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The COVID-19 Virus is Coming For Us All Thread
broodwars:
--- Quote from: that Baby guy on March 28, 2020, 08:31:40 PM ---On a different note, back with the Florida stuff, we're at nearly 4k cases. That said, almost half of all our cases are in two counties at one end of the state. My impression based on local things I've seen, these two counties get a lot of traffic from New York, and I believe it's suspected that many of the cases came from people fleeing New York just a little too late or via plane, getting exposed. If I had access to legacy numbers, I'd like to track our spread and growth of cases over the last two weeks. It seems like a lot, but it also feels like it's going slower in all counties but those two than were expected.
--- End quote ---
Indeed. I'm in the Orlando area, and the whole thing is more a mild nuisance than a crisis. We had a run on the grocery stores, but since the stores restocked & imposed harsh limits things have been fairly manageable. If it weren't for the occasional person in a mask and the lighter-than-usual traffic, you wouldn't think anything was going on.
BeautifulShy:
So our local news here is AZ reported that it is last in the nation for testing. It is pretty bad here in AZ. The health official that is dealing with this crisis here has said that because there is so few test kits here that doctors should stop testing and that is wreckless. It has gotten worse and worse each day our cases of confirmed cases of COVID-19. Our Governor wants to keep health spas, massage parlors and many similar establishments to remain open at this time.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/elviadiaz/2020/03/27/arizona-ranks-last-nation-covid-19-tests-outrageous/2929152001/?fbclid=IwAR1DA0L2iTqlyuTc2WiIBt_W_KKDaTc7oEVpDbJAyR1q3snIG3dx5USnkc4
On the plus side there is a new FDA confirmed test kit that is quicker than most other kits. Tests get done is about 5 minutes and a negative result with show up in about 14 minutes and it is about the size of a toaster.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/28/coronavirus-fda-authorizes-abbott-labs-fast-portable-covid-test/2932766001/
that Baby guy:
Why is less testing reckless? I've been seeing a lot of this close to the front lines. If we're following guidelines issued by the CDC, we should be avoiding most situations where we could spread the virus. If we have symptoms of the virus, we should be self-quarantining. If we have the flu, we should be self-quarantining at home to get better. The only situation where a test is directly relevant to safety is when it comes to diagnosis and subsequent treatment for those with severe medical issues. The point is, knowing you've caught COVID-19 vs. having all the symptoms and not having it confirmed is mostly pointless. A very small number of sites do have drive-through testing, but even that is only for those with symptoms, and are often by appointment only. From a public safety standpoint, tests in those who do not need advanced medical care is also potentially problematic; It's believed those who test negative are more likely to place themselves in situations where they are susceptible to exposure compared to those who aren't tested at all.
I can also say with confidence, at least in Florida, that the problem isn't really with test kits per say, but actually collection kits. Basically, the swabs, vial, and bag that are used to collect a sample. Doctors and the health department here are just about out, and due to massive, continued worldwide demand, there hasn't been much capability to replenish them. In addition, I'm hearing from sources at the state level, most supplies Florida thought they had secured and were expecting were rerouted to New York. In fact, I'd wager that if you're disappointed in your state's response in general, a portion of the problem is that the spread has been so rapid and at such a pace in NY that most states are having experiencing setbacks to inititial plans because New York is receiving supplies initially allocated for other states.
All that said, I don't know your AZ's situation at all. Our governor basically shut everything down a week ago, after having already shut most things mostly down. There's been a lot of criticism about the beaches, but my understanding is the beach problem is more a matter of enforcement, which is why it's being left to individual counties to decide if they are capable and have the manpower to close the beach.
A fun thing I just saw was that NY's governor was being grilled about why ventilators are being held in storage. Gov. Cuomo got flustered and tried to explain they were being staged for when and where they would be needed. He did an awful job at explaining this, but he's not incorrect in any way. I've said NY has "taken" a lot of our supplies, but that's sort of the way it's supposed to work. If NY is hit harder, it makes sense for their governor to appeal to requisition more necessary supplies, and it also makes sense to project out an increasing number of cases based on what we've seen with this. I know Cuomo has complained about what he's received and what NY has, but it's effectively a "squeaky wheel gets the grease" situation. Squeaking is what he should be doing right now. What I hope is that fewer other states get into situations where they have to start "squeaking," too.
BeautifulShy:
--- Quote ---Why is less testing reckless?
--- End quote ---
Reason why it is wreckless is because of the uncertanty of who has it and who could potentually pass it on to someone else without realizing it. Yes folks are supposed to be staying inside and all that comes with that but the problem is that not everyone is here in AZ and there is certain essental services from our Governor's executive order which is allowing the virus to spread more and more so when someone has to go out for something that is absolutely necessary then there is a chance that they can catch the virus or if they unknowingly have it and go out then that can spread things even more. If we had more testing we can know which area of a state has it so we are better informed so as to not go in areas where the virus is more focused and maybe people in this state will actually use some common sense and not go out and infect other people or get infected.
ThePerm:
The snowbirds has made this worse than it would be too. AZ is filled with older people from the Northern states and Canada. When I was at Wal-mart on March 12 around the time **** hit the fan. My friend was telling me his neighbor died(of cancer) and her house was packed with snowbirds at her estate auction.
Apparently they've been rushing home. So there'll probably be a big wave over in Canada, which will probably feed into a wave 2.