#you can be contagious and asymptomatic so wear a mask you NO WAY of knowing if you're currently spreading a virus

[albonium]

it's fall everyone has covid everywhere the flu and cold viruses will make a come back soon too i'm terrified for my mom if you don't wear a mask in public fuck you you're participating directly or indirectly in the death of a lot of people's moms brothers and kids

[postoctobrist]

Where should I be wearing masks? Frankly, putting them on feels insane and pointless now, and I’ve gotten pretty fucking close to believing that it IS, so I’ve tried to mitigate that by doing a bunch of weird rules lawyering around when and where I put it on

Oh man okay I’m going to get yelled at for this. So there’s this balance between minimising risk to yourself and others, and being able to live a live you enjoy and which doesn’t make you feel insane. The safest way to live is completely indoors away from everyone, but very few people like doing that unless they have to. We couldn’t stay locked down forever because it was an unsustainable change. Masks are very effective but people do not like wearing them or even seeing other people wearing them, really. Shit, I mean we can barely get people to wash their hands and that’s one of the most effective and least annoying public health interventions there is. So you can wear an N95 everywhere but I don’t think you’re going to succeed at normalising it, and people are going to stare at you etc.

Also, the risk side of the equation has changed (some people are very reluctant to acknowledge this!). Not for everyone, certainly, but covid is just endemic now, vaccinations have been very very effective, and we’re kind of back to playing the same dumb luck game we agree to play with every other transmissible illness. Is that great? Not really, but there’s only so much you can make people, including yourself, do. It also means that the consequences of transmission are, while still potentially very bad, materially not the same as the ‘freezer truck stacked full of dead bodies’ days of covid.

I think the most important situation to wear a mask in is if you know you’re ill or have just recently been ill. That does miss the bit where you’re most contagious, because you’re asymptomatic, but like I say, imperfect world. Anyway, if you have to go out and you’re coughing and sneezing all the time it’s worthwhile.

Also if you know you’re going to be in a situation where you know you’re going to be in close contact with more vulnerable people - hospital, care home - or it’s really crowded or has more recirculated air - subway, plane, etc.

And of course you should always wear one to a protest, to minimise covid transmission. Covid also hates it when you wear unremarkable clothing and cover any distinctive tattoos.

The main thing I want to get across is that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t wear a mask somewhere, whether you get sick or someone else gets sick or nobody does. One of the worst social phenomena to come out of the pandemic was this idea that blame is an effective public health tool. I simply don’t believe in morality at that scale and I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault that there happen to be weird microscopic copy machines floating around waiting to unthinkingly copy themselves all over the insides of someone’s lungs. It’s a good thing to wear a mask when you can, but it doesn’t make you a good person, or a bad one if you don’t.

You do have to keep washing your hands, though, I’m not giving up on that one.

[selkies-world]

OK, I'm curious

I've always been able to do this, though I do tend to "switch it off" when I'm masking heavily. I can tell whether you're scared or stressed or happy or sad or angry, I can smell if you're horny, I can smell your iron levels & your sugar levels & your salt levels & probably some other stuff that idk the names of. I can smell if you're contagious or if you have the cold or the flu or covid. I can smell if you have a greasy diet or not. I can tell you whether you have an infection or if you're getting a migraine or if you're carrying something while being asymptomatic. Sometimes I can name the smell. Sometimes it smells like a texture. Other times the smell is a colour, sometimes it's an image.

Everyone has their own scent, and the strength happens in waves - sometimes it's stronger, sometimes it fades. When my dad is stressed, I can scent him around the house. It's like following a yellow cloud of overly ripe orange juice that's been left in the sun slightly too long. When my mum is about to have a panic attack, her scent explodes like a cloud of too many flowers (she never wears floral scents). When my hormones are jumping around, my skin smells like garlic. When someone has a cold, they smell stale & bitter & the air around them is slimy.

When my dad got covid (we'reassuming that'swhat it was), he smelled like something hungry was eating him. Like one of those wasps (hornets?) that lay their eggs inside a bee, and the bee acts as a host without knowing it, and the eggs hatch & the larvae feed on the bee's internal organs & liquefy them & eat the bee from the inside out then hatch out of the bee's carcas. That's what it smelled like. And that's what I smelled on myself when I woke up with it 10 days later. All I knew was that it was something hungry that was eating me & it had to eat its way out of me in order to leave. I'd never smelled that on anyone before 2020, which is why I'm assuming it was covid.

Idk if this is a neurospicy thing, or something else. So like.... put your answer in the tags I guess, and let's see how many of us are bloodhounds?

[sa7abnews]

What to Know About Parvovirus B19, a Respiratory Virus on the Rise

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/16/what-to-know-about-parvovirus-b19-a-respiratory-virus-on-the-rise/

What to Know About Parvovirus B19, a Respiratory Virus on the Rise

Parvovirus B19, a respiratory virus that causes a telltale “slapped-cheek” rash, is on the rise in the U.S., according to an Aug. 13 alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There’s no routine surveillance for parvovirus in the U.S., but several indicators suggest the virus is spreading widely right now, the CDC says. Doctors have reported unusual numbers of parvovirus-related complications among two high-risk populations: pregnant people and patients with blood diseases. And as of June, laboratory data hinted that about 10% of the U.S. population—and 40% of kids ages 5 to 9—had antibodies in their blood suggesting they were recently infected, the CDC’s alert says.

Here’s what to know about parvovirus B19 as the virus circulates.

What is parvovirus B19?

Parvovirus is a common respiratory illness, with “mini-outbreaks” occurring roughly every three to four years, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). In developed countries like the U.S., the vast majority of people get it at some point during their lives, often during childhood. Up to 10% of kids get parvovirus by the time they’re 5, the NLM says, and about half of people have had it by age 20.

Parvovirus B19 is a virus that solely affects humans; it’s different from the parvovirus that affects pets. Like other respiratory diseases, it spreads person-to-person, commonly through the respiratory droplets expelled when a sick person sneezes or coughs, the CDC says.

Read More: I Was Exposed to COVID-19. How Long Will It Take for Symptoms to Start?

Most of the time, the CDC says, cases are mild or even asymptomatic. When people do develop symptoms, they commonly start with fever, headache, cough, and a sore throat. As the illness progresses, people may develop additional symptoms. The most distinctive later-phase symptom is a red facial rash—also known as a “slapped-cheek” rash—that more commonly affects children than adults. Some may also develop a rash covering the torso, limbs, and buttocks.

Patients with parvovirus may also develop joint pain as their illness progress. Sometimes, according to the CDC, joint pain is the only symptom adults experience, and it may last for weeks or even months following infection.

Is parvovirus B19 serious?

People who are otherwise healthy usually recover from parvovirus on their own and require no treatment. But complications are possible for certain groups.

Read More: The 1 Heart-Health Habit You Should Start When You’re Young

People with blood disorders or compromised immune systems may experience potentially serious anemia—a drop in red blood cells—if they catch parvovirus, according to the Mayo Clinic. And pregnant people who catch the virus may pass it to their fetus, potentially causing anemia in the fetus and raising the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. People who fit into these categories should see a doctor if they think they have parvovirus.

What should I do during the parvovirus B19 outbreak?

There is no vaccine that can prevent parvovirus’ spread, so the best way to avoid infection is to wash your hands frequently, clean communal surfaces like doorknobs regularly, and avoid direct contact with someone who is sick with the virus. People are most contagious during the early phases of the illness, the CDC says. Someone is unlikely to be contagious by the time they develop a rash or joint pain.

During the current outbreak, the CDC says, people who work in high-risk settings—such as schools and daycares—or who are at high risk of complications may consider wearing a mask for additional protection.

[toshootforthestars]

From the report by Beth Mole, posted 19 July 2021:

Fully vaccinated people are largely protected from delta; the current vaccines are still highly effective against developing COVID-19 from delta and other variants of concern. Though a small proportion of people can develop so-called “breakthrough infections,” those infections will mostly be asymptomatic or mild. But, unvaccinated people are completely vulnerable. Moreover, those who have received only one dose of a two-dose vaccine or have only recovered from COVID-19 are not much better off than those who are completely unvaccinated.

But according to new polling data from CBS News, a new wave of vaccinations seems unlikely. Among unvaccinated and partly vaccinated people, only 48% said they are concerned about delta. Among fully vaccinated people, 72% reported being concerned about the variant.

Despite the fact that the current COVID-19 vaccines have proven highly effective and safe, 53% of those who are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated said in the poll that they are concerned about side effects. 50% of the group cited a lack of trust in the government as a reason not to get vaccinated. And 45% said they don’t trust the science. All of these percentages are higher than they have been in earlier polls, indicating that these anti-vaccine sentiments are hardening among the unvaccinated.

Some unvaccinated people who may be more persuadable have said they are waiting for the vaccines to receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (currently, they are authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization). On Friday, Pfizer and BioNTech said that the FDA had granted them a Priority Review designation for their mRNA vaccine, but they didn’t expect a decision on full approval until January 2022. Currently, vaccine providers are administering only around 520,000 COVID-19 vaccine per day, down from a record of 4.6 million in a day in April.

With over 161 million people vaccinated, only 48.6% of the US population is fully vaccinated.

See also: How much COVID misinformation is on Facebook? Its execs don’t want to know

For years, misinformation has flourished on Facebook. Falsehoods, misrepresentations, and outright lies posted on the site have shaped the discourse on everything from national politics to public health. But despite their role in facilitating communications for billions of people, Facebook executives refused to commit resources to understand the extent to which COVID-19-related misinformation pervaded its platform, according to a report in The New York Times.

Early in the pandemic, a group of data scientists at Facebook met with executives to propose a project that would determine how many users saw misleading or false information about COVID. It wasn’t a small task—they estimated that the process could take up to a year or more to complete—but it would give the company a solid understanding of the extent to which misinformation spread on its platform.

The executives listened to the data scientists’ pitch and then reportedly ghosted them.

The data team’s proposal wasn’t approved, and they were never given an explanation for why it was silently dropped.

The revelations come as Facebook has drawn fire from the White House for its role in the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccines that prevent it. “They’re killing people,” President Joe Biden said about the role of social networks in the spread of misinformation. “Look, the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated. They’re killing people.”

Biden later walked back his comments slightly, but they revealed the administration’s frustration with social media platforms—and with Facebook in particular—over their response to the pandemic.

For weeks, the White House pressed Facebook for details on how the company is combating COVID vaccine misinformation. The social network offered some details but gave unsatisfying answers to other requests.

Facebook’s unwillingness or inability to understand the scope of COVID misinformation on its platform was apparent in comments it gave to The New York Times, in which it blamed its nescience on the lack of a “standard definition” for pandemic-related misinformation. “The suggestion we haven’t put resources toward combating COVID misinformation and supporting the vaccine rollout is just not supported by the facts,” said Dani Lever, a Facebook spokeswoman.

“With no standard definition for vaccine misinformation, and with both false and even true content (often shared by mainstream media outlets) potentially discouraging vaccine acceptance, we focus on the outcomes—measuring whether people who use Facebook are accepting of COVID-19 vaccines.”

For researchers who study misinformation, that explanation isn’t sufficient. “They need to open up the black box that is their content ranking and content amplification architecture,“ Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, told The New York Times. “Take that black box and open it up for audit by independent researchers and government. We don’t know how many Americans have been infected with misinformation.”

Me: 

This situation is extremely bad!

First off, the individuals that aren’t getting vaccinated just do not care to. They’ve bought hook line and sinker into all the disinfo and misinfo on facebook, instagram, youtube, tiktok, reddit, and/or whatever 8chan replacement one choosed. What they see and read reinforces their pre-conceived (and factually incorrect) views that “experts” “really don’t know shit about anything” and thusly are “blowing things way the fuck outta proportion,” etc. Their views are both informed by, and reinforced by:

what they read and see online

what they hear on FM/AM radio

what they watch on broadcast TV

what their friends and communities consume from media

what the prevailing societal and political attitudes in one’s community are

“rugged individualism” and the post-1980 erosion of the social contract

So, if your fb friends are covid truthers, if the on-air personalities you hear on the radio at work are covid truthers, if your neighbors and friends at werk are covid truthers, if the elected leaders are covid truthers, if the snippets of Fox News you get to see randomly are pushing covid truther disinfo, and if those in your inner circle at that 4th of July party you went to are covid truthers, then you yourself, at a minimum from peer pressure, will dismiss the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, scores of hospital operators, plus countless professionals in medicine and epidemiology in your decision not to get vaccinated, nor to mask up indoors in public even when “recommended”.

“I have rights. I know what’s really going on. I’ve got things figured out.”  Or, at a minimum, “I don’t give a fuck either way.” “Fuck you.”

Facebook absolutely is responsible for the covid truther disinfo and misinfo being shared on their platform.  I believe they are the largest vector of disinformation and misinformation to the public. So many people are chugging the “vaccines are a scam, masks don’t work and I have rights” kool-aid thanks to disinfo introduced and shared widely on facebook

Some other major vectors of disinfo: iHeartMedia - Premiere Networks - iHeartRadio, Entercom/Audacy, Westwood One, One America News, Fox News, Newsmax, Sinclair Broadcast Group, YouTube + Google, TikTok, and Reddit.

“I saw a video on YouTube where the military did a study…”  or “I heard a guy on the radio saying mask mandates are part of a plot…”  It's all bullshit!

At this point it cannot be anything but an active choice the leadership at these companies consciously make to pipe out total bullshit in a time of crisis. Content from all of the above easily makes its way to facebook, too, unrestricted!

The U.S continues to spiral into this post fact, post truth, anti-intellectual, anti-science neo-fascist hellscape where no lives matter and where mass death is AOK because “none of us get out of this world alive” or some asshat folksy quip that masks as wisdom.  Empathy, reasoning, established facts and observable reality have all become political statements… People hear what they want to hear.

IMO this is truly a disastrous situation with no easy way out.

Many, many people will not wear masks again.  Many, many people see the survival rate for coronavirus and they surmise wrongly that the risk for them of getting covid is worth it, that the risk for others isn’t remotely their concern, and that the entire situation is overblown. The social contract is in bad shape. Public confidence in the state is almost gone. Covid truthers are everywhere.

Getting a vaccine requires time off from work to travel to a mass vax site that’s still open, time off to recoup post-shot (if necessary), and overcoming fear that the anti-vax disinfo on social media was true after all. Plus overcoming peer pressure from unvaccinated friends and family.

Covid case numbers are likely undercounts. Test kits are still problematic. Persons with no health insurance have no PCP to call when they get sick. Underinsured persons may have to wait weeks for their approved PCP to get around to a telehealth call. Many people are getting sick and not getting tested and they’re not reporting anything to anyone. State officials, wanting to look good, may skew whatever data is reported to them.

COVID-19 is an airborne virus. Most people catch covid from contagious asymptomatic people. Coronavirus has always been a risk for children! Getting vaccinated is part of an overall good strategy to keep COVID-19 at bay. Masks work!!! If indoors, stay in a ventilated room if you’re with other people, and keep doors and windows open for air circulation. Coronavirus is producing extremely serious long-term cognitive and cardiovascular complications for many people who survive it. “Long covid” is real.

We don’t have to live with this! The political and business leadership in much of the United States today have collectively decided there’s nothing that can or should be done in regards to covid-19, no masking requirements, no easy supplies of N95 masks, and no mitigation efforts of any kind. They wrongly conclude that COVID-19, a new virus with so many unknowns, “isn’t that bad” and so the level of permanent damage or death resulting from covid is acceptable.

None of this is acceptable, the amount of permanent damage and death occurring from COVID-19 is far, far too high, and there’s no rational excuse whatsoever to allow this virus to spread across this country unchecked. There’s no reason to allow this virus to spread further. There’s no valid reason for me and anyone else to justify allowing covid to spread out of control.

[covidclinic]

7 Things To Know About the Delta Variant

7 Things To Know About the Delta Variant The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines on the urgent need to enhance COVID-19 immunization coverage on July 27, 2021, along with a recommendation that everyone in areas with significant or high transmission wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. The CDC published this updated recommendation in response to a number of alarming trends and fresh data signals.

Infections & Spread:

-The Delta version is more contagious; The Delta variant is far more contagious than earlier variants, being more than twice as contagious.

-According to some evidence, the Delta variation may cause more severe sickness in unprotected people than in prior forms; Individuals infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized in two separate trials from Canada and Scotland than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus that causes COVID-19.

-Unvaccinated people continue to pose the biggest threat of transmission: Unvaccinated people are far more likely to become infected and thus spread the virus. COVID-19 (also known as breakthrough infections) is less common in fully vaccinated people than in unprotected ones.

People who have been fully vaccinated but nevertheless have a Delta variant breakthrough illness can pass the virus on to others. People who have been vaccinated, on the other hand, tend to spread the virus for a shorter amount of time: COVID-19 samples from fully vaccinated persons who suffered breakthrough infections contained less viral genetic material than COVID-19 samples from unvaccinated people.

7 Facts About The Delta Variant:

The Delta version has five characteristics that you should be aware of: -The Delta virus strain is more contagious than the others; According to F. Perry Wilson, MD, a Yale Medicine epidemiologist, one of the things that distinguish Delta is how quickly it spreads. “Delta will undoubtedly exacerbate* the pandemic” over the planet, he claims. (*worsen)

The first Delta case was discovered in December 2020, and the virus’s variation quickly became the prevalent strain in both India and the United Kingdom. According to CDC estimates, Delta was responsible for more than 80% of new COVID-19 cases in the United States by the end of July.

-People who have not been immunized are at risk; The people who have not been properly vaccinated against COVID-19 are the ones who are the most vulnerable.

In the United States, states with poor vaccination rates, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, have a disproportionate number of unvaccinated persons. (In some of these states, the number of instances is increasing, while in others, limits are being lifted since the number of cases is decreasing.)

-’ Hyperlocal epidemics’ could occur as a result of the Delta. Dr. Wilson thinks the major questions will be about heightened transmissions — how many people will catch the Delta variant and how quickly will it spread — if Delta continues to move fast enough to quicken the pandemic.

According to him, the answers could be influenced by where you reside and how many individuals in your area have been vaccinated. “I call it ‘patchwork vaccination,’ where you have pockets of people who are well vaccinated next to those who are only 20 percent vaccinated,” Dr. Wilson explains. “The difficulty is that the virus can hop, skip, and leap from one inadequately vaccinated area to another as a result of this.”

-The symptoms of the COVID-19 Delta variant appear to be the same as the original form. Physicians, on the other hand, are witnessing people becoming ill more quickly, particularly among the young. According to this research, the Delta variant grows significantly faster — and too much higher levels — in the respiratory system.

When those who have been vaccinated contract the Delta form, they are frequently asymptomatic or experience just minor symptoms. Their symptoms are similar to those of a regular cold, such as cough, fever, and headache, but they often include a substantial loss of smell.

-Even if you’re fully vaccinated, some experts advise wearing masks. Despite being completely vaccinated against COVID-19, several health specialists around the country are donning masks. They’re also encouraging vaccinated persons to stay away from large gatherings and wear masks indoors when other people’s vaccination status is uncertain.

-The easiest way to avoid being infected with Delta is to get vaccinated. The most crucial thing you can do to protect yourself from Delta is to get fully vaccinated, according to the doctors. That means that if you obtain a two-dose vaccine, such as Pfizer or Moderna, you must have both doses and then wait the recommended two weeks for the shots to take full effect. It’s also vital to follow CDC preventative guidelines, which are available for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated.

-There are likely to be more COVID-19 versions in the future; COVID-19’s Delta version is currently the most well-known strain, but the Lambda variety from South America is also making waves. According to health experts, if individuals wish to return to normal, a large section of the population must be vaccinated. New strains of the virus will continue to evolve and cause difficulties as long as a significant portion of the global population remains uninfected.

People who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus continue to have good protection against COVID-19, according to what we know so far. Doctors warn that anyone who is not vaccinated and does not use preventive measures is at significant risk of contracting the new type.

Vaccines:

The COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States, including the Delta form, are highly successful at preventing serious sickness and death. However, they are not 100 percent effective, and some people who have been fully vaccinated will become infected (known as a breakthrough infection) and become unwell.

The vaccine offers the best protection against serious illness and death for everyone.

This concludes that…

Vaccines are critical in restricting the virus’s transmission and reducing the severity of the sickness. Vaccines are highly effective, but they are not without flaws, and there will be vaccine-related diseases. Vaccination has reached millions of people in the United States, and the number is growing.

Irrespective of how things work out, the best deal for everyone out there is to get vaccinated the first chance they get and use their masks whenever in public places. Stay safe everyone! You can also go to our website and search for the test that best fits your needs. Until then, stay safe!

[elwingflight]

Coronavirus: Information & Guidelines

What you can do now, and what to prepare for

There seems to be a lack of what-to-do suggestions on tumblr beyond handwashing, so I thought I’d put something together. I’ve never actually encouraged people to reblog something of mine before, but this might be the time. To be clear: I am not personally a public health expert of any kind. Both my parents are (epidemiology/global health degrees, worked for CDC) and I’ve run this by them. My information is coming from disease researchers on twitter and official public health guidelines online. Sources at the end of the post. This is mostly directed at people in countries where COVID-19 has been reported (I’m in the U.S.), but is not *yet* widespread in the community. Written Mar. 1st 2020, last updated 3/9 (shorter, helpful twitter thread here, helpful NPR article here)

General Info

Firstly, a lot of politicians are *still* trying to sugarcoat things, but it should be clear by now that the new coronavirus is spreading widely and will continue to do so. Because of the incubation period, and in the U.S. at least the delay in testing, the number of cases is almost certainly going to increase rapidly in the near future no matter what we do now. Official government sources are helpful, but its also good to look at what experts on viral epidemics who aren’t directly government-affiliated are saying. Their agenda is purely informing the public in the most constructive way possible, without politics getting in the way.

Two key points- COVID-19 can have a long incubation period (the time from when you catch the virus to when you start showing symptoms) and most people don’t get severe symptoms. Some are entirely asymptomatic, but most people get typical flu-like symptoms. Specifically, the early symptoms to watch out for are a fever and dry cough (meaning, a stuffy nose is probably just a regular cold). Its possible but unlikely to transmit the virus while asymptomatic, most transmission happens when you have heavier symptoms.

The most vulnerable people are the elderly (~ over 60) and those with preexisting health conditions (i.e. cardiovascular disease, respiratory condition, diabetes), or a simultaneous infection with something else (NOT kids in particular!) So far the mortality rate has been about 1-2% (compared to 0.1% for the general winter flu - yes, this really is worse). However, that might be an overestimate, both because people with mild cases aren’t getting tested (the denominator should be bigger), and because the early situation in Wuhan, where a lot of our numbers come from, was especially bad in regards to availability of healthcare.

This is an emotional, difficult situation. Don’t panic. The world didn’t end in 1918, and its not going to end now. But it is very serious, and we need to be thinking about it rationally, not pretending everything is just going to be okay, or uselessly pointing blame. Take care of your mental health, and check in with each other. Epidemics test our generosity and selflessness. Those qualities are needed right now, but don’t neglect yourself either.

What You Can Do Now

There is stuff everyone can do both to prevent yourself from getting infected, and to prepare if you do. ***The big picture to keep in mind is that the biggest risk of epidemics is that they overwhelm our system, especially our healthcare system. What I mean by this is that our society is built to deal with a certain volume of things happening at once- people buying groceries, getting sick, etc. If we suddenly all rush to do something, we overburden these systems and they won’t be there for the people who need them most. Therefore our goal is to slow down the spread of disease, buying time and lowering the overall burden on these systems. This is called “flattening the curve”. It looks like this, and I cannot stress how important this is.***

A very helpful thread on preparedness

Staying Healthy

Like similar viruses (think colds and flu), COVID-19 is mostly transmitted from person to person, usually by close contact but sometimes from an infected surface. More here.

Wash your hands. Everyone has heard this one- 20 seconds, soap all over your hands, wash the soap off. If you can’t wash your hands use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). But handwashing is absolutely better. Also- cough into your elbow/shoulder, not your hand, and avoid shaking hands- try elbow bumps or maybe a polite nod instead! If you’re handwashing so much that you’re hands are threatening to crack and bleed though, consider washing more strategically or using hand sanitizer instead.

In combination with hand-washing- stop touching your face, especially while out! This takes practice, everyone does it all the time without thinking. A good practice is to avoid touching your face while out, then wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you get home.

Similarly, avoid touching surfaces as much as possible! Particularly bad are door handles, elevator buttons, that kind of thing. The virus can probably (based on studies of related viruses) last a while on these. Regular gloves can help a bit. Use a tissue then throw it away, use your elbow, etc.

Do Not buy face masks! There’s mixed evidence on whether they’re at all helpful when used by the general public to prevent catching a virus, but actual medical professionals who need them are facing shortages (that’s probably part of why so many healthcare workers got sick in Wuhan), so our buying them up is really bad. The only times you should be wearing them is if you yourself are sick (they do help then!) or if you’re looking after a sick person. Seek instruction in that case in how to use them properly. (Thread on why buying those fancy masks is not good).

If COVID-19 is in your community, try to stay 6 feet from people, which basically means going places as little as possible. See below.

Planning Ahead

Its also a good idea to prepare in case you need to self-quarantine. Self-quarantine is necessary if you’ve potentially been exposed to COVID-19, or if you’re sick but not enough to need to go to the hospital. Follow local guidelines- if there’s lots of transmission in your area, nonessential workers will probably be advised to stay home as much as possible.

If you’re able, get medication now. Don’t go crazy and buy out the drug store, just a reasonable amount. Try to get at least a month’s worth of any prescription medications. This can be hard at least in the U.S. - your doctor may well be able to prescribe more, but insurance companies and drug stores can be terrible. I’ve found trying a different drugstore can sometimes help. Try your best. They may also be reluctant to prescribe more to avoid causing shortages. Idk what the right answer is here.

Don’t go crazy and buy out the store, but start getting a little extra shelf-stable or frozen food. Even some root vegetables that will last a few weeks. You want enough for 2 weeks in case of self-quarantine, but you do NOT want to empty out stores. Panic buying is definitely a stress on the system. Just add a few extra things each time you shop. Don’t forget about pets. You can always eat the food and replenish it over time.

Make a plan with your family/community. If someone gets sick or needs to self-quarantine, is there a corner of the house they can stay in? Who can take care of them? etc. I haven’t focused on plans for schools/religious communities/workplaces etc but those are very important too! This is one place where keeping an eye on local and national news is important. In the U.S., for example, school systems are planning ways to make food available to kids if they’re not going to school.

If COVID-19 is starting to spread in your community, think about how else you can be a good community member. Cancelling nonessential doctor’s appointments, surgeries etc may be very important, for example. If schools are closed, can you help out neighbors with childcare? Do you have a cleaner who may need to be payed in advance if there’s a quarantine?

If You Might Be Sick/Need to Quarantine

See likely symptoms above. Remember, normal colds still exist, and if you go to the doctor for every one of those you will overwhelm the system.

Don’t just go to a hospital! Call ahead to your doctor/clinic/hospital and get instructions on what to do. Getting healthcare workers sick is something we really want to avoid. That said, DO get tested as soon as possible, and act as if you are contagious. The health coverage situation is the U.S. is not yet clear (and ofc its not something the current admin is eager to clarify). Hopefully testing will be covered financially by the government, but I can’t promise that at this time.

In the meantime, stay home and quarantined if you show any symptoms of illness if you possibly, possibly can. This is especially difficult in the U.S. if you don’t have sick leave/childcare, but please. Do your utmost.

Look after yourself. Skype/google hangouts/etc is great for keeping connected. Have some chocolate/chicken broth/other sick foods ready.

The Big Picture

Coronavirus/COVID-19 has not been declared a pandemic yet, but it probably will be before long. This is almost certainly going to get worse before it gets better. We don’t yet know if warmer weather will slow its spread, and a vaccine will probably take about 1-1.5 years to be developed and tested. As I mentioned before, the best thing we can do to keep the world working, minimize mortality, etc is to slow the spread as much as we can, and minimize the strain on the system. Hospitals are going to be overwhelmed. There aren’t infinite unoccupied beds or ventilators, or people to operate them, and supply chains could get disrupted. Thinking about these things is scary, and it will take time to adjust to what’s happening. Start that process now, and help everyone you know reach the point where they’re able to act, not panic. Another reassuring thing- if we slow the spread of COVID-19, in addition to fewer total people getting sick, you will soon have people who are recovered and almost certainly immune. These people will be invaluable as helpers in their communities.

Now that the practical stuff is out of the way, I want to say from a U.S. perspective that yes, our lack of social welfare other countries take for granted is going to hurt us. Lack of access to childcare, no guaranteed paid sick leave, and of course expensive healthcare are massive problems that will make it much harder to limit disease transmission. Help each other in any way you can, and vote for candidates that support implementing these policies! And of course, watch out for propaganda of all kinds, whether its using the virus as an excuse for racism, calls to delay elections, etc. So far my biggest concern is a lack of willingness to admit how serious this is, but we can do this. Lets put extra pressure on politicians to be honest and change policies to actually help people. But, yes, lets also stay united. We need each other now (just, you know, 6 feet apart).

A few sources

In general, the Guardian is a great, free, reliable source of news. In the U.S., NPR (website as well as radio) is another great source. The Washington Post and Seattle Times have made their coronavirus-related coverage open access, not sure about other national newspapers.

twitter thread from World Health Organization (WHO)

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 homepage (not being updated in some ways it should be, like total # of tests)

A reality check from some non-Governmental experts (basically, what governments don’t want to say yet, which is that this virus is going to spread, and the goal now is to infect as few people as possible, as slowly as possible. Read this.)

Why you should act now, not when things get bad in your area (we’re always operating on outdated information)

If you want the latest technical info, The Lancet (major medical journal group) has all of their content compiled here, open access.

I can do my best to answer questions (i.e. ask my dad) but those or other reliable, readily find-able sources should have you pretty well covered. Do let me know if anything on here is wrong or needs to be updated! Stay safe, stay positive, we can do this.

[foreverlogical]

At one hospital in North Dakota, nurses are being forced to test patients for the deadly coronavirus with only a surgical mask. And across the state, scores of nurses are working several overnight shifts in a row, scared to speak up as North Dakota grapples with a rapid coronavirus spike that’s left hospitals facing a dangerous shortage of beds.On Monday, state officials announced a seemingly counterproductive band-aid to combat the tidal wave of cases that have overwhelmed the mostly rural hospital system: COVID-19 positive nurses and other health-care workers can come to work.Now nurses are mad as hell.“Nurses are very highly trusted in our community, and if we are saying we can go back to work after testing positive, how do we expect the public to take this pandemic seriously?” Tessa Johnson, president of the North Dakota Nurses Association, told The Daily Beast.“I have heard that from a lot of people that they are at their breaking point. I think we are going to lose nurses from this. It has affected everyone in a different way,” she added.A Montana County Is So Swamped by COVID They’ve Run Out of Teachers, Hospital BedsBut while several North Dakota nurses told The Daily Beast they are “terrified” of the virus, they insist they’ll still show up for their increasingly dangerous jobs because “that’s what nurses do.”“Nurses don’t feel safe. They don’t feel like they have adequate PPE and everyone is concerned about short staffing and they don’t feel supported by state leadership,” Johnson, who is also the executive director at a senior long-term care facility, said. “But they are going to continue to go to work and put themselves at risk because that’s just what nurses do—even if they are hanging by a thread.”As of Monday, North Dakota medical professionals with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases can continue to work in COVID-19 units at hospitals and nursing homes. It’s one of several steps taken by hospitals and officials as part of their “surge plans” to curtail the virus that has moved the entire state into the “high-risk” category.“This applies only to COVID-positive health-care workers who do not have symptoms, and they are allowed only to work COVID units around patients who already have the virus,” North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Monday.The move, Burgum insisted, aligns with CDC guidelines that allow asymptomatic medical personnel to work during severe staff shortages.These changes come even as elected leaders in North Dakota—which, according to one survey, has the lowest rate of residents using face coverings in the country—repeatedly refuse to institute a mask mandate or any other forceful COVID-19 mitigation plan.One North Dakota nurse, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of professional retribution, said the state’s unprecedented step to allow those with the virus to treat patients “is short-sighted at best—and completely detrimental at worst.”“We need state officials to take decisive, hard-line decisions to combat this virus or else our hospital system is completely going to collapse,” the nurse said, adding that she has several colleagues and friends who have had the virus. “Allowing health care workers with the disease to treat patients with the same disease is not going to help anything. It only makes the problem worse.”‘Overwhelmed and Terrified’: Las Vegas’ Reopening Backfires TerriblyAnother nurse, who works in Bismarck, told The Daily Beast that she doesn’t know how much longer she is willing to put herself and her family in danger for a state that doesn’t seem to “have her back anymore.”Johnson pointed out that COVID-positive nurses won’t be isolated with virus patients and could spread the deadly virus to their colleagues in “bathrooms and dining rooms and break rooms and elevators.”Not only is it “unrealistic” to contain a “highly contagious” virus to specific hospital wings, she said, but the new measure “is only going to make things worse” because it will add to nurses’ stress and prevent them from getting rest in areas of the hospital “where they should feel safe.”As the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the Midwest, North and South Dakota currently have the nation’s worst rate of deaths per capita. And while the coronavirus is spiking at an uncontrolled rate in dozens of states across the country, North Dakota’s daily average for new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths put the state at the top, according to ProPublica.The North Dakota Department of Health on Thursday reported 1,801 new cases in the state, bringing the total to 59,173, with a positivity rate of about 18.7 percent. Last week, the state had 171 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, the highest per capita rate in the country, according to the CDC.Officials also revealed 11 people died from the virus on Thursday, bringing the state’s death toll to 697. The dead include David Andahl, a North Dakota Republican state legislative candidate who passed away in October—but still ended up winning his seat.Health experts are concerned about the trajectory of the state of 762,062 Americans, especially as neighboring states experience similar surges.Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who specializes in infectious diseases, believes North Dakota’s virus trajectory officially puts it in “crisis.”Dozens of Nurses Have Died of COVID-19. The Rest Are Still Forced to Reuse Masks.“This state does not have a lot of medical resources, meaning it has a low threshold to be overwhelmed if something goes awry,” Adalja told The Daily Beast, adding that the state’s surge “is a lesson for what happens for when you don’t plan for cases.”On Wednesday, the health department revealed that some residents have tested positive for COVID-19 multiple times, and officials said they’ve launched an investigation to determine whether those cases are, in fact, reinfections.“Our cases are people who have tested positive twice, developed symptoms a second time, most with more than 90 days in between positive results,” a health department spokesperson told The Forum.Adalja, however, insists North Dakota’s decision to allow health-care staff to continue to work with “acute infections” is more “a sign of the times” than a dangerous decision that could lead to re-infections.“Re-infection is something that is very rare. These medical personnel are acute cases working with patients that are already infected,” Adalja said. “That being said, it will get worse in North Dakota before it gets better.”Gov. Burgum has moved every county in the state to a “high-risk” level, signified by the color orange. The level, one step below shutdown measures never used in the state, limits all bars and event venues to 25 percent capacity. On Monday, Burgum outlined several other initiatives to stem the crisis, including hiring EMTs and paramedics to run testing sites.“Our hospitals are under enormous pressure now,” Burgum added. “We can see the future two, three weeks out, and we know that we have severe constraints.”Nurses Have Been Complaining for Weeks About Inadequate PPE. Now They’re Suing.Sanford Health, one of the state’s largest health-care systems, also announced Thursday it will be sending hospital patients to a nearby nursing home in Fargo to recover in an attempt to free up hospital space. According to The Forum, the nursing home is opening a wing that will provide 24 additional beds for a hospital system that is already at “very high capacity.”The North Dakota Nurses Association has blasted state leadership for allowing COVID-positive medical workers to keep working. In a Wednesday night statement, they said that it should be a health-care workers’ choice to stay on the job while COVID-positive—rather than their employers.“If a nurse believes they are not well enough to provide safe patient care and chooses not to work under these circumstances, employers should not retaliate against the nurse for making this decision,” the statement read, adding that the state should be pressing COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, like mandating mask-wearing and social distance.The North Dakota Emergency Nurses Association on Wednesday night also released a statement against the new policy, urging lawmakers to institute a statewide mask mandate and other CDC mitigation guidelines before resorting to a “crisis strategy.” Johnson said nurses are already putting themselves on the line for their patients daily.“They are probably positive health-care workers who haven’t been tested,” Johnson said. “Everyone is already putting themselves at risk for this virus. We’re preparing for a very, very dark week to eight weeks unless a drastic change happens.”Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

VISIT WEBSITE

[lonelypond]

AU YEAH AUGUST: Café Quarantine, Part IV

Love Live, NicoMaki, 4.4K, 4/5

Summary: Nico's feeling better and the quarantine is about to end, but will the Café continue?

Chapter IV

Maki paused in the door of the kitchen. A masked Nico was prepping what looked like lasagna. Maki grinned. Nico had started objecting to takeout, insisting she could make better, healthier food.

“How were the donuts?” Nico asked, aware of Maki even turned away.

“Perfect.”

Nico snorted.

“Hey Nico.” Maki had woken up with an idea.

“Mmmm hmmm.” Nico hummed as she spread another layer of sauce.

“Why don’t you have your Mom bring your siblings over?”

Nico spun, sauce spilling across the counter.

“I mean, you can use the media room. I’ve got controllers enough for everybody to play MarioKart or something. I bet they miss you a lot. You shouldn’t be contagious.”

“You want to be beat at MarioKart by more people?” Nico aimed the spoon at Maki and flicked her wrist.

“Ha! You beat me once.” Then Maki shrugged, “I’d stay out of the way. I might still be asymptomatic.”

“Maki will be fine.” Nico said fiercely, surprising Maki.

“Probably.” Maki agreed, “Anyway, ask your Mom. She doesn’t work on the weekends, right? It’ll give them something to be excited about.” Maki zoomed off, while Nico was still processing the offer.

###

“No!!!” Maki roared at her phone while Hanayo’s not in any way innocent suggestion blinked there. It was time to pick another theme after three days of “Dames.” And Hanayo, probably with Rin giggling in the background had just sent a group text with the word “Kiss.” Sure Maki might have thought it to herself, maybe imagined singing “Prelude to A Kiss” or “Give Me A Kiss To Build A Dream One” but her private conversations in her own head were private, never to be shared or discussed in the same house as Nico.

No, no, no...this had to be stopped before Nico agreed. She typed quickly.

M: I thought Nico’s friend was going to dance. So wouldn’t dance be good? “

M: Or weather, I’ve been wanting to play “A Foggy Day in Londontown.”

N: Dance is good.

H: ಠ╭╮ಠ

Maki got a non group text from Rin.

R: Chicken.

M: This isn’t helping me, Rin.

R: (*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

R: (っ˘зʕ•̫͡•ʔ

Maki stormed out of her own bedroom, hoping to avoid Nico, slamming the music room door, and settling down to play. Time to Beethoven the annoyance at nudge-y friends out of her system.

###

The Yaazawas were in the house. Maki had decided to stay upstairs, listening to music in her room, but the need for a snack and something to do drew her out. She was positive that the extra games she’d downloaded would keep them occupied all afternoon.

A quick cold slice of pizza for refueling and Maki decided to sneak past the media room to the music room. There were yells and laughter and Nico trash talking. She sounded happier than she had since the quarantine started. Soon, maybe tomorrow, she’d go back to her place. Maki moved away from the door quickly before anyone noticed her, but it wasn’t quickly enough.

“DR. MAKI!!!!!” A voice Maki didn’t recognize screamed and a small weight slammed into her before she reached the sanctuary of the music room. “You saved Nico. You’re the best doctor.”

Maki froze and looked down. She’d seen pictures of Nico’s siblings. This was the middle one, a girl, Cocoa. Nico said she was constantly in motion. Maki believed that because as light as Cocoa was, she’d started dragging Maki back down the hall, “C’mon, Nico says you love MarioKart. Play with me. Cocoro only wants to play dancing games.” Cocoa let go and looked up at Maki eagerly. Did Nico look like that when she was a preteen, she definitely still had that much energy now.

Maki stepped back, “I can’t. I still have a couple days before I can hang out with people.”

“Nico said you’re probably fine.” Cocoa kept bouncing.

“I don’t want to take any risks?”

Cocoa’s expression turned serious, “Are your parents making you? Nico said they were really serious about quarantining.”

Did Nico tell her siblings everything? What had she said about Maki? Maybe Maki should have lingered in the hall and eavesdropped.

“I have to go. Go have fun with Nico.”

Nico’s voice saved her, “C’mon Cocoa. Nico approves of Maki being extra careful. We’ll come back sometime when she’s not quarantining, right, Maki?”

“Sure. Any time.” Maki wondered what games Nico’s little brother was enjoying and if Nico was really into dance games and had never mentioned it. Rin and Hanayo could come over sometime and…

“Have fun.” Maki headed for the back door, thinking about too many things for music..

“Thanks, Dr. Maki!” Cocoa waved, Maki nodded.

###

No moon yet. Maybe Maki would stay out here until dark. Nico’s mom would be taking the littler ones home soon and then Nico would probably nap and then there was Café Quarantine. Dance. Hanayo had finally agreed to the dance theme and Maki had practiced “One Note Samba” late last night. Nico would be singing “I Won’t Dance” while Maki played. Maki was not in a duet mood. Not really in a music mood, but…

Nico’s voice again, “Are you all right?”

Maki shrugged.

“Nico made you masks with music notes. They’re in the laundry.”

“Thanks.” Maki closed her eyes, refusing to look at Nico, hands behind her head, “Can you get Cocoro and Cocoa to stop calling me Dr. Maki. I didn’t save you.”

“So it’s all right if Cotaro does?”

Maki ignored that. She heard Nico sit in the chair to her left, “Nico is really grateful. All the pizza delivery saved Nico cooking. And the acoustics here.” Nico whistled.

“It was the right thing to do.”

“Nico feels special.” A nip of sarcasm, Maki grinned.

“When are you leaving?”

“Nico is going to make sure Maki is well.”

“I’ll be fine. You don’t have to stay for me.”

“You’ll have to swing by Nico’s apartment. We can do a Café Quarantine from there, but Nico doesn’t have a piano. I could borrow a keyboard. We could set up a little corner, it won’t be as fancy as your house, but people will…”

“This isn’t my house.”

Silence.

Nico was great at reading a room, at sensing what her audience, whether a customer or a drinking, dancing crowd wanted to hear, wanted to share. But not this one single person. Not Maki. If her knowledge of Maki was a mansion, Nico had only spent time on the ground floor and Maki had fled to the roof or the yard, having conversations with the stars in long silences that Nico watched from a distance. Nico knew there was a key, a way to understand Maki, but right now, her only guess was more time and Maki relaxing enough to trust her. So Nico went back to practical. And the thing they’d had in common at the first.

“Nico will almost be glad to get back to the coffee shop. Nico hasn’t slept this many hours since she was a baby, a very cute baby, but it’ll be nice to have…”

“I’m glad for you.” Maki tried not to snap, then opened her eyes, Nico was watching, almost too near, her expression curious, worried. Questions Maki didn’t want to hear gathered. Maki stood, “The samba needs more work. I’m glad your family’s having fun.”

“Maki?” Nico sounded hurt at Maki’s rush to leave. Maki wondered how she’d feel when Maki stopped showing up at the coffee shop. Would it be a relief? An answer Maki didn’t want right now. Scowling as a puzzled Nico stared, Maki didn’t acknowledge the invitation to talk, instead she fled upstairs, crushed a pillow to her chest, and buried tears before anyone could hear them.

###

Maki had lost the argument. Nico was back in the music room, in a tight, tight so so short little black dress that was going to interfere with Maki’s ability to read music if she glanced Nico’s way at all. And Maki suspected Nico knew that, from the teasing, take no prisoners twinkle in the ruby cannons. Which led to their first disagreement, Nico finding Maki’s trousers and open lilac linen shirt not nearly dressy enough.

“How does it look when the pianist doesn’t meet the dress code?” Nico pouted.

“There are no customers, Nico. We’re not sticking people in ties when they show up at the door. It’s just us.”

“And the camera. And the principle. Nico runs a classy place.” Nico spun, she was still wearing her mask, “Didn’t you say you enjoyed Hanayo harassing you. Well, now that I’m feeling better, you get in person service.”

“I didn’t ask for” Maki sneered, “In person service.”

“Nico knows what people want.”

“I want comfort.” Maki rolled up her sleeves. “It’s been a long day.”

“And you weren’t chasing kids around, which is tiring, if you didn’t know, so give Nico a break. And a perq,”

“A perq?”

“Nico is eye candy.” Nico waved her hands, showcasing her very well put together aesthetic, Maki completely caught by the curve of a calf. “Where’s Nico’s treat?”

Maki sat at the piano and the opening notes of “I Won’t Dance” filled the room.

“All right, that is a treat. And Nico appreciates it. But why don’t you match the music.”

Maki set her jaw, pivoted so she was facing Nico, who was now taller than her, which was very weird when you’re used to towering over the tiny tempest and now this set of stellar, torn from distant galaxies gems was dangerously close for the molten lava temps they were throwing off, “So I have to pretty up to be appreciated?”

Nico’s mouth opened and closed, like chewing gum was happening instead of speaking, and then a flood of charm and apology rushed Maki as Nico’s hands seemingly tried to sculpt the gown she wanted Maki to wear in the air between them. “Nico didn’t mean that at all. Maki’s doing Nico so many favors and you’ve had so much fun dressing up, Nico can tell, Maki’s so classy, surely there’s a little black dress in your closet…

Maki raised a hand, “That is a lovely dress.” She fidgeted with her collar. “I may, just may, be slightly underdressed so I’ll see what I can find.”

“Ooohh, Nico can help.”

“No.”

Nico sat on the piano bench, wondering if Maki was going to go for a gown or a cocktail dress. Most of Maki’s gowns were off the shoulder, so that would definitely be...Nico sighed, pointless fantasies unless Nico spoke up. Obviously, Maki was losing interest in the audience she had here.

Maki came back with a tuxedo jacket and a fedora, her smirk daring Nico to say something. Nico pulled a rose out of the floral arrangement in the hallway and handed it to Maki, who blushed so adorably Nico wanted to kiss the tip of her nose.

And then without any more talk, the evening’s Café started.

This is just a little samba built upon a single note Other notes are bound to follow but the root is still that note Now this new one is the consequence of the one we've just been through As I'm bound to be the unavoidable consequence of you

Nico was singing, showing surprising verve and vigor in the quick steps of her dance as she swayed into "the unavoidable consequence of you” That summed up Nico nicely, Maki thought. The Brazilian songs seemed to suit her, maybe that was why Maki kept coming back to them. Lively, vibrant, 24/7, a bossa nova beauty of complex harmonies twisting through an irresistible rhythm that was beginning to be the constant, too rapid default beating of Maki’s heart. “Estou com saudades de você” the Brazilians said. “I miss you soon” Maki thought, an inexact translation, but one that carried the feeling of the ease with Nico that she’d barely had and the loss of proximity that would derail any chance their connection would grow.

Nico came up behind Maki, the sudden proximity a fever of its own, and Maki felt fingers stroke through her hair, stealing her fedora, and then quicksilver Nico was back at the camera, for her audience. It was growing every night, Nico’s recovery spiking viral likes and comments. Hanayo was about to start selling branded masks and fuzzy socks.

Nico said something, then the camera was off, and Nico’s complete attention was on Maki. So Maki ducked, taking cover in the samba again, singing

There's so many people who can talk And talk and talk and just say nothing Or nearly nothing I have used up all the scale I know And at the end I've come to nothing Or, nearly nothing

Nico laughed, “The unavoidable consequence of Nico, huh?”

Maki grinned, “I didn’t say it.”

“No.” Nico was behind Maki, her hands sliding down Maki’s jacket, playing a quick, almost right chord as she softly sang in Maki’s ear.

So, I come back to my first note as I must come back to you I will pour into that one note all the love I feel for you Any one who wants the whole Show-Re-Mi Fa-So-La-Ti-Do He will find himself with no show Better play the note you know

Maki in a daring move, slid her hands under Nico’s and played the finish.

Now was the time, “I’m quitting the coffee shop, Nico.”

Nico risked a quick, loose hug, “Yeah, your parents probably would not like you being that exposed. You’ll be in Princess in a Tower mode.”

“I’m an adult, Nico.” Maki could have cried for the wavery betrayal of her voice, “I’m going to turn 21.”

“Don’t drink your way through Chicago. Trust Nico.” Nico stepped back.

“Why? What did you do?” Maki spun to face Nico.

“You’re still too young for that story...when’s your birthday? Nico will bake you a cake.”

“Next week”

“What’s your favorite flavor. Besides pizza.”

Maki shrugged.

“What are you going to do when you’re not working? Coronavirus kinda closed colleges. Did you pick a major?” Nico had settled into the farthest corner of the couch. Maki took a quick look, but the legs were too distracting, and Nico’s exquisite profile looked even sharper with the weight of serious thought shadowing perfect angles. Maki thought she might swoon.

“I have a plan.”

“Tell Nico.”

Maki shook her head, turning back to the piano as she blushed.

“C’mon tell Nico."

Maki began to play. A random song. Maki had been listening to the NYC Jazz Quartet and Vocalist Naski Young Cho. “Paris Match” had been looping. Maki could hear the lyrics in her head so she started singing.

As I tread the boulevard floor Will I see once more; Because you've clouded my mind 'Till then I'm biding my time I'm only sad in a natural way And I enjoy sometimes feeling this way The gift you gave is desire The match that started my fire Empty nights with nothing to do I sit and think, every thought is for you; I get so restless and bored So I go out once more; I hate to feel so confined I feel like I'm wasting my time

Maybe not so random a choice. Maki pushed back from the piano, shaking her head. Too many fever/fire/heat analogies. Good thing she wasn’t a painter or there would be rubies and lava and flames licking every wall she could put paint to. Instead, she put that excess in every note she had the energy to play and then hoped to collapse into dreamless sleep.

“What was the name of that song?” Nico’s voice was quiet.

“Paris Match.”

“That’s on the playlist with that NYC Jazz quartet Korean singer you’ve been listening to, what was her name?”

“Naski Young Cho.”

“Her style works for you?”

Nico wasn’t going to ask about the lyrics. General music questions were safe. Maki yawned, starting to relax. “She’s all right. Had to get used to her voice a little.”

“Did you have to get used to Nico’s?”

“No.”

A hand was suddenly gentle on Maki’s shoulder and Nico’s voice was stripped of all affectation, caring, honest, “You’re not wasting your time with music, Maki.”

Maki’s shrug was the smallest of gestures, but Nico’s hand squeezed gently in response. Another yawn.

“C’mon, Chopin, let’s get you to bed.”

“Satie.”

“The weird French guy? Okay, Ms. Surreal, tell Nico your melting clock dreams over breakfast.”

Not if they were anything like the last ones she remembered, Nico in a costume stolen from Cabaret or Chicago. Should anyone think about fishnets that fondly? Maki let Nico push her toward the stairs. When had she last actually slept for longer than a couple of hours? Maybe, giving in to the weariness closing her eyes, would reset her mood. A mood reset, to one less incendiary, was essential.

###

Maki was eating cereal, watching SheRa, and not thinking about Nico or anything. Chewing. Just chewing. She’d been ignoring Rin and parent texts all morning. Nico would probably be leaving soon and then it would be time for Maki to take that step. But right now, this was a pocket of time when she was living in a space where Nico’s voice could be heard and she was going to treasure every minute of that. Netossa...Maki grinned as the character teased and challenged her wife.

“Hey Maki!” Nico fell over the back of the couch, a controlled trajectory, startling Maki and causing her cereal bowl to spill onto the table. Nico dropped her head on Maki’s shoulders, eyes mischievous, “This is too much fun.”

Maki stood up, but Nico pulled her back down, leaning forward with a dish towel, “Nico came prepared.”

“Um...we shouldn’t be…” Maki started.

“Nico is fine. And chock full of antibodies so Maki couldn’t give it to me if you tried.”

“No one knows how it works, Nico.” Maki slid further down the cushion.

“No, but that’s a pretty good guess. Nico did research, talked to her doctor.”

“Papa told you…”

“Well, I didn’t ask your father if it was okay if I made his daughter jump off the couch, squealing, no, but we went over the basics.”

“Oh.”

Silence and then Nico sounding nervous, “Nico’s going to go back to her apartment tomorrow. If you come over, Nico will cook dinner and we can duet.”

Maki didn’t know what to say. Nico was leaving. No more nights like last night. Maki alone again. Nico off with her friends, her family, doing all the thousand things, without Maki, that Nico had done before this quarantine.

“Maki? Did you hear me?” Nico poked Maki’s shoulder, her expression comic hurt.

Maki shook her head, forcing herself to look more thoughtful than morose. “I can’t just put the piano in my pocket.”

“Eli has a keyboard we can borrow. Since dancing didn’t work out last night, we’ll try it when we’re all in one location.”

Maki fidgeted. “I’m not comfortable with…”

“Eli’s been careful. Nico has windows.”

Maki shut off the screen. “There’s so many variables. And no way to know if anyone’s been exposed.” Maki rubbed her forehead. “This was the easiest part, wasn’t it.”

Turns out Nico had a not smiley tone. “Not for Nico.”

“Sorry. I guess it got pretty rough”

“It was. Don’t catch it.”

“You seem so much better. I’m glad. ” Maki smiled, reaching for her bowl, put the dish towel in it, “I’m going to make coffee. Want some?”

“Sounds good. And then we have to decide on tonight’s songs.”

“I’m tired of themes.” Maki announced as she left the room.

“Well, then talk to your cute, pushy friend who texts Nico 100 times a day about them.”

“I think I lost her number.”

Nico snorted and hurried Maki down the hall.

##

“Are we moving Café Quarantine to Brazil” Nico sounded exasperated. “If you really want to play this “Desafinado” tune, Nico’s choice doesn’t really go. What’s the title mean?”

“Out of tune.” Maki completely concentrated on her piano, hoping Nico’s questions would end there. She didn’t really want a discussion of lyrics.

“Nico is not out of tune.”

“That’s not what…” Maki played several chords, “Anyway, I’m going to play the instrumental, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“But Nico wants to keep the mood,” Nico was flopped on her stomach on the couch, staring at Maki, “It’s a good mood. Nico likes it, but Nico knows Brazilian coffee not this…why are you in this mood?”

“Samba smooth...it makes me smile.” Maki stopped playing, staring at Nico. ”Might work really well for you too, the melody’s playful, simple, I’d be doing most of the work…”

“The accompanist underestimates the amount of personality Nico adds.”

Trust me I don’t, Maki thought, but she rolled her eyes at Nico

“There’s a few more I’ve been practicing...I could print out lyrics for you…” Maki paused, “It would be a challenge to learn it before tonight.”

“Not for Nico.”

Maki chuckled, “Give me 5 minutes.”

Nico flipped, laying on her back, “Then you’ll have to keep up with Nico. You’re used to Not Well Nico. Full speed Nico is going to knock you out.”

Maki could only hope for a soft landing.

###

Maki had played “Desafinado”, with Nico fidgeting and gleaming like she was up to something. As soon as Maki was finished, Nico was in front of the camera, applauding madly.

“Maki’s just the best, right. Nico’s been so lucky to have in house music like this while she was healing. Nico’s been spoiled.”

Maki watched suspiciously as Nico continued to bounce. They were supposed to go right into the duet but Maki got the feeling improvisation was about to happen.

“Mak’s obviously been missing coffee and Nico so she’s been playing all these bossa nova songs for her beautiful boss”

Maki snorted.

“But Nico’s about to head home,” Nico paused, “Don’t worry Café Quarantine will continue, Nico would miss it too much, and Nico doesn’t want anyone coughing like…” Nico’s energy dipped for a moment, then Nico recovered, “But we’re all going to take care of each other and be fine, Nico insists.”

“Can I start playing?” Maki drawled.

Nico turned and GLARED, “Nico is giving a pep talk.”

Eye roll.

“Maki’s nicer than she pretends.” Nico announced to the camera, “but you’ve been watching her play, you know that.”

“Nico.”

“Since our piano genius has been in a Rio mood, Nico recorded Maki playing this song and will now add words.”

The intro to "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" began and Nico sang with a gentle longing that surprised Maki, who would have loudly disagreed that Nico knew anything about quiet anything.

Quiet nights of quiet stars Quiet chords from my guitar Floating on the silence that surrounds us

Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams Quiet walks by quiet streams…

### Maki wanted to just sit and inhale the mood in the room after the last note, the quiet, calm, the connection, but of course, it didn’t last for long. “And now we have one more song for tonight.” With a wink and her soon to be patented not quite devil horns gesture, Nico tossed the audience back to Maki, which caused Maki to fumble for a minute. She’d been sitting, caught up in this rare glimpse of reserved Nico.

But now she had to focus, roll her shoulders down, dash into the first verse Someone to hold me tight That would be very nice Someone to love me right That would be very nice Someone to understand Each little dream in me Someone to take my hand And be a team with me

And then Nico joined in. So nice, life would be so nice If one day I'd find Someone who would take my hand And samba through life with me

And Maki dropped out, the rhythm making her think that perhaps she should be dancing with Nico rather than the piano. This song seemed to cry out for more responsiveness than resonance. Someone to cling to me Stay with me right or wrong Someone to sing to me Some little samba song Someone to take my heart And give her heart to me Someone who's ready to Give love a start with me Oh yeah, that would be so nice I could see you and me, that would be nice

What the hell Maki thought, stood up and offered her hand to Nico. So nice, life would be so nice If one day I'd find Someone who would take my hand And samba through life with me

Nico was a sure, steady dancer, obviously hearing the song in her head as she and Maki stepped quickly around the music room, laughing. Nico slowed down when they passed in front of the camera.

“I think we’re sambaing down to Rio. Good night!”And Nico stopped recording without really interrupting the flow of their dance.

“It’s too bad you didn’t listen to Nico’s ‘wear a bikini for the full Brazilian effect’ suggestion.” Nico smirked.

Maki started to stiffen, but just kept moving to the music in her head. She didn’t really need to answer Nico, did she?

“So can we start the ‘Kiss’ theme week tomorrow?” Nico had pulled Maki closer. “Both your pushy friends keep telling me it’s the only thing to do next.”

“Are they?”

Nico nodded.

“They are pushy.”

“But cute. And Nico doesn’t really mind.” A hesitation, Nico was glowing, Maki suddenly wanted a room full of candles and a pianist sensitive to the mood ready to slide easily into the next song. It was so easy with music, to build the mood, to know the next note, the next step, the next song. “Do you?”

Had Maki dropped out of the conversation again. “Do I what?”

“Mind if it’s Kiss?”

“You don’t mean the band, right? Hanayo’s a little too fond of metal for me. But Rin just headbangs along.”

Nico stopped. “You’re terrible at mood. How do you play the piano so well?”

Maki shrugged.

Nico almost threw up her arms, but Maki caught them and pulled Nico closer, “I don’t mind.”

No candles, no music, no warning, but Maki suddenly knew what was next. And Nico was just close enough, just looking up enough, deep banked embers glowing in her eyes just inviting enough. Maki blanked, and then Nico was a blurry warmth, close enough that Maki could feel the smoothness of a cheek, and Maki was going in for a second kiss before she even noticed the first.

A/N: There will be a brief epilogue.

And @auyeahaugust is almost finished. Thanks again for the inspiration. And now to get back to my fics in progress. 

[lesbianworlock]

Okay, please bear with me, because this is going to be a slightly flawed metaphor, due to the nature of the things i’m comparing, but I just fought with a man who didn’t want to wear a mask for silly reasons and this thought needs to escape my head immediately. 

Imagine it’s November 1986, you live in San Francisco, or LA or New York, or some other heavily populated US city, and you’re a gay man. Not a great time, but you don’t really care, you don’t see the issue with not wearing a condom to have sex, and you have sex with more than one person a month, you think wearing a condom really only protects you from the wearer and may not even stop you from contracting the virus from your partner, because you “don’t really know” if it’ll stop it. The surgeon general published a guide to preventing HIV the 22nd of last month that called for increased use of condoms, and both the surgeon general and the CDC have released statements saying it can’t be spread “casually”, but maybe the disease will spread to you anyway. So you don’t wear a condom. 

The issue is, HIV has a latency period, one that can last a while, and you contracted HIV from a partner a few weeks ago. Not everyone experiences flu like symptoms 2-3 weeks after contracting the virus, and you never do, so you continue having unprotected sex with people unaware that you have HIV, by the time a partner reaches out to inform you they were diagnosed to HIV you’ve already had it, you were positive when you had sex with them, you may have been who spread it to them. Within the time between your diagnosis and the time your disease became transmittable you have had unprotected sex with a number of people, and surely you have spread your HIV to them, because you thought wearing a condom would only protect YOU from others, and not others from you. 

That’s what people who refuse to wear masks sound like to me. They sound like people who are looking at the facts, who can see everything presented to them and see the small things they are being asked to do by their government, like wear a mask, to keep other people safe from them during a potential latency period or while they’re asymptomatic, and still contagious, and then still refuse to do it. Your mask does NOT protect ONLY you, it protects OTHERS FROM YOU as well, in the same way that wearing a condom during the aids crisis would. 

The differences between HIV and Corona, and the way the specific communities heavily impacted during the aids crisis compared to how the entire American populous is responding currently, are vast and make this metaphor a little loose around the edges. I don’t think a gay man in 1986 would be dumb enough to go around having unprotected sex like that. But i’m using this as my metaphor because I think when the things you’re being asked to do are so small, like wear a condom to have sex, or a mask when running to the store or gathering in groups, and you’re refusing to do it, you are putting every person you come into contact with at risk for no reason other than selfishness. 

The imaginary gay man I described put all of his sexual partners at risk and gave them a virus that will last for the rest of their life, will increase their risk of getting certain cancers and illnesses, and will likely kill them. In 1986 it’s more likely it’ll just kill them. Your racist aunt who refuses to wear her mask at small family gatherings like a cousins birthday party, or to go to the store, or to go out to eat, is putting every person she see’s at risk and may end up giving them a virus that will kill them. She has no way of knowing if she’s in a latency period, or is asymptomatic, especially when it is believed that people with mild to no symptoms are a key part of the spread of the virus currently. It’s selfish and cruel to risk putting everyone’s life in danger because you couldn’t cover up for a fifteen minute target run, or a two hour birthday party to give a 7 year old a sense of normalcy during a crisis they’re likely struggling to understand. We have no long term studies on what corona virus does to the body, we have no way of having those things. The virus is too new for that. Refusing to wear your mask is like taking a look at the long term effects of other aggressive viruses (like HIV and HPV) and making a choice for all of those around you that you are happy to have them possibly suffer real consequences for the rest of their life due to your negligent actions. 

Wear your fucking mask.

[cbk1000]

hellsbellschime Eugh, I mean it's likely that he had it before he got seriously ill so Mr. Jenn probably would have had to take precautions either way, but what a legitimate dickhead.

Yeah, he was probably contagious before he started having symptoms, but of course once you’re symptomatic you have a higher viral load and a higher chance of transmitting it to other people. And when you’re asymptomatic obviously you don’t know you have it, whereas if you’re having FUCKING SYMPTOMS you have to know there’s at least a chance that it is the fucking virus making the rounds right now. So to still come to work AND NOT WEAR A MASK is just fucking unfathomable to me. 

The worst part is that one of the guys at the office is super high risk; really overweight, diabetic, a cancer patient, etc. etc.: COVID was basically specifically engineered to kill this guy. And he has a lot more contact with this guy than Mr. Jenn does. So this guy came to the office sick, not wearing a mask, with the full knowledge that one of his co-workers is exactly the type of person most likely to die from COVID.

Any guess as to which presidential candidate all these people voted for?

kirythestitchwitch what a fuckin jerk ass! I'm sorry your Thanksgiving plans were ruined :( crossing my fingers for you both, and your parents! 🤞🏻

Thanks. I’m just so goddamn irritated. Typical humanity; you do your very best to be responsible and some jackass ruins it for you. Gonna’ see if I can talk Seamus into pissing in this guy’s shoe.

[jkottke]

You Probably Should Be Wearing a Face Mask if You Can

Have you been wearing a face mask when going out in public recently? There's been a lot of debate recently about whether they are effective in keeping people safe from COVID-19 infection, and it's been really challenging to find good information. After reading several things over the past few days, I have concluded that wearing a mask in public is a helpful step I can take to help keep myself and others safe. In particular, I found this extensive review of the medical and scientific literature on mask & respirator use helpful, including why research on mask efficacy is so hard to do and speculation on why the CDC and WHO generally don't recommend wearing them.

I was able to find one study like this outside of the health care setting. Some people with swine flu travelled on a plane from New York to China, and many fellow passengers got infected. Some researchers looked at whether passengers who wore masks throughout the flight stayed healthier. The answer was very much yes. They were able to track down 9 people who got sick on the flight and 32 who didn't. 0% of the sick passengers wore masks, compared to 47% of the healthy passengers. Another way to look at that is that 0% of mask-wearers got sick, but 35% of non-wearers did. This was a significant difference, and of obvious applicability to the current question.

See also this review of relevant scientific literature, this NY Times piece, this Washington Post opinion piece by Jeremy Howard (who is on a Twitter mission to get everyone to wear masks):

When historians tally up the many missteps policymakers have made in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the senseless and unscientific push for the general public to avoid wearing masks should be near the top.

The evidence not only fails to support the push, it also contradicts it. It can take a while for official recommendations to catch up with scientific thinking. In this case, such delays might be deadly and economically disastrous. It's time to make masks a key part of our fight to contain, then defeat, this pandemic. Masks effective at "flattening the curve" can be made at home with nothing more than a T-shirt and a pair of scissors. We should all wear masks -- store-bought or homemade -- whenever we're out in public.

At the height of the HIV crisis, authorities did not tell people to put away condoms. As fatalities from car crashes mounted, no one recommended avoiding seat belts. Yet in a global respiratory pandemic, people who should know better are discouraging Americans from using respiratory protection.

I have to admit that I have not been wearing a mask out in public -- I've been to the grocery store only three times in the past two weeks, I go at off-hours, and it's rural Vermont, so there's not actually that many people about (e.g. compared to Manhattan). But I'm going to start wearing one in crowded places (like the grocery store) because doing so could a) safeguard others against my possible infection (because asymptomatic people can still be contagious), b) make it less likely for me to get infected, and c) provide a visible signal to others in my community to normalize mask wearing. As we've seen in epidemic simulations, relatively small measures can have outsize effects in limiting later infections & deaths, and face masks, even if a tiny bit effective, can have a real impact.

Crucially, the available research and mask advocates stress the importance of wearing masks properly and responsibly. Here are some guidelines I compiled about responsible mask usage:

Don't buy masks (or use new masks you might have at home) while there is a shortage for healthcare workers, especially not N95 respirators (which are difficult to use properly anyway). Make a mask at home. Skiers & snowboarders, wear your buffs or ski masks. Donate any unused masks or respirators you may have to healthcare workers.

Make sure your mask fits properly -- limit any gaps between the mask and your face as much as you can. (Facial hair can limit mask effectiveness.)

While wearing your mask in public, don't fuss with it -- touching your face is bad, remember? Wear it at home for a few hours to get used to the sensation. Then when you're ready to go out, put it on properly and don't touch it again until you're back home (or in the car or whatever). Part of the point of the mask is for you to touch your face less.

Limit reuse of potentially contaminated masks. Discard or, if possible, wash or disinfect masks after public usage or at the end of the day.

Wearing a mask doesn't mean you can safely go do a bunch of things without fear of getting infected. The idea here is to protect yourself while engaging in necessary activities in public. Wearing a mask doesn't mean you can visit grandma safely or discard the six-feet-away rule.

Don't do anything stupid like spraying your mask with a household cleaner that contains bleach and put it on. Come on.

So that's what I've personally concluded from all my reading. I hope wearing masks can help keep us a little safer during all of this.

[scifigeneration]

How big will the coronavirus epidemic be? An epidemiologist updates his concerns

by Maciej F. Boni

A security guard wears gloves while holding a basketball during halftime of an NBA game in Houston on March 5, 2020. The NBA has told players to avoid high-fiving fans and to avoid taking any item for autographs. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

The Harvard historian Jill Lepore recounted recently in The New Yorker magazine that when democracies sink into crisis, the question “where are we going?” leaps to everyone’s mind, as if we were waiting for a weather forecast to tell us how healthy our democracy was going to be tomorrow. Quoting Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce, Lepore writes that “political problems are not external forces beyond our control; they are forces within our control. We need solely to make up our own minds and to act.”

And so it is with the coronavirus epidemic. How big will this epidemic be? How many people will it infect? How many Americans will die? The answers to these questions are not written in stone. They are partially within our control, assuming we are willing to take the responsibility to act with commitment, urgency and solidarity.

I am an epidemiologist with eight years of field experience, including time on the front lines of the isolation and quarantine efforts during the 2009 swine flu pandemic. One month ago, I was under the impression that the death reports due to COVID-19 circulation in China were giving us an unfair picture of its mortality rate. I wrote a piece saying that the death rate of an emerging disease always looks bad in the early stages of an outbreak, but is likely to drop once better data become available. After waiting for eight weeks, I am now worried that these new data – data indicating that the virus has a low fatality rate – may not arrive.

Young passengers wear masks on a high-speed train in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. At that time, it was hard to know how dangerous the virus would be. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Case fatality rate and infection fatality rate

By Jan. 31 2020, China had reported a total of 11,821 cases of COVID-19 and 259 deaths; that’s about a 2% case fatality rate. Two weeks later, the tally had risen to more than 50,000 cases and 1,524 deaths, corresponding to about 3% case fatality (the rise in the case fatality is expected as deaths always get counted later than cases). For an easily transmissible disease, a 2% or 3% fatality rate is extremely dangerous.

However, case fatality rates are computed using the officially reported numbers of 11,821 cases or 50,000 cases, which only include individuals who (a) experience symptoms; (b) decide that their symptoms are bad enough to merit a hospital visit; and (c) choose a hospital or clinic that is able to test and report cases of coronavirus.

Surely, there must have been hundreds of thousands cases, maybe a million cases, that had simply gone uncounted.

First, some definitions from Steven Riley at Imperial College. The infection fatality rate (IFR) gives the probability of dying for an infected person. The case fatality rate (CFR) gives the probability of dying for an infected person who is sick enough to report to a hospital or clinic. CFR is larger than IFR, because individuals who report to hospitals are typically more severely ill.

If China’s mid-February statistic of 1,524 deaths had occurred from 1 million infections of COVID-19 (counting all symptomatic and asymptomatic infections), this would mean that the virus had an infection fatality rate of 0.15%, about three times higher than seasonal influenza virus; this is a concern but not a crisis.

The IFR is much more difficult to estimate than the CFR. The reason is that it is hard to count people who are mildly ill or who show no symptoms at all. If you are able to count and test everybody – for example, on a cruise ship, or in a small community – then you may be able to paint a picture of what fraction of infections are asymptomatic, mild, symptomatic and severe.

Scientists working at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and the Institute for Disease Modeling have used these approaches to estimate the infection fatality rate. Currently, these estimates range from 0.5% to 0.94% indicating that COVID-19 is about 10 to 20 times as deadly as seasonal influenza. Evidence coming in from genomics and large-scale testing of fevers is consistent with these conclusions. The only potentially good news is that the epidemic in Korea may ultimately show a lower CFR than the epidemic in China.

A quarantined cruise ship in Japan at the Yokohama Port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Feb. 9, 2020. Cruise and airline bookings are down as a result of the coronavirus. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Impact of the epidemic in the US

Now that new COVID-19 cases are being detected in the U.S. every day, it is too late to stop the initial wave of infections. The epidemic is likely to spread across the U.S. The virus appears to be about as contagious as influenza. But this comparison is difficult to make since we have no immunity to the new coronavirus.

On balance, it is reasonable to guess that COVID-19 will infect as many Americans over the next year as influenza does in a typical winter – somewhere between 25 million and 115 million. Maybe a bit more if the virus turns out to be more contagious than we thought. Maybe a bit less if we put restrictions in place that minimize our travel and our social and professional contacts.

The bad news is, of course, that these infection numbers translate to 350,000 to 660,000 people dying in the U.S., with an uncertainty range that goes from 50,000 deaths to 5 million deaths. The good news is that this is not a weather forecast. The size of the epidemic, i.e., the total number of infections, is something we can reduce if we decrease our contact patterns and improve our hygiene. If the total number of infections decreases, the total number of deaths will also decrease.

What science cannot tell us right now is exactly which measures will be most effective at slowing down the epidemic and reducing its impact. If I stop shaking hands, will that cut my probability of infection by a half? A third? Nobody knows. If I work from home two days a week, will this reduce my probability of infection by 40%? Maybe. But we don’t even know the answer to that.

What we should prepare for now is reducing our exposures – i.e., our chances of coming into contact with infected people or infected surfaces – any way that we can. For some people this will mean staying home more. For others it will mean adopting more stringent hygiene practices. An extreme version of this exposure reduction – including mandatory quarantine, rapid diagnosis and isolation, and closing of workplaces and schools – seems to have worked in Hubei province in China, where the epidemic spread appears to have slowed down.

For now, Americans need to prepare themselves that the next 12 months are going to look very different. Vacations may have to be canceled. Social interactions will look different. And risk management is something we’re going to have to think about every morning when we wake up. The coronavirus epidemic is not going to extinguish itself. It is not in another country. It is not just the cold and flu. And it is not going away.

About The Author:

Maciej F. Boni is Associate Professor of Biology, Pennsylvania State University

This article is republished from our content partners over at The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

[diaryofaclinicalscientist-blog]

Couldn’t sleep, wrote a thing

22/03/2020

I’m writing a diary about what’s happening because I want to get it out of my head...Maybe getting the thoughts down on paper will help with that. Let’s start with who I am and what I do.

I’m 27 and I am a clinical scientist working in a private lab in a private hospital in Queensland. I’ve done a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, and a master’s degree. I’ve been in the medical workforce since mid 2014.

This year, the world is dealing with a very contagious, very dangerous respiratory virus (COVID-19) that’s spreading globally at a frankly terrifying rate. Everywhere you look, from the news, to social media, to any sort of communication with friends or loved ones, people are talking about the virus. People are scared. In my hometown, people have been panic-buying and hoarding supplies and food over these last few weeks. It’s been pretty bad - there was a mass panic buying up toilet paper, of all things. Now, we’re having a difficult time finding hand soap, any kind of alcohol sanitizer, gloves, masks...My wife and I didn’t run out and buy stuff, and now I’m worried that maybe we should have.

At work, we’ve got half a box of surgical face masks and a handful of gowns. No eye protection to speak of, which is worrying as it can spread through contact with your eyes too. The last few weeks we’ve been talking about what our response was going to be to this thing - we’re a small private lab and our work is, for the most part, a non-essential medical service. Should we shut down completely? Do we see only urgent patients? How do we screen them? Up until now, we’ve been asking patients if they’ve been travelling overseas in the last month, or if they have any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who’s in quarantine. Those questions aren’t enough anymore. The virus is in the local population, and it’s spreading. People are asymptomatic for around 14 days, but still contagious. I might even have it as I write this, and I wouldn’t even know.

I’m worried about losing my job. If we have to shut down for an extended time with things as they are now, they won’t be able to keep the place viable for long at all. We don’t make a huge amount of money, and I understand that my bosses would need to shut down. I’m not angry about that, I’m just scared. We have a mortgage, and I would like to come out the other side of this with my house. More importantly, I’d like to come out of this with my health, and my family’s health. My wife is at even more risk than I am, working in a public hospital department that can’t exactly close. They’re going to get quieter, but they’re an essential service. Eventually, the hospital is going to run out of PPE and they’re going to ask her to test patients without adequate protection. I don’t want her to say yes because she’s the only one still earning money. Her health isn’t worth that. She’s smart, and I think she knows that but I also know how much pressure would be on her if we lost my income and I don’t want her to sacrifice her well being for that.

We’re both being very cautious about hygiene and going so far as to even wipe down everything we buy from the shops with disinfectant before putting it away. Both of us see patients who are very much at risk through all this, and if we spread it to our work, people will die. I don’t want that to happen. We’ve made sure we have enough food to last us two weeks if one of us does get exposed. We don’t have a ridiculous surplus by any means, but we have enough to survive. We’ve also decided to wear masks whenever we leave the house for groceries and the like. Of course, like the majority of people here we don’t have any proper masks because the greedy few have exhausted supplies. We asked my mum to make us some out of cotton, which is only about 50% as effective as a proper surgical mask but it’s something. It won’t stop us from contracting the disease, but it will make sure we stop spreading it around. I feel completely powerless in this crisis, but I can at least make sure that the chain of infection stops with me.

I’m worried about the rest of my family, too: my parents are old enough to be in the “at risk” category. I’ve been trying to tell them what I learn from the doctors at work and different medical sources, but I feel like I’m being dismissed. I keep getting told “well, all we can do is be sensible and pray”. I don’t think they’re taking it as seriously as they should, and I’m scared for them. My sisters both have kids in school, and they’ve not yet taken them out of school. I’ve tried to tell them both that the schools are a fantastic way to invite this thing into their homes via their kids being asymptomatic carriers, but they tell me that the people in charge wouldn’t be making the decision to keep the schools open if it wasn’t the right thing to do.

That’s the biggest issue I have with this - how our government is handling it. Virtually every country a few steps ahead of ours has closed its schools and declared lock downs, but rather than see the writing on the wall and take the proactive steps to get ahead of the spread and save lives, they’ve elected to keep schools running and tell people to wash their hands and just keep their distance from each other. The health minister literally said tonight that young people had to be careful as they could be carriers of the virus, and that social distancing is paramount in our response to this. His very next sentence was that he was recommending schools to stay open. How can anyone take this seriously, when clearly it’s life as normal for kids? How is that fair to the teachers, who’re being treated as a free medical quarantine?

I understand that there’s economic considerations that go way over my head, but if it gets as bad here as it is in China and Italy then the economy won’t be standing anyway. Tonight, they announced the decision to close entertainment venues and force all restaurants and cafes to take-away only. They’ve made only reactive decisions in a time when proactive leadership will save lives.

My wife is worried about her grandmother. She lost her other grandmother just recently, and we made the very difficult decision not to fly interstate for the funeral as risk of infection was rising and it wasn’t smart for us to expose ourselves to anything we didn’t absolutely have to. Now, she faces the very harsh reality that she may never get to see her sole living grandparent again. She’s not the only one - I know that in Italy right now people, especially elderly people, are dying in hospitals alone with no family allowed in to see them. They will be cremated with the thousands of other victims, and will get no funeral. Their families will have no chance to say goodbye. It’s going to get that bad here, if something isn’t done.

Tomorrow morning, I find out if my work will continue. Part of me hopes that if anything, it’ll be a very reduced capacity and that our patients stay safe at home. Another part of me worries that it won’t continue. There are talks about an “all hands on deck” approach where they’ll put the call out to anyone with any medical background to help in any way they can. If I get laid off, I’d love nothing more than to hunker down at home safe and isolated and ride this out. What I’m scared of is being asked to help, to get back out there, to do more. I’m scared because I know I’ll say yes. If I have the ability to help, I have the responsibility to help.

[toshootforthestars]

A damning read. (A long read too, audio available at the link.)

(but BE CAREFUL with reports from the New Yorker)

From the report by Charles Duhigg, posted 26 Apr 2020:

When the coronavirus pandemic started, E.I.S. alumni (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operates a fellowship program known as the Epidemic Intelligence Service) began working non-stop, with some setting up cots inside their offices. While the virus remained overseas, the C.D.C. led communications, scrupulously following E.I.S. protocols. But soon after the coronavirus landed on American shores the White House took over. E.I.S. officers were dismayed to see the communication principles that the C.D.C. had honed over the years being disregarded, and sometimes turned on their head. A Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice-President Mike Pence, was formed, excluding everyone from the C.D.C. except its director, Dr. Robert Redfield. “The C.D.C. was ordered into lockdown,” a former senior official at the agency told me. “They can’t speak to the media. These are people who have trained their entire lives for epidemics—the finest public-health army in history—and they’ve been told to shut up!”

Since then, the primary spokesperson during the pandemic has been not a scientist but President Donald Trump—a politician notoriously hostile to science. Further complicating matters, Trump has highlighted a rotating cast of supporting characters, including Pence; Dr. Anthony Fauci, from the National Institutes of Health; Dr. Deborah Birx, from the State Department; and the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. “When there are so many different figures, it can cause real confusion about whom to listen to, or who’s in charge of what,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, the director of the Center for Health Security, at Johns Hopkins, said. “And, if the response becomes political, it’s a disaster, because people won’t know if you are making recommendations based on science or politics, and so there’s the risk they’ll start to tune out.”

Already, it’s clear that some confusion has taken hold. Though the C.D.C. formally recommended, in mid-March, that Americans practice social distancing, governors in five states have refused to order residents to stay home. (One of those states, South Dakota, is now contending with a major outbreak.) Federal leaders have given shifting advice—initially, Americans were told that they did not need to wear masks in public, but on April 3rd, at a White House press briefing, masks were recommended—and this has risked undermining public confidence. Trump announced the change by saying, “You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it.” Had the C.D.C. been in charge of communicating about masks, the agency surely would have used the change in guidance as a teaching opportunity, explaining that scientists had come to understand that people infected with the coronavirus can be contagious but asymptomatic for longer than originally thought—which means that we need to be more careful when we cough, even if we feel healthy or just have seasonal allergies. Trump’s daily briefings, however, are chaotic and contradictory. Within the span of a few days, Trump threatened to quarantine New York City, then reversed himself; soon after declaring that he intended to “reopen” the U.S. economy within two weeks, he called for thirty additional days of social distancing. Such inconstancy from a leader is distracting in the best of times. It is dangerous in a pandemic. “Right now, everyone is so confused by all the conflicting messages that, each time the guidance evolves, fewer and fewer people might follow it,” Besser, the former C.D.C. director, said. “We’re going backward in our sophistication.”

Morale at the C.D.C. has plummeted. “For all the responses that I was involved in, there was always this feeling of camaraderie, that you were part of something bigger than yourself,” another former high-ranking C.D.C. official told me. “Now everyone I talk to is so dispirited. They’re working sixteen-hour days, but they feel ignored. I’ve never seen so many people so frustrated and upset and sad. We could have saved so many more lives. We have the best public-health agency in the world, and we know how to persuade people to do what they need to do. Instead, we’re ignoring everything we’ve learned over the last century.”

In early March, as (King County WA Executive) Dow Constantine was asking Microsoft to close its offices and putting scientists in front of news cameras, de Blasio and New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, were giving speeches that deëmphasized the risks of the pandemic, even as the city was announcing its first official cases. De Blasio initially voiced caution, saying that “no one should take the coronavirus situation lightly,” but soon told residents to keep helping the city’s economy. “Go on with your lives + get out on the town despite Coronavirus,” he tweeted on March 2nd—one day after the first COVID-19 diagnosis in New York. He urged people to see a movie at Lincoln Center. On the day that Seattle schools closed, de Blasio said at a press conference that “if you are not sick, if you are not in the vulnerable category, you should be going about your life.” Cuomo, meanwhile, had told reporters that “we should relax.” He said that most infected people would recover with few problems, adding, “We don’t even think it’s going to be as bad as it was in other countries.”

De Blasio’s and Cuomo’s instincts are understandable. A political leader’s job, in most situations, is to ease citizens’ fears and buoy the economy. During a pandemic, however, all those imperatives are reversed: a politician’s job is to inflame our paranoia, because waiting until we can see the danger means holding off until it’s too late. The city’s epidemiologists were horrified by the comforting messages that de Blasio and Cuomo kept giving. Jeffrey Shaman, a disease modeller at Columbia, said, “All you had to do was look at the West Coast, and you knew it was coming for us. That’s why Seattle and San Francisco and Portland were shutting things down.” But New York “dithered instead of telling people to stay home.”

De Blasio and Cuomo kept bickering. On March 17th, de Blasio told residents to “be prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order.” The same day, Cuomo told a reporter, “There’s not going to be any ‘you must stay in your house’ rule.” Cuomo’s staff quietly told reporters that de Blasio was acting “psychotic.” Three days later, though, Cuomo announced an executive order putting the state on “pause”—which was essentially indistinguishable from stay-at-home orders issued by cities in Washington State, California, and elsewhere. (A spokesperson for de Blasio said that City Hall’s “messaging changed as the situation and the science changed” and that there was “no dithering.” A spokesperson for Cuomo said that “the Governor communicated clearly the seriousness of this pandemic” and that “the Governor has been laser focused on communicating his actions in a way that doesn’t scare people.”)

Today, New York City has the same social-distancing policies and business-closure rules as Seattle. But because New York’s recommendations came later than Seattle’s—and because communication was less consistent—it took longer to influence how people behaved. According to data collected by Google from cell phones, nearly a quarter of Seattleites were avoiding their workplaces by March 6th. In New York City, another week passed until an equivalent percentage did the same.

(emphasis mine)

Tom Frieden, the former C.D.C. director, has estimated that, if New York had started implementing stay-at-home orders ten days earlier than it did, it might have reduced COVID-19 deaths by 50% to 80%. Another former New York City health commissioner told me that “de Blasio was just horrible,” adding, “Maybe it was unintentional, maybe it was his arrogance. But, if you tell people to stay home and then you go to the gym, you can’t really be surprised when people keep going outside.”

More than fifteen thousand people in New York are believed to have died from COVID-19. Last week in Washington State, the estimate was fewer than seven hundred people. New Yorkers now hear constant ambulance sirens, which remind them of the invisible viral threat; residents are currently staying home at even higher rates than in Seattle. And de Blasio and Cuomo—even as they continue to squabble over, say, who gets to reopen schools—have become more forceful in their warnings.

[misswackadoodle]

Huey and Flu Season

Chapter 1:-

"Duck and Cover, Louie, It's flu season again!"

It was a typical Saturday morning for the family, or so it seemed, until Dewey read the back cover of Uncle Scrooge's newspaper. It was a new variant for the flu virus, and he knew what it meant. He runs to the Living room where Louie and Webby were watching something on T.V.

"Duck and Cover, Louie, It's flu season again!"

"Oh no. I was afraid of this." Louie sighs, clearly exasperated.

Webby was starting to feel like there's a backstory there. "Why are you panicking?" Louie explained, "Every flu season, Huey goes into full germaphobe mode, and it becomes hard to live with him because of his whole mask policy and not touching our face much."

"So?"

"He makes us wear a mask inside the house. I can handle wearing a mask when we go outside, to not get sick, but inside? He's even worse than Uncle Donald." Dewey replies . "Well, I guess he does that because he doesn't want to see you get sick?" Webby said, to which Louie replies, "Yeah, but he goes paranoid, so... This one time, he actually managed to put the whole houseboat in Child lock mode, and changed the password, so not even Uncle Donald could get out. And this was when we were 6. It took a whole week for Uncle to pry the passcode from him." Webby raised her eyebrows. "Anyway, Huey's at a Woodchuck meet, so he probably doesn't know about it yet. WE have to make sure that he doesn't find out about the variant." Louie said.

"How's he going to het out without the risk of getting sick, huh genius?" Dewey asks him.

"Simple. We just tell him that there's a little bit of a contagious situation, but not so contagious that he has to put everything on lockdown."

"That doesn't sound simple."

"The plan is a work in progress, alright?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Blood pressure in a little lower than normal, increased amount of perspiration, seems to be shortness of breathing and the classic redness near the nose and beak, these are all symptoms of the flu. Nothing a little rest can't fix. Possibly." After Violet's diagnosis at the Woodchuck meet, Huey felt uneasy with the fact that flu season may be back after three years. "I've been seeing plenty of people with flu symptoms. It might be safe to assume that we should proceed with extreme caution." Huey put on his emergency mask, and sighed, ''Oh well, (Achhoo!) I'll have to isolate myself. Can't risk being the carrier of a new kind of variant, and infect everyone else.''

As he walked home, he started to get worried. 'What if I was a carrier before the symptoms came? What if everyone's already infected?'

By the time he walked back to the mansion, he had already prepared mentally for another 'flu season of 2013'. Dewey opened the door for him, and knew Louie's very elaborate plan wasn't going to be put to use. "Huey, do you really have to stand six feet away from me?" "Yes."

Dewey sighs, and folds his hands and stands back.

"You don't need to show your exasperation, Dewey. I doing this, because, well, you know why."

"Alright, I get it, but why are you standing a lot further than your usual Social distancing distance?"

"Because I'm sick."

"Right. Because you... wait, what?" Dewey exclaimed.

"Yeah, you heard me, and I really have to go take a shower, and get some tissue wipes and medicine, and take my sleeping bag to another room, and quarantine myself. And you (he stares at Dewey) are going to Dr. Goldeneye to see if you're infected. I think it's best if everyone does."

"Why? you can't have infected me if you stood way over there. By the way, are you feeling okay?"

"I'm feeling fine now, it's only a matter of time before I don't. And, I wouldn't know when I was infected. For all we know, I could have been an asymptomatic carrier for weeks, and maybe my symptoms just started showing now. Maybe you were. Or Louie, or Webby, or even Uncle Scrooge."

"But the news about it came today. How would you have gotten infected before it?" "Well, the news doesn't always report some things at the right time, (Achhoo)Dew. I can't argue right now. The sooner I start taking some rest, the sooner I'll be fine, and we can put this whole thing behind us."

"Fine. But I still say you're paranoid about this."

Huey scowls at him, and goes upstairs.

'Stupid Dewey, calling me paranoid. After this, I'll show him who's paranoid. Why can't he understand that I'm being this-this weird germaphobe character for his own sake? I mean, he was the victim last time. Boy, I hope no one gets too sick..'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Huey asked Scrooge about a room where he could quarantine himself, and took the empty room right next to the triplets' bedroom, where he made a little nest for himself with his sleeping bag and taped a sign in the door saying 'Biohazard: Contagious Disease- Please wear a hazmat before entry'

Louie came to visit him, and showed him an article about the potential outbreak.

"You know, Louie, you could have emailed me the article. I have my phone with me."

"I knew that."

"Then why did you come here?"

"Just read the Article, Hue." He got a hint why Louie was really there.

"Alright.. I like that Duckburg's Department of Transportation has finally stopped the transportation that leads outside the city. But, some people can't resist the temptation of going outside, and some people won't even try."

"Mhmm, that's a real issue. Where did you get all these Hazmat suits anyway?" Louie inquired.

"Oh, I found a bunch of them in the Houseboat a month ago." Huey replied casually.

"Of course you did. Anyhoo, how're you feeling?"

"Not bad. It isn't good either but the point is it's not bad." Huey gave a slight chuckle at his brother. "You coming up here to show me the article was an excuse to see how I'm doing, isn't it?"

"What was your first clue?" Louie said with a slightly naughty gleam in his eye and replied.

Della entered the room in her hazmat suit and told Louie to go back downstairs. "So, you happy to have a room all to yourself?"

"No, it's pretty lonely. I would have probably died of boredom had Violet not led me this book about enchanted diadems. Why? Did Dewey say that? I don't like these measures any more than he does, and he probably knows that. So why would be the most annoying person in this whole universe?"

"That is annoying. But look at it this way-"

"I've tried, and I don't understand his 'view'. It doesn't make sense."

"Did I say his view? No. I did not. What I'm saying is that maybe Dewey's acting this way is because, well, adventure is in his blood." Della replied.

"It's in mine too."

"Look, you and Louie know him more than he knows himself. And he knows you too. He'll come around. In the meanwhile, why don't you take some rest, and I'll bring up some chicken soup."

Huey smiled and said, 'Thanks mom!"

Della walked out and sighed, "And Donald said I wasn't 'mature enough' to take care of my own sons."

Huey took his own temperature and found it to be 103 degrees. It may be getting worse by the hour, he thought to himself. He then sanitized the thermometer and settled down for a nap.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Della went downstairs to the kitchen to make some soup. She eventually became better at cooking when she came back. But not better enough to not put paprika in everything. So it took her a half hour to find out what went wrong and had to make the soup again.

Meanwhile, Dewey and Louie were watching some of the recycled episodes of Ottoman Empire when Dewey suddenly said, "Why do I feel bad inside?"

"Maybe you're sick"

"Very funny Louie. I'm not sick. Dr. Goldeneye said so."

"He also said the word -probably- so, you know... Or, you're probably feeling either empathetic towards Huey, and is a bit guilty for calling him a crazy person"

"I didn't call him a crazy person-." Louie raised his eyebrows at him. "-out loud." Dewey muttered quietly.

"Look, I don't get why you're on the edge with this. You should understand why he does this and-"

"I do understand. He's trying to keep us safe but-"

"Apupup- I wasn't finished. You should understand why he does this and what led him to do so." Dewey looked at Louie. "He wasn't even sick then."

Louie replied, "That's not the point. Both of us got the last time, and he somehow didn't and he couldn't take seeing us being sick again, which is why he hacked Uncle Donald's child lock controls to lock the four of us in, which is why he did all those shenanigans every flu season."

"Yeah, I guess. Wait, so what was all that -Oh no, not again- for?"

"That was for you. I was tired of your complaining whenever flu season came for 3 years after we got sick."

"And the scheme?"

"To shut you up. But that didn't work, now did it?" Louie turned his gaze back onto the TV screen.

Two minutes later, Webby ran downstairs to the kitchen in her hazmat suit with a gleam of panic in her eyes. "Webby? What's the matter?" Della asked her.

"Della- words- can't!"

"Calm down, and tell me what happened. And take off the Hazmat hat."

Webby took a deep shuddered breath and said, "Della, he isn't stirring. I went to check on him and lend him a book he asked about,. His temperature was higher than his record from not fifteen minutes ago, so I got worried, and tried to wake him up, but he wouldn't."

"Oh no, we'd better get him to the hospital."

"Why? Is there something wrong with Huey?" Donald walked in from the back door.

"We'll explain on the way. I'm gonna tell Louie and Dewey." Webby rushed to the living room but-

"NO" The twins exclaimed at their little cousin. "Maybe we should tell them when Huey's feeling a little better at the hospital." Della said.

"But- they're- Why? They have to know. They're his brothers. What of the chance that Huey might not get better?"

"Let's not go that road, Webby. We'll tell them later. We can't have a lot of people panicking." Donald told her.

*sigh* Webby thought about it, looked at the boys and went to the garage to get Launchpad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It seemed like forever to Webby after they reached hospital. She was feeling very guilty for not telling Dewey and Louie about their brother's current condition. Most of all, she was feeling extremely concerned about Huey's health. If fact, she was practically close to jumping out of her skin at any moment. He'll be fine, she said to herself over and over and then looked at her phone's picture gallery to calm herself down. It... did not help.

Della got off the phone with Scrooge, who said that he'll be stopping by the hospital in a couple of minutes. Donald wasn't doing very well either.

A Nurse came out of the room and asked, "Family of Huey Duck?" "Yes. Is he going to be okay?" Della inquired. "Oh, he's better than okay right now. He woke up right about now, and started panicking, and we calmly explained the situation to him, about why he came and when. He's awake and active now, but he told me to tell you not to come in, unless I think it's okay." Donald looked up, "And?" "And, I think it's okay. You can go in now. You'll have to wear these masks though, he said he's pretty sure that he has the new flu variant, so we wouldn't want to risk that." He opened the door to the room.

They went in, calm and relieved that Huey was going to be okay. "Hey buddy, how're you feeling?" Della sat down in the chair next to the bed. "Like I had a million needles in my brain a couple of minutes ago." He replied. "Where's Dewey and Louie?" "We didn't tell them we are here." Della replied. "Why?" "We were already worried, so we didn't want them to worry too." Webby and Donald responded. "I-I guess that makes sense." Huey felt unsure about the three not telling his brothers about him. Webby felt her phone buzz. She received a message from Louie in their 4-person chat

Louie: (15:26) Webby, where are you? Where is everyone, and most importantly, where is Huey? Webby: (15:27) We're at the hospital. Incoming Voice call from Louie

Webby went to a corner in the room and picked up the phone, Huey's phone started ringing too, so she put in on Silent mode.

Webby: Hello? Louie: Why didn't you tell us? Also, if we didn't know about it, why are you there? Webby: I wanted to, I really did. I was the first to know of his condition.. Dewey: Wait, wait wait wait, what condition? What happened? Webby: He lost unconsciousness... Dewey: What? Webby: ...so we had to bring him here. I wanted to tell you, but Donald and Della told me not to tell you because they didn't want you to worry. Dewey: Is he okay? Louie: You should've told us. Webby: He's awake now, he just asked about where you are..

Donald walked to her and motioned that he wanted to talk to them

Louie: Good. We're coming there. Donald: No, you boys stay right there. Dewey: Uncle Donald, is that you? Why? That doesn't make sense. Donald: It's better for you to stay there, because.. well, uh... I recently read that if a family member is in the hospital, it's psychologically beneficial for the family members that aren't with the sick member. Louie: ...You're bluffing. Why don't you want us there? Dewey: If there isn't a good reason then we're coming. Donald: Fine.. I didn't want you to come because Huey wouldn't want you to. Dewey: No, wait but.. Donald: I'm sorry, goodbye.

Huey heard that last bit and then frantically mouthed 'That's not true' and motioned to Uncle Donald.

Back in the mansion, Dewey asked to Louie, "Wouldn't he?" Louie returned, "This could be reverse-psychology again, like in the Shadow War. Maybe he meant we should come immediately." "He has done this kind of thing a lot, hasn't he? But what if he wasn't using reverse-psych this time?" "Whatever it is, we're going. I found Webby in the tracking app on my phone." Louie grabbed his bicycle helmet and head out the door. Dewey retorted back, "You know, I could've found her if you just tell me where I can find the app." "Hmm, nah. I told you I'll think about it, and I'm not done thinking about it." Dewey was not in a mood to get into the 'tracker app conversation' again. "Whatever. Let's just go."

"I thought I told you not to come." Donald quacked, sternly. Dewey gave a slight smug smile on his face, knowing that he was right, and replied, "Uncle Donald, we were gonna come anyway." "Hey Hue, how're you feeling?" Louie asked, turning to Huey. Huey replied, "Yeah, I mean, for someone who lost consciousness during his nap, I'm feeling just peachy." "Really? Nothing's wrong?" Webby inquired. "Would you rather have me not feeling well?" "No, it's just that, it's weird. you're feeling okay already." The Nurse suddenly came near them, "Okay, now, he needs rest. He will be under observation for a few days, and then he'll be back." He closed the door, and turned to Huey, "Huey, whatever you do, don't panic, because I'm going to tell you something weird, possibly dangerous, and probably more problematic than the flu, so keep an open mind."