Social distancing and face masks!

 Ever since the advent of the scourge, aka the copronavirus virus from China, the world has gone into a head spin after getting charged up by a hyper media blitz. And. today in August 2020, people all over are dressing up like play surgeons appearing on TV. Everything from face masks, goggles, shields and even disposable gloves are de rigor. And is all this based on real science? Well, partially, but like so much else coming from politically charged outlets like CNN, there is also quite a bit of hype. So, here are a few opinions from this individual;

1) While the virus from Wuhan China is exceptionally contagious, it is also not very severe. At least, not to individuals are in good health and under the ago of 70. If you happen to be older and also suffer from any of the big three; diabetes, obesity or heart related disease, then I would encourage those individuals to practice PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) no matter where they mighty live in the US. Getting sick, for that group of citizens, could prove fatal.

2) Excepting those restraints in #1, I would encourage younger and healthy individuals to perform a risk assessment as to where they live in the United States. Hanging out in NYC, for instance, would require as much social distancing and PPE as you could afford. Those in Wyoming, however were virtually no infections are seen so pretty much carry on as usual. You can visit the John Hopkins University site to get a quick overview of the hot spots right down to the County level.

3) Cold spots, like Taney County Mo., do not pose much of a threat as having 5 deaths over seven months is simply statistically insignificant. And there's even a positive if you do catch the bug and recover. You will very likely be immune for some years to that variety of coronavirus and as you wander about will create a human barrier between the virus and those susceptible to catching it. It's what is known as herd immunity.

So, that's it. Check out where you live. Take the acceptable actions you feel will work, and then live your life. Whatever you do, however, don't allow a group of politically left-leaning individuals in the media or in government to try and frighten you into mindless obedience. For instance, while I was shopping at a local grocery store this day, it was easy to notice the reactions of mask wearing individuals who either looked at me in a disapproving fashion or who attempted to quickly distance themselves from me. That wasn't science IO was watching, that was raw fear. Fear put into their minds by cold-hearted left wing nut jobs who likely couldn't even spell the word science.

Coronavirus Covid-19 clinical information!

Coronavirus clinical:

• COVID-19 is the disease, SARS-2-CoV is the virus. 
• Transmission
  • Respiratory and likely by fomite (contact with hard surfaces). Virus found in respiratory secretions and saliva.
  • Stool shedding also described, but uncertain what role, if any, that plays.
• Incubation period
  • Mean of 6.4 days, range 2-12. For people quarantined, 14d observation recommended to exclude infection, though 24d asymptomatic time from exposure described.
  • Viral shedding occurs following recovery, but unclear what role this plays in transmission.
  • Children and intrafamilial (family) spread appear to be a growing means of transmission.
• Cause of upper respiratory tract disease and pneumonia.
  • The most common symptoms include fever, fatigue, and dry cough.
    • Fever (83-98%)
    • Cough (46-82%, usually dry)
    • Myalgia (muscle pain) or fatigue (11-44%)
    • Shortness of breath at onset (31%)
    • Less common symptoms:
      • Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx )
      • Headache
      • Productive cough
      • GI symptoms
      • Hemoptysis (coughing up of blood )
• Estimates are ~80% of infections non-severe, including asymptomatic infection likely.
  • The mortality rate is thought to be ≤2%, but precise numbers uncertain due to a lack of available serological testing.
    • The mortality rate is less than that commonly ascribed to severe community-acquired pneumonia (12-15%) but more than seasonal influenza (~0.1%).
  • Most deaths in patients with comorbidities (the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient) and often elderly (> 60 considered a "risk factor"), although healthy younger patients also described.
• Epidemiology
  
  • China remains with most reported cases, but as of March 2020, upswing in many countries including especially S Korea, Italy, US (California, Washington state).
  • 
    

NIH - Some coronavirus facts!

In late December 2019, the World Health Organization declared the illness resulting from the new virus, COVID-19, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. By early March 2020, the novel coronavirus—now named SARS-CoV-2—had infected more than 90,000 people worldwide and killed at least 3,100.Note: COVID-19 is the disease, SARS-2-CoV is the virus.

Like other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 particles are spherical and have proteins called spikes protruding from their surface. These spikes latch onto human cells, then undergo a structural change that allows the viral membrane to fuse with the cell membrane. The viral genes can then enter the host cell to be copied, producing more viruses. Recent work shows that, like the virus that caused the 2002 SARS outbreak, SARS-CoV-2 spikes bind to receptors on the human cell surface called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

The researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 spike was 10 to 20 times more likely to bind ACE2 on human cells than the spike from the SARS virus from 2002. This may enable SARS-CoV-2 to spread more easily from person to person than the earlier virus.

Despite similarities in sequence and structure between the spikes of the two viruses, three different antibodies against the 2002 SARS virus could not successfully bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This suggests that potential vaccine and antibody-based treatment strategies will need to be unique to the new virus.[It also suggest that more 'novel' mutations may occur in the future.]

Clinical information here - https://forsythkid.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-clinical.html

Source: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/novel-coronavirus-structure-reveals-targets-vaccines-treatments

China is America's exististenal threat!

Phase 1

Engineer a virus that is very contagious and release it in Dec 2019. This virus is similar to the flu virus from a genome standpoint. By early summer when the virus finally dies out,a bout 35% of the Chinese population have gotten sick and have recovered. Over in America, only about 1% had this bug due to very energetic efforts to contain it.

Phase II

November 2020 - A second engineered virus is released in Hunan China. However. This bug, while also highly contagious is virtually identical to the Phase 1 bug with the exception that it also has a gene complex that makes it very lethal with a mortality rate higher than that of Ebola.

Results

Perhaps 500 million Chinese get sick and die, but not those millions who got the original Phase 1 dude. They are basically immune. Over in the US and other developed countries where the original bug was highly contained... Well that would be a very different story will many tens of millions dead.

The economic scenarios for China and the US would also be very different. As morbid as it may sound, China can easily afford to kill off half a billion of its citizens, while the US would suffer much more and might even see an economic collapse, as a result.

Moral

Why engage in a messy world war when you can defeat your opponents with a tiny bug!

See: Virus-hit Wuhan has two laboratories linked to Chinese bio-warfare program

See! Trump's gone and done it again!

Washington D.C. - 'Today, I come to you with a heavy heart'. Intoned a solemn Chuck Schumer, as he stood at a podium flanked by other Democrats. He shuffled some papers and then looked directly into the camera and state, "As you all know, the Coronavirus has now infected almost 80 individuals all across our great country and I have called again on President Trump to declare a State of Marshal Law, effective immediately." [A tittering sound came from somewhere behind him.. was that laughter?]

"As you know, President Trump has done everything possible to impair the House's call for one trillion dollars in aid to help curve off what might be an out of control pandemic.' Chuck stopped for a moment to let his grave words sink in... He then resumed, 'What we have now a situation that will have an even graver impact than the recent 4000 point drop in the Dow Jones!' Chuck then raided a forefinger and stabbed it at the nearest camera. "And let it be known that this has transpired on Trump's watch!" Chuck took a deep breath. "My fellow Americans, something must be done about the monster before he wrecks the economy even more than what we've endured these past three years!' Chuck then spread his arms while his eyes sweep the auditorium.; "True, thus far only a few citizens have perished from the virus, yet perhaps this is only the beginning of the end!" Directly behind Chuck and off to his left, Nancy was smiling ear to ear. She was also looking just a bit deranged...

The room was so silent, at that point, you could hear a pin drop. Chuck then reached down and pulled up a handful of documents and held them proudly up for everyone present to see. 'I have here NEW articles of impeachment that were drawn up in a closed door session just last night.' He then turns and solemnly hands the papers over to Nancy, who seems about to swoon. Chuck continued. 'Our evidence of high crimes is overwhelming (this time) and I will be calling for a full vote in the House next Tuesday.'

Chuck then turns as though he was finished speaking, but stops and turns back to face the cameras. 'Oh, I almost forgot. Sanders has taken suddenly ill and is in a coma. Graciously filing his shoes will be Michelle Obama, who I am sure will do a great job!' Chuck then left the stage and headed for his chair, where He shooed out an invisible person, before sitting down.....

Interesting take on the coronavirus!

DALLAS, Texas (NEXSTAR) — With the coronavirus causing concerns across the globe, many people may be wondering if their seasonal symptoms are the common cold, flu or something more.
Symptoms for the viral infection include runny nose, headache, couch and fever. And yes, those are also the common symptoms of the flu.

According to a report in Canada’s Global News, that creates difficulty for media professionals. It may be challenging to weed out mild cases of coronavirus due to its similarities with the flu, said Allison McGeer, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

“Every respiratory virus is the same — you get a runny nose, a stuffy nose, a cough, sometimes a sore throat, all because the lining of your nose and throat are damaged. The symptoms are caused by that virus or bacteria damaging the cells of your respiratory tract. It doesn’t matter what virus is causing it,” Greer told Global News.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shortness of breath, body aches and chills could be associated with more dangerous types of the coronavirus. In more extreme cases, the virus may cause pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney failure and death.

Symptoms of milder coronavirus cases can be “somewhat indistinguishable” from the flu, Eleanor Fish, an immunology professor at the University of Toronto, told Global News.

While there isn’t a vaccine to prevent coronavirus, there is a diagnostic test that quickly detects the bug. There are research teams already hard at work to create a vaccine.

At this point, the experts say travel history plays the biggest role in determining whether you have flu or cold-like symptoms versus the coronavirus. If you haven’t traveled to Wuhan, China, you’re likely in the clear.[Source: https://www.kron4.com]