Manic of a panic is geopolitical

[xilman]

SWMBO and I went shopping this afternoon. At the supermarket we found shelves bare of dried pasta (fresh varieties were plentiful), rice and toilet rolls because of panic-buying in response to the coronavirus --- well -- panic. We were restricted to two boxes of tissues ("Kleenex" for those reading in the North American colonies) which is no big deal for us.

On the way home we dropped by the Hudson Ale House in Trumpington. The pub has eight hand-pumps on the bar. Only three had beer attached to them.

The situation must be really serious if people are panic-buying real ale.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by kladner

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2020/0...o-it-now-.html
Re the attached chart:

MoA site owner Bernhard (a.k.a. 'b') sure changed his tune over the past month - he was very dismissive of the threat early on, one of his readers (poshpotdllr, comment #37 to above thread) collected the Covid-19 series of headlines:

The Coronavirus - No Need To Panic - Jan 25 2020
Novel Coronavirus Defies Conspiracy Theories As Data Shows Its Coming Decline - Feb 1 2020
The Epidemic Recedes - Number Of New Coronavirus Cases In Decline - Feb 8 2020
Coronavirus - Statistical Change Causes Confusion - New Case Count Continues To Decline - Feb 13 2020
Coronavirus - The Decline Of New Cases Continues - Economic Ripples Begin To Emerge - Feb 21 2020
As Virus Spreads Over The Planet Governments Are Slow To React - Feb 27 2020
Coronavirus - Its Time To Press Your Government To React Faster - Feb 29 2020
Coronavirus - Bad Preparation And Propaganda Increase The Onsetting Panic - Mar 6 2020
Is The Coronavirus Really More Dangerous Than The Flu? - Mar 9 2020

Basically he was dismissive early on, took all the official stats out of China at face value, then when TSHTF he blamed "governments around the world" for doing exactly what he himself had done, not taking the threat seriously enough early on. I still read him for his take on ME issues, but on other matters, take him with a giant grain of salt.

As for my onw prepping - I laid in plenty of supplies - several months' worth of dry pasta, canned beans, beef jerky, PB&J - gonna fill freezer w/bread and bagels over coming week. Got plenty of booze laid in, too, though no Corona brand beer - not because of the name, but because I only favor such "pisswater lagers" in hot weather. :)

Fresh fruit and veggies are main concern w.r.to food supply-chain disruptions - backyard garaden alas not an option for those of us lacking a backyard.

My flatmates - both physical therapists - already on heightened alert via work notifications, and they always shower first thing after getting home from work. I've already been in habit of scrubbing hands w/kitchen sponge and soapy water every time come in from outside, but now disinfecting sponge with diluted bleach every night - 20:1 diluted bleach soaked into a folded paper towel or cloth rag also works great for wiping down surfaces, a little goes a long way. Also been snorting my patented recipe of equal parts saline and 70% rubbing alcohol up nose several times per day (a trick I learned logn ago to help ward off and reduce severity of sinus infections), that also works in eyes, stings for a few seconds, then good.

[kriesel]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

As for my onw prepping - I laid in plenty of supplies - several months' worth of dry pasta, canned beans, beef jerky, PB&J - gonna fill freezer w/bread and bagels over coming week. Got plenty of booze laid in, too, though no Corona brand beer - not because of the name, but because I only favor such "pisswater lagers" in hot weather. :)

Fresh fruit and veggies are main concern w.r.to food supply-chain disruptions - backyard garden alas not an option for those of us lacking a backyard.

Don't forget the popcorn. Excellent shelf life without refrigeration, pretty good nutrition and economics, and a satisfying crunch when consumed. Similar, although shorter shelf life without refrigeration or dehydration, for potatoes. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...ealth#section2

[Dr Sardonicus]

First, we have the renouned "Church of Bleach" (Genesis II Church of Health and Healing) promoting its panacea through useful fools:

QAnon-ers' Magic Cure for Coronavirus: Just Drink Bleach!

And then, not one, but two of my favorite flim-flam men!

New York attorney general tells Alex Jones to stop selling bogus coronavirus cures

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a cease and desist letter to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for allegedly selling bogus coronavirus killing toothpaste.

"As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health, Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers' anxieties," James alleged in a statement the same day her office sent the letter.

James' office sent similar letters to televangelist Jim Bakker and Dr. Sherrill Sellman after Sellman said on an interview on Bakker's show Feb. 12 that "Silver Solution" can cure certain strains of the virus.

Good ol' Jim Bakker rates a second mention.

Missouri Sues Televangelist Jim Bakker For Selling Fake Coronavirus Cure

Missouri is the first state to file a lawsuit against Bakker for selling his coronavirus "treatment," but others have also been warning him to stop peddling his snake oil. On March 3, the New York Attorney General's Office sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bakker, accusing him of defrauding the public.

"Your show's segment may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of the Silver Solution product in protecting against the current outbreak," wrote Lisa Landau, chief of the New York Attorney General's Office's health care bureau. The World Health Organization "has noted that there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat this disease," the letter said. It gave Bakker 10 business days to comply or face legal action.

[tServo]

Originally Posted by Dr Sardonicus

It seems that both types of virus often cause colds.

The Johns Hopkins page on coronavirus says (my emphasis)

Of course both types cause UTI, but the composition of the population in that ONE study is suspect because of its very selectiveness: College students.

If I click on the link near the beginning of your post marked [11], it shows me the Johns Hopkins page about Rhinovirus that states:
" Human rhinovirus is responsible for up to 80% of common colds"

I suspect you meant that link to go to their Coronavirus page.


On another topic, Adrian Monk wasn't just a germaphobe with OCD; he was ahead of his time:
It's a jungle out there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well I do
Hey, who's in charge here?
It's a jungle out there
Poison in the very air we breathe
Do you know what's in the water that you drink?
Well I do, and it's amazing
People think I'm crazy, 'cause I worry all the time
If you paid attention, you'd be worried too
You better pay attention
Or this world we love so much might just kill you
I could be wrong now, but I don't think so
'Cause there's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there ---------- Randy Newman

[xilman]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

No, flu viruses are entirely distinct from Coronaviruses, and 1918 Spanish Flu is Influenza Type A

Fairy Nuff: I accept that you are correct and that I was wrong. I abase myself in your general direction.

[ewmayer]

o First Covid-19 case happened in November, China government records show - report | World news | The Guardian

The origins of the virus have become part of US-China diplomatic conflict, fuelled by US officials calling the disease “Chinese coronavirus” or “Wuhan virus”.

It’s widely accepted, including by the head of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention that the virus originated in Hubei. However in recent ​weeks Chinese officials have started suggesting or outright claiming that the virus ​did not ​originate​ in China, but perhaps in the US​, a conspiracy theory that is gaining traction​.

On Thursday, Zhao Lijian, a foreign ministry spokesman, suggested without evidence that the US army may have brought it into China.

The CTers who run rampant in the Moon of Alabama comments section are busily parroting the US-brought-it-to-China inanity, including claims that US *military* personnel did so. Yes, must've been infected troops stationed at one of the numerous military bases the US has in China ... oh wait, I see RT.com says the above Chinese official is specifically referring to THE U.S. "military delegation that traveled to Wuhan in October for the Military World Games, weeks before the city confirmed the outbreak in December. The delegation was part of the 300-member group of American athletes taking part in the multi-sport event held every four years." Suuure - and I bet the US military had a working vaccine with which they had already immunized their own troops, which is why the virus remained confined to the designated superspreaders in the above delegation, or something. It all seems quite plausible (nods head vigorously).

Originally Posted by ewmayer

Back in my grad school days I had, for several years, a subcription to Scientific American's Library of Science, which published a monthly book on some particular topic. Let it lapse after a few years because I couldn't keep up and there were relatively few really memorable volumes, but one of my favorites among those I kept is Viruses, by Arnold Levine. He has an entire chapter dedicated to Type A influenza, whose frontispiece is a last sketch by artist Egon Schiele, of his dying wife Edith in her sickbed. Schiele himself succumbed to the Spanish flu a few days later. (BTW, those LOS books can be gotten cheap at many used bookstores and e.g. eBay).

Apparently the series ended at 40 volumes, of which I have ~30. This eBay seller has more than 10 complete used sets available for just over $200, which includes free economy (Media Mail) shipping to US ... "and many other countries" is not free, alas. I just ordered a set for my 11-year-old nephews, I figure they can use extra reading material of the home-schooling variety for the coming summer, what with mass school closures already underway. (Not theirs yet, but I expect it's only a matter of time.)

Originally Posted by xilman

Fairy Nuff: I accept that you are correct and that I was wrong. I abase myself in your general direction.

Oh, stop groveling! Every time I try to talk to someone it's "sorry this" and "forgive me that" and "I'm not worthy"...

[Dr Sardonicus]

I know that nowadays gluten is being described as worse than bubonic plague, and carbohydrates as a sure ticket to an early grave, but if you are foolhardy enough to ignore these warnings, I suggest pasta. Good shelf life. I was buying groceries and saw my favorite brand was on sale, so I topped up my supply.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

If you survive the virus does it grant you immunity against future infections?

Unknown - given that it's a rapidly-mutating RNA virus, best one can hope for is partial immunity to similar strains, such as is the case for flu. OTOH if it's more like the rhinoviri which cause most colds, that would mean little or no immunity-down-the-road.

@kriesel: And possibly scarier than the outright death rate - in the sense that living with permanent disability resulting from a pathogenic infection is harder on the infectee and the medical system than dying from it - is the occurrence of long-term aftereffects in severe cases. This was true for SARS, the closest analog we have to Covid-19:

SARS survivors struggle with symptoms years later | Toronto Star

And appears to also be true of Covid-19:

Coronavirus: some recovered patients may have reduced lung function and are left gasping for air while walking briskly, Hong Kong doctors find | South China Morning Post

[a1call]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

Also been snorting my patented recipe ... then good.

I find that highly unwise/dangerous and irresponsible to post to a public forum at a time like this when some people don't think straight. The sinuses have direct connection to the brain.
I would highly recommend deleting the entry as well as my reference to such unwise recommendation. There have been deaths associated with snorting even filtered water.

Even things as simple as vinegar are dangerous to the eyes and there are guidances on medical literature against it.

[ewmayer]

Originally Posted by a1call

I find that highly unwise/dangerous and irresponsible to post to a public forum at a time like this when some people don't think straight. The sinuses have direct connection to the brain.
I would highly recommend deleting the entry as well as my reference to such unwise recommendation. There have been deaths associated with snorting even filtered water.

Even things as simple as vinegar are dangerous to the eyes and there are guidances on medical literature against it.

Every substance is dangerous under some conditions. You didn't provide links, and provided misinformation of your own:

o Sinuses do not "have direct connection to the brain", rather they share some veinous drainage with the brain. Wikipedia cites the (very real) resulting dangers of e.g. pimple-popping:

Because of its connections with the facial vein via the superior ophthalmic vein, it is possible to get infections in the cavernous sinus from an external facial injury within the danger area of the face. In patients with thrombophlebitis of the facial vein, pieces of the clot may break off and enter the cavernous sinus, forming a cavernous sinus thrombosis. From there the infection may spread to the dural venous sinuses. Infections may also be introduced by facial lacerations and by bursting pimples in the areas drained by the facial vein.

So what's more dangerous - allowing pathogens to live freely in your sinuses, or not? All I know is that for me and me alone, the mix I mentioned appears to provide effectively sinus-clearing and irritation relief. Do not try this yourself - let professional idiots like me do it.

o Vinegar - No mention of the many thousands of people blinded each year by accidents with salad dressing, but extreme caution is clearly warranted.