Coronavirus effects on Pittsburgh (Media, California: home, schools, university)

[gg]

It seems this virus is just getting started and so far we are mostly unaffected . There are going to be some people dealing with it, like the Robert Morris study abroad is cancelled and I am sure other things like that will follow. People from China say the numbers are MUCH worse than being reported by their very controlling government. Stay safe out there.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-storie...OTGOZYJVE4RSA/

https://www.wesa.fm/post/pennsylvani...virus#stream/0

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-storie...HCSD2DRRT4GGE/

[eschaton]

I've been posting about this on other forums. Here are the most important things to realize.

1. The 1%-2% death rates posted are likely too high by a factor of 10 to 100. Lots of people apparently get infected but never manifest symptoms, or only get a runny nose or something. The disease is for the most part really only dangerous in the elderly. It's basically the equivalent of the flu. Whether it's the equivalent of a bad flu or a normal one remains to be seen.

2. On the other hand, COVID-19 is way, way more infectious than the flu. It's as infectious as measles. People can be asymptomatic for up to 14 days and still spread it. People might be able to get reinfected and spread it more after recovering. Thus all attempts to quarantine are basically going to fail now. Eventually at least 30% of people are going to become infected in the U.S. (which is what happens in a normal flu season).

3. When you add these two things together, we're probably looking at something like 20,000 deaths domestically from COVID-19 at minimum. That sounds bad, but more people die from the flu than that in most years. On the other hand, if ten times more people die, that will cause significant strain on our hospital systems.

4. The best strategy is to attempt to slow down the spread of the virus, rather than stop it entirely, because this stops the risk of too many people needing hospitalization at the same time and overwhelming our medical system. Thus we're probably looking at anything involving large agglomerations of people being canceled in upcoming months. Concerts are going to be pulled. Schools could be closed for weeks. Churches could shutter. And people are going to be traveling and eating out less, which is going to really hurt the economy.

[tyovan4]

While the threat level here remains low at this time, there is the potential for community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States. As such, ACHD is modifying its emergency response plans in preparation for a potential local case. The Department has been proactively working with key sectors including hospitals and with EMS agencies on potential responses and countermeasures.

If there is community spread locally, there will be a coordinated effort with state and federal health agencies to implement procedures to help stop the spread. These potential measures may include social distancing tactics such as school closures, postponing large gatherings, and business and workplace changes.

ACHD is constantly updating its measures as more is learned about the virus and will continue to work with all parties about potential responses and actions should the virus be found here.

This page will be updated as more information becomes available and if there is any threat in this community, we will notify the public as soon as we receive such notice.
...
What You Can Do

While the COVID-19 threat level here remains low at this time, like with other infectious diseases, residents can help stop the spread of germs by:

Washing hands thoroughly.
Not coughing or sneezing into hands - coughing or sneezing into the shoulder or elbow instead.
Staying at home if you are sick as to not infect others.
Additionally, it has been an active flu season. The best way to fight the flu is to get a flu shot. It is never too late to get a flu shot and ACHD urges residents to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible, if they haven't already done so.

https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Healt...ronavirus.aspx

[shadowfax]

A lot of Asian run business have been suffering and there has been some anti asian sentiment around the city since this started. It seems some people are convinced that if they get Chinese take out they could get Corona and die. Media coverage is really not helping matters.

[gg]

Thanks for the replies. I hope this thread will not grow much, but I have a feeling it will grow if the virus continues. There is a case of someone that has had no contact in CA, which is odd. Seems there isn't enough information to really know what is going to happen. Let's hope for a cure soon.

Here is the case in CA. I would imagine we will know more in a month or so as it spreads more and more.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...se/4889999002/

[tyovan4]

I just hope that folks will get their medical news from reputable sources on this topic - such as directly from public health agencies, and not from some of the clowns on social media who don't believe in vaccines, etc.

[gg]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

A lot of Asian run business have been suffering and there has been some anti asian sentiment around the city since this started. It seems some people are convinced that if they get Chinese take out they could get Corona and die. Media coverage is really not helping matters.

Really? Seems a bit odd, since we don't even have a case here.

Maybe Pittsburgh will luck out? Hard to say. The west coast of the US will be hit hard for sure.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by gg

Thanks for the replies. I hope this thread will not grow much, but I have a feeling it will grow if the virus continues. There is a case of someone that has had no contact in CA, which is odd. Seems there isn't enough information to really know what is going to happen. Let's hope for a cure soon.

The person in CA was apparently relatively close to a location where some of the Diamond Princess patients was being housed.

The governor of California just an hour ago had a press conference that 8,400 people within the state are now being monitored.

[gg]

Originally Posted by eschaton

The person in CA was apparently relatively close to a location where some of the Diamond Princess patients was being housed.

The governor of California just an hour ago had a press conference that 8,400 people within the state are now being monitored.

Wow, that is very up to date, thanks.

I don't think anyone is going to take this lightly. This is going to spread, but to what degree? I feel pretty relaxed about it now, but things can change. Remember the first case was only December 1 2019. So in around 90 days it is all over the globe. It is fast approaching for sure.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

A lot of Asian run business have been suffering and there has been some anti asian sentiment around the city since this started. It seems some people are convinced that if they get Chinese take out they could get Corona and die. Media coverage is really not helping matters.

Wow. Such ignorance. I wonder if people will stop patronizing Donatelli's, too, in Bloomfield now that Italy has Coronavirus?