[Health] The Infectious Diseases Thread

[Kraken]

As of Monday, day care centers in MA will be shuttered. And today the local shopping mall closed. The one with the jewelry store that's supposed to repair my wristwatch. I wonder if I'll ever see my watch again.

[Smoove_B]

Razr is going to make surgical masks:

https://twitter.com/minliangtan/status/ ... 8393425920

So I haven’t had much sleep over the past couple of days to get this initiative up and running, but I’m happy to be able to announce this on behalf of the team here at @Razer

...

Over the past few days, our designers and engineers have been working 24-hour shifts to convert some of our existing manufacturing lines to produce surgical masks so that we can donate them to countries around the world.

We intend to donate up to 1M masks to the health authorities of different countries globally. For starters, we’ve been in touch with the authorities in Singapore (where the @Razer SEA HQ is based) to donate some of the initial shipments to assist their fight against COVID-19.

[Blackhawk]

So, RGB surgical masks that break after an hour?

Spoiler:

I'm kidding. I don't like Razer, but this is a good thing.

[Smoove_B]

General advice for staying safe while grocery shopping.

I really want to add my own opinion that wearing gloves is unnecessary and might actually increase risk. The reason is that when you put them on, you now feel "more protected" and your mental guard is down. You're more likely to touch things and your face because you're thinking "I'm protected". I've seen this time and time again with food handlers wearing gloves. You're better off just practicing good hand hygiene and maintaining hyper awareness because you're naked hands are out in the world.

[Paingod]

General advice for staying safe while grocery shopping.

I really want to add my own opinion that wearing gloves is unnecessary and might actually increase risk. The reason is that when you put them on, you now feel "more protected" and your mental guard is down. You're more likely to touch things and your face because you're thinking "I'm protected". I've seen this time and time again with food handlers wearing gloves. You're better off just practicing good hand hygiene and maintaining hyper awareness because you're naked hands are out in the world.

Thank you for your continued insights and updates.

[Daehawk]

So the US doesn't have enough for 3 days but they will donate to foreign countries. FU razer

[Isgrimnur]

So the US doesn't have enough for 3 days but they will donate to foreign countries. FU razer

Because now is the time for overblown nationalist sentimet.

[Daehawk]

I forget whether you have a smart phone or not by now? It's amazing how much easier the banking apps make things. I was resistant at first too, but using them has been a huge time savings for me and relatively easy. I used to have to physically visit at least five different banking institutions.

As to the vehicle window, I also had that problem and tried a new replacement master window switch off ebay for around $15 and that solved that problem for me, unless you know it's something else like the electric motor?

Ill never use a cell phone for anything money related.

Its the window and its track. Its come apart from the motor. Ive got it rolled up but if I were to hit the switch to roll it down it would fall into the door. If I would try to roll it up it would come up crooked and not seal. A couple years ago the mechanic said it would be about $250 - $350. I checked a couple other places and they are higher. I looked into fixing it myself but my model car has windows that are riveted on the mechanism.

[Blackhawk]

So the US doesn't have enough for 3 days but they will donate to foreign countries. FU razer

And where do you think Razer's factories are?

[Smoove_B]

Ill never use a cell phone for anything money related.

I wouldn't either. However, I would (and do) use my PC for banking. The point is, at some time in the very near future, your ability to walk into a bank and have a face-to-face transaction with someone is going to end. Either figure how how to do all this from your PC or start biking to your bank's drive through window.

[coopasonic]

Ill never use a cell phone for anything money related.

I wouldn't either.

Old people...

[gilraen]

Ill never use a cell phone for anything money related.

I wouldn't either. However, I would (and do) use my PC for banking. The point is, at some time in the very near future, your ability to walk into a bank and have a face-to-face transaction with someone is going to end. Either figure how how to do all this from your PC or start biking to your bank's drive through window.

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone actually CASHING a check in one bank and taking the cash to another bank - you would just write a check to the second bank (unless you waited too long and are going to be late paying your mortgage if you have to wait for the normal check to clear). Again, this is 20 years ago, before "online" was a thing. Now...wow.

[Daehawk]

How China’s “Bat Woman” Hunted Down Viruses from SARS to the New Coronavirus

Nice article.

[Alefroth]

General advice for staying safe while grocery shopping.

I really want to add my own opinion that wearing gloves is unnecessary and might actually increase risk. The reason is that when you put them on, you now feel "more protected" and your mental guard is down. You're more likely to touch things and your face because you're thinking "I'm protected". I've seen this time and time again with food handlers wearing gloves. You're better off just practicing good hand hygiene and maintaining hyper awareness because you're naked hands are out in the world.

So there isn't an actual physiological risk? I'm moving some computer equipment of a person who has a bad cough and is working from home. I was planning on wearing gloves. I'll make sure not to let my guard down.

[Kasey Chang]

I have a "medical" mask. I just haven't worn it.

[Kraken]

Ill never use a cell phone for anything money related.

I wouldn't either.

Old people...

I've never allowed anything financial onto my phone, either. Yes, I'm old.

[Daehawk]

https://twitter.com/finty_williams/stat ... 8125337602

https://twitter.com/GylesB1/status/1239208757692960768

[Smoove_B]

So there isn't an actual physiological risk?

All the models are telling us no (from just touching a virus laden surface). The risk instead is that when you touch something that has the short-lived (relative) viral particles on it, you then touch your eyes/mouth/nose and transfer the virus to your body that way. This is a respiratory virus so the path of entry to your body is going to be through the lungs and/or associated mucous membranes that can get it to your lungs.

I'm moving some computer equipment of a person who has a bad cough and is working from home. I was planning on wearing gloves. I'll make sure not to let my guard down.

This is a slightly different situation as you're now moving into an environment where someone has been coughing. Best practices here would say to wipe down everything first before you move it - computer, keyboard, desktop, light switch, etc... Ideally you're not in that work space 20 minutes after they left it. If you can let it sit for 24 hours, super. Probably over aggressive, but reasonable.

I still think gloves would be over-protective, but if they make you feel better there is value in that. HOWEVER you would really need to make sure that you're still not touching your face in any capacity *and* when you remove the gloves you immediately wash your hands. If you're not wearing gloves, you're still going to wash your hands immediately after handling all their gear and/or being in their office.

This is all based on information I'm seeing, so as of today (at least) it's best practice.

[Smoove_B]

I have a "medical" mask. I just haven't worn it.

Why would you? Also, why is it in quotes? Is it an N95 mask for one of those examination/procedure masks? Either way, randomly wearing a mask is not advised.

[Anonymous Bosch]

General advice for staying safe while grocery shopping.

I really want to add my own opinion that wearing gloves is unnecessary and might actually increase risk. The reason is that when you put them on, you now feel "more protected" and your mental guard is down. You're more likely to touch things and your face because you're thinking "I'm protected". I've seen this time and time again with food handlers wearing gloves. You're better off just practicing good hand hygiene and maintaining hyper awareness because you're naked hands are out in the world.

Speaking of increased risk while grocery shopping, it now seems that much more prudent to avoid bothering with reusable grocery bags:

Before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit, warnings about potential public health consequences of banning single-use plastics in the name of environmental protection fell on deaf ears. But now people are wisely calling on lawmakers in New York, California, and other states and localities to reverse bans and regulations on single-use plastic grocery bags. Reusable bags can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens.

Research shows that reusable bags harbor dangerous microorganisms. In fact, the sanitary nature of single-use plastics is one of the key reasons these products have become so prevalent, in addition to the fact that they require less energy and make less pollution in production than alternatives. Problems related to plastics in the environment can and should be addressed by proper disposal policies and litter control, rather than through policies that undermine public health.

Back in 2011, researchers at the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University examined a sample of reusable bags from shoppers and found “large numbers of bacteria,” including dangerous fecal bacteria such as coliform, E. coli, and salmonella. Bacteria was found in 99% of the reusable bags, while no bacteria or viruses were found in a sample of disposable plastic bags and new reusable bags. Bacteria can easily be transferred from leaking meat packages as well as from fruits and vegetables, and the study found it grows in the bags that are stored in car trunks.

Reusable bags also pick up bacteria and viruses from simply being held and carried around. A 2012 study found that nine members of a soccer team contracted the norovirus, a leading cause of food poisoning, from touching a reusable bag or eating food contained inside. The bag had been stored in a bathroom. That might seem like an outlier, but people cart these bags all over the place, touching surfaces on public transportation, taking them into public bathrooms, and other places, creating lots of opportunities for the bags to pick up bacteria and viruses.

The pathogens on these reusable bags can also infect people in grocery stores who don’t even use them. A 2018 study assessed the probability of norovirus transmission from reusable grocery bags carried around in the supermarket using a similar, but not infectious, virus as a proxy. It found that the virus easily moved from the bag all around the store, with a high concentration found on the hands of both consumers and store checkout clerks.

It’s feasible that these reusable bags could also carry the coronavirus, which is why Clemson University Professor Robert M. Kimmel, author of a 2014 life-cycle study on plastics, has urged New York state to halt its ban at least until the coronavirus is under control.

[Daehawk]

A doctor locally wears gloves when he goes to town. He actually recommends we all do. Use them sanitize or throw them away and put on more. Gas pumps especially. He even santized his credit cards, keys, steering wheel, money and such.

[Unagi]

that's called money laundering, and it's illegal.

[pr0ner]

https://www.twitter.com/chandlerriggs/s ... 9663340544

[Smoove_B]

I hate to be the one to tell you this Daehawk, but your local doctor is a wing-nut.

[stessier]

that's called money laundering, and it's illegal.

[Daehawk]

Lol those two are funny.

[Blackhawk]

Well, the Governor just pushed Indiana's schools reopening date from April back to May. We end the school year on May 15th, and I can't see them opening the school back up for two weeks. We're pretty much done. On the bright side, he said that "The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible ", and that he's seeking authorization to relax the requirements for those otherwise ineligible, such as those who just started a job.

It's not a guarantee, but if he pulls it off it might be enough to save us should Michelle get laid off soon.

[Daehawk]

Wonder if anything is being allowed on big mortgage payments.

[Smoove_B]

The governor of NJ had a press conference today asking lenders to start exploring options, so I would hope it's happening elsewhere.

The point with all of this - everything - is be proactive. Food? Banking? Medical needs? Don't think about doing something tomorrow. Get your shit squared away today.

EDIT: Here -- from my stash.

[IceBear]

Wonder if anything is being allowed on big mortgage payments.

Here in Canada all the major banks say they will allow a 6 month grace period on mortgages, credit card payments, etc. I don't have all the details, but I don't think that's a blanket thing more of a case by case basis, but I'd suspect that if you lost your job and were having problems surviving on what you get in EI then you'd qualify
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.5501125

[Daehawk]

My Husband Is West Virginia's First COVID-19 Patient. The State Almost Lost His Test Results

We went to the ER, and I left James in the car. He was really sick: his fever had been as high as 104°F; he had a cough, terrible headaches, body aches. He has asthma, which can lead to more serious disease. I had no symptoms at that point, but I was trying to keep my distance from people at the hospital, because I thought I could be a carrier. A staff member met me at the door. She was very kind, but she said, ‘I don’t think we’re equipped to do this.’ A nurse came out to the car with a sticky note and the number for a hotline—which I had already tried to call, only to find that the number didn’t work—and told me I had to leave and just call that number, or drive to Morgantown, two and a half hours away. I told her, ‘I’m going to remain calm, but I’m not leaving unless he is at least screened.’

The ER doc called James back and said, ‘Listen, they’ve lost your tests. I’m not sure what to do because we’re not supposed to take any more people into the ER for testing.’ Then a different doctor called back and said, ‘Your tests were found, but they were sitting at the lab and they have not been tested. Now they’re not viable because it’s been five days, so you have to go get tested again—but we don’t know where.’

I called the governor’s office. They tried to help, but they didn’t have much information. A friend who’s very politically connected knew Senator Joe Manchin and offered to help. One of Manchin’s staffers called and said, ‘We’re going to have someone call you back within the hour.’ Dr. Catherine Slemp, West Virginia’s state health officer, called me back, personally on my cell phone, within an hour. She said, ‘Let me cut to the chase: I have your husband’s results in my hand. I don’t know why you were told they were lost, I don’t know why you were told they’re not viable, but they’re in my hand right now.’ Then she said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ I sat down, and she told me James was positive—the first case in West Virginia. If I wasn’t so persistent, and if some angel that knows Senator Manchin did not help, I think we’d be without test results, and I don’t know that we would have ever gotten them.

[Daehawk]

Evangeline Lilly Won’t Self-Quarantine Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Evangeline Lily is refusing to self-quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, despite the advice from health professionals and organizations to stay home and practice social distancing.

The “Ant-Man and the Wasp” actress took to Instagram three days ago, where she posted a photo of her morning tea and shared that for her and her family, it’s “business as usual.”

“Just dropped my kids off at gymnastics camp. They all washed their hands before going in. They are playing and laughing. #businessasusual,” she captioned the photo.

The 40-year-old star went on to share that she believes the government has taken too much control and that the virus is just a “respiratory flu.”

“Where we are right now feels a lot too close to Marshall Law for my comfort already, all in the name of a respiratory flu,” she wrote in response to a comment. ‘It’s unnerving…Let’s be vigilant right now. And kind. Watchful and gracious––keeping a close eye on our leaders, making sure they don’t abuse this moment to steal away more freedoms and grab more power.”

[stessier]

My company is still hashing out a plan for us. I think we'll hear it tomorrow. Hopefully.

We also got a new "pandemic" time code to use if we have to go into quarantine. I thought that was a good idea, but it doesn't seem like we can use it more than once. I see it as rather likely that we could be quarantined multiple times before actually getting it (they will quarantine a whole shift if one person comes down with it). I'm not sure they thought this all the way through - which is somewhat understandable given how fast they are having to move. On the non-generous hand, however, this is what they are paid for and it seems like everytime they try to pick up the ball, they drop it again. Very frustrating.

[LawBeefaroni]

Frickin' China.

[Alefroth]

So there isn't an actual physiological risk?

All the models are telling us no (from just touching a virus laden surface). The risk instead is that when you touch something that has the short-lived (relative) viral particles on it, you then touch your eyes/mouth/nose and transfer the virus to your body that way. This is a respiratory virus so the path of entry to your body is going to be through the lungs and/or associated mucous membranes that can get it to your lungs.

I'm moving some computer equipment of a person who has a bad cough and is working from home. I was planning on wearing gloves. I'll make sure not to let my guard down.

This is a slightly different situation as you're now moving into an environment where someone has been coughing. Best practices here would say to wipe down everything first before you move it - computer, keyboard, desktop, light switch, etc... Ideally you're not in that work space 20 minutes after they left it. If you can let it sit for 24 hours, super. Probably over aggressive, but reasonable.

I still think gloves would be over-protective, but if they make you feel better there is value in that. HOWEVER you would really need to make sure that you're still not touching your face in any capacity *and* when you remove the gloves you immediately wash your hands. If you're not wearing gloves, you're still going to wash your hands immediately after handling all their gear and/or being in their office.

This is all based on information I'm seeing, so as of today (at least) it's best practice.

Thanks Smoove. Turns out they have been out for a couple of days. I did wear the gloves I brought anyway and carefully removed them and washed afterwards.

[Zaxxon]

https://twitter.com/jabinbotsford/statu ... 79298?s=09

[Skinypupy]

Every episode of Metalocalypse is now streaming for free, thanks to Adult Swim.

This plague is dildos.

[hitbyambulance]

my son is visiting and reaaaaally wants to go to the Living Computer Museum in South Seattle. i was like, hmm, playing on a bunch of old computer keyboards that other people have been using, not too good of an idea. he then got mad saying i was 'overreacting' and giving in to the 'hysteria'. oh, and for 'ruining our vacation' of course

Still a touch of teenage petulance?

today i messaged him that grocery stores and Amazon warehouses would be hiring like crazy, so now would be a great time to get a starter job. his response? "No. Stop. There's a pandemic out there"

[Defiant]

[naednek]

two weeks? four weeks? eight weeks? try seventy-eight....

A federal government plan to combat the coronavirus warned policymakers last week that a pandemic “will last 18 months or longer” and could include “multiple waves,” resulting in widespread shortages that would strain consumers and the nation’s health care system.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-wor ... shortages/

read this last night and the despair set in for real. kept waking up in panic, kept having dreams from anything from dealing with wartime-style rations to reading coronavirus opinion pieces in the newspaper (that my brain makes up as i 'read' them).

Well bad news! I wiped out the world of the Corona Virus in 495 days.