Corona Virus (COVID-19)( SARS-CoV-2) from China: Its going to be bad.

[03Lightningrocks]

The destruction of our economy is doing ten times the damage this over rated cold virus has or will cause. I agree with srothstein. Especially the part about the end of this thing. One side will claim it was an over reaction and the other side will claim it was not so bad because of the precautions taken. Something else to keep in mind. We have not had much in the way of testing until now. They already know that the vast majority of folks who get it will show minor to know symptoms. My bet is that many more of us have it than we know and with the advent of more testing we will see the numbers of confirmed cases spike. Which of coarse will just increase the anxiety levels of everyone.

In the meanwhile. Social distancing will become the new buzzword for the left.

[Mike S]

For those who use YouTube, you can go to the White House's page & subscribe. Wife fussed at me yesterday for not listening to the White House update while she was on shift, so I clicked on the little 'bell' so I'd get notified...

Here's the link to today's briefing, in progress now:



Notes:
- the USS COMFORT & USS MERCY (big hospital ships) are being prepared to support (as a surge capacity, I'm guessing). One will be stationed off of New York; west coast location still to be determined.
- Defense Production Act will be invoked later today, which allows the DOD to ramp up procurement of med supplies to replace the ventilators & med supplies that DOD is providing to civilian facilities out of DOD's Strategic Reserves.
- Recommendation for Dr's & hospitals to defer elective procedures until later, to open up resources for other needs.
- V.A. is cutting back on routine/elective appointments, by about 1/3 so far. V.A. hospitals are prepared to augment FEMA & civilian med system if called upon.
- Non-essential border crossings with U.S.-Canada (of persons) will be halted to limit exposures. Not going to affect commerce, just travellers.
- South Korea has tested bunches of their people (didn't catch the numbers). Only minor changes in previous stats. 93% tested negative for COVID-19
- 59,000 tests processed thus far in the U.S.
- There was a huge backlog of test processing in the U.S. until the automated process went into effect this week. Public was warned that now that 10,000 tests may be getting processed per day, expect a quick jump in the next week of the number of positive cases as the backlog is cleared. DO NOT panic if the number jumps when the backlog is cleared; it doesn't indicate a jump in new cases, just that some presumptive cases are confirmed.

[Rafe]

In the Houston area, the Galleria, Houston Premium Outlets, and Katy Mills to close through March 29. That's a lot of retail space completely empty for over a week. https://abc13.com/society/list-of-event ... a/6004004/

[ScottDLS]

In the Houston area, the Galleria, Houston Premium Outlets, and Katy Mills to close through March 29. That's a lot of retail space completely empty for over a week. https://abc13.com/society/list-of-event ... a/6004004/

Next up the power companies, refineries, food distributors, police and firefighters and the Army. You can't be to careful ya know.

[parabelum]

I’m Lt/EMT in a busy Vol Dept with two stations running several calls daily. We are open

[txhighlander]

I haul fuel, no slow down here . I did notice less traffic on my routes today than the last few days.

[philip964]

I haul fuel, no slow down here . I did notice less traffic on my routes today than the last few days.

Thank you for the work you do. I appreciate fuel!

[philip964]

I’m Lt/EMT in a busy Vol Dept with two stations running several calls daily. We are open

Thank you for being a first responder!

[txhighlander]

I haul fuel, no slow down here . I did notice less traffic on my routes today than the last few days.

Thank you for the work you do. I appreciate fuel!

Your welcome, I have noticed that vehicles tend not to run without fuel.

[philip964]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... untry.html

Italy has 475 deaths in one day.

[powerboatr]

hats off to the EMTs and Fireman. as well as the truckers bringing fuel and groceries.



VA called today, all dental procedures are on hold until further notice. Emergencies will be handled as required.

all normal doc visits are either tele or email, unless urgent issues arise.

governor is holding a town hall tomorrow at 7pm

[03Lightningrocks]

This is more evidence that corona virus danger is greatly exaggerated.

WHO Director Made BASIC MATH ERROR in Causing Global Coronavirus Panic

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/0 ... tent=daily

[parabelum]

I’m Lt/EMT in a busy Vol Dept with two stations running several calls daily. We are open

Thank you for being a first responder!

Thank you Sir

[johncanfield]

....VA called today, all dental procedures are on hold until further notice. Emergencies will be handled as required. all normal doc visits are either tele or email, unless urgent issues arise

I kept an appointment yesterday at the Kerrville VAMC, today at 0500 hours they are screening everyone in a vehicle before they can enter the building. I have upcoming appointments in a couple of months, hope they aren't delayed. Can't do these over the phone - dental and vision.

[Rafe]

I have no idea how I missed this news tidbit when it originally came out February 27 when the dems got all verklempt over Mike Pence being appointed to head the Coronavirus Task Force. So guess who stepped up to create the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force as counter to the actual Coronavirus Task Force?



She evidently was able to convince two other congresscritters to be co-chairs with her. At least that's a plus, because with only SJL at the helm we'd surely be dead in a week. I wasn't panicky before, but anytime I see Sheila Jackson Lee's mouth start to move I get a major blood pressure spike.

And about an hour ago, this:

Free Houston-area drive-thru coronavirus testing to start Thursday

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Chair of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, said free testing will begin Thursday, March 19. She's expected to hold a press conference around 10 a.m. urging residents to take advantage of the free testing.

For more information, go to https://abc13.com/health/free-houston-a ... y/6026270/

Didn't we just today--and sanely--hear from the real Coronavirus Task Force that people shouldn't run out and flood the new increased testing capability just because they sneezed at 9:21 a.m. last Tuesday?

There's no treatment for the virus, so unless you are expressly symptomatic and are in a vulnerable part of the population, or if you've traveled or have been in contact with someone you know or think is positive for the virus, that all 329 million Americans shouldn't run out and immediately overload the new testing system? That we should leave the initial testing capacity for our 1st responders and medical professionals who are coming into contact with COVID-19 patients, and for those who are expressly symptomatic and may need medical attention?