How do we know for sure that the professor at Yeshiva was the first victim of community spread in the U.S.? Don't people display symptoms at anywhere from 1 - 14 days after exposure? I think that one of the things that is really weighing on the public is that the information keeps changing (ignoring the politics coming from the WH). I was exposed to someone who tested positive and am just coming out of quarantine tomorrow. Luckily my co-worker recovered and I never displayed symptoms but what a wake up call.

Or maybe she didn't get it at the Wuhan west market. Maybe she got it from one of the people working at the virus research lab 300 yards away who was exposed to bat blood and other fluids: https://www.latintimes.com/coronavir...entists-455959

The cited paper from South China U. of Technology has been withdrawn which is no surprise considering it conflicts with the official government explanation of the cause of the epidemic. But then you'd hardly expect the CCP to admit their government lab screwed up. This is NOT an accusation that they were trying to create a bioweapon. The purpose of the lab near the wet market is seemingly believed to be legitimate research. But even so, they were working with a bat species which is the likely source of the virus and which does not live in the vicinity of Wuhan naturally and reports indicate was not being sold in the market nor eaten by the locals.

If I remember correctly it was a lawyer who had just traveled to South Florida (South Florida had no known cases at the time). He probably took flights with people coming off cruises. If you fly out of South Florida you are flying with a plane full of people who probably just came off cruise ships.
I think cruise ships were specifically built to spread this thing. Cramming thousands of people from all around the world onto a single boat where they share everything and them drop them off a various ports of call to spread it there before dispersing them back out into the world. Btw, we still have a few more cruise ships full of sick and dying passengers pulling into Miami in the next few days.

Some more lockdown videos of NYC. 360 version, so full screen, a mouse, and moving around is essential; 360° NYC State of Emergency : Driving Harlem - 125th Street (March 31, 2020)

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Its just incredible to see the lack of folks, but not even folks, the traffic. I mean prior to this virus, either the aliens have landed or incredible luck is vested upon thyself to have little traffic. Normally, prior to the virus, the traffic is so bad that at the end of the day, you don't even know who or what you are.

Central Park field hospitals are open today. Tents were positioned in the park.

Happening every evening in Chicago's South Loop:

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Today’s conference.

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Yeah, that's completely plausible. Cruise ships have been the origin of a few outbreaks of covid-19. But then there would have been others infected on the flight that spawned their own outbreaks.

I firmly believe it rolled thru the PNW before xmas. I was looking at cdc data for Alaska, Oregon and Washington that tracked observed outpatient cases of people with flu like illness, so not hospitalized. The years were 2016 to present. During the fall of 2019, all three states had huuuge spike in November, two months before patient zero in Seattle. Anecdotally, I've talked with friends who all observed tons of people in their office who had a strange hacky cough. That absolutely happened in my office before and after xmas but tapered off in February. I get sick maybe once every two years. In January I got sick and it started out with a dry cough straight out of the gate. I'm 46, that's never happened to me in my life....weird. I guess it doesn't make much difference now but I think the west coast has already ran the gauntlet and were just seeing residual cases. Oregon has been very compliant and the numbers show.

I had a three-week dry cough in Jan-Feb, alongside a short initial fever and discomfort. Never had such an episode in my life. Wife and son had no symptons. I used Dayquil/Nyquil a few times, and that's it. I was always tired, but did my usual routine. Ate normally, slept well.

This also follows a daylong meeting with business associates based out of Shanghai (American, but temporarily expat). I'm guessing I had it.

I also mentioned this to an MD friend, and she says she has heard many such anecdotes. I think, in the end, we'll see this has been with us for months.

I had something similar that started around the second week of February. I may have also had a low grade fever that I didn't notice, but the weirdest thing about it was a very bad sore throat that only lasted for one night. A few people in my office had a bad cough similar to mine around then. Some close friends also had it.

I also was still doing a lot of business travel late February early March and vacationed in S. FL early March. I had a dry cough for weeks, total loss of appetite, and several other minor symptoms. In the future with widespread antibody testing I won't be surprised if I'm found to have had it.

I and everybody I knew were also sick right after Christmas. Similar symptoms, sore throat, one day it got really bad, then one day really bad body aches, coughs etc. And I'm not the type who gets sick around that time either.

Could it have been corona? Possibly. But really I have no fucking clue at all so I'm just gonna keep following guidelines and stay at home and so should everybody else.

I had the very same thing. Cough lasted two weeks, a fever developed the day after my cough started and I was lethargic as @#$ for three days. My gf and her sister also got sick shortly after and each layed out in bed for three days.

I remember going to the doctor around January, right after my sister came up to visit me in Jersey from D.C.. She works in a hospital setting. She too had what looked like a she had a cold. Long story short, I got this cold, and doc said it was just viral upper respiratory infection. No tests, just based on symptoms. But I too, same thing, dry cough. I assumed because of a cold, and like 1.5 months of it too, dry cough. Lasted for a while. IDK... maybe just a cold or I thought maybe because of the dry winter air. Who knows. I was in NYC a week prior to Christmas to see the tree with the gf, so maybe I got something there or my sister gave it to me.

Quick question: what do you call the opposite of a dry cough in English?

Similar experience here.

Partner and I both had colds right around New Year's; we got over them, and then oddly, mid or late January, we both had cold symptoms again, except slightly more severe. I can't ever remember catching a cold so soon after just having recovered from one. We didn't have fevers, but we did have a dry cough, that lasted about a week or two. If we did have it, and recovered, I hope that means we're now immune to it, or are better able to fight it when it rolls around again.

I see my doctor for my routine physical in June; maybe by then, COVID-19 testing will be available for everyone, and maybe I can get tested to see if I was exposed to it.

I don't know if this is a joke with a punch line coming but on the chance that it's not, I'd call a cough that's not "dry" a hacking cough or a productive cough.

Productive or wet cough.

No, it's not a joke. Though I guess it kinda sounded like that.

I am a native French speaker and while my English is really good, the differentiation between the two types of coughs is not something I've had to handle in English.

Thanks for the responses, guys!

From Los Angeles ABC-7:

Coronavirus: Gov. Newsom announces 1-year sales tax reprieve for small businesses in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KABC) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a "bridge loan" of up to $50,000 for small businesses in California amid the coronavirus outbreak, with a 12-month reprieve of state sales tax.

Newsom said the loan would not include and fines, penalties or interest as many businesses across the state have been forced to close their doors, lay off employees and scale back operations.

The governor made the announcement during a press briefing where he announced a series of actions to help California's small businesses and struggling workforce.

In addition to the sales tax reprieve, the governor announced the Paycheck Protection Program -- which will reimburse businesses, up to $10 million, as long as businesses commit to paying employees.

Applications can be submitted here, beginning Friday, the governor said.

As the federal government prepares to launch the Paycheck Protection Program, a $349 billion loan program meant to help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, critics have growing concerns that some mom-and-pop shops might get squeezed out.

The program - part of the $2 trillion relief package signed into law last week - was billed as a way to help local businesses that often form the fabric of communities retain workers and pay bills. But an expansive definition of "small business" in the law means that it will be open to much more than just Main Street shops when lenders start processing applications Friday.

Operators of name-brand hotel, restaurant and service chains and franchises with thousands of employees at locations scattered across the U.S. are eligible. Lobbyists are pushing the Small Business Administration to interpret the law generously to help sectors devastated by mandatory business closures and stay-at-home orders, possibly making the aid available to international fast food and lodging giants and allowing individual owners to get around a $10 million cap on loans.

While Congress could approve more money later on, the program as it stands is expected to run out quickly. That could mean applicants who have the financial and legal expertise of a larger organization might be able to maximize their benefits, not leaving much for smaller businesses, especially those who wait or have problems applying.

Independent contractors and the self-employed could be especially hurt since they will not be eligible to apply until April 10 under guidance from the Treasury Department. By then, banks could be overwhelmed with applications.

Underscoring the need for help, the federal government reported Thursday that a record 10 million workers filed for unemployment in the two weeks ending March 28.

The program will give businesses low-interest loans of about 2.5 times their average monthly payroll. They will be fully or partially forgiven if businesses show that the money was used to retain or rehire employees and pay some overhead expenses through June 30.

The law specified that all food service and lodging businesses qualify as long as they do not have more than 500 employees at a single location. It also declared that thousands of franchises recognized by the SBA - like multilocation restaurants, hotels, gyms and hair salons - will qualify regardless of their revenue and ties to large corporate parents. Many nonprofits, which are normally ineligible for such aid, also qualify.

The law says the maximum loan will be $10 million. But lobbyists representing chains are asking that the cap apply to each location - rather than each owner.

The International Franchise Association argued in a letter to SBA that would allow the program "to achieve its intended outcome and have maximum impact." The letter urged the agency to confirm that franchisors it recognizes - that are the parent companies of major chains from Burger King to Marriott - qualify as well.

The agency is expected to issue additional guidance on the program Thursday.

Newsom also announced Thursday a new website, in partnership with Central Valley-based company Bitwise along with Salesforce and Linkedin, to link California workers with available jobs.

Onward.ca.org will match job seekers with employers during the virus outbreak.

Newsom said as of Thursday there are 70,000 available jobs on the website.

The jobs are primarily in the agriculture, logistics, transportation and grocery industries.

The goal is to get Californians off of unemployment insurance or avoid residents needing the assistance in the first place, Newsom said.

This comes as 6.6 million Americans file for unemployment benefits last week.

Newsom has said the number of COVID-19 cases in California is expected to peak in late May.

The spread of the virus statewide has, so far, been slow enough to give the state time to prepare for an expected spike in cases that could overwhelm hospitals if extreme measures aren't taken to keep most people home and away from others.

The state currently has more than 8,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with over 170 deaths.

Los Angeles County reported more than 500 new cases on Wednesday, a 17% hike over the previous day.

The mayor of Los Angeles urged 4 million residents to wear masks to combat the coronavirus when they walk out in public, even as state health officials shied away from requiring a coverup.

Mayor Eric Garcetti's non-binding mask recommendation followed a similar recommendation on Wednesday for residents of Riverside County, and was joined Thursday in Ventura County.

Newsom reiterated Thursday that the state was not mandating wearing masks in public, but said face covers can be beneficial in additional to following physical distancing and stay-at-home orders.

Link: https://abc7.com/business/coronaviru...WfKJlMEKu_QUTo

How is everyone holding up, btw? Tomorrow starts our 3rd week of California's statewide "stay at home" order...

I'm kind of used to the new normal...

I'm pretty good actually. I've lost 10 pounds since xmas, eating pretty healthy, socially distant exercising. Most of my peers seem to be working from home and getting on with things. My parents are "marooned" in florida at the moment. They would be back up in Michigan right now. Portland seems to have chilled out too. Grocery stores are better stocked, less mega rushing the stores. Lots of restaurants are doing take out. No fkn tp though. Its the new pet rock!

I think most people would just say a regular cough.

Toronto mayor John Tory is putting in $5000 fines for not respecting social distancing.

If you are self-isolating and bored, this might help:

Seekingalpha.com

I think people here have adapted pretty well. People are working from home, going on walks, chatting with neighbors 6 ft away, definitely cooking and baking a lot more haha. Some are trying to support local restaurants as much as they can, the ones that are still open for take out or delivery at least. Overall, morale is fair all things considered. Situation is grim for small businesses, but we're trying to flatten the curve as quickly as possible, and more importantly sustain a flattened curve, so people can go back to work. Fortunately, most people here are well-educated and informed and supportive of the shelter in place orders.

I had planned to return to San Francisco at the end of this month but I'm staying in the Arizona desert for now. I'm afraid:

(1) To attempt the 900+ mile car trip alone with uncertain availability of things like gas enroute or help if something should breakdown out in the Mojave.

(2) Of life in my condo building, especially the need to use an elevator to leave it for any reason including shopping and the need to deal with other people at close quarters even to get things shipped to me (we have a concierge, fellow who staffs it often overworked and office can get crowded).

Does your condo provide any guidance on how many people can be in the elevator at one time? If someone is already in it, do you just have to wait for the next one?

I was able to buy toilet paper today!!! Still can't find disinfecting products online or in stores.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Los Angeles. Tons of people out in my neighborhood walking, biking, sunbathing, etc. Kind of nice to see such a high level of pedestrian traffic in the area.

Elevator usage in my building has not been a huge issue since for the most part, people aren't going anywhere. We have 3 elevators for a 30 story building (344 units) . Food deliveries are placed on a table in the lobby and we have to go down and get them ourselves (to reduce number of people inside). Package deliveries are put out in the elevator lobby after we call the concierge (they move it from the package room to the elevator lobby when we call them; this way we don't have to directly be close to them).

Baking and Cooking at home is going wild.
Weekly German Podcasts have gone daily.
Fitness apps are booming.
Online shopping is going through the roof. (All the fcking trash is messing up the courtyard in our house)

Welcome to Corona Berlin 2020

:uhh:

Today (earlier) - NJ

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I don't know because I'm not there but the elevators can be crowded under normal circumstances. Don't see how they can handle the load one person at a time unless (a) the fact it's a "mixed use" building and I assume the commercial spaces are closed makes enough of a difference or (b) the fact that people are self-isolating and not going out as much makes a big difference.

Those sound like sensible ways to handle. I may pass them along to our building manager (who probably already thinks I'm a pain in the neck).

I am in a shorter (12 stories) building but with more units (450). Takes up an entire city block . . . but also only 3 elevators from the residential lobby to the street (there are 3 separate 12-story apartment towers accessible from the residential lobby which is on the third floor. Each of those has two elevators.).

I also use my key to push the elevator buttons rather than my fingers. Sometimes I take the stairs (since I'm just on the 6th floor) but that requires actually using door handles which is trickier...

Our stairs are alarmed and the street access to them is locked from the outside. So using them to get into the building is impossible (intended, for security) and using them to go out would freak out the security guard who sits/stands at a lobby desk.

I've got a stylus intended for use with an iPad I've been using for credit card screens, elevator buttons . . . anything I don't want to touch.

Gonna do this when I get supplies at the store or get food!

I’ve been taking photos in downtown Pittsburgh almost every night for the past couple of weeks. It is so incredibly eerie. Just the occasional bus drives by and then the only other people out and about are the homeless and the occasional dog walker. I take photos of abandoned stuff and mostly abandoned towns all the time. Walking around downtown Pittsburgh now feels like walking around downtown Helena, Arkansas or Brownsville, PA or Cairo, Illinois (although now there’s nothing left of Cairo like there was ten years ago); three of the most abandoned intact Downtowns I’ve ever been to. Except here I’m surrounded by skyscrapers and empty streets instead of 5 story buildings.

I wish I could go to NYC and photograph it now, must seem even more eerie than being here in downtown Pittsburgh. What really makes this is all extra shitty is that now all the planned developments most likely won’t happen because this will be worse than the Great Depression.

Does Pittsburgh have any downtown residential population? Here are there are people walking their dogs and such.

It's ridiculous that some places haven't disabled their touchscreens still. I sometimes pay with NFC but then still have to sign the damn touchscreen.

Have been finding more at the stores, but hand sanitizer doesn't seem to exist anymore. I did an online search and turned up nothing. Still have about 2 weeks of sanitizer remaining. After that, I guess it will be exclusively hand washing, which may be better anyway (but if I have to be in a store, I like to use hand sanitizer on grocery cart handles).

Yeah, over the weekend, I felt like I saw more people walking/jogging/cycling than driving. It was almost odd seeing more people walking on the sidewalks than driving on the roads.

Regarding the disinfecting products, I suggest you look at smaller markets and/or ethnic markets and ethnic supermarkets.

It seems like people have been adapting to the stay at home orders.

I still drive to/from work; for those who have been driving, have you guys noticed more speeders because of all the light/nonexistent traffic? I've also seen some erratic/distracted driving, too. Even though California is a hands-free state when it comes to cell phone use and texting, I've been seeing more people texting while driving, with some even full on swerving in and out of lanes; I've even seen two drivers on different occasions full-on run red lights.

Do you have Triple A? I'm pretty sure they're still available.

Also, I really don't think gas is an issue; I don't know about the rural areas and sparsely populated desert areas of California, but at least in the cities, I have seen no gas stations in my area closed down, just drastically lower prices.

Some of those gas station in rural areas/sparsely populated desert areas along the highways, I always felt they charged more for gas anyway because they are so remote, plus it's slight price gouging for the motorists along those highways, but I'm sure even those haven't closed down, and have much reduced prices, but probably not as low as in the cities.

I'm sure i have put on at least 5 pounds. All this working from home means sitting on my a$$ and a lot of little snacks throughout the day.

This. And the day drinking.

Huh. My gf and I stopped getting takeout and have been cooking at home the last few weeks. I've lost about six pounds thanks to not eating out.

I live in a highrise so the exercise thing has a solution despite the fitness room being closed. From the bottom of the parking garage to the roof deck level is 17 floors. I find 4.5 sets of those (77 levels), with elevators down takes about 25 minutes, and is probably more intense than my normal eliptical.

There's a routine to this. Elevator down to 1 (sanitizer just outside elevator door) and G4, then the 4.5 trips, and walking by the sanitizer on 1 on my way up. If I do this in the middle of the work day I might not run into anyone the whole time. (Particularly hate running into dog people, especially now.)

Source: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article...al-small-towns

My perception is that 90 point something of drivers are driving more cautiously and being more considerate than normal. I am.

Then there are the people driving like they are trying to out run a nuclear blast. Why are they doing this? My guess is because they can - there is so little traffic on LA freeways.

The usual suspects driving with their heads up thier asses are still out there, unfortunately.