| THIS: Somebody is lying. Posted: 25 Jun 2020 02:14 PM PDT Everything you are witnessing [past & present [future]] centrally revolves around the Presidential Election of 2020.
Win by any means necessary [self-preservation].
Q FearPr0n@Yah00: 'The outlook is not good': Virus cases hit major spike; New U.S. COVID-19 cases surpass peak set in April as states rethink strategy PANIC IN DC!!$21 Million NYC Field Hospital Closes After Never Seeing a Single PatientBloodDoc 43 minutes ago
The article states that the number of occupied ICU beds has increased, but at no point states it is due to COVID patients. A highlighted reference in the article states the following:
"Under the new guidelines, hospitals will report only the COVID-19 patients who need the most intensive care. Previously, hospitals reported all COVID-19 patients in ICU beds, regardless of whether they needed critical care.
The new reporting guidelines will likely lower the number of occupied ICU beds — an important metric to ensure hospitals are not overwhelmed as the state pushes ahead with reopening.".
I am a physician practicing Transfusion Medicine at four large regional hospitals in a (one-time) top 5 per-capita COVID case zones, where I am responsible for approving the use of Convalescent Plasma (CCP) to patients meeting the FDA investigational guidelines for therapy (IND). Additionally, I am medical director for a large volunteer blood collection facilities, providing blood components to over 120 hospitals, long term care facilities and surgery centers. We are responsible for the collection, processing, testing and distribution of COVID-19 convalescent plasma to all facilities participating in the IND.
In the last 3 weeks, only two units (200 mL each) have been requested for patient use at my four primary hospitals. Regional hospitals have requested only 17 units for transfusion over the same span. The majority of shipments have been to facilities outside our primary service region wishing to increase CCP inventory for possible Autumn/Winter flareups. As I am required to speak with many of the ordering physicians, a strong majority report significant decreases in all COVID hospital admissions, including ICU admissions. The majority of patients presenting to urgent care or the ERs seem to be younger, with mild symptoms.
Most blood centers in the U.S. have begun to screen all volunteer blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. At my facilitiy, we are using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, which is extremely sensitive and specific. Testing began on Weds, June 3rd. As of this morning, approximately 5.2% of donors (giving no history of COVID-19 infection) have been found to have potentially protective antibodies. The majority of these donors are age 45 years or younger. This falls in line with similar studies to date in European countries. While early in blood donor testing, we believe the numbers will steadily increase as the virus spreads and immunity develops.
I apologize for the long submission, but I feel that the public should get an idea of what many community healthcare professional are observing. Things are getting better. Take precautions for you own health, protect the vulnerable, and isolate the infected. Life must go on, and it will. Please do not let the media outlets, or politics on either side, influence your decisions for you or your loved ones.
ca dude 3 hours ago
DECIDE FOR YOURSELF - Is It True Or False ?
Media Itching for Second Wave of COVID-19
By Kelly -Jun 25, 2020086 The news media is churning out countless alarmist stories each day about the threat of COVID-19 and the dangers of societal reopening. "Risk of new lockdown rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave," writes Reuters, as one example of the genre.
Image: "We're All Going To Die!" NYT front page today
These stories generally incite, rather than inform. They cherry-pick facts and lack context. Only when the coronavirus picture is viewed in perspective are people able to make wise decisions about their actions. It should be safe for society to continue broadly reopening while directing resources to specific at-risk populations, such as nursing homes and prisons, which are more vulnerable.
The media has focused on increasing numbers of positive tests and hospitalizations in parts of the country to imply reopening is reckless. "Confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by double-digit percentages in 16 U.S. states that have gradually loosened restrictions since Memorial Day," says MarketWatch.
Yet this perspective omits several essential facts.
First, testing capacity has dramatically increased. The U.S. has tested 3.4 million people over the last week—about 40% more than the weekly numbers one month ago. It's no surprise that positive cases have increased in some areas along with testing, especially since numerous antibody studies suggest that the disease is far more widespread than initially thought.
We are witnessing a new infectious disease, and these case count ebbs and flows are to be expected.
In a country as vast and varied as the U.S., there will likely be COVID-19 hot spots somewhere. Yet focusing on these in national news gives the impression that the country, or even individual states, are in far more danger than in reality.
Even with a significant increase in testing, the number of new positive tests nationally has remained flattened as society has reopened.
Topline case counts overlook where outbreaks are occurring. Nearly half of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. A sizable portion of Arizona cases has occurred on Indian reservations.
We'd prefer that at-risk populations didn't bear the brunt of this disease, but these vulnerable groups tell us nothing about the relative safety of reopening Main Street. By lacking this context in their stories, the media is distorting with statistics.
Numerous news outlets are featuring rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in some states to indicate a second wave. Admittedly, hospital admissions are a more objective measure of disease severity than positive tests.
Often left unsaid, however, is that hospitalizations are falling in most states. Wouldn't it be more helpful to cite these statistics in context?
Even in the states with rising hospitalizations, media stories about percentage increases often exaggerate the threat when increases occur from low baseline figures.
For instance, numerous stories highlight how Arkansas' COVID-19 hospital admissions have increased by 121% since Memorial Day. Sounds bad, until you look at the raw numbers, which reveal that this increase only amounts to 111 patients.
Likely for political reasons, the media has identified Florida as the leading edge of a second wave. "Floridians flattened the COVID curve. Then, amid upbeat talk, the numbers began to rise," reads a Miami Herald headline.
Yet the data shows that new positive cases in Florida have tracked the increase in testing. Over the last month, hospitalizations have increased by about 50%, or just over 4,300 patients (in a state of 22 million people). The number of daily COVID-19 deaths in the state has fallen considerably, by about one-third from May 10, using a seven-day rolling average.
This rise and fall in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths is precisely what one expects with a new infectious disease as we learn more and adjust. It's part of "the dance" that we all knew was coming after the curve was flattened. It shouldn't be used to justify pausing societal reopening, so long as appropriate precautions are encouraged and taken.
Reopening remains a success, with the positive case rate flattened, hospitalizations falling in most of the country, and deaths significantly reduced.
That's the positive story that the media should tell. Even if it won't get as many clicks.
Originally published by RealClearPolitics. Reproduced from The Daily Signal ...  |
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