# 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:** 279
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5585 "2020-11-17T21:06:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That isn’t inconsistent with what I described. Your local CVS could advertise that they will be offering covid immunizations on such-and-such a date, with the second shot on so-and-so a date. Sign up now, first 900 people to sign up will be given approximate time slots when they should show up. [CBS article](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-pfizer-distribution-logistical-nightmare/): Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution will be a “logistical nightmare” Key points: • The deep-freeze “suitcases” containing specially made dry ice and 1,000-5,000 doses can only be opened twice a day for no more than 3 minutes at a time. • The suitcases stay cold for 10 days, _starting from the moment they’re sealed_. (Pfizer’s facilities are in Kalamazoo, MI and Pleasant Prairie, WI. • It’ll take up to 4 days for transport, leaving 6 days to administer 5,000 doses before they go bad–that’s 833 vaccinations per day. (Gov. pays for syringes, but so far, not staff.) •Suitcases can be refilled with the specially formulated dry ice only, costing a few hundred $$. This would extend the life 5 days. •Those ultra-cold freezers cost $20,000 EACH, and there’s currently a six-week waiting list. Hospitals don’t know yet if they’ll be designated distribution points, so can’t plan. •Struggling rural hospitals can’t afford the freezers and staff power required. • Research facilities DO have those freezers, but they’d have to be repurposed for vaccine storage and distribution to satisfy public health regs. •AND a BIG factor is that Pfizer’s vaccine requires 2 doses 21 days apart. So in 21 days, you’ll still be doing round one vaccinations when you have to start on round two–twice as much demand. I’m still optimistic that between Pfizer and Moderna, we’ll be able to get everyone (except anti-vaxxers) vaccinated, but as Ringo Starr said, “It don’t come easy.” ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5586 "2020-11-17T21:11:20Z")
Stanford University distances itself from Scott Atlas’s urging people visit their elderly relatives at Thanksgiving because they’re going to die anyway. > **[Statement regarding Scott Atlas | Stanford News](https://news.stanford.edu/2020/11/16/statement-regarding-scott-atlas/)** > > This communication addresses recent statements made by Dr. Scott Atlas, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution who is on leave of absence from that position. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5587 "2020-11-18T00:23:46Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That isn’t inconsistent with what I described. Your local CVS could advertise that they will be offering covid immunizations on such-and-such a date, with the second shot on so-and-so a date. Sign up now, first 900 people to sign up will be given approximate time slots when they should show up. Yup, wasn’t disagreeing. Just wanted to let others know that (if things work out the way the Biden team is planning) people may be able to get the vaccine at CVS if that was convenient for them > [@Monty](#): > > Apparently, there’s a comma missing after “10 people”. I can see a certain segment of the population saying, “The government said only 10 people need to be wearing masks!” Is that how the literalists’ population dwindles? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5588 "2020-11-18T01:10:20Z")
A new study is showing that covid-19 has twice the death rate of people who are hospitalized than those hospitalized with the flu. > **[Flu vs. coronavirus: New study shows hospital deaths for COVID-19 twice the...](https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/11/flu-vs-coronavirus-new-study-shows-hospital-deaths-for-covid-19-twice-the-rate-of-influenza-patients.html)** > > The study is believed to be the first in the United States to directly compare clinical features, laboratory results and health outcomes between COVID-19 patients and flu patients. > [@](#): > > The study found that COVID-19 patients had an in-hospital death rate of 40%, versus 19% for influenza patients and that they needed to remain on mechanical ventilation longer, had worse lung functioning and were more like to develop severe lung inflammation than were those with the flu. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5589 "2020-11-18T01:17:21Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > A new study is showing that covid-19 has twice the death rate of people who are hospitalized than those hospitalized with the flu.- This doesn’t strike me as surprising. Isn’t COVID just a more deadly disease? It involves the blood vessels and circulatory system, not just the respiratory system. Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5590 "2020-11-18T01:24:07Z")
New Orleans has effectively cancelled Mardi Gras. No parades – a huge part of the celebration. > **[Due to Covid-19, Mardi Gras parades are canceled in New Orleans next year | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/us/mardi-gras-new-orleans-parade-trnd/index.html)** > > Mardi Gras parades will not be permitted next year at New Orleans' annual festival, but city officials are saying the holiday is definitely not canceled. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5591 "2020-11-18T01:32:24Z")
For those unfamiliar with Mardi Gras in New Orleans: in a normal year, the first parades would be on the Epiphany (6 January). ---
**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:** [November 18, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5592 "2020-11-18T02:33:43Z")
From the video description: CNN’s Alisyn Camerota speaks with Jodi Doering, a nurse from South Dakota who says some of her coronavirus patients often don’t want to believe that Covid-19 is real, even in their dying moments. (8 minute video) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WicsWfTm1ZI/maxresdefault.jpg "What dying Covid-19 patients told nurse stuns Camerota") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WicsWfTm1ZI) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5593 "2020-11-18T02:56:34Z")
Reminds me… my husband’s cousin whose wife is a nurse… and he’s been a covidiot … hasn’t been in my (and his) Iowa FB message box since Nov. 7th when Biden was called the winner and then … well, Iowa’s Covid-19 positive rates went up, up, still going up… and now we’re #2! ☹ ---
**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:** [November 18, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5594 "2020-11-18T05:06:35Z")
55,943,189 total cases 1,343,379 dead 38,963,254 recovered In the US: 11,695,711 total cases 254,255 dead 7,087,796 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 55,349,611 total cases > 1,332,328 dead > 38,493,570 recovered > > In the US: > > 11,538,057 total cases > 252,651 dead > 7,019,304 recovered ---
**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:** [November 18, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5595 "2020-11-18T05:07:47Z")
Sioux Falls, SD will start wearing masks: > **[Sioux Falls OKs mask mandate after push from medical groups](https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-coronavirus-pandemic-rapid-city-63e59ae329d25ce479ed68a4fbfcbeb9)** > > SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The largest city in South Dakota reversed course and passed a 60-day mask mandate Tuesday after enforcement was removed from the ordinance and medical groups said... …and we may soon be able to test ourselves at home: > **[FDA allows 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-0430fe7460b4385bd952978f19b3d88d)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday allowed emergency use of the first rapid coronavirus test that can be performed entirely at home and delivers results in 30 minutes... ---
**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:** [November 18, 2020, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5596 "2020-11-18T06:19:23Z")
Oh, and I forgot to note the new worldwide record daily death toll of 10,502. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5597 "2020-11-18T13:51:55Z")
> **[COVID-19 stats get even grimmer - San Antonio Express, 11/18/2020](http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/SanAntonioExpressNews/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=SAEN%2F2020%2F11%2F18&entity=Ar00101&sk=94A237C1&mode=text)** > > San Antonio Express - 11/18/2020 > If you thought things were bad when Texas topped 1 million COVID-19 cases, guess again. > > Researchers estimate at least four times as many people actually have caught the virus. > > An estimated one Texan in six — roughly 4.75 million people — has contracted COVID-19, according to a statistical analysis by the University of Texas at Austin COVID-19 Modeling Consortium. > > The analysis estimates the virus is spreading rapidly and so far has infected more than 16 percent of people in Texas — far more than the state’s official tally. > > “The speed at which things can get out of hand is a lot quicker than people expected,” said Spencer Fox, associate director of the consortium. > > The consortium’s statistical modeling uses cellphone data to measure mobility and state hospitalization levels to determine where the virus is spreading and how many people have been infected. > > It’s not a perfect predictor of the virus’ spread, Fox cautioned, but it dovetails with state estimates. The researchers’ approximation of 4.75 million cases is “generally in the ballpark” of what state health officials believe is the true number of infections, said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, which publishes the state’s official COVID-19 infection figures. > > “It varies by condition, but we know and expect that all kinds of diseases are underreported,” Van Deusen said in an email. > > In the San Antonio region, the UT consortium’s projections have worsened recently because of the growing number of new infections and hospitalizations. > > There’s a 62 percent chance the pandemic is growing here, the latest modeling indicates. The number of infections has increased by 37 percent in the past two weeks. > > Altogether, more than 432,500 people — 15.3 percent of San Antonio-area residents — likely have been infected with COVID-19, the UT researchers estimated. > > About 24.1 million people, more than 80 percent of the state’s population, live in areas where the virus’ spread is more likely to increase, the consortium’s public online dashboard shows. > … ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5598 "2020-11-18T14:06:39Z")
States having record new seven-day-averaged New Cases on November 17, 2020 Minnesota Alaska Montana Indiana New Jersey California (finally beating the previous high in July) Utah Missouri West Virginia Virginia Maryland Tennessee North Carolina Oklahoma Possibly more telling is the list of states and regions that have NOT had a record high since before this past weekend (before November 14): Illinois (high on Nov 13) New York (April 7) South Dakota (Nov 11) Iowa (Nov 11) Rhode Island (Nov 13) Arizona (July 3) South Carolina (July 14) D.C. (May 3) Louisiana (July 23) Mississippi (July 27) Alabama (Nov 13) Georgia (Nov 6) Texas (July 17) Florida (July 14) Only 14 states and regions out of 52 states and territories did NOT have their highest seven-day-average new case load since last weekend. Only eight of them have not had a historic high before this month. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5599 "2020-11-18T14:10:38Z")
I’m not sure I’d characterize that information as “grim.” Rampant spread is bad, but lower fatality rate is good. If 4X as many people had COVID-19 in Texas, that means the fatality rate in Texas is one quarter what we thought. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5600 "2020-11-18T14:17:30Z")
Well, you know headline writers… I agree with your analysis re deaths, etc., but the “grim” part is because so many more people have it than we thought, your (my) chances of catching it. Also, “The speed at which things can get out of hand is a lot quicker than people expected,” when so many more people are infected. [Aside: I love your screen name and avatar. I used to work in a German bakery in downtown Denver, and became (too) well acquainted with all manner of tortes and other goodies. I could devour you right now! That didn’t come out right.] ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5601 "2020-11-18T14:20:47Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > I’m not sure I’d characterize that information as “grim.” Rampant spread is bad, but lower fatality rate is good. > > If 4X as many people had COVID-19 in Texas, that means the fatality rate in Texas is one quarter what we thought. But that also means 4X people who might have long-term or life-long health issues. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5602 "2020-11-18T14:29:39Z")
> **[Hospitals Can’t Go On Like This](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/11/third-surge-hospitals-staffing-shortage/617128/)** > > Twenty-two percent of American hospitals don’t have enough workers right now. > In eight states, the situation is even more dire. More than 35 percent of hospitals in Arkansas, Missouri, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin are anticipating a staffing shortage this week. COVID-19 puts pressure on hospitals in two ways. One, staff members get sick or are exposed to the coronavirus and have to stay home, reducing the labor supply. Two, more patients arrive at the hospital, increasing demand. A surge of cases makes both factors worse. Every airwave in the country should be blasting people with alerts about local hospital capacity right now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5603 "2020-11-18T15:46:31Z")
[https://www.axios.com/axios-ipsos-poll-biden-covid-trust-214f3b6d-180d-491e-beea-36d4a4ba695b.html](https://www.axios.com/axios-ipsos-poll-biden-covid-trust-214f3b6d-180d-491e-beea-36d4a4ba695b.html) > Americans‘ trust in Joe Biden to provide accurate information about the coronavirus has grown across the board since his election win, according to the latest installment of the [Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index](https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/axios-ipsos-coronavirus-index). > > **Between the lines:** It’s the first time Biden won the trust of more than 50% of Americans since the poll started asking the question in August. > … This is the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index: [![](https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/axios_covid-19_w30.jpg) ](https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/axios_covid-19_w30.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5604 "2020-11-18T15:53:24Z")
Sweden is giving up the “Swedish approach.” > **[Analysis | Has Sweden’s coronavirus strategy failed?](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/11/18/sweden-coronavirus-surge-policy/)** > > Swedish authorities believed their approach to coronavirus would help the country in the long run. But it's being rocked by the second wave. > **Even Sweden appears to be abandoning** [**the Swedish model**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/05/12/swedens-coronavirus-strategy-is-not-what-it-seems/?itid=lk_inline_manual_4). On Monday, the country’s authorities [banned gatherings of more than eight people](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11/17/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/#link-RKJQ2YWPZRDBBM3HKRA5SDMRDQ?itid=lk_inline_manual_4) as they grappled with the second coronavirus wave surging through much of Europe. The new restrictions followed other protocols coming into effect this week, including protective measures around nursing homes and bans on alcohol sales at restaurants and bars after 10 p.m. > … > > On Friday, Sweden recorded almost 6,000 new daily [coronavirus](https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/?itid=lk_inline_manual_12) cases. The total number of infections is nearing 200,000 in a country of 10 million people. In Stockholm, the capital, [1 in 5 people getting tested are testing positive](https://www.ft.com/content/1e0ac31d-5abf-4a18-ab3e-eec9744a4d31), and the official number of positive cases could be much higher with more widespread testing. Hospitalizations are rising faster in Sweden than any other European country, and Sweden’s per capita death rate is several times higher than those of its Nordic neighbors Finland, Denmark and Norway. > > Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s state epidemiologist, has been [the stoic face of the country’s strategy](https://www.ft.com/content/5cc92d45-fbdb-43b7-9c66-26501693a371?tid=a_inl_manual). In the summer, he told skeptics to wait till fall before placing judgment on Sweden’s handling of the crisis. He predicted that Sweden would have accrued a higher level of immunity than its neighbors and that the impact of a second wave [would “probably be quite low.”](https://www.ft.com/content/a2b4c18c-a5e8-4edc-8047-ade4a82a548d) Though Tegnell claimed “herd immunity” was never a goal for Sweden, he appeared to believe that the country’s relative laxity would help it weather the worst of the pandemic in the long run. > > “I hoped he was right. It would have been great. But he wasn’t,” Annika Linde, Tegnell’s predecessor, told [the Daily Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/15/tegnells-predecessor-blames-wishful-thinking-swedens-soaring/amp/). “Now we have a high death rate, and we have not escaped a second wave: immunity makes a little difference maybe, but not much difference.” > … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=278) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=280)