COVID-19 Megathread 4: Grandma Got Run Over by the Dow Jones

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Concerning Johnson, this is quite worrying.

Johnson is in his mid-50s and significantly overweight - putting him into the at-risk category. Add on the impact that stress has on the immune system, given his national role, and this could get ugly.

Johnson is determined not to give up his position, so there could be some issues with continuity of government, if his condition worsens.

If I'm honest, I'm freaking out right now. If Johnson's health worsens, or God-forbid he doesn't make it, there's going to be uncertainty and panic, just as we head into the peak of the infection here.

I'll defer back to your knowledge of British English.  But from what I know about healthcare terminology, "admitted to hospital" carries a weight to it.  

And just putting on my med student cap here, if he's being "admitted to hospital" ten days after initial diagnosis, it might be precautionary just on the basis of persisting and unrelenting symptoms.  It could be serious but not necessarily an emergency.  

But you're right about the after-hours timing.  The thing that apparently causes people to seek urgent medical attention in the context of COVID is respiratory distress and pneumonia. Of course, there's no way for me to know if that's the case here.  

Thanks PQG, appreciate it. Definitely sounds like 'admitting' is a bigger deal than I thought.

And yeah, he's apparently in for tests (chest x-ray, white blood cell counts etc), but will remain in hospital overnight.

Can I ask two questions?
1. Am I right in assuming that these tests indicate that we could be in for far more serious illness here?
2. Is there significance to him being held in overnight or is that normal in a situation like this?

Deep breaths, Torrain.  

And the answer to both questions is: I can't say, unfortunately.  I would need to know the specifics of his symptoms, his vitals, etc. etc.  

What we do know is that he and/or his...caretakers(?) were concerned enough to have him admitted to hospital.  Now, again, this might be because his symptoms haven't subsided, it could be that he was feeling short of breath or experiencing chest pains, etc. etc.  

As I was saying to RB: when someone is kept overnight for observation (which isn't uncommon), it means that doctors want to (a) keep an eye on a patients' present condition while (b) also wanting to be prepared for a change in condition, new or more severe symptoms, and so on.   If he's been admitted -ADMITTED - at this time in the evening, it would be highly unusual for doctors to send him home without keeping him overnight. 

But once more, as much as I'd like to answer you more conclusively, it's tough to say without knowing the PM's specifics.  It really is just a wait-and-see type situation right now.  

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Deep breaths, Torrain.  

And the answer to both questions is: I can't say, unfortunately.  I would need to know the specifics of his symptoms, his vitals, etc. etc.  

What we do know is that he and/or his...caretakers(?) were concerned enough to have him admitted to hospital.  Now, again, this might be because his symptoms haven't subsided, it could be that he was feeling short of breath or experiencing chest pains, etc. etc.  

As I was saying to RB: when someone is kept overnight for observation (which isn't uncommon), it means that doctors want to (a) keep an eye on a patients' present condition while (b) also wanting to be prepared for a change in condition, new or more severe symptoms, and so on.   If he's been admitted -ADMITTED - at this time in the evening, it would be highly unusual for doctors to send him home without keeping him overnight. 

But once more, as much as I'd like to answer you more conclusively, it's tough to say without knowing the PM's specifics.  It really is just a wait-and-see type situation right now.  

Thanks, I realise I was asking a lot, given how little we know right now.
I guess we really will just have to wait this one out...

Nope! Always glad to answer whatever I can with whatever I know and have learned!

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52177586

Tiger at Bronx zoo tests positive for coronavirus.

I wonder about lions and bears as well, oh my!

I've seen a lot of people online moaning about using limited testing resources on animals.

But this is actually a fairly important thing to keep an eye on. We already knew this virus had zoonotic potential (ability to spread from animals to humans), but we need to be aware of any further host species.

If SARS-CoV-2 can establish infections in cats, dogs, or widespread vermin (rats etc), then there is the potential that the virus will establish a reservoir of infection within the animal population.

That could make elimination a lot harder, and make animal and pet isolation/culling a helpful step in some hard-hit areas (particularly in the developing world, which is still to feel the full brunt of this outbreak).

Sorry Torrain, just a little tiny annoying nitpicky add-on: "zoonosis" also refers to diseases that can be transmitted from human-to-animal (though this is sometimes called reverse zoonosis).  

Human-to-animal diseases are much more uncommon than animal-to-human, but a notable example is the rabies virus.  

In terms of the word, itself, I had a professor who would go nuts if you pronounced it as it's spelled.  He would constantly remind us that it's "zoh-uh-noe-sees" and not "zoo-oh-noe-sees."

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

I've been seeing some confusion floating around (outside of TE) regarding Boris Johnson.

Some are taking reports that he is "on oxygen" as "the Prime Minister is on a ventilator".

These two items are not the same.  A ventilator is an invasive setup.  When someone is on a ventilator, a tube is threaded down the throat and into the windpipe ("intubation").  The ventilator basically assists the patient in breathing by simulating the mechanisms for respiration (and can sometimes be the sole driver behind respiration).  This allows the patient to rest without their body needing to regulate these mechanism.  

Someone who is "on oxygen" has O2 being delivered to his or her body via a non-invasive setup (a mask or cannula, for instance).  Different O2 concentrations can be delivered depending on the needs of the patient, but the patient is still responsible for actual respiration.  

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Governor Cuomo speaking right now (and doing a bang-up job, if I say so myself). 

Not sure if this is an extension or new information, but he reaffirmed that schools and non-essential businesses will remain closed until at least April 29th. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/1247241845387735043

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is now acting-PM.

Ugh.

I obviously don't need to break down "intensive care" for you, Torrain. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Roommate has tested positive. 

Not really much more to say on that other than hoping that there's some avenue to make those with whom she came into contact on her way from Philly to Montana aware of it. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Roommate has tested positive. 

Not really much more to say on that other than hoping that there's some avenue to make those with whom she came into contact on her way from Philly to Montana aware of it. 

That sucks.

Hope you're doing okay?

Pretty uncomfortable, sore, and sweating like crazy, but I'll get through it -- thank you, Badger.

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Roommate has tested positive. 

Not really much more to say on that other than hoping that there's some avenue to make those with whom she came into contact on her way from Philly to Montana aware of it. 

That sucks.

Hope you're doing okay?

Pretty uncomfortable, sore, and sweating like crazy, but I'll get through it -- thank you, Badger.

 

Have you lost any sense of smell or taste? I lost both around day 6

No anosmia or dysgeusia, fortunately. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Roommate has tested positive. 

Not really much more to say on that other than hoping that there's some avenue to make those with whom she came into contact on her way from Philly to Montana aware of it. 

That sucks.

Hope you're doing okay?

Pretty uncomfortable, sore, and sweating like crazy, but I'll get through it -- thank you, Badger.

Sweating is good. It means your temperature is falling.

My body's trying to get things under control.  Temperature has remained pretty steady at around 102.2-102.5*F. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://mobile.twitter.com/EconomicTimes/status/1247463924884070400

According to MCO Michael Gove (via the Guardian) -- himself self-quarantining as a result of a family member showing symptoms, the Prime Minister is not on a ventilator.  

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/07/boris-johnson-not-on-a-ventilator-in-intensive-care-says-gove?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Just to respond to a PM that I received:

If Boris Johnson has not required the usage of a ventilator up to the present (during his time in the ICU), that's generally a positive sign.  

Of course, there is likely a great deal of discretion surrounding the disclosure of his condition, but it is encouraging that he is reportedly breathing on his own.  

As I said yesterday, putting someone on a ventilator is a pretty invasive procedure and not one that is administered loosely. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Paging #TSA -- I've officially lost my sense of smell. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Paging #TSA -- I've officially lost my sense of smell. 

Surprisingly late - most people who reported a loss of smell seemed to report it as the first symptom, or around the time of developing a cough or mild fever at the beginning. I even know a few friends in NYC (not tested positive obviously) who have not shown any symptoms except a total loss of smell and taste, which is so rare a symptom otherwise that it just has to be coronavirus.

I get the sense that my case has been somewhat atypical.  But whatever the order of the symptoms, I can't wait to be healthy again. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Unemployment report due to be released at 8:30AM EST this morning.  

CNBC anticipates another 5.25 million unemployment claims on top of last week's report.   

http://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/04/08/five-million-more-unemployment-claims-expected-but-now-layoffs-could-be-more-permanent.html

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://mobile.twitter.com/USDOL/status/1248226772400947200

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Futures jumped about 200 points within the release of the unemployment numbers. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://twitter.com/PoliticsReid/status/1248253101255114752

Great time to fly if you have to.

"Sir, would you mind turning down your music?  Several other passengers have complained."

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://mobile.twitter.com/dailykos/status/1248050537511243777

"Many people who are dying, both here and around the world were on their last legs anyway, and I don’t want to sound callous about that."

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

Another member of Congress tests positive:

https://mobile.twitter.com/abc27/status/1248291910000750593

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1248315719214825472

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://twitter.com/KevinCate/status/1248365705503932420

Not an indictment on you, GM, but I'm just a little confused on where Cate is getting "hundreds" from -- maybe he's referring to confirmed cases?

According to the CDC's provisional breakdown, there has been five COVID-deaths in the U.S. in people aged twenty-five and under.  

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

https://twitter.com/KevinCate/status/1248365705503932420

Not an indictment on you, GM, but I'm just a little confused on where Cate is getting "hundreds" from -- maybe he's referring to confirmed cases?

According to the CDC's provisional breakdown, there has been five COVID-deaths in the U.S. in people aged twenty-five and under.  

In Russia, there is a joke.

вы не рефлексируйте
вы распространяйте
пусть отбиваются

Which translates ~

don't reflect (about the message)
just spread (the message)
let them defend themselves.

Egh, GM is a magnificent poster who is humble and non-snarky about his opinions.  

We all slip-up here and there.  

But I'll keep that mantra in mind, RB. 

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

No, you have missed what I was trying to say. The testing needs to be measured relative to the cases in that country.

Country-Specific Testing Results (% of positive cases)

1.9% Australia
2.2% South Korea
9.0% Germany
19.9% USA (Only testing people with symptoms)

16.8% Italy
21.8% UK
35.3% France
43.2% Spain

Saying that Australia and Italy have the same testing rate per million is not relevant as you can see above.

My point is that we need to look at countries where we have testing in the broader population (without symptoms) if we are going to see effective analysis overall. This is especially true for something like antibody results for example.

So you tell if we look countries with low positive % on the tests, we can assume there is few underestimation of positive and the fatality rate is more on target, ever if there are no problem in the count of the deaths

I think in science there is a better way to do this.

You post up what you think is happening. Graph it up and we will take a look.

Just include your local experience from Italy as i am sure the people here would love to hear about both your scientific ideas and your personal experience.

I know for a fact the international media are not reporting correctly on what is happening inside Italy.

What's your sourcing, Meclazine? Not that I doubt you, but what's your sourcing?

[Penn_Quaker_Girl]

What's your sourcing, Meclazine? Not that I doubt you, but what's your sourcing?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51819624

That took literally 4 seconds. I read this stuff every day.

And i know from overseas travel that the only people who know about the ground conditions in Italy will be the Italian people like Franco.

That is why this forum is so powerful.

No need to be defensive.  It wasn't an attack on you, I promise lol.