Eventually they’ll do exactly that; they’ll test a sample of the population for antibodies. That’s not the priority for public health workers right now for obvious reasons.
@doschicos they claimed and showed slides of corona outer walls collapsing after being exposed to 133f for 10 minutes. And it looks for the coolness of the nasal passages as a transmission mechanism.
And why as temps rise aside from the summer cold. Coronas don’t like heat.
Seattle mayor announces $5 million in grocery vouchers to help families
From CNN’s Raja Razek
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Monday the city will provide “$5 million in grocery vouchers to help families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The new grocery voucher program will provide 6,250 families $800 in vouchers to purchase food, cleaning supplies, and other household goods at any Safeway store in Washington state,” she said in a statement.
Families should be receiving a total of $800 in vouchers that can be used immediately “at any Washington state Safeway store to purchase food and household goods, not including tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets, and fuel. Voucher use requires a free Safeway membership,” according to the statement.
This is the latest in a series of actions that Durkan implemented recently during the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle.
Over the past week, Durkan placed a temporary moratorium on residential evictions. Durkan also announced a relief package that included “deferred business taxes and a stabilization fund,” according to the statement.
A British cruise ship that was turned away from several Caribbean ports after passengers fell ill with novel coronavirus is scheduled to dock in on Cuba Tuesday after the island agreed to help transfer those aboard to planes bound for the United Kingdom, AP reports.
The Cuban government said it had decided to allow the Braemar to dock in the port of Mariel, about 56 kilometres (35 miles) west of the capital, due to the urgency of the situation and the risk to the lives of sick people.”
Fred. Olsen Cruises said that the ship had 22 passengers and 21 crew members in isolation after displaying flu-like symptoms and five aboard who tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The ship with more than 1,000 people aboard has been turned away from ports in Curacao and Barbados in recent weeks, leading to an intense search for a way to get its mostly British passengers and its crew home. (Guardian)
Zimbabwe’s defence minister has described the coronavirus as God’s way of punishing the United States and other western countries for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe, prompting the president to issue a statement Monday restating his governments commitment to fighting Covid-19.
Oppah Muchinguri, the defense minister, appeared to mock Western nations while addressing a group of ruling party supporters at the weekend.
“This coronavirus that has come are sanctions against the countries that have imposed sanctions on us. God is punishing them now and they are staying indoors now while their economy is screaming like what they did to ours by imposing sanctions on us,” Muchinguri said at a rally in Chinhoyi, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) northwest of the capital, Harare, according to local reports. A video of her statement has gone viral.
“(Donald) Trump should know that he is not God. They must face the consequences of coronavirus so that they also feel the pain,” she said in the local Shona language.
Muchinguri’s utterances prompted massive criticism from opposition politicians, humanitarian organizations and ordinary Zimbabweans on social media.
Zimbabwe has not yet recorded a case of coronavirus but neighboring South Africa has more than 60 cases. Across Africa, 30 of the continent’s 54 countries have confirmed cases.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa issued a statement Monday saying his government empathises with the affected people around the globe. He did not mention Muchinguri by name, but the statement published in the state-run Herald newspaper appears to modify her criticism of the US. (Guardian)
Qantas to cut international flights by 90%
Qantas has announced it will slash its international flights, cutting international capacity by 90% until at least the end of May as demand plummets.
Domestic capacity will be cut by around 60%.
The airline said:
This represents the grounding of around 150 aircraft, including almost all of the group’s wide-body fleet.
Previously announced cuts in place from end-May through to mid-September remain in place and are likely to be increased, depending on demand.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will receive no pay for three months. (Guardian)
Reuters is reporting that El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, has accused Mexico of allowing a dozen confirmed coronavirus cases to board a flight due to leave Mexico City for San Salvador
He said he’s suspended all passenger air travel with immediate effect. Bukele, who made the assertion on Twitter, did not provide evidence or more detail about the situation. Mexican authorities, which Bukele described as “irresponsible,” did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. (Guardian)
I think I mentioned a few times that I had a really bad “cold” TWICE. Once late November and another late January. I have been wondering about this–hmmm, was it???
But no fever, lots of snot (not a hallmark of coronavirus) a NASTY cough, but productive…just not sounding like Coronavirus. Which makes me sad, because if it was, I’d probably be immune at least for a while…
Los Angeles will stop issuing parking tickets for next two weeks, mayor says
From CNN’s Sarah Moon
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city will stop issuing parking tickets for the next two weeks effective immediately.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Garcetti said there are more cars parked on city streets because people are working from home or are taking care of others.
More on Los Angeles: On Sunday, Garcetti ordered the closure of bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues and gyms until March 31 in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. His order also limits restaurants to takeout and delivery orders only.
Social Security offices will close in-person services starting Tuesday
From CNN’s Ellie Kaufman
Beginning Tuesday, Social Security offices will close for in-person appointments and will only provide phone service.
The agency said it is doing this to protect older Americans.
The agency has come under fire from the union representing SSA workers, which filed an OSHA complaint alleging that some workers weren’t being allowed to telework, putting themselves and the people SSA services in danger from coronavirus.
The agency said despite closing in-person services, it will still be able to provide help online or over the phone.
WWE will hold WrestleMania 36 in an empty Orlando arena
From CNN’s Kevin Dotson
World Wrestling Entertainment has announced that it is changing the setting of its flagship event WrestleMania.
WrestleMania 36, which had been scheduled to take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, will now take place at the WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida, in front of only essential personnel.
The event will still take place as scheduled on April 5 at 7 p.m. ET.
All WrestleMania-related WWE events scheduled in Tampa will not take place.
[ why? this isn’t essential. ]
. Wrong thread. Sorry
@privatebanker My 24 year old daughter in the Caribbean likely has it but has not yet been able to get tested. Even if she gets tested the results will take 5 days or more. There are very few ICU beds but her health insurance does include evacuation.
If summer was supposed to disable the virus, it hasn’t worked for her. Granted, now that the international and domestic tourist numbers will be dropping off, perhaps transmission could slow, rather than being refreshed with a cruise ship.
@rosered55 the match for residencies is this Friday. How “accelerated” does this student expect this to be? Many of these new residents will be relocating to new states where they must get licensed. They aren’t going to be able to get that done quickly either.
Current residents could be done sooner, I suppose. But even starting a new job as an attending physician takes time.
@WayOutWestMom did you read the link posted above by @rosered55 ? Your thoughts?
France to deploy 100,000 police to enforce lockdown
France will deploy 100,000 police to enforce a lockdown, and fixed checkpoints will be set up across the country.
“Stay at home,” Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, adding that fines of up to 135 euros ($151) would be handed out to those who do not respect the new restrictions, which are centred on avoiding all but essential social contact.
Coronavirus has killed 148 people and infected more than 6,600 in France, where, along with Spain, infections and fatalities have been surging at a pace just days behind that of Italy, the epicentre of the outbreak in Europe.
19:50 GMT - Irish PM expects 15,000 cases by end of March
Ireland expects its number of coronavirus cases to increase to around 15,000 by the end of the month from 169 currently, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said, predicting it would be dealing with the pandemic for many months.
“We would expect that by the end of the month there would be maybe 15,000 people who would have tested positive for Covid-19, most of those will not need treatment but a proportion will need to be hospitalised and we need to make sure that it doesn’t happen at the same time,” Vardkar told a news conference.
Dominican Republic reports first coronavirus death
The Dominican Republic has registered its first death from coronavirus, a 47-year-old woman who recently returned from Spain, the health ministry said.
Health Minister Rafael Sanchez told a news conference that the Caribbean country had also detected 10 further infections on top of the 11 already identified.
Among the new ones was the first person-to-person transmission recorded in the country.
[ I bet I’m not the only one scanning age and health conditions on any reported death. 
]
MLB opening day postponed indefinitely
Major League Baseball has now delayed its opening day indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The season was set to open on March 26, with all 30 teams in action, but last Thursday, MLB canceled spring training and delayed the start of the season by at least two weeks.
“MLB will keep fans updated on decisions regarding plans for the 2020 schedule in the days and weeks ahead,” the league said in a statement.
Al Jazeera
Add LLBean and Brighton to retail businesses who are closing their doors of their brick and mortar stores for a while.
And Penzeys
@thumper1, I don’t know much about medical education. Just trying to keep the conversation open and continuing.
Poland’s environment minister tests positive
Poland’s Environment Minister Michal Wos has tested positive for coronavirus, he said in a tweet.
“I feel good … and I express solidarity with all those who are sick,” he wrote.
Poland has 156 confirmed coronavirus cases and three deaths so far.
Canada closes border to foreigners, except US citizens
Canada has closed its borders to all foreign nationals, except US citizens, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged people to stay at home to help stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
“We will be denying entry into Canada to people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents,” Trudeau told reporters at a news conference outside his home, where he is under self-quarantine after his wife tested positive for the virus.
He said Americans were exempted from the border ban.
Trudeau also said he will restrict international flights to four Canadian airports from March 18. Domestic flights will not be affected.
Turkey bans flights with more countries, including UK, UAE
Turkey will impose flight bans to six more countries including the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, making the total number of countries 20, the country’s health minister announced.
Switzerland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Ireland would also be added to the list, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters.
Turkey has identified a total of 18 coronavirus cases, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.
Finland to close schools and universities: PM
Finland’s government will pass emergency legislation on Tuesday to close all its schools and universities from Wednesday among other measures in response to the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Monday.
There were 272 confirmed coronavirus cases and no linked deaths in Finland as of Monday according to health authority.
Al Jazeera
Not sure if this was posted already, but here’s another good virus tracking website: https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en
There are but the one my husband had was really weird and he kept commenting on how it was so strange and everyone he worked with also felt it was super strange and no one had seen anything like it. They all got super sick with the same symptoms at the same time. DS didn’t get it until 2 weeks later, also strange. I didn’t get sick with the flu or whatever it was I had until maybe 3 + weeks later.
I’m not saying I think it was Covid 19, but I think there is at least a tiny chance that it was, if only 1% chance. in other words, I don’t think it is totally impossible.
My friend’s son returned from Europe on Sunday with all those planeloads of tourists and student.
The screening he received at O’Hare was just theater. He filled out a form stating where he had been and they took his temperature. Their instructions to him were to take his temperature twice a day. And he was on his way to a domestic flight home. No guidance on laying low for 2 weeks or avoiding the elderly.
Some law firms are producing COVID-19 content for the public. Some of it is for employees, some for employers; I’m sure firms are targeting other audiences, too.
Here is what will still be open during the San Francisco Bay Area shelter in place order:
IMO - that’s an awful long list. Can we not live without dry cleaning for 3 weeks? Technically, Starbucks provides ‘food shelter and social services’. And we can’t do without the legal or accounting services for 3 weeks.
FARMERS MARKETS??? WTH…the places that no longer give you bags for anything, where folks love to squeeze every zucchini and then put it back, where baked goods are sold without protective wrapping and where food merchants go about their business…oh…and they have musicians playing. Guess the Santa Cruz ad hoc drum circle will be in place this Weds. The SF Potrero FM is a fiasco of health issues on the best of days.
Childcare facilites??? So kids can share the bugs in a more efficient way?
Wouldn’t the list be shorter if they just said - if you are a mom and pop business, close the doors and stay home. IF you don’t work and are retired - stay home. If your a techie and have a computer stay at home. Otherwise - carry one.
Good grief.
I’m more comfortable with small businesses staying open than with large ones. Two reasons: fewer people within a workplace is already a lower risk; and small businesses are more likely to have precarious finances already.
Colombia will close borders to slow coronavirus spread
From CNN’s Jackie Castillo
Colombian President Iván Duque announced Monday his decision to close the country’s borders to protect the health and well-being of citizens.
In a series of tweets, Duque explained the closure, which will go into effect midnight local time Monday through May 30, will restrict entry and exit for all citizens and foreign nationals.
According to the statement, cargo will be allowed to enter the country through authorized points of entry.
How China’s military took a frontline role in the coronavirus crisis
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who gave army medical teams the heaviest responsibilities, says virus is now ‘basically curbed’ thanks to their efforts
PLA’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences personnel have decades of experience including tackling Sars, Ebola, and the earthquake that shattered Sichuan in 2008
Chosen by Chinese President Xi Jinping to help fight the novel coronavirus outbreak in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the People’s Liberation Army has taken on some of China’s heaviest responsibilities at a time of great crisis, military experts said.
Last week, Xi – who chairs the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) – chose the command centre at military-run Huoshenshan temporary hospital as the first stop of his first official trip to the capital of Hubei province the since outbreak began, reaffirming the PLA’s leading role in fighting the contagion.
Inside the three-storey building and 500 metres (1,640 feet) from the isolation complex where critically ill patients were treated, Xi told members of the PLA’s medical contingent by video link that the spread of the virus had been “basically curbed”, meaning it was contained within Wuhan, where it first emerged, and nearby cities.
Since Beijing declared the highest level of medical emergency in Hubei on January 25, the CMC has sent more than 10,000 personnel into the area. The PLA was also armed with more power than local governments to control medical supplies, a sign of the central government’s determination to contain the spread of the virus.
The first batch of 1,400 military personnel was sent to Huoshenshan on February 4, two days after the hospital was completed. The 25,000-square-metre complex was built within 10 days and provides 1,000 critical care beds.
“The military has been well trained to give a quick response to any critical events,” Beijing-based military observer Zhou Chenming said. “All the officers and soldiers took the battle against the coronavirus as a call-up to a non-traditional military operation where they could show their combat-readiness.”
When confirmed case numbers climbed to more than 60,000 in mid-February, Xi ordered an extra 2,600 troops into two hospitals in Wuhan to help treat 1,600 patients. That order on February 12 was given a few hours after he chaired a meeting of Politburo Standing Committee, the country’s most powerful political body, a military insider said.
The source said Xi ordered commanders to submit lists of volunteers immediately and, as a result, the first batch of 1,400 medical volunteers was sent to Wuhan the next morning.
They were flown in 11 aircraft, the PLA Air Force’s largest mobilisation yet, the PLA Daily reported.
The central government has mobilised more than 60,000 civilian and military medical staff to fight Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus over the past two months. So far, more than 3,000 personnel have been infected, but none were from the military teams, Chen Jingyuan, medical bureau head of the CMC’s Logistic Support Department, said this month.
When the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, broke out in late 2002 and 2003, the CMC sent a 1,200-strong PLA medical contingent to Xiaotangshan temporary hospital in Beijing, which was built in a week, to help treat 680 patients.
“The PLA has many experienced epidemiologists and virologists, because the military has a long history of studying biochemical warfare,” Zhou said.
The PLA set up its Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS) in 1951 while a volunteer Chinese army of more than one million troops joined North Korea in a struggle with South Korea and a United Nations-backed multinational force for control of the Korean peninsula.
The academy’s central mission was to research nuclear, biological and chemical warfare, becoming a Chinese counterpart to Fort Detrick in Maryland – the centre of the United States’ biological weapons programmes from 1943 to 1969 – and Britain’s Porton Down, the world’s first chemical weapons installation, set up in 1916.
Major General Chen Wei, an AMMS scientist, had led a team at Wuhan since January, the PLA Daily said. State-run CCTV said Chen and her colleagues worked in shifts around the clock on a vaccine for Covid-19. She has been recognised for her role in relief efforts during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and vaccine development during the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Chen, 54, is also widely credited for her contribution in developing a nasal spray that helped keep the 10,000 medical workers fighting in the 2002-03 Sars outbreak from catching the virus. The CMC’s Chen Jingyuan said the nasal spray had not yet been mass produced but that military medical personnel in Wuhan used it and none of them have been infected with novel coronavirus.
In September 2016, the CMC set up its Joint Logistic Support Force in Wuhan after Xi’s overhaul of the Chinese military.
“The joint logistic support headquarters in Wuhan plays an important role in distributing medical resources and essential supplies for the military medical personnel fighting at the front line,” said Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based military expert and military commentator for Phoenix Television. “That’s why the PLA medical detachment could operate so efficiently.”
At the epicentre, PLA logistics officers took charge of medical and daily essential supplies when civilian colleagues complained about a lack of protective gear, the military insider said.
“When the PLA logistics troops took over the distribution works, the problem was solved because the army’s system is more efficient than local hospitals,” the source said. The PLA Daily said logistic corps from Wuhan garrison also took charge of purchasing and transport of the daily essentials needed by 11 million people under lockdown inside the city.
“The reason to let the PLA take over essential supplies in Wuhan was because military leaders found there were improper operations involving different local vested interests, which dragged down the battle against Covid-19,” the insider said.