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  • COVID-2019 in America, effect on politics and economy

    Originally posted by United_Nations_World_Health_Organization

    WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 -
    03 March 2020


    Good afternoon, and thank you once again for joining us in person and also online.

    Today is my birthday, and I’ve been given a very good gift from DRC, from my own continent Africa. We have now had two weeks without a single reported case of Ebola, and there are currently no patients receiving treatment.

    This is very good news not just for me, but for the whole world – I remember how the whole world was worried about Ebola – and especially for the thousands of health workers who have sacrificed so much in the fight against Ebola, and for making sure we’re where we are. But as one epidemic looks like ending, one front of the fight closing, another is becoming increasingly complex.

    There is now a total of 90,893 reported cases of COVID-19 globally, and 3110 deaths.

    In the past 24 hours, China reported 129 cases, the lowest number of cases since the 20th of January.

    Outside China, 1848 cases were reported in 48 countries. 80% of those cases are from just three countries: the Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italy.

    12 new countries have reported their first cases, and there are now 21 countries with one case.

    122 countries have not reported any cases.

    The actions these newly-affected countries take today will be the difference between a handful of cases and a larger cluster.

    We understand that people are afraid and uncertain. Fear is a natural human response to any threat, especially when it’s a threat we don’t completely understand.

    But as we get more data, we are understanding this virus, and the disease it causes, more and more.

    This virus is not SARS, it’s not MERS, and it’s not influenza. It is a unique virus with unique characteristics.

    Both COVID-19 and influenza cause respiratory disease and spread the same way, via small droplets of fluid from the nose and mouth of someone who is sick.

    However, there are some important differences between COVID-19 and influenza.

    First, COVID-19 does not transmit as efficiently as influenza, from the data we have so far.

    With influenza, people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission, which does not appear to be the case for COVID-19.

    Evidence from China is that only 1% of reported cases do not have symptoms, and most of those cases develop symptoms within 2 days.

    Some countries are looking for cases of COVID-19 using surveillance systems for influenza and other respiratory diseases.

    Countries such as China, Ghana, Singapore and elsewhere have found very few cases of COVID-19 among such samples – or no cases at all.

    The only way to be sure is by looking for COVID-19 antibodies in large numbers of people, and several countries are now doing those studies. This will give us further insight into the extent of infection in populations over time.

    WHO has developed protocols on how these studies should be done, and we encourage all countries to do these studies and share their data.

    The second major difference is that COVID-19 causes more severe disease than seasonal influenza.

    While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity. That means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease.

    Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.

    Third, we have vaccines and therapeutics for seasonal flu, but at the moment there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for COVID-19. However, clinical trials of therapeutics are now being done, and more than 20 vaccines are in development.

    And fourth, we don’t even talk about containment for seasonal flu – it’s just not possible. But it is possible for COVID-19. We don’t do contact tracing for seasonal flu – but countries should do it for COVID-19, because it will prevent infections and save lives. Containment is possible.

    To summarize, COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than flu, transmission does not appear to be driven by people who are not sick, it causes more severe illness than flu, there are not yet any vaccines or therapeutics, and it can be contained – which is why we must do everything we can to contain it. That’s why WHO recommends a comprehensive approach.

    These differences mean we can’t treat COVID-19 exactly the same way we treat flu.

    But there are enough similarities to mean that countries are not starting from scratch. For decades, many countries have invested in building up their systems to detect and respond to influenza.

    Because COVID-19 is also a respiratory pathogen, those systems can, should and are being adapted for COVID-19.

    But we are concerned that countries’ abilities to respond are being compromised by the severe and increasing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment – caused by rising demand, hoarding and misuse.

    Shortages are leaving doctors, nurses and other frontline healthcare workers dangerously ill-equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, due to limited access to supplies such as gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and aprons.

    We can’t stop COVID-19 without protecting our health workers.

    Prices of surgical masks have increased six-fold, N95 respirators have more than tripled, and gowns cost twice as much.

    Supplies can take months to deliver, market manipulation is widespread, and stocks are often sold to the highest bidder.

    WHO has shipped nearly half a million sets of personal protective equipment to 47 countries, but supplies are rapidly depleting.

    WHO estimates that each month, 89 million medical masks will be required for the COVID-19 response; 76 million examination gloves, and 1.6 million goggles.

    WHO has guidelines on how to rationalize the use of personal protective equipment in health facilities and manage supply chains effectively.

    We’re also working with governments, manufacturers and the Pandemic Supply Chain Network to boost production and secure supplies for critically affected and at-risk countries.

    Globally, it is estimated that PPE supplies need to be increased by 40 per cent.

    We continue to call on manufacturers to urgently increase production to meet this demand and guarantee supplies.

    And we have called on governments to develop incentives for manufacturers to ramp up production. This includes easing restrictions on the export and distribution of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies.

    Once again, this is a question of solidarity. This cannot be solved by WHO alone, or one industry alone. It requires all of us working together to ensure all countries can protect the people who protect the rest of us.

    I thank you.

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    Last edited by JRT; 04 Mar 20,, 23:29.
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  • #2
    Originally posted by Daily_Beast

    Democrats Plan for Coronavirus Convention Chaos in Milwaukee

    Sam Stein, Politics Editor, Daily Beast
    Mar. 03, 2020

    Officials at the Democratic National Committee have begun to plan for the possibility that their July convention in Milwaukee may be scuttled or dramatically upended because of the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus, multiple sources tell The Daily Beast.

    Discussions over what to do if coronavirus makes it difficult, if not impossible, for delegates and the public to come to the convention have been mostly informal up until this week. But two top Democrats said they expected far more serious planning to begin in haste as infections and deaths accumulate and experts warn the virus will spread in the United States and, potentially, seriously disrupt travel and commerce. On Monday, state party chairs raised concerns on a conference call with DNC officials that party functions, including the election of delegates to the national convention, could be disrupted or delayed because of coronavirus fears.


    “It is serious. The question for state chairs is, look, we all have to put on conventions coming up. Most of the delegates to the national convention are elected at [state] conventions. What happens if state parties have to cancel these events where delegates are elected?” said Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. “If things continue to evolve, It could dramatically alter the contest and severely hamper Democrats as we try to unify our party.”

    Martin told The Daily Beast Democrats were already seeing ripple effects of the coronavirus in their operations. The Washington State Democratic Party, he said, was cancelling a big fundraising dinner they had scheduled for this Saturday because of the virus’ spread in the state, where it has killed at least six and infected 18. The Washington State Democratic Party did not return a request for comment.

    The national party has not yet taken such measures. But in a statement to The Daily Beast, Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee, said contingency plans were being entertained for Milwaukee.

    “Ensuring the safety of convention attendees and local residents is—and will always remain—our top priority,” said Solmonese. “Every convention necessitates developing a number of contingency plans to provide for a variety of scenarios. As we prepare to welcome Americans to Milwaukee this summer, the convention team will remain in constant communication with the local, state, and federal authorities responsible for protecting public health and security. We will continue to monitor this developing situation closely and follow the guidance of the CDC and state and local health officials in the days and weeks ahead.”

    Convention planning is a laborious process, involving months, if not years, of preparation. It also represents a massive infusion of people into urban areas, and then into packed venues. In 2016, an estimated 50,000 people came to Philadelphia to partake in and witness the nomination of Hillary Clinton.

    Similar numbers are anticipated for Milwaukee when Democrats are set to gather from July 13 through 16. But as coronavirus has spread and travel restrictions seem likely to be intensified, top officials are wondering whether attendees will or should make it.

    The result could be a convention that is not just sparsely attended but one where the act of formally nominating a presidential candidate is thrown into disorder. Such a scenario could be especially chaotic if no one candidate enters Milwaukee with a majority of delegates and those same delegates are forced to stay away from the convention site.

    According to several top officials, the DNC’s charter and bylaws leave little ambiguity when it comes to the requirement that delegates be physically on site in order to cast their votes. Under Section 11, it states that “Voting by proxy shall not be permitted at the National Convention. Voting by proxy shall otherwise be permitted in Democratic Party affairs only as provided in the Bylaws of the Democratic Party.”

    Among the topics being discussed by DNC officials now is what to do about the rules if delegates cannot get to Milwaukee, are spooked into not attending, or are being advised to avoid going entirely. The actual solution, officials say, is not all that complicated: The convention, by way of its Standing Committee on Rules, can change the bylaws to make it so that proxy voting or—more likely—remote voting is allowable.

    “If there is an emergency like this and there is broad consensus,” Simon Rosenberg, a longtime Democratic official who previously ran for DNC Chair, told The Daily Beast. “Yes, the rules can be easily changed. These things are very flexible.”

    The issue, then, is how to build such a system into the nomination process. One official said they expected discussions in the coming days and weeks to center around whether there would be software fixes that the committee could adopt that would allow for remote voting for delegates. So far this cycle, the party has had slightly less than confidence-boosting results when it comes to the use of software to count votes.

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    Last edited by JRT; 05 Mar 20,, 00:31.
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    • #3
      Early days on this, but some panic buying has already happened in some areas.



      Last edited by JRT; 05 Mar 20,, 00:06.
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      • #4
        Been following a few episodes from Bannon's show. The ones with Dr. Steven Hatfill are informative



        Since every other country knows now what is coming, i'd imagine they will be better prepared to stem any outbreak.

        Panic buying is just that, panic.

        Still think it a good idea to have a stock of meds if necessary that will last until June.
        Last edited by Double Edge; 05 Mar 20,, 02:49.

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        • #5
          I don't really get panic buying, but then I realize people probably don't stock up like we do. I saw a Twitter poll and 30-40% of respondents do not have the basic essentials to last more than 4 days in their house (even assuming utilities stay on line).

          I think we have something like:
          1 Turkey
          3 Broiler Chickens
          7 pounds of chicken thighs
          7 pounds of chicken breast
          10 pounds of miscellanous beef roasts
          7 pounds of pork shoulder
          5 pounds of shrimp
          6 pounds of bacon
          Probably some other meat that I just plain forgot about

          We also have a ton of frozen veggies and frozen fruit, plus maybe 10 pounds of dried fruit.

          That's not even a panic stock, that's just "stock up because it's on sale."
          "The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood"-Otto Von Bismarck

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by JRT View Post
            Early days on this, but some panic buying has already happened in some areas.



            People can be such stupid idiots.

            Wait I gotta rush out and buy 400 rolls of toilet paper! I kid you not!

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by tbm3fan View Post
              People can be such stupid idiots.

              Wait I gotta rush out and buy 400 rolls of toilet paper! I kid you not!
              Yeah... I got a good laugh out of watching that.
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              • #8
                Mike Pence's press secretary snaps at reporter for asking coronavirus question
                Vice President Mike Pences press secretary Katie Miller snapped at a White House correspondent on Wednesday following a press briefing dealing with the White Houses coronavirus task force.

                The reporter, Brian Karem, asked Mr Pence about whether the White House has any guidance for uninsured individuals to get testing. Mr Pence was nearing the end of his press conference when Mr Karem asked him about coronavirus testing for the uninsured.

                Can you please supply some guidance to the uninsured who want to get tested? Mr Karen asked.

                Mr Pence blew past the question and wrapped up his press conference. He suggested the risk to the broader American population remains low.

                As we continue to take these steps, as Americans continue to take common-sense practices to protect their own health, the health of their family, well work to keep it [low], he said.

                As Mr Pence finished and moved to leave the room, Mr Karem again yelled out his question, asking if there was any guidance for the uninsured to get testing.

                He was ignored, so he tried again.

                Gentlemen, ladies, can the uninsured get tested? Mr Karem asked.

                Ms Miller snapped a response at Mr Karem.

                Screaming for the camera isnt going to get you anywhere she said.

                Mr Karem pushed again.

                Well, how about answering the question? We would like an answer to that question, he said. Its a valid question, could you answer it?

                At that point Ms Miller moves to exit the room, responding Well get you an answer as she departs.

                It is unclear if the White House has followed up on Mr Karems question.

                Though the Centers for Disease Control are not charging patients for testing, individuals can still incur hospital costs from visiting the ER.
                _________________
                Couple of obvious points:
                • Didn't Pence just get put in charge of our country's response to the outbreak? Isn't it now his job to address questions about it?
                • Pence's refusal to answer the question was answer enough. This "administration" has no policy or plans for assisting the poor who can't afford testing or treatment for coronavirus.
                • The government just authorized $8.5 billion to addresses the coronavirus. I would think part of that money could be used to cover the cost of the test for the uninsured. Pretty scary that the Vice President could not answer an easy question.
                “He was the most prodigious personification of all human inferiorities. He was an utterly incapable, unadapted, irresponsible, psychopathic personality, full of empty, infantile fantasies, but cursed with the keen intuition of a rat or a guttersnipe. He represented the shadow, the inferior part of everybody’s personality, in an overwhelming degree, and this was another reason why they fell for him.”

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by TopHatter View Post
                  Though the Centers for Disease Control are not charging patients for testing, individuals can still incur hospital costs from visiting the ER.
                  Hatfill from the video i posted in #4 mentioned that they will be ramping up testing once they sort out some issues. Two weeks to get the kits out.

                  There will be no cost for testing as they are setting this up to be almost unlimited.

                  Pretty sure they will waive any costs associated here because its an obvious risk.

                  Yeah, I know an answer there would have been good but Pence clearly didn't know the answer.

                  And showing he doesn't know is worse than the way he blew it off.
                  Last edited by Double Edge; 05 Mar 20,, 22:49.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Double Edge View Post
                    Yeah, I know an answer there would have been good but Pence clearly didn't know the answer.

                    And showing he doesn't know is worse than the way he blew it off.
                    Agreed.

                    It's emblematic of this entire Trump "Administration".
                    “He was the most prodigious personification of all human inferiorities. He was an utterly incapable, unadapted, irresponsible, psychopathic personality, full of empty, infantile fantasies, but cursed with the keen intuition of a rat or a guttersnipe. He represented the shadow, the inferior part of everybody’s personality, in an overwhelming degree, and this was another reason why they fell for him.”

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by GVChamp View Post
                      I don't really get panic buying, but then I realize people probably don't stock up like we do. I saw a Twitter poll and 30-40% of respondents do not have the basic essentials to last more than 4 days in their house (even assuming utilities stay on line).

                      I think we have something like:
                      1 Turkey
                      3 Broiler Chickens
                      7 pounds of chicken thighs
                      7 pounds of chicken breast
                      10 pounds of miscellanous beef roasts
                      7 pounds of pork shoulder
                      5 pounds of shrimp
                      6 pounds of bacon
                      Probably some other meat that I just plain forgot about

                      We also have a ton of frozen veggies and frozen fruit, plus maybe 10 pounds of dried fruit.

                      That's not even a panic stock, that's just "stock up because it's on sale."
                      How many in the family?
                      Politicians are elected to serve...far too many don't see it that way - Albany Rifles! || Loyalty to country always. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it - Mark Twain! || I am a far left millennial!

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Oracle View Post
                        How many in the family?
                        From the sounds of it, and that is an inordinate amount of meat, I would have to say it is probably the whole cast of The Walking Dead...

                        Say after reading that list my blood has gotten a bit sluggish in the last hour. Can anybody spare some lovastatin?
                        Last edited by tbm3fan; 06 Mar 20,, 19:02.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Oracle View Post
                          How many in the family?
                          2 that can actually eat meat and one that's still on breast milk.

                          We tend to eat a lot of meat, though. I'm not really a big fan of meatless or meat-light diets, no matter how much doctor tells me he wants me try the Mediterranean-diet.
                          "The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood"-Otto Von Bismarck

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by GVChamp View Post
                            I don't really get panic buying, but then I realize people probably don't stock up like we do. I saw a Twitter poll and 30-40% of respondents do not have the basic essentials to last more than 4 days in their house (even assuming utilities stay on line).

                            I think we have something like:
                            1 Turkey
                            3 Broiler Chickens
                            7 pounds of chicken thighs
                            7 pounds of chicken breast
                            10 pounds of miscellanous beef roasts
                            7 pounds of pork shoulder
                            5 pounds of shrimp
                            6 pounds of bacon
                            Probably some other meat that I just plain forgot about

                            We also have a ton of frozen veggies and frozen fruit, plus maybe 10 pounds of dried fruit.

                            That's not even a panic stock, that's just "stock up because it's on sale."
                            Get rid of the pork products (wife is allergic to pork) and add about 100 lbs of fish, 25lbs of shrimp, 5lbs of octopus. Instead of broiler chickens substitute 12 cornish hens then and mine and your freezers look about the same.

                            and Oracle, thats for 2 adults Doesn't include the KimChee fridge

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Gun Grape View Post
                              Get rid of the pork products (wife is allergic to pork) and add about 100 lbs of fish. Instead of broiler chickens substitute 12 cornish hens then and mine and your freezers look about the same.

                              and Oracle, thats for 2 adults Doesn't include the KimChee fridge
                              Yes i was waiting for hurricane survivor like you to advise how to better prepare.

                              I was thinking US can keep number of infected to below a 1,000.

                              Listening to Dr.John Campbell i think that won't be possible now.

                              The reason the number of cases is low in the US is they have not ramped up testing yet.

                              As of Mar 4 its still in the hundreds. That is because the test kits aren't ready yet.

                              So when the tests ramp up so will the numbers of infected

                              Comment

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