# 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:** 84
**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 29, 2020, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1663 "2020-03-29T04:13:46Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The NRA is suing Gavin Newsom for shutting down gun shops as not essential services. They claim it’s a violation of their 2nd Amendment rights, and want gun shops reclassified as essential. > [https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/28/us/nra-sues-california-over-gun-store-closures/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/28/us/nra-sues-california-over-gun-store-closures/index.html) [US agency includes gun sellers as ‘critical’ infrastructure](https://apnews.com/562d790538089f7ad8fdea146802674d) > [@](#): > > A gun rights group is cheering the Trump administration’s designation of the firearms industry, including retailers, as part of the nation’s critical infrastructure during the coronavirus emergency. > > The designation by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is advisory. The agency notes that the designation does not override determinations by individual jurisdictions of what they consider critical infrastructure sectors. > > The firearms industry was not part of the federal agency’s original list of critical infrastructure issued just over a week ago. The designation in an update released Saturday follows a brewing legal battle between gun rights groups and California officials. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1664 "2020-03-29T04:30:28Z")
This could be a breakthrough in identifying the infected/infectious population: > **[Abbott Launches Molecular Point-of-Care Test to Detect Novel Coronavirus in...](https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2020-03-27-Abbott-Launches-Molecular-Point-of-Care-Test-to-Detect-Novel-Coronavirus-in-as-Little-as-Five-Minutes#assets_2429_124393-111:19396)** > > Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the fastest available molecular point-of-care test for the... It is point-of-care test that provides results in minutes. It works with a popular point-of-care viral test product (18,000 in use in the US) If the manufacturer follows through with providing 50,000 test kits per day, this could help in completely mapping the contagion. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1665 "2020-03-29T04:40:03Z")
Catching Covid while buying guns to own the libs. Well okay then, you just go right ahead. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1666 "2020-03-29T05:22:53Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Gorsnak](#): > > Catching Covid while buying guns to own the libs. Well okay then, you just go right ahead. Keep the political commentary out of Breaking News threads. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1667 "2020-03-29T05:41:21Z")
Looking at the graphs on worldometer, we can make some predictions; Assuming there is no change in policies, and things continue just as they are, the following milestones should be reached; - By about March 4 or 5, the US should hit 1,000,000 case of Covid-19. - By March 2 or 3, the US should hit 10,000 deaths (assuming no total breakdown of medical facilities/lack of equipment as seen in Italy In that case, the number will be more). From there, it just goes up. Unless there are some major changes that happen NOW. TODAY. Because changes to policy are only going to show up as a decrease two weeks from now. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1668 "2020-03-29T06:11:50Z")
April I assume? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1669 "2020-03-29T07:29:03Z")
In other Southeast Asia developments, Cambodia has begun severely restricting access to the country by foreign nationals, while Singapore will jail you for six months for not practicing social distancing. Here in Hawaii, we’re up to 151 confirmed cases including 108 here on Oahu. Looks like interisland flights will soon be stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1670 "2020-03-29T08:16:09Z")
In Canadian news, starting Monday at noon (Eastern Time?), no-one showing symptoms will be [allowed to board](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/coronavirus-covid19-canada-world-march28-1.5513542) a _domestic_ flight or train (regulated federally by Transport Canada). No word on intercity buses, which are regulated provincially. Several provinces have implemented highway checkpoints at their borders, and interprovincial travellers are being required to self-isolate for 14 days. A number of First Nations are erecting [blockades](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/six-nations-barricades-covid-19-1.5512752) to restrict outside traffic. The media here are starting to call it ‘physical distancing’ instead of ‘social distancing’ to emphasize that we need to remain socially connected even if we are physically apart. Subtle yet sensible. There are commercials on TV and the streaming services featuring the very serious [Dr. Theresa Tam](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_Tam), Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, reminding everyone to stay at home unless necessary. I went to the food store today, first time away from the house for three days, and they had installed transparent plexiglas shields around the payment terminals at the checkout stands. They also were no longer taking cash. I showed my points card for scanning and tapped to pay, all via Google Pay on my phone. I don’t know whether it’s going to become a thing, but the Prime Minister has been giving a briefing to the media every day from the front steps of Rideau Cottage, where he lives (the official Prime Ministerial residence, 24 Sussex Dr, apparently needs repair). And his wife has just tested virus-free. Flight attendants are [pushing](https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/flight-attendants-protective-suits-1.5513439) for better protective equipment. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1671 "2020-03-29T08:54:32Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > April I assume? No, March 2021. ---
**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 29, 2020, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1672 "2020-03-29T11:28:09Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Looking at the graphs on worldometer, we can make some predictions; > > Assuming there is no change in policies, and things continue just as they are, the following milestones should be reached; > > - By about March 4 or 5, the US should hit 1,000,000 case of Covid-19. > > - By March 2 or 3, the US should hit 10,000 deaths (assuming no total breakdown of medical facilities/lack of equipment as seen in Italy In that case, the number will be more). > > From there, it just goes up. Unless there are some major changes that happen NOW. TODAY. Because changes to policy are only going to show up as a decrease two weeks from now. > [@steronz](#): > > April I assume? The US won’t hit 1 million confirmed infections before about 8 April (my napkin math is telling me 9 April) and almost certainly will see fewer than 10,000 total deaths by 3 April (my napkin math is telling me we won’t hit 10k dead until possibly as early as 4 April). ---
**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 29, 2020, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1673 "2020-03-29T12:36:19Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > The US won’t hit 1 million confirmed infections before about 8 April (my napkin math is telling me 9 April) and almost certainly will see fewer than 10,000 total deaths by 3 April (my napkin math is telling me we won’t hit 10k dead until possibly as early as 4 April). Save those napkins. /tmi ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1674 "2020-03-29T13:17:23Z")
The King of Thailand showing class, _savoir faire_ and responsibility towards his people: > **[Thai king self-isolates in luxury hotel with harem of 20 women amid...](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-thailand-king-maha-vajiralongkorn-grand-hotel-sonnebichl-germany-a9431936.html)** > > Tens of thousands of Thais risk breaking law to criticise him online The headline says it all: “Thai king self-isolates in Alpine hotel with harem of 20 women amid pandemic.” ---
**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 29, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1675 "2020-03-29T13:20:50Z")
Gotta admit, were I the king of Thailand I’d do pretty much the same exact thing. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1676 "2020-03-29T13:23:57Z")
You can save yourself the math (and the napkin) and just extrapolate the line of the graph [here](http://91-divoc.com/pages/covid-visualization/). Continuing in the straight line on the log scale of deaths by country has us hitting 10K deaths in 5 days, April 3. Not saying it will or won’t but not so sure how you can state so “almost certainly” fewer when that is what the curve would predict. Less would only occur if the variety of social distancing behaviors (few lockdowns yet) from about 16 days ago had impact on the new infections that occurred then, and the curve starts to flatten, and that was before the strong lockdown approaches were in place. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1677 "2020-03-29T14:46:44Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > I don’t know whether it’s going to become a thing, but the Prime Minister has been giving a briefing to the media every day from the front steps of Rideau Cottage, where he lives (the official Prime Ministerial residence, 24 Sussex Dr, apparently needs repair). As an aside, this is like saying the Titanic needed a little less ice. 24 Sussex was in terrible shape; it was full of asbestos, had wiring installed by Fires R Us, and every mechanical system worked as if it had been installed by vandals. It is being essentially gutted and rebuilt. A succession of Prime Ministers avoided doing anything about it because they were terrified they’d get public flak for spending millions on “their” house. A lot of experts have said they’d have been better off just knocking it down and starting over. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1678 "2020-03-29T16:06:36Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > “Thai king self-isolates in Alpine hotel with harem of 20 women amid pandemic.” I admit, I totally pictured Yul Brynner. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1679 "2020-03-29T17:53:16Z")
[Clinical trials on coronavirus drugs may take only months, researcher says](https://news.yahoo.com/clinical-trials-coronavirus-drugs-may-210018324.html) > [@](#): > > His teams’ trials are trying to answer three questions, he said: Can you prevent a person from getting infected? Once a person has the coronavirus, can you prevent them from getting more sick? And, lastly, once a person is sick, is there a treatment to fight the infection? > > To address the first question, the researchers are looking for people exposed to someone known to be infected and giving them hydroxychloroquine. > > “We are giving the drug to see if we can prevent them from getting infected,” he said… > > Two other studies are also in the works. One will look at whether the blood-pressure drug Losartan “can slow progression in early patients who are not very sick,” Schacker said. > > A third clinical trial will look at the impact of remdesivir, a drug that was widely promoted for treating Ebola but which failed to show any significant benefit. It has shown some promise against COVID-19 in laboratory settings. Mrs. L.A. takes Losartan. If she gets sick, maybe it will keep her from having a severe illness. Or maybe it will keep her from getting it at all. Who knows? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1680 "2020-03-29T17:58:20Z")
> **[Estimates Show Wuhan Death Toll Far Higher Than Official Figure](https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/wuhan-deaths-03272020182846.html)** > > Based on cremation figures, Wuhan residents estimate more than 40,000 have died, compared with an official toll of 2,535. Based on funeral urns noticed, the death toll in Wuhan might actually be 42000-45000. > [@](#): > > As authorities lifted a two-month coronavirus lockdown in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, residents said they were growing increasingly skeptical that the figure of some 2,500 deaths in the city to date was accurate. > > Since the start of the week, seven large funeral homes in Wuhan have been handing out the cremated remains of around 500 people to their families every day, suggesting that far more people died than ever made the official statistics. > > “It can’t be right … because the incinerators have been working round the clock, so how can so few people have died?” an Wuhan resident surnamed Zhang told RFA on Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1681 "2020-03-29T18:01:02Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > April I assume? Ha! Yes, you are correct. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/1682 "2020-03-29T18:08:00Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > The US won’t hit 1 million confirmed infections before about 8 April (my napkin math is telling me 9 April) and almost certainly will see fewer than 10,000 total deaths by 3 April (my napkin math is telling me we won’t hit 10k dead until possibly as early as 4 April). We’re actually pretty close. My best guess still remains: April 5, the US should hit 1,000,000 cases April 3, the US should hit 10,000 deaths [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=83) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758.md?page=85)