Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates & Alerts

[wayne77590]

Our County now has 136 cases with 83 of those cases reported to be in a nursing home about1/4 mile up the street.

[richard5933]

6 hours ago, wayne77590 said:

Our County now has 136 cases with 83 of those cases reported to be in a nursing home about1/4 mile up the street.

The number of cases your county reports is meaningless without knowing the number of people in your county. It's not the total number of cases that matters - it's the number of cases per 100,000 residents.

[richard5933]

Just found this dated April 4, 2020 which I think helps explain how raw data can present a somewhat misleading view of the real situation.

Column 1 is the total number of cases confirmed, column 2 is the per capita rate. This shows that while the total number of cases may be low, in comparison with other counties the per capita rate can be quite high.

Not trying to say make any statement about what a particular county is or should be doing, just pointing out that this thing is growing everywhere, even in more rural or remote areas.

[jleamont]

2 hours ago, richard5933 said:

thing is growing everywhere, even in more rural or remote areas.

I just came back from grocery shopping. After observing the general population I can see why it’s growing at an alarming rate.

Masks covering the mouth only was 30% of the people. When they want to read a label the pull their masks down. one lady licked her finger after touching the product and pulled her mask back up. I cannot tell you how many people were taking their masks off to rub their face because the mask always annoying their nose. 

 

[wayne77590]

3 hours ago, richard5933 said:

Just found this dated April 4, 2020 which I think helps explain how raw data can present a somewhat misleading view of the real situation.

Column 1 is the total number of cases confirmed, column 2 is the per capita rate. This shows that while the total number of cases may be low, in comparison with other counties the per capita rate can be quite high.

Not trying to say make any statement about what a particular county is or should be doing, just pointing out that this thing is growing everywhere, even in more rural or remote areas.

We have a population of 45, 000 + a few.  Can you give me the link where you found that information please?

Didn't want to delete this in case anyone had read it already so editing: Galveston County Health District is where I get my information. As you can see it is considerably different from the information you got. I did find the link to that information.  The NYTimes reports 206 cases and the Galveston County Healty District (GCHD) reports 136 cases. My money is on the GCHD and definitely not the NYTimes.

1 hour ago, jleamont said:

I just came back from grocery shopping. After observing the general population I can see why it’s growing at an alarming rate.

Masks covering the mouth only was 30% of the people. When they want to read a label the pull their masks down. one lady licked her finger after touching the product and pulled her mask back up. I cannot tell you how many people were taking their masks off to rub their face because the mask always annoying their nose. 

 

Joe, all our lives we have shopped in stores and what they are doing is many years of habits. Hard to break.

What I saw was people walking into the store with the mask pulled down off of their nose as you said, and just covering their mouth.

What's the saying, stupid is as stupid does!

[f433921]

On 3/30/2020 at 10:32 PM, F433921 said:

Wahkiakum County, WA. Population 5000, 0 cases, help us to keep it at 0, STAY HOME anywhere you may live.

 

Thanks, Jim

We now have 1 case.

 

[wolfe10]

6 minutes ago, F433921 said:

We now have 1 case.

 

Perhaps a slight rephrase:  You have one confirmed case REPORTED.

As we have seen all over the country (actually, all over the world) the number of confirmed and reported cases is not an accurate indicator of actual number of those infected (some not yet symptomatic, many not tested, and some tests waiting for results).

Let's be safe out there.

[wildebill308]

I think this is an excellent case of using figures/statistics to try and push an opinion or position. How do you get the per capita rate?  Current/ latest population numbers I could find for Dallas Co. is 2,622,799 How do you divide up separate or manipulate that number by 831 to get 32.1? By the way 831 is 0.0316837% of the population. Now the outher way they keep hyping the numbers is you hear how many have been infected but it is a cumulative number.  On April 3: Dallas County health officials confirmed there are 90 additional cases of COVID-19. This brings the total case count to 921. In reality that number is not right. Because according to the CDC the worst cases last 6 weeks milder cases 2 weeks. So if you wanted an accurate number it should be active cases not cumulative numbers. Allso who knew a  Co Judge had this kind of power. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins holds nightly briefing. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/live-covid-19-updates-march-31-2020/287-238cefe2-3002-4a1d-b0d1-f404452e5647 Bill

[wildebill308]

Joe, I agree. Having been osha certified/trained in dust mask and respirator use through airline respirators. It makes me smile when you see people doing that.  The outher thing is wearing the ones that just hook behind the ears and people with beards or any facial hair that would prevent a seal around the mask. Think about it, if all the air isn't going through the filter material it isn't working.

Something everyone who is or is thinking about wearing a mask should be aware of  they restrict air flow. If you have any respiratory problems or low oxygen problems I would talk to my doctor first. One part of the physical we had to take before being issued a certification was a lung capacity/function test.

Bill

[hermanmullins]

40 minutes ago, WILDEBILL308 said:

Something everyone who is or is thinking about wearing a mask should be aware of  they restrict air flow. If you have any respiratory problems or low oxygen problems I would talk to my doctor first. One part of the physical we had to take before being issued a certification was a lung capacity/function test.

Bill

Very good information Bill.

Thanks

Herman

[manholt]

Richard, your question to Wayne was, how many in the County?  His and Brett's County is Galveston 335,036 in 2017.

Corona virus has been around more than a few months, to be technical try  1963!  It got ugly in 2002, came back in 2009, 2012, 2017 and the strain we are now dealing with Nov 2019 to currently!

Bill, I got the same Osha Certificate, in 1983...before that I had other certificates from Veritas!  Same thing!

[wayne77590]

Regarding gasoline: I'm getting 3 weeks to the gallon!

[wildebill308]

20 minutes ago, wayne77590 said:

Regarding gasoline: I'm getting 3 weeks to the gallon!

I know, this staying around the house and on the computer is bad. The UPS and Amazon delivery drivers now know me by name.

Bill

[manholt]

Bill, we have deer that comes in for food each evening...now they have cute names, same with Who Owl, Lurky the Turkey, etc. Linda knows all the names!  I just nod and take another sip of Wine.  Even Daisy has her favorite birds!

[rayin]

9 hours ago, WILDEBILL308 said:

Joe, I agree. Having been osha certified/trained in dust mask and respirator use through airline respirators. It makes me smile when you see people doing that.  The outher thing is wearing the ones that just hook behind the ears and people with beards or any facial hair that would prevent a seal around the mask. Think about it, if all the air isn't going through the filter material it isn't working.

Something everyone who is or is thinking about wearing a mask should be aware of  they restrict air flow. If you have any respiratory problems or low oxygen problems I would talk to my doctor first. One part of the physical we had to take before being issued a certification was a lung capacity/function test.

Bill

Since I developed chronic bronchitis & COPD(industrial accident) any type mask restricts my breathing enough to make me wheeze. I've been searching the web for suitable masks, There ain't none available! I have a stack of bandanas and neckerchiefs in the closet, that''s gonna have to do.

When I was on the Fire Dept., we were trained that anyone with a beard must coat it with Vaseline before donning SCBA. All it took was one training session and the guys with beards shaved.

[manholt]

We had the same in Oil/Gas exploration, I didn't do many land jobs, but the ones I did had Sour Gas (Sulfur), no beards, long hair or mustache!  Off Shore was the same, along with no jewelry of any kind, that included rings!

[jleamont]

8 hours ago, RayIN said:

When I was on the Fire Dept., we were trained that anyone with a beard must coat it with Vaseline before donning SCBA. All it took was one training session and the guys with beards shaved.

YUP, same here. I do not have facial hair, never had it. Wasn’t considered “professional” when I was a Leo, too dangerous as a volunteer fire fighter back then and one employer also had a non publicized policy on facial hair as it was frowned upon. I still keep my hair cropped as well. I am a phonetic about professional appearance, it was stressed heavily in the Police Academy which all happened right after high school, so you could say I’ve been cultured this way for the majority of my life. Facial hair also traps bacteria and holds it close to you nose and mouth, NO THANKS!  

[huffypuff]

On 4/4/2020 at 6:30 AM, jleamont said:

I just came back from grocery shopping. After observing the general population I can see why it’s growing at an alarming rate.

Masks covering the mouth only was 30% of the people. When they want to read a label the pull their masks down. one lady licked her finger after touching the product and pulled her mask back up. I cannot tell you how many people were taking their masks off to rub their face because the mask always annoying their nose. 

 

Wearing mask and gloves actually increase the risk of contamination and false sense of security.  If that wasn't true then why are so many doctors and nurses catching the virus?  First the person may be always readjusting the mask.  Everything they touch get on their face and mask when they readjust.  Remember experts said that the only reason you need  the mask is if you have the virus.  Now the experts are saying that if you have symptoms, stay home, get tested and treated.  

How to protect yourself if you have to shop.  Clean your hands and shopping cart handle when you enter the store.  At that point never touch your face.  Gloves won't help you if touch your face.   It's easier to clean your hands without gloves on than with.  

When leaving the store after touching so many items wash your hands and shopping cart handle again.  After you unload the shopping cart and get in the car clean your hands again.  When you get home and put your shopping away, wash you hands again and quarantine those items for 6 hours.  

Although you should be safe if the sick stay home but they are not staying home.  They are out and about spreading the virus everywhere.  They came up with the six feet rule when shopping.  Does it work?  Not if the infected person sneezes 6 feet away from you.    

[richard5933]

43 minutes ago, huffypuff said:

Wearing mask and gloves actually increase the risk of contamination and false sense of security.  If that wasn't true then why are so many doctors and nurses catching the virus?  First the person may be always readjusting the mask.  Everything they touch get on their face and mask when they readjust.  Remember experts said that the only reason you need  the mask is if you have the virus.  Now the experts are saying that if you have symptoms, stay home, get tested and treated...

So many medical professionals are getting sick because they are working very close to infected patients, and no amount of protection for them will offer full protection. The closest you can come are the hooded respirators which use positive pressure, but very few nurses and doctors have them available.

The theory behind wearing a mask at this point is because so many people have the virus but don't know it. Many are carrying it but show no symptoms, and for some there is a rather lengthy period between being exposed and showing symptoms. These people all may feel great but still able to infect everyone around them. Wearing a mask is to keep them from spewing their nasal and oral droplets all over other people. It's not fool proof, but it is better than nothing. If everyone wore a mask while out in public it would greatly reduce the person-to-person transmission.

43 minutes ago, huffypuff said:

...How to protect yourself if you have to shop.  Clean your hands and shopping cart handle when you enter the store.  At that point never touch your face.  Gloves won't help you if touch your face.   It's easier to clean your hands without gloves on than with.

The whole idea of wearing gloves is to keep the contamination off your hands. You then have to take off the gloves before using your hands for touching anything you intend to keep clean, such as your face or objects in your car or house. To wear gloves and have them be truly effective, one would need to change them many times throughout the shopping trip.

When I'm working on my coach I wear gloves. If I have to touch my face to scratch an itch or if I have to answer the phone the gloves come off. Keeps the dirt on the gloves and off my face, phone, etc. Then a pair of new gloves go on afterwards before continuing to work. Same thing would apply with gloves to protect against covid-19. Perfect? Of course not. Since it's not possible to wash your hands while walking down the isle of the grocery store before touching your face or phone, being able to peel off gloves is quite handy. Hand sanitizer would probably also be useful in these situations.

52 minutes ago, huffypuff said:

Although you should be safe if the sick stay home but they are not staying home.  They are out and about spreading the virus everywhere.  They came up with the six feet rule when shopping.  Does it work?  Not if the infected person sneezes 6 feet away from you.    

This is the exact reason why they are now recommending everyone wear a mask when in public. Since many don't even know they're sick for days after they are, they wouldn't know to stay home. But, while in public they would be contaminating others. Hence the mask recommendation.

[rayin]

1 hour ago, huffypuff said:

  Not if the infected person sneezes 6 feet away from you.    

Two days ago I read a preliminary study showing a sneeze produces up to a 100 mph puff of air movement. Sensitive equipment measured traces of that puff between 23'-27' from the person who sneezed.

[jleamont]

1 hour ago, RayIN said:

Two days ago I read a preliminary study showing a sneeze produces up to a 100 mph puff of air movement. Sensitive equipment measured traces of that puff between 23'-27' from the person who sneezed.

Now that I can believe!! I have and always will questioned the 6’ rule. Perhaps a sealed cough into your elbow then 6’ sounds reasonable. 
Wind will carry water droplets quite a distance. Any of us that have washed our coaches can certainly verify the distance the wind carries fine water droplets. 

[hermanmullins]

Joe, just spray Auto Detailer on a spot close to a window or glass and you don't want it on the glass but no matter how you angle it spray or droplet will get on the glass.

Herman

[huffypuff]

2 hours ago, richard5933 said:

So many medical professionals are getting sick because they are working very close to infected patients, and no amount of protection for them will offer full protection. The closest you can come are the hooded respirators which use positive pressure, but very few nurses and doctors have them available.

The theory behind wearing a mask at this point is because so many people have the virus but don't know it. Many are carrying it but show no symptoms, and for some there is a rather lengthy period between being exposed and showing symptoms. These people all may feel great but still able to infect everyone around them. Wearing a mask is to keep them from spewing their nasal and oral droplets all over other people. It's not fool proof, but it is better than nothing. If everyone wore a mask while out in public it would greatly reduce the person-to-person transmission.

The whole idea of wearing gloves is to keep the contamination off your hands. You then have to take off the gloves before using your hands for touching anything you intend to keep clean, such as your face or objects in your car or house. To wear gloves and have them be truly effective, one would need to change them many times throughout the shopping trip.

When I'm working on my coach I wear gloves. If I have to touch my face to scratch an itch or if I have to answer the phone the gloves come off. Keeps the dirt on the gloves and off my face, phone, etc. Then a pair of new gloves go on afterwards before continuing to work. Same thing would apply with gloves to protect against covid-19. Perfect? Of course not. Since it's not possible to wash your hands while walking down the isle of the grocery store before touching your face or phone, being able to peel off gloves is quite handy. Hand sanitizer would probably also be useful in these situations.

This is the exact reason why they are now recommending everyone wear a mask when in public. Since many don't even know they're sick for days after they are, they wouldn't know to stay home. But, while in public they would be contaminating others. Hence the mask recommendation.

The point I made is if they have symptoms stay home but if they don't know yet they only pass it on by what they touch.  That why you have to constantly sanitize your hands and not touch your face.  Also follow the six feet rule and if for any reason you have to sneeze do it in your inner elbow.  After one sneeze and other symptoms stay the @#$$%  home  so you don't infect others.  

[huffypuff]

1 hour ago, RayIN said:

Two days ago I read a preliminary study showing a sneeze produces up to a 100 mph puff of air movement. Sensitive equipment measured traces of that puff between 23'-27' from the person who sneezed.

Yes and was tested on myth busters.  Do you think a mask protect others if you sneeze through the mask?  No it don't.  Myth busters did mask, handkerchief, the hand and elbow sneeze test.  All failed really bad except the elbow where the droplets stayed close by.  It did really mess up the sleeve by the elbow but it worked the best.  What ever you do don't hug that person as you will get it.   

[manholt]

The run on the Market's and Wall Mart has stopped in the Texas Hill Country!  Charmin TP is back in house & coach!  No shortage of anything. 

Face mask's for us is useless. Especially if you have any kind of facial hair!  We have covered that.  

Puff.  You got the right info!