Whenever I hear the thing about warm weather vs cold and the spread of colds and flu etc, I'm wondering if in the cold weather, most people are inside, spreading their gems between each other, vs warm when more people spend time outside.

March 9, 2020 / 9:45 AM / 2 days ago
FDA warns companies selling products that claim to treat coronavirus disease

2 Min Read

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday issued warning letters to seven companies for selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus.

The health agency said such products may cause consumers to delay or stop from reaching out for appropriate medical care, leading to serious and life-threatening harm.

"There already is a high level of anxiety over the potential spread of coronavirus," said FTC Chairman Joe Simons.

"What we don't need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent prevention and treatment claims.

The FDA and FTC jointly issued r warning letters to Vital Silver, Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd, Xephyr LLC doing business as N-Ergetics, GuruNanda LLC, Vivify Holistic Clinic, Herbal Amy LLC, and The Jim Bakker Show.

The products cited in these letters are teas, essential oils, tinctures and colloidal silver. The FDA had previously warned that colloidal silver is not safe or effective for treating any disease or condition.

N-Ergetics and GuruNanda said they have addressed all issues pointed out in the letter.

"Nothing we offer for sale is intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19 in people," N-Ergetics said.

Herbal Amy LLC, in response to the letter, said it does not sell treatment products, only herbs. It also said it has removed a quote by an herbalist in one of its product descriptions to adhere to the FDA's requirements.

There are currently no vaccines or drugs approved to treat or prevent COVID-19, only investigational COVID-19 vaccines and treatments under development.

The flu-like disease has infected more than 111,600 people in 105 countries and territories and over 3,800 have died, the vast majority in mainland China, according to a Reuters tally.

Latest news:
For the first time, the World Health Organization called coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a pandemic.

Good article, how the coronavirus hijacks your cells.

https://www.nytimes.com/intera...

Interview with Dr Osterholm epidemiologist author of the CIDRAP paper

https://youtu.be/E3URhJx0NSw

Approx the first 10 minutes is on the virus, than he talks about CWD, the virus talk starts back around 32 min mark and continues until 1+15 mark and than a talk about lyme. Exceptional interview.

pod said:Sad but this time of year with the pollen, everyone is coughing and sneezing. Cold or flu? Probably not.

A good friend is a Nurse Practitioner and also working in an emergency room in San Antonio. We were discussing the Covid - 19 and I asked him if the pneumonia vaccination helped with the respiratory issue from this flu. He indicated that it did not seem to. Any thoughts? I have had both pneumonia vaccinations recently.

I don't take flu vaccinations either. I work with the public and am in good health. I and the Dr. both believe my immunity is better when my system can fight it off. Obviously there is no benefit from the current flu vaccine with this flu.

I hate shots, but have always gotten flu shots....it was mandatory at the hospital before I retired, and imagine still is.
Effectiveness of the flu shot depends on each individual's immune system.
Here is the CDC info https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccin...
Like so many things, I believe,
"It's better to have it & not need it, than to need it & not have it."

Calif_Sue said:Latest news:
For the first time, the World Health Organization called coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a pandemic.

We knew it was a pandemic at least a week ago.

crawgarden said:Whenever I hear the thing about warm weather vs cold and the spread of colds and flu etc, I'm wondering if in the cold weather, most people are inside, spreading their gems between each other, vs warm when more people spend time outside.

I think cold weather may lower our immunity, too. Hopefully it will help slow the virus as it warms up.

We're just staying home, watching the rain & the ducks on the pond.... "Cocooning".

I'm still trying to get the rest of my seeds in the ground or in peat pots.
Everyone's still gardening, right??? Boosts immunity.
Spring is here already. Sweetpeas are taking off, trees leafing out especially the roses.
Life goes on.

Just started listening to that interview with Dr Osterholm, it's scaring me! This is just the tip of the iceberg.

This was just posted at our local community forum, NextDoor Lake Hodges:

"I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even imagine?

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it."
Dr Abdu Sharkawy, University of Toronto.

Not paniced about getting virus, am paniced about the stock market. First case in our county found today. A lady from Ga. was transfered to hospital here and they found it. Interested to hear more about on 6 oclock news.

nope, nothing to do with hospital. A 68 year old woman who was just visiting from Ga. Thank goodness gator nationals still on this weekend. Gotta love the 'feel' of those top fuel dragsters firing up their engines.

and going to Sunny's!

If you listen to that Dr Osterholm interview, in Italy, it's hitting people in their 40's hard so he said it's not just a danger for the elderly. Italy's death rate is sky rocketing.
I am continuing to listen to the interview and am learning a lot. It's well worth informing yourself.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu

https://www.washingtonpost.com...


The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will be played in nearly empty arenas because of concerns about the coronavirus, one of the most momentous public actions taken to date in the face of the outbreak in the United States and an overhaul to one of the country's enduring, communal sporting traditions.
Amid swelling recommendations and orders from public health and government officials, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Wednesday afternoon the games, which begin Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, will be played "with only essential staff and limited family attendance." The decree applied to all NCAA championship events, across all levels.

I fear people are drastically underestimating the potential fallout from this virus. I am conflicted over what information to post and share, as this thread needs to remain calm and rational, not descend into fear and panic. I think people need to be aware of what is coming, but how to convey it appropriately is an issue.

It is of great frustration to me that many people still seem to think that this is just a flu-type virus. It is not. For those who are unaware, COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the virus SARS-Cov-2. Genetically this thing is akin to a sibling of the original SARS virus (just not as deadly).

For those wishing to understand the possible implications and see some data, have a look at this article.

The ABC has helpfully compiled a list of answers to some of the common questions:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/he...

One of the key questions raised - which I think is worth quoting here - is below:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation said:
9. How long does coronavirus last on surfaces?

It's a question a lot of people have been asking, and science is starting to give us a clearer picture of the answer.

One study that brought together data from 22 previous studies on coronaviruses (but not this new 2019 strain) found human coronaviruses could theoretically last on surfaces at room temperature for up to nine days.

That sounds like a long time, but a lot of factors come into play, tweeted Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University in the US.

Some of these factors include:

The type of surface: Viruses survive on shiny, hard surfaces longer than soft ones
Whether it's exposed to sunlight: UV radiation kills viruses
Temperature and humidity: Viruses last longer at lower temperatures and lower humidity

The study concluded that disinfecting surfaces with 0.1 per cent sodium hypochlorite or 62–71 per cent ethanol significantly reduced the infectivity of coronavirus on surfaces, and that the authors expected a similar effect against the SARS-CoV-2.

Another crucial way to avoid getting infected from touching a contaminated surface? Keep your hands clean and don't touch your face. Here's a reminder on how to wash your hands effectively.

Trying to lighten the mood, thought this was cute.

LOL, I've seen that one numerous times on FB today and shared it ... have to admit, I probably need a cone of shame! We don't really realize how many times in an hour we touch our own faces!!! I forget what I was watching a couple of days ago (possibly the Today Show) and they did a test with one of the anchors where she didn't think that she touched her face often so they videotaped her and played it back.

Australis said:I fear people are drastically underestimating the potential fallout from this virus. I am conflicted over what information to post and share, as this thread needs to remain calm and rational, not descend into fear and panic. I think people need to be aware of what is coming, but how to convey it appropriately is an issue.

It is of great frustration to me that many people still seem to think that this is just a flu-type virus. It is not. For those who are unaware, COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the virus SARS-Cov-2. Genetically this thing is akin to a sibling of the original SARS virus (just not as deadly).

For those wishing to understand the possible implications and see some data, have a look at this article.

Very informative (& alarming) article.
The bottom line is it's exponential, so things can go downhill fast.
So be prepared as much as possible as soon as possible, calmly.

On the positive side, this graphic helps keep it in perspective:


The symptoms are essentially like the flu with possibly 10X greater mortality, but that varies with age & individual's health & immune system. Secondary bacterial infections will complicate it and contribute to fatalities.

We're doing all we can to avoid it within reason.
I'm 75, so at high risk for it, but am still not that worried about getting it.

Every day's a gift.

Correctiion only flights from Europe for the next 30 days starting Friday, UK not included

I saw that flights from Europe have been stopped and the NBA has suspended the season after a player came up positive.