Novel Coronavirus

[ChemGal]

I mean some of the symptoms, severity, latency of symptoms in people, those who've had it or have recurring symptoms, still communicable ie. virus not going away in everybody...? And that the virus itself has a combo of properties - is not a typical coronavirus.

The symptoms between the 3 are fairly variable. HIV can cause symptoms shortly after infection - fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue. Then people are mostly asymptomatic from the virus itself. It's the other infections/cancers due to being immunocompromised that cause most symptoms, not the virus itself. Ebola, I think most people stay symptomatic until they recover, although the virus can linger in the body for a while after, although I'm not up to date on how infectious it's found to be at that point. A virus can be present without being able to spread. With this one, we don't know. Even if there are published articles, they would be fairly preliminary results and anything I have seen to date has been mostly speculation and not much data. I can look into what's out there more though.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

There are some cancers and other illnesses that are fairly unique to HIV, and I read (in passing only) that the virus itself might share similarities to HIV and Ebola. But like you said, it's all still new at this point. They're learning as they go.

 

[ChemGal]

There are some cancers and other illnesses that are fairly unique to HIV, and I read (in passing only) that the virus itself might share similarities to HIV and Ebola. But like you said, it's all still new at this point. They're learning as they go.

I won't be surprised if most of the cancers can be found in other people with other similar immunodeficiencies, regardless of the cause. I don't think it's HIV itself that leads to them. Our immune system is what destroys cells that start to behave errantly, so if you knock out part of the immune system, some cancers become more common.

 

[Northwind]

I don't believe that. Why would they be different? They aren't testing enough is my opinion.

I don't understand. Most of BCs covid deaths are longterm care home related as well. BC has taken steps to reduce and prevent illnesses. There are so many issues in longterm care that are coming to light with this.

 

[Waterfall]

I don't understand. Most of BCs covid deaths are longterm care home related as well. BC has taken steps to reduce and prevent illnesses. There are so many issues in longterm care that are coming to light with this.

I think it's not just long term care homes. Its any enclosed area, such as cruise ships, hospitals and factories etc......which is why I believe they're worried about opening schools...... with classes that have 30 students to a room that could be bringing the virus home.

 

[ChemGal]

I don't understand. Most of BCs covid deaths are longterm care home related as well. BC has taken steps to reduce and prevent illnesses. There are so many issues in longterm care that are coming to light with this.

There certainly is a difference between demographics of COVID-19 cases vs. the demographics of those who have severe cases. Alberta is catching those who have a mild illness with it. If you look at the info with the demographics in the link I think it gives a pretty clear picture. Even here, there are those who don't step forward to get tested too, the more mild the symptoms, the more likely it is to be brushed off, even with choosing to isolate.

 

[ChemGal]

Currently, Alberta and New Brunswick are the only provinces that publish testing data that includes the ages of all people tested — including the negative tests.

 

[Waterfall]

In Ontario you have to phone a number and tell them your symptoms before you will get tested. Getting tested without symptoms is problematic.

 

[ChemGal]

In Ontario you have to phone a number and tell them your symptoms before you will get tested. Getting tested without symptoms is problematic.

Here, it is mostly only for those with symptoms. But any of the COVID-19 symptoms qualifies someone for a test. So the kid with the fever, or the 21 year old with sniffles count - if they step forward to get it. There is an online form which at least helps as one doesn't have to wait to get through a phone line. They are testing some of those who are asymptomatic, but that's pretty limited and is focused on outbreak areas, including long term care homes.

 

[Waterfall]

Interesting that Indias numbers are so low and that their wondering if their universal BCG vaccine for tuberculosis has anything to do with it.(not proven yet)

How does India, a country of 1.3 billion people, have around 1,000 coronavirus deaths?

Less than a month ago, India's future looked dire. But so far, the world's second-most populous country appears to have avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

www.cnn.com

 

[Northwind]

I think it's not just long term care homes. Its any enclosed area, such as cruise ships, hospitals and factories etc......which is why I believe they're worried about opening schools...... with classes that have 30 students to a room that could be bringing the virus home.

In BC something like 60% of cases are/were related to long term care homes. Skewing that is the first one, Lynn Valley. The Mission Corrections Centre is also a hotspot. Yes, enclosed areas are problematic. That simplifies it in the case of care homes though. Possibly for the prison as well. It's a structural issue that has revealed many problems with how care homes have been run over the past many years. Low pay, short staffing, poor infection control measures contribute. There are other factors as well. One care home in BC has apparently had no cases. I haven't read the article explaining that. It is a testament to the idea that care homes can be run in a way that ensures the safety of the people living there.

 

[ChemGal]

In BC something like 60% of cases are/were related to long term care homes. Skewing that is the first one, Lynn Valley. The Mission Corrections Centre is also a hotspot. Yes, enclosed areas are problematic. That simplifies it in the case of care homes though. Possibly for the prison as well. It's a structural issue that has revealed many problems with how care homes have been run over the past many years. Low pay, short staffing, poor infection control measures contribute. There are other factors as well. One care home in BC has apparently had no cases. I haven't read the article explaining that. It is a testament to the idea that care homes can be run in a way that ensures the safety of the people living there.

But how many young people with really mild symptoms were tested in BC to know that 60% figure? I think a fair bit of the testing has skewed older so I don't trust that number.

 

[Waterfall]

In BC something like 60% of cases are/were related to long term care homes. Skewing that is the first one, Lynn Valley. The Mission Corrections Centre is also a hotspot. Yes, enclosed areas are problematic. That simplifies it in the case of care homes though. Possibly for the prison as well. It's a structural issue that has revealed many problems with how care homes have been run over the past many years. Low pay, short staffing, poor infection control measures contribute. There are other factors as well. One care home in BC has apparently had no cases. I haven't read the article explaining that. It is a testament to the idea that care homes can be run in a way that ensures the safety of the people living there.

Yes being one who has worked in these facilities I am well aware of the problems....but now there is the Poultry business in BC and Cargill in Alberta where workers are in close proximity also.

 

[Ritafee]

Interesting that Indias numbers are so low and that their wondering if their universal BCG vaccine for tuberculosis has anything to do with it.(not proven yet)

How does India, a country of 1.3 billion people, have around 1,000 coronavirus deaths?

Less than a month ago, India's future looked dire. But so far, the world's second-most populous country appears to have avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

www.cnn.com

CNN might not be the best news source about these Times Of India ...

As lockdown extension looms large, food insecurity haunts Bengaluru’s poor | Bengaluru News - Times of India

With the lockdown most likely to be extended till month-end, a growing food insecurity haunts Bengaluru’s underprivileged, thousands of whom are alrea

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Bengaluru: Social distancing goes for a toss as people wait for free food pass

The responsibility of maintaining social distancing lies on everyone of us, especially those who are public servants and public representatives. However, most times political leaders who distribute food to the needy often fail to take steps to see that their good deed doesn't result in crowding...

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[ChemGal]

Yes being one who has worked in these facilities I am well aware of the problems....but now there is the Poultry business in BC and Cargill in Alberta where workers are in close proximity also.

Brooks is actually looking worse than Cargill based on the numbers I looked at yesterday. Also beef packaging plant outbreak.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

If the numbers are much higher here than currently known, that's good news. If people's symptoms are mild enough for a large number of cases to be "brushed off", It means the fatality rate is really low here, regardless of who gets it. It means that it's a mild illness in a vast majority of people. On Vancouver Island, all 4 deaths were very elderly seniors from care homes who contracted the virus there, and died, is my understanding.
The care home that avoided cases (there has to be dozens of such homes on the Island that skipped covid outbreaks, considering how many seniors nursing homes and living facilities - and visitors, and seniors in general - there are here) is because nobody shedding covid went into those places. People have to be exposed, to get it. Also, some of the January flu and pneumonia numbers in those facilities, may have been covid before we knew covid was around here.

 

[Northwind]

But how many young people with really mild symptoms were tested in BC to know that 60% figure? I think a fair bit of the testing has skewed older so I don't trust that number.

60% of those we know.

 

[Northwind]

Yes being one who has worked in these facilities I am well aware of the problems....but now there is the Poultry business in BC and Cargill in Alberta where workers are in close proximity also.

And likely similar factors are involved. Poor working conditions, having to work in more than one facility, etc. Another factor in the High River, AB situation is that employees lived together and commuted together. I'm not sure if that's a factor in other plants. These things can't just be broken down to one factor.

 

[Northwind]

f the numbers are much higher here than currently known, that's good news. If people's symptoms are mild enough for a large number of cases to be "brushed off", It means the fatality rate is really low here, regardless of who gets it

That's reassuring on many levels.

It means that it's a mild illness in a vast majority of people.

Unfortunately, those for whom the symptoms are not mild have some pretty catastrophic illness and consequences. We do still be mindful of that.

On Vancouver Island, all 4 deaths were very elderly seniors from care homes who contracted the virus there, and died, is my understanding.

I've noticed that the island homes seem to be avoiding the news. Is this because they're doing better? If so, how can we learn from that.

I've been impressed with how BC has been handling this. We apparently have more businesses open here and yet have lower numbers. Is that because we've been figuring out how to have a bit of balance? Safety and commerce?

Just thinking out loud here.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

That's reassuring on many levels.



Unfortunately, those for whom the symptoms are not mild have some pretty catastrophic illness and consequences. We do still be mindful of that.



I've noticed that the island homes seem to be avoiding the news. Is this because they're doing better? If so, how can we learn from that.

I've been impressed with how BC has been handling this. We apparently have more businesses open here and yet have lower numbers. Is that because we've been figuring out how to have a bit of balance? Safety and commerce?

Just thinking out loud here.

I think the majority of people on the Island (maybe my house not included - my housemates are not the most courteous) are cheerfully and voluntarily distancing and it started early. There was a short lived skepticism before everyone got on board. I get restless with being at home - I think I'm safer to be out in my case, too - but social distancing is not that difficult to do - or at least be mindful and making ones very best effort at - when out. All the floors in the open businesses are marked - now people have an automatic idea about how far 2 metres is even when the marks aren't there, reinforced. Hand sanitizer and wipes are gone as soon as they hit shelves, so people are obviously using them.