Coronavirus

[Virtual ghost]

It fell, the new one is 507 500.
However we are already at 507 000 for today and a number of countries is still missing. So the record will fall again for sure.

US will also have a record day it seems.

545 000 ... and counting.


US also has a record day, that will be close to the 100 000.
Numbers are from worldometer.

 

[Tater]

My COVID 19 experience:

 

[Jaguar]

'We are going in the wrong direction': Top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci predicts that Americans will not see 'semblances of normality' until 2022 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 

[Virtual ghost]

US currently has more than 3 million active cases towards worldometer.

 

[ceecee]

The Pandemic Has Exposed the Free Market’s Fundamental Flaws. We Need a Democratically Planned Economy.

We live in a society where every decision — whether by individual corporate heads or by governments dependent on corporate revenue — is circumscribed by the short-term drive for profits. This seems so natural that it barely registers during “normal” times. But during a pandemic, its barbarity is made plain.

As John Hick, medical director at Hennepin Healthcare explained to the Wall Street Journal, “You’re looking at a private-sector entity that suddenly has to take on the world’s largest public-sector response. They’re not prepared for it because there’s no incentive to do that.”

 

[Virtual ghost]

The Pandemic Has Exposed the Free Market’s Fundamental Flaws. We Need a Democratically Planned Economy.

We live in a society where every decision — whether by individual corporate heads or by governments dependent on corporate revenue — is circumscribed by the short-term drive for profits. This seems so natural that it barely registers during “normal” times. But during a pandemic, its barbarity is made plain.

As John Hick, medical director at Hennepin Healthcare explained to the Wall Street Journal, “You’re looking at a private-sector entity that suddenly has to take on the world’s largest public-sector response. They’re not prepared for it because there’s no incentive to do that.”

For a while I am having some thoughts and perhaps it is time for me to say it.
By watching from the distance I got the impression that the whole COVID denial thing fundamentally has it's roots in how your healthcare system is structured. In other words due to absurd prices and even bad general organization it is normal to deny your own illness. Especially since going to work half dead isn't something that is really that unusual in the US, from what I gathered. Therefore now large groups of people are simply reacting to this pandemic is in a way how they are approaching healthcare in general. The ship that has sailed and should be forgotten.

 

[Mole]

The problem with a pandemic is that it grows exponentially, and after a while doctors have to decide who to save and who to let die.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Trump blasts Europe's 'draconian' new lockdowns

 

[Virtual ghost]

It looks as if globally days above 450 000 new cases a day will be a new normal this fall. Since even Sundays will not go bellow that.

 

[ceecee]

It looks as if globally days above 450 000 new cases a day will be a new normal this fall. Since even Sundays will not go bellow that.

When I hear people talking they are often shocked (not you just general people I hear talking about COVID) at the numbers. I don't know how many times I heard doctors saying this would happen specifically come fall.

 

[JAVO]

The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed by other experts but was published online on bioRvix, analysed the blood of 100 patients six months after they had had either mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. It found that while some of the patients’ antibody levels had dropped, their T-cell response - another key part of the immune system - remained robust.

T-cell study adds to debate over duration of COVID-19 immunity | Reuters

 

[JAVO]

In one study carried out in Spain, researchers gave calcifediol, an active form of vitamin D, to 50 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Another group of 26 patients didn’t receive vitamin D.

All patients were treated equally with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin.

Only one of the patients treated with vitamin D ended up in the intensive care unit, while half of the untreated patients did.

“The vast majority of Americans are vitamin D deficient and could probably benefit from some modest level of vitamin D supplementation, at very little risk,” said Meltzer.

In the United States, an estimated 41 percent of adults are deficient in vitamin D. People with darker skin are at greater risk — 63 percent of Hispanic people and 82 percent of Black people have low vitamin D levels.

Other factors increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency, including age, limited sun exposure, obesity, and certain medical conditions.

Avena says it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from foods. “So taking a supplement may be advised,” she says, “but always check with your doctor first.”

Meltzer says he takes 4,000 international units (IU) per day. The National Institutes of Health says this is the upper limit of what is safe for the vast majority of people.

“Don’t consume more than 4,000 IU per day of vitamin D without your doctor’s permission,” said Avena. “It exceeds the safe upper limits of intake.”

What to Know About Vitamin D and COVID-19

 

[Z Buck McFate]

Associated Press: Counties with worst virus surges overwhelmingly voted Trump

An Associated Press analysis reveals that in 376 counties with the highest number of new cases per capita, the overwhelming majority — 93% of those counties — went for Trump, a rate above other less severely hit areas.

Most were rural counties in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin — the kinds of areas that often have lower rates of adherence to social distancing, mask-wearing and other public health measures, and have been a focal point for much of the latest surge in cases.

Taking note of the contrast, state health officials are pausing for a moment of introspection. Even as they worry about rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, they hope to reframe their messages and aim for a reset on public sentiment now that the election is over.
​

Something tells me that the virus *not* disappearing after the election (and in fact, record breaking increases in new cases in the days following the election) won't be enough to reset Trumpublican sentiment. Unless it gets a lot worse in the coming month, where rural areas actually have to start choosing who to help due to limited space.

 

[ceecee]

Associated Press: Counties with worst virus surges overwhelmingly voted Trump

An Associated Press analysis reveals that in 376 counties with the highest number of new cases per capita, the overwhelming majority — 93% of those counties — went for Trump, a rate above other less severely hit areas.

Most were rural counties in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin — the kinds of areas that often have lower rates of adherence to social distancing, mask-wearing and other public health measures, and have been a focal point for much of the latest surge in cases.

Taking note of the contrast, state health officials are pausing for a moment of introspection. Even as they worry about rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, they hope to reframe their messages and aim for a reset on public sentiment now that the election is over.
​

Something tells me that the virus *not* disappearing after the election (and in fact, record breaking increases in new cases in the days following the election) won't be enough to reset Trumpublican sentiment. Unless it gets a lot worse in the coming month, where rural areas actually have to start choosing who to help due to limited space.

I was told to stop pretending because it was going to be over as of Wednesday morning, Heard that here even. Miraculously gone. No more cases reported, no more death count. Nothing.

Incidentally, Republican run (legislature, not Governor) states have horrific numbers even with no COVID. The bottom 10 states on healthcare cost, access and outcomes combined:

1. Georgia

2. Louisiana

3. Alabama

4. North Carolina

5. Mississippi

6. Arkansas

7. Tennessee

8. South Carolina

9. Texas

10. Alaska

10 best, worst states for healthcare in 2020

 

[Totenkindly]

Something tells me that the virus *not* disappearing after the election (and in fact, record breaking increases in new cases in the days following the election) won't be enough to reset Trumpublican sentiment. Unless it gets a lot worse in the coming month, where rural areas actually have to start choosing who to help due to limited space.

I would not expect a reset either. Frustration/Blame simply seems to be channeled towards those who were already perceived as the antagonist, rather than the actual contributing culprits. That is just my experience.

Even at best, I think blame is inherently directed towards urban mentality and the channels through which the virus originally entered the country, and thus the politicians who they view as supporting urban interests and behavior.

It is complex because areas who went overwhelmingly for Trump don't necessarily hold the same militant attitudes, some might even find behavior like storming the election facilities to be unseemly. Some of it is viewing the world through a political lens ("don't control me"), some from a religion lens ("the other party is immoral in terms of their policies, even if Trump is not a good person"), some of it from pure xenophobia ("Protect us from outsiders"), sometimes a mix. There does tend to be fervent tribalism though -- closing the ranks regardless and defending against outside thoughts.

Despite my home country going overwhelmingly for Trump, looking at the votes, the more urban areas were less Trump (65-70%) and the more rural areas were more Trump (75-80%). My mom lives in a retirement home in the county seat where I was also born (as the main hospital in the area), and it's the "most liberal" in its voting, I see. It's right off the major highway, it's where the courthouse is, etc. Her retirement home has been stringently locked down, access is very much restricted, and activity within the facility is very restricted as well. It seems to have been very successful in avoiding any influx of COVID since March as well. although I know it has been frustrating for them too because it limits direct interactions with even family. those who are trained to be more aware of the realities of COVID (and where impact could be severe) seem to be taking it very seriously in those environments, it's those without awareness or training or need to be so severe that are being more flippant about it.

I am not sure what I'm trying to say, I guess. But I can easily envision even when an individual's behavior in those areas results in them contracting COVID, them blaming an outside influence and basically the "urbanites" for allowing the disease to get out of control and/or delivering it to their area, reinforcing the tendency to isolate and view outsiders with suspicion, rather than viewing their own behavior at fault. But that is not a new thing. AIDS was an 'urban' thing too, to the area I grew up in; and other things they viewed as social ills.

 

[ceecee]

I would not expect a reset either. Frustration/Blame simply seems to be channeled towards those who were already perceived as the antagonist, rather than the actual contributing culprits. That is just my experience.

Even at best, I think blame is inherently directed towards urban mentality and the channels through which the virus originally entered the country, and thus the politicians who they view as supporting urban interests and behavior.

It is complex because areas who went overwhelmingly for Trump don't necessarily hold the same militant attitudes, some might even find behavior like storming the election facilities to be unseemly. Some of it is viewing the world through a political lens ("don't control me"), some from a religion lens ("the other party is immoral in terms of their policies, even if Trump is not a good person"), some of it from pure xenophobia ("Protect us from outsiders"), sometimes a mix. There does tend to be fervent tribalism though -- closing the ranks regardless and defending against outside thoughts.

Despite my home country going overwhelmingly for Trump, looking at the votes, the more urban areas were less Trump (65-70%) and the more rural areas were more Trump (75-80%). My mom lives in a retirement home in the county seat where I was also born (as the main hospital in the area), and it's the "most liberal" in its voting, I see. It's right off the major highway, it's where the courthouse is, etc. Her retirement home has been stringently locked down, access is very much restricted, and activity within the facility is very restricted as well. It seems to have been very successful in avoiding any influx of COVID since March as well. although I know it has been frustrating for them too because it limits direct interactions with even family. those who are trained to be more aware of the realities of COVID (and where impact could be severe) seem to be taking it very seriously in those environments, it's those without awareness or training or need to be so severe that are being more flippant about it.

I am not sure what I'm trying to say, I guess. But I can easily envision even when an individual's behavior in those areas results in them contracting COVID, them blaming an outside influence and basically the "urbanites" for allowing the disease to get out of control and/or delivering it to their area, reinforcing the tendency to isolate and view outsiders with suspicion, rather than viewing their own behavior at fault. But that is not a new thing. AIDS was an 'urban' thing too, to the area I grew up in; and other things they viewed as social ills.

I agree. It's all perception with the right. This is something I've come to realize, you have to speak to them knowing that what they say isn't coming from a place of data or correct information. It's coming from fear and perception. Here's an example;

I have a nursing home in northern Michigan. This nursing home is owned by a large corporation. They are mandating a flu vaccine. These workers are losing their shit. I get emails and texts and calls about "my civil rights!" and "this is illegal they can't force me to take this shot!". Basically MUH FREEDUMS!

This has nothing to do with their civil rights and it's not illegal either. This is an industry wide push and the reason the nursing home can do this is that the regulations that once would have allowed employees to opt out (although I don't understand why a health care worker would but that's a right wing issue as well) have been rolled back and gutted. The Trump administration has appointed as many anti-labor people as possible to the NLRB and the GOP has been anti-worker forever, just as the SCOTUS and federal courts are also anti-labor and pro-business and corporation.

I had a long conversation with one CNA and I ended up telling her - you may want to have a look at who you vote for if workers rights are as important to you as you claim. But because everything is driven by fear and perception - not by reality and information. She also said "downstate" about 10 times in this conversation. Which is code for urban/Detroit/city.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I am not sure what I'm trying to say, I guess. But I can easily envision even when an individual's behavior in those areas results in them contracting COVID, them blaming an outside influence and basically the "urbanites" for allowing the disease to get out of control and/or delivering it to their area, reinforcing the tendency to isolate and view outsiders with suspicion, rather than viewing their own behavior at fault. But that is not a new thing. AIDS was an 'urban' thing too, to the area I grew up in; and other things they viewed as social ills.

It sounds like you're saying that they lack personal responsibility, and have a tendency to blame others for their own failures. Interesting. It seems like those types tend to perceive a lot of other people as doing that.

 

[Z Buck McFate]

One of my favorite Sam Harris-isms is: "If you're not informed, you don't have a strong opinion." People can have strong attachments to weak opinions and mistake the strong attachment for righteous conviction in a thing's truth. There has been such overwhelming divisiveness feeding this "virus is partisan hoax" narrative since it started, cementing that attachment, and that attachment is SO loaded with emotional charge, that I just don't see people being able to let any facts in - even directly observable facts, like people they know (or even personal experience) losing loved ones or personally struggling for months (or permanently) with lingering symptoms - to reset or even adjust that narrative accordingly.

Although honestly I am hoping that *just enough* people are capable of doing that to push the Senate run off elections in January to Democrat advantage.

ETA, an aside: I've noticed that folks who do it the most - who cling to weak opinions out of emotional attachment, mistaking it for a strong opinion - are the first to accuse others of being that way, of letting confirmation bias only let in information which feeds the attachment. Specifically the "TDS/orange man bad" folks are coming to mind; they are the worst at dismissing all criticism of Trump by waving their TDS magic wand at it, and then projecting that tendency into others. It's become a red flag that practically guarantees the person doing it isn't capable of worthwhile dialogue; they just dogmatically parrot their team's talking points repeatedly without actually thinking about what you or they are saying.

 

[Jaguar]

Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive and people who knew were told to keep quiet. Honestly, I wouldn't even want to work in that infected environment.

 

[ceecee]

Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive and people who knew were told to keep quiet. Honestly, I wouldn't even want to work in that infected environment.

The amount of scrubbing that whole place is going to need.... ew