[Hollynla]

The state total of coronavirus cases is at 22, mostly all in the Pine Bluff area (mostly in one care facility) and no new cases reported today, which is great news. https://www.ky3.com/content/news/No-...568869771.html

[slingshot]

300+ dead TODAY in Italy. Do not take this virus lightly.

[Hollynla]

Part of the reason for Italy: https://www.wired.com/story/why-the-...italy-so-hard/


https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/opini...itz/index.html

The impact of this disparity is quickly shown in the analysis of coronavirus deaths in each county. In Italy, 90% of the more than 1,000 deaths occur in those 70 or older.

[TRex2]

Originally Posted by Hollynla

Part of the reason for Italy: https://www.wired.com/story/why-the-...italy-so-hard/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/opini...itz/index.html

The "Wired" article addresses the major reason for so many Italian deaths, but it skips over a secondary reason. The Italian medical system, already stressed from years of dealing with Socialist driven policies and and Aging Population, became overwhelmed by the increase in patients (especially in their pulmonary departments) so that a lot of patients didn't get very good health care.

This seems to be reflected in a few other areas, with one author discussing that, in his region, the health care system itself is likely to become the primary spreader of contagion.

Here is a sobering article, written by someone who is a lot more into pandemics than I am.
(I have studied his materials for about an hour a week for a few years, and that is where I get about half of my knowledge of this subject.)
https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2020/...agination.html

This is, of course, the sort of messaging that many countries - at least outside of the current `hot zones' - have been projecting. This week I've heard several U.S. officials warn that `we haven't seen the peak in cases, quite yet'.

As if we are anywhere near the peak. Folks, we are barely into the foothills.

I suppose they think this is a way of breaking bad news `gently' - an approach that might be appropriate if you were talking to a 4 year old - but not when discussing a serious, potentially life-threatening event with adults.

As a result, we've squandered 2 valuable months of lead time. Time to prepare, mentally and logistically, for what is likely to become a long viral siege.

And no, this isn't just an American problem. This denialism runs deep around the world. Everyone - with the exception of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore - has been badly behind the curve on this pandemic threat.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by slingshot

300+ dead TODAY in Italy. Do not take this virus lightly.

It is true we can not take this lightly, but we are not Italy. Their medicare is inferior to ours for starters.

[slingshot]

Originally Posted by nmnita

It is true we can not take this lightly, but we are not Italy. Their medicare is inferior to ours for starters.

Maybe so but dead is dead.

[Hollynla]

The shutdowns and social distancing is for the purpose of flattening the curve. For anyone who doesn't understand what the means, look at the orange hump. That's what has happened in Italy, everyone getting sick at once, and a segment of the population who needs hospitalization is overwhelming the system. By slowing down the pace at which people get it (the blue hump) keeps it manageable for our healthcare system. So when you hear timelines of closures and such at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc., that doesn't mean the virus will be gone, but that's a time it'll take to slow it down. It'll probably be around for months but will be manageable.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by slingshot

Maybe so but dead is dead.

You are missing the point: of course dead is dead but we also have to realize America and our health system is very different from some other countries including China and Italy. We are more likely to identify the problems sooner, offer better care and our doctors have a little more time to spend with us as they are not working under a time limit as to how long they can spend with patients or in most cases. Also realize our gov was on top of the situation sooner than later. And I still feel the hype is somewhat over done

[mgforshort]

My brother lives in Hungary and has a sister in law in Italy. Here is what he said, and it is only hearsay, can not be verified.

According to him, nearly 300,000 Chinese lives and owns a business in Northern Italy. During the Chinese New Year it is a custom to fly back to their "old country" for a week or longer. Coming back to Europe, they brought the virus, probably not even aware of its existence yet.

That, plus the popularity of Italy with tourists from Asia and elsewhere, might, I repeat might explain why Italy was hit by a steamroller. Old men hanging around the piazza for gossip is not the cause.

My brother claims all cases in Hungary started by Iranian students returning from vacation to study in Budapest, the same story. The Hungarian government ordered the students into quarantine, but they broke out and went around their normal routine.

Remote, not touristy destinations like Bella Vista or our own Paradise should be in much less danger.

By the way, this Wednesday morning I drove over to our SaveMart Grocery. They had just about everything but toilet paper and ground beef - the clerk said it is coming later today. We have plenty, so I won't go back until next week. The store had maybe 18-20 customers, all relaxed, no panic, no lines.

In times like this I'm happy to live in a small town. In normal times, I'm even happier. Take care and stay home if you can.

[Hollynla]

You're right, stores are restocking after the weekend of panic buying. My local store has plenty of food and even had toilet paper.

There will be lots more cases of coronavirus, mostly due to the availability of testing now. For most, it will be mild symptoms, we probably won't even know about most cases since they won't require medical care. The panic from some needs to stop, but the media continues to give nothing but pure sensationalism, gloom and doom, and drama rather than facts. They will reword headlines to make it more dramatic.