# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2020 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [February 11, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758 "2020-02-11T01:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 167
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3331 "2020-05-28T19:01:22Z")
Today in Austria: [ul] [li] After a 90-day hiatus, **Austrian Airlines** will resume flights on 15 June.[/li][li] The government is now offering, on application, **financial aid** to self-employed artists in the amount of €1000 per month for up to six months. Approximately 15,000 applications are expected.[/li][li] Current statistics: 16,544 confirmed infections, 668 deaths, 15,286 recovered.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3332 "2020-05-28T20:16:29Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > So now that I’ve looked at how we are doing in Virginia [today](https://coronavirusbellcurve.com/#va), my frustrating is intensifying. Just as I feared it would, our 14-day trend line is going back up. > > ☹ > [@Hermitian](#): > > Haven’t they had a lot of free testing events there over the last week? Just because there are more confirmed cases does not guarantee that things are getting worse. Increased testing might explain the jump in new cases. But it doesn’t explain the jump in deaths. Yesterday our 14-day trend for daily deaths was decreasing. Today it’s increasing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3333 "2020-05-29T04:23:43Z")
5,906,202 total cases 362,024 dead 2,579,877 recovered In the US: 1,768,461 total cases 103,330 dead 498,725 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 5,790,103 total cases > 357,432 dead > 2,497,618 recovered > > In the US: > > 1,745,803 total cases > 102,107 dead > 490,130 recovered ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3334 "2020-05-29T05:42:29Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3335 "2020-05-29T16:55:16Z")
[NPR reports](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/28/863944333/antibody-tests-point-to-lower-death-rate-for-the-coronavirus-than-first-thought) more people infected, and lower fatality rate than previously thought. Even if the death rate is .5%, do we need to unpack rates for people based on age, vulnerability, etc? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3336 "2020-05-29T17:28:52Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > [NPR reports](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/28/863944333/antibody-tests-point-to-lower-death-rate-for-the-coronavirus-than-first-thought) more people infected, and lower fatality rate than previously thought. > > Even if the death rate is .5%, do we need to unpack rates for people based on age, vulnerability, etc? Yes, we do. In Canada, about 70% of the deaths have been nursing home residents, with a few employees as well. You can’t expect everyone to keep ignoring stuff like that when you’re announcing how deadly the disease is. The general population is significantly less at risk. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3337 "2020-05-29T18:15:41Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > [NPR reports](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/28/863944333/antibody-tests-point-to-lower-death-rate-for-the-coronavirus-than-first-thought) more people infected, and lower fatality rate than previously thought. > > Even if the death rate is .5%, do we need to unpack rates for people based on age, vulnerability, etc? Even if the death rate is similar to the flu, they say more people will get coronavirus since there is not any vaccine or existing immunity. With the flu, its progress through the community is impeded because not everyone will be a viable host. That resistance is not there for coronavirus. Coronavirus will infect almost everyone who comes in contact with it. Some people may not have many symptoms, but they still get infected. If 300M people get a virus with a .5% death rate, that’s 1.5M people. The flu will kill fewer people since fewer people would catch it. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3338 "2020-05-29T18:32:52Z")
Sorry - didn’t intend to introduce debate into this thread. Just thought the NPR report a reasonably written, accessible report from a generally considered reliable source. And I thought there had been varying estimates as to infection/fatality rates. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3339 "2020-05-29T18:33:54Z")
double post ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3340 "2020-05-29T19:01:48Z")
The problem with using the antibody tests to measure infection rates is the false positives. If the test has a false positive rate of 5%, then results saying 5% of the population was already infected are meaningless. Depending on the test used, I’ve seen false positive rates of 1-40%. Without knowing details of the accuracy of the test and how the study might have corrected for false positives, it’s difficult to draw conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3341 "2020-05-29T20:13:28Z")
Today in Austria: [ul] [li] **A further relaxation of the lockdown rules** has been announced. As of 15 June, face coverings will be required only in three situations: on public transit, in health facilities (pharmacies, hospitals, etc.), and when receiving services (such as haircuts) where it is impossible to keep one metre’s distance. This means it will no longer be required to wear face coverings in supermarkets, in restaurants, and other shops. The mandatory closing time for pubs, cafés, and restaurants will be extended from 23:00 to 01:00, and the rule about no more than four adults sharing a table will be dropped.[/li][li] The government has committed to regular coronavirus testing (65,000 tests per week) for workers in the **tourism industry**.[/li][li] Results of a localized **antibody test study** in the city of Oberwart showed that 5% of a random sample of inhabitants (47 out of 879) had coronavirus antibodies—still not remotely close to what is needed for herd immunity.[/li][li] **The national R0** has once again sunk below 1.0. As of 27 May it was sitting at 0.9. From 15 to 27 May new infections fell by 2.4% per day.[/li][li] Current statistics: 16,575 confirmed infections, 668 deaths, 15,347 recovered.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3342 "2020-05-29T21:24:48Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > The problem with using the antibody tests to measure infection rates is the false positives. If the test has a false positive rate of 5%, then results saying 5% of the population was already infected are meaningless. Depending on the test used, I’ve seen false positive rates of 1-40%. > > Without knowing details of the accuracy of the test and how the study might have corrected for false positives, it’s difficult to draw conclusions. I believe there were some “at home” antibody strips that were not accurate. However, the higher quality tests are very good. See this [summary](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/eua-authorized-serology-test-performance) of government testing of various tests. The Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG test registered 100% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity. Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV02 came in at 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity. Unfortunately, I have no idea what tests are being used where or how often. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3343 "2020-05-29T22:52:48Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > .The Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG test registered 100% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity. Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV02 came in at 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity. For samples taken 14 days or more after symptoms. This seems to be a problem: it seems that some medical authorities really really want an antibody test that can be done immediately after symptoms have come or gone: not to wait 2 weeks and then find out. Also, with no data for if the tests fails at “much more than 14 days”. So at present, you need to have a good record of “when symptoms first developed” to have a reliable test. And also, the test verification showed that 88 out of 88 cases (where symptoms were more than 14 days) were detected. That’s good, but 88 people isn’t a lot. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3344 "2020-05-29T23:06:14Z")
A troop of highwaymonkeys (literally) [waylaid a lab technician](https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2351KV) in Meerut India, stealing his rack of COVID-19+ blood samples. What the long-tailed primates intended to do with the vials is not clear, but the four patients will have to be tested again. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3345 "2020-05-30T01:34:56Z")
[Moscow Doubles Last Month’s Coronavirus Death Toll Amid Suspicions Of Undercounting](https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/29/865044503/moscow-doubles-last-months-coronavirus-death-toll-amid-suspicions-of-undercounti) Lots of people have been dubious of Russia’s numbers regarding coronavirus deaths. Based on the number of cases, they should be way higher. They’ve gone up some in recent days, but are still in the low hundreds per day, which is a very low death rate compared to other countries. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3346 "2020-05-30T03:47:53Z")
[Partygoer at Missouri’s Lake of Ozarks positive for COVID-19](https://apnews.com/4c5de76c0ee0201937a3b0be12cece96) > [@](#): > > Health officials said Friday that they were seeking to “inform mass numbers of unknown people” after a person who attended crowded pool parties over Memorial Day weekend at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks tested positive for COVID-19. > > Camden County Health Department said in a release that the resident of Boone County in mid-Missouri tested positive on Sunday after arriving at the lake area a day earlier. Officials said there have been no reported cases of the virus linked to coronavirus in residents of Camden County, where the parties seen in videos and photos posted on social media took place. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3347 "2020-05-30T04:38:14Z")
6,033,814 total cases 366,890 dead 2,661,145 recovered In the US: 1,793,530 total cases 104,542 dead 519,569 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 5,906,202 total cases > 362,024 dead > 2,579,877 recovered > > In the US: > > 1,768,461 total cases > 103,330 dead > 498,725 recovered The number of new cases per day went over 100,000 four days ago and has been increasing steadily and substantially since then. With increases over 100,000 per day, the world could easily see 10,000,000 total cases before the end of June. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3348 "2020-05-30T05:06:05Z")
I’ve noticed that Brazil has had more new cases the last three days than the US. Their number of new deaths has not yet exceeded the US’s, but it’s getting close. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3349 "2020-05-30T05:28:32Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > I’ve noticed that Brazil has had more new cases the last three days than the US. Their number of new deaths has not yet exceeded the US’s, but it’s getting close. Brazil is also approaching the U.S. in being the most obese country in the world. Good chance there is a strong correlation. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/3350 "2020-05-30T05:40:10Z")
Somehow I don’t think we gonna get any explanation of causation is we. CMC fnord! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=166) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=168)