Live data from Hacker News

First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

npr.org

41–50 of 221 posts

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#41
post #17

I feel like it has been so long since the swine flu, bird flu, H1N1 flu, and other flu scares that we are due for one. Like the recessions the flu scares are cyclical.

Bird flu (H5N8) is actually back in central Europe right now, coming in through eastern Europe from Central Asia.

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#42
post #13

Coronaviruses are transmitted in what seems to be the same manner as influenza and generate some of the same symptoms. Why do the worst coronaviruses, like SARS, transmit so slowly, while the flu is practically ubiquitous?

While SARS does have a longer incubation period, typically 2-7 days compared to the common flu's 1-4 days, the "slow transmission" that you've witnessed is more likely the successful work of national and international public health agencies preventing its spread. Especially by means of contact tracing and quarantine.

Seasonal flu variants have a lethality of around 0.1%. The Spanish flu of 1918 was around 2%. SARS has a fatality rate of around 10%. There is minimal difference in transmission between strains. The only thing preventing disaster is effective public health response.

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#45
post #17

I feel like it has been so long since the swine flu, bird flu, H1N1 flu, and other flu scares that we are due for one. Like the recessions the flu scares are cyclical.

Don't forget Ebola scare as well.

Ah, but they've developed a vaccine for Ebola.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/first-fd...

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#46
post #42
post #13

Coronaviruses are transmitted in what seems to be the same manner as influenza and generate some of the same symptoms. Why do the worst coronaviruses, like SARS, transmit so slowly, while the flu is practically ubiquitous?

While SARS does have a longer incubation period, typically 2-7 days compared to the common flu's 1-4 days, the "slow transmission" that you've witnessed is more likely the successful work of national and international public health agencies preventing its spread. Especially by means of contact tracing and quarantine. Seasonal flu variants have a lethality of around 0.1%. The Spanish flu of 1918 was around 2%. SARS ha…

MERS had a 36% fatality rate.

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#47
post #13

Coronaviruses are transmitted in what seems to be the same manner as influenza and generate some of the same symptoms. Why do the worst coronaviruses, like SARS, transmit so slowly, while the flu is practically ubiquitous?

I read somewhere that you can get the flu by being exposed to as few as 25 flu virus particles. Maybe the coronaviruses require more actual virus particles?

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#48
post #41
post #17

I feel like it has been so long since the swine flu, bird flu, H1N1 flu, and other flu scares that we are due for one. Like the recessions the flu scares are cyclical.

Bird flu (H5N8) is actually back in central Europe right now, coming in through eastern Europe from Central Asia.

We’re all sickened for about two weeks already... this year’s flu is definitely a thing, although seems to be contained in the NL (personal, anecdotal evidence)

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#49
post #37
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A more polite way of saying it would be along the lines of: We're in trouble if a real crisis hits where we depend on leadership to be intelligent, truthful, and have our best interests as a country at heart.

Not sure we can blame the current leadership for the last 30+ years of issues. That said our current govt will surely follow the path to the most profit for big pharma. Of that I have no doubt.

If its track record of starting medical cost transparency is any indication, I'd say it's following a different path than what benefits big pharma.

Re: First Case of New Coronavirus Detected in U.S.

#50

The Chinese government has had difficulties handling the situation. I think we might need WHO to jump in soon. (Chinese New Years is in 3 days and few hundred million people will travel in congested trains and flights. Also people in China usually don’t cover their mouths when they cough) Coronavirus: Chinese hospitals not testing patients, say relatives https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/21/coronavirus-ch...…

If they have difficulty dealing with this in a country where the government has a lot of control over people's coming and going just think what it'll be like if it gets going in the US.
Post reply on HN