Coronavirus (Covid19) Corner

[Stanley]

"So her illness is bacterial, not viral I guess"
As usual Maz you take a shotgun approach. The ABs were for a chest infection which she had at the same time as all the other symptoms. So you guess wrong!

[Marilyn]

Cool your jets, Stanley. You always come in slinging your boxing gloves...
( I thought it was a GOOD thing for Susan that it was bacterial and the ABs were working!)
What is your problem? Phew...

[Marilyn]

I am a parent too. If my child was responding to ABs during a viral pandemic, I would be doing a victory dance!!!!!

[PanBiker]

Me to and if it's only part of the problem it's one less thing to worry about in the scheme of things. Little steps, I know all about that myself. I hope she continues to improve Stanley.

[Marilyn]

( one would hope that if she saw a doctor, who prescribed antibiotics, they would have ordered a Coronavirus test too)

[Tizer]

That's a worrying link to follow ! I just skimmed it (as usual). I - and I guess a lot of others were assuming that the tests were reliable and accurate. Doesn't seem to be the case. Complicated isn't it?
Are the 'antibody' tests any better? I understand they are the test which shows if you have had the virus.

Note that the CDC information is about influenza, not covid-19, because the flu test data are the best comparison we have at present until there's some good data for the new virus. So it's possible that the covid test will be more accurate than the flu test but we won't know that for a long time. The only way to reliably assess the accuracy of such a test is in a controlled trial were you compare the results given by the new test against when used on people definitely known to either have the flu or not have it. To do that you need either a 100% accurate test to compare it too (which of course we don't have) or to take a group of people and deliberately infect half of them. The latter approach was used to assess the flu test kit but Covid-19 is more dangerous than flu so it's going to be tricky!

The antibody test is different. It's primarily used to detect whether someone has had the infection and their immune system has produced antibodies. It's new and the accuracy is unknown at present. This article from 3 days ago sums it up: New Scientist Note this in the article: “The one thing that’s worse than no test is an inaccurate test,” Chris Whitty, the UK’s chief medical adviser, said on 25 March. Someone wrongly told they have already had covid-19 could go out and get infected.

This is great news...
`Coronavirus: Mercedes F1 to make breathing aid' LINK
`A breathing aid that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care has been created in under a week. University College London engineers worked with clinicians at UCLH and Mercedes Formula One to build the device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices are already used in hospitals but are in short supply. China and Italy used them to help Covid-19 patients. Forty of the new devices have been delivered to ULCH and to three other London hospitals. If trials go well, up to 1,000 of the CPAP machines can be produced per day by Mercedes-AMG-HPP, beginning in a week's time. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has already given its approval for their use.

`Meanwhile a consortium of UK industrial, technology and engineering businesses in the UK has come together to produce medical ventilators for the NHS. The "VentilatorChallengeUK" consortium includes Airbus, BAE Systems, Ford, Rolls-Royce and Siemens. Companies in the consortium have received orders for more than 10,000 ventilators from the government, although MHRA approval is still pending. Production is due to begin next week...'.

Talking of Chris Witty this is 14-minute Radio 4 programme is worth listening to...
LINK
`Profile: Professor Chris Whitty'
The coronavirus epidemic is a growing crisis for England's chief medical officer. This week he has faced criticism from journalists, politicians and public health specialists. Mark Coles finds out about the life and career of Professor Chris Whitty. He is a physician, a plague expert and an epidemiologist. But that's just for starters. He has also studied law, economics and business. But how will he cope with a role in the bright political spotlight? '

[Marilyn]

CPAP machines can’t be used on patients in an induced coma...

[Tripps]

Just seen this thing on TV news.
I think the idea is that if it is used it may prevent the need for a ventilator with associated sedation.

[PanBiker]

Does anyone else think it's a bit of mistake having Chris Whitty delivering the public information short in the intervals between programs on the TV?

First thing is not the fact that he himself is having to self isolate but the fact that he is a bit deadpan in his delivery, he looks a bit like an undertaker which is not really what you want.

I think the public information slots should be delivered by more upbeat characters, maybe Paddy McGuinness or some of the other popular celebrities who could deliver with a bit more audience relevance. They could have a few different ones to appeal to the different age groups.

[Tizer]

Just seen this thing on TV news. I think the idea is that if it is used it may prevent the need for a ventilator with associated sedation.

That's right Tripps, it's described as `A breathing aid that can help keep Covid-19 patients out of intensive care'

Ian, I think they're overdoing it with all these broadcasts, they'll end up with people ignoring them. Also it's stressing the public and it's no wonder we've seen anger burst out in various ways.

In the meantime, here's a web site where we can enjoy looking back at Pathe news films! Pathe News

[PanBiker]

Ian, I think they're overdoing it with all these broadcasts, they'll end up with people ignoring them. Also it's stressing the public and it's no wonder we've seen anger burst out in various ways

I don't think they are overdoing it at all and the message simply is not getting through to some sections of the community. If you had someone that you can relate to more, you would be more likely to take notice.

There is a belting one circulating on Facebook with a revoiced clip from Peaky Blinders it has Tommy telling it like it is to the lads in the gang. Lots of F'ing and Blinding which is synonymous, (although exaggerated) with what you find if you are a follower of the series.

[Big Kev]

There is a belting one circulating on Facebook with a revoiced clip from Peaky Blinders it has Tommy telling it like it is to the lads in the gang. Lots of F'ing and Blinding which is synonymous, (although exaggerated) with what you find if you are a follower of the series.

Don't open the video if you're offended by 'effing and jeffing'
https://youtu.be/JJ_JakXBVe0

[Big Kev]

The orange knob of the apocalypse strikes again. Social distancing? He then went on to hand out pens to everyone...

20200330_192852.jpg

[Marilyn]

CPAP machines would also not be suitable for those who are constantly coughing, or producing lots of secretions or mucous.

[Stanley]

Maz, my 'jets are cool' whatever that means. It's quite possible to have a virus and a microbe at the same time. No need for a test for Covid19, the Doc's diagnosis is clear.
Where does anyone get the idea I am not pleased with her progress? I'm delighted and was talking to her yesterday on video call. She's not out of the wood yet but improves daily and isn't off her grub. She says that she will be ready to look after me at home if and when I get it. No way am I going to hospital! We have all that arranged and clearly understood.
Actually, I feel fine. Averaging 8 hours sleep a day and troughing well. Very quiet outside and nobody bothering me. I can stand this for 3 months, no problem!

[Tizer]

Stanley, don't assume that if Susan has had mild covid-19 she will be immune to it. It doesn't always follow and we don't yet know whether people have immunity after getting it. It's all an assumption.

This is good news. It might seem a long wait for the vaccine but the virus will be back again this time next year and we'll need it then. The virus will continue circulating in the over-crowded, poor slums in under-developed countries.
`J&J and Abbott announce potential coronavirus vaccine and rapid test' LINK
`Two US healthcare companies have brought hope in the race to fight coronavirus, with Johnson & Johnson announcing a potential vaccine that could be available early next year and Abbott Laboratories launching a rapid test. Johnson & Johnson said it had discovered a potential vaccine candidate and was teaming up with the US government to invest $1 billion (€900 million) in its development, expecting to start testing in humans by September. Shares in the world’s largest healthcare company rose 5.8 per cent to $130.17. Abbott is launching a test that can take as little as five minutes and can be run on a portable machine the size of a toaster. Shares in Abbott jumped 8.7 per cent to $81.07. US politicians have worried that pharmaceutical companies could profit off the crisis while making vaccines and drugs unaffordable for many. But J&J promised on Monday that the vaccine would be sold on a “not-for-profit” basis during the pandemic. ..'.

[Stanley]

Tiz, I'm not assuming anything just going on what seems to be a reasonable probability.
All good news about vaccines and tests and in the end that's what will mean people like me can get back to 'normal life'. Mind you, this will not be the last pandemic. Will the government realise this and make sure that the necessary resources are in place or will they do what they did before, run everything down to save money.
It seems to me that this is like the increased incidence of extreme weather, the same thing in micro-biological terms.

[Marilyn]

'. Mind you, this will not be the last pandemic. Will the government realise this and make sure that the necessary resources are in place or will they do what they did before, run everything down to save money.

I agree with you actually Stanley. This will not be the last Pandemic! ( gosh...nice we agree on something).
Without being abrasive, and inflicting wrath, I wouldn’t say the government has run everything down to save money. What it points out, is that no society can afford a cradle to grave free health system in these times. Perhaps an AFFORDABLE co-payment system needs to be introduced after this and before the next pandemic hits ( eg coronavirus tests are not free here...well they are for some...but perhaps you didn’t know that).
Most of us pay compulsory health cover here. If you earn over a basic wage you need to have it. Health cover premiums generally go up on April 1st...( another kick in the guts for most of us) but this time they have not increased premiums because so many have had bad news about change of circumstance with jobs just recently. They have now extended and say they can waive those payments for 6 months if you are struggling, which is much appreciated of course. Along with that comes blurred lines between private hospitals and public hospitals ( which have never blurred before) because elective surgery is now being cancelled at private hospitals and they too are going to take on the fight by offering intensive care beds to “free” patients.

[Stanley]

"I wouldn’t say the government has run everything down to save money. "
You didn't watch them doing it Maz. cutting 8,000 beds, freezing nurse's pay and stopping spending on maintenance under a policy that was openly admitted to be austerity is running things down to save money.
Ignoring the direct advice of the WHO report in September 2019 which warned of the pandemic and laid out the actions required.
South Korea learned the lesson of MERS in 2015 and kept their resources in place, that's why they dealt with this pandemic so well when it hit.

[Marilyn]

I am so pleased to hear you having a say, Stanley.
Gosh...haven’t we been tip-toeing along for too long now?

[Tizer]

Ignoring the direct advice of the WHO report in September 2019 which warned of the pandemic and laid out the actions required.

To be precise, the WHO didn't warn of the pandemic, they warned that one day we would face such a pandemic. But I agree that governments worldwide should have read the report and at least begun to make preparations for when one did happen. I see a newspaper report where the leader of one of the big London financial institutions who is responsible for advising investors on potential emergencies is quoted as saying that they're prepared for earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, epidemics etc but never expected this pandemic. He obviously needs to do his homework!

[Wendyf]

I had a chat (at the required distance) with a friend of mine who is 99% certain that she has had the virus, probably brought back from a skiing holiday. She says that she had the fever and dry cough, nothing too bad but she is just drained of energy and it was quite a shock to see one of the healthiest, fittest people I know looking so pale and washed out. She and her husband have been in isolation for 2 weeks but he has shown no symptoms which was a relief as he is asthmatic.

[Pluggy]

Is it just me or is the bod doing the NHS Coronovirus "stay at home" adverts on National TV a real live wire (not) ?. I think he's maybe computer generated to be as depressing as possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cK02XwUogM

Having found the youtube version he has a name.

[PanBiker]

Does anyone else think it's a bit of mistake having Chris Whitty delivering the public information short in the intervals between programs on the TV?

First thing is not the fact that he himself is having to self isolate but the fact that he is a bit deadpan in his delivery, he looks a bit like an undertaker which is not really what you want.

I think the public information slots should be delivered by more upbeat characters, maybe Paddy McGuinness or some of the other popular celebrities who could deliver with a bit more audience relevance. They could have a few different ones to appeal to the different age groups.

I agree and made the point earlier in the week Stephen.

[Tripps]

I think perhaps he was chosen for his medical knowledge rather than how he looks on TV. Personally, I would prefer him to Paddy McGuinness.

Professor Chris Whitty.

That said it's easy to compare him to Ian McDonald the Civil Servant, who gave the depressing bulletins during the Falklands conflict. He also could never have been confused with a ray of sunshine.