Coronavirus Special Coverage

A collection of news posted throughout the week for those that want signal, not noise.

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COVID-19: key developments for Tuesday, April 14, 2020

There are nearly 2 million global cases.  Cases have grown by almost 600,000 since this time last week. The US has the most cases in the world. Over 2,300 have died in the US in 24 hours.

Mathematical models show large rates of infection in Los Angeles if stay-at-home order is lifted. Keeping the order in place means roughly 30% will become infected.

Food shortages could be imminent:

I believe food shortages will be a reality for Americans within weeks to months. More and more meat processing plants are closing by the day.

The State Department warned about lab safety issues and known bat research in Wuhan before the pandemic. A lack of obvious genetic manipulation of the virus does not mean the virus did not escape a lab. Many viruses of zoonotic origin are housed in labs around the world.

A Charlotte woman contracted the virus despite staying in for three weeks. She had extremely limited contact with others. This goes to show just how contagious this virus is. She believes she became infected after handling packages delivered to her doorstep.

US to get 750,000 tests from South Korea. FEMA awarded the contracts to two different South Korean manufacturers. Some tests have already arrived. More are expected tomorrow.

The Church of England fears the possibility of rioting and looting related to the coronavirus lockdown and has moved millions in treasures to the Tower of London.

Purell products are being prioritized for distribution to hospitals as hospitals report that hand sanitizer use is 3-4x higher than usual. The priority distribution means it may be more difficult to find Purell products on store shelves.

Social distancing might be around for a few years:

ECMO saves a few from an almost certain death. The treatment involves removing blood from the body, oxygenating it outside of the lungs, and reinfusing it. An immunosuppressant was also used to help ease cytokine storm in one of the patients who had received ECMO. Not every hospital has the capability to perform ECMO.

A study shows that rural counties are likely to have higher death rates from COVID-19. Many variables account for the increased risk. Age and rates of obesity are among them.

Favipiravir shows promise as an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2. Efficacy is notes in mild and moderate cases, but less so in severe cases. A US trial of the drug has begun.

The Trump Administration withholds funding from the WHO.


  • 3 Comments

    • CedarBloom

      “Food Supply Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens”
      https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/dining/victory-gardens-coronavirus.html

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    • CedarBloom

      Hi! Could you add articles/links on growing and raising food as the next bullet point whenever you write about “food shortages?” I believe this would offer tools to empower people to take appropriate action after reading potentially panic inducing comments such as “food shortages could be imminent.” It could illuminate ways for people to take control of the situation besides more panic buying their way into a sense of security. ‘…teach a man to fish…’ and all that. Plus, local food security is a pillar of prepping anyway, imo.

      Not to mention all the possibilities of supporting local agriculture and economy by directing people to sites like http://www.pickyourown.org (a website to find local farms where you can pick your own fruits/veggies) and https://www.localharvest.org/csa/ (find Community Supported Agriculture projects near you).

      With farmers losing their immigrant and seasonal workers, who will pick the food that would otherwise rot in the field? The answer ought to be: you.

      6 |