Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:06 pm**

UNC announced yesterday that the positivity last week was over 31%.

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:08 pm**

I think they want everyone to get it and either die or get well and return to classes. That way they dont have to fool with it for a months again.

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:15 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:06 pm UNC announced yesterday that the positivity last week was over 31%.

Iowa State is at ~14% after the first week of classes.

During the first week of classes (Aug. 17-23), 957 students, faculty and staff were tested on campus with a total of 130 positive cases for a positivity rate of 13.6%. There are currently 204 positive individuals still within their 10-day CDC-defined isolation period. Nineteen are isolating in on-campus housing. There are 385 individuals still in their 14-day CDC-defined quarantine period due to close contact with a known positive. Thirty-one of these individuals are quarantining in on-campus housing.

“We are monitoring the data closely to quickly identify and address trends,” said Kristen Obbink, ISU’s COVID-19 public health coordinator. “The university is taking a targeted approach with testing, which allows us to take the appropriate steps to reduce the spread of infection. Our public health team is providing case investigation and contact tracing. We also have adequate isolation and quarantine housing available.”

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:21 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:15 pm
Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:06 pm UNC announced yesterday that the positivity last week was over 31%.
Iowa State is at ~14% after the first week of classes.

During the first week of classes (Aug. 17-23), 957 students, faculty and staff were tested on campus with a total of 130 positive cases for a positivity rate of 13.6%. There are currently 204 positive individuals still within their 10-day CDC-defined isolation period. Nineteen are isolating in on-campus housing. There are 385 individuals still in their 14-day CDC-defined quarantine period due to close contact with a known positive. Thirty-one of these individuals are quarantining in on-campus housing.

“We are monitoring the data closely to quickly identify and address trends,” said Kristen Obbink, ISU’s COVID-19 public health coordinator. “The university is taking a targeted approach with testing, which allows us to take the appropriate steps to reduce the spread of infection. Our public health team is providing case investigation and contact tracing. We also have adequate isolation and quarantine housing available.”

I've seen them with higher numbers depending on how you break them down and they don't even count antigen tests.

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:28 pm**

Hadn't seen that, ugh. If only we had some type of gigantic, all-encompassing policy that every state was following. I'm not sure what type of agency or public official would help to see that happen. Maybe in 2021 we'll create a system that's never before be in place to address this.

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:34 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:28 pm Hadn't seen that, ugh. If only we had some type of gigantic, all-encompassing policy that every state was following. I'm not sure what type of agency or public official would help to see that happen. Maybe in 2021 we'll create a system that's never before be in place to address this.

Whatever agency that would handle such a novel thing should probably have a catchy name that can be referred to by three initials. And maybe the first and last initial could be the same?

Posted: **Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:58 pm**

$iljanus wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:34 pm
Smoove_B wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:28 pm Hadn't seen that, ugh. If only we had some type of gigantic, all-encompassing policy that every state was following. I'm not sure what type of agency or public official would help to see that happen. Maybe in 2021 we'll create a system that's never before be in place to address this.
Whatever agency that would handle such a novel thing should probably have a catchy name that can be referred to by three initials. And maybe the first and last initial could be the same?

Don't forget the silent P.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:50 am**

https://twitter.com/DKThomp/status/1298421178642632705

Just looking at this, and it reminded me of a question that I've been thinking about. How do I judge whether a place is well ventilated or poorly ventilated? I assume it's mostly about whether there is regular air flow? Early on I had been thinking that air flow (from air conditioners or whatnot) was bad because it would spread virus particles around. But maybe it's good because it disperses virus particles rather than letting them accumulate in particular areas?

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:56 am**

El Guapo wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:50 am Just looking at this, and it reminded me of a question that I've been thinking about. How do I judge whether a place is well ventilated or poorly ventilated? I assume it's mostly about whether there is regular air flow? Early on I had been thinking that air flow (from air conditioners or whatnot) was bad because it would spread virus particles around. But maybe it's good because it disperses virus particles rather than letting them accumulate in particular areas?

I thought the key was *external* air flow, not just air flow/recirculation. Our company building management and school have both mentioned specifically that they've greatly increased external air intake.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:59 am**

$iljanus wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:34 pm
Smoove_B wrote: Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:28 pm Hadn't seen that, ugh. If only we had some type of gigantic, all-encompassing policy that every state was following. I'm not sure what type of agency or public official would help to see that happen. Maybe in 2021 we'll create a system that's never before be in place to address this.
Whatever agency that would handle such a novel thing should probably have a catchy name that can be referred to by three initials. And maybe the first and last initial could be the same?

I just wish someone in the Federal Government would have thought to create a Pandemic Playbook and handed it off for future leaders to follow. Crazy wish I know.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:32 am**

Zaxxon wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:56 amI thought the key was *external* air flow, not just air flow/recirculation. Our company building management and school have both mentioned specifically that they've greatly increased external air intake.

Right - dilution is the solution. You're ideally mixing in fresh/outdoor air and actively removing the "stale" air from the indoor environment. The rub is how then you're moving the air around and getting it away from people. If you're blowing or drafting it and creating air currents, is that increasing spread by moving particulates?

How do I judge whether a place is well ventilated or poorly ventilated?

Is it fully indoors, i.e surrounded by 4 walls? Poorly ventilated. Is there an open window? Slightly better. Are there 2+ windows that can promote a draft? Better. Are you under a pavilion / tent structure that has no walls, only a ceiling? Even better.

Think about using Testor's model cement or a can of spray paint. If you can imagine that you'll be choking or your eyes will be burning if you try to use it in the area you're currently in, it's poorly ventilated.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:38 am**

El Guapo wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:50 am

Just looking at this, and it reminded me of a question that I've been thinking about. How do I judge whether a place is well ventilated or poorly ventilated? I assume it's mostly about whether there is regular air flow? Early on I had been thinking that air flow (from air conditioners or whatnot) was bad because it would spread virus particles around. But maybe it's good because it disperses virus particles rather than letting them accumulate in particular areas?

My rule, if it has open doors/windows then it's ventilated. The more, the better. Internal recycling, even if it has external intake, doesn't move the needle. You have no idea how they work or how they air circulates.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:40 am**

What about a recently constructed (last 5-7 years) supermarket? High ceilings, cranking air conditioner, but no open windows? Some food prep areas with what I assume are externally venting fans.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:44 am**

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:32 am
Zaxxon wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:56 amI thought the key was *external* air flow, not just air flow/recirculation. Our company building management and school have both mentioned specifically that they've greatly increased external air intake.
Right - dilution is the solution. You're ideally mixing in fresh/outdoor air and actively removing the "stale" air from the indoor environment. The rub is how then you're moving the air around and getting it away from people. If you're blowing or drafting it and creating air currents, is that increasing spread by moving particulates?

How do I judge whether a place is well ventilated or poorly ventilated?
Is it fully indoors, i.e surrounded by 4 walls? Poorly ventilated. Is there an open window? Slightly better. Are there 2+ windows that can promote a draft? Better. Are you under a pavilion / tent structure that has no walls, only a ceiling? Even better.

Think about using Testor's model cement or a can of spray paint. If you can imagine that you'll be choking or your eyes will be burning if you try to use it in the area you're currently in, it's poorly ventilated.

Or just assume poorly ventilated if reasonable to do so.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:44 am**

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:32 am The rub is how then you're moving the air around and getting it away from people. If you're blowing or drafting it and creating air currents, is that increasing spread by moving particulates?

I take it that this is an open question for which we don't really have a great answer?

Part of it is also that I've seen a few articles that suggest that airplane ventilation systems are great and that as such the risk of coronavirus spreading on an airplane is much lower than one would think. Not that I'm planning on flying anytime soon, but it raised the question for me of the ability of a good ventilation system to make an indoor environment relatively low risk.

With the understanding that windows / doors / etc. are good rules of thumb for assessing ventilation, since I'm not going to conduct extensive research on any given building.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:46 am**

ImLawBoy wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:40 am What about a recently constructed (last 5-7 years) supermarket? High ceilings, cranking air conditioner, but no open windows? Some food prep areas with what I assume are externally venting fans.

Volume is more of a factor in a place like that. There is enough air volume that direct ventilation isn't as important.

I think that table should differentiate low and high density rather than high and low occupancy. 50 people spread throughout a large supermarket with no open windows is better than 50 people in a house party with a bunch of open windows.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:50 am**

We have a consultant that uses the empty office next to mine. She is here a few times a week. We chat a fair amount.

This morning she told me that she tested positive for antibodies. "A lot of them!"

I reckon I should get the same test.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:58 am**

LawBeefaroni wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:50 amThis morning she told me that she tested positive for antibodies. "A lot of them!"

The best antibodies.

Believe me.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:13 pm**

El Guapo wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:44 am Part of it is also that I've seen a few articles that suggest that airplane ventilation systems are great and that as such the risk of coronavirus spreading on an airplane is much lower than one would think. Not that I'm planning on flying anytime soon, but it raised the question for me of the ability of a good ventilation system to make an indoor environment relatively low risk.

Unless the airline industry is lying to me, cabin air is run through HEPA filtration - which (in theory) should be removing larger (but still microscopic) virus laden particulates and (in theory) naked virus just floating around. I say "in theory" because we just don't know for sure - we're guessing based on what we do know and what the HEPA filters are capable of. I think the mountain of data is strong, but until it's been confirmed in a lab we won't have a demonstrated verification of the theory.

The reason an airplane can use HEPA filtration is because of the volume of air. As mentioned by Lawbeef, the volume of air is also a consideration - which feeds back into the "dilution is the solution" element I mentioned earlier.

Yes, going into a giant box store or supermarket that is occupancy rated for 500 people but only allowing 75 in is helping to keep the air contamination diluted. Add in people wearing masks and the risk drops even lower.

If we knew HEPA was 99.97% effective against the virus (as we expect it to be), then you might think we should just simply install HEPA filtration on all the HVAC units in corporate buildings, schools and other structures where large volumes of air are being recirculated. Unfortunately, like plumbing, HVAC craft is wizardry and the motors used to move air would be stressed and likely break if you forced them to move air through a restricted filtration media (like a HEPA filter).

For reference, this is also why random people shouldn't be wearing a filtered mask like an N-95 - it absolutely stresses your heart and lungs to do so. You can wear one, but you should be medically evaluated and "fit tested" to verify you're not going to have an issue while wearing it. This is true for any type of filtered mask or anyone wearing supplied air (SCBA).

Anyway, retrofitting or upgrading an HVAC system to allow for HEPA filtration would be expensive (at best) or mechanically impossible (design / space). so the current recommendation then would be to increase outside/makeup air into the mix and just move more fresh air into the space being occupied.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 12:49 pm**

El Guapo wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:44 amPart of it is also that I've seen a few articles that suggest that airplane ventilation systems are great and that as such the risk of coronavirus spreading on an airplane is much lower than one would think.

A relative of mine was planning on some air travel recently, and I did some Google research trying to find examples of why air travel is a horrible idea. I ended up finding similar things to what you're reading -- being on an airplane with other people is relatively the same level of risk of sitting in the same arrangement with them on benches in a large building. The airplane risk seems to be more about direct close interaction with people seated near you, not about growing accumulations in the air like in the church choir or restaurant incidents.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:44 pm**

Well, this certainly doesn't come as a surprise at all.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/worl ... k-75471d37

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was instructed by higher-ups within the Trump administration to modify its coronavirus testing guidelines this week to exclude people who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 — even if they have been recently exposed to the virus, according to two federal health officials.
One official said the directive came from the top down. Another said the guidelines were not written by the C.D.C. but were forced down.
Admiral Brett M. Giroir, the administration’s coronavirus testing czar, told reporters the guidelines ultimately belong to the C.D.C., specifically its director, Dr. Robert Redfield. But he also said other members of President Trump’s coronavirus task force were involved."

I'm sure top men were involved...

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:56 pm**

Not surprisingly, reports are coming out that the change in the CDC guidance about who should be tested (i.e. stating that asymptomatic people in contact with infected people don't need to be tested) were directed by the WH. It seems like a blatantly obvious way to artificially reduce infection numbers, especially now that schools and universities are opening up and causes huge spikes in infections. And, like everything directed by the WH re; Covid, it has the intent of making things look better while making the actual situation much worse.

edit: and I've been bammed.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 3:44 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:56 pm Not surprisingly, reports are coming out that the change in the CDC guidance about who should be tested (i.e. stating that asymptomatic people in contact with infected people don't need to be tested) were directed by the WH. It seems like a blatantly obvious way to artificially reduce infection numbers, especially now that schools and universities are opening up and causes huge spikes in infections. And, like everything directed by the WH re; Covid, it has the intent of making things look better while making the actual situation much worse.

edit: and I've been bammed.

Out of the loop... bammed?

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:06 pm**

As I keep reading about the pressure being brought upon the CDC I think we've all been bammed in a different way from this administration.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:35 pm**

So it looks like the testing changes were put through while Faunci was unconscious from surgery:

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1 ... 3532453890

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1 ... 3532453890

Spoiler:

Hard to pick the bleakest point on the current timeline: COVIDsanity? BLM chaos? Wildfire-paloza? Hurricane of doom? Gutting of American greatness? What a time to be alive.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:50 pm**

Enough wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:35 pm So it looks like the testing changes were put through while Faunci was unconscious from surgery:

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1 ... 3532453890

https://twitter.com/KatiePhang/status/1 ... 3532453890

Spoiler:
“I was under general anesthesia in the operating room and was not part of any discussion or deliberation regarding the new testing recommendations.”
Hard to pick the bleakest point on the current timeline: COVIDsanity? BLM chaos? Wildfire-paloza? Hurricane of doom? Gutting of American greatness? What a time to be alive.

That he comes out and says this without endorsing the new standards is everything.

He'll be fired as soon as Trump thinks it's possible.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:53 pm**

So it looks like the testing changes were put through while Faunci was unconscious from surgery

Haven't used this gif in a few weeks.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:11 pm**

In case anyone is looking for perspective on testing:

https://twitter.com/AlfredLRoca/status/ ... 1978221569

My university is testing all students and staff 2x/wk.

So it processed 17,000 coronavirus tests yesterday.

That is 2.7 percent of all testing done across the entire United States.

That is not a typo.

We should be doing this for *all* schools that are having in-person instruction right now, K-12.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:12 pm**

DOJ wants to investigate blue states over nursing home deaths

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:14 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:11 pm In case anyone is looking for perspective on testing:

https://twitter.com/AlfredLRoca/status/ ... 1978221569
My university is testing all students and staff 2x/wk.

So it processed 17,000 coronavirus tests yesterday.

That is 2.7 percent of all testing done across the entire United States.

That is not a typo.
We should be doing this for *all* schools that are having in-person instruction right now, K-12.

Well they are asymptomatic so they don't need to be tested, right?

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:16 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:11 pm

We should be doing this for *all* schools that are having in-person instruction right now, K-12.

If we did, the tests, if there were enough, would take months to process.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:24 pm**

Scrotumger's Test. You're both infected and not infected as long as the test stays in the box.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 8:26 pm**

I took a test today at my university. It wasn't the probe-up-the-nose, but instead one that involved spitting into a tube for about three minutes until I'd produced a sufficient volume of saliva.

I'm told that I'll get results in two or three days. They won't indicate whether I've got the antibodies, but they'll tell me whether I had the virus at the time of the spitting.

Posted: **Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:03 pm**

Holman wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 8:26 pm I took a test today at my university. It wasn't the probe-up-the-nose, but instead one that involved spitting into a tube for about three minutes until I'd produced a sufficient volume of saliva.

Developed at Rutgers btw!

Posted: **Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:21 pm**

Hard not to get whiplash these days,

https://twitter.com/B52Malmet/status/12 ... 6662860800

https://twitter.com/B52Malmet/status/12 ... 6662860800

Spoiler:

Posted: **Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:24 pm**

Welp time to close the government and go back to bartering for everything. Too much political dick wagging to actually get anything real done. The capital shall be Bartertown. We'll need a woman with big hair to run it and a little guy to take care of pigs and power then we're set. Seems like an upgrade to me.

Posted: **Thu Aug 27, 2020 11:28 pm**

This is fascinating.

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299050153261912064

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299051182133055491

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299051941864013825

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299052728115748865

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299053523926159365

https://twitter.com/cfishman/status/1299054304142204928

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2020 12:03 am**

Let’s hear it for the Wildcats!

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2020 9:43 am**

What a shitty way to test students.

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2020 9:52 am**

Octopus Overlords

Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Re: Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint