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Pandemics and Epidemiology (COVID-19, monkeypox, etc.)

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A list of things you can do if you are feeling cabin fever. Feel free to add to this.

    Information 
First of all, wiki has an article under "2019–20 coronavirus pandemic".

While the outbreak started around New Year's Day (12/31), it's picking up steam around the Asia-Pacific region especially since Mainland Chinese people tend to travel a lot.

For reference, the BNO Newsroom twitter has a special feed for any info on the coronavirus:

https://twitter.com/bnodesk?lang=en


The WHO has page about COVID-19 and any other concerns people may have. I suggest peeps go to the Q&A page to check for official details.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Edited by nombretomado on Jun 3rd 2020 at 3:21:48 AM

raziel365 Anka Aquila from South of the Far West (Veteran) Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
Anka Aquila
#10451: Jun 2nd 2020 at 6:56:42 AM

@ eagleoftheninth

So basically the WHO ended up in a Golden Mean Fallacy situation of trying to not anger China and get it to release more information of the outbreak despite all signs pointing to how the CCP was dragging on its feet to not lose face at all costs, all for few benefits in the long run and ultimately insulting the intelligence of every other country in the world by playing sycophant instead of openly calling out China for retaining vital data.

As @ M84 said, if this is how cooperation with the CCP is supposed to play out, you will forgive me if I keep suggesting a change of approach.

Edited by raziel365 on Jun 2nd 2020 at 7:26:33 AM

Instead of focusing on relatives that divide us, we should find the absolutes that tie us.
eagleoftheninth Shop all day, greed is free from a dreamed portrait, imperfect Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Shop all day, greed is free
#10452: Jun 2nd 2020 at 8:06:10 AM

To provide a counterpoint, a week ago Science did an interview with Chinese CDC virologist Shao Yiming, who defended the information delay on grounds of wanting to verify things first in the middle of a rapidly-evolving situation. The shuttering of the gene sequencing lab in Shanghai was pretty indefensible, though.

Epidemiologist Daniel T. Halperin wrote a Washington Post op-ed on the case for reopening schools this fall. The main point he cites is the statistically low contagiousness and mortality rate among children, which other researchers credit to their frequent exposure to other coronaviruses and the fact that they have less of the ACE2 proteins that the virus gloms onto in their respiratory tract.

While there are countries that have contained the virus with relative success while keeping schools open, or reopening them early, I'm... not wholly convinced that the US of A would be one of them, since *gestures at the titanic garbage fire on the horizon*. But anyway:

    Article 
As lockdown restrictions ease, a critical question looms: When do we reopen schools? Parents and others weighing covid-19′s risk to children and the adults they may infect, directly or indirectly, should consider emerging evidence that suggests children are not significant transmitters of covid-19. These data, coupled with the enormous adverse impacts of continuing closures, argue for reopening schools by fall.

Of about 360,000 covid-19 deaths worldwide, only about two dozen children are known to have died. For all the recent reports of serious complications among young people, these are statistically rare and, if detected early, most afflicted youths recover within weeks.

While most countries have shuttered schools, others such as Taiwan have achieved effective responses without closures. In Denmark and Norway, where schools began reopening in mid-April, covid-19 cases and deaths have decreased. Normally, gregarious youngsters are efficient spreaders of respiratory pathogens. But this appears not to be the case with covid-19.

Emerging evidence suggests that, much like with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, children are less likely to become infected with this coronavirus. From Feb. 12 to April 2, just 1.7 percent of U.S. cases for which age is known occurred among people younger than 18. Some researchers theorize that some resistance has been conferred by previous exposure to other coronaviruses, such as those that produce the common colds that children frequently acquire. Additionally, a study published in JAMA found that youths are less prone to infection because they produce smaller quantities of a protein, ACE2, which both SARS and the novel coronavirus use to enter cells.

A German study that warns against reopening schools found viral loads in infected children at levels comparable to adults. There is evidence, however, that as with the earlier SARS outbreak, children who have covid-19 are less contagious than adults. Many children with covid-19 are asymptomatic; in the absence of coughing and sneezing, they emit fewer infectious droplets. Remarkably, contact tracing studies in China, Iceland, Britain and the Netherlands failed to locate a single case of child-to-adult infection out of thousands of transmission events analyzed. A review of studies from several Asian countries identified few cases of children bringing the virus home, and a recent analysis of covid-19 interventions found no evidence that school closures had helped contain the epidemic.

Some of this data likely underestimates children’s potential to infect others because information was collected after lockdowns and other mitigation measures were implemented. Still, the findings from contact tracing and the significant biological differences between covid-19 and more common respiratory ailments suggest that children are not major sources of infection.

Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently warned against reopening schools too early, and noted complications in some children that resemble Kawasaki disease. The emerging condition, known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, is troubling and must be monitored. But it also appears rare; so far, only several hundred U.S. cases have been reported.

The low numbers of children affected by covid-19 and the new syndrome should be considered in additional context: More than 200 U.S. children were killed last year by flu; some 10,000 others died from various childhood diseases. A rare condition that is not commonly fatal does not justify keeping 55 million American students home into the next academic year.

In March, Imperial College of London modeling estimated that 2 to 4 percent of covid-19 deaths in Britain might be prevented by closing schools and colleges, compared with a potential 17 percent to 21 percent prevented from self-isolating. This suggests that schools are not particularly significant contributors to community transmission. As schools reopen, one concern is for the risk to groups already known to be vulnerable to covid-19: predominantly older people with predisposing conditions such as chronic illness, obesity and smoking. The options are distressing: potentially greater numbers infected vs. the rising educational costs to millions of children.

School closures of course affect more than academics. Students are also deprived of social connections and physical activity. Socioeconomic disparities are exacerbated, as some families have resources to enhance online learning, while less privileged children fall further behind.

Other consequences of school closures include recent surges in child abuse; hunger from missed subsidized meals; greater anxiety, depression and isolation. Students with autism, Down syndrome, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other special needs are at particular risk. But months away from friends and school structure takes a toll on all students, as beleaguered parents everywhere can attest.

Schools have begun reopening in France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and elsewhere. Adequate testing and evidence-based safety precautions are essential for protecting teachers and other staff. Although some covid-19 cases regrettably may result from reopening schools, the existing evidence does not warrant inflicting potentially long-term academic, social and vocational disadvantages on millions of children.

One day, we will read his name in the news and cheer.
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#10453: Jun 2nd 2020 at 9:16:19 AM

The US has a third of the world's cases and deaths, despite only having four percent of the world's population. That tells you how staggeringly awful things have gone in the US.

I feel we should be sending them humanitarian aid soon.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
WoodyAlien3rd from Persimmon Land (Italy) Since: Oct, 2015 Relationship Status: Omelette du fromage~
#10454: Jun 2nd 2020 at 10:42:04 AM

In Italy the cases, while almost constantly decreasing, have almost doubled between yesterday and today (178 -> 318). The region with the biggest growth is, once again, Lombardy (where I live btw) that went from 50 to 187 in a day. However, deaths slowed from 60 to 55. Luckily, there are now 9 regions where the number of registered cases is zero.

However, the problem is, tomorrow June 3 is the day that the government and experts chose to restore travel among all the regions over all national territory and not only between adjacent ones. So now there's talks about the various governors to do something about Lombardy citizens since they're afraid they're bringing the virus with them (the boom in contages among Southern people, feared at the end of March, did not happen, so now they understandably don't want to risk).

On another note, today is National Day and Republic Day here in Italy, the usual parades didn't take place, however in many cities there were protests and manifestations of right-wing activists/politicians protesting against the government; despite what they said, they really didn't care about keeping social distancing and wearing masks for the most part. I swear, if we have to endure again 2 months of lockdown because of these morons...

"Effective Altruism" is just another bunch of horsesh*t.
Memers Since: Aug, 2013
#10455: Jun 2nd 2020 at 11:14:17 AM

The US has a third of the world's cases and deaths, despite only having four percent of the world's population. That tells you how staggeringly awful things have gone in the US.

I feel we should be sending them humanitarian aid soon.

Trump would confiscate it then resell it at an inflated price while it sits on JFK's tarmac... like he does for our own supplies.

FluffyMcChicken My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare from where the floating lights gleam Since: Jun, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare
#10456: Jun 2nd 2020 at 11:29:26 AM

A lot of my college-aged peers on social media are justifying the looting of corporate-owned businesses like Targets and Walmarts because "they can be rebuilt and are the engines of white capitalist supremacy! Don't value replaceable property above irreplaceable human lives!".

I'm having Fridge Horror that a lot of these big box stores like Targets, Walmart's, Vons, and other supermarkets were otherwise considered essential businesses that people use to obtain food and supplies during the pandemic. The supply chains were already being overstretched and undermanned without the riots.

Now with small businesses also getting torched and ransacked by rioters, American society is very much in for a logistical nightmare if the chaos continues for too long.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#10457: Jun 2nd 2020 at 11:45:37 AM

Yes, those stores matter, maybe next time the cops can not be murderous scum. They are the ones responsible for the harm caused by the unrest.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#10458: Jun 2nd 2020 at 11:59:10 AM

Yes.

I don’t blame the protesters, whether non-violent or otherwise. (Except for the ones who are deliberate alt-right provocateurs, or overenthusiastic white people trying to start fights against the wishes of black protestors. Those I blame.) In many cases, it seems to be being set off by unwarranted brutality from the police against peaceful protestors - I certainly can’t blame them for fighting if they’re attacked.

And even when it’s not instigated directly by the police attacking prorestors - Trevor Noah’s video on this was excellent. If society decides, and repeatedly demonstrates, that the protection of the law does not apply to certain people - that they can be murdered with impunity by both the State and by private citizens and their murderers will not face justice - then some of them are going to hit the point where there is no reason for them to have regard for the law.

At that point, the fault lies with the law and society; the individual is a symptom of a much wider problem. The way to prevent the violence is to end the oppression, not to blame the oppressed.

Edited by Galadriel on Jun 2nd 2020 at 3:04:39 PM

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#10459: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:02:10 PM

I am not sure why people are being so keen to absolve opportunists of the blame for their own actions. Nobody's making them fill their own pockets whilst this is going on. That the protests they're taking advantage of is justified doesn't mean that they shouldn't be condemned for being self-absorbed.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#10460: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:08:49 PM

I am not sure why people are being so keen to absolve opportunists of the blame for their own actions. Nobody's making them fill their own pockets whilst this is going on. That the protests they're taking advantage of is justified doesn't mean that they shouldn't be condemned for being self-absorbed.

They only have this opportunity because of the civil unrest which was caused by the police. It's not "absolving" them to recognize that fact.

The police are 100% to blame for all of this.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:09:05 PM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#10461: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:10:03 PM

It’s an issue of blame being deflected from where it belongs. The looting can’t be isolated from everything else that is going on, or that has been going on for hundreds of years. If the rules of society don’t apply to how you’re treated, why should they apply to how you act? Why is it your social obligation to behave and obey the law when society has demonstrated it has no obligations towards you and grants you no rights?

Seriously, the Trevor Noah video is really, really good and he says it better than I could: https://mobile.twitter.com/TheDailyShow/status/1266523344624631809

I also think this is a good timeline: https://www.theroot.com/a-timeline-of-events-that-led-to-the-2020-fed-up-rising-1843780800

Edited by Galadriel on Jun 2nd 2020 at 3:11:28 PM

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#10462: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:10:39 PM

The people taking advantage of the chaos to loot are at least as much to blame for the looting as the police, if not more. They're people and thus have full responsibility for their own actions.

PhysicalStamina ain't nothin' but a party y'all (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
ain't nothin' but a party y'all
#10463: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:13:27 PM

The police are also responsible for their actions - as well as making sure this kind of looting doesn't happen. May I remind you what they've been up to instead?

Do not spare the feelings of those who would not spare yours.
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#10464: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:14:47 PM

That in no way makes those doing the looting blameless.

PhysicalStamina ain't nothin' but a party y'all (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
ain't nothin' but a party y'all
#10465: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:15:30 PM

Nor does it make them somehow more responsible for their actions than the police.

Do not spare the feelings of those who would not spare yours.
eagleoftheninth Shop all day, greed is free from a dreamed portrait, imperfect Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
Shop all day, greed is free
#10466: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:16:46 PM

Some take part in the looting for wholly unjustifiable reasons. Some do it because, well, there's an economic crisis on and that $1,200 check isn't going to last forever. Either way, they are who they are and they do what they do. If law enforcement provoked the rest of society enough to tip it into chaos and make conditions ripe for looting, that's on them.

One day, we will read his name in the news and cheer.
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#10467: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:20:47 PM

[up][up] Yes it does. By definition, if your actions are unforced and you don't have to do them, you are responsible. It's a voluntary choice to engage in theft just because you think you can get away with it.

It's insane to argue that because the police have done bad things, and the protests are good, all the bad things are wholly the fault of the police. Things can be more complicated than "it's all the bad guys fault!"

Edited by RainehDaze on Jun 2nd 2020 at 8:21:39 PM

PhysicalStamina ain't nothin' but a party y'all (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
ain't nothin' but a party y'all
#10468: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:22:57 PM

[up]And who's "forcing" police to run over protesters, or pepper spray innocent bystanders, or beat people with batons, or shoot peaceful demonstrators with rubber bullets?

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Jun 2nd 2020 at 3:25:07 PM

Do not spare the feelings of those who would not spare yours.
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#10469: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:24:39 PM

At what point did I claim the police don't have responsibility for their actions?

PhysicalStamina ain't nothin' but a party y'all (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
ain't nothin' but a party y'all
#10470: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:31:37 PM

[up]Never said you did. But with so many people from the standard police apologist to media to even some politicians going "but the looters tho" I'm tired of having them spotlighted when there are kinda more pressing matters at hand.

So fine, police bad, but looters bad too. Happy? Fuck's sake.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Jun 2nd 2020 at 3:32:01 PM

Do not spare the feelings of those who would not spare yours.
TheLovecraftian Since: Jul, 2017
#10471: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:34:39 PM

If I might suggest, we should probably go back to talking about the pandemic. This feels like it's kinda getting away from the topic of the thread.

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#10472: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:37:58 PM

Like I said in another thread, I agree with the premise that it's valid to blame the looters who are being naked opportunists and the rioters who are "burning their own houses down" as Killer Mike put it, or more accurately burning other black people's houses down. But it's just as valid to blame the police for creating the kind of environment that directly created an opening for these ne'er-do-wells to revel in the chaos, because we have plenty of proof the protestors are doing what they can to fight against it.

[down]Anyway, thank you for bringing up that point I agreed with in the other thread about it.

Edited by AlleyOop on Jun 2nd 2020 at 3:38:59 PM

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#10473: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:38:07 PM

And we have a thread for the protests already.

Edited by HailMuffins on Jun 2nd 2020 at 4:38:38 PM

MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#10474: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:38:39 PM

At what point did I claim the police don't have responsibility for their actions?
The problem is that you insist on limiting "their actions" to the actions that they directly undertook, and absolving them of all responsibility for any actions taken by others that were primarily if not entirely driven by the former's actions.

Edited by MarqFJA on Jun 2nd 2020 at 10:39:21 PM

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
nombretomado (Season 1) Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#10475: Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:41:32 PM

I will modhat to ask that an extended conversation on the protests, go to the protest thread - though to be honest, the topic was run over there just a couple hours ago, so it may look like a rehash/reopening of an argument that got heated.

Edited by nombretomado on Jun 2nd 2020 at 12:42:29 PM


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