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.
There are 134,559 cases across the globe. For a second day in a row Italy had nearly 200 deaths. There were 344 deaths around the world in last 24 hours and an increase of over 8,000 cases in that time period.
46 US states are battling COVID-19.
There has been a vast increase in the closures of k-12 schools and Universities in the US since yesterday. All k-12 schools are closed in Maryland and Ohio. Fauci supports school closures and other social distancing measures:
NIH's Dr Anthony Fauci supports school closings. Says steps need to be taken for containment and mitigation of Coronavirus. Says we need to distance ourselves from each other. Denies it's overreacting. And says restricting travel from Europe is "the right public health call." pic.twitter.com/iZJi4zlabA
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 12, 2020
There has also been a nation-wide run on toilet paper and other household goods as awareness of the COVID-19 public health threat grows. Panic-buying seems to be similarly contagious. Huge lines at stores are undermining efforts at social distancing:
Costco Line:
🛒Governor: Cancel all gatherings with >250 people to slow the spread of #COVID19
🛒People: Let’s all go to Costco at the same time
🛒To reduce transmission of the #coronavirus, you need other people to wash their hands (with SOAP) too#PanicBuying#CanyonCountry pic.twitter.com/7Xr1jzCGIp
— Laurel Coons 🧬🧬🧬 (@LaurelCoons) March 12, 2020
The Department of State issues a Level 3 Travel Advisory: reconsider travel abroad. Meanwhile, Trump considers US travel restrictions on Washington and California.
Disneyland has closed. Universal Studios and the Los Angeles Zoo have also closed. Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida remains open.
It’s not just the NBA—MLB and NHL are also suspended.
The markets are crashing. The DOW experiences its worst day since 1987. Airline stocks are taking a nosedive, as are cruise lines. Oil prices near 30$ per barrel. Treasury yields are down.
The LDS Church has suspended all church meetings globally. 30,000 congregations are impacted. Efforts are being made to move to online discussions.
Fauci says testing should be more widely available now. Conversely, very few tests were listed as completed yesterday by the CDC, though public health and university-affiliated labs may have done their own. We’ll see in the coming days if Fauci’s pronouncement is true.
NIAID Dr. Anthony Fauci says guidelines for who could be tested for #COVID19 has changed:
"The FDA has removed those restrictions… You go to the Dr., you have symptoms that are suggestive of the coronavirus, it doesn't matter where you are, who you are, you can get a test." pic.twitter.com/nBqiuE2gB1
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 12, 2020
Coronavirus Hotels? Gov. Newsome issues executive order to commandeer hotels and other facilities to house and treat the infected. The Governor also directs events/gatherings with more than 250 people to be cancelled. Nearly 200 California residents are infected.
Anticipate drug shortages as supply chains are disrupted. Nearly 80% of the ingredients used to make medicines and therapeutic compounds are from China. Different hospitals use different supply chains, so a shortage in one facility may not be the same as another.
It is believed that about 80% of the basic components used in U.S. drugs come from China and India. @YanzhongHuang says U.S. consumers shouldn't worry, but it might be time for the U.S. to diversify its supply chain. https://t.co/YblK3njb92
— Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) March 12, 2020
Lindsey Graham in self-isolation. Many US politicians, including the President, may have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 through the same contact. The President insists he does not need to be tested.
“In addition to kindergartens, child care facilities, schools, and universities closing nationwide, and a ban on both professional and amateur sports…. the entire country of Norway is also requiring all hairdressers, massage clinics, gyms, and tattoo parlors to close…. Cultural events are also banned, with museums, pools, and libraries additionally closing. While grocery stores will remain open, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs are required to close if they can’t guarantee a three-foot distance between patrons. Buffets, naturally, are banned.”