Coronavirus, a threat or media hype?

[woundedknees]

Average age of death in Italy is 81. Most people are fine...

This is far more deadly than flu at every age bracket. Also, what do you have against old people?

I'm glad to see the conversation here beginning to focus on the fact that this isn't some kind of "hoax" or media hype.

COVID-19 is real and it's here in far bigger numbers than we've tested for. The death count is just beginning. I really hope everyone is taking social distancing seriously.

Also, since this is a Duck football forum, everyone here should be bracing for the upcoming football season to be canceled or played in front of an empty stadium.

We'll probably never get an accurate estimate of how many are infected with this disease, since, at least in Oregon, the first thing medical professionals assess is the individual's "risk factor"... If you don't meet certain criteria, you'll be sent home without the test.

Instructions will be given on dealing with an upper respiratory infection, and that's it, except for possible follow-up. Also, expect to be told that you are likely looking at 2-3 weeks of recovery time.

I would like to be tested in the event I contract one of the viruses, simply because I am responsible for my 93 year old diabetic father-in-law, and his 88 year old wife, as well as my own wife and daughter, both recent cancer patients, with my daughter also afflicted by a drug induced auto-immune syndrome.

Guess what? She was sent to er with pneumonia-like symptoms this week and they declined to perform the test because she doesn't meet the criteria.

Good luck, stay healthy folks, if you can.

[Alan]

When I started this thread a very few days ago I mostly felt it was a lot to do with media hype and click bait. In those very few days I have done a 180. I hear first hand news of how fast it is spreading close to home, about my 87 year old uncle who had to go by ambulance because he has pneumonia like symptoms, and the Portland paramedics refused to enter the house to load him on a stretcher for their own safety (I am still trying to figure out would rode and drove the ambulance). I take care of my parents who are in their 80’s and I have had them in quarantine for the last few days. We take groceries and other needs to them but leave it on the porch and talk with them outside and with distance between us, a hug can wait a few weeks. This is very serious and is and will continue to kill our elderly, very young and ill.......... be proactive! Use common sense, unlike those paramedics that wouldn’t go into a house to help an elderly patient but would enclose themselves in ambulance. Think about it and think about others! Good luck to you and yours woundedknee!

[Tray Dub]

Really glad to hear you guys are keeping yourselves as safe as you can. I've been thinking a lot about the older (and wiser!) folks in my life lately, and while we don't know each other personally you guys have been in my thoughts too.

[woundedknees]

Check out this article about the Philadelphia "Liberty Loan Parade", in 1918 (Advent of the Spanish Flu/H1N1).

It's chilling, to say the least.

"In 1918, Philadelphia didn't cancel an important parade in the midst of a pandemic. The results were devestating"

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-191 ... id=UE07DHP


I have this, personal note to add to the discussion:

The local cemetery has one of our historical family grave plots from that era. Within a week of my wife's great Uncle's return from the World War I, multiple members of their rather large family were gone from the Spanish Flu, including himself (19 years old), and his little sister (8). Joyful Homecoming turned to tragedy.

I'm sure they didn't have a clue what was happening.

At least we have a chance to prepare.

[greenyellow]

A big problem with the 1918 Spanish flu is that it actually seemed to affect the healthiest more than those who were already elderly and/or sicker, mainly because the stronger immune systems of younger patients caused a greater buildup of fluid and secondary infections in the lungs that outstripped the abilities of doctors at the time to deal with them.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2018 ... -so-deadly

[woundedknees]

This is true, but the basic idea of dealing with limiting exposure was consistent.

My step-father was an infant when the Spanish flu came through, but his father and mother both had it.

He contacted other special things, such as Scarlet Fever, Rheumatic Fever, Whooping Cough, and a couple others I can't recall at the moment.

To top it off, he contracted Diptheria, while treating German POWs, as a medic during WW II.

[Duck07]

State Parks are packed on the Oregon Coast today.

[StevensTechU]

State Parks are packed on the Oregon Coast today.

That's great news, IMO.

The virus isn't airborne, and being active outside in the sun is one of the healthiest things you can do.

[Duck07]

State Parks are packed on the Oregon Coast today.

That's great news, IMO.

The virus isn't airborne, and being active outside in the sun is one of the healthiest things you can do.

I've read that aerosols hang in the air for up to 30 minutes. It also means all of the restaurants are packed in retirement communities. We're not Social Distancing and just because someone "feels good" doesn't mean that they aren't a carrier who is actively spreading it.

[StevensTechU]

State Parks are packed on the Oregon Coast today.

That's great news, IMO.

The virus isn't airborne, and being active outside in the sun is one of the healthiest things you can do.

I've read that aerosols hang in the air for up to 30 minutes. It also means all of the restaurants are packed in retirement communities. We're not Social Distancing and just because someone "feels good" doesn't mean that they aren't a carrier who is actively spreading it.

Restaurants are different thing than state parks, aka nature.

My girlfriend, a nurse who is a the secondary unit for coronavirus at a local hospital, got home this morning and vented over seeing a man in a mask designed to prevent the spread of tuberculosis using it to walk through town. Why? Because the health risk of being outside is virtually nil for coronavirus.

Pack a lunch and go to a state park.

[GoDucksIn09]

Probably the saddest thing I have seen over the last 2 weeks is the fact that people regardless of what state they live in feel the need to always be me first, me first, me first. I live in Washington, and we have stores like Safeway, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreens, Fred Meyers all putting up signs limiting the number of things like hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, toilet paper, etc etc because people are being insensitive to others. They can only think about themselves. My step sister posted an article written in Oregon about the need to put community, state, country first before self. This is a challenge for a country that seems to not comprehend the fact they need to put others first and not hoard things. On Amazon people are price gouging for these same items and not being considerate of others in community or state. As a red blooded American this is the most disgusting thing I have seen in the response to this. My wife is not from this country and she continues to ask why Americans are only thinking of themselves and not thinking of others. I have no good answer to share with her.

[OregonFan4Life]

Probably the saddest thing I have seen over the last 2 weeks is the fact that people regardless of what state they live in feel the need to always be me first, me first, me first. I live in Washington, and we have stores like Safeway, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreens, Fred Meyers all putting up signs limiting the number of things like hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, toilet paper, etc etc because people are being insensitive to others. They can only think about themselves. My step sister posted an article written in Oregon about the need to put community, state, country first before self. This is a challenge for a country that seems to not comprehend the fact they need to put others first and not hoard things. On Amazon people are price gouging for these same items and not being considerate of others in community or state. As a red blooded American this is the most disgusting thing I have seen in the response to this. My wife is not from this country and she continues to ask why Americans are only thinking of themselves and not thinking of others. I have no good answer to share with her.

Absolutely, it’s been depressing. Humans are the deadliest virus ever.

[greenyellow]

Some interesting statistical graphics showing the relative preparedness of the US for dealing with the virus. While not fully prepared yet, we're not completely ill-equipped to deal with it either.

[pezsez1]

A Beaver friend of mine posted a meme with a bunch of Oregon gear saying something like "Found extra TP!"

So I made this in response. Figured folks here might enjoy it.

[Tray Dub]

I would've thought we were prepared, but the complete botching of the testing situation so far has really shaken my confidence.