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

[Isgrimnur]

[RunningMn9]

SP. you need better friends if you have some that think that the CDC is a profit center, making money off of this pandemic. Good lord.

[gbasden]

"What?? Total BS. And that’s the CDC that is making money from all of this $hit!!"

Not that the entire quote isn't on the crazy train, but how on earth is the CDC making money from advocating that you minimize the risk of giving Nana covid?

[Skinypupy]

SP. you need better friends if you have some that think that the CDC is a profit center, making money off of this pandemic. Good lord.

These are the old high school acquaintances that I keep around as my canaries in the derpy MAGA mines, but don’t interact with otherwise.

[Daehawk]

Nashville has put a 8 person limit on gathering today and of course there were protesters outside fussing and waving the flags led by a preacher screaming into a megphone to "Stop this foolishness"

[Smoove_B]

Look, he tried to reason with us, explain what we should do. But we didn't listen. So Smoove and his friends did what they needed to do.

Awesome.

[Skinypupy]

$454 BILLION stigginit

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will put $455 billion in unspent Cares Act funding into an account that his presumed successor, former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, will need authorization from Congress to use.

Mnuchin plans to place the money into the agency’s General Fund, a Treasury Department spokesperson said Tuesday. Moving the funds, the bulk of which had gone to support Federal Reserve emergency-lending facilities, will make it virtually impossible for Yellen, if confirmed by the Senate as Treasury secretary, to deploy on her own.

President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team last week called Mnuchin’s demand for the return of funds from the Fed “deeply irresponsible,” and congressional Democrats also panned the move. Mnuchin has denied that he was attempting to limit Biden’s options for reviving the economy.

Christ, these people are assholes.

[Smoove_B]

Possibly memory issues for COVID-19 survivors:

“We’re talking about people who were functioning normally (prior to contracting coronavirus), but now they’re not able to function the way they used to,” she says. “There can be neurocognitive impairment. There can be neurobehavioral impairment, or emotional impairment.”

The trend is being seen not just here in New Jersey, but at memory centers around the country and globally. The journal Neurology Today is reporting hundreds of COVID-19 “long-haulers” being treated for cognitive problems at specialty clinics set up in areas hardest hit by the virus.

Experts say it will take years of study to understand how coronavirus affects cognition and how severe or long-lasting the impact might be. But this much we already know: coronavirus is bad for the brain in ways that become immediately apparent in many people who have it.

Remember this the next time someone tells you that it's no big deal. We have no idea what the chronic impacts of this virus are.

While researchers try to determine what the long-term impact of coronavirus may be on the brain, the short-term impacts are already well-documented.

Coronavirus patients who are hospitalized exhibit a range of cognitive problems, including headaches, dizziness and brain fog.

In fact, four out of every five patients who end up in the hospital with COVID-19 experienced neurological problems during their illness, based on research done at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

[malchior]

CDC considering shortening quarantine period to increase compliance. I think I read somewhere that 10 days covers 97% so it might make sense if they can increase enough compliance to close the overall gap.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is finalizing guidance to shorten the length of time it recommends that people self-quarantine after potential exposure to the coronavirus to encourage more people to comply, two agency officials said Tuesday.

The new guidelines would probably be seven to 10 days instead of the current 14 days, the officials said.

The hope is that doing so will “help make quarantine less burdensome and will, as a result, hopefully increase compliance,” said one official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

[Daehawk]

Shoot anyone who refuses quarantine. After two weeks everyone complies or everyone is dead. Im joking...no one would quarantine even then.

[Zaxxon]

Shoot anyone who refuses quarantine. After two weeks everyone complies or everyone is dead. Im joking...no one would quarantine even then.

As I saw recently, we need to retire the phrase 'avoid X like the plague.' It turns out that people don't do that...

[Daehawk]

More TN fuckery....Its as if TN and the GOP are trying to kill people and ruin the country. What happened to the days of schools requiring shots to attend?


Tennessee gov: COVID vaccines to be optional in K-12 schools

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccines will be optional in the state's K-12 public schools, once they become available.

The Republican said at a news conference that vaccines will be very important for Tennessee to “ultimately really be able to handle” the virus. But he said he doesn't foresee COVID-19 mandates for school districts in Tennessee.

“Vaccines are a choice and people have the choice and will have the choice in this state as to whether or not they should take that vaccine,” Lee said. “That will be our strategy and that is what we think will happen all across the state.”

[malchior]

Well it certainly feels like COVID-19 is raging again here in NJ. I'm hearing a significant uptick of sirens again throughout the night/day and my town FB group has all the panic posting about supplies beginning. Every store is out of paper products again, fresh foods are getting knocked out which is probably combo of T-Giving plus expectations of restrictions again. Guess we didn't learn that hoarding is stupid. Costco and BJs here have limits on water purchases again. And we haven't even gotten to the levels we probably should expect. It is going to be a long winter.

[Jaymon]

I checked in on my companies wellness policy today. We have a bit of reimbursement money available for wellness items like gym memberships, treadmills, and quit smoking programs. Ya know, to support wellness. Its been significantly expanded this year to included PPE, food/grocery delivery costs, home sanitation supplies, and a very expansive list of categories that promote physical, mental, and social health.

I can buy a drum set for my own mental health, and noise canceling headphones for everybody else, and get reimbursed, assuming I haven't reached my yearly limit.

Its nice to know that somebody gets it.

[Blackhawk]

Michelle said that last night the emergency room was full, and that it was 100% suspected COVID-19 patients.

[YellowKing]

Our county has traditionally lagged behind the rest of the state in cases - we lean more left politically, we have a high senior population, and we are a healthcare hub for the eastern part of the state which means our testing and contact tracing infrastructure is pretty good. However, we've more than doubled our in-hospital Covid cases in the last couple of weeks.

I look at our markers as one of the canaries in the coal mine. If our numbers look scary, then I know the rest of the state is in deep trouble.

[Blackhawk]

Indiana actually made a good showing early on, being an early lockdown and putting out good guidance and regulations. Then the governor felt a great disturbance in his reelection, as if 6.7 million redneck voices suddenly cried out in derpitude. Since then we've been a poster child for what not to do. We eased all of the restrictions early, went back to fully open when we were still rising, and now he's refusing to make the vaccination mandatory for schools.

And the rage builds as our leader negligently kills us by the thousands, while the uneducated hordes cheer him on and guarantee that he'll stay in power.

I know I've said it before, but I want out. I'd do anything* to get out.

*Anything that wouldn't negatively impact my family, which includes one kid still in school for another year and a half, and a mother-in-law who is elderly and relies on our support.

[LawBeefaroni]

I look at our markers as one of the canaries in the coal mine. If our numbers look scary, then I know the rest of the state is in deep trouble.

Sounds more like you're the miners in the elevator. If you start choking the canaries are already dead.


Haven't seen our census numbers yet today (trying to have a staycation) but through yesterday we've been steadily rising. Doubled oir end of October numbers of both COVID+ admits and vents.

[Blackhawk]

And the county just announced that they will no longer attempt to contract trace everyone who tests positive due to lack of resources. They say that they'll prioritize based on age and risk (which I don't understand - it doesn't seem like risk and age of the victim would correlate to risk and age of contacts.)

[Smoove_B]

They might be saying (sloppily) that they're going to prioritize contact tracing based on possibly contact risk, using age to help them figure out what makes sense.

For example, a 65 year old living alone with no outside contacts that had an adult child give them the virus might be lower on the contact tracing priority list than a 35 year old worker that has half a dozen contacts in their place of business and spends every weekend at the bar.

[Smoove_B]

Also, as I mentioned earlier - employers are weighing their options:

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has stated that employers can legally impose a flu vaccine requirement on their workforce, but employees have the right to request medical or religious exemptions under federal anti-discrimination laws. Each claim must be evaluated on its own merits, a time-consuming process for employers.

While it may be legal for employers to compel their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, doing so would be a huge, difficult undertaking, says Y. Tony Yang, executive director of the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at George Washington University, who has argued against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

I know it was mentioned earlier that airlines and concerts might also be putting pressure on vaccination, which will help. I do think this is going to be the biggest hurdle in 2021 once we get the systems in place to mass-vaccinate. I've heard rumblings of paying people to vaccinate, but how can we expect people to compromise their deeply held religious beliefs and accept a cash payout of ~$1500 to get vaccinated?

[El Guapo]

Indiana actually made a good showing early on, being an early lockdown and putting out good guidance and regulations. Then the governor felt a great disturbance in his reelection, as if 6.7 million redneck voices suddenly cried out in derpitude. Since then we've been a poster child for what not to do. We eased all of the restrictions early, went back to fully open when we were still rising, and now he's refusing to make the vaccination mandatory for schools.

And the rage builds as our leader negligently kills us by the thousands, while the uneducated hordes cheer him on and guarantee that he'll stay in power.

I know I've said it before, but I want out. I'd do anything* to get out.

*Anything that wouldn't negatively impact my family, which includes one kid still in school for another year and a half, and a mother-in-law who is elderly and relies on our support.

[LordMortis]

Also, as I mentioned earlier - employers are weighing their options:

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has stated that employers can legally impose a flu vaccine requirement on their workforce, but employees have the right to request medical or religious exemptions under federal anti-discrimination laws. Each claim must be evaluated on its own merits, a time-consuming process for employers.

While it may be legal for employers to compel their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, doing so would be a huge, difficult undertaking, says Y. Tony Yang, executive director of the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at George Washington University, who has argued against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

I know it was mentioned earlier that airlines and concerts might also be putting pressure on vaccination, which will help. I do think this is going to be the biggest hurdle in 2021 once we get the systems in place to mass-vaccinate. I've heard rumblings of paying people to vaccinate, but how can we expect people to compromise their deeply held religious beliefs and accept a cash payout of ~$1500 to get vaccinated?

I don't know if I'd mandate a vaccine, especially this early in the process. While I wait impatiently for my turn, I also won't be first in line, even if they hold my place as high risk. I honestly don't trust how we got here, even as I lock myself away, try to WFH whenever I can, and long for a day of gaming with a friend or five in the same room, eating together, and rambling on or focusing like we're getting paid. My goodness, I want some of my coworkers and relatives to find the means to take this seriously but a mandate seems strong, even as we pass a quarter million dead.

[Smoove_B]

I don't know if I'd mandate a vaccine, especially this early in the process. While I wait impatiently for my turn, I also won't be first in line, even if they hold my place as high risk. I honestly don't trust how we got here, even as I lock myself away, try to WFH whenever I can, and long for a day of gaming with a friend or five in the same room, eating together, and rambling on or focusing like we're getting paid. My goodness, I want some of my coworkers and relatives to find the means to take this seriously but a mandate seems strong, even as we pass a quarter million dead.

Here's the thing, we've been living under America First bullshit since 2016, and during a pandemic it's not going to work. As a nation, we need to proactively squash the virus as part of a collaborative effort with other nations around the world. Unless the US can demonstrate a commitment to reducing circulating virus and minimizing outbreak risk, I fear it's going to have a continued impact on how we interface with the world - trade and travel in particular.

I suspect we're going to start off with the vaccination carrot but if there are too many people skipping out and we're not hitting target levels, out comes the stick. Once again, relying on people to do the right thing is likely going to bite us in the ass. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this *one time* Americans will step up and do the right thing.

To be clear, I have the same concerns over safety, but I'm also 100% confident in the independent review of the data and safety. I've yet to see anything concerning. In fact, the one article I was reading yesterday suggested the development of this vaccination might usher in a new era of vaccine development worldwide. Not only because of the methodology being used (mRNA) but the partnerships between the public, private and academic sectors.

[Defiant]

I'm waiting to see the results get peer reviewed, and I'll consult my doctor, but I imagine by the time they become widely available, I'll be ready to take a vaccine.

[Blackhawk]

"Cautious optimism" is an apt term for my view.

[gilraen]

By the time the mRNA vaccine becomes widely available, the AstraZeneca and J&J recombinant vector vaccines should be on the market. People might be more comfortable with those types of vaccines, since the methodology has been in place for decades.

[Daehawk]

I suspect we're going to start off with the vaccination carrot but if there are too many people skipping out and we're not hitting target levels, out comes the stick. Once again, relying on people to do the right thing is likely going to bite us in the ass. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this *one time* Americans will step up and do the right thing.

I suspect Americans will continue to be dolts and not follow guidelines and / or get shots to the point where other countries will ban us from traveling there and such again. They can all laugh and point at us.

Then again I have no intention of taking one of these first vaccines. Im not political I just dont trust the rush and Trumps pushing. Ill give it a year perhaps.

[LordMortis]

I suspect Americans will continue to be dolts and not follow guidelines and / or get shots to the point where other countries will ban us from traveling there and such again. They can all laugh and point at us.

Canada is level 3 (of 4 where travel would be wholly shut down) Travel Advisory due to COVID concerns. Non essential travel is not allowed. This isn't by Canadian region. It's Canada.

We don't have restrictions on domestic travel

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... ada.html#/

Canada have a comparative low density of population and have roughly the population of the state of California.

Let's compare the two from yesterday

Ca(lifornia) Total cases 1,150,512 New Cases +16,563 Total Deaths 18,876 New Deaths +107
Ca(nada) Total cases 342,444 New Cases +4,889 Total Deaths11,618 New Deaths +97

[Jeff V]

Then again I have no intention of taking one of these first vaccines. Im not political I just dont trust the rush and Trumps pushing. Ill give it a year perhaps.

It's probably unrealistic to expect getting one in the next year anyway.

[LordMortis]

Then again I have no intention of taking one of these first vaccines. Im not political I just dont trust the rush and Trumps pushing. Ill give it a year perhaps.

It's probably unrealistic to expect getting one in the next year anyway.

??? I am working under the fake news suggesting January will start essential rollouts and they will quickly move to elderly and at risk populations with wide distribution beginning in March/April. Wide distribution suggests to me a matter of months until you could "expect" immunization or in the July timeframe... When everyone will think its over anyway....

[Isgrimnur]

How many projects have you been on that finished on time?

[Smoove_B]

It's probably unrealistic to expect getting one in the next year anyway.

It's going to come down to your state's ability to roll out vaccines. If your local public health system is robust, that's good. If it's non-existent, trouble.

For the same reasons we need to be firing on all cylinders because it's a pandemic, the U.S. really needs to make sure all states are being vaccinated in a way that makes sense as well. The article I'd posted earlier this week had specific concerns about rural America and I think they're valid. But based on what my state's plans are, I'd be amazed to learn other states aren't being told to be ready for the same (having 70% of adults vaccinated by 7/1).

[malchior]

It's probably unrealistic to expect getting one in the next year anyway.

It's going to come down to your state's ability to roll out vaccines. If your local public health system is robust, that's good. If it's non-existent, trouble.

For the same reasons we need to be firing on all cylinders because it's a pandemic, the U.S. really needs to make sure all states are being vaccinated in a way that makes sense as well. The article I'd posted earlier this week had specific concerns about rural America and I think they're valid. But based on what my state's plans are, I'd be amazed to learn other states aren't being told to be ready for the same (having 70% of adults vaccinated by 7/1).

I assume that factors in that we'll likely have an extreme turn around on the levels of competence coordinating the response, right? Instead of the corrosive and destructive 'Let Chaos Reign' approach that Trump took there will be highly qualified people actually doing the planning and interfacing between CDC, suppliers, FEMA, and the States. They'll have a steep climb at the beginning but the State will ultimately be the bottleneck for distribution as I understand it.

[LordMortis]

How many projects have you been on that finished on time?

Almost all of them and it's been brutal on me.

Here Reuter's is predicting June for freely available

https://www.reuters.com/article/health- ... SL1N2IA2SB

U.S. public health officials said vaccines will be generally available to most Americans in pharmacies, clinics and doctors offices starting in April so that anyone who wants a shot can have one by the end of June.

This is the echo I've been reading and and hearing since the Moderna press release.

[Jeff V]

The time lines I've heard are along the lines of nursing home residents first couple of months, healthcare workers next couple of months, at-risk general population (old or infirm) probably through the end of the year and the rest of us in 2022. And that was a month ago when the timeline was presumed to begin 12/1. I'm certain the lame duck administration will do nothing in the next 2 months that facilitates a mass-vaccination campaign, but is more likely to make it difficult for any progress to be made.

Someone was on TV yesterday talking about extenuating circumstances. First, the virus has to be kept extremely cold, colder than most health care facilities can manage. Second, the recent survey suggests only 66% of the population is inclined to get vaccinated. Third -- nasty side effects that mimic actually having the virus, leaving one feeling shitty for days and the likelihood many aren't going to come back for the second dose because of it. What I didn't hear is what percentage of people experienced these side effects -- it could really slow down rollout to healthcare workers if it incapacitates 10 or 20% of them.

[Smoove_B]

They'll have a steep climb at the beginning but the State will ultimately be the bottleneck for distribution as I understand it.

All correct yes. But in the end it should be the states struggling because of state-level issues, not because they're being actively starved of aid from the feds. It won't surprise me if somehow FEMA is activated to assist in vaccine delivery efforts for states that are woefully under-prepared for emergency response (Alaska and Arkansas, for example).

[Smoove_B]

Also, welcome to NJ

https://twitter.com/NJGov/status/1331670142556762112

Pork roll Taylor Ham

Handshake

Wearing. A. Friggin’. Mask.

[Defiant]

Fauci has stated that the vaccine could be widely available to everyone by the end of April. While I would expect some unexpected delays, I would assume that provided one of the vaccines talked about proves to be safe and effective, there would be wide access before 2022 (even sooner if more than one proves to be)

[LordMortis]

The time lines I've heard are along the lines of nursing home residents first couple of months, healthcare workers next couple of months, at-risk general population (old or infirm) probably through the end of the year and the rest of us in 2022. And that was a month ago when the timeline was presumed to begin 12/1. I'm certain the lame duck administration will do nothing in the next 2 months that facilitates a mass-vaccination campaign, but is more likely to make it difficult for any progress to be made.

Someone was on TV yesterday talking about extenuating circumstances. First, the virus has to be kept extremely cold, colder than most health care facilities can manage. Second, the recent survey suggests only 66% of the population is inclined to get vaccinated. Third -- nasty side effects that mimic actually having the virus, leaving one feeling shitty for days and the likelihood many aren't going to come back for the second dose because of it. What I didn't hear is what percentage of people experienced these side effects -- it could really slow down rollout to healthcare workers if it incapacitates 10 or 20% of them.

CDC/HHS aren't giving dates but they do have distribution plans


https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-manage ... aybook.pdf

page 12 (publication October 29)

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files ... accine.pdf

Page 5 (publication unknown)

Also, while finding this I saw news factoids all predicting Dec 12th as the current predicted initial distribution date. I didn't take the time to find out where this date is being generated from. POTUS only missed it by a month and a half. If only he had been less secretive... about everything... and demonstrated that he was informed and gave a shit rather than looking for credit for something that hasn't happened, maybe he could have gotten some traction, which probably would have won him an election.