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Post by sandman on Feb 29, 2020 15:06:03 GMT -5
Where do you stand on the issue?
Seems to got 2 camps - the fear mongering prepping for the end of the world or the deniers who can't be bothered and don't care.
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Post by sutureself on Feb 29, 2020 15:33:09 GMT -5
I was reading a twitter thread of someone with severe flu symptoms. She was quarantined in hospital since she had spent time briefly in Hong Kong about a week and a half before the symptoms appeared. It ended up just being really bad influenza, not coronavirus, and she was saying she wished she had got flu vaccine so she could've ruled out the 'regular' flu earlier, and avoided a lot of misery. That's pretty much my only takeaway, that I'm glad we have access to free and convenient seasonal flu vaccines and that it's smart to get the flu shot. I never bothered when I was younger but now that I have a wife and kids it's a yearly ritual. Doesn't rule out getting sick completely, but at least you can probably rule out worst case scenario of a really bad flu that can leave you puking and bedridden.
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Post by haisan on Mar 1, 2020 4:42:00 GMT -5
I’m living in Korea, which is the center of the first really big post-China wave. So it’s Covid19 all the time here.
But from what I can see... it looks like the virus is about as contagious as the flu. And about as dangerous as a really bad flu strain. Especially for the old.
So it’s bad, but it’s not the zombie apocalypse. Just wash your hands, don’t touch your face and don’t be disgusting.
Then again, Korea has excellent healthcare and a huge emphasis on testing and transparency. The country is really mobilized for the fight, from government to hospitals to businesses. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen in the US.
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Post by Pseudonym on Mar 1, 2020 8:44:59 GMT -5
I’m living in Korea, which is the center of the first really big post-China wave. So it’s Covid19 all the time here. But from what I can see... it looks like the virus is about as contagious as the flu. And about as dangerous as a really bad flu strain. Especially for the old. So it’s bad, but it’s not the zombie apocalypse. Just your hands, don’t touch your face and don’t be disgusting. Then again, Korea has excellent healthcare and a huge emphasis on testing and transparency. The country is really mobilized for the fight, from government to hospitals to businesses. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen in the US. The virus will likely spread at a preposterous rate in the US (compared to other rich countries), since strangely, even for them, the Trump Administration seems to be in denial about it, and Americans will be unable to afford to take a day off, or be unwilling to go get checked out in fear of being slapped with a five figure medical bill.
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Post by freewheel on Mar 1, 2020 18:12:09 GMT -5
I'm not living in fear but I will not be going to any movie theaters for the next little while. If it starts to kick off in north america there are some places that are just nasty for spreading viruses. As a middle age person who has occasionally had bad chest colds, I rather skip this one.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 2, 2020 8:21:11 GMT -5
I was reading a twitter thread of someone with severe flu symptoms. She was quarantined in hospital since she had spent time briefly in Hong Kong about a week and a half before the symptoms appeared. It ended up just being really bad influenza, not coronavirus, and she was saying she wished she had got flu vaccine so she could've ruled out the 'regular' flu earlier, and avoided a lot of misery. That's pretty much my only takeaway, that I'm glad we have access to free and convenient seasonal flu vaccines and that it's smart to get the flu shot. I never bothered when I was younger but now that I have a wife and kids it's a yearly ritual. Doesn't rule out getting sick completely, but at least you can probably rule out worst case scenario of a really bad flu that can leave you puking and bedridden. Just a quick note, the flu vaccine does not mean you do not get the flu. The flu has many different versions so the makers of the vaccine try to get most likely version of that year but it is only like 70% effective.
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Post by haisan on Mar 2, 2020 8:55:32 GMT -5
Just a quick note, the flu vaccine does not mean you do not get the flu. The flu has many different versions so the makers of the vaccine try to get most likely version of that year but it is only like 70% effective. I do believe this year's flu vaccine was one of the least-well concocted in ages, too. Just 45% effective, iirc. Still better than nothing, but not a great year.
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Post by sutureself on Mar 2, 2020 14:21:41 GMT -5
I was reading a twitter thread of someone with severe flu symptoms. She was quarantined in hospital since she had spent time briefly in Hong Kong about a week and a half before the symptoms appeared. It ended up just being really bad influenza, not coronavirus, and she was saying she wished she had got flu vaccine so she could've ruled out the 'regular' flu earlier, and avoided a lot of misery. That's pretty much my only takeaway, that I'm glad we have access to free and convenient seasonal flu vaccines and that it's smart to get the flu shot. I never bothered when I was younger but now that I have a wife and kids it's a yearly ritual. Doesn't rule out getting sick completely, but at least you can probably rule out worst case scenario of a really bad flu that can leave you puking and bedridden. Just a quick note, the flu vaccine does not mean you do not get the flu. The flu has many different versions so the makers of the vaccine try to get most likely version of that year but it is only like 70% effective. I know I'm just saying, it makes sense to at least play the percentages. Also some confusion with people who get sick with a different type of virus that they associate as flu-like symptoms after getting a flu shot, but is not technically the flu
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Post by sandman on Mar 7, 2020 17:26:48 GMT -5
Sounds like the NBA is somewhat concerned. Mentioned having no fans at games.
Of course Mr."All about me" Lebron chimes in and says he won't play then...
Get over yourself dude.
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Post by coach on Mar 9, 2020 10:44:36 GMT -5
Trump is following the CDC as their resident experts on all things diseases. Obviously he is briefed on progress but like most of us and the CDC we don't really know what's going on. I will say this much though. China and other countries believe this virus is different and dangerous because of the extraordinary measures being taken. They can say all they want but what they do is closer to the truth.
There are enough reports to show that young apparently healthy people can die from it. Also the authorities have admitted that this virus is air born as aerosol. That means that 6 feet is not effective and since it can live on a surface for 9 days that makes it more serious. Also the victim can be assymptomatic but still infect others, lots of others.
There was some talk that the virus caused pneumonia but there has been some rewinding on that subject since the cough is a dry hacking cough. Anyone familiar with pneumonia knows that the cough is loose and phlegmmy. Lately I have been hearing that people are dying directly from the virus not as first thought by the pneumonia it brought on.
China and the WHO have basically ignored where it originated from after the "bat" story was debunked. Which leads me to believe that authorities are covering up the source since the last report I heard said that authorities have traced the origin as far back as late October or early November. Shortly after that the Dr. who later died from it or a bullet from his government spread the alarm. He seemed pretty convinced in the recorded phone call to officials when he asked them "what have you done?" . At that time his hospital was filling up and people were dropping literally on the floor in hall ways. Later he was disappeared and then we saw pix of him lying in bed infected and then shortly after dies at 36 years of age.
This virus is so infectious I don't believe there is any protection from it unless you live and work in a bio-lab. Something this infectious has been the topic of Hollywood movies but in reality previous epidemics have been due to the fact that people didn't understand where the disease came from , how it was transmitted or what kinds of medicine could be used. But not because we couldn't contain it.
Aerosol type diseases or chemical agents are exactly what bio-weapons labs strive for. In the end of course it doesn't matter now that it is loose in the population. What matters is to find something to stop it. Finger pointing hopefully will come later and motivate all governments to stop tinkering with bio- weapons. If this virus is not a product of that research it should serve as a warning to those engaged in developing such weapons what could happen if something goes wrong.
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Post by sandman on Mar 9, 2020 18:13:28 GMT -5
I think that's a bit of a exaggeration in terms of the severity of this disease.
Very few young people have reportedly died. Italy's deaths indicate that those 60 and over are being hit the worst with this. Just like the flu, young people can die but the cases are very few and far. Strangely, it has been reported that young children are not being affected by it or very rarely.
It's not a good thing, it is worse than the flu but I wouldn't call this a disaster disease or anything close to something as severe as the Spanish Flu was during its time.
I am curious to see how Canada will respond should we reach Italy-type numbers. It is possible, particularly in the GTA that this thing will spread like wildfire.
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Post by haisan on Mar 9, 2020 19:55:28 GMT -5
Yeah, the epidemiologists have all been pretty clear that this is not a bio-weapon.
As for containing it ... Taiwan and Korea look like they've done it, without violating democratic norms. Vietnam, Singapore, HK and other countries also seem to be doing well. It looks like social distancing and good hygiene go a long way. Just don't go on cruises, to local cult meetings, or big political rallies (but I repeat myself).
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Post by coach on Mar 9, 2020 20:58:01 GMT -5
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Post by blueyoda on Mar 11, 2020 21:52:07 GMT -5
Stay safe and be conservative in your judgement - RC friends and your families.
Better safe than sorry. And better to not push our health system to a crumbling point.
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Post by sandman on Mar 15, 2020 9:26:51 GMT -5
So, how are things going?
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Post by freewheel on Mar 15, 2020 11:27:48 GMT -5
Fine. I went out to a Superstore yesterday to see the grocery buying spectacle. Wasn't that interesting and I didn't buy anything myself. The coronavirus pandemic isn't that different from a normal weekday. Ijust read a book or watch a movie instead of a sports event. Perhaps I'll get my taxes done a little sooner than usual.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 16, 2020 7:28:28 GMT -5
If you want to understand more about how this virus works and what to expect plus what to do to be safe yourself then listen to the Joe Rogan podcast with Michael Osterholm.
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Post by Pseudonym on Mar 16, 2020 14:21:56 GMT -5
Trudeau has closed off our borders basically to everyone except the US. Letting Americans in should reveal itself to be a major mistake, unless they are being tested before crossing.
Canada has tested about 25k. America has tested 23k. Just astonishing negligence by Trump. The profile of those most vulnerable seem like they would have voted for him as well. It might be the kind of thing that turns elections. I'm expecting them to end up worse than Italy tbh. At least 300k American are gonna die from this.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 16, 2020 14:46:25 GMT -5
America is going to get HAMMERED by this, to the level of Italy I think. Listening to infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm on Joe Rogen podcast talk about how bad it is going to get and that the general obese and unhealthiness of the general public in USA that they will largely have the same sort of issues as some of the older age people. Plus they won't want to go to the hospital if they are severe because of the general cost that will come along with it. Plus Trump has basically ignored this whole thing up until now by just suggesting it is a flu that will disappear. They are about to get rocked.
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Post by Springer on Mar 16, 2020 18:14:04 GMT -5
The one clinic that i work in (I'm a physiotherapist) is shutting down tomorrow. The other is a sports performance centre and that will most likely be closing its doors also.
Hello unemployment!!!!
(and thankfully i have a home gym in my garage)
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Post by sutureself on Mar 16, 2020 20:57:15 GMT -5
I'm looking back at my post from two weeks ago saying my takeaway from COVID-19 was it's a good reminder to get your regular flu shot but otherwise doesn't really affect my life, and it feels like I wrote that a million years ago. My kids are home from school indefinitely now and probably won't go back until September I'm assuming.
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Post by Springer on Mar 16, 2020 22:57:14 GMT -5
I'm looking back at my post from two weeks ago saying my takeaway from COVID-19 was it's a good reminder to get your regular flu shot but otherwise doesn't really affect my life, and it feels like I wrote that a million years ago. My kids are home from school indefinitely now and probably won't go back until September I'm assuming. so i take it that your flu shot didn't help?
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Post by haisan on Mar 17, 2020 2:55:50 GMT -5
America is going to get HAMMERED by this, to the level of Italy I think. Listening to infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm on Joe Rogen podcast talk about how bad it is going to get and that the general obese and unhealthiness of the general public in USA that they will largely have the same sort of issues as some of the older age people. Plus they won't want to go to the hospital if they are severe because of the general cost that will come along with it. Plus Trump has basically ignored this whole thing up until now by just suggesting it is a flu that will disappear. They are about to get rocked. The sugar connection to this thing seems rather fascinating to me. Do low-carb diets help? Is obesity a reason for the big difference between Korea's death rate and other countries? Not to sound too morbid, but I'll be fascinated to learn more about this going forward.
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Post by scully19 on Mar 17, 2020 7:39:16 GMT -5
America is going to get HAMMERED by this, to the level of Italy I think. Listening to infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm on Joe Rogen podcast talk about how bad it is going to get and that the general obese and unhealthiness of the general public in USA that they will largely have the same sort of issues as some of the older age people. Plus they won't want to go to the hospital if they are severe because of the general cost that will come along with it. Plus Trump has basically ignored this whole thing up until now by just suggesting it is a flu that will disappear. They are about to get rocked. The sugar connection to this thing seems rather fascinating to me. Do low-carb diets help? Is obesity a reason for the big difference between Korea's death rate and other countries? Not to sound too morbid, but I'll be fascinated to learn more about this going forward. I'm with you on this. As far the link, from what the Dr said it is because of the other underlying health issues that accompany such a negative lifestyle - high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and breathing issues seem like some main ones. They might not be deadly issues on their own but they definitely will combine to make it more difficult with COVID.
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Post by freewheel on Mar 17, 2020 13:17:43 GMT -5
So I spoke too soon. I'm at home sick, isolated. Banned from work. Fever, cough, headache. Fever spikes at night making it impossible to sleep. That's the worst of it. Tried many times to call hotline and get tested but always busy. Can't even get into a queue. Left messages for my family doctor who hasn't called back. Not happy about that I can tell you. Might kick his ass when I get better. Anyway I don't feel terrible because the fever and headache mostly subsides in the day. Cough is still mild but worried about sore throat. I can feel the potential. I am tired as hell from not sleeping though. I'm bombing it with meds. Nyquil, Cold FX, Tylenol, gargle salt water. Etc. For those who want to know, part of my job is handling couriers and packages from all over the world. No one else at my work is sick yet. I don't know if its Covid or just the flu. Probably never know unless I deteriorate and end up in the hospital.
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Post by Springer on Mar 17, 2020 15:53:58 GMT -5
Stay safe Freewheel!
Latest rumour circulating is that Advil makes the virus worse. I'd avoid it just in case.
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Post by sandman on Mar 17, 2020 20:58:27 GMT -5
So I spoke too soon. I'm at home sick, isolated. Banned from work. Fever, cough, headache. Fever spikes at night making it impossible to sleep. That's the worst of it. Tried many times to call hotline and get tested but always busy. Can't even get into a queue. Left messages for my family doctor who hasn't called back. Not happy about that I can tell you. Might kick his ass when I get better. Anyway I don't feel terrible because the fever and headache mostly subsides in the day. Cough is still mild but worried about sore throat. I can feel the potential. I am tired as hell from not sleeping though. I'm bombing it with meds. Nyquil, Cold FX, Tylenol, gargle salt water. Etc. For those who want to know, part of my job is handling couriers and packages from all over the world. No one else at my work is sick yet. I don't know if its Covid or just the flu. Probably never know unless I deteriorate and end up in the hospital. Stay safe buddy, keep us updated. Very disheartening as I hear the same things about the telehealth options.
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Post by Pseudonym on Mar 17, 2020 21:29:53 GMT -5
So I spoke too soon. I'm at home sick, isolated. Banned from work. Fever, cough, headache. Fever spikes at night making it impossible to sleep. That's the worst of it. Tried many times to call hotline and get tested but always busy. Can't even get into a queue. Left messages for my family doctor who hasn't called back. Not happy about that I can tell you. Might kick his ass when I get better. Anyway I don't feel terrible because the fever and headache mostly subsides in the day. Cough is still mild but worried about sore throat. I can feel the potential. I am tired as hell from not sleeping though. I'm bombing it with meds. Nyquil, Cold FX, Tylenol, gargle salt water. Etc. For those who want to know, part of my job is handling couriers and packages from all over the world. No one else at my work is sick yet. I don't know if its Covid or just the flu. Probably never know unless I deteriorate and end up in the hospital. Damn, stay safe dude.
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Post by zugzwang on Mar 18, 2020 7:06:50 GMT -5
Oh crap, Freewheel. That sounds like hell, man - can you skip the crashed phone lines and get to one of these assessment centers? Some websites say you're supposed to call first, but that sounds like that's not working. If it's critical enough, just head to an ER. There's addresses for the Toronto centers here - not sure where you are: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-health-advice/covid-19-assessment-centres/
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Post by coach on Mar 18, 2020 8:15:58 GMT -5
So I spoke too soon. I'm at home sick, isolated. Banned from work. Fever, cough, headache. Fever spikes at night making it impossible to sleep. That's the worst of it. Tried many times to call hotline and get tested but always busy. Can't even get into a queue. Left messages for my family doctor who hasn't called back. Not happy about that I can tell you. Might kick his ass when I get better. Anyway I don't feel terrible because the fever and headache mostly subsides in the day. Cough is still mild but worried about sore throat. I can feel the potential. I am tired as hell from not sleeping though. I'm bombing it with meds. Nyquil, Cold FX, Tylenol, gargle salt water. Etc. For those who want to know, part of my job is handling couriers and packages from all over the world. No one else at my work is sick yet. I don't know if its Covid or just the flu. Probably never know unless I deteriorate and end up in the hospital. Yes it could be the flu as the bird flu is making the rounds in where else, Asia. From a personal account by a survivor from the Diamond Princess who has underlying medical issues and is a senior reported that the symptoms at first weren't bad. Had fever spikes but not over 38.5 which apparently was some sort of red line. Since they were confined to their cabin he never realized that he was being affected in a critical area-shortness of breath. When he was released to quarantine he found he could hardly walk down the hallway. Turned out he had double pneumonia. Of course early days in the pandemic he didn't know that pneumonia was the big complication (mainly for seniors). As I said he is a survivor so the story ended well but I thought his descriptions of the couple's symptoms were helpful.
I'm afraid Canada is in for it as well. Yesterday I found out from a neighbour who had just returned from a cruise that people were returning without screening or being advised to quarantine (self-isolate is the PC term I think) themselves as a precaution. As unprepared as many of the western countries are this is going to hit hard. Open borders inside Europe were just closed today. Way too late. Canada does have one advantage-space. That's not much help to the city folk but in the residential and rural areas it should be much easier to quarantine people and ultimately stop the spread of this virus..
I sincerely hope you suffer no more than a short inconvenience with this illness. Average age of victims is 80 years old so you should have the odds on your side. Hope to hear all is well in the near future.
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