View Full Version : Corona Testing
Does anyone else wonder about the efficacy of testing at this point? If people test negative will that give them a false sense of security? You could test positive today and with community spread get the virus tomorrow.
I don't know why a person testing negative would think they are resistant to a future infection, but people are odd sometimes.
According to Anthony Fauci, testing is absolutely crucial to determine the location, spread, speed of transmission, etc. Without it, epidemiologists are working blind. Also to warn infected people to self-sequester. I can't think of one reason not to test, except to enable a false sense of security, and keep Trump's all-important "numbers" low. We seem to be the most untested industrialized country, by far.
Also, there is some evidence that infected people don't all (any?) develop immunity to this virus.
"Most doctors today cannot test people for coronavirus, because we just don't have the tests. Every other major country has figured out how to do it. South Korea is testing 15,000 people a day," says Dr. Ashish Jha of the Harvard Global Health Institute. (From PBS NewsHour)
Teacher Terry
3-16-20, 12:20pm
Our governor started crying during yesterday’s news conference when he said we didn’t have enough tests and have been begging Pence‘a team for more.
It really is only common sense but with our administration and the fear it has created in the civil service, this is what we get.
But but but...our Commander in Chief stated "we have this under control". So what are you worried about?
Le sigh...................>:(
"Throughout late February, Trump also continued to claim the situation was improving. On Feb. 26, he said: “We’re going down, not up. We’re going very substantially down, not up.” On Feb. 27, he predicted: “It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.” On Feb. 29, he said a vaccine would be available “very quickly” and “very rapidly” and praised his administration’s actions as “the most aggressive taken by any country.” None of these claims were true."
(NYT, March 15, 2020)
What Bernie said, "The first thing we got to do is shut this president up right now". I could complain on many Trump virus blunders, but that pretty much sums it up for me. He's completely incapable of dealing with the situation and it's sort of frightening.
it's sort of frightening.
Sort of?
After all, you wage war with the president you have, not the president you want."
— Paul Krugman (actually calling out George W. Bush in 2005)
I read today (and can't guarantee this is totally factual) but
so far:
Canada Pop. 36 + million has done 27,000 + tests
US Pop. 360+ million has done 23,000 + tests
If these numbers are even slightly accurate we all have a very big problem.
Our county people said delays due to locations of the test facilities and chemical shortages used to conduct the tests. I have an associate who is now working at home. Wife has had an elevated fever for several days. Went to the doctor and they have no tests for the flu or Corona virus. Checked her lungs and said she was a okay. You'd think they would test her, just sayin'. So now he too waits at home until she gets sicker or gets better. Seems like a backwards way of doing things. I really don't think the numbers truly reflect what is going on. Testing is just not being done. I don't want this to be the next Italy, what near 500 dead in the last 24 hours.
The tricky part with this virus is the spreading for days before symptoms show up. So while testing would be helpful, it’s usually spread before one even thinks of doing that.
The tricky part with this virus is the spreading for days before symptoms show up. So while testing would be helpful, it’s usually spread before one even thinks of doing that.
14 day incubation:0!
https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en
It seems that celebrities and others of wealth/notoriety are able to be tested immediately. Story of life...
It seems that celebrities and others of wealth/notoriety are able to be tested immediately. Story of life...
Did you miss the President last night? He said "well, that's the way the world works".. I won't write what I called him.>:(
https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en
That’s good information to keep track of. Thanks.
Interesting map. It’s done by a company that makes internet connected thermometers. According to an article in The NY Times they are able to predict flu spikes about 2 weeks ahead of the cdc. Based on the length of fever for covid-19 compared to flu they think they can show spikes in covid in real time. Judging from the map as of now I wouldn’t set foot in Florida at this time.
https://healthweather.us/
Link to the original by times story.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-fever-thermometers.html
Interesting map. It’s done by a company that makes internet connected thermometers. According to an article in The NY Times they are able to predict flu spikes about 2 weeks ahead of the cdc. Based on the length of fever for covid-19 compared to flu they think they can show spikes in covid in real time. Judging from the map as of now I wouldn’t set foot in Florida at this time.
https://healthweather.us/
Link to the original by times story.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-fever-thermometers.html
Fascinating stuff. Guess the Spring break revelers have done their work.
And, in other news, Trump's statesmanlike response to governors begging for PPEs and respirators: "We're not a shipping clerk." Way to rise to the occasion, Churchill...
Fascinating stuff. Guess the Spring break revelers have done their work.
And, in other news, Trump's statesmanlike response to governors begging for PPEs and respirators: "We're not a shipping clerk." Way to rise to the occasion, Churchill...
As a RN, I find him less than inspiring>:( The shortage is so bad that the Oregon State Board of Nursing has told their licensed staff that they are expected to serve the public anyway. Wow, just wow!
As a RN, I find him less than inspiring>:( The shortage is so bad that the Oregon State Board of Nursing has told their licensed staff that they are expected to serve the public anyway. Wow, just wow!
A cottage industry is developing to sew (slightly) protective masks.
Last time I looked, Amazon had face shields available; don't know how effective they are.
flowerseverywhere
3-20-20, 11:06am
Interesting map. It’s done by a company that makes internet connected thermometers. According to an article in The NY Times they are able to predict flu spikes about 2 weeks ahead of the cdc. Based on the length of fever for covid-19 compared to flu they think they can show spikes in covid in real time. Judging from the map as of now I wouldn’t set foot in Florida at this time.
https://healthweather.us/
Link to the original by times story.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-fever-thermometers.html
i am in Florida and there is a massive flight out of here. Normally people rent at exorbitant prices Jan Feb and March. They are leaving early, especially Canadians. Many others have left to be closer to their kids. Then there are spring break families as well as college age kids. All getting n planes and driving north, stopping n bathrooms and hotels along the way. Nowhere is safe. Disney did the right thing, followed by other by attractions. Our local movie theater shuttered last week along with most public gathering places. So at least some of the infection is moving north.
the chaos continues. My friend went to Sam’s yesterday before they opened and she estimates there were a thousand people in line. Then besides being n the crowded line, went into the crowded store and stood in a long checkout line. Surely there has to .be a better way. Aldi’s And Walmart’s in the area are experiencing proportionately much of the same. And many restaurants are still open, just fewer tables. So much for social distancing.
I did go to a grocery this morning st seven, shortly after they opened. It is so weird to see big gaps in certain areas. Tp, eggs Potatoes, flour and yeast and inexpensive rice all empty. Yet if you wanted to spring for Bobs red mill items or fancier jarred rice you could get what you wanted. Also, I couldn’t find lentils but lots of beans, all spices, hot cereals and most fresh vegetables there. No chicken but lots of beef and pork. I had no worries picking up enough to put out two weeks of nutritious meals. I’ll use up the greens and broccoli first, then on to carrots, winter squash and cabbage. Then on to stuff I have in my freezer, oatmeal, rice and ease into more beans if necessary. Staying calm and knowing how to cook a variety of things is extremely helpful. I also have a container garden.
ApatheticNoMore
3-20-20, 11:17am
One thing about Florida is it doesn't seem they are even clamping down yet, it seems reckless, California is basically on lock down at this point. The working from home is it's now the law it seems, but turns out I'm going in to work for now.
Tp, eggs Potatoes, flour and yeast and inexpensive rice all empty. Yet if you wanted to spring for Bobs red mill items or fancier jarred rice you could get what you wanted. Also, I couldn’t find lentils but lots of beans, all spices, hot cereals and most fresh vegetables there. No chicken but lots of beef and pork. I had no worries picking up enough to put out two weeks of nutritious meals. I’ll use up the greens and broccoli first, then on to carrots, winter squash and cabbage. Then on to stuff I have in my freezer, oatmeal, rice and ease into more beans if necessary. Staying calm and knowing how to cook a variety of things is extremely helpful. I also have a container garden.
I went to the store yesterday. There were eggs and potatoes (but I hear many stores are out of eggs). Tp and flour forget it. SO JEALOUS of the Bob's red mill items. I wish. Here there is only things like rice flour, yea what is anyone going to do with that, I've cooked a lot of things and I don't know what it's good for, except it makes good dusting for fish before sauteing or what have you. Bobs red mill is sold out even on their website! Did find black lentils at the store. Plenty of fresh veggies and meats.
Amazon has some excellent basmati rice. At least they did have. I laid in a lot of supplies when this began.
dado potato
3-22-20, 2:40am
https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en
Thanks, Tammy. Very informative link.
Iceland has private and government testing facilities, and a comparatively small (pop 364,000) compact population. Coronavirus testing is free and available to all residents, whether they have symptoms or not, been in contact with someone who tested positive or not. As of a couple days ago, 3,787 people had been tested in Iceland. That would be a ratio of 10,405 per million residents, a comparatively high rate of testing.
There are 473 cases (473/3,787 = 12.5% of the sample tested positive). 22 who tested positive have recovered. 1 died (an Australian who had traveled to Iceland). Data from Johns Hopkins University coronavirus website.
With the passage of time, and the possible transmission of the virus to more people, I would not be surprised to see an increase in the percentage of the Icelandic population who test positive.
If 1. Getting the virus gave you immunity to it once recovered, and 2. the test detected antibodies to it rather than the virus itself, you could tell who was still vulnerable, and 3. if there was a vaccine focus on giving it to those vulnerable people. But while some are positing #1 they don't know if that is short-term or lifelong immunity because the virus is so new. No new cases in China suggests the virus has burned through the population, created herd immunity, and is done. We are not there yet with #2 and #3.
A cottage industry is developing to sew (slightly) protective masks.
Last time I looked, Amazon had face shields available; don't know how effective they are.
Face shields certainly protect from fluid but does nothing for airborne which is how COVID=19 was originally defined. They've changed the wording to droplet which has a lot of healthcare workers up in arms. It really changes the use of masks etc. Pray for our Nurses and docs and Paramed/EMTs. Without them, we're in big trouble.
I've told my friends in town I will go back to work if needed. Rest assured, I will not if personal protective equipment PPE is not available.
Teacher Terry
3-22-20, 11:18am
G, I wouldn’t go back to work under any circumstances. You paid your dues.
Teacher Terry
3-22-20, 11:19am
G, I wouldn’t go back to work under any circumstances. You paid your dues.
Yes there are many unknowns. We do our best and then accept what we can not change. That’s my mindset and I’m at peace with it.
It’s hard for westerners to accept two things: lack of control and mortality. We are used to believing that rugged individualism will protect us. This is shattering our worldview.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.