Closing schools, banning large gatherings, and imposing or ordering isolation or quarantine for ill individuals are the top three proven methods of controlling epidemics. This is based on studies of past epidemics.
Someone who has contracted the coronavirus and got well can still transmit the disease, Fauci says
CNN
Just because someone who had the coronavirus is feeling better, that does not mean they still can’t spread the disease, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci dispelled this misconception tonight during CNN’s coronavirus town hall.
“You can become infected, get symptomatic, resolve the symptoms, feel well, and still share the virus. You can go back to your normal life when you have two consecutive tests for the coronavirus that are negative, separated by 24 hours. That is an excellent question. Just because you feel better or feel well does not mean you are not sharing the virus,” Fauci said.
The US has at least 1,635 coronavirus cases
There are at least 1,635 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States, according to state and local health agencies, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
70 cases are repatriated citizens, like those evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or from China.
1,565 cases were detected and tested in the US, and are spread out across 46 states and the District of Columbia.
41 people have died across the US, the majority in Washington state.
I’d like to see where this data comes from. Do you have a source I can look at? Thanks.
Thank you very much, @doschicos. I really appreciate you for sharing reliable, helpful information.
Data from China certainly shows a large skewing towards older people being more affected. I don’t see a great risk in younger populations.
NY scientists on closing schools:
Because they can pick up the virus with no apparent symptoms, and they go home where they all live in different households with adults, and in many cases in households that include grandparents.
But closing schools is an option that isn’t always feasible.
My daughter told me that the NYC public school system has 100,000 kids who are homeless. There just isn’t a place for them to go (or eat) if the schools shut down – so that won’t be an option for that system.
My son is in Seattle and the schools are closed there, but as soon as the schools shut down he got an email from the Boys & Girls Club (where my grandson goes for after-school care) – saying that they will stay open for daycare, and will provide free extended daycare to members. Of course, it is the parents who face loss of pay if they can’t go to work who will need to take advantage of that offer.
So there are going to be economic disparities – and that is going to create a whole other series of repercussions.
Thank you very much, @doschicos. I really appreciate you for sharing reliable, helpful information.
Here is some helpful reading, @MarylandJOE
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation
And another: https://qz.com/1816060/a-chart-of-the-1918-spanish-flu-shows-why-social-distancing-works/
[ BTW, I lived in Maryland for several years. Great state! ]
Absolutely we need to keep vulnerable people safe but you might want to consider what it would mean to isolate frail elderly people from their family and social networks.
Florida has announced 15 new cases. The individuals range in age from 20 to 83; four are in their 20s.
I get it, closing schools will keep kids from congragating.
Should we just shut everything that is not completely necessary down for a month while we’re at it?
Movie theaters, malls, beauty salons, bars, stores not selling essentials, most work places, etc?
Why shouldn’t we go drastic and really blunt this thing? Why stop at schools and “large” gatherings? If we’re going in, let’s go all in then.
All Michigan schools closed until April 6.
Yes, we should shut down everything that is not necessary. And all gatherings that are not absolutely necessary.
Lots of countries have done just that. Some places in the US are doing it to. ex: Montgomery CO PA.
Don’t make your own cleaning supplies. Soap and water will do just fine, expert says
At CNN’s ongoing coronavirus town hall, one viewer asked whether they could make their own cleaning supplies like hand sanitizer.
The answer from our panel is clear: no.
“Do not make your own sanitizer and don’t go out there and try to become your own chemist. Don’t use vodka and recipes. Those are not effective and could be dangerous,” said Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore Health Commissioner.
Soap and water will do the trick. “It’s much more effective,” Wen said — both to clean your hands, and to clean surfaces of your home. Liquid soap is best if possible.
Just remember to do it right: remember to wash commonly-neglected parts of your hands like your thumbs and fingertips, not just your palms or the back of your hands. Wash them frequently throughout the day, for 20 seconds each time. Stay conscious of the things you touch during the day and try not to rub your eyes or touch your mouth with unwashed hands.
Will the outbreak end during the summer? Don’t count on it, expert says
One viewer raised the question during CNN’s coronavirus town hall: Can we expect to see the virus die down in the next few months as we enter warmer summer months?
Here’s what Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore Health Commissioner, had to say:
“I wish this were the case but at this point we just don’t know,” Wen said.
It’s possible — past outbreaks like SARS in 2003 peaked in March and early April as the weather warmed up. But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily what will happen this time around, as there are still a lot of factors placing us at risk, like the lack of a vaccine or treatment, and the higher rate of global travel now than a decade ago.
And even if it subsides in the summer, it isn’t gone forever. The virus could become more prevalent in other parts of the world with different seasonal patterns, or even come back once winter arrives again next year — so “we cannot count on warm weather to get rid of Covid-19,” Wen said.
Individuals with mild cases can recover at home. We should focus on the vulnerable people.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/doctor-coronavirus-washington-state
I get the need for child care for working families but doesn’t having the kids congregating together then defeat the purpose of closing the schools?