Coronavirus, comprehensive and updates discussion

[Elderberry]

Is the vaccine to thwart the new coronavirus stored in a Houston freezer?

Houston Chronicle by  Todd Ackerman Feb. 23, 2020

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/health/article/Is-the-vaccine-to-thwart-the-new-coronavirus-15075445.php

Scientists around the world are scrambling to develop a vaccine to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, but the best candidate might be an experimental one stored in a Houston freezer.

The vaccine, developed by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers, effectively protected mice against SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, the virus from the same family that spread in the early 2000s. The vaccine never progressed to human testing because manufacturing of it wasn’t completed until 2016, long after SARS had burned out.

“It generated zero interest from pharmaceutical companies,” said Peter Hotez, a Baylor vaccine researcher and infectious disease specialist. “Because the virus was no longer circulating, their response was essentially, ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ ”

The Baylor-UTMB vaccine looks promising for COVID-19 because the virus so resembles SARS — Hotez calls it SARS-2 — which circulated between November 2002 and July 2003, mostly in mainland China and Hong Kong but also in Toronto, whose economy was so badly wrought by the outbreak that it needed a boost from a benefit concert featuring the Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake and others to help shake the effects.

COVID-19 shares 82 percent of its genes with SARS and infects people through the same cell receptor, one of the “spike-like” proteins that stud the surface of coronaviruses and gives the family their name. The viruses originally jump from animals to people.

More at link.

[Gefn]

Italy's coronavirus outbreak is the biggest outside Asia


https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-23-20-hnk-intl/index.html

[TomSea]

Some people have been knocked off of twitter, suspended because of some things they have said or posted. I am skeptical of some things, I won't dwell on this. I'm not sure what their motive might be to deceive, say posting something like video of a building being welded shut and things like that which I have seen videos of.  I've seen a fair number of twitter accounts get busted for certain things, they usually come back but not always.

So, on the topic of propaganda....

Coronavirus: Pregnant nurse 'propaganda' sparks backlash

    21 February 2020

A video featuring a pregnant nurse treating patients in a hospital in the virus epicentre of Wuhan has sparked a backlash across China.

The video by state media outlet CCTV was meant to portray nine-month pregnant Zhao Yu as a hero.

But instead social media users criticised the hospital for allowing a heavily pregnant nurse to work in a highly contagious environment.

More: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51583186

At this rate, I think the Tokyo Summer Olympics, those usually begin in August.... there is some uncertainty with that. Tokyo saying, they plan on having them and taking some offense to London saying they could do it if Tokyo backs out.

[libertybele]

If you are in the country like we are, you can quarantine if it gets serious. Plastic duct taped over the windows and doors, keep everything clean, and take lots of antiviral herb extracts. Plus diffuse antiviral herb oils into the air.

I'm already worried that the ability to mutate and reinfect may make this thing one long, slow, nasty grind.

Long, slow nasty grind, is probably the case.  Incubation period keeps increasing.  This is easily spread much like the flu.  Outbreaks rising in S. Korea to over 400.  Now reports of infections in Italy. Newest cases of infection in Iran.

Meanwhile...the CDC has confirmed 35 cases in the U.S. 

[libertybele]

My hunch is that Congress hates Trump so much and has little regard for the American people that they will fail to provide funds to battle this virus.

White House expected to ask Congress for coronavirus funds this week

White House officials are expected to ask Congress for emergency funding this week to battle the coronavirus amid growing fears of a larger outbreak in the US, two officials familiar with the forthcoming request said.
Government aides worked throughout the weekend on the supplemental request, which is still not final but could be sent to Capitol Hill as soon as Monday, according to a person familiar with the plans.
That source said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has ruffled feathers through the process by requesting amounts of money that "have been seen as largely out of proportion." The source noted HHS already has money that could be used for coronavirus issues, but claimed Azar "has been pushing hard for this to overcompensate" for management decisions regarding coronavirus containment that the source criticized.
The US now has 36 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Fourteen Americans who tested positive for the disease returned to the US this week after spending weeks in isolation on the luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess docked in Japan................

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/23/politics/coronavirus-congress-white-house-funding/index.html

[TomSea]

My hunch is that Congress hates Trump so much and has little regard for the American people that they will fail to provide funds to battle this virus.

White House expected to ask Congress for coronavirus funds this week

White House officials are expected to ask Congress for emergency funding this week to battle the coronavirus amid growing fears of a larger outbreak in the US, two officials familiar with the forthcoming request said.
Government aides worked throughout the weekend on the supplemental request, which is still not final but could be sent to Capitol Hill as soon as Monday, according to a person familiar with the plans.
That source said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has ruffled feathers through the process by requesting amounts of money that "have been seen as largely out of proportion." The source noted HHS already has money that could be used for coronavirus issues, but claimed Azar "has been pushing hard for this to overcompensate" for management decisions regarding coronavirus containment that the source criticized.
The US now has 36 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Fourteen Americans who tested positive for the disease returned to the US this week after spending weeks in isolation on the luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess docked in Japan................

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/23/politics/coronavirus-congress-white-house-funding/index.html

This is a legitimate concern, I even saw an editorial saying, if Trump fails on the Coronavirus, he won't be reelected.

I thought it was a bit of an offbeat article but it is possible.

[TomSea]

Picture of the Day: Hospital In Busan Closed Due to Coronavirus Scare
GIKorea | February 20, 2020



See more at: https://www.rokdrop.net/2020/02/picture-of-the-day-hospital-in-busan-closed-due-to-coronavirus-scare/

The caption to the photo says the hospital was closed temporarily because a woman suspected of having the coronavirus visited there earlier in the day.

[PeteS in CA]

If all goes as planned, my daughter's university will begin live online classes this evening PDT (China is on the other side of the International Dateline, so it'll be Monday AM there). My daughter participated in a live test of the app on Saturday (our time).

[Cyber Liberty]

If all goes as planned, my daughter's university will begin live online classes this evening PDT (China is on the other side of the International Dateline, so it'll be Monday AM there). My daughter participated in a live test of the app on Saturday (our time).

[Smokin Joe]

This is a legitimate concern, I even saw an editorial saying, if Trump fails on the Coronavirus, he won't be reelected.

I thought it was a bit of an offbeat article but it is possible.

In the meantime he is being undermined by State Dept people in Japan. Failures should roost on those who defied orders to bring known infected people here on the same plane with those just under quarantine.

[Cyber Liberty]

This is a legitimate concern, I even saw an editorial saying, if Trump fails on the Coronavirus, he won't be reelected.

I thought it was a bit of an offbeat article but it is possible.

The Rats would be OK if a million Americans die, as long as they can blame Trump for it.  They are that evil.

[Free Vulcan]

World is approaching coronavirus tipping point, experts say

The world is fast approaching a tipping point in the spread of the coronavirus, according to experts, who warn that the disease is outpacing efforts to contain it, after major outbreaks forced Italy and Iran to introduce stringent internal travel restrictions and South Korea’s president placed the country on red alert.

Some of the countries most affected by the virus are scrambling to halt its progress two days after Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said the international community needed to act quickly before the narrowing “window of opportunity” closed completely.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/23/world-is-approaching-coronavirus-tipping-point-experts-say

[Free Vulcan]

Coronavirus Hits Supply Chains, Saps US Business Activity

Coronavirus-related supply chain disruption is taking its toll on U.S. firms, with a recent survey of company purchasing managers showing a slump in business activity in February that’s being blamed in part on the spread of the disease.

“The deterioration was in part linked to the coronavirus outbreak, manifesting itself in weakened demand across sectors such as travel and tourism, as well as via falling exports and supply chain disruptions,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, which on Feb. 21 published its Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/coronavirus-hits-supply-chains-saps-us-business-activity_3247352.html

[TomSea]

North Korean Police Threaten to Execute Smugglers as Coronavirus Epidemic Continues in China
2020-02-18

Police in North Korea earlier this month issued a decree that warns of stronger punishments for smugglers—including the death penalty-- amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in China and several of its immediate neighbors, RFA has learned.

Sources in the country say that residents think that the decree is absurd because smuggling is important to the livelihoods of many living in areas near the Sino-Korean border.

“Authorities have been working hard to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, so they issued a decree in the name of the police that threatens to harshly punish those who violate the national quarantine effort,” a resident of Ryanggang province told RFA’s Korean Service Monday.

Read more at: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/nk-coronavirus-smuggling-treason-02182020233942.html

Does Radio Free Asia actually have correspondents in that country? I doubt it.  It could be communicated in other ways.

[Free Vulcan]

Italy imposes draconian rules to stop spread of coronavirus

Italian authorities have implemented draconian measures to try to halt the coronavirus outbreak in the north of the country, including imposing fines on anyone caught entering or leaving outbreak areas, as a third person was confirmed to have died on Sunday.

The number of cases of the virus in the country has risen to 152.

Police are patrolling 11 towns – mostly in the Lombardy region, where the first locally transmitted case emerged – that have been in lockdown since Friday night. The latest victim died in the Lombardy city of Cremona.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/23/italy-draconian-measures-effort-halt-coronavirus-outbreak-spread

[Elderberry]

Cut thru myths to see facts about COVID-19

Fabius Maximus by  Larry Kummer 2/22/2020

https://fabiusmaximus.com/2020/02/22/facts-about-covid-19/

Important: the WHO has not yet declared COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) to be a pandemic – where the epidemic spreads rapidly across multiple regions simultaneously. The label “pandemic” describes a disease’s extent and speed of spread, not its severity. See the WHO website for details (here and here). The COVID-19 epidemic now might be breaking containment to become a pandemic. This is where the preparation during the past two months will prove its worth – or not.

The current status

From the WHO Situation Report of February 23.

So far there are 29 nations affected (5 new nations since February 3). There are 1769 confirmed cases outside China (367 new), with 17 deaths (6 new). That is 1135 cases plus the 634 guaranteed or tested from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Reminder: the world’s population outside China is six and one-half billion.

    South Korea is experiencing the most rapid spread of the disease outside of China – so far with small numbers afflicted and an immensely strong response by its government and people. They have 602 confirmed cases: 1 new case reported on Feb. 18, 20 on Feb. 19, 53 on Feb. 20, and 100 on Feb. 21, 104 on Feb. 22, and 256 on Feb. 23.

    The other nation experiencing a rapid spread is Italy, so far with tiny numbers: 76 confirmed cases (vs. 3 on WHO’s Feb. 21 report). Again, the government and people are responding strongly and proactively to contain the outbreak (details here).

    Iran reported its first two cases on Feb 20. There are now 28 cases and 5 deaths, which implies that there are many more than 28 people infected.

People take for granted this accurate, timely, and detailed data (esp. the “government can’t do anything” and “the UN is evil” folks). It did not exist for epidemics until recently. This information is collected according to the International Health Regulations (2005). All Member States are required to immediately report any new confirmed case of COVID-19 and, within 48 hours, provide information related to clinical, epidemiological, and travel history using the WHO standardized case reporting form.

Cases in the US

As of Feb 21, the CDC reports that 414 people have been tests and 14 cases confirmed – with no tests pending results.

As of February 15, the CDC estimates that so far this season (since September 9) there have been at least 29 million flu illnesses, 280,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu. See their summary page and detail page for current information. But remember America’s new motto: “What, me worry?”

An overview of the epidemic

Excerpt from a speech by Tedros Adhanom, the Director-General of WHO, on February 21. Full text here.

More at link.

[libertybele]

I see that the WHO and the CDC continue to downplay this virus; that in itself is detrimental.

[DB]

I see that the WHO and the CDC continue to downplay this virus; that in itself is detrimental.

Its a game of chicken. Much like the "religion of peace" thing...

[DB]

Cut thru myths to see facts about COVID-19

Fabius Maximus by  Larry Kummer 2/22/2020

https://fabiusmaximus.com/2020/02/22/facts-about-covid-19/

The fact is China is lying through its teeth about both infections and deaths. Garbage numbers in, garbage numbers out. Meaningful numbers will only come from outside China excluding the likes of Iran and North Korea.

[dfwgator]

The fact is China is lying through its teeth about both infections and deaths. Garbage numbers in, garbage numbers out. Meaningful numbers will only come from outside China excluding the likes of Iran and North Korea.

I don't even pay attention to any numbers from China, they are useless.

[TomSea]

BNO Newsroom
@BNODesk
NEW: Iranian lawmaker claims at least 50 people have died of coronavirus in the city of Qom; the official death toll stands at 12 - ILNA
3:04 AM · Feb 24, 2020·TweetDeck

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1231867565133135873

Big numbers out of Iran...

[Sighlass]

Well after the local pitched a worthy hissy fit.... Trump said they will not be sending a pile of coronavirus folks next door to me....

Officials say plan to house Covid-19 patients in Anniston is canceled

https://www.annistonstar.com/free/officials-say-plan-to-house-covid--patients-in-anniston/article_0ae5bb5e-5663-11ea-ab66-17ad711f2d09.html

[Elderberry]

Rise In Coronavirus Cases In Iran, Elsewhere Triggers Pandemic Fears

Radio Free Europe 2/24/2020

https://www.rferl.org/a/rise-in-coronavirus-cases-in-iran-elsewhere-triggers-pandemic-fears/30451104.html

Fears of a coronavirus pandemic, or global outbreak, are growing as countries including Iran, Italy, and South Korea are battling to contain the spread of the disease that has already killed around 2,600 people in China.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait on February 24 reported their first cases of the COVID-19 virus -- all involving people who had come from Iran, which has recorded the highest death toll outside the disease's epicenter in China.

The semiofficial ILNA news agency reported that 50 people had died from the virus in the central city of Qom, but Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi rejected the report, telling a news conference that the total number of confirmed cases now stood at 61, including 12 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Afghan minister of public health, Ferozuddin Feroz, told a press conference that one of three suspected cases had been confirmed in the western province of Herat. Feroz announced a state of emergency in the province bordering Iran.

More at link.

[thackney]

Rise In Coronavirus Cases In Iran, Elsewhere Triggers Pandemic Fears

Radio Free Europe 2/24/2020

https://www.rferl.org/a/rise-in-coronavirus-cases-in-iran-elsewhere-triggers-pandemic-fears/30451104.html

If this spreads to battle field areas for ISIS, it may solve a lot of problems.

[Cyber Liberty]

Well after the local pitched a worthy hissy fit.... Trump said they will not be sending a pile of coronavirus folks next door to me....

Officials say plan to house Covid-19 patients in Anniston is canceled

https://www.annistonstar.com/free/officials-say-plan-to-house-covid--patients-in-anniston/article_0ae5bb5e-5663-11ea-ab66-17ad711f2d09.html

Unless another low-level State Department bureaucrat decides to just ship them anyway as was done last week.  Nowhere in the country is safe from low-level bureaucrats.