Unexplained Coronavirus Cases in Three States Raise Specter of Spread

Sixty-five cases of the virus have been reported in the United States, but until this week, all of the cases could be explained by overseas travel or contact with someone who had been ill. The three new cases on Friday, and a case earlier in the week, in California, were the first in the United States where the cause was mysterious and unknown — a sign, experts warned, that the virus, which has killed more than 2,800 people worldwide and sickened tens of thousands of others, might now be spreading in this country.

“If we were worried yesterday, we are even more worried today,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Now we have to ask: How widely, really widely, is this virus out there?”

As word emerged of the unexplained cases, local officials scrambled to trace everyone who had come in contact with those who were ill. California health officials said they were increasing testing. And in Washington State, officials suggested that people needed to prepare for the possibility of schools closing and businesses keeping workers home.

“We’re going to be increasingly recommending that people try and avoid crowds and close contact with other people,” Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer for Public Health Seattle & King County, said. “We may get to a point where we want to recommend canceling large public gatherings — social events, sporting events, entertainment — until we get over a hump of what might be a large outbreak.”

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Even the parent company of Corona, the beer brand, has seen its shares drop more than the broader market, which some have attributed to its having the same name as the virus.

Such fears do not bode well for a modern economy and stock market that depend on optimism and a willingness to spend. As recently as nine days ago, that optimism helped drive up the stock market to a new high.

 haresfur wrote:
 

Another good point.

 Isabeau wrote:
 
Sounds like your mum has her priorities right.

I can understand that Mormon thing about being prepared for the apocalypse although I once had a neighbour who burned their house down because of all the fuel stashed in the garage. I don't feel right without an extra month of meds on hand. 

 Proclivities wrote:
 
That's a good point. One  thing the governments should do is explain to people that it is proper to act quickly and severely then to back off as more information comes in. I'm afraid people will think "they got it wrong" and then blame the authorities and be less likely to listen next time.

 miamizsun wrote:
 

Perzactly how we are approaching it. One biggie is filling a month's worth of prescription drugs, especially if they are needed daily. Rather be prepared than not. My 82 yr old Mum lives nearby and we are making sure she's in good shape.  There's no living with her if she doesn't have HER FAVORITE BRAND of coffee. 

This is the kind of social upheaval that will rip the fabric of normal family dysfunction.

 haresfur wrote:
 

yes. Starbucks had closed over half its 4300 stores....now 85% are back open. 

 Proclivities wrote: 
yep

busy week for me with work and tax season

i did my usual hurricane prep in the early part of the week

had to stop by a major store today and i did see some people with prep material

i tried to get some rubbing alcohol and the entire shelf was bare

hoarders! 

 haresfur wrote:
 
I've read that in some areas where activity is slowly returning it's not so much that the risk hasn't changed as it is the risk assessment has changed.  Maybe the risks weren't as severe as they first thought but they needed to step away and cease public activities until it could be sussed out. 

 Isabeau wrote:
 

I placed an order for equipment I might need for work just in case the supply chain gets messed up. Been following posts elsewhere from an expat in China. Interesting that they are starting to see more shops open and more people on the street. It appears to me that at some point, people will get back to their lives just because it is impossible not to, even if the risk hasn't changed.

Imho, the anxiety is not so much about the virus itself (or the plethora of quick vaccine reports), but the kink in the hose of our interdependent nation markets.  Movement of goods, supplies, parts, shipments to our ports, deliveries to our cities, the U.S. will definitely feel a rattle from this economic earthquake. Whether the virus hits the U.S. hard or soft, no one knows, but quarantines are lethal to production and commerce. Right now, I'm more worried about those images of empty shelves in China and Italy and what our local grocery store may look like in a month.
Yup, I'm shallow that way.

 miamizsun wrote: 
FYT

seems a bit off topic but it may be worth your time...

last night in a state of twilight i read something in my gnews covid19 feed about this

head scientist at migal said it was blind luck that they have been researching a similar cv pathway

i think it was this

Israeli scientists: 'In a few weeks, we will have coronavirus vaccine'

Once the vaccine is developed, it will take at least 90 days to complete the regulatory process and potentially more to enter the marketplace.

edit: the speed at which some of the biotech companies are building products to combat this is pretty amazing

You’re Likely to Get the Coronavirus
Most cases are not life-threatening, which is also what makes the virus a historic challenge to contain.

JAMES HAMBLIN
FEBRUARY 24, 2020

In case you want more pictures, less text than the JHU site...  Coronavirus viz

U.S. Health Workers Responding to Coronavirus Lacked Training and Protective Gear

Anyone who thought "electing Trump won't kill anyone" are very close to being wrong.  The administration overrode the CDC's explicit instructions not to bring Americans home from Japan...and we now have the virus mysteriously appearing in someone without known contact linkage within 10 miles of the AFBase where the cruise line folks are in quarantine.  

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
 
Swine lasted over a year and infected up to 20% of the population, but the mortality rate was much lower....Only about 1/2 million, or less than. 10%

Good job Pencey!
Mike Pence was criticized for his handling of Indiana’s HIV outbreak. He will lead the U.S. coronavirus response.

“He’s got a certain talent for this”

Whistleblower Says Federal Employees Flown From Coronavirus Sites Didn’t Follow Safety Protocols

 cc_rider wrote:
 
  Yes, I think most of the nations engaged in WWI censored reports about victims of the 1918 flu in their countries (to keep up "morale" or some such).  Spain was not at war and reported their cases, so I guess people just attached their name to it.