COVID-19/Coronavirus Information and Support Thread (see OP for useful links)

[McLaren]

If riots & protests happened, why didn't New York see a resurgence in case count? There were thousands around Brooklyn protesting alone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Floyd_protests_in_New_York_(state)

My state had nowhere near the amount & was spread super thin. It's almost as if another factor is more responsible for the rapid increase.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Floyd_protests_in_Texas

 

[Biggles]

And then the protesting and riots happened.

No doubt it is one of the contributing factors, but do you really believe it is the primary reason for the increase in cases?

 

[x3ra]

I think, at least in the UK, there may be an overall over-count in the per week figures now, with the virus relatively suppressed, but there clearly wasn't at the peak (about 9,000 COVID vs 12,500 excess). So at this point it makes essentially no difference to the cumulative figures, however it is important to correct any systemic over-count so we have accurate monitoring from here on. That Telegraph 'comment' article is a massive exaggerration of what has been a minor issue.

So if it's a massive exaggeration, how massive and how do you know that's true? Unless you have accurate figures we have no way to figure out what is actually going on. How many people died of loneliness last year? How many this year? Or do people not die of loneliness?

 

[DesertPenguin]

And then the protesting and riots happened.

C'mon man I know you're smarter than that.

 

[Outspacer]

So if it's a massive exaggeration, how massive and how do you know that's true? Unless you have accurate figures we have no way to figure out what is actually going on. How many people died of loneliness last year? How many this year? Or do people not die of loneliness?

It clearly massively overstated the issue with counting. I mean, you can believe loneliness and buses killed an extra 12,500 a week here if you like, but it's far more sensibly explained as COVID. Do people die of loneliness? Sure. At thousands per week? No, they did not.

You brought it up, so you should provide the figures.

 

[CodeRedR51]

No doubt it is one of the contributing factors, but do you really believe it is the primary reason for the increase in cases?

It certainly didn't help.

C'mon man I know you're smarter than that.

I mean thousands of people in big groups during a pandemic doesn't contribute even the slightest? C'mon man, you're smarter than that.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Slightest, sure. In large numbers that people thought? Evidence shows the answer is no.

 

[Barra333]

It clearly massively overstated the issue with counting. I mean, you can believe loneliness and buses killed an extra 12,500 a week here if you like, but it's far more sensibly explained as COVID. Do people die of loneliness? Sure. At thousands per week? No, they did not.

You brought it up, so you should provide the figures.

I tried showing overall death counts a couple of weeks ago too and it didn't seem to sink in. Don't hold your breath.

 

[Joey D]

It certainly didn't help.

I mean thousands of people in big groups during a pandemic doesn't contribute even the slightest? C'mon man, you're smarter than that.

The research says no, it didn't contribute to the overall cases. I'm sure the number isn't zero, but it's not high enough to make any difference statistically or explain the uptick in cases across the US in June.

 

[CodeRedR51]

The research says no, it didn't contribute to the overall cases. I'm sure the number isn't zero, but it's not high enough to make any difference statistically or explain the uptick in cases across the US in June.

Social distancing means nothing then is what you're saying.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Holy crap, the world doesn't work in extremes dude. Please try to be a rational human being.

 

[Joey D]

Social distancing means nothing then is what you're saying.

Nope, not saying that. What I'm saying is the research didn't find and correlation between an uptick in cases and protests as you're suggesting.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Nope, not saying that. What I'm saying is the research didn't find and correlation between an uptick in cases and protests as you're suggesting.

Mmmmkay, well I'll just disagree and move on with my life. What's left of it.

 

[DesertPenguin]

*sigh*

 

[McLaren]

That's some real Trumpism way of thinking to look at research* & go, "No, I disagree with that".


*the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

 

[Biggles]

The research says no, it didn't contribute to the overall cases. I'm sure the number isn't zero, but it's not high enough to make any difference statistically or explain the uptick in cases across the US in June.

It MUST have had some effect. It would be illogical to think otherwise. However, I think it's likely that a much more significant factor is the opening up of businesses across the country & especially in those states that were relatively unaffected by the coronavirus previously. Although the protests grab the headlines, the number of people involved compared to the number of people shopping, going to restaurants, & bars, clubs, hairdressers, gyms etc. is surely very small.

 

[CodeRedR51]

That's some real Trumpism way of thinking to look at research* & go, "No, I disagree with that".


*the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Think about it. Large groups of people gathering had no effect on positive result numbers, yet everyone keeps telling me I should avoid people. How that makes any sense to anyone is beyond me.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Because it's a little deeper than that, but you seem to be having trouble with that concept.

 

[McLaren]

Think about it. Large groups of people gathering had no effect on positive result numbers, yet everyone keeps telling me I should avoid people. How that makes any sense to anyone is beyond me.

Maybe it would make more sense if you took into account that protests happened nation-wide, and yet, the hot spots seeing the worst in case count increases, just happen to be states most relaxed about the virus.

Explain to me how New York had one of the highest protest-counts in the country compared to Texas, yet Texas is seeing a far higher increase in counts compared to NY? There's no doubt protesting probably did contribute to case count, but it is not the main contributing factor as you implied to Biggles.

 

[DesertPenguin]

We had and continue having protests in New York. And in almost every shot of the crowds you can see the majority of people wearing masks. Does New York have a rising surge in cases? Interesting how that works...

 

[Barra333]

Think about it. Large groups of people gathering had no effect on positive result numbers, yet everyone keeps telling me I should avoid people. How that makes any sense to anyone is beyond me.

I know what you are trying to say, and intuitively there should have been a spike in cases after mass protests.
We had a gathering of 10,000 people in my city for BLM, and there was no increase in cases. We have been at <10 new cases/day for quite a while, so even a small number of new cases would have been noticed.

 

[CodeRedR51]

but it is not the main contributing factor as you implied to Biggles.

I'm just saying it had an effect. I'm not saying it was the main driver.

you can see the majority of people wearing masks

A lot of people in one area is a lot of physical contact. Masks be damned.

 

[DesertPenguin]

A lot of people in one area is a lot of physical contact. Masks be damned.

It's crazy right? Almost like science actually works when used properly.

 

[CodeRedR51]

It's crazy right? Almost like science actually works when used properly.

You missed the point I was making.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Then stop blowing up over nothing.

 

[Dotini]

This article talks about scientists identifying 6 types of coronavirus.
https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-identify-six-different-types-185531392.html

I honestly feel I had the symptoms of "type 1" (severe head cold and loss of smell) and was abed for a week. But it was November of 2019. I've never been tested for the virus or the antibodies. The mystery deepens!

 

[Joey D]

It MUST have had some effect. It would be illogical to think otherwise. However, I think it's likely that a much more significant factor is the opening up of businesses across the country & especially in those states that were relatively unaffected by the coronavirus previously. Although the protests grab the headlines, the number of people involved compared to the number of people shopping, going to restaurants, & bars, clubs, hairdressers, gyms etc. is surely very small.

I'm sure some people contracted COVID while at a protest, but based on research no one has found a direct link between the protests and the spike in cases. You're probably right that the biggest factor is the US going out of lockdown and more or less going from "everything is closed" to "C'mon in!". It's also summer, people have more free time, and they're looking for stuff to do so they're going out more. It's not like anyone can really travel, so they're staying close to home with "staycations" which means house projects, going to parks, heading to the beach, etc.

People refusing to wear masks and terrible leadership from mayors all the way up to the President doesn't help either. What COVID has shown is how awful politicians are and how most don't give a damn about the people they're supposed to represent.

 

[Dotini]

A relative of mine has suggested that the comprehensive destruction of the American economy is the justified and desired means to implement a socialist utopia in which the citizenry are wholly dependent on government for their income. The more lockdown and economic suffering, the better are the odds for collapse, revolution and a socialist solution to emerge at the end of the day.

To me, it sounds far fetched, as even communist China needs capitalism in order to flourish.

 

[Blitz24]

A relative of mine has suggested that the comprehensive destruction of the American economy is the justified and desired means to implement a socialist utopia in which the citizenry are wholly dependent on government for their income. The more lockdown and economic suffering, the better are the odds for collapse, revolution and a socialist solution to emerge at the end of the day.

To me, it sounds far fetched, as even communist China needs capitalism in order to flourish.

While China might want to eliminate the US as a world power, I don't think this will necessarily help them.

 

[Joey D]

This is going to go over well:

White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

It looks like even several GOP Senators are against this, probably because if the COVID spirals more out of control their constituents will blame them for supporting such a stupid idea.

===

Also, if you're looking for a way to volunteer the COVID-19 Prevention Network is looking for people to participate in clinical trials.

The COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN) was formed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the US National Institutes of Health to respond to the global pandemic. Using the infectious disease expertise of their existing research networks and global partners, NIAID has directed the networks to address the pressing need for vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against SARS-CoV-2. The CoVPN is comprised of the partners listed below.

Link

I signed up and the University of Utah is one of the sites that conducting trials. I really hope I can get in on it because it'll never be safer to get the vaccine when you're under constant supervision of a medical professional.