# 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:** 23
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/441 "2020-03-09T10:33:01Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I am not in the risk group, but I have parents who are in their 60’s, with (controlled) diabetes and hypertension. I am rather fond of them and this thread is fucking terrifying. Yeah, my mum’s 75 with a history of bronchitis, so IKWYM ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/442 "2020-03-09T10:35:34Z")
**Bolding** below is mine. > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > The situation in Italy is very sobering. With just over 7,000 cases there are interviews with Italian doctors talking about the pressure on beds and how they are using hospital corridors for intensive care. > > The BBC just interviewed a doctor who said that **one of their mistakes is in thinking that this is a virus that only affects old people**. They are treating people of all ages over 30 and he says young adults are most responsible for the virus’s spread. > > There is also a sense that this is much worse (for Italy) compared to the picture they expected when studying what happened in China. What? This virus has been going around the planet for a few months now and they thought that? Wow. That’s some pretty stupid stuff right there. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/443 "2020-03-09T11:37:40Z")
Dr. Fauci was on CNN this morning. He was asked who is in the “vulnerable” population, and he said vulnerable people are those with underlying medical conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes–especially if they are elderly. I was expecting him to say elderly people with underlying medical conditions. So my ears perked up when he said the reverse. My closest team member at work is a guy in his mid 50s. He’s a heavy smoker who was hospitalized a couple of months ago for two weeks due to pneumonia and then ensuing complications (sepsis). He gained his weight back but he still looks kind of frail to me. So I’m kind of worried about him as well as my elderly parents who have a lot of underlying medical conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/444 "2020-03-09T11:45:00Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > In the US: > > 548 confirmed infections > 22 dead > 15 recovered Oh. Wow. Yay. The US is running a 4% fatality rate. I’m so damn proud. :rolleyes: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > btw, the US now has the 9th most confirmed infections in the world. > > #8 is Spain. > > #7 is the _Diamond Princess_ cruise ship. _Diamond Princess_ infections should be counted in with the other US infections if we’re all being honest (I’ve given up expecting that from anyone associated with the White House, but the rest of us can do better). > [@nelliebly](#): > > Who is in the “older Americans” age group? Anybody over age X? People age at different rates. You might have a fit, healthy 65 year old in better shape than a 20-something. Is the fit 65-year-old still at high risk? All things being equal yes, the older you are the higher your risk even if you might not call it “high” risk. A fit 65 year old is at higher risk than the average 20 year old. Sorry. On the upside, a fit, healthy 65 year old is better off than a 65 year old who isn’t fit and has chronic health problems, and a fit 65 year old with chronic health problems is _probably_ better off than a 65 year old who is out of shape with the same problem. Anyone who is an adult has some risk (the information on children is not clear to me so I won’t speak about it). > [@nelliebly](#): > > Also, many people seem to assume that planes spread infection via the air that’s recirculated, but the fact is, the air is NOT recirculated. I assume then the risk is greater because people are in close proximity to each other for a few hours. If so, does that mean buses and trains are just as dangerous? You generally aren’t on buses and trains as long as on airplanes because commuters trains/buses are lumped into the total. I don’t know about long-range bus travel, but my recollection is that on trains you have more room than on an airplane and you’re not packed in so tightly, which may reduce the risk a little bit. > [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve been wondering how effective self quarantine will be in the US. In Missouri, the father of an infected girl took his other daughter to a school dance, [despite quarantine.](https://www.kmov.com/news/st-louis-coronavirus-father-took-younger-daughter-to-villa-dance/article_41ec34a4-6179-11ea-b3e3-6fbf809e7778.html) Well, clearly the father didn’t understand what “quarantine” means. This is likely to be a widespread problem. > [@Monty](#): > > What? This virus has been going around the planet for a few months now and they thought that? Wow. That’s some pretty stupid stuff right there. There’s been so much emphasis on how this impacts the elderly, even as doctors in their 30’s in China were falling ill and sometimes dying, that I think some people thought ONLY the elderly are killed by this. No. Like flu, this most dangerous to the elderly and medically compromised but younger, healthier people can also be made seriously ill or killed by it. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/445 "2020-03-09T12:24:57Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve been wondering how effective self quarantine will be in the US. In Missouri, the father of an infected girl took his other daughter to a school dance, [despite quarantine.](https://www.kmov.com/news/st-louis-coronavirus-father-took-younger-daughter-to-villa-dance/article_41ec34a4-6179-11ea-b3e3-6fbf809e7778.html) There’s quarantine and there’s stupid; there’s gonna be lots of overlap. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/446 "2020-03-09T13:05:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve been wondering how effective self quarantine will be in the US. Let’s hope it works better than it did for [this case in South Korea](http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/03/688_285530.html): > [@](#): > > Korean National Ballet dancer Na Dae-han may lose his job after taking a trip to Japan with his girlfriend when he was supposed to be in self-quarantine last week. > > The ballet company had advised all crew who performed in Daegu on Feb. 14 and 15 to go under quarantine for about two weeks, after canceling further performances. So, what’s going to happen to the guy? > [@](#): > > She continues, “We, Korean National Ballet, will proceed with the internal process to impose a serious disciplinary action on the dancer.” > > An official from the company told news outlet OSEN, Tuesday, that Na is now in self-quarantine after the trip to Japan. > > “The disciplinary committee regarding the dancer will be held on Mar. 12,” said the official, adding that the dancer could be fired. Well, he could lose his job. But the real kicker is that the guy is now in self-quarantine. You know, just like he was when he jetted to Japan with his girlfriend. An aside: For those who don’t know, his name can be translated into English as “I am Korea”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/447 "2020-03-09T14:13:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve been wondering how effective self quarantine will be in the US. In Missouri, the father of an infected girl took his other daughter to a school dance, [despite quarantine.](https://www.kmov.com/news/st-louis-coronavirus-father-took-younger-daughter-to-villa-dance/article_41ec34a4-6179-11ea-b3e3-6fbf809e7778.html) > [@KMOV4](#): > > Page said the county learned about the father-daughter dance on Sunday and officials told the man “to stay home or they will issue a formal quarantine that will require him and the rest of his family to stay home by the force of law.” So, all of the “self-quarantines” are just suggestions/requests? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/448 "2020-03-09T14:36:03Z")
They may be requests now but if people don’t behave they may start to be enforced by government authority. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/449 "2020-03-09T14:37:36Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > _Diamond Princess_ infections should be counted in with the other US infections if we’re all being honest (I’ve given up expecting that from anyone associated with the White House, but the rest of us can do better). The _Grand Princess_ is the boat off California, and that has been included in U.S. counts pretty much everywhere except Trump’s head. The _Diamond Princess_ was the first shit-show cruise ship off Asia. ETA: but you’re probably talking about the U.S. passengers off Diamond Princess who were brought back to the U.S. Yeah, I guess they’d count as U.S. cases. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/450 "2020-03-09T15:14:53Z")
You are correct I had some confusion about the two Princess cruise ships but yes, the boat off California and anyone else repatriated from the other cruise ship are all US cases. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/451 "2020-03-09T15:46:43Z")
News roundup: UK has not abandoned [containment](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51796072) yet but expects significant spread. France, Germany, and Czechia are [refusing](https://euobserver.com/social/147659) to export protective gear to other EU members. France has banned indoor [gatherings](https://www.sortiraparis.com/news/coronavirus/articles/210162-coronavirus-update-on-the-situation-in-paris-and-ile-de-france/lang/en) of over 1000 people. US CDC recommends [against](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/covid-19-cruise-ship) cruising. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/452 "2020-03-09T16:22:54Z")
[Head of the Port Authority in NY has Covid-19.](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/09/nyregion/port-authority-rick-cotton-coronavirus.html) ---
**Author:** ![This\_Just\_In\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@This\_Just\_In\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/This_Just_In_2)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/453 "2020-03-09T17:23:12Z")
I see the CDC has recommended against Cruising. Always too little too late. They need to ban Cruise Ships from embarking at all domestic Ports effective now - seriously. I know it’ll hit that industry hard but they are hooped for this year anyways. Smart people are already avoiding them like droves. And unlike flying it isn’t necessary for the overall economy that cruising carries on. It is just a luxury that the world doesn’t need right now. Cruise ships are becoming a huge liability for countries to deal with. when just one 1 out of 3-5000 people become sick the cruise ship company’s can just say ‘Oops - our bad. Well come get your people and put them in expensive quarantines on military bases please’. But that still doesn’t contain these petri dishes. A lot of the people who get off the boats just develop symptoms later but not before spreading it to countless communities worldwide. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/454 "2020-03-09T18:58:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > So, all of the “self-quarantines” are just suggestions/requests? It’s rumored that the idiot who broke their self-isolation here in New Hampshire was then served some sort of legal order. But it sure sounds like it’s on your honor until you go against the initial order. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Knavette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Knavette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knavette)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/455 "2020-03-09T19:21:43Z")
Yes, all the posh private schools in that area of St Louis County are closing or doing remote. I read this morning that someone who works at Bayer is a presumptive case; that is close to Ladue, where this family lives. The dance was held in Clayton, at the Ritz Carlton, another affluent area. I know Clayton very well, it is the county seat of St Louis County, the jail is located there, courts, attorneys offices, nice restaurants, etc. Tons of people there everyday. This could be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/456 "2020-03-09T20:29:48Z")
Fordham University is suspending operations. This isn’t that big a deal in the scheme of things, but they are scheduled to announce Fall 2020 admissions on 3-13 and we’re waiting for word whether Sophia got in. Hope they still can get it done! ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/457 "2020-03-09T20:55:58Z")
Our medical conference in Belgium just canceled. Too many people can’t travel, won’t travel, think it’s a bad idea to have an international conference at this time, or think they may need to stay well to treat other people in the near future. Not a big thing on a global scale, but really disappointing for the organizers, and tough on people who have already made travel arrangements. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/458 "2020-03-09T20:57:00Z")
Breaking: All of Italy is now under lockdown conditions: [US announces economic measures after markets plunge on virus fears – as it happened | Coronavirus | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/09/coronavirus-live-updates-outbreak-italy-lockdown-quarantine-uk-usa-america-australia-recession-fears-update-latest-news) ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/459 "2020-03-09T21:02:16Z")
I’m in the UK, and the NHS called me today to ask if I was okay with an April 1st date for my non-urgent hernia op. I had to check if it was sort of early April Fools joke. Will be massively surprised if it actually goes ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/460 "2020-03-09T21:07:43Z")
Wow, Italy has extended its quarantine to the whole country now. Unprecedented in peace time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=24)