COVID-19 Mega thread

[President Johnson]

This is what I expected all along. Europe will be next, sadly.

[President Johnson]

I think the biggest source for panic among people is the fact that we don't know enough the new virus, even if the current mortality rate is relatively low and affects patients with a history of chronic diseases. The general risk to be infected by influenza is much, much higher and the worldwide death numbers are in the hundred of thousands.

[President Johnson]

Two of the 128 people Germany took back have been tested positive. All of them are under quarantine on a military base.

https://www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/eilmeldung-4823.html

[President Johnson]

Very bad news today. It has been confirmed that a healthy 23 year old female soccer player has died of coronavirus in Iran. This also confirms a video that was circulating in recent days of a male nurse saying he had seen eight deaths in one night. An unusually large number of high ranking government officials are also getting this in Iran. There is also an unusually high ratio of deaths to confirmed cases. This suggests that there are a large number of cases going undetected.

There have been single instances of deaths among younger people before, obviously in China. That doesn't alter the fact current mortality rate is about 2% from confirmed cases. Potentially there are far more infected people than the 82,500 currently reported, what would lower the death rate even further (still much higher than the flu, though).

Also, pre-existing diseases are a major factor, and I'm pretty sure there is a good junk of the population in developed countries that are not aware of pre-existing diseases they might have, especially since 25 year old men and women rarely undergo routine medical checks. In Germany alone, there are estimates that a few hundred thousands people are suffering from diabetes without knowing.

[President Johnson]

"Unknown origin" probably means the virus has spread in the US much further than we know without much notice.

[President Johnson]

Italy reported a 50% increase in coronavirus cases Sunday, as the US further restricted travel and the famed La Scala opera house closed.

Italy's Civil Protection Authority reported the county now has 1,694 confirmed coronavirus cases, up from 1,128 confirmed cases on Saturday. Thirty-four people have died.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/01/europe/italy-coronavirus-cases-travel-advisory/index.html

It's very likely the virus has spread in Italy for weeks without much notice. Could be the case the US as well. I expect more cases to reported in Germany within the next few days, especially with winter holidays coming to an end in southern states.

[President Johnson]

This is really sad what's happening in the US. And all this while there is an inept administration.

[President Johnson]

I'm sure that the world wide number of reported/confirmed cases is just the tip of the iceberg.

What makes it so easy for the virus is that nobody is immune. Until we reach a level where enough people are immune, cases will be proping up big time. A vaccine won't be available until some time in 2021, and even then, it will take time for everyone to receive one immediately. Most likely older people and chronically ill will be prioritized then over healthy folks under the age of sixty.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/learyreports/status/1236451644612714496
Donald Trump currently has no rallies scheduled.

https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1236445274798583809
Illinois has 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday. COVID-19 disproportionately kills men, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions.

Bernie Sanders is a man on the cusp of his eighties, with at least one pre-existing condition. He routinely spends hours outside in the cold, making close physical contact with thousands of strangers. He's among those at the highest risk.

Biden, Sanders and Trump should all be wrapped up indoors, providing speeches via streaming. It's a threat to the democratic process to have them jetting from city to city. Even if they remain uninfected, their entourages pose a threat as spreaders.

I agree; at least they shouldn't shake hands. Just standing on a podium isn't huge deal unless you directly interact with people. I'm really worried for Joe and Bernie. They shouldn't take this lightly. Trump as well. He's a terrible person, but I hope he stays safe. If one of them gets sick, get ready for mass hysteria and depressed turnout in all remaining primaries.

[President Johnson]

I don't have a direct link to the study, but a leading German specialist (Christian Drosten) has cited an American study that revealed warmer temperatures will most likely not help very much in slowing coronavirus down. This is bad news. In a worst case scenario, this thing is dragging on for another twelve to 18 months, until enough people have immunity and vaccine+medicine are available. And the first won't be available until the year's end, it seems.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/SabrinaSiddiqui/status/1237090040582373376

Oh yes, please. I'm worried for Joe Biden. He's 77 years old. Also for Bernie. They need to be protected at all cost.

[President Johnson]

I don't have a direct link to the study, but a leading German specialist (Christian Drosten) has cited an American study that revealed warmer temperatures will most likely not help very much in slowing coronavirus down. This is bad news. In a worst case scenario, this thing is dragging on for another twelve to 18 months, until enough people have immunity and vaccine+medicine are available. And the first won't be available until the year's end, it seems.

The other important point is that even if/when a vaccine is developed/passes clinical trials, it won't be possible to produce enough doses for everyone in the world instantly. It will take time to roll out and distribute, and a fairly significant amount of time (at least a few months).

Exactly. Once vaccine is out, it will probably be "reserved" for older folks over 65 then, with some exceptions for younger people with serious pre-existing conditions. So if you're a healthy 25 or 35 year old man or woman, you will either be immune though infection or this thing is already over before you get a vaccine.

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1237373939837526016

[President Johnson]

Biden and Sanders have both canceled upcoming rallies in Cleveland because of the virus.

This is terrible, but the right decision. What's encouraging is that both campaigns have done in concert (I assume they are in contact). This thing is nothing any side should try to capitalize.

[President Johnson]

In case you want to see how a real president sounds like:

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/Pervaizistan/status/1238213746809593861

Lock him up!