Novel Coronavirus

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

About 3 days ago (lost track), I had my doors open, which are also my windows - to let air in. My back was to the outside. I was on the phone talking, and I heard "someone" come up behind me. I turned around and it was the neighbour dog, beautifully smiley tail wagging lab, maybe cross, kinda like Northwind's dog. He got out of his yard and had gone for a little walk/ sniff around (he went back to the yard). He's never done that before. Sometimes he barks at me from his yard. But the other day he walked right up, tail wagging, wanting to be pet. He almost came right in. It was a welcome intrusion that day. Today, I saw other humans walking up the street and I'm like "Oh! Humans!" I could relate a bit to the dog. But I didn't run up there. In fact, I watched one couple cross the street because somebody else was on the same side going in the other direction. It's very weird.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

I don't see this as true authoritarianism. It's more like crowd control. Now, if it continues past the time it is needed, it will be authoritarianism to me.

When would you know if it was past the time it is needed?

 

[Northwind]

When would you know if it was past the time it is needed?

Good question. Perhaps when the dust has settled from the illness. Hopefully we will learn and know when that happens.

 

[ChemGal]

I think when we see hospital beds being freed, especially in the ICU instead of increasing due to this.
We also need to prepare for the fact that as isolation guidelines are relaxed, more may end up sick.

 

[Northwind]

We also need to prepare for the fact that as isolation guidelines are relaxed, more may end up sick.

Sadly, I expect that to be the case.

 

[ChemGal]

Sadly, I expect that to be the case.

Which can be ok if the curve is flattened. It may just mean a gradual return to normal, not all at once so we don't get hit by a big increase in those who need care.

 

[KayTheCurler]

A lot of doctors are moving to online practice now, aren't they? Just how can they properly look after people like that? I know they have to stay safe, but there are a million and one things people need checked out, not just respiratory illness (though that accounts for a great deal even before this), not just covid19. If they can't listen to a heartbeat, listen to a chest, take a proper pulse, check blood pressure, take a temperature, look at a rash up close...to be sure, then wouldn't they send people to the hospital? That itself might clog up the system, not covid! I just don't know what to think...but I have a general feeling of dis-ease about all of this!

Doctors can't listen to a chest- but they can ask you to cough so they can judge the level of 'bunged up'. Patients can check and report their own pulse rate, blood pressure, O2 saturation and temperature. Send a photo of a rash too. With care it can work to keep some people away from doctors offices and the hospitals.

 

[ChemGal]

Doctors can't listen to a chest- but they can ask you to cough so they can judge the level of 'bunged up'. Patients can check and report their own pulse rate, blood pressure, O2 saturation and temperature. Send a photo of a rash too. With care it can work to keep some people away from doctors offices and the hospitals.

Plus many of use with respiratory conditions know what is a concern, we can relay if we feel short of breath, if wheezing more than usual, etc.

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

I have a question:
If they isolated the Coronavirus two months ago and most vaccines use dead virus', what's the hold up for the vaccine?

Also, how long does it take to figure out if you've had the virus, whether you've got a lifetime immunity or any kind of immunity and won't need a vaccine? I realize there are reports that some have been reinfected, but was it from the same strain?

Viruses are not really alive, I don’t think.

 

[ChemGal]

Viruses are not really alive, I don’t think.

Depends on who you ask, there are sets of criteria for living things, but have been different sets over time. We do refer to live vaccines, but typically not dead ones. Inactive is a better term IMO.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Viruses are not really alive, I don’t think.

Hmmm... interesting question, to some extent. Are rocks "alive". What is your definition of "alive"? Respirating? Replicating? Containing "moving" atoms?

 

[BetteTheRed]

A vaccine would be "inactive" as in "non-replicating"?

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

A vaccine would be "inactive" as in "non-replicating"?

Yes, but viruses don’t replicate. They are manufactured by one of your cells and you cell just keeps making them until it pops.

 

[Northwind]

Viruses mutate and change. Isn't that a sign of life?

 

[Pontifex Geronimo 13]

Viruses mutate and change. Isn't that a sign of life?

I don’t think so. Viruses are made of the stuff of life. But they don’t breath or actually reproduce like other forms of life.

when they mutate is when your cell makes an error in the manufacturing.

 

[Northwind]

when they mutate is when your cell makes an error in the manufacturing

That makes sense. It's been a long time since my last science class.

 

[Waterfall]

Viruses are not really alive, I don’t think.

Maybe I should have said attenuated vaccine instead of dead virus?

 

[PilgrimsProgress]

Do you like birds?

Birds are okay - except for sea gulls that eat my chips (French fries?)........

 

[PilgrimsProgress]

And a lot of humans are quite fond of you, including this one

Aw shucks, thank you!

 

[ChemGal]

A vaccine would be "inactive" as in "non-replicating"?

Contain an inactivated virus - the virus no longer 'works' as a virus.