COVID-19 Megathread 5: The Trumps catch COVID-19

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Are people even able to conceptualize the idea that pandemics don't last forever? I don't think there's any doubt that the numbers in the U.S. are much better than they were (Worldometers had only 373 deaths yesterday. and the rate of positive cases is almost down to 4% now), but a lot of people apparently believe everything is still all doom.

But it's not. There's so much negativity from websites trying to profit off this crisis that people have become conditioned to believe that there will never be any positivity.

I lost a lot of respect for websites I once trusted because they try using this crisis for their own profit. Their name is mud now.

Are people even able to conceptualize the idea that some improvement doesn't necessarily mean everything is OK now?

Deaths are indeed much looking much better.  That's great news.  However, cases and hospitalizations in some areas are trending upward.  That's not great news. 

Deaths can still continue to trend downward even while hospitalizations increase.  We are much better now at both recognizing the virus early and treating it than we were two months ago.

[NHI]

Well...

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/08/asymptomatic-coronavirus-patients-arent-spreading-new-infections-who-says.html

So we just locked ourselves at home and wore masks to Kroger for 3 months for nothing?

Eh, WHO "advice" has been all over the place throughout the entire pandemic.  Remember when they said there was no evidence of immunity for people who had already been infected?

Exactly!

[GeorgiaModerate]

Are people even able to conceptualize the idea that pandemics don't last forever? I don't think there's any doubt that the numbers in the U.S. are much better than they were (Worldometers had only 373 deaths yesterday. and the rate of positive cases is almost down to 4% now), but a lot of people apparently believe everything is still all doom.

But it's not. There's so much negativity from websites trying to profit off this crisis that people have become conditioned to believe that there will never be any positivity.

I lost a lot of respect for websites I once trusted because they try using this crisis for their own profit. Their name is mud now.

Are people even able to conceptualize the idea that some improvement doesn't necessarily mean everything is OK now?

Deaths are indeed much looking much better.  That's great news.  However, cases and hospitalizations in some areas are trending upward.  That's not great news. 

Deaths can still continue to trend downward even while hospitalizations increase.  We are much better now at both recognizing the virus early and treating it than we were two months ago.

There is also a time factor involved because deaths are a lagging indicator.  If the increase in cases and hospitalizations is not a statistical artifact, then there will likely be a corresponding increase in deaths two or three weeks later.  Case numbers are like the front car in a long roller coaster train, while death numbers are the rear car.  They don't go up and down at the same moment, but they follow the same trajectory with a time offset.

[GeorgiaModerate]

This makes a lot of sense:

https://twitter.com/mims/status/1269958096341872642

[It’s so Joever]

Well...

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/08/asymptomatic-coronavirus-patients-arent-spreading-new-infections-who-says.html

So we just locked ourselves at home and wore masks to Kroger for 3 months for nothing?

Eh, WHO "advice" has been all over the place throughout the entire pandemic.  Remember when they said there was no evidence of immunity for people who had already been infected?

Exactly!

It’s not exactly easy to prove that a novel virus for which a test takes time (this was literally in January) is very transmissible in the middle of the goddamn flu season.
They didn’t say you couldn’t get infected, they said they didn’t have evidence. It’s a shame the public can’t understand the difference between “no evidence” and a negation.

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1270082508265267201

[GeorgiaModerate]

Well...

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/08/asymptomatic-coronavirus-patients-arent-spreading-new-infections-who-says.html

So we just locked ourselves at home and wore masks to Kroger for 3 months for nothing?

That article is not the clearest thing I've ever read, but at one point it seems to be making a distinction between "asymptomatic" (someone who never gets symptoms?) and "presymptomatic" (someone who is infected and not symptomatic yet, but will be later?)

Could PQG or one of the other medical people comment on this?

[FrancoAgo]

That article is not the clearest thing I've ever read, but at one point it seems to be making a distinction between "asymptomatic" (someone who never gets symptoms?) and "presymptomatic" (someone who is infected and not symptomatic yet, but will be later?)

Could PQG or one of the other medical people comment on this?

agree the article is not clear but tell nothing of new, but are months that the experts tell us that asymptomatic transmissions are not a main transmission way, like are not contact with objects with the virus above, but it's possible also this transmission not common but possible,
add me to waiting the medical people comment

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

The data in New Jersey right now is quite troubling and I haven't heard much about that state recently.
Between May 1st and May 28th, the 7-day average death toll in NJ dropped from 274 to 80.  Which is terrific!

But since then, over the next 12 days, it hasn't budged.  They are still averaging 80 deaths per day as of June 8.  And 80 deaths per day is a lot!  It is highest absolute total in the country right now, ahead of NY at 75 and IL at 73.  And on a per capita basis, it would translate to about 3,000 death per day nationwide.

[Dr. Arch]

The updated numbers for COVID-19 in the U.S. are in for 6/8 per: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

I'm keeping track of these updates daily and updating at the end of the day, whenever all states finish reporting for that day.

Δ Change: Day-by-day Growth or Decline or COVID-19 Spread/Deaths.

• IE: Are we flattening the curve enough?

Σ Increase: A day's contribution to overall percentage growth of COVID-19 cases/deaths.

• IE: What's the overall change in the total?

<Last Numbers for 3/26-3/28 in this Post>
<Last Numbers for 3/29-4/4 in this Post>
<Last Numbers for 4/5-4/11 in this Post>
<Last Numbers for 4/12-4/18 in this Post>
<Last Numbers for 4/19-4/25 in this post>
<Last Numbers for 4/26-5/2 in this post>
<Last Numbers for 5/3-5/9 in this post>
<Last Numbers for 5/10-5/16 in this post>
<Last Numbers for 5/17-5/23 in this post>

5/24: <Sunday>

• Cases: 1,686,436 (+19,608 | Δ Change: ↓9.78% | Σ Increase: ↑1.18%)
• Deaths: 99,300 (+617 | Δ Change: ↓40.44% | Σ Increase: ↑0.63%)

5/25:

• Cases: 1,706,224 (+19,788 | Δ Change: ↑0.92% | Σ Increase: ↑1.17%)
• Deaths: 99,805 (+505 | Δ Change: ↓18.15% | Σ Increase: ↑0.51%)

5/26:

• Cases: 1,725,141 (+18,917 | Δ Change: ↓4.40% | Σ Increase: ↑1.11%)
• Deaths: 100,579 (+774 | Δ Change: ↑53.27% | Σ Increase: ↑0.78%)

5/27:

• Cases: 1,745,803 (+20,662 | Δ Change: ↑9.22% | Σ Increase: ↑1.20%)
• Deaths: 102,107 (+1,528 | Δ Change: ↑97.42% | Σ Increase: ↑1.52%)

5/28:

• Cases: 1,768,461 (+22,658 | Δ Change: ↑9.66% | Σ Increase: ↑1.30%)
• Deaths: 103,330 (+1,223 | Δ Change: ↓19.96% | Σ Increase: ↑1.20%)

5/29:

• Cases: 1,793,530 (+25,069 | Δ Change: ↑10.64% | Σ Increase: ↑1.42%)
• Deaths: 104,542 (+1,212 | Δ Change: ↓0.90% | Σ Increase: ↑1.17%)

5/30:

• Cases: 1,816,820 (+23,290 | Δ Change: ↓7.10% | Σ Increase: ↑1.30%)
• Deaths: 105,557 (+1,015 | Δ Change: ↓16.25% | Σ Increase: ↑0.97%)

5/31: <Sunday>

• Cases: 1,837,165 (+20,345 | Δ Change: ↓12.65% | Σ Increase: ↑1.12%)
• Deaths: 106,190 (+633 | Δ Change: ↓37.64% | Σ Increase: ↑0.60%)

6/1:

• Cases: 1,859,323 (+22,158 | Δ Change: ↑8.91% | Σ Increase: ↑1.21%)
• Deaths: 106,925 (+735 | Δ Change: ↑16.11% | Σ Increase: ↑0.69%)

6/2:

• Cases: 1,881,205 (+21,882 | Δ Change: ↓1.25% | Σ Increase: ↑1.18%)
• Deaths: 108,059 (+1,134 | Δ Change: ↑54.29% | Σ Increase: ↑1.06%)

6/3:

• Cases: 1,901,783 (+20,578 | Δ Change: ↓5.96% | Σ Increase: ↑1.09%)
• Deaths: 109,142 (+1,083 | Δ Change: ↓4.50% | Σ Increase: ↑1.00%)

6/4:

• Cases: 1,924,051 (+22,268 | Δ Change: ↑8.21% | Σ Increase: ↑1.17%)
• Deaths: 110,173 (+1,031 | Δ Change: ↓4.80% | Σ Increase: ↑0.94%)

6/5:

• Cases: 1,953,423 (+29,372 | Δ Change: ↑31.90% | Σ Increase: ↑1.53%)
• Deaths: 111,384 (+1,211 | Δ Change: ↑17.46% | Σ Increase: ↑1.10%)

6/6:

• Cases: 1,987,175 (+33,752 | Δ Change: ↑14.91% | Σ Increase: ↑1.73%)
• Deaths: 112,057 (+673 | Δ Change: ↓44.43% | Σ Increase: ↑0.60%)

6/7 (Yesterday): <Sunday>

• Cases: 2,007,449 (+20,274 | Δ Change: ↓39.93% | Σ Increase: ↑1.02%)
• Deaths: 112,469 (+412 | Δ Change: ↓38.78% | Σ Increase: ↑0.37%)

6/8 (Today):

• Cases: 2,026,493 (+19,044 | Δ Change: ↓6.07% | Σ Increase: ↑0.95%)
• Deaths: 113,055 (+586 | Δ Change: ↑42.23% | Σ Increase: ↑0.52%)

[Badger]

https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1269283042687725569

Literally. No. Bottom.

[Calthrina950]

Masking is definitely on a downward trajectory at my job. Today, I saw the highest proportion of unmasked customers which I've seen in almost three months. Probably around 45%, maybe even close to 50%, of all customers were not wearing masks, compared to 50-55% who were. The "maskless" minority is becoming even more confident as temperatures continue to increase.

[Landslide Lyndon]

FREE ARIZONA!

https://twitter.com/TopherSpiro/status/1270306146373509121

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I went to a local supermarket yesterday, and maskless customers were probably a slight majority. Even not all employees had masks.

I'm pretty sure there is still an order requiring customers and employees to mask up.

This shows just how tough it is to really enforce stuff like this, especially when it's not usually an industry practice.

[emailking]

At my grocery stores, there are people standing at the entrance as you go in making sure you have a mask. I assume Walmart is the same everywhere.

[GeorgiaModerate]

At my grocery stores, there are people standing at the entrance as you go in making sure you have a mask. I assume Walmart is the same everywhere.

Walmart here is not requiring customers to wear a mask.  The employees do.  They do have people stationed out front counting customers to ensure that the reduced capacity limit isn't exceeded.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

My supermarket I went to yesterday still has a sign on the door allowing only one person per household at a time. That was clearly disregarded.

I think any sort of markings on the floor to denote a 6-foot distance were gone now too.

It is what it is. We can't just live in panic forever.

But the clear screen between the customer and the cashier is still up. Removing it just wouldn't be worth the trouble.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

I decided to take a mini-vacation to the Smoky Mountains.  If the American lockdowns were 20% of normal life (since some stuff was open), and Middle Tennessee is currently at about 80% normal, then the Smoky Mountains are easily at about 95% normal right now.  Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are almost looking like the coronavirus never even happened.  The only things closed are Dollywood and maybe one or two of the dinner shows.  Places do have x's for social distancing in lines, but no one seems to pay them any attention (that's one thing I'd be fine with).  Masks seem to be mostly just used by attraction staff at some places (some staff and restaurant servers don't even have them).  I did hear that one of the dinner shows actually does require masks until you get to your seat (and even takes guests' temperatures) and that the SkyBridge recommends masks and will hand them out for free, but most places don't seem to care.  Sevier County (and all of East Tennessee other than Chattanooga) has seen virtually no outbreak, so that may be part of it.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

https://mobile.twitter.com/MelissaBlasius/status/1270110319520608257

[Calthrina950]

At my grocery stores, there are people standing at the entrance as you go in making sure you have a mask. I assume Walmart is the same everywhere.

Walmart here is not requiring customers to wear a mask.  The employees do.  They do have people stationed out front counting customers to ensure that the reduced capacity limit isn't exceeded.

Walmart doesn't require masks here either. I assume that they are only enforcing it in jurisdictions where it has been made mandatory. Moreover, my store finally lifted its capacity restrictions last week, and is no longer regulating the numbers of people who can come into the store, where they can come in, and where they can exit. The distance markers and directional arrows remain, but no one is paying them any attention (and never have), and the windows remain as well, though they are viewed as an inconvenience. Employees are still required to wear masks, but I'm not sure how much longer that will be sustainable for.

[lfromnj]

https://mobile.twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1270351649043886088
Good job
https://mobile.twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1270358052265394176
We had a few extreme wingnuts in the GOP and most other Americans atleast partially complying.
Now we have a large group of disaffected people feeling shunned by the elite woke mob who tells them nothing is worth besides their own issues.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

This shows why I've switched from the Democrats to the Socialists.

What IN THE WORLD is wrong with the Democrats lately? Everyone I know is out and about regardless of political affiliation. How is it that the Democrats in this poll are lagging behind?

And that's in a state that (like so many others) is actually starting to reopen. Do some people just want to stay closed forever?

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

This shows why I've switched from the Democrats to the Socialists.

What IN THE WORLD is wrong with the Democrats lately? Everyone I know is out and about regardless of political affiliation. How is it that the Democrats in this poll are lagging behind?

And that's in a state that (like so many others) is actually starting to reopen. Do some people just want to stay closed forever?

You had me with the first two sentences. Democrats are not lagging behind on reopening. They are the actually wise ones with the correct opinion on the matter. It's a problem of not practicing their convictions proving to be foolish.

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/SeamusHughes/status/1270405441302953985

[jimrtex]

https://twitter.com/SeamusHughes/status/1270405441302953985

The company had not reported financials since 2015, said on March 2 it had developed a COVID-19 test. The SEC stopped trading on April 13.

This is actually OLD news.