# 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:** 298
**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:** [December 7, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5967 "2020-12-07T22:00:51Z")
Nevada: > **[Nevada virus hospitalizations up 230% over past month](https://apnews.com/article/nevada-coronavirus-pandemic-e071343e6f9bba069adffb84908b3a8e)** > > LAS VEGAS (AP) — The number of people hospitalized in Nevada with COVID-19 has more than doubled over the last month, officials said Monday, increasing to 1,617 hospitalized patients statewide and... ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5968 "2020-12-07T23:35:46Z")
The data scientist fired by the FL government because she refused to cook the data, and who has been publishing on her own account a report of COVID numbers, has been raided by the state police claiming she had illegally accessed a FL Department of Health messaging system which is part of the Emergency Alert System. They took all her computer hardware and her phone and pointed guns at her children. > **[Agents raid home of fired Florida data scientist who built COVID-19 dashboard](https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/12/07/agents-raid-home-fired-florida-data-scientist-who-built-covid-19-dashboard-rebekah-jones/6482817002/)** > > "They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids," Rebekah Jones tweeted. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5969 "2020-12-08T00:50:03Z")
[Pennsylvania](https://apnews.com/article/europe-angela-merkel-germany-coronavirus-pandemic-219311abc09f9e05867cfc4be1f3c6da): > [@](#): > > Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf warned Monday that the coronavirus is running rampant throughout the state and could soon force overwhelmed hospitals to begin turning away patients. > > Wolf calls it a “dangerous, disturbing scenario” that will become reality if people don’t take steps to slow the spread. He said additional pandemic restrictions might be on the way but did not elaborate on what his administration might be considering while also acknowledging the ones already in place have not worked. > > Wolf said the unchecked spread of the virus in all regions of the state means that resource-sharing agreements among hospitals could soon begin to break down and force them to begin rationing care. > > Still, the governor all but ruled out a return to the kinds of statewide restrictions he imposed in the spring, when schools were closed, thousands of businesses deemed non-essential were shut down, and all 12.8 million Pennsylvanians were under a stay-at-home order. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5970 "2020-12-08T00:55:24Z")
I was about to post that. I don’t trust any numbers out of Florida, frankly. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5971 "2020-12-08T01:38:39Z")
> **[Pfizer tells U.S. officials it cannot supply substantial additional vaccine...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/12/07/pfizer-vaccine-doses-trump/)** > > Trump administration officials deny there will be availability issues, but others say problems are possible in the second quarter. Apparently in June-July 2020 Pfizer offered the US another 100 million doses and was turned down, so Pfizer contracted with other countries to sell them there. Now we can’t get more until summer 2021. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5972 "2020-12-08T03:26:46Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > CDC’s current best estimate of survival rate by age: > > 0-19 years: 99.997% > 20-49 years: 99.98% > 50-69 years: 99.5% > 70+ years: 94.6% That is extremely interesting. The link shows an estimate of infections-to-case counts of 11-to-1, so the estimate you gave above of 99.8% probably includes something like that. In Australia, the case mortality rate is 908/27965, around ~ 3%. That is probably close (in Australia), to the actual infection mortality rate, taking into account that, in Australia, exposure was much higher in older groups (nursing homes and retirement cruising), and taking into account the high level of testing (in Australia) of all known contacts. When the infection is restricted to distinct subgroups, actual infection mortality is different than theoretic infection mortality . Unfortunately, infection in the USA is clearly out of control in the community, so you will be getting both much lower infection mortality than we were, and many more dead people. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5973 "2020-12-08T03:33:10Z")
This is a perfectly legitimate discussion IN ANOTHER THREAD. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5974 "2020-12-08T15:53:22Z")
[From NPR:](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/08/944165524/fda-analysis-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-finds-it-effective-and-safe) > The Food and Drug Administration released a detailed analysis Tuesday morning of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech ahead of a Thursday meeting of a group of independent experts that will advise the agency on whether to grant the vaccine an emergency use authorization. > > The [agency’s analysis](https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download) finds “no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA.” Serious reactions were rare. Side effects are common, however, with a majority of study volunteers experiencing reactions at the site of injection, headaches and fatigue. > > The analysis also affirms the previously stated vaccine effectiveness of 95%, assessed a week after two doses of vaccine. The vaccine doses are given 21 days apart. > > The clinical data also suggest that the vaccine may be able to prevent COVID-19 after the **first dose — 82% effective** — though the FDA analysis says the available information doesn’t allow for a firm conclusion on that potential effect. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5975 "2020-12-08T16:33:19Z")
67,938,995 total cases 1,550,263 dead 47,023,575 recovered In the US: 15,370,587 total cases 290,489 dead 8,983,853 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 67,392,712 total cases > 1,541,745 dead > 46,583,680 recovered > > In the US: > > 15,159,529 total cases > 288,906 dead > 8,855,593 recovered I’m sorry this post is so delayed. Those are the numbers from 7 December at about 9pm PST. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5976 "2020-12-08T16:43:20Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’m sorry this post is so delayed. Good grief, don’t apologize. You’re allowed to do something else with your life! ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5977 "2020-12-08T16:45:43Z")
Nope, the streak is over. Shut down the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5978 "2020-12-08T16:52:47Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > > > I’m sorry this post is so delayed. > > Good grief, don’t apologize. You’re allowed to do something else with your life! Yeah - absolutely do not apologize Bo. You’re a freakin’ hero! j ---
**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:** [December 8, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5979 "2020-12-08T17:34:00Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Yeah - absolutely do not apologize Bo. You’re a freakin’ hero!- [![](https://i.imgur.com/3xIDvWG.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/3xIDvWG.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5980 "2020-12-08T23:16:43Z")
> **[Study Finds Ways to Cut COVID Transmission Risk in Cars](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/942215?src=mkm_covid_update_201208_MSCPEDIT&uac=140598EY&impID=2724483&faf=1)** > > Researchers at Brown University who examined "the microclimate" inside a car say opening the vehicle's windows reduces occupants' risk of coronavirus transmission. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5981 "2020-12-08T23:21:22Z")
> **[In England, William Shakespeare receives a COVID-19 vaccine](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-shakespear/in-england-william-shakespeare-receives-a-covid-19-vaccine-idUKKBN28I109)** > > William Shakespeare from Warwickshire in England was one of the first people to receive the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial on Tuesday. Now is the winter of our discontent, glorious news. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5982 "2020-12-08T23:23:12Z")
@GIGObuster: well, at the age of 556, Shakespeare would definitely be considered at elevated risk. 😃 ---
**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:** [December 9, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5983 "2020-12-09T00:19:52Z")
## [Many companies that furloughed workers in shutdowns stopped paying for health insurance.](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/08/world/covid-19-coronavirus?campaign_id=154&emc=edit_cb_20201208&instance_id=24841&nl=coronavirus-briefing®i_id=35181819&segment_id=46403&te=1&user_id=e7ef30a42952da41e1799362ca85af83#many-companies-that-furloughed-workers-in-shutdowns-stopped-paying-for-health-insurance) > If you were lucky enough not to lose your job during the pandemic, you may still have lost pay and your health insurance, according to [a new analysis](https://www.bls.gov/brs/2020-results.htm) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. > > About half the U.S. businesses surveyed by the federal government said they had furloughed employees at some point in 2020. Of those, roughly half continued to pay wages to at least some of their workers while furloughed, but only 42 percent continued to pay at least a portion of the workers’ health insurance premiums. Individuals who could not afford to pay the premiums on their own may have lost their coverage. > > People working in the hotel and restaurant industry, devastated by the crisis, were hardest hit, with just 23 percent of employers paying health insurance premiums for their furloughed workers. In the airline industry, 68 percent of businesses continued to pay for coverage when their employees were not working; in the health-care industry, the figures was a little more than half. > … ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5984 "2020-12-09T00:59:28Z")
That car window study is a mixture of surprising information and “Duh! It’s common sense.” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5985 "2020-12-09T01:00:44Z")
> [@susan](#): > > [Study Finds Ways to Cut COVID Transmission Risk in Cars](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/942215?src=mkm_covid_update_201208_MSCPEDIT&uac=140598EY&impID=2724483&faf=1) I thought this was going to be a “water is wet” study, but it had an interesting conclusion: > The most surprising finding was that it’s best for the driver to open the front seat window on the right side and for the passenger to open the back seat window on the left side, rather than the windows right beside them, said the study published in the journal Science Advances. > > “When the windows opposite the occupants are open, you get a flow that enters the car behind the driver, sweeps across the cabin behind the passenger and then goes out the passenger-side front window,” Kenny Breuer, a professor of engineering at Brown and a senior author of the research, said in the news release. “That pattern helps to reduce cross-contamination between the driver and passenger.” ---
**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:** [December 9, 2020, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/5986 "2020-12-09T05:23:28Z")
68,567,527 total cases 1,563,130 dead 47,462,104 recovered In the US: 15,591,709 total cases 293,398 dead 9,087,069 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 67,938,995 total cases > 1,550,263 dead > 47,023,575 recovered > > In the US: > > 15,370,587 total cases > 290,489 dead > 8,983,853 recovered [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=297) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=299)