Wuhan Corona Virus Coming Soon? (Now Here)

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

From the DOH COVID-19 Update for Feb 28:

DOH State Laboratories Division now capable of COVID-19 testing

Hawaii Department of Health is now capable of in-state testing for COVID-19 and, on average, results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This is a new, major development that enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health of the people in Hawaii.

Previously, the state had earlier reported that testing capability would not be ready until early next week. The DOH State Laboratories Division staff worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention around the clock to complete the validation process and receive approval from the CDC to move forward with the testing procedure in Hawaii.

This morning, the Department of Health was able to successfully test a visitor from California as a Person Under Investigation.

[Punatic007]

quote:

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Originally posted by HereOnThePrimalEdge

We know the virus stays on surfaces and transmits from them

The unknown factor is, to what extent? And how long can those surfaces transmit the virus? That would affect the risk in secondary exposure to you, your workers, and subsequent guests.

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5 minutes, days or weeks is of little consequence when we are referring to railings at airports or busy buildings. I was just at Longs in Pahoa and I held something right after the Pharmacist was holding it, her assistant also exchanged items in hand with me, the cashier at the front, a guy took my cart right after me, and an old friend just had to hug me. I picked up the "pen" at the credit card machine to click away and sign right after the person in front of me in line did the same. Gas station picked up the handle.....I can go on and on from a short errand trip to Pahoa. All it takes is one guy who sat next to someone who knows someone who visits China coming to explore Pahoa town as you've got an outbreak.

[ironyak]

ProPublica has a great investigation into the CDC test debacle that has hamstrung Hawaii and other states' ability to test for the last few weeks.

https://www.propublica.org/article/cdc-c...id-19-test

[TomK]

What we need right now is a false alert of a missile attack from North Korea to take our minds off COVID-19. There's panic and then there's real panic. A missile attack has people sending their kids into the drains. A possible pandemic has people buying the state's supply of toilet paper. In the meantime, people discuss how much alcohol they need.

I wish Monty Python was still around...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

A good, level headed summary of COVID-19 so far, comparisons with previous outbreaks, & it’s potential effect over the next year. Prognosis- - it won’t be contained, but not everyone will die.

Lipsitch predicts that within the coming year, some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. But, he clarifies emphatically, this does not mean that all will have severe illnesses. “It’s likely that many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic,” he said. As with influenza, which is often life-threatening to people with chronic health conditions and of older age, most cases pass without medical care. (Overall, about 14 percent of people with influenza have no symptoms.)

Lipsitch is far from alone in his belief that this virus will continue to spread widely. The emerging consensus among epidemiologists is that the most likely outcome of this outbreak is a new seasonal disease—a fifth “endemic” coronavirus. With the other four, people are not known to develop long-lasting immunity. If this one follows suit, and if the disease continues to be as severe as it is now, “cold and flu season” could become “cold and flu and COVID-19 season.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...ne/607000/

[kalakoa]

many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic

Real testing might determine the cause -- maybe genetics, maybe just diet and environment.

Instead, we have deny-deflect. Blaming CDC for their test kits, refusing to test because "the guidelines", acting surprised when new cases happen in "low-risk" populations...

[Guest]

ethyl alcohol is also like 10x more expensive?

Yep, mine's the poor man's kine. 91% isopropyl. Cheap, readily available last I looked. I put some, with a dash of water, in a little 2oz Purell bottle I've been refilling ever since they first started pawning this idea on us. The pull date, 2012, is still in the bottom of the bottle. But hey, I am sure I got the look down when I pull out that bottle and put a little squeeze into my hand.. as cool as the next guy, for far less than half the price

As some have pointed out, it is the surfaces, more than the air borne droplets, that are the greater transmitters. And omg how many times we touch something and then touch ourselves.

I am not shy about a surgical/dust mask either. Been wearing them on all airplane flights for over a decade.. ever since I got the flu right after taking one to Maui. I have always been humored at the public's response to my putting a mask on when I board a flight. I was on the jet way in Hilo one time, pulled out a mask and immediately got a dozen looks of oh what a silly old man I am.. especially form this one guy. Turns out we all got seated and right after the plane took off someone in the cabin started coughing... and there was that macho guy sitting right next to me looking kinda desperate asking if I had any spares.

Yeah I don't know if they really work, and I have a beard too, though I agree their greater power may be in stopping the wearer from touching themselves than anything else. Though when this thing starts overwhelming us, here, I suspect I'll take to the much more robust gas mask...

In all consideration I think we are beyond containment. The virus is out and will be very difficult to prevent it from circling the globe, everywhere. Either we stop all air travel, worldwide, or we're all going to have to content with this thing in our environment. Regardless, I suspect we are going to find out, real quick, how bad of a plan being wholly dependent on the tourist industry is for Hawaii.

Just think how much worse it would be if those who want to destroy our healthcare system have their way.

[ironyak]

Real testing might determine the cause
The severity of the illness generally correlates with age and underlying co-morbidities i.e. don't be infected while old and/or unhealthy. It's good that Hawaii doesn't have many in that demographic.

I wish Monty Python was still around...
This Washingtonian has ceased to be... hilarious.
https://www.npr.org/2020/02/29/810722517...virus-dies

But if you want to go full gallows humor the opening scene to Holy Grail may soon be more fitting.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv...h-17822718

ETA: Pence says the average citizen doesn't need a mask. How dare you contradict the Government's official "guidance".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn9AZKmuMZI (jump about 43 mins in)

[kalakoa]

if those who want to destroy our healthcare system have their way

Does "priced out of reach" count? I don't have an extra $900/month for coverage.

[ironyak]

Timely: Costco posted a video of people in Hawaii panic-buying toilet paper:

Looks like Hawaii was a bit of a trend setter - mainland Costco's have caught the tp panic.
https://twitter.com/search?q=costco
e.g. https://twitter.com/Jpuma55/status/1233862967881416704