Should Houston metro area shelter in place? (China: schools, university)

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by SanJac

I heard from people at work that in Italy they are blaming Chinese immigrants returning from Chinese New Year travels in China for spreading the virus there.

AFAIK the center of Chinese immigration of Italy is Prato in northern italy.

[GreenBouy]

My only question is when and how do you decide to turn off this madness. The numbers are already relatively low for HC, and the state as a whole. Lina keeps talking about flattening the curve, the curve just isn’t that large to flatten.

[westsidewolf1989]

Originally Posted by GreenBouy

My only question is when and how do you decide to turn off this madness. The numbers are already relatively low for HC, and the state as a whole. Lina keeps talking about flattening the curve, the curve just isn’t that large to flatten.

Because we barely have any tests available for our metro area, so of course there aren’t many confirmed cases

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by westsidewolf1989

Because we barely have any tests available for our metro area, so of course there aren’t many confirmed cases

That statement is true for almost every metro area.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by westsidewolf1989

Because we barely have any tests available for our metro area, so of course there aren’t many confirmed cases

You might not notice unconfirmed cases with mild symptoms but you would notice people coming to the hospital with severe flu-like symptoms and you would most definitely notice people dying. If it's true that so many more are infected but we just don't know then that inherently says this is just not that big of a deal. Because if it was, we would notice it, test or no test.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

You might not notice unconfirmed cases with mild symptoms but you would notice people coming to the hospital with severe flu-like symptoms and you would most definitely notice people dying. If it's true that so many more are infected but we just don't know then that inherently says this is just not that big of a deal. Because if it was, we would notice it, test or no test.

Unless you can keep track of 6 million plus people in the metro area you wouldn't notice people going to the hospital. What are you on stand by at the hospitals anyway? Bottom line is this, Healthcare officials are begging for a shelter in place because their dealing with this directly more than any of us. When the healthcare system shuts down it'll become even more of a problem. Not just this virus but other illnesses that people routinely go to the hospital or their healthcare provider for.

[a_guerrajr]

So now that SIP is in place, what's the difference.
Everyone that I know is being told by their employer that they are essential.

Sounds like the main thing is not to go eat out or gather in large venues which was already in place.

[phamphihung]

Originally Posted by a_guerrajr

So now that SIP is in place, what's the difference.
Everyone that I know is being told by their employer that they are essential.

Sounds like the main thing is not to go eat out or gather in large venues which was already in place.

Exactly I am not quite sure understand about the purpose of SIP, my company remain open due to our customers in the 16 critical infrastructure, most of our customers are essential and most of our vendors are essential as well.
Almost all businesses are essential qualified.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by a_guerrajr

So now that SIP is in place, what's the difference.
Everyone that I know is being told by their employer that they are essential.

Sounds like the main thing is not to go eat out or gather in large venues which was already in place.

With Shelter in place or stay at home public and private gatherings are prohibited. No non-essential businesses can be open under no circumstances. People have to remember their we’re still non essential businesses operating before stay at home. Literally yesterday I saw a tattoo shop still open. Some barber shops we’re still open and some ppl were doing make shift salons out of their house. Before SIP they were just asking the public to not gather in large groups and things of that nature. If you don’t comply with orders you can be fined or spend a 180 days in jail. That’s the last resort for individuals unless they refuse to comply. That wasn’t enforced than and I can tell you some churches and venues were still allowing gatherings and events to go on when they asked the public to go out only when you need to. I know a photographer who was still asked to shoot a wedding next week with over 200 people coming. And the Bride still wants to proceed with the wedding.

[SanJac]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

You might not notice unconfirmed cases with mild symptoms but you would notice people coming to the hospital with severe flu-like symptoms and you would most definitely notice people dying. If it's true that so many more are infected but we just don't know then that inherently says this is just not that big of a deal. Because if it was, we would notice it, test or no test.

I’m not downplaying the virus, but there is truth in the statement above. I wonder how clinics around the city are handling COVID-19 cases? My own healthcare provider sent out a text stating that normal appointments could continue and anyone with respiratory symptoms was being routed to a different facility with dedicated waiting rooms.

I took my parents this morning to their clinic for a non-respiratory issue. We were questioned at the door if we had any symptoms or exposure to anyone with symptoms and then we were allowed to enter the facility. They did not check our temperature. The facility was a “ghost town.” I think I saw 1 or 2 other patients at the facility. This is a major medical provider in the city of Houston. We were told by the nurse that doctors were setting up video appointments. Of course, this is a challenge for some elderly people so they were deciding on a case by case basis who could come in for a face-to-face visit, and some cases simply required F2F interaction.

I was not in favor of a shelter in place edict. For my family there is no change because we were already self-isolating. My job also enables me to WFH. If it keeps people with no common sense from gathering in large crowds then I guess it’s a good thing.