Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (nCoV-2019)

[WislaHD]

Without a doubt. There are over 330 Million people in the US. The federal government isn’t taking this seriously. It’s being estimated that 30% of the population will be infected. That’s 99 million people. If the death rate of 3.4% holds, that’s over 2 million deaths.

Nobody wants to believe this number because it’s just unfathomable... until it happens.

But the 3.4% is the worldwide average. Italy hit a 10% death rate. Now look at the US population of which 40% are overweight and 44% suffer from cardiovascular disease. Now add the factor that this is happening in a country with no public healthcare, with a high rate of uninsured who will rather try to get better at home than go broke paying hospital bills.

I’ve been saying for months (since Wuhan) that this is going to be a calamity of biblical proportions if it hits the United States. It’s there now. Hunker down and be glad we’re on this side of the border.

Italy hit a 10% death rate by testing mostly those that were already in hospital. It is nowhere near 10% in actuality. The total number infected must be much higher. That will be revealed if we eventually develop an antibody test and tested the population.

Italy had certain factors that led to it being particularly hard hit (elderly population for one). You are right though, the USA's demographics are also very concerning (with their prevalence of health issues), especially given the stats coming out of the UK where a much higher proportion of young people (with a common denominator being obesity) dying to the virus compared to Spain/Italy.

 

[AlbertC]

Florida governor: sick passengers on cruise ship cannot be ‘dumped’ here

Mon 30 Mar 2020 11.47 EDT

The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has said passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise trip cannot be “dumped” in his state, casting further doubt over where two vessels carrying hundreds of people will be allowed to dock.

Four people have died and dozens of people are sick with flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam cruise ship, which is currently traveling towards Florida after passing through the Panama canal with its sister ship – the Rotterdam – where asymptomatic passengers have been moved.

On Monday, DeSantis told Fox News that many of the people on board were “foreigners” that he did not want to see “dumped” in his state, adding that he was in contact with the White House about the approaching vessels.

The health of passengers and crew has worsened in the past week after several Latin American countries refused to let the Zaandam into port, with 189 people sick with flu-like symptoms as of Monday morning. Two people tested positive for Covid-19 onboard last week and four have died, although the causes of death are not known.

More than 1,200 passengers from the UK, the US and other countries have been confined to their cabins for over a week, with 73 guests and 116 crew members on Zaandam having reported influenza-like illness, according to the operator Holland America Line.

Florida governor: sick passengers on cruise ship cannot be 'dumped' here

Four people have died on coronavirus-stricken Zaandam liner and health of passengers and crew has worsened in past week

www.theguardian.com

 

[AlbertC]

Coronavirus: Vancouver Convention Centre to be converted to makeshift hospital

BY SIMON LITTLE GLOBAL NEWS
Posted March 30, 2020 7:36 pm

The Vancouver Convention Centre is being converted to act as a makeshift hospital as the province gears up to deal with a possible surge in cases of COVID-19.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said similar facilities were being established in all health authorities around the province.

A brand-new building at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, which was intended to go into service as a mental-health facility this spring,” is also being converted for use during the pandemic.

There will be 271 beds at the convention centre facility, and 80 at Royal Columbian Hospital.

Coronavirus: Vancouver Convention Centre to be converted to makeshift hospital | Globalnews.ca

The province is setting up temporary hospitals for people who don't have COVID-19 and do not require an urgent level of care, in order to free up beds at acute care facilities.

globalnews.ca

 

[Johnny Au]

Since all major sporting events are cancelled, it would be great if they can be used as makeshift hospitals.

I know that some places are already doing so.

The Rogers Centre would be an excellent place to be used as a makeshift hospital.

 

[Richard White]

Since all major sporting events are cancelled, it would be great if they can be used as makeshift hospitals.

I know that some places are already doing so.

The Rogers Centre would be an excellent place to be used as a makeshift hospital.

MTCC, Toronto Congress Centre, The National Trade Centre and the Allstream Centre along with the International Centre would be better suited for these tasks as they are essentially wide open rooms. Even the Liberty Grand and Queen Elizabeth Building would be useful to a certain extent.

Canlan Ice Sports, Heron Park Arena and Ted Reeve Arena could be used as a makeshift morgue as well if needed. It's a shame they cannot use the Horticultural Building at Exhibition Place.

The problem with using arenas is the need to keep them available and in usable condition should their respective seasons resume. In order to use it after a Pandemic the entire building would need to undergo a deep clean to disinfect surfaces, it would not be quick for buildings the size of arenas and stadiums.

Once the pandemic is over and the sports seasons resumes (if they do) they will need to prepare the stadiums pretty quickly which pretty much rules out long term care after the pandemic dies down.

 

[PinkLucy]

It would also need a deep clean before use. And if there are carpets, those would have to come up.

 

[Northern Light]

Perhaps I was being too extreme, the point I was trying to make is that if this goes really badly it will only show the shortfalls in the US healthcare system resulting from years of inaction by the GOP.

Lets remember that this is a country that saw an elementary school shot up in a mass shooting, in addition to concerts, nightclubs, high schools, workplaces and a military base..............

Yet still doesn't even have a mandatory background check for gun ownership.

If one were to hope that carnage would change a nation........(not hope for the carnage, but for a silver lining) I would fear that hope might be dashed.

 

[Northern Light]

Florida governor: sick passengers on cruise ship cannot be ‘dumped’ here

Mon 30 Mar 2020 11.47 EDT

The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has said passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise trip cannot be “dumped” in his state, casting further doubt over where two vessels carrying hundreds of people will be allowed to dock.

Four people have died and dozens of people are sick with flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam cruise ship, which is currently traveling towards Florida after passing through the Panama canal with its sister ship – the Rotterdam – where asymptomatic passengers have been moved.

On Monday, DeSantis told Fox News that many of the people on board were “foreigners” that he did not want to see “dumped” in his state, adding that he was in contact with the White House about the approaching vessels.

The health of passengers and crew has worsened in the past week after several Latin American countries refused to let the Zaandam into port, with 189 people sick with flu-like symptoms as of Monday morning. Two people tested positive for Covid-19 onboard last week and four have died, although the causes of death are not known.

More than 1,200 passengers from the UK, the US and other countries have been confined to their cabins for over a week, with 73 guests and 116 crew members on Zaandam having reported influenza-like illness, according to the operator Holland America Line.

Florida governor: sick passengers on cruise ship cannot be 'dumped' here

Four people have died on coronavirus-stricken Zaandam liner and health of passengers and crew has worsened in past week

www.theguardian.com

I get a fiscal, not my problem, argument, but I don't think it really has a place here.

In any event, the state can impose the tab on the cruise line, which they will pay to avoid a lifetime ban from Florida ports.

Being hard-hearted here isn't just mean, it lacks any real rationale.

 

[PinkLucy]

The Florida governor is of the mindset that if he keeps everyone out, all will be well. This in spite of the fact that the vast majority of positive cases in the state are classified as residents. He doesn't seem to be aware that the barn door needed to be closed weeks ago.

 

[Northern Light]

I don't wish to be melodramatic............but

This power-grab by government is getting completely out of hand...........its a global phenomenon, not supported by science or thoughtful risk-management.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1244775006783131653

 

[Northern Light]

By contrast............this is much more reasonable:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1244566715251515395

 

[Towered]

Without a doubt. There are over 330 Million people in the US. The federal government isn’t taking this seriously. It’s being estimated that 30% of the population will be infected. That’s 99 million people. If the death rate of 3.4% holds, that’s over 2 million deaths.

Nobody wants to believe this number because it’s just unfathomable... until it happens.

But the 3.4% is the worldwide average. Italy hit a 10% death rate. Now look at the US population of which 40% are overweight and 44% suffer from cardiovascular disease. Now add the factor that this is happening in a country with no public healthcare, with a high rate of uninsured who will rather try to get better at home than go broke paying hospital bills.

I’ve been saying for months (since Wuhan) that this is going to be a calamity of biblical proportions if it hits the United States. It’s there now. Hunker down and be glad we’re on this side of the border.

It truly sounds like a dire situation down there that's going to get much worse.

 

[Johnny Au]

Lets remember that this is a country that saw an elementary school shot up in a mass shooting, in addition to concerts, nightclubs, high schools, workplaces and a military base..............

...oh, and in numerous houses of worship and retailers (both standalone retailers and in malls (including one that happened after a shooter lost in an American football video game competition in Jacksonville, FL)) as well

 

[Northern Light]

Covid-headlines from the NYT:

Here’s what you need to know:

• Leaders worldwide are invoking sweeping executive powers with little resistance.
• Roughly three out of four Americans are under orders to stay home, or will be soon.
• Trump suggests coronavirus testing is no longer a problem. Governors disagree.
• New York’s attorney general is looking into Zoom.
• India’s lockdown means hunger for laborers.
• Amid debate over face masks, Austria says that it will require them in grocery stores.
• China’s factories are almost fully back to work.

White House Projects Grim Toll From Coronavirus (Published 2020)

The scientists leading the administration’s fight estimated the virus could kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans. New data suggests many as 25 percent of infected people may not show symptoms.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Jasmine18]

I don't wish to be melodramatic............but

This power-grab by government is getting completely out of hand...........its a global phenomenon, not supported by science or thoughtful risk-management.

View attachment 238949

https://twitter.com/x/status/1244775006783131653

With trudeau getting the military ready

I think they are planning to put Ontario into lockdown I think.