A collection of key developments in the fight against COVID-19 (the actual virus is SARS-COV-2), posted throughout the week for those who just want the signal and not the noise. If there’s something you think we should include, sound off in the comments thread attached to the post.
Visit our Wuhan coronavirus status page and learn how to prepare for possible spread to your area. Scenarios, shopping lists, background info, and everything else you need, all in one place.
Previously: The previous day’s key developments post is here.
Today was the day the city-wide lockdowns started in earnest in the US.
San Francisco and multiple nearby counties announced total lockdowns, so that people stay home unless they absolutely have to. More here in the SF Chronicle.
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are shutting all bars, restaurants, and movie theaters, and there are rumors of a quarantine NYC where no one is allowed in or out (but those remain rumors, for now).
Los Angeles and Washington, DC, have closed public buildings.
There are rumors swirling of a domestic flight shutdown, but this would be pretty dramatic since it would shut down so much mail order commerce. (Passenger planes carry cargo, as well.) If we go there, I don’t think it’ll be for a while, yet.
Spain has nationalized all of its private hospitals as the country goes into coronavirus lockdown
Suspicious cyberactivity targeting HHS tied to coronavirus response, sources say
A good infographic from the New York Times. The Workers Who Face the Greatest Coronavirus Risk
It’s time for next-generation remote collaboration. “We know that digital participation can feel lacking compared to the real life alternative. But for at least the next few months, if not longer, many people and organizations are going to shift to virtual meetings for a range of activities, including staff huddles, workshops, trainings, and larger events like conferences. So, here’s an annotated guide to some digital participation tools and platforms that can help.”
Kentucky police guard coronavirus patient who wouldn’t self-quarantine
Continuity of government is always a concern in a crisis like this. Trump and Pence are sticking with each other, but the Pentagon is not taking any chances.
The Pentagon has separated the Secretary of Defense from the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
President Trump says he and Vice President Pence are "very careful" when being together and around any people. But Trump and Pence aren't separating as of now.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 16, 2020
The list of celebrities with COVID-19 grows, adding Idris Elba and the Norwegian actor who played Tormund on Game of Thrones.
NASCAR is postponing all races through at least May 3rd.
A new paper in Science claims that asymptomatic infection is widespread and is in fact driving the epidemic. Substantial undocumented infection facilitates the rapid dissemination of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2).
We estimate 86% of all infections were undocumented (95% CI: [82%–90%]) prior to 23 January 2020 travel restrictions. Per person, the transmission rate of undocumented infections was 55% of documented infections ([46%–62%]), yet, due to their greater numbers, undocumented infections were the infection source for 79% of documented cases. These findings explain the rapid geographic spread of SARS-CoV2 and indicate containment of this virus will be particularly challenging.
In Private Facebook Groups, Doctors Share Their Worst Fears. We Talked to One of Them.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my professional life.”
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