An idea of what needs to be done to get the nation back to work

Discussion in 'Political Opinions & Beliefs' started by Quantum Nerd, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Now, Trump is itching to get the US back to work. I fully agree that going to work sooner than later is preferable, but now is way too early for that kind of talk, especially since a lot of people haven't even gotten the seriousness of this virus yet, thus continuing to spread it.

    What needs to be done is widespread testing of people who have recently had cold/flu symptoms, to find out whether they were actually caused by covid or not. This requires testing whether people have developed antibodies against the virus.

    People who test positive for antibodies against covid could be much more relaxed about going back to work. I personally had a bad flu in mid February, from which my coughing hasn't fully recovered yet. I have a student in my lab who came back from China in late January. Although she hasn't been sick (to my knowledge), she could have been a silent carrier. However, I never got tested for covid (at that time, they didn't test anyone who hadn't personally traveled to China, for lack of kits).

    Right now, I have to be extra careful, because my lung is already compromised from the previous flu. However, if I, in fact would have already had the virus, I could go back to work (I do actually work, but from home since our university went to all online teaching) or help with the effort to stop the virus.

    Now, as a caveat, we don't know if a person who had the virus and recovered can be re-infected. That would probably require mutation of the virus. So far, there is no evidence for that. Another caveat, it appears that tests for antibodies do not currently work until 14 days after people had symptoms, so, obviously, there would be a delay time.
     
  2. 557

    557 Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Antibody testing is what we need. Would solve a lot of problems.
     
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  3. garyd

    garyd Well-Known Member

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    Now all we need are 330 million test kits...noting that based on the South Korean experience 94% will come back negative
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
  4. FAW

    FAW Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    While I agree in theory, I am skeptical whether or not from a practical standpoint that we could possibly have lab testing capabilities to timely process even 10 million tests. Much less so for 330 million. While not knowing for sure, I bet that could take years to process.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
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  5. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Well, if Trump can be aspirational, so can I, no? At least this proposal would be based on science, not hunches.

    Seriously, though, to have people comfortable to go back to work, you have to eliminate the fear, wouldn't you agree? In most places, the fear hasn't even started yet, unlike in NYC. But it will, just wait.
     
  6. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    We find a way to send a $1,200 check to everyone. Don't you think it would be possible to get at least 1/3 of the population tested? Of course not at the very moment, but something to works towards.
     
  7. garyd

    garyd Well-Known Member

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    The problem now is mostly that we don't have enough people. The old folks mostly are but the millennials seem to be on operation ignore.
     
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  8. FAW

    FAW Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I guess in truth, I really do not know. It is outside my sphere of knowledge or understanding. But if I had to bet on it, I'd say no.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
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  9. ronv

    ronv Well-Known Member

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    The other alternative is to quarantine the entire country for a couple of weeks like China did.
    Then you can play whack a mole with it until you get the vaccine.
    But doing it one state at a time is just crazy.
     
  10. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    Yessss . . . because one can just snap one's finger and -- hey presto! -- magically testing facilities and trained experts appear.
     
  11. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Who said it could be done at the flip of a finger?

    In any case, what would be your plan?
     
  12. Sanskrit

    Sanskrit Well-Known Member

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    How to get a more accurate outcome with respect to many aspects of this now irrefutable, toxic MEDIA HOAX?

    Rework entertainment jurisprudence rationally. A self-interested, self-enriching, propaganda "entertainment" media will destroy this country, only a matter of time. This whole charade and the trillions of damages is directly attributable to an unaccountable media.

    How to fix? Start with extreme restraint and limitations of NYT v Sullivan and other defamation jurisprudence. Paths to damages to fake news. Restrict press privileges to legitimate press companies, no entertainment blending whatsoever, no gigantic org charts with a corporate/government mouthpiece attached spewing state propaganda minute by minute.

    Maybe most importantly, "Chinese Walls" (pun intended) restricting the cozy relationship and back and forth between government and multi million press careers going forward. Prevention of money flowing back and forth between the media and the government. Lengthy moratoriums between media paying public officials or outright lifetime bans. Want to have a government career? No media money for you. Want to be a member of the "press?" No government and other media back and forth $$ for you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
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  13. Lesh

    Lesh Banned

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    Yea hoax ... right

    brilliant
     
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  14. spiritgide

    spiritgide Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I don't know the details yet, but a new test method has been developed and will be being distributed very quickly. Much simpler, much faster. The news report said it takes 5 minutes to confirm positive, 15 to confirm negative. This could go a long ways towards getting things back on track, as it could end a lot of the quarantine issues. I've looked back to see if I can find a link to the report, but no luck so far. Hoping to hear more, will update if I can locate it or a follow -up story.
     
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  15. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Well, if it can't be done for everyone, and I doubt it can in a short amount of time, it should be done for all medical personnel. Imagine how much easier their work would be if some of them could do it without fear of being infected.
     
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  16. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    That is important too. However, those tests cannot determine if someone had the virus, but has recovered. To do this, one has to test for antibodies.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
  17. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    This self-test maybe the answer.

    UnitedHealth Group study finds self-administered COVID-19 tests as accurate as clinician-administered tests

    A study led by UnitedHealth Group suggests that self-collected samples for COVID-19 testing are as effective as samples collected by clinicians.


    Among 500 OptumCare patients in Washington state, the self-administered swabs were able to accurately detect the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in 90% of those who are positive, a rate that's consistent with physician-administered swabs, the insurance giant announced.

    Using a self-administered method, patients themselves can swab the front part of the nostril or mid-nose, which is less uncomfortable than a traditional test in which a clinician inserts a swab farther into the nose. It also frees up much-need personal protective equipment for providers, UnitedHealth Group said.


    As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its guidance on self-administered testing to allow the nationwide use of self-administered tests, UnitedHealth Group said. As such, the company is rolling out the tests at one of its hardest-hit Seattle clinics, The Wall Street Journal reported.

     
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  18. spiritgide

    spiritgide Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Just thinking that speeding up the process and cutting back the quarantines could make a big difference. I would think those fully recovered would be the least of concerns going forward. You think differently?
     
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  19. OldManOnFire

    OldManOnFire Well-Known Member

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    It's an infectious disease with no known cure! People must isolate.

    Massive testing data is needed from every area of the US.

    I believe people who test positive for antibodies can be part of the cure by transporting their antibodies to others in need.

    From day one the government needed to not only be serious about the virus but to also be in command of taking strategic actions.

    Anecdotal; last night on the news I saw two feel-good stories about the national guard helping locals. One group of about 50 was helping package foods for a food bank. The other group of about 100 was setting up make-shift beds/medical equipment. Both groups in these two stories were working side-by-side, no face masks, no gloves, no protection whatsoever! All of these people left their jobs that day and filtered out into the community then return the next day...all with the potential to spread or contact the virus.

    Anecdotal; yesterday when Trump signed the stimulus bill there were about 30 grinning fools, butt-to-butt, hovering over the POTUS, none of them maintaining social distance, none wearing masks, etc. Some of their own members have coronavirus and they still don't care!

    What is needed; The US government and all US citizens need to get serious!!
     
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  20. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    Some good ideas, but you are proposing that we only test people once they have become symptomatic. I don't think that's a sound solution for a pandemic. Testing people only after they have started showing symptoms and otherwise letting them loose will not slow the spread of the disease. It may make it worse.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
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  21. ImNotOliver

    ImNotOliver Well-Known Member

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    Last week I when to the hospital for a colonoscopy. While there, they screened me for Covid 19. Not with a Covid test kit, because they had none, but they checked for symptoms and found none. I wonder if there is a way to reliably screen people even without the tests that seem to slow coming.
     
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  22. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    No, I am not suggesting this should be a substitute for testing symptomatic people. It would be only for people who recovered from flu-like symptoms, but who never got tested for covid.
     
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  23. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    Gotcha, I totally misunderstood what you were saying. My apologies.
     
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  24. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    You are missing my point. Those who have recovered, but don't know they ever had covid, are still in quarantine, even though they would not need to be. That's why the antibody test could be very helpful.
     
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  25. OldManOnFire

    OldManOnFire Well-Known Member

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    Testing won't slow the spread of the virus?

    I can test negative today and be infected tomorrow or become a carrier.
    If I test positive for antibodies, this is great for me, but no one else will know unless they tattoo my forehead.

    If we isolate 50 people for two months, why would we test them every day if they don't show symptoms?

    We must isolate and obtain testing data...and be patient...
     
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