Coronavirus in Massachusetts (violations, violence, cable)

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by justyouraveragetenant

https://www.thailandmedical.news/new...s-more-potent-

Yeah I dunno - I have never heard of the Thailand Medical News, and I try not to listen to sources that I've never heard of. If it's in a recognized US scientific or medical journal, or a reputable medical or science news site even - like Science News, STAT, Phys.org, LiveScience, or on the CDC website, etc, I'd pay a lot more attention. I'll wait until I hear it there to believe it.

[OutdoorLover]

For what it's worth, here's a discussion in Science News of exactly this issue, from March 26th. They are referencing an article from Nature Medicine - that's a very well known, highly respected journal. The leader of the study, Kristian Andersen, is from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla - that's a very well known and prestigious biomedical research institute.

They find unambiguously that the virus is not man-made, and suggest that it may result from genetic exchange (horizontal gene transfer) between bat and pangolin hosted viruses.


See Science News article here:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/...nalysis-nature

And source Nature Medicine article here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by timberline742

That makes sense. China so badly wanted to ruin the economy and purchasing power of its largest customer that it released a virus it made in its own country, then funneled it through Italy to get to the U.S. as cover while decimating the economies of its other largest customers its dependent on. That is Trump level brilliance.

I'm ready for a simulation reset any time now ... please.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

For what it's worth, here's a discussion in Science News of exactly this issue, from March 26th. They are referencing an article from Nature Medicine - that's a very well known, highly respected journal. The leader of the study, Kristian Andersen, is from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla - that's a very well known and prestigious biomedical research institute.

They find unambiguously that the virus is not man-made, and suggest that it may result from genetic exchange (horizontal gene transfer) between bat and pangolin hosted viruses.


See Science News article here:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/...nalysis-nature

And source Nature Medicine article here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9

While I agree with the conclusion the study you discuss, I think using words like "unambiguously" projects too much confidence about what is a result from earlier this year. The actual article is decidedly more open-minded:

The genomic features described here may explain in part the infectiousness and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. Although the evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is not a purposefully manipulated virus, it is currently impossible to prove or disprove the other theories of its origin described here. However, since we observed all notable SARS-CoV-2 features, including the optimized RBD and polybasic cleavage site, in related coronaviruses in nature, we do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.

More scientific data could swing the balance of evidence to favor one hypothesis over another. Obtaining related viral sequences from animal sources would be the most definitive way of revealing viral origins. For example, a future observation of an intermediate or fully formed polybasic cleavage site in a SARS-CoV-2-like virus from animals would lend even further support to the natural-selection hypotheses. It would also be helpful to obtain more genetic and functional data about SARS-CoV-2, including animal studies. The identification of a potential intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2, as well as sequencing of the virus from very early cases, would similarly be highly informative. Irrespective of the exact mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 originated via natural selection, the ongoing surveillance of pneumonia in humans and other animals is clearly of utmost importance.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by timberline742

That makes sense. China so badly wanted to ruin the economy and purchasing power of its largest customer that it released a virus it made in its own country, then funneled it through Italy to get to the U.S. as cover while decimating the economies of its other largest customers its dependent on. That is Trump level brilliance.

It’s true. The Umbrella Corporation has a Wuhan facility.

I think it’s just more right wing deflection. Stop funding the WHO. Invent conspiracy theories that China did this intentionally. Anything to take attention away from the total mismanagement by the Federal government.

I see that Cuomo is now demanding that everyone wear a mask in public places where social distancing isn’t possible. I’m totally baffled that Massachusetts isn’t doing this yet. It knocks down the transmission rate. Until it gets below 1.0, the economic debacle continues.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I see that Cuomo is now demanding that everyone wear a mask in public places where social distancing isn’t possible. I’m totally baffled that Massachusetts isn’t doing this yet. It knocks down the transmission rate. Until it gets below 1.0, the economic debacle continues.

The "masks" I am seeing people wearing isn't going to do anything, other than increase fear, which I think is the real intention. This thing is contagious enough that only herd immunity or a vaccine will stop the spread.

[yesmaybe]

I'll add that I do find it very strange that obesity is a high risk factor for a respiratory illness. America is of course so very fat.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

I'm ready for a simulation reset any time now ... please.

I hit ctrl-alt-delete a number of times already - it hasn't worked.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

I'll add that I do find it very strange that obesity is a high risk factor for a respiratory illness. America is of course so very fat.

Why is it strange? Obesity often has direct impact on the lungs, including a reduction in lung capacity. It also commonly coincides with other health conditions.

[bohemka]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

It’s true. The Umbrella Corporation has a Wuhan facility.

I think it’s just more right wing deflection. Stop funding the WHO. Invent conspiracy theories that China did this intentionally. Anything to take attention away from the total mismanagement by the Federal government.

I didn't have the energy to call out that conspiracy theory yesterday. It's been widely discredited just about everywhere but FOX News, City-Data, FB, and the NY Post, so it should go without saying it's an unfounded rumor, but conspiracy theories are their own kind of virus. It'll rattle around in some corners forever.

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

The "masks" I am seeing people wearing isn't going to do anything, other than increase fear, which I think is the real intention. This thing is contagious enough that only herd immunity or a vaccine will stop the spread.

By wearing a mask, you are greatly reducing the spread of whatever contagions you may be carrying. For a virus that is spread widely by asymptomatic carriers, this is a very important public safety measure. "Increase fear" is the "real intention"? Where the heck do your get your information?