission, however, suggesting that an intermediate host was likely involved between bats and humans.


If so, both of the distinctive features of SARS-CoV-2's spike protein--the RBD portion that binds to cells and the cleavage site that opens the virus up--would have evolved to their current state prior to entering humans. In this case, the current epidemic would probably have emerged rapidly as soon as humans were infected, as the virus would have already evolved the features that make it pathogenic and able to spread between people.


In the other possible scenario, a non-pathogenic version of the virus jumped from an animal host into humans and then evolved to its current pathogenic state within the human population. For instance, some coronaviruses from pangolins, armadillo-like mammals found in Asia and Africa, have an RBD structure very similar to that of SARS-CoV-2. A coronavirus from a pangolin could possibly have been transmitted to a human, either directly or through an intermediary host such as civets or ferrets.


Then the other distinct spike protein characteristic of SARS-CoV-2, the cleavage site, could have evolved within a human host, possibly via limited undetected circulation in the human population prior to the beginning of the epidemic. The researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 cleavage site, appears similar to the cleavage sites of strains of bird flu that has been shown to transmit easily between people. SARS-CoV-2 could have evolved such a virulent cleavage site in human cells and soon kicked off the current epidemic, as the coronavirus would possibly have become far more capable of spreading between people.


It is impossible to know which of the scenarios is most likely. If the SARS-CoV-2 entered humans in its current pathogenic form from an animal source, it raises the probability of future outbreaks, as the illness-causing strain of the virus could still be circulating in the animal population and might once again jump into humans. The chances are lower of a non-pathogenic coronavirus entering the human population and then evolving properties similar to SARS-CoV-2.


https://www.science20.com/news_staff/where_coronavirus_really_came_from-246368

[harrybarracuda]

Fucking unbelievable.

A medical device manufacturer has threatened to sue a group of volunteers in Italy that 3D printed a valve used for life-saving coronavirus treatments. The valve typically costs about $11,000 from the medical device manufacturer, but the volunteers were able to print replicas for about $1 (via Techdirt).


A hospital in Italy was in need of the valves after running out while treating patients for COVID-19. The hospital’s usual supplier said they could not make the valves in time to treat the patients, according to Metro. That launched a search for a way to 3D print a replica part, and Cristian Fracassi and Alessandro Ramaioli, who work at Italian startup Isinnova, offered their company’s printer for the job, reports Business Insider.

However, when the pair asked the manufacturer of the valves for blueprints they could use to print replicas, the company declined and threatened to sue for patent infringement, according to Business Insider Italia. Fracassi and Ramaioli moved ahead anyway by measuring the valves and 3D printing three different versions of them.


So far, the valves they made have worked on 10 patients as of March 14th, according to Massimo Temporelli, the founder of Italian manufacturing solutions company FabLab who helped recruit Fracassi and Ramaioli to print the replica valves.

“[The patients] were people in danger of life, and we acted. Period,” said Fracassi in a Facebook post. He also said that “we have no intention of profit on this situation, we are not going to use the designs or product beyond the strict need for us forced to act, we are not going to spread the drawing.”

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/17/21184308/coronavirus-italy-medical-company-threatens-sue-3d-print-valves-treatments

[happynz]

People with blood type A may be more vulnerable to coronavirus, China study finds

er...the most common blood type in China is blood type A, so it goes to reason...

[harrybarracuda]

er...the most common blood type in China is blood type A, so it goes to reason...

I don't think you understood the article. They didn't say more of them get it, they said they are more easily infected and get more severe symptoms.

[OhOh]

I'm guessing

Her nationality wasn't in linked to article. But if posting your racist views allows you to sleep at night, so be it

Self Isolation is pretty fucking self evident

As reported, :Single room, no mixing with other guests", what else can one do in a hotel?

What do the NZ/other countrys government laws stipulate?

Meanwhile, in Benidorm:

I see dilliyo had the staring role at 0:01

Family are all sick with colds here in Thailand

Which in my area is an annual event.

won't be rolled back after the virus is dealt with

What is your definition and the WHO's, of " the virus being dealt with"?

what would they do with all the houses they take possession of?

Simple, extend the mortgage for the period of any government imposed lock down.

[OhOh]

For example, UK and Germany are not bothering if people only have a fever and sore throat. More symptoms required before a test will be given.

Which will not produce honest/differently recorded country statistics. One hopes WHO are on to this government authorise deception.

^^^^^ & ^^^^

Two informative posts 'arry.

From
Massimo Temporelli

facebook account on :

Italian hospital 3D-prints breathing valves for COVID-19 patients - Business Insider

3.3K

220

1.7K

"Last update, 19.30, the system works! Currently 10 patients are accompanied in breathing by a machine with a 3d printed valve.

I must, indeed we must, make a big applause to Eng. Cristian Fracassi who with his team designed and printed the missing piece 3d. Everything at the speed of light. You are heroes!

I'm happy... But let me take two or three pebbles from my shoe:

many in my previous post have doubted and criticized this system of action which, it is true, will be unorthodox, perfectible, not regular, not certifiable ... but caxxo, it is saving lives.

Here you all, dear ones, I say to you: we win! Cristian wins, Chiari Hospital wins, anyone who believes in what he does, overcomes obstacles and does not complain, does not criticize but acts, hopes and works. This is humanity that makes history .... I'm on their side. Always!"

[Troy]

^ That reminds me of another significant factor regards Italy. It was peak flu season when the virus started and the initial symptoms are very similar. In fact, I had flu in January, after returning from Thailand and thought nothing of it.

The 1918 pandemic came in 3 waves, first was mild. Second and third waves were the big killers...

[harrybarracuda]

Her nationality wasn't in linked to article. But if posting your racist views allows you to sleep at night, so be it
As reported, :Single room, no mixing with other guests", what else can one do in a hotel?

Trying to obfuscate as usual, so I'll repeat it for you:

The Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, told reporters that there was a traveller in Christchurch who was unwilling to commit herself to self isolation and would be deported as a result.

[OhOh]

I'll repeat it for you:

No info on the "self isolation" legislation and no published account of the lady's responses.

Pathetic.

[harrybarracuda]

No info on the "self isolation" legislation and no published account of the lady's responses.

Pathetic.

Oh boo fucking hoo.

She can fuck off home and do her backpacking there.

Added: You can guarantee all arriving travellers are being told about this.

It's like those dim fuckers on Border Security that bring in suitcases of food to Australia and claim they "didn't know".

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced new restrictions requiring travellers to be quarantined for 14 days upon entry into the country in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The restrictions apply to all countries except for Pacific nations, and will come into effect at midnight on Sunday (10.00pm AEDT). It also includes any New Zealand citizens or residents returning to the country.

[Warwick]

The virus is nondiscriminatory so it will hit the lenders and their staff as well and what would they do with all the houses they take possession of?

Just how stupid are you?

[Klondyke]

Factory in 2 weeks
(damned Chinkies...)
Chinese car maker BYD starts engine on mask production


SHENZHEN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Many companies in China, including underwear and ship makers, have transformed their businesses to cater to the rising demand for masks amid the coronavirus epidemic. Now, a new participant has joined the list: China's leading new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD.

In BYD's Baolong industrial garden in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, more than 600 workers were packaging and examining the masks churned out from 100 production lines in a 15,000-square-meter factory.

The factory was used as an electronic production area just a little over one month ago.

Following the virus outbreak, masks became the most needed protective gear, in addition to disinfectants and protective overalls. Meanwhile, BYD was under pressure to resume work, said Li Wei, with BYD's president's office.

"We have 250,000 employees, and if we prepare two masks for each of them, we would need 500,000 masks," Li said. "Shenzhen has more than 20 million people, and they would need more than 40 million masks if each person needed two masks."

Under such circumstances, BYD decided to make masks itself.

"We were in dire need of mask-making machines, but each machine usually takes 40 days to make," Li said. "Besides, it was impossible to buy such equipment during the epidemic, so we were determined that we would make the machines by ourselves."

The company quickly formed a research team, and drew more than 400 equipment drafts within three days. They then spent seven days turning the drafts into actual machines. For each mask-making machine, BYD took charge of 90 percent of the 1,300-plus components, including the gears, chains and rollers. Within a month, BYD created 100 mask production lines.

On Feb. 17, BYD's first batch of masks went offline. Each line can make 50,000 masks a day. With the new production lines, BYD is able to make five million masks and 300,000 bottles of disinfectant on a daily basis, making the company one of the biggest mask manufacturers in the world.

Besides internal use, BYD said some of the masks are donated to frontline hospitals, public transit companies, airports and ports. Some are given to the government for allocation, and some are provided to BYD's strategic partners.

BYD plans to expand its production lines to 200 with a daily capacity of up to 10 million masks. The masks will also be provided to other countries hit hard by the virus, after meeting domestic demand.

On Sunday, BYD inked an agreement with local officials in Shenzhen, pledging to allocate 15 million masks to six designated supermarkets and pharmacies in Shenzhen. Each mask will cost no more than 2.5 yuan (36 U.S. cents).

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._138883476.htm

[Klondyke]

Former chair of Royal College of GPs who caught virus describes how it REALLY felt - from NHS 111 not replying, to a throat like knives, raging fever and how her '60-year-old body' defended itself... and won

Dr Clare Gerada, 60, a GP in London, and former chair of the Royal College of GPs tested positive last week

Said she was just a little out of sorts initially and thought it was probably jetlag after flying back from New York

It started with a new dry cough and then it soon developed into a sore throat before she became feverish

Dr Gerada described her experience as the PM advised against social contact to delay the spread of infection

Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Coronavirus cases in the UK are rapidly climbing, and the spiralling outbreak yesterday prompted Boris Johnson to take the drastic step of advising against all social contact in a dramatic measure to delay the spread of infection.

But despite these distancing measures, the government estimates many more people will catch the disease which has so far killed 55.

As scores of Britons worry about contracting Covid-19, Dr Clare Gerada, 60, a GP in Lambeth, South London, and former chair of the Royal College of GPs who tested positive last week, describes what it's really like to have coronavirus.

Here she describes how rapidly she fell ill...

Just a little out of sorts was how I felt at first. Initially, I thought I probably had a bit of jetlag.

Three days previously I had flown back from New York, where I'd been attending a psychiatry conference.

As I left for home, New York declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus and I felt relieved that I was escaping — I even went to the airport four hours earlier than I needed to, I was so eager to get home.

I didn't really know what 'a state of emergency' meant, and I was worried they might stop the flights.

I arrived back on a Sunday morning and went to work on Monday.

By Tuesday morning, though, as well as feeling rather tired, I had started with a new dry cough. Yet it was so mild to begin with, I barely gave it a second thought and put it down to the 'cabin cough' you sometimes get after a long flight.

Soon after that, though, I quickly developed a terrible sore throat. I know some people say you don't always get a sore throat with corona, but I did — it felt as if someone had put knives in my throat. And then the high temperature hit. I was feverish and got the shakes.

It was then I began to think: could it be coronavirus? I think I knew it was right away — but, strangely, I didn't feel scared, as I have no underlying health problems. I'm fit and I walk a lot.

I realised going to work was out of the question and I looked online for advice, as I'd been out of the country for six days and things had moved on rapidly in that time. Even I wasn't sure what the latest guidance was.

So I emailed 111. When I didn't hear back, I went to a testing pod at a local hospital.

At first they weren't going to send me for testing, as at that time the U.S. wasn't one of the countries this was advised for. But I explained that New York had declared a state of emergency and it was endemic there.

I knew it was the coronavirus, as I am never normally ill and the flu season was all but over — plus I'd had my jab.

And this was obviously more than a cold. Within hours of getting my first symptoms I wasn't able to eat. I went for two days with no food at all, as I had no appetite and also had a horrible metallic taste in my mouth which made food taste unpleasant. Eating felt like too much effort.

I collapsed into bed and had very fitful sleep because of my high temperature, but I forced myself to drink a lot — lemonade and bitter lemon. I couldn't drink tea because my mouth and throat were so sore.

Within hours my nose became full of ulcers and I imagine the back of my mouth was the same.

All I wanted to do was sleep — I'd considered keeping a video diary, but even the thought of a holding a phone seemed too much.

I took two paracetamol every eight hours.

I rang my husband, Simon, he came home from work and we kept a safe distance from each other. He slept in the spare room, I put all my crockery in the dishwasher and we didn't share towels. So far he hasn't been ill, though he has stayed in the house. A neighbour has been walking our dog.

I had flu 15 years ago and it was nothing like this, I was only ill for half a day. Having coronavirus was the worst I have ever felt. For the following few days, pretty much all I could do was sleep — I've never slept so much.

On Friday, the hospital rang with my test results: it was coronavirus. I wasn't scared, as by this point I was already starting to feel better; my temperature had come down, the cough had gone and I didn't need paracetamol any more.

I could eat again, too, though not a lot. I think I managed a bowl of chicken soup on Saturday, and by Sunday — a week since my return from New York — I was eating stews and soup brought round by neighbours.

Luckily, my husband is well and no one else I have come into contact with in London has fallen ill so far.

Yesterday I felt so much better. I just wanted to go out, so I stood on my doorstep with a mask on to get some air.

Most people have been very sympathetic but fascinated when I've told them I have coronavirus.

They have asked me lots of questions, as none of them seems to have met someone who's actually had it, as yet.

During my 35 years as a doctor I've seen some scary things, including a meningitis outbreak and cases of SARS. But corona is scarier in terms of its impact on society and the economy.

I was told I could stop self-isolating five days after I started to feel better, but I am staying at home all this week to make sure I don't infect anyone else. I will return to work next Monday.

Clearly, it is a grim disease with a higher mortality rate than ordinary flu, though I've heard of some people who experienced such a mild illness they didn't even realise they had it.

We are all fearful of it because we don't know what it's about. But for me it was just a seven-day illness, which I believe is most people's experience.

My 60-year-old body has fought a defence against a new virus. It has summoned my antibodies — if you took a sample of my blood now, it would be full of them — and protected my lungs, heart and kidneys against attack.

Read more
Coronavirus UK: Doctor describes symptoms as 'nothing like flu' | Daily Mail Online

[David48atTD]

On Feb. 17, BYD's first batch of masks went offline. Each line can make 50,000 masks a day. With the new production lines, BYD is able to make five million masks and 300,000 bottles of disinfectant on a daily basis, making the company one of the biggest mask manufacturers in the world.

I wonder what the QA is on their products

[baldrick]

seems thailand is keen to track you dirty foriegners

Thailand recently added a COVID-19-screening form to the Airports of Thailand app. While the feature is a digital replica of a paper registration form offered to incoming travellers, the app asks for location permission and tries to turn on Bluetooth every time it is activated. The Register has asked the app’s developers to explain the permissions it seeks, but has not received a reply in 48 hours.

[harrybarracuda]

seems thailand is keen to track you dirty foriegners

I wonder what it wants Bluetooth for?

[David48atTD]

Neighbours temporarily halt production


Production has been temporarily halted on the set of television program Neighbours

"Today all cast and crew met to discuss this issue as a result of a specific concern about the pandemic," a spokesperson said.


"Production will resume on Monday as planned with no interruption to the on-air or delivery schedule." (Phew ... that's a relief!)

[OhOh]

You can guarantee all arriving travellers are being told about this

It depends on the time her plane touched down.

Allegedly, if after 1am on 16th/03, she would have been asked to complete a border entry form and would have had to speak with a nurse who would explain the self-isolating requirements and would have had to sign the border entry form and possibly an agreement that stated she understood procedure to follow.

Unless we are told which flight she came in on and the time of it landing, either none of the above occurred or one of the ladies has a poor memory.

Coronavirus: Deadline for self-isolating travellers pushed to 1am Monday

Brittney Deguara, Thomas Manch and George Block13:45, Mar 15 2020

Jacinda Ardern gave the latest update on TVNZ1’s Q+A on March 15, 2020.



The deadline for travellers to arrive in New Zealand before they must self-isolate for 14 days has been moved to 1am Monday.

The original deadline, announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was midnight Sunday.


Board of Airline Representatives NZ executive director Justin Tighe-Umbers said on Sunday the change had been made to reflect the reality of Sunday night flight patterns, when flights typically landed late in the evening.


The deadline referred to the time a plane touched down on the runway and passengers could come through border controls after 1am without needing to self-isolate, he said.

Meanwhile, Ardern said quarantine powers may be used to keep possible Covid-19 coronavirus cases in hospital if they refuse to self-isolate.

Ardern, in an interview on Q+A on Sunday morning, explained in greater detail how the Government's decision to require all international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days was expected to work.

There would be more "spot checks" on those in self-isolation. People would be asked to take private transport from the airport, and domestic flights would still be taken by people who have returned.


Ardern also said an economic stimulus package would be "the most significant package that I will announce while I am prime minister", signalling it will be more important than the $12 billion infrastructure announcement in January.

On Saturday, Ardern announced that everyone arriving in New Zealand would have to self-isolate themselves for 14 days, beginning midnight on Sunday.

Ardern on Sunday said that, while 10,000 people had self-isolated successfully without needing strict enforcement, public health officials and police could use quarantine powers to compel people to self-isolate.

"We can put you in a facility and monitor your movements".

These facilities include a medical facility or hospital, and officials could be stationed at doors to stop those quarantined from leaving.
When people entered the country, they would be asked to complete a border entry form and would have to speak with a nurse who would explain the self-isolating requirements.


People would be asked to take private transport from the airport to their home. Those travelling on domestic flights were advised to reduce close contact with people and maintain social distancing, Ardern said.

They would then receive calls from Healthline to ensure they were self-isolating. "Spot checks" by public health officials would be increased, Ardern said.

She also explained that self-isolation didn't mean you couldn't go outside. Self-isolation was more about reducing contact with others and staying confined to your home.

"You can take a walk around the block, but you can't go into public places and places where you're interacting with others".

Ardern said she did not have figures on how many people may have to self-isolate. The number of travellers had dropped away.
She said she had been advised that, for people who caught the virus, 80 per cent would be okay and 7 per cent would be "more acute".
There will be more Covid-19 cases in New Zealand, she said.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...e-pm-says?rm=m

[OhOh]

I wonder what the QA is on their product

I wonder where they bought cloth/paper and 300,000 bottles of chemicals, to disinfect the cloth/paper from!

[David48atTD]

I wonder where they bought cloth/paper from!

It's one of the rumors that the same paper they used for toilet paper they also used for face masks.

Hence the run on toilet paper because they thought all the paper would be diverted into making the masks.

Thus, no bog rolls

[Chittychangchang]

email from school today...

Dear Parents
This is very likely to be the first of at least two updates today, so please keep looking out for others.
Following yesterday's announcement's by the Prime Minister, I need to update the information I sent to you yesterday evening.
1) The requirement to self-isolate for 7 days has been changed to 14 days.
2) If one person in the family has symptoms of the virus (high temperature OR new persistent cough), the whole family needs to isolate at home for 14 days.
Please do not send or bring children into school if they have either of these symptoms.
This represents a significant step up in the effort to delay the spread of COVID-19 and we, as a school, will be abiding by it.
I appreciated that these are not easy times but the situation is unprecedented.
I will send at least one further update later today
Regards

[aging one]

Wait, so in the UK schools are open? WTF? that is not a good idea.

[Chittychangchang]

Wait, so in the UK schools are open? WTF? that is not a good idea.

Yes, although most of them are half full.

30 children sent home from school yesterday for having a cough.