China Quarantines Millions After Thousands Exposed To Mutating Virus That Has Killed Many

[DemonGeminiX]

9 Coronavirus Myths You Should Stop Believing

The coronavirus and the infection it causes, COVID-19, have rapidly spread to countries and territories all over the world. This family of viruses is not new. Other types, or strains, of coronavirus are common in animals and have been known to cause common-cold-like symptoms in people. However, this particular strain of coronavirus is new.

When the first cases were reported in 2019 in Wuhan, China, it had not been seen previously, making it a novel virus. Thus far, the coronavirus has infected approximately 90,000 people, killing more than 3,000, according to Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering map.

These numbers are likely to rise, according to Alexea Gaffney-Adams, MD, board-certified internist with additional subspecialty training in infectious diseases at Stony Brook on Long Island, New York. "There is no population immunity, which means everyone is susceptible," she says. "Also, little is known about how long patients without symptoms are contagious, which makes the infection difficult to contain." As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern.

But how worried should you actually be—and what are your chances of getting the coronavirus? There's a lot of mixed messages and plenty of fallacies surrounding the hows, whys, and whats of the coronavirus. We asked medical experts to set the record straight by helping debunk these popular coronavirus myths.

Myth: Coronavirus is the most dangerous and deadly virus

Many other viruses have a higher mortality rate than the coronavirus, according to Ashish Sharma, MD, a hospital medicine specialist at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Arizona. Even the flu is thought to be more dangerous because so many more people get it each year. "According to the CDC, this flu season from October 2019 to February 2020 alone has seen 26 to 36 million people affected, with a quarter to half a million people getting hospitalized and fourteen thousand to thirty-six thousand deaths from influenza infection," says Dr. Sharma. "Similarly, the Ebola virus has a much higher fatality rate compared to coronavirus, which so far seems to have a 1-2 percent fatality rate with severe infection."

The flu mortality rate is thought to be lower than coronavirus, at about 0.1%, While the mortality rate for coronavirus is not yet clear (estimates range from 0.7 to 4% with about 2.3% the most frequently cited), the WHO and other health organizations says it's still worth trying to contain the virus so that fewer people get it. That said, the majority of people—80%, according to CDC—who get it are thought to have mild symptoms, although it's dangerous for some.

Myth: Coronavirus originated from 'bat soup' consumption

There is no evidence to support this rumor, according to experts. It's true that coronavirus can be found in bats. However, Dr. Sharma explains, this came from animal-to-person spread in the wet market (seafood- and meat-selling market) in Wuhan with other animal species. "There are different speculations, but the virus spreading from bat soup person has not been confirmed." The rumor got its start from a 2016 video of a vlogger eating "bat soup," which was recirculated after the coronavirus outbreak, prompting outrage. The video was not filmed in Wuhan, as some people reported erroneously, but actually the South Pacific island, Palau, she told News Corp Australia.

Myth: Wearing a surgical mask will protect you from the coronavirus

Certain models of professional, tight-fitting respirators (such as the N95) can protect health care workers as they care for infected patients, but lightweight, disposable surgical masks don't go far when it comes to protecting the general public, says Nikhil Bhayani, MD, infectious diseases specialist at Texas Health Resources in Bedford, Texas. "They may provide some protection from large drops, sprays or splashes, but because they don't fit tightly, they may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth or eyes," he says. "Also, people with the virus on their hands who touch their faces under a mask might become infected." The current recommendations for protecting yourself include washing your hands, avoiding touching your face.

Myth: There is medicine that can treat coronavirus

All viruses, including the flu, cannot be treated with antibiotics—and the coronavirus is no different. Additionally, none of the antivirals that are for treating other viral illnesses work for the coronavirus. What does work for common cold symptoms and mild viruses, explains Sharon Nachman, MD, chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, is getting plenty of fluids, resting and staying home so that your friends and neighbors don't get sick from you.

Myth: Spraying yourself with alcohol or sanitizing products can prevent infections from coronavirus

Some people believe spraying themselves with sanitizing products can help protect them from the coronavirus. This is untrue, according to Frederick Davis, DO, associate chair, emergency medicine at Northwell Health, Long Island Jewish Medical Center. "The coronavirus enters the body through mucous membranes like the mouth and nares, so spraying your body with alcohol, chlorine, or other surface disinfectants will not prevent infections," he says. "While these substances can be effective means to disinfect surfaces and prevent transmission of viruses, the same chemicals on the skin can be harmful to a person and should not be applied in that manner."

Myth: Eating at Chinese restaurants is likely to spread the virus

Chinese restaurants are seeing their businesses plummet. But, experts say there is absolutely no reason to stop going to your favorite food spots. "The virus is not racist and you shouldn't be either," says Caesar Djavaherian, MD, San Francisco-based emergency room doctor and co-founder of Carbon Health. "Coronavirus infects people of all ethnicities, not just the Asian community."

Myth: Ordering or buying products shipped from other countries can make you sick

Researchers are studying the new coronavirus to learn more about how it infects people. Most viruses, like this one, do not stay alive on surfaces for a prolonged time period, explains Dr. Bhayani. "It is not likely that you would get COVID-19 from a package that was in transit for days or weeks," he says. "The illness is most likely transmitted by droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough, but more information is emerging daily."

Myth: You can get a coronavirus test at your physician or emergency department

So far, testing has been limited to individuals who traveled recently to countries with many COVID-19 cases or those who had been in close contact with someone who had the infection, but health experts are working hard to expand testing capabilities. The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it is aggressively expanding testing capabilities, and granted emergency authorization to some public health laboratories so they could conduct more testing. At the moment, efforts to expand the availability of tests are underway but they may not be readily available at local hospitals.

Myth: You should not travel at all while there is a coronavirus outbreak

While the CDC has issued guidelines for travelers going to China, as well as other areas that are seeing cases such as South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy, there is no travel ban of sorts for locations that are relatively unaffected by the coronavirus. (Cases have been reported on every continent except Antarctica.) In fact, the WHO advises against travel bans, noting that they tend to be ineffective when it comes to controlling outbreaks.

However, you should pay attention to travel advisories. "It is prudent for travelers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travelers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions," says the WHO.

It's important to remain vigilant of hygiene. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection to others. However, there's no reason to cancel your travel plans at this time, depending on your level of comfort with the possible risk, your personal health, and the part of the world you are traveling to.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/med...vei?li=BBnbfcL

[lost in melb.]

I hear it's nice in Wuhan this time of year

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By David Aaro | Fox News




World health officials confirmed on Tuesday the fatality rate for the new coronavirus is at 3.4 percent globally, as Japan's Olympics minister said there's a possibility the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo could be delayed.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, announced the increase during a media briefing, which differed from the previously estimated global mortality rate of around 2 percent. In comparison, the death rate for the seasonal flu is "far fewer than one percent," he said.

"While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity; that means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease," Tedros said. "Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have died; by comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected."

There are over 90,000 cases of the new coronavirus in at least 70 countries. Over 3,100 deaths have been reported around the world, including nine in the U.S. -- all in Washington State.

Tedros added the COVID-19 is a unique virus that is deadlier, but it doesn't spread as easily when compared to influenza.

"This virus is not SARS, it's not MERS, and it's not influenza; It is a unique virus with unique characteristics," he said. "With influenza, people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission, which does not appear to be the case for COVID-19."

The number of coronavirus infections in Japan reached the 1,000 mark on Wednesday, with 706 of them being on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. It's health ministry reported 12 people have died from the virus so far.

Minister Seiko Hashimoto implied the Olympics could be held later in the year and wouldn't have to start on their planned July 24 date.

“The IOC has the right to cancel the games only if they are not held during 2020,” Hashimoto told parliament, according to the Japan Times. “This can be interpreted to mean the games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year.”

The minister's suggestion was quelled by International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams during a meeting of its executive board in Switzerland.

"We are going to have the games on the 24th of July," he said, according to the paper.

New cases dropped again in China on Wednesday, with only 119 reported. The country had 99 percent of the world's infections as of last month, but now that number is at 95 percent.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Jacob Dirnhuber - The Daily Star




Smokers are more likely to be killed by the deadly coronavirus , a top medic has warned.

Studies have shown that pre-existing lung problems are linked to a higher mortality rate – with adults more at risk than kids.

Professor Raina MacIntyre, the head of Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales's Kirby Institute, said: “People who had exacerbations of lung disease during the bushfires and are still not recovered from that may be worse affected.

“Those who did not have lung disease and are recovered from smoke effects should not be at greater risk, but we have no research or data to be certain of this.”

Australian National University Associate Professor of Medicine Sanjaya Senanayake said smoking cigarettes also make the issue worse.

He said: “Smoking is associated with other illnesses such as chronic lung and chronic heart diseases which are associated with more severe disease and worse outcomes from coronavirus.



“Just because no direct link hadn't yet been established, that doesn’t mean there wouldn't be one in future.

“It's always a good time to quit smoking.”

The warning comes as England and Wales' Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the UK will see a significant number of COVID-19 cases and "some deaths”.



He added that it is "sensible" to plan for up to 20% of Brits to be sick at one time.

NHS England has mandated hospitals to test all patients in intensive care who are showing signs of a lung infection for coronavirus.

Bosses have been told to draft up plans to segregate wards such as A&E department, critical care and diagnostic areas amid fears of a “significant escalation” in cases.



Professor Whitty earlier warned that up to 80% of Britons would catch the bug in the government's worst case scenario, and 1% of those infected may die.

The army could be deployed to tackle the coronavirus as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to fight the disease.

Soldiers could be deployed to guard vital sites so the police are free to deal with potential public disorder, according to new government plans.

[lost in melb.]

[url=https://ibb.co/rfzJPTf][url]

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Zoe Drewett for Metro.co.uk




Empty shelves have emerged in supermarkets across the UK as shoppers begin to stockpile, despite warnings against ‘panic buying’.

Stocks of hand sanitisers, face masks and tissues have already reportedly been running low as people attempt to protect themselves from catching coronavirus, which has infected 85 people in Britain.

Boots has imposed a two-bottle limit on sanitiser gel to its customers, while toilet paper shortages have also been reported with some in Australia selling loo roll online at increased prices, including one chancer who tried to sell a single sheet ‘as new’ for £514 on Facebook Marketplace.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has urged people to continue as they normally would, with most essentials still widely available in shops. Stores often have empty shelves as they restock items, and experts believe shoppers may simply be more sensitive to seeing them as the coronavirus spreads in the UK.


Empty shelves in Asda, Govan, last night where there should be hand sanitizer and soap




Even fresh food is running low at a Sainsbury’s in East Dulwich, London

Yesterday the government announced its battle plan for dealing with coronavirus and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, advised people to remain calm and said: ‘I think the advice is that there is absolutely no reason to be doing any panic buying of any sort or going out and keeping large supplies of things.’

But the message isn’t getting through. Rice, pasta, couscous, Pot Noodles, tins of beans, bottled water and pet food – as well as chilled items including milk, butter and yoghurt – are all reportedly selling out fast.

Pharmacy shelves are also emptying of paracetamol, ibuprofen and immune-system boosting tablets such as Berocca as people prepare to fight off the flu-like illness that has claimed hundreds of lives worldwide.

Facebook and Twitter is packed with photographs of empty shelves from major supermarkets across the UK. But retailers are moving to reassure shoppers.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: ‘Disruption to supply chains has been limited, and the availability of products remains good. Retailers are working closely with their suppliers and monitoring consumer behaviour to anticipate changes in future demand.

‘Retailers are also taking necessary steps to meet the rise in demand for certain hygiene products.’


More empty shelves in Sainsbury’s pharmacy isle






One shopper said he was shocked by the empty shelves at Glasgow’s Govan store

A Boots spokesperson said the company has seen in increase in sales of hand sanitisers but new stock is arriving in stores daily, with current stock available in their warehouses and to buy online.

They said in a statement: ‘The best way to help prevent catching a virus is by making sure that you regularly wash your hands with soap, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent transmission from surfaces, especially after blowing your nose, sneezing and coughing. Antiviral hand foams and gel can also be useful when you are out and about.’

If food supplies do dwindle due to mass panic buying, food retail expert Bruno Monteyne, a former supply chain director at Tesco, revealed that big food stores would be making plans to transition to something known as ‘feed-the-nation’ status.

This would sees supermarkets work with suppliers to ensure shelves are well stocked with staple products, rather than the huge varieties currently available.


Shoppers have been hitting the cleaning aisles hard


Nappies are running low at this Tesco in Raynes Park, London

The advice for the general public remains the same, wash hands, check in on relatives and neighbours and accept that, in most cases, they will be told to stay at home if they have coronavirus.

In a worst case scenario, up to 80% of the population could become infected, with people in hospital with pneumonia and a relatively high death rate among the elderly and frail, chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said.

Officials hope to delay the peak of the virus until the warmer months when health services are less busy coping with seasonal flu.

Legislation allowing the Government to use extra powers to help control Covid-19 is expected to go through Parliament by the end of the month. Globally, more than 90,000 cases have been confirmed, with more than 3,000 deaths.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Yahoo News Australia




As scientists around the world work to better understand the COVID-19 disease, scientists in China believe they have discovered a mutation in coronavirus that is fuelling the global outbreak.

The deadly coronavirus has mutated into two strains, one of which appears to be far more aggressive.

That’s the preliminary findings from researchers at Peking University's School of Life Sciences and the Institute Pasteur of Shanghai in China, in a paper examining the “origin and continuing evolution” of what’s been officially dubbed SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).

“Population genetic analyses of 103 SARS-CoV-2 genomes indicated that these viruses evolved into two major types,” researchers wrote in the paper published in the National Science Review.

According to the study, scientists discovered the virus evolved into two major lineages, dubbed the ‘S’ and ‘L’ types.

The S type is older, and thus considered the “ancestral version”, but accounted for about 30 per cent of cases. The L type, however, is more prevalent and accounts for about of 70 per cent of cases, researchers said.

“The L type was more prevalent in the early stages of the outbreak in Wuhan, the frequency of the L type decreased after early January 2020,” researchers noted.

“Human intervention may have placed more severe selective pressure on the L type, which might be more aggressive and spread more quickly.”

The study sheds some light on how COVID-19 is evolving and suggests that more mutations could be possible in the future – a situation that could hinder efforts to find a vaccine.

According to the UK’s The Telegraph, genetic analysis of a man in the US who tested positive on January 21 showed it was possible to be infected with both types.

However the researchers were quick to note that more research is needed to understand the significance of the study’s findings and how SARS-CoV-2 differs from other coronaviruses.

“These findings strongly support an urgent need for further immediate, comprehensive studies that combine genomic data, epidemiological data, and chart records of the clinical symptoms of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” they wrote.

COVID-19 ‘so effective at transmitting’

The discovery of what appears to be a mutation in the virus comes as cases continue to spread across the world, including Australia with new cases announced in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on Thursday.

Professor Ian Mackay, virologist and associate professor at The University of Queensland, says it’s clear the COVID-19 disease isn’t going away any time soon.

“We’ll just see this virus bounce around, looking for new hosts,” he told Yahoo News Australia.

“I think what happens is the virus keeps spreading in countries, there are more and more hotspots outside of China,” he said.

“We’re seeing exponential growth in a few countries around Europe, so it does look like it’s taking off.

“This virus, I think, will stay with us because it’s so effective at transmitting – like the other four human coronaviruses we live with right now,” he said.

“Those cause relatively mild disease at the moment because we’ve lived with them for so long... this virus may settle down to be more like them, or it may not.”

[lost in melb.]

Hm

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Tiffany Lo - The Daily Star




A man who filmed the horrifying footage of body bags found in an Iranian hospital has been arrested.

The video, shared on Twitter by Mohamad Ahwaze, showed lines of body bags filled with people allegedly killed by coronavirus on the floor.

It is understood that the man has been identified as a suspected hospital worker but not other details have been disclosed yet.

The footage, which has been viewed over 920,000 times, was taken from inside a hospital in the city of Qom.

Qom is where the killer COVID-19 was first detected and is the region with the highest amount of deaths alongside Iran's capital, Tehran.

The man recording walks through several rooms of the facility as more and more body bags appear on gurneys.

Local media reported the deceased were victims of COVID-19, but this has not been officially confirmed.

A journalist in the region has claimed the body bags have been placed in the hospital because there is no space for them.

Iran has experienced 2,922 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with at least 92 people killed, according to local media.

The Iranian government has announced new measures to combat the virus, saying that it would temporarily release 54,000 people from prison and deploy thousands of health workers.

Last week, a dozen Iranian government officials were reportedly infected by COVID-19, including the country's Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi and the Vice President for Women’s and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a member of the Expediency Council which advises Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died of the virus on Monday.

[Godfather]

Wife and I are going to LA and Palm Springs for a little vacay (comedy shows, dinners, LA kings game, etc.) in two weeks. Hope our trip doesn't get fucked up by Cali declaring a state of emergency. I think we'll be okay but I'm a touch worried our travel plans may get messed with.


EDIT: Fuck, one of my wife's colleagues was just quarantined for covid-19 contact, she just got an email about it right now. Now I'm even more nervous. I wish I'd bought trip cancellation insurance but I've never purchased it before so I'm not even sure if it'd cover quarantine.

[DemonGeminiX]

[DemonGeminiX]

I'm wondering if the rest of the world is ready to nuke the Chinese over this yet.

[perrhaps]

Lance: Please quit posting all this FAKE NEWS!

[lost in melb.]

By Jacob Dirnhuber - The Daily Star




Smokers are more likely to be killed by the deadly coronavirus , a top medic has warned.

Studies have shown that pre-existing lung problems are linked to a higher mortality rate – with adults more at risk than kids.

Professor Raina MacIntyre, the head of Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales's Kirby Institute, said: “People who had exacerbations of lung disease during the bushfires and are still not recovered from that may be worse affected.

“Those who did not have lung disease and are recovered from smoke effects should not be at greater risk, but we have no research or data to be certain of this.”

Australian National University Associate Professor of Medicine Sanjaya Senanayake said smoking cigarettes also make the issue worse.

He said: “Smoking is associated with other illnesses such as chronic lung and chronic heart diseases which are associated with more severe disease and worse outcomes from coronavirus.



“Just because no direct link hadn't yet been established, that doesn’t mean there wouldn't be one in future.

“It's always a good time to quit smoking.”

The warning comes as England and Wales' Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the UK will see a significant number of COVID-19 cases and "some deaths”.



He added that it is "sensible" to plan for up to 20% of Brits to be sick at one time.

NHS England has mandated hospitals to test all patients in intensive care who are showing signs of a lung infection for coronavirus.

Bosses have been told to draft up plans to segregate wards such as A&E department, critical care and diagnostic areas amid fears of a “significant escalation” in cases.



Professor Whitty earlier warned that up to 80% of Britons would catch the bug in the government's worst case scenario, and 1% of those infected may die.

The army could be deployed to tackle the coronavirus as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to fight the disease.

Soldiers could be deployed to guard vital sites so the police are free to deal with potential public disorder, according to new government plans.

Ha, Just saw this one. I think this will account for a lot in china and inflate that mortality rate

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By David Aaro | Fox News




A part-time employee who worked at CenturyLink Field during a February XFL game in Seattle has tested positive for the coronavirus, as the state announced 31 new cases on Thursday.

The employee has yet to be identified and worked as a concession worker at the stadium, according to the Seattle Times.

State officials said the infection risk is low for the 22,060 people that attended the game between the Seattle Dragons and the Dallas Renegades on Feb. 22.

"County officials advise that no extra precautions are required for those who attended the Feb. 22 game or who will attend upcoming events, but all King County residents should know that the risk for infection with COVID-19 is increasing in our community, should be aware of their symptoms, and call their health care provider if they develop a cough, fever, or other respiratory problems," King County officials said in a statement.

Seattle's professional sports organizations will continue to house their scheduled events, as health officials recommend those at higher risk for the illness [over 60, chronic health condition, weakened immune system, pregnant] stay home and "away form larger groups of people as much as possible."

The other teams that play in the area include the Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Mariners, and the Seattle Seahawks -- whose first preseason game is at the stadium in August.

"The teams are in touch with local health officials and their respective leagues on a regular basis, as this public health issue continues to evolve," the statement said.

Dave Pearson, a First and Goal spokesman, told the paper on Thursday that the worker "did not show symptoms at the time and has not been at the stadium since."

The XFL said it established a coronavirus task force and is closely monitoring the issue.

“The health and safety of the extended XFL family -- especially our fans in Seattle -- is of the utmost importance," said Jeffrey Pollack, XFL President. "We share everyone’s concern about this public health issue and understand it is evolving on a daily basis.”

Health officials are reportedly working closely at the stadium to "provide a safe matchday experience."

"Stadium efforts include expanded sanitation procedures – encompassing enhanced cleaning treatments to disinfect all areas of the stadium before and after every event – in addition to increased hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue and continued staff education and training," health officials said.

The next scheduled event at CenturyLink Field is a soccer match between the Sounders FC and Columbus Crew SC on Saturday.

"We are in continuous dialogue with regional health authorities and Major League Soccer, in addition to our network of medical experts. Because of this, we are proceeding with Saturday's match," the team said in a statement.

Washington state is considered the epicenter for the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. It now has 70 confirmed cases, up from 39 on Wednesday, while 11 people have died from the virus.

Vice President Mike Pence visited the hard-hit state on Thursday after Trump appointed him to oversee the U.S. efforts in containing the virus.

Pence called it "the front line" of the outbreak.