Tuesday, March 31, 2020

What COVID-19 Spreading Through "Droplets" Means - Pro Publica

Sneezing and coughing aren’t the only ways droplets get transmitted.

W.H.O. research shows that liquid droplets are necessary to transmit the virus, and they need to go from the infected person’s mouth or nose into someone else’s eyes, nose or mouth.

People can also get infected if they touch a contaminated surface where a droplet has fallen onto and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

But sneezing and coughing aren’t the only ways droplets get transmitted.

Droplets are not necessarily huge, like globs.  We release respiratory droplets when we speak. People clear their throat. Some people spit when they talk.

This doesn’t mean that the coronavirus is being transmitted as an “aerosol.”

It does mean that if you’re standing right next to someone who is infected and they’re talking to you, or if you’re in a room full of singers who are projecting their voices in an enclosed space, there are going to be droplets in the air, and yes, you could inhale them.

Experts say that if you have to leave home, staying outdoors is the safest bet, since open air can help to “dilute” any potential microbes that reach you.

Of course, this isn’t free of risk, so maintain a 6 foot distance, at least.

The full article is available here

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

What does a shelter-in-place order actually look like? - Boston.com

As already implemented in the Bay Area, the order generally requires residents to stay home and businesses to close, but includes a number of exceptions for what’s considered “essential” needs and services. Those at “high risk of severe illness from COVID-19” are “urged” to only leave their homes for medical care.

For most individuals, that means you can still leave the house to get food, whether it be from a supermarket, a corner store, or a restaurant or cafe for takeout (they also are allowed to deliver).

Residents can also leave to go to the doctor (CALL FIRST TO SEE WHAT SCREENING PROCESS THEY HAVE IN PLACE) or pick up medicine to go outside to walk, run, bike, or hike — as long as they stay at least six feet away from other people.

The full article is available here

Monday, March 23, 2020

Man Dead From Taking Chloroquine Product After Trump Touts Drug For Coronavirus - Forbes

When President Trump incorrectly announced that the FDA had fast-tracked approval of the drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19, he added, “The nice part is, it's been around for a long time, so we know that if it - if things don't go as planned, it's not going to kill anybody.”

The full article is available here

Sunday, March 22, 2020

U.S. axed CDC expert job in China months before virus outbreak - Reuters

“Quick left China when she learned her federally funded post, officially known as resident adviser to the U.S. Field Epidemiology Training Program in China, would be discontinued as of September 2019, the sources said.”

The full article is available here

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Fed law enforcement doc reveals white supremacists discussed using coronavirus as bioweapon - Yahoo News

“White supremacists discussed plans about using coronavirus as a biological weapon via saliva, a spray bottle or laced items according to a weekly intelligence brief distributed by a federal law enforcement division.”

The full article is available here

Friday, March 20, 2020

Was ‘Coronavirus’ Replaced with ‘Chinese Virus’ in Trump’s Notes? - Snopes

“The images are authentic and were taken by the Washington Reporter who tweeted them and published by the Getty Images agency on March 19.”

The full article is available here

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Report Projecting Millions Of Deaths Changed US/UK COVID-19 Policy - NY Times

"Imperial is treated as a sort of gold standard, its mathematical models feeding directly into government policy."

U.S. officials said the report, which projected up to 2.2 million deaths in the nation, influenced the White House to strengthen its measures to isolate members of the public.

The report reached new alarming conclusions because of the latest data from Italy, which has seen a spiraling rate of infections, swamping hospitals and forcing doctors to make agonizing decisions about who to treat.

It wasn’t so much the numbers themselves, frightening though they were, as who reported them: Imperial College London.

With ties to the World Health Organization and a team of 50 scientists, led by a prominent epidemiologist, Neil Ferguson, Imperial is treated as a sort of gold standard, its mathematical models feeding directly into government policy.

The full article is available here



Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Fact Check: World Health Organization Test Kits and U.S. - Politifact


"No discussions occurred between WHO and CDC about WHO providing COVID-19 tests to the United States," said WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris.

"This is consistent with experience since the United States does not ordinarily rely on WHO for reagents or diagnostic tests because of sufficient domestic capacity."

The full piece is available here

Friday, March 13, 2020

Trump’s COVID-19 Leadership Failure Stems From Massive Character Defect - Republican Peter Wehner

The president’s disordered personality makes him as ill-equipped to deal with a crisis as any president has ever been.

Trump’s massive failure in leadership on COVID-19 stems from a massive defect in character. Trump is such a habitual liar that he is incapable of being honest, even when being honest would serve his interests.

He is so impulsive, shortsighted, and undisciplined that he is unable to plan or even think beyond the moment. He is such a divisive and polarizing figure that he long ago lost the ability to unite the nation under any circumstances and for any cause.

And he is so narcissistic and unreflective that he is completely incapable of learning from his mistakes.

The president’s disordered personality makes him as ill-equipped to deal with a crisis as any president has ever been.

The full article is available here

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Bethel Church Warns Faith Healers Not To Visit Hospitals, Citing Coronavirus - Sacramento Bee

“Bethel Church, which teaches that its prayers heal the sick and raise the dead, is advising its faith healers to stay away from local hospitals, citing coronavirus.”

The full article is available here