International COVID-19 Updates & Discussion 2

[noxibox]

This was from March 4th yet we still have people even on this forum today trying to reason against mask usage.

People keep bringing this up like its evidence just because some doctor says so. In addition you need more than alleged "mask" usage. Types of mask, how they were worn, any other behavioural and social factors, etc. So go ahead and tell me Hong Kong did nothing other than have everyone wear "masks". And if they didn't then show me the evidence for how much difference the "masks" made.

Honestly this is even more ridiculous than the "lockdowns" work horse sh*t.

 

[daelm]

People keep bringing this up like its evidence just because some doctor says so. In addition you need more than alleged "mask" usage. Types of mask, how they were worn, any other behavioural and social factors, etc. So go ahead and tell me Hong Kong did nothing other than have everyone wear "masks". And if they didn't then show me the evidence for how much difference the "masks" made.

Honestly this is even more ridiculous than the "lockdowns" work horse sh*t.

 

[Geoff.D]

People keep bringing this up like its evidence just because some doctor says so. In addition you need more than alleged "mask" usage. Types of mask, how they were worn, any other behavioural and social factors, etc. So go ahead and tell me Hong Kong did nothing other than have everyone wear "masks". And if they didn't then show me the evidence for how much difference the "masks" made.

Honestly this is even more ridiculous than the "lockdowns" work horse sh*t.

What is your problem? Is it because the measure is too simple to be given any credit for helping to contain the spread? Why the continual fight against the wearing of masks?

Sure, for anyone to claim, that "all they did was "wear masks" is silly, but that does not make the continual tirade against the wearing of masks any more justified.

The name of the game is "individual responsibility" for your own protection in crowded places. And at the moment there are only two truly effective measures and that is total avoidance of crowds and the wearing of mask if you cant do the former.

All the other crap we had to put up with, like forcing people indoors, stopping them from smoking and drinking etc was just is a distraction from the real issues.

 

[Lupus]

What is your problem? Is it because the measure is too simple to be given any credit for helping to contain the spread? Why the continual fight against the wearing of masks?

Sure, for anyone to claim, that "all they did was "wear masks" is silly, but that does not make the continual tirade against the wearing of masks any more justified.

The name of the game is "individual responsibility" for your own protection in crowded places. And at the moment there are only two truly effective measures and that is total avoidance of crowds and the wearing of mask if you cant do the former.

All the other crap we had to put up with, like forcing people indoors, stopping them from smoking and drinking etc was just is a distraction from the real issues.

They should've done the masks, social distancing right through like what was started in March, the rest they did was just economical suicide, they also lost the respect of the people.

 

[flippakitten]

People keep bringing this up like its evidence just because some doctor says so. In addition you need more than alleged "mask" usage. Types of mask, how they were worn, any other behavioural and social factors, etc. So go ahead and tell me Hong Kong did nothing other than have everyone wear "masks". And if they didn't then show me the evidence for how much difference the "masks" made.

Honestly this is even more ridiculous than the "lockdowns" work horse sh*t.

You are realy special, anyway here are a few links you might want to look at.
I understand it's hard to keep up with all the changing information so don't confuse old information with new information.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext

A rapid systematic review of the efficacy of face masks and respirators against coronaviruses and other respiratory transmissible viruses for the community, healthcare workers and sick patients

The pandemic of COVID-19 is growing, and a shortage of masks and respirators has been reported globally. Policies of health organizations for healthcare workers are inconsistent, with a change in policy in the US for universal face mask use. The aim of ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COVID-19 ARCHIVED WEBPAGE

This historical page is not up to date. Find the latest on COVID-19.

www.cdc.gov

Infographic: Using face masks in the community

Infographic: Using face masks in the community

www.ecdc.europa.eu

The only information I can find against use of masks in closed public spaces are from nutjubs that throw their toys out the cot when they're requested to wear a mask to protect other people.

Properly fitted N95 FFP3 masks with face shields will drastically reduce the chances of you getting infected, yes.
Everybody wearing facemasks will protect everyone and stem off the spread and keep lock down at bay.

Wear a mask, stay out of lockdown, my 3 year old understands this.

 

[tetrasect]

They should've done the masks, social distancing right through like what was started in March, the rest they did was just economical suicide, they also lost the respect of the people.

That would not have worked, people would still get infected at work/shops/restaurants/bars/cinemas/gyms.

SA made the right decision at a crucial stage, problem was they did not do the necessary testing to go along with the lockdown and stuffed up the way people had to gather in numbers for grants/food/whatever.

For a start they should have tested EVERYONE who came back from abroad, together with everyone they came in close contact with and go on from there.
They should have focused of developing a delivery system for food and made it so that people would never have to leave their house to apply for and receive grants.
At the very least they could have had a system like people with surnames starting with A-D go shopping/applying/whatever on Mondays, E-H on Tuesdays and so on to avoid the 4km/3 day long lines and massive raging crowds that ended up gathering around food drop off points.

Swift and effective action results in a swift end to the lockdown, ineffective action just wastes money, prolongs the lockdown and ultimately fails to curb the spread of the virus.

So yeah, in essence I agree with you. Masks and social distancing would have been just as good/bad at preventing the situation we are in now.

 

[Lupus]

That would not have worked, people would still get infected at work/shops/restaurants/bars/cinemas/gyms.

SA made the right decision at a crucial stage, problem was they did not do the necessary testing to go along with the lockdown and stuffed up the way people had to gather in numbers for grants/food/whatever.

For a start they should have tested EVERYONE who came back from abroad, together with everyone they came in close contact with and go on from there.
They should have focused of developing a delivery system for food and made it so that people would never have to leave their house to apply for and receive grants.
At the very least they could have had a system like people with surnames starting with A-D go shopping/applying/whatever on Mondays, E-H on Tuesdays and so on to avoid the 4km long lines and massive raging crowds that ended up gathering.

Swift and effective action results in a swift end to the lockdown, ineffective action just wastes money, prolongs the lockdown and ultimately fails to curb the spread of the virus.

So yeah, in essence I agree with you. Masks and social distancing would have been just as good/bad at preventing the situation we are in now.

All of what you said, is far, far beyond the ANC, like so far beyond it's not even in the same stratosphere. The only thing that would've worked is enforcing the masks and social distancing rule. For factories and workshops finding away of getting fresh air in, recirculated air is poison always is. I will say this is the first June touch wood I've not had the sniffles.

 

[tetrasect]

All of what you said, is far, far beyond the ANC, like so far beyond it's not even in the same stratosphere. The only thing that would've worked is enforcing the masks and social distancing rule. For factories and workshops finding away of getting fresh air in, recirculated air is poison always is. I will say this is the first June touch wood I've not had the sniffles.

I will be very interesting to see what these measures do to other infectious diseases that already have a much lower R0, in particular the seasonal flu. It will be much less widespread and as a result will have less chance to mutate. This might massively reduce flu cases for years to come.

 

[Lupus]

I will be very interesting to see what these measures do to other infectious diseases that already have a much lower R0, in particular the seasonal flu. It will be much less widespread and as a result will have less chance to mutate. This might massively reduce flu cases for years to come.

Doubt it, there's already a new H1N1 strain waiting to hit us, the H1N1 is the one responsible for 1918, 1958 and 1968. Though 2009 wasn't that bad, it wasn't pleasant having it, and they did the tonsil swab as well.

 

[tetrasect]

So my dad has been sick for 10 days, got tested yesterday.

They just phoned him now, he is positive for Covid-19

 

[B-1]

So my dad has been sick for 10 days, got tested yesterday.

They just phoned him now, he is positive for Covid-19

Good luck to you guys, with the daily numbers we are getting at the moment we all will know someone whose infected soon.

I also know a few people so far.

 

[daelm]

So my dad has been sick for 10 days, got tested yesterday.

They just phoned him now, he is positive for Covid-19

good luck, fella

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

So my dad has been sick for 10 days, got tested yesterday.

They just phoned him now, he is positive for Covid-19

How is he dealing with it? Hopefully not in hospital.

 

[sand_man]

So my dad has been sick for 10 days, got tested yesterday.

They just phoned him now, he is positive for Covid-19

Sorry to hear man!! Hoping he beats it!

 

[tetrasect]

Thanks guys.

How is he dealing with it? Hopefully not in hospital.

No, he says he's just had a high temperature and been coughing a lot and it feels like the worst flu he's ever had. Yesterday he thought he might be getting better but after walking to the car to drive to the doctor to get tested he was already finished and when he finally made it back home he felt worse than ever. He assured me he'll go straight to the hospital if he feels he can't breathe as easily as he normally does.

I'm pretty hopeful it won't get much worse since he doesn't have any health issues (maybe a little overweight) and gets his 10,000 steps in on most days so he's relatively fit for his age. But yeah he is 70 years old so I'm still freaked out about it... guess it could be a lot worse.

Has anyone done any research about whether or not using oxygen at an early stage prevents more severe symptoms from showing up?

 

[MiW]

Thanks guys.



No, he says he's just had a high temperature and been coughing a lot and it feels like the worst flu he's ever had. Yesterday he thought he might be getting better but after walking to the car to drive to the doctor to get tested he was already finished and when he finally made it back home he felt worse than ever. He assured me he'll go straight to the hospital if he feels he can't breathe as easily as he normally does.

I'm pretty hopeful it won't get much worse since he doesn't have any health issues (maybe a little overweight) and gets his 10,000 steps in on most days so he's relatively fit for his age. But yeah he is 70 years old so I'm still freaked out about it... guess it could be a lot worse.

Has anyone done any research about whether or not using oxygen at an early stage prevents more severe symptoms from showing up?

It helps, he should check his oxygen levels, if under 85 % should go to hospital.

 

[Geoff.D]

Thanks guys.



No, he says he's just had a high temperature and been coughing a lot and it feels like the worst flu he's ever had. Yesterday he thought he might be getting better but after walking to the car to drive to the doctor to get tested he was already finished and when he finally made it back home he felt worse than ever. He assured me he'll go straight to the hospital if he feels he can't breathe as easily as he normally does.

I'm pretty hopeful it won't get much worse since he doesn't have any health issues (maybe a little overweight) and gets his 10,000 steps in on most days so he's relatively fit for his age. But yeah he is 70 years old so I'm still freaked out about it... guess it could be a lot worse.

Has anyone done any research about whether or not using oxygen at an early stage prevents more severe symptoms from showing up?

Sorry to hear about your father. Agree with the advice you have been given. Try an see if you can organise a suitable meter and an oxygen supply for home use.

 

[Gordon_R]

That would not have worked, people would still get infected at work/shops/restaurants/bars/cinemas/gyms.

SA made the right decision at a crucial stage, problem was they did not do the necessary testing to go along with the lockdown and stuffed up the way people had to gather in numbers for grants/food/whatever.

For a start they should have tested EVERYONE who came back from abroad, together with everyone they came in close contact with and go on from there.
They should have focused of developing a delivery system for food and made it so that people would never have to leave their house to apply for and receive grants.
At the very least they could have had a system like people with surnames starting with A-D go shopping/applying/whatever on Mondays, E-H on Tuesdays and so on to avoid the 4km/3 day long lines and massive raging crowds that ended up gathering around food drop off points.

Swift and effective action results in a swift end to the lockdown, ineffective action just wastes money, prolongs the lockdown and ultimately fails to curb the spread of the virus.

So yeah, in essence I agree with you. Masks and social distancing would have been just as good/bad at preventing the situation we are in now.

There was a very narrow window to contain the epidemic in SA (weeks before the actual lockdown), and many of the factors which we now know were not evident, nor available during this time:
1. Asymptomatic transmission and infection period.
2. Lots of tourists from Europe (not just SA residents flying home).
3. Unlimited travel around the country and contact with locals.
4. Poor public health infrastructure to do contact tracing.
5. Insufficient test kits and turnaround time.
6. Insufficient isolation facilities (home or quarantine).

All the rest is obvious in hindsight...

 

[daelm]

No, he says he's just had a high temperature and been coughing a lot and it feels like the worst flu he's ever had. Yesterday he thought he might be getting better but after walking to the car to drive to the doctor to get tested he was already finished and when he finally made it back home he felt worse than ever.

this. know this. my doctor saw me yesterday and basically just dosed me and sent me for immediate testing.

(which in SA apparently means a 4.5-hour wait at the third testing site...)

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

Most People With Coronavirus Won’t Spread It. Why Do a Few Infect Many? (Published 2020)

Growing evidence shows most infected people aren’t spreading the virus. But whether you become a superspreader probably depends more on circumstance than biology.

www.nytimes.com