COVID-19 (Wuhan Novel Coronavirus) Pandemic Master Thread

[EliJelly]

Go outside for fresh air, if the problem goes away you might want to open some windows for a few minutes and see if it gets back to normal.

Tried that already, it runs after me wherever I go. When I breath deeply.

[CountValentine]

Absolutely, just like he shouldn't be judged purely on messaging.

He does not take the advice of the experts and goes on his own feelings. His words reflect this. 
You pick two answers out of the interview and ignored the rest. He doesn't even take hand shaking or social distancing serious.

[shaulyaakov]

Absolutely, just like he shouldn't be judged purely on messaging.

So far, there's very little policy for covid to go on.

[Ergel]

He said it took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases; 11 days for the second 100,000 cases, and just four days for the third 100,000 cases.

That's what exponential growth (plus increased testing) looks like. But seems like Italy is finally stemming the tide. Hopefully will follow elsewhere as well.
I just am worried about round 2

ETA: https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Spread-of-COVID-19-begins-to-show-pattern-of-4-8-week-eruption-cycle-622035
Not sure if he is trying to downplay or not. But either way, let's take his data, which seems accurate. Presumably the peaks are related to the extensive measures that countries took to get there. So, let's assume countries that have started to take this seriously 2 weeks  (I'm excluding you, the US - you are probably 2 weeks behind) will basically be where China is now in around 4 weeks. The question is, then what happens...? Do we keep borders closed? Do we keep social distancing? Home-bound orders? What do we next?

[Dan]

That's what exponential growth (plus increased testing) looks like. But seems like Italy is finally stemming the tide. Hopefully will follow elsewhere as well.
I just am worried about round 2

ETA: https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Spread-of-COVID-19-begins-to-show-pattern-of-4-8-week-eruption-cycle-622035
Not sure if he is trying to downplay or not. But either way, let's take his data, which seems accurate. Presumably the peaks are related to the extensive measures that countries took to get there. So, let's assume countries that have started to take this seriously 2 weeks  (I'm excluding you, the US - you are probably 2 weeks behind) will basically be where China is now in around 4 weeks. The question is, then what happens...? Do we keep borders closed? Do we keep social distancing? Home-bound orders? What do we next?

Round 2 seems inevitable

[Luvisrael]

I developed a weird sense of smell, I'm smelling like a sharp dust-like (can't really explain..) smell constantly, otherwise I'm all fine B"H. Anyone had that?

please dont rely on DDF for medical advice. Prob best to contact your doctor

[stooges44]

Some strong words from a local doc:

His site is: http://kghdoc.com/ but it ironically expired a few days ago and he's probably too busy these days to renew

This is your neighborhood Doctor, Ellie Bennett, with a sobering update.
When I emailed you all five days ago, there were 50 people admitted to my hospital with confirmed  pneumonia and low oxygen.
There are now well over 200!!

The sick include a friend who is a healthcare worker who went into cardiac arrest over the weekend.
Many others, YOUR NEIGHBORS, are among the patients with pneumonia and hypoxemia - these are my friends that are admitted and barely hanging on.
Hundreds more in our neighborhood have tested positive but are not 'sick enough' to require hospitalization.

And lest you think it's all "old people", this week we intubated a 36 year old for a pneumonia so bad  on x-ray, that I usually only see it on drowning victims.
Yes, that what they all look like - Pneumonia all over the lungs.
And essentially, we're crossing our fingers and "hoping" that we can keep people alive long enough to get better on their own.
There are some promising medicines, but nothing very reassuring thus far.

I have received thousands of phone calls, text messages and emails about the best way for the average person to combat this virus.
And my opinion, and the unequivocal opinion of all the leading infectious disease experts, is the same.

Social Distancing is the only way to break the cycle and spread. 

It is my medical opinion that nobody should be together for the upcoming Pesach holiday.

I understand that this is terribly disappointing for many. 
And this seems to be the antithesis of the holiday where we invite guests.
'Kol Dichfin Yasay ViYechol
All who are hungry are invited to eat'.

But I am, in the strongest terms possible, advising all my patients and friends to cancel any plans you may have.
Do NOT travel and spread the virus outside the neighborhood.
Do NOT travel and bring back an increase in the virus to our neighborhood. 
Do NOT meet friends for the sedorim.
Do NOT meet your siblings and have cousins play together.
Do NOT have the friends on your block play together.
Carry these rules straight through chol hamoed.

It makes no difference if you have shown symptoms or not shown symptoms.
This is regardless of if you have quarantined for 21 days.
I get that this may be unpopular, and yet I state it firmly believing that it is the only way to save lives.
Shut in your homes.
Only venture out to get food, and try to minimize your risk as much as possible when you must leave.
There will always be people who may feel that they fall under extraordinary exceptions and if so consult your local rabbi.

But my medical opinion is crystal clear. Social distancing is the only way we are going to save lives.

I wish everyone a happy holiday.
B'ezras Hashem, I look forward to seeing you all in the streets again soon.
L'shana Haba B'Yirushalayim

Edward ( Ellie) Bennett, MD FACEP

[EliJelly]

please dont rely on DDF for medical advice. Prob best to contact your doctor

So far I'm more curious than concerned. B"H.

[RewardsAddict]

Round 2 seems inevitable

Unless majority of the population develops immunity to it. Or they come up with a vaccine fast.

[CountValentine]

Unless majority of the population develops immunity to it.

How does that work? Be exposed to it but don't get infected?

[RewardsAddict]

How does that work? Be exposed to it but don't get infected?

All those that are currently infected, (and I believe in Brooklyn at least, its the majority of population unfortunately) and recover will develop immunity. Hopefully.

[AsherO]

Are you sure there aren't private labs that are just running tests for people who pay them?

I guess that’s true. The real question is why testing was NYC was suddenly halted or drastically cut back.

[ilherman]

Do they have a test yet to see if you are immuned?

Since most people don't get tested they won't know if they had it and if they are immuned.

[AsherO]

Do they have a test yet to see if you are immuned?

Since most people don't get tested they won't know if they had it and if they are immuned.

Sounds interesting. Would be amazing to know you have antibodies and can roam free without concern.

How would this work though? Can I have antibodies and still be viral/shedding Is an overlap like that theoretically possible?

[chevron]

All those that are currently infected, (and I believe in Brooklyn at least, its the majority of population unfortunately) and recover will develop immunity. Hopefully.

What makes you think that you'll get immunity to it?

Why do you need a flu shot yearly but not get immunity from it ?

[cgr]

What makes you think that you'll get immunity to it?

Why do you need a flu shot yearly but not get immunity from it ?

Flu is a different strain each year.
Generally speaking, you are immune to a (strain of) the virus that you've had. With COVID-19 they're not so sure that immunity builds, and if it does how long it lasts.

[YitzyS]

Do they have a test yet to see if you are immuned?

Since most people don't get tested they won't know if they had it and if they are immuned.

I saw a media report that Netanyahu was considering doing a mass blood test and allowing those whose blood had coronavirus antibodies to return to work, to revive the economy. Based on that report, it would seem that you can tell with a blood test.

[YitzyS]

Flu is a different strain each year.
Generally speaking, you are immune to a (strain of) the virus that you've had. With COVID-19 they're not so sure that immunity builds, and if it does how long it lasts.

More accurately, Flu mutates, and each year, it mutates to a point where past antibodies are no longer effective. Scientist say that it's too early to detect if coronavirus mutates, but so far it seems it doesn't. B"H.

[yesitsme]

Guys Cool it, I just got a voice note that this whole thing was created by the gov to be able to control you, don't let yourself from them.

While He might not have Corona he definitely suffers from a illness but due to the lack of testing this voicenote gets forwarded to others.

[Luvisrael]

Guys Cool it, I just got a voice note that this whole thing was created by the gov to be able to control you, don't let yourself from them.

While He might not have Corona he definitely suffers from a illness but due to the lack of testing this voicenote gets forwarded to others.

nothing new here. There will always be conspiracy cooks out there. FEMA etc.