The Free Republic Coronavirus Concern Chart

Freepers | 3/1/2020 | blueunicorn6

[blueunicorn6]

I think that we should have one thread where everybody on Free Republic Can list their concerns about the Coronavirus.

It’s simply becoming too time consuming to keep up with all the different Coronavirus concern threads that keep popping up every few minutes.

This way, we can all be on the record on one thread with our concerns about the Coronavirus.

[abb]

Wally World has progresso.

[jetson]

I’m concerned about Hillary coming back as a zombie.

[Lazamataz]

Every one of these “super bugs” there’s somebody, much like you, who insists they have friends, much like you are, in “the know”, and they always say “this is it”.

Ok, but I will take my CDC contact as at least a data-point, an indicator. Do not forget, I worked there as a Federal contractor for 7 years; I had the occasion to meet some folks like this guy.

And so far they’re 0-fer. Always bet the pattern. Take the Pats to win. And the “super bug” to lose.

Understand what I think this is. Will it be like King's "The Stand"? No. Will it be even as serious as the movie "Contaigon"? No.

Will it cause more deaths than the flu, possibly a disruptive number? Possibly. So far it appears to have an R0 of 4 or so, four times as much as the flu, and 1% to 2% mortality, combined with a 20% serious morbidity... well, that's no joke.

Hey, I hope you're right. I'll never be happier to be wrong. This thing seems to love diabetics and I am Type II.

[Conserv]

It may not be the Corona Virus “hoax”, but it IS the Corona Virus “HYPE”.
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Well Said

[Grampa Dave]

We buy from Wally World, but certain ‘flavors’ of Progresso are hard to find.

[CodeToad]

I’m concerned that Laz might not want to hit on an ugly girl who has caught the virus. That just makes the ugos suffer even more.

[crusty old prospector]

I caught it around 2010. Flu-like symptoms for about a week. Splitting headache.

[Leep]

“I’m concerned about Hillary coming back as a zombie.”

You mean she isn’t one now?

[Leep]

I had flew like symptoms that started around the same time the Cronavirus started and never even thought once i might have it.

[crusty old prospector]

I’m concerned how the corona virus will be affected by climate change.

[discostu]

And understand I won’t. Because I see this every single year. There’s always somebody. And they always have somebody. And that somebody’s somebody is always wrong. I suppose, much like economists predicting 20 out of the last 4 recessions, one of these days they’re gonna be right. But I don’t think so. We’ve got much better meds than the last time there was a “super bug”. Especially in the West. The fact is you can get better stuff OTC at Walgreens than Chinese get in the hospital. That’s a big part of why these things always peter out. We also have better sanitation. And just plain lower crowding, more room to sneeze if you will.

I also don’t put much stock in the annual stats. Mostly because there’s that huge pool of data that never gets collected. We never know how many people get the flu and never go to a doctor, I’ve been tested for the flu once, at age 49, and it came back positive. Have I ever had the flu before? Who knows. Been sick. Been pretty darn sick. Might have been the flu. Or not. Got better without needing a doctor, didn’t get tested, could have been anything. Similar going on with corona. We really don’t know how contagious it is, we really don’t know how lethal it is, cause we have no way of knowing who got it and shook it off without a doctor or test.

Most bugs love diabetics. You’ve got a weakened immune system. You gotta be careful. Heck we should all be careful, being sick sucks, making other people sick is rude. Especially if they have weakened immune systems.

But this ain’t it. Mostly because it ain’t been it in over a century.

[crusty old prospector]

Oh, so you are the cause of all of this fuss.

[Conserv]

I’m thinking about auctioning them off on eBay with a minimum bid 2K$’s per mask.
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lol.

You would have some takers. Perhaps the idiots who think this is all caused by Corona beer.

[Lazamataz]

Because I see this every single year. There’s always somebody. And they always have somebody. And that somebody’s somebody is always wrong. I suppose, much like economists predicting 20 out of the last 4 recessions, one of these days they’re gonna be right. But I don’t think so. We’ve got much better meds than the last time there was a “super bug”. Especially in the West. The fact is you can get better stuff OTC at Walgreens than Chinese get in the hospital. That’s a big part of why these things always peter out. We also have better sanitation. And just plain lower crowding, more room to sneeze if you will.

These are very positive circumstances. They do favor a better outcome for the US.

But this ain’t it.

Unfortunately, my contact didn't elaborate. What does "This is it" mean? It ranges from "This is a superbug that the Chinese were trying to weaponize" to "This is more problematic than other viruses" to who-knows-what.

I respected the hang-up though, and didn't call back. I suspect the hang-up means, "Shouldn't have said that, will not say more."

Who knows. Time will tell.

[Lazamataz]

However, if you die from this, I will drop a bouquet on your grave, and the inscription will be “Tried to tell ya!”

[goodnesswins]

Ahhh...take Lots of vitamin C and D/K...I have an autoimmune disease (low level) so I kinda know what you’re talking about.

[plain talk]

This event exposes a real vulnerability. All it takes is a highly contagious and more deadly version of this virus to bring our country and its economy to its knees.

Having said that ...

[Vendome]

“...and it’s 1,2,3 what are we fighting for...”

[Conserv]

This was posted by my sister’s doctor...

Westside Pediatrics, Inc.
February 26 at 2:02 PM ·
Good morning! We thought it would be helpful to share our thoughts on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Although it has not hit North America yet, with it now spreading into Western Europe it is likely on its way and we want you to be as informed as possible.

Approximately 20% of the common colds we experience seasonally are coronaviruses. This viral family is nothing new, but over the years two strains have emerged that were more concerning. SARS and MERS had mortality rates of 9.5 and 34.5%, respectively. Fortunately these did not become widespread and have been contained. Unfortunately, we now have COVID-19 and it appears to be more easily spread and therefore harder to contain. Its origin is unclear and up for debate, as has been the quality of the data provided by China, but now we have numbers from outside of China (that are consistent with China’s reports) and we have included them below for your review.

Current mortality statistics based on best available prelim data:
• average overall mortality rate 2.3%
• history of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, or cancer is 5-10%
• no history of chronic disease <1%
• overall men 2.8%
• overall women 1.7%

By age:
• over 80 years old 15%
• 10-19 of age 0.0018%
• 0-9 years of age ~0%

On a positive note, we can breathe a sigh of relief that our children are clearly not at significant risk. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our older family members (being male, elderly, and especially having chronic ailments puts one at greatest risk). The biggest problem is this illness is going to look like a sniffle for many of us and so it’s easy for it to go unnoticed and unknowingly spread it.

So, what can we do..

HYGIENE
• Washing our hands thoroughly (under water for more than 15 seconds) is always the best and most effective preventative measure.
• Remind your kids to keep their hands off their face! Pathogens enter our body through the eyes, nose and mouth...
• Don’t send your kids to school or the park when they may be contagious. For the common cold doctors typically advise 5-7 days of avoidance, but when kids feel better after 2-3 days so many of us send them back to school. It’s therefore no surprise our flu seasons are long and challenging. With COVID-19 this practice needs to STOP (and it should anyway). Although our children may not be at significant risk, our beloved friends and families are.

TRAVEL
• The CDC is advising against non essential travel to China and South Korea.
• Until we know more, we would suggest restricting any travel outside of North America.

TESTING
• Your local clinics do not have a reliable test for this yet. Commercially available testing is on the horizon, but initial batches were faulty and so there have been delays. Our practice is actively searching for testing options and will spare no expense when they become available.
• Suspected cases are currently being referred to the department of public health for testing. The CDC is only advising testing for patients with cold symptoms who have traveled to China or have a known exposure to a COVID-19 patient.

TREATMENT
• For most of us COVID-19 will just look like a common cold. Currently there are no known specific treatments for COVID-19 other than supportive care.

What we should do if we develop cold symptoms (runny nose, fever, mild cough)
• isolate
• see your doctor
• treat fever with Ibuprofen and or Acetaminophen
• address congestion with nasal saline, humidifiers, steam showers, vics, cough and cold remedies (as age appropriate)
• Hydrate

If your cold moves into your chest see your doctor to rule out pneumonia.
• COVID-19 mortality is generally due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and/or pneumonia
Early supportive care will improve outcomes. Options include:
• steroids to slow the immune response that can lead to ARDS
• Inhalers to improve lung function and ease breathing
• antibiotics to address and or prevent secondary bacterial complications
• inpatient care when extreme/necessary (diuretics, vents...)

Don’t forget there are other illnesses out there...
• If fevers are high see your doctor to rule out influenza - Tamiflu/Xofluza work best when started early (preferably <48h)
• If you have a red sore throat with or without fever or an upset stomach see your doctor to rule out strep.

______________________

Coronaviruses are typically seasonal and so we can hope that by the time it gets here our weather warms, flu season ends, and this virus burns itself out. That said, with it so widespread worldwide there is a good chance it will become a seasonal threat, regardless. By then we hope that a safe and effective vaccine will be available. Until then we try to control spread and take care of each other.

In conclusion, please DO NOT PANIC. For the vast majority of us this is just another cold. Please let us help if you have any concerns.

Lawrence Kagan, MD, FAAP

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[SuperLuminal]

Zero concern... Just trying for 200...