COVID-19

[crazydoc]

Covid-19 literature summaries on YouTube by Meyerowitz and Richterman, for anyone interested in the actual science going on. There are 5 at this point, about every 2 weeks, each about an hour long, and are somewhat obtuse for those without a medical education (and even for some of us with one ). The posted pic is a summary of the most recent one (as of yesterday.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E93qxUQpg60
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkMKLpsCus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wokebW9Otqc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdofJOp_WAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECGfZ9hvU-Q&feature=emb_rel_end

 

[JohnRoberts]

Covid-19 literature summaries on YouTube by Meyerowitz and Richterman, for anyone interested in the actual science going on. There are 5 at this point, about every 2 weeks, each about an hour long, and are somewhat obtuse for those without a medical education (and even for some of us with one ). The posted pic is a summary of the most recent one (as of yesterday.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E93qxUQpg60
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkMKLpsCus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wokebW9Otqc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdofJOp_WAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECGfZ9hvU-Q&feature=emb_rel_end

Thanks is there a text version of that info? (I'm not a youtube guy).

===

Should i be worried? I am pretty good about safety but i just realized my neighbor's cat has not been practicing effective social distancing... I am not a cat person but this cat is crazy friendly. When I visit with my neighbor in his workshop this cat jumps up on the bench behind me and bumps my back with his head to give him my hand, so he can lick and bite my fingers. 

I need to remind myself to wash my hands after visiting with Sam's cat....  ;D

JR

 

[crazydoc]

These are pretty young guys... A decade of Practice between them?..... 

These are the guys doing this - they are "fellows" (one or more years following med school, internship and residency for further sub specialty training), in infectious diseases, particularly HIV, and probably are more knowledgeable and better qualified in virology and Covid than 99% of practicing physicians.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/930662

Thanks is there a text version of that info? (I'm not a youtube guy).

Here ya go -  a brief summary of the vids:

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/930588#vp_1

 

[crazydoc]

Should i be worried? I am pretty good about safety but i just realized my neighbor's cat has not been practicing effective social distancing... I am not a cat person but this cat is crazy friendly. When I visit with my neighbor in his workshop this cat jumps up on the bench behind me and bumps my back with his head to give him my hand, so he can lick and bite my fingers. 

I need to remind myself to wash my hands after visiting with Sam's cat....  ;D

JR

One of the subjects touched on in the videos is corona viruses in dogs and cats - it appears so far that there is no transmission from cats to humans. There is a corona virus that infects cats and causes feline infectious peritonitis, which was 100% fatal until it was discovered it could be treated with an antiviral very similar to Remdesivir, which had to be bought on the black market from China for exorbitant cost, because of Gilead's fears it might delay FDA approval of Remdesivir.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/05/remdesivir-cats/611341/?utm_source=feed&fbclid=IwAR324EI5jKQzMWYfXuj4No4F2bYpGlShLRI6lv3bx2C4kaRPh0B0Y7E2PHE

 

[JohnRoberts]

One of the subjects touched on in the videos is corona viruses in dogs and cats - it appears so far that there is no transmission from cats to humans. There is a corona virus that infects cats and causes feline infectious peritonitis, which was 100% fatal until it was discovered it could be treated with an antiviral very similar to Remdesivir, which had to be bought on the black market from China for exorbitant cost, because of Gilead's fears it might delay FDA approval of Remdesivir.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/05/remdesivir-cats/611341/?utm_source=feed&fbclid=IwAR324EI5jKQzMWYfXuj4No4F2bYpGlShLRI6lv3bx2C4kaRPh0B0Y7E2PHE

I recall seeing that some zoos were testing big cats, back while many humans were not getting tested. I ranted about that at the time.

I guess it is a positive sign for our economy that some people can afford to spend thousands of dollars for black market drugs for their kittens.  According to ASPCA something like 860,000 unwanted cats are euthanized each year. Perhaps rescue a few doomed pets and donate the thousands of dollars to a good charity... or not.

Last count my neighbor had more than half a dozen cats, running loose. He probably wouldn't miss one or three...

===

Perhaps another green shoot... today while grocery shopping at wally world I scored some brown rice and yeast for the first time in several weeks.

JR

 

[crazydoc]

I guess it is a positive sign for our economy that some people can afford to spend thousands of dollars for black market drugs for their kittens.  According to ASPCA something like 860,000 unwanted cats are euthanized each year. Perhaps rescue a few doomed pets and donate the thousands of dollars to a good charity... or not.

Last count my neighbor had more than half a dozen cats, running loose. He probably wouldn't miss one or three...

My daughter did TNR (trap, neuter, release) in feral cat colonies in NYC for 10 years, using her own money many times to pay the vets. She now does the same in Oregon. Much more compassionate than euthanasia and eventually as effective, but much more costly and labor intensive.

Perhaps another green shoot... today while grocery shopping at wally world I scored some brown rice and yeast for the first time in several weeks.

I went there yesterday - besides the employees, still only maybe 10% of customers wearing masks. Ignorance/egoism abound.

 

[JohnRoberts]

My daughter did TNR (trap, neuter, release) in feral cat colonies in NYC for 10 years, using her own money many times to pay the vets. She now does the same in Oregon. Much more compassionate than euthanasia and eventually as effective, but much more costly and labor intensive.

My neighbor doesn't trap, or release. I am pretty sure he neuters any that stick around long enough for him to befriend. Since he leaves food outdoors he attracts numerous strays, even the occasional possum.

I went there yesterday - besides the employees, still only maybe 10% of customers wearing masks. Ignorance/egoism abound.

I try to shop relatively early in the morning, but not "senior hours early" that is too early for me.  Today I can't remember any shoppers without masks but there could have been one somewhere. I saw two shoppers both wearing masks that were definitely not social distancing, she was dressed to attract attention and it was definitely working on one he. I had to take a different aisle at least once when they were blocking an aisle side by side deep in conversation.

I noticed that wally world just instituted one way aisle directional markers. I guess in theory that provides a little more distancing if you don't meet shoppers coming the other way in narrow aisles.

Hard to imagine MS being less ignorant than any other state but we'll take the compliment... thanks.

JR

PS: Here is my new COVID invention for this week... Craft a mask made from transparent material, so people can read lips for better intelligibility, and women can enhance their appearance wearing lipstick. May not be easy to make a n95 mask invisible, but I bet a spit mask could be made.

 

[crazydoc]

Hard to imagine MS being less ignorant than any other state but we'll take the compliment... thanks.

Lassen County CA politically might as well be Idaho.

PS: Here is my new COVID invention for this week... Craft a mask made from transparent material, so people can read lips for better intelligibility, and women can enhance their appearance wearing lipstick. May not be easy to make a n95 mask invisible, but I bet a spit mask could be made.

My other daughter works at a zoo and has to do day camps and teach classes (when things "open up"). She sent my wife this link to see if she could make her some, thinking the kids would be less freaked if they could see her mouth. I told her it looked like Terminator times.

https://www.hsdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/HSDC-Instructions-for-Clear-Window-Masks.pdf

Any ideas for a transparent material that passes/filters air?

 

[JohnRoberts]

The window mask makes the face look almost simian, yes a little scary.

No I do not have material suggestions (I'm just the big idea guy), perhaps a clear window with almost clear translucent material surrounding it to look less scary. 

JR

https://gizmodo.com/transparent-fabric-traps-dust-lets-air-flow-freely-1762277244

https://www.etsy.com/market/see_through_fabric
$10

 

[Script]

I think reading the comments below this article was enlightening to hear how some people feel about this.

Couldn't find any comments. How do some people feel about it?

 

[JohnRoberts]

I wear a mask while shopping mostly to not distress other shoppers, it seems like the responsible thing to do in these times.

JR

 

[Script]

This made me actually watch that video. Hm, from this side of the globe -- be it 'You wear no mask, get out!' or 'I don't wear a mask, selfish and proud!' -- it all looks very loud.

 

[living sounds]

People enjoy their self-righteousness, don't they? Yes, one side is correct here, but one would hope for a little more dignity and humility.

 

[JohnRoberts]

People enjoy their self-righteousness, don't they? Yes, one side is correct here, but one would hope for a little more dignity and humility.

They don't post videos of people behaving sensibly and respectfully.

I grew up in NJ and we used to joke that the NJ turnpike runs through the middle of the stinky marshlands so out of staters will keep driving and settle somewhere else.  These ugly American videos that your news services love to show may ultimately serve the same purpose.  8)

JR

 

[Script]

Have been reading up on the Swedish approach. Found this article quite good (didn't know The Local and not sure how good). Quite comprehensive though, many aspects, and indeed good for comparison.
https://www.thelocal.com/20200520/as-europe-comes-out-of-lockdown-what-lessons-can-be-learned-from-sweden

Gist:
communication and trust to nurture understanding and cooperation. Very clearly communicated behavioral recommendations right from the start. Ongoing process of local adjustments (including legal) when and wherever needed.

The article even briefly touches upon (economic) prospects.

 

[JohnRoberts]

I hear that Japan just rescinded the emergency status... any lessons there?

JR

 

[boji]

I wear a mask while shopping mostly to not distress other shoppers

It's been a wild ride.  I early adopted the mask, and it had the reverse effect at many stores I frequented until the collective conscious flipped script.

 

[JohnRoberts]

It's been a wild ride.  I early adopted the mask, and it had the reverse effect at many stores I frequented until the collective conscious flipped script.

This may be the wrong thread for this but I suspect the shortage of mask availability a couple months ago delayed the initiation of strict requirements for everybody to wear them. Telling people to wear masks they couldn't get might cause too much drama.

JR

 

[matriachamplification]

Just wanted to touch base with everyone and say hi.

Been building Mr. Thompson-Bells designs... 2 months went by!

Images coming soon! SICK IMAGES!

@ruffrecords

 

[Script]

I hear that Japan just rescinded the emergency status... any lessons there?

JR

While WHO praises Japan, there are many things to harshly criticise in Japan's response, some very culturally specific, other less so. Anyway,  this article takes a more differentiated look at it.
https://www.bloombergquint.com/coronavirus-outbreak/did-japan-just-beat-the-virus-without-lockdowns-or-mass-testing
Even briefly touches upon the myth of Japanese uniqueness  :

Phasing out of restrictions is envisioned to last until August, provided new local infections (i.e. in a prefecture) stay below all of a total of three indicators.

Recommendations and countermeasures remain fully in place:
- 3T's: test, trace, treat
- 3C's: avoid closed spaces, close contact and crowds ( actually that's six C's)