Coronavirus

[shubla]

An interesting sidenote related to the pandemic is that the resulting reduction in Co2 emissions is around what we would need to achieve every year to meet targets to prevent an out of control warming event.

But we could still do better.
Eat more bats so we get even more deadly viruses. Most effective way to limit emissions is to get rid of population.

[Jalpha]

Doubt. The resulting resource excess would surely see an excess of carbon emissions. What this proves is you have to literally lock people inside their homes. We live in a society of drones.

[AtoB]

One thing to keep in mind for the southern hemisphere: 'flu season' is ramping up there, like it does every year. Numbers for hospitalization and deaths will go up from this. I think it is possible that the increase that is measured is simply from the beta corona fraction that goes around with the seasonal virus wave.

[Jalpha]

I am not quite sure what you mean by that. Are you implying that the current increase in cases may actually be seasonal flu cases which have been mislabelled? Because for the most part it has been limited to one state in Australia and has then spread from there. The death rate seems higher than an ordinary flu, at around 1.5% by my rough estimation, maybe even lower. As strain on healthcare facilities increases though it is looking like that rate may increase. In any case I suppose more data will become available in the coming months.

[AtoB]

I am not quite sure what you mean by that. Are you implying that the current increase in cases may actually be seasonal flu cases which have been mislabelled?

This would not surprise me, there are hints that normal corona virus variants have been reported as SARS-COV-2 by laboratories https://web.archive.org/web/20200504012 ... oronavirus (translated to english using google translate)

03.04.2020
Changed layout of findings for SARS-CoV2 PCR results
From now on we only output the results positively or negatively on our findings.
So far you have received two results depending on the test used.
If the sample was analyzed using the Roche method, we have given the measurement results for both target sequences of the PCR (ORF1 and E genes) separately. The ORF1 gene is specific for SARS-CoV-2, while the E gene is also found in other corona viruses. We have already rated the cases in which only the ORF gene was amplified as positive. Few cases with an isolated positive E gene were classified as questionable and therefore repeatedly led to questions and problems regarding the further management of affected patients. Taking into account the epidemiological situation and the overall increased positive rate, we are now following the WHO recommendation and will issue a result as "positive" if only the E gene has been amplified. To simplify the finding, only an overall result (positive or negative) will appear in the future. A result is positive if at least one of the two target sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in the smear material.
If the sample was analyzed using methods from rBiopharm or TibMolbiol, we have previously carried out separate screening and confirmation tests. Analogous to the procedure described above, we restrict ourselves to the previous screening test, which targets the E gene, due to the high positive predictive value with increasing COVID-19 prevalence.

This laboratory basically stated that 'any coronavirus found will from now on be reported as SARS-COV-2 had been found as the WHO requested it to be done like this'. Your guess for why the WHO could be interested in generating false positives for what will be reported as 'coronavirus infections'... is as good as mine.

Because for the most part it has been limited to one state in Australia and has then spread from there.

Given the above: Do all areas use the same PCR test?

The death rate seems higher than an ordinary flu, at around 1.5% by my rough estimation, maybe even lower.

What death rate? Cases, IFR, mortality?

As strain on healthcare facilities increases though it is looking like that rate may increase. In any case I suppose more data will become available in the coming months.

I hope that your country will fare better at information gathering, in the sense of your leading institutions not actively trying to suppress knowledge gains as happened here in Germany .

You might find https://swprs.org/a-swiss-doctor-on-covid-19/ an interesting read, that page contains links to the sources of nearly all that is stated (instead of simply claiming something, without any proof but just endless repetition till the recipients believe it as truth).

[MagicManICT]

Just to interject a second of a bit from America's past and comparing it to what's going on now.

https://www.vox.com/2015/12/1/9828348/r ... n-hiv-aids

[AtoB]

Homophobic assholes being happy about a disease that 'only affects homosexuals'... what's the connection to the current situation?

[Jalpha]

Given the above: Do all areas use the same PCR test?

I am assuming so. I believe there were test kit shortages in the early stages but Australia quickly began manufacturing its own.

What death rate? Cases, IFR, mortality?

Confirmed cases vs deaths in hospital beds.

comparing it to what's going on now

The situations bear only a passing resemblance. HIV was a much more dangerous virus (at the time). Also given the demographic affected and the minor effect it had on the global economy, little effort was put into containing its spread or researching treatment options. This current pandemic seems to have actually reduced annual death rates in Australia (even with people dying from the virus), though I would like data from other parts of the world for comparison. It is still quite early though and this may change. That being said I understand your concern and do feel a modicum of sympathy. If I was in the USA I would probably be terrified, no matter how young or healthy I was. However I am not in the USA and have been sticking to countries with better healthcare and lower rates of infection. It feels good to have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with large parts of Europe.

I will come right out and say that many (most even) Americans are stupid. For all their education and claims at being a first world country I have never seen a more stupid collection of white people in one country. Australia seems not far behind though. There have been some teething issues with getting people to wear masks and certain ethnic population groups keep having their large multi-family gatherings in breach of social distancing requirements. I don't believe in masks myself, but I wear one when it is the rule. I mean, if the virus was airborne a lot more medical staff would be getting ill. But they are not.

Spread is quite clearly linked to factors other than masks.

[Zentetsuken]

I don't believe in masks myself, but I wear one when it is the rule. I mean, if the virus was airborne a lot more medical staff would be getting ill. But they are not.

Spread is quite clearly linked to factors other than masks.

All available data collected and observed so far (by medical and science professionals) disagrees with you.

[Jalpha]

I am sorry Zentetsuken but without citations it is merely your word against mine. I am also aware, as others may not be, of your personal financial interests in shilling masks.