# The Quarantine Zone **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-quarantine-zone/29.md?page=32 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 33 --- ## [Quick question: False positives and negatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-false-positives-and-negatives/915460)
**Author:** [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-false-positives-and-negatives/915460 "2020-07-17T22:45:57Z")
Does anyone know, if you have a cold (which I guess is also a corona virus) and go get tested and it comes back positive, could that be a false positive where you have a cold but NOT the corona virus? Thanks. --- ## [Do false negatives imply low viral load?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-false-negatives-imply-low-viral-load/915461)
**Author:** [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-false-negatives-imply-low-viral-load/915461 "2020-07-17T14:54:48Z")
… in active infection testing? By that I mean, is that the main source of the errors (or much of one at all) I’m sure there’s some handling/procedure produced errors. What else? --- ## [Should I Continue Quarantining My Mail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-continue-quarantining-my-mail/915402)
**Author:** [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-continue-quarantining-my-mail/915402 "2020-07-17T11:05:46Z")
My family has been isolating as much as possible since mid-March, and we have been quarantining our mail and packages for 5 days where possible before opening. I know I saw early on that transmission by mail was unlikely… --- ## [Evictions during pandemic -- what's the point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evictions-during-pandemic-whats-the-point/915299)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evictions-during-pandemic-whats-the-point/915299 "2020-07-17T09:43:22Z")
In a typical economy, a landlord who has a tenant in an apartment or a commercial location is likely to evict that tenant if they can’t pay their rent. Perhaps the tenant has mismanaged things, or perhaps they have been … --- ## [Have we numbers of excess deaths, regardless of causes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-numbers-of-excess-deaths-regardless-of-causes/851311)
**Author:** [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-numbers-of-excess-deaths-regardless-of-causes/851311 "2020-07-16T23:02:25Z")
Have we numbers of excess deaths, regardless of causes? ISTM that as we really don’t know how many deaths are directly caused by COVID, comparing current death statistics to prior years should give a more inclusive pictu… --- ## [What do you think will actually (stay) shut down until a vaccine is found?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-actually-stay-shut-down-until-a-vaccine-is-found/915230)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-will-actually-stay-shut-down-until-a-vaccine-is-found/915230 "2020-07-16T19:52:22Z")
Businesses, events, regions, however micro or macro you want to get with this. Inspired in part by a post I was reminded of recently that claimed that Chicagoans would have no complaints with lockdowns lasting into next… --- ## [Are there legitimate reasons some people can't wear face masks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-legitimate-reasons-some-people-cant-wear-face-masks/914575)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-legitimate-reasons-some-people-cant-wear-face-masks/914575 "2020-07-16T11:37:14Z")
When I see someone not wearing a mask, I feel like yelling and shaming them. But I think maybe there are extenuating circumstances, so I don’t. Are there, for example health reasons? --- ## [Is anywhere in the world still doing the 7pm pots & pans banging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anywhere-in-the-world-still-doing-the-7pm-pots-pans-banging/915107)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anywhere-in-the-world-still-doing-the-7pm-pots-pans-banging/915107 "2020-07-16T10:55:51Z")
The “tribute to healthcare workers” thing. If so, where? If not, when did it stop in your area? --- ## [How does coronavirus compare to the polio epidemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-coronavirus-compare-to-the-polio-epidemic/915372)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-coronavirus-compare-to-the-polio-epidemic/915372 "2020-07-16T03:05:40Z")
I am not old enough to remember polio in America, but my mom is, and she has a cousin who got it and still has an atrophied leg and trouble walking. I’ve met a couple of other people like that over the years. I know pool… --- ## [Wearing the mask with glasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-mask-with-glasses/854655)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-the-mask-with-glasses/854655 "2020-07-16T01:56:43Z")
Lots of stores have “No mask, no service” signs in the windows. No heavy enforcement, but I’m wearing mine all the time anyway. And I need it for the delivery job I’ve been doing while I’m on furlough. Problem is, I driv… --- ## [ACLU says that 50% of Covid-19 deaths are from nursing homes and other group homes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-says-that-50-of-covid-19-deaths-are-from-nursing-homes-and-other-group-homes/914887)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-says-that-50-of-covid-19-deaths-are-from-nursing-homes-and-other-group-homes/914887 "2020-07-15T19:38:23Z")
This plays into a thought that has been bouncing around in my head. The majority of these group homes are nursing homes, and thus elderly. I’m thinking that the perception that this is mostly a problem for the elderl… --- ## [Clinical Study Volunteers wanted in U.S](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-study-volunteers-wanted-in-u-s/914824)
**Author:** [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-study-volunteers-wanted-in-u-s/914824 "2020-07-14T03:23:12Z")
Looks like NIAID and NIH have launched the site for people to volunteer for the Phase 3 vaccine and treatment clinical trials. It appears that they’re all being run from here, so people only have to sign up once. I’m vo… --- ## [So, who at this point has not heard of the coronavirus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-at-this-point-has-not-heard-of-the-coronavirus/914984)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-at-this-point-has-not-heard-of-the-coronavirus/914984 "2020-07-15T08:13:16Z")
I am guessing only the Sentinelese and perhaps a few other isolated people in the Arctic or on remote ocean islands have not heard of Covid-19 right now? --- ## [Isn't the concept of herd immunity a bit absurd?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-the-concept-of-herd-immunity-a-bit-absurd/914654)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-the-concept-of-herd-immunity-a-bit-absurd/914654 "2020-07-15T01:02:11Z")
Perhaps I am greatly misunderstanding something, and if so, I’d appreciate it if someone would set me straight. But when I see people touting “herd immunity!” in the context of the Covid pandemic (and they’re not talkin… --- ## [What medical conditions make you unable to wear a mask?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-medical-conditions-make-you-unable-to-wear-a-mask/855669)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-medical-conditions-make-you-unable-to-wear-a-mask/855669 "2020-07-14T20:13:51Z")
Virginia’s reopening requires masks in public places but What medical condition could possibly make it riskier to wear a mask than to get covid-19? --- ## [What are the antibody tests showing now as of late june](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-antibody-tests-showing-now-as-of-late-june/913013)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-antibody-tests-showing-now-as-of-late-june/913013 "2020-07-14T01:53:21Z")
I haven’t been following the news on coronavirus lately. What % of people have been infected based on antibody tests though as of late june? A little over a month ago I think it was around 5-15% of people tested positiv… --- ## [Auto insurance companies to refund hundreds of millions of dollars to customers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-insurance-companies-to-refund-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-to-customers/851286)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-insurance-companies-to-refund-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-to-customers/851286 "2020-07-13T14:42:02Z")
Two major car insurance companies, Allstate and American Family Insurance, will refund over $800 million in premiums to their covered drivers. Allstate will refund 15% of customers’ premiums for April and May, and Americ… --- ## [COVID and high blood pressure: Who, exactly is at risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-high-blood-pressure-who-exactly-is-at-risk/915092)
**Author:** [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/covid-and-high-blood-pressure-who-exactly-is-at-risk/915092 "2020-07-13T11:59:16Z")
I’ve heard that people with high blood pressure are at higher risk for getting a more severe case of COVID-19. My question is - I assume people who have blood pressure readings that are considered high are obviously at … --- ## [Our city library is reopening - but will I dare check anything out? What about you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-city-library-is-reopening-but-will-i-dare-check-anything-out-what-about-you/914863)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-city-library-is-reopening-but-will-i-dare-check-anything-out-what-about-you/914863 "2020-07-13T04:00:32Z")
The subject says it all. I was a frequent patron of our city library. I remember books where it was obvious that the person who had it before me read while smoking a cigar - PHEW. Now what happens if someone has cough… --- ## [Counting retests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-retests/915159)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-retests/915159 "2020-07-13T02:04:01Z")
My eldest has now had his fourth negative test. His employer does mandatory tests monthly. For the statistics reported at various test summary sites, is he getting counted once each time? Is he accounting for 4 tests … --- ## [In this instance, proud to be a Texan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-instance-proud-to-be-a-texan/914827)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-this-instance-proud-to-be-a-texan/914827 "2020-07-12T19:18:07Z")
God knows, most of the time, one has to hang one’s head and apologize for being a Texan. But locally-based H-E-B Grocery company did us proud with its early response to COVID. …San Antonio-based H-E-B has been a stead… --- ## [How will people react if Covid-19 flares up when the lockdown ends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-people-react-if-covid-19-flares-up-when-the-lockdown-ends/852805)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 291\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2020, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-people-react-if-covid-19-flares-up-when-the-lockdown-ends/852805 "2020-07-12T12:25:48Z")
Here in Texas we are currently in the process of re-opening the economy/ getting rid of various Covid-19 restrictions. The same is happening in many other places as well. Assuming that Covid-19 flares up and that we h… --- ## [If you are sick, is it beneficial to purify the air so you don't rebreathe the virus which you exhale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-sick-is-it-beneficial-to-purify-the-air-so-you-dont-rebreathe-the-virus-which-you-exhale/914872)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2020, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-sick-is-it-beneficial-to-purify-the-air-so-you-dont-rebreathe-the-virus-which-you-exhale/914872 "2020-07-11T04:49:36Z")
Articles have mentioned that the severity of CV19 might have some correlation to the initial viral load someone is infected with. So if someone gets a small initial load, they could have more mild symptoms. This make s… --- ## [Morgue in Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgue-in-texas/914963)
**Author:** [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgue-in-texas/914963 "2020-07-10T23:24:54Z")
Nueces County Morgue (Corpus Christi, TX): Don’t send us any more COVID victims, we are FULL. It’s a shame those folks don’t realize that the increase in infections is only because there is more testing! If Texas would … --- ## [So what's the economic plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-economic-plan/914889)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-economic-plan/914889 "2020-07-10T22:10:54Z")
United Airlines just announced thousands of prospective layoffs. I hear air travel is down 70%. Meanwhile, a family restaurant in our town just shut down after 45 years. People talk of a need for additional government… --- ## [Apologies if Redundant; Graph of Raw Case Rates per State by Calendar Date](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies-if-redundant-graph-of-raw-case-rates-per-state-by-calendar-date/914915)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies-if-redundant-graph-of-raw-case-rates-per-state-by-calendar-date/914915 "2020-07-10T18:03:03Z")
I keep looking for the same kind of graph every day and only sometimes find one, and when I do it’s not one of the URLs that refreshes their data daily so it’s not useful to go back to. I want one that shows all the US … --- ## [Indoor visitor - fan or no fan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indoor-visitor-fan-or-no-fan/914761)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indoor-visitor-fan-or-no-fan/914761 "2020-07-09T17:52:50Z")
If you are visiting someone indoors w/ the AC on, does it provide extra protection or increase the risk to have ceiling or other fans going. I didn’t know if fans would disperse particulates, or increase the chances of … --- ## [The Ins and Outs of Contact Tracing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ins-and-outs-of-contact-tracing/912714)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ins-and-outs-of-contact-tracing/912714 "2020-07-09T17:29:34Z")
There’s a disturbing article in the San Antonio paper this morning about how people are resisting contact tracing. When they do talk to people, the people can’t narrow down where they might have picked it up, because t… --- ## [Willing to share your personal COVID comfort zone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-to-share-your-personal-covid-comfort-zone/913668)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-to-share-your-personal-covid-comfort-zone/913668 "2020-07-09T11:38:10Z")
I wondered if anyone would be interested in sharing your personal experiences as to what sorts of activities/interactions you were/were not comfortable with. Feel free to opine as to the responsibility/irresponsibility … --- ## [American freelancers and small business owners--PPP application deadline extended to Aug. 8. I got a PPP. Ask me anything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-freelancers-and-small-business-owners-ppp-application-deadline-extended-to-aug-8-i-got-a-ppp-ask-me-anything/914740)
**Author:** [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-freelancers-and-small-business-owners-ppp-application-deadline-extended-to-aug-8-i-got-a-ppp-ask-me-anything/914740 "2020-07-08T14:45:42Z")
If you had trouble applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, missed the deadline, or got rejected the first time around, try again. The deadline’s been extended to August 8. The PPP is called a loan, but i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-quarantine-zone/29.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-quarantine-zone/29.md?page=33)