Corona Virus/COVID19: Local Impact

[fuffle master]

The media is making this worse than it seems. It’s much like the flu with a really bad cold. Most recover well. In my state I think there were 4 reported pediatric deaths and they are calling it the worst flu in decade, worse than it was a couple years ago.

I disagree with the above statement.

They estimate that up to 40 - 70 % of the world population could become infected. Ok, let's hope that number is way way out of proportion. However, the media blowing this up is actually a good thing in my opinion. Make more people worried and scarred and then possibly the effects will be much less then they would be otherwise. If they get ahead of this and we see very little cases or the virus dies out quicker then all the economic issues will self adjust very quickly.

 

[AK-Bryan]

It’s affecting me all day every day. I’m the Emergency Manager for my state, and will be the incident commander in a unified command with my health folks and state troopers. If it gets worse.

 

[Roadrunner]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it "does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19," referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Rather, experts caution that putting on a face mask without proper fitting and training could actually increase your risk.

Thanks for the info. I'll let her know about this, then she can decide if she wants to wear a mask or not.

 

[NoShanks]

I disagree with the above statement.

They estimate that up to 40 - 70 % of the world population could become infected. Ok, let's hope that number is way way out of proportion. However, the media blowing this up is actually a good thing in my opinion. Make more people worried and scarred and then possibly the effects will be much less then they would be otherwise. If they get ahead of this and we see very little cases or the virus dies out quicker then all the economic issues will self adjust very quickly.

I can see it from that perspective to motivate people to take action in order to contain and control the spread (staying home, restricting travel, washing hands, etc)

But the virus itself, they are making it seem way worse than it is. If you sort through the media wall of fear and find resources from pathologist, disease control specialist, etc, you'll find that it isn't as bad as they make it out to me.

 

[jim54]

Vegas is tourist destination. Especially Asian, and Pacific Rim visitors. I totally expect that eventually the virus will show up here. It maybe here already. News like this is usually kept quiet for as long as possible, so as not to scare people into not coming here.

We have not noticed any differences. Nothing in the local news very much.

I read a person died from the coronavirus in Washington State. Also read that other people are catching it without leaving their local neighborhoods.

A few people are wearing masks around here. We have noticed some signs in windows asking people wearing masks to remove them. I assume this has something to do with preventing criminal activities. That said, people are still wearing their masks, and the stores are not enforcing their signage.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I read that there are several different versions of this virus. Also, that it's origins can be traced back to lizards, and snakes.

I was supposed to attend CONEXPO next week in Vegas, a global equipment show and I am just about to opt out.
It has already been confirmed no Chinese Company reps. will be attending and none of my Customers from South America are going. Sounds like a bad idea to go, 3 airports (both ways) and 150,000-200,000 different people a day wandering around and I don't like Las Vegas anyway.

 

[fuffle master]

I can see it from that perspective to motivate people to take action in order to contain and control the spread (staying home, restricting travel, washing hands, etc)

But the virus itself, they are making it seem way worse than it is. If you sort through the media wall of fear and find resources from pathologist, disease control specialist, etc, you'll find that it isn't as bad as they make it out to me.

Agree.

I wouldn't change any of my plans for this summer. I plan on traveling for vacation by plane. Sure hope that the pricing goes down a ton and I find super cheap flights. If that were the case, I would take a few trips.

 

[Golf Ghost]

Local lobster market is taking a huge hit given that China and South Korea purchace most of it.

Ive already had my next two worm trips to Germany cancelled.

My wifes office is really feeling it though. The mask company is limiting them to one box of masks per week, but given their nunber of staff that barely covers them.

As far as supplies at stores, everything appears to be as usual with cleaners and sanitizers

 

[GimmeAnother1]

Agree.

I wouldn't change any of my plans for this summer. I plan on traveling for vacation by plane. Sure hope that the pricing goes down a ton and I find super cheap flights. If that were the case, I would take a few trips.

+1 gotta be some good travel deals coming up. No cruise for me but travel within my country at much cheaper price I’m all for it and looking forward to it

 

[Mark_UK]

It’s not. But working at an airport, I’m expecting that to change.

 

[milehighgolfer]

No cases in colorado yet but I'm doing my part to keep it from spreading.

 

[Mark_UK]

You may have seen this on John Oliver, but the fact this is even a question, maybe COVID-19 will help to rid the world of the stupid!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GimmeAnother1]

Who the hell is John Oliver and why would he put this idiotic flyer out. Anyone with an internet connection can quickly see the typical things to do with this virus. China been case testing things to do for the rest of the world since late December.

I would like to see the US fed cut the interest rate. The rest of the world is devaluing their money and the US is going on the opposite direction. Need to level the playing field and this is the right opportunity to do so.

 

[evand23mc]

Our office manager just came around handing out clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.

 

[BigDill]

I am following along with developments and being cautious. I have also instituted emergency procedures in my household by stocking up on tissues, hand soap, sanitizer, paper towels and TP, and, most importantly, telling my kids that every time they wash their hands I will give them $0.25. They keep a list, it costs me about $1 per day per kid, and I know they are washing their hands regularly. Worked like a charm.

I am going to a wedding in Charleston later this month and boy have we been relentless on the groom. First, he picked what is more or less the most expensive weekend of the year, and now this.

 

[AuzzieMatt]

Who the hell is John Oliver and why would he put this idiotic flyer out. Anyone with an internet connection can quickly see the typical things to do with this virus.

It actually came from John Hopkins Hospital. The OP just mentioned John Oliver had shown the same thing from the hospital.

 

[BigDill]

It actually came from John Hopkins Hospital. The OP just mentioned John Oliver had shown the same thing from the hospital.

Then who the hell is John Hopkins?

 

[Mark_UK]

Who the hell is John Oliver and why would he put this idiotic flyer out.

 

[DufferToo]

The first person that tested positive in the Sacramento area was/is the wife of my wife's co-worker. The couple had been in voluntary quarantine since their return from China at the beginning of February.

The employer had authorized the coworker to telecommute so he came into work to pick up his laptop. Apparently, he hung out for awhile talking to people including my wife. The next day the story broke on the national news that she had tested positive. Management called an urgent meeting acknowledging that they were aware of the couple's quarantine when they told him to come in and retrieve his laptop but that "there was nothing to worry about".

My wife is somewhat amazed that there are several in the office freaking out, none of which actually had contact with him BTW. Other than emails saying not to travel to China and to look up the CDC recommendations my wife's employer has been pretty useless. Management did have people come through and wipe down each person's office that he had been in though.

As a responsible person, I did notify my supervisor and immediate co-workers (completely different employer/workspace) of my wife's potential exposure. We came to the consensus that a suitable application of fine sipping whiskey was the appropriate response and began our dosages immediately after work.

 

[mpeterson]

So...masks do work. since medical professionals wear them. but, non medical people somehow don't know how to put a mask on? so it makes it worse?

right. what a joke.

N95 masks are not straightforward to fit. I used to do the fittings in the safety department I interned in and there were often a ton of adjustments that neeeded to be made despite them looking like they fit well.
It was awful because we used aspartame or saccharine or something and I ended up tasting it all day.

 

[CBaker]

N95 masks are not straightforward to fit. I used to do the fittings in the safety department I interned in and there were often a ton of adjustments that neeeded to be made despite them looking like they fit well.
It was awful because we used aspartame or saccharine or something and I ended up tasting it all day.

but are they referring to those? Are those the standard ones from the stores that everyone is buying?

 

[mpeterson]

but are they referring to those? Are those the standard ones from the stores that everyone is buying?

if they are talking about fit, yes. The surgical masks do absolutely nothing to prevent you getting something, that’s another issue entirely.

 

[CBaker]

if they are talking about fit, yes. The surgical masks do absolutely nothing to prevent you getting something, that’s another issue entirely.

Gotcha. Well ok then, I'll stand corrected.

 

[tahoebum]

https://news.yahoo.com/stop-buying-masks-us-surgeon-205200075.html

• US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Monday that wearing face masks could actually increase a person's risk of contracting COVID-19, echoing remarks he made on Saturday that called for people to "stop buying masks."
• In a similar stance, Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the US coronavirus task force, said on Saturday that the "average American" does not need to "go out and buy" a mask to protect themselves from coronavirus.
• However, Pence also said the US is working with 3M and other manufacturers to produce at least 35 million more masks per month.
• Photos and reports have shown masks and other supplies flying off the shelves as Americans grapple with the possibility of an outbreak in the US.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

US officials including Surgeon General Jerome Adams and Vice President Mike Pence have urged people against buying and wearing masks to protect themselves from the new coronavirus.

In an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on Monday, Adams said wearing face masks could actually increase a person's risk of contracting the coronavirus.

"You can increase your risk of getting it by wearing a mask if you are not a health care provider," Adams said. "Folks who don't know how to wear them properly tend to touch their faces a lot and actually can increase the spread of coronavirus," he added.

Adams' comments Monday reiterate his blaring tweet from the weekend, urging people to "STOP BUYING MASKS." He said that they were "NOT effective" to the general public and noted that the increased demand in masks puts medical professionals at risk.

Good advice. I don't anticipate needing one but if I do I have at least 4 cases(160) N95 respirators of different types and also N100 half face & full-face style from my 2 decades working for 3M. I told my daughter I was going to wear the full-face one on the plane to Florida later this month just to embarrass her. I also have a battery-operated Positive Air Pressure Respirator but that might be going overboard.

 

[BigDill]

I cannot wait to see the inevitable person walking in Miami with a full SCUBA tank and regulator.

 

[tahoebum]

I cannot wait to see the inevitable person walking in Miami with a full SCUBA tank and regulator.

Lol. My wife's mom is not the most rational person in the world and has already pretty much isolated herself in her condo in Florida. Maybe she won't want to see us when we are in Naples for spring break later this month.