MigL

Definitely. I can certainly agree that D Trump is dancing as fast as he can to try and divert blame for the many failures, from himself, in an attempt to secure re-election. That's been his MO for the last 3 1/2 years.

If you want to blame D Trump for the stupid advice he gives ( Hydroxychloroquine, UV light and disinfectants, etc. ), fine. If you want to blame D Trump for squabbling with medical professionals, instead of listening to their advice, fine. If you want to blame D Trump for worrying about his re-election more than mitigating the pandemic, and associated death toll, that's fine too. But in 2009, during the H1N1 epidemic, the CDC estimate for the death toll is between 9000 and 18000. "During the pandemic, CDC provided estimates of the numbers of 2009 H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on seven different occasions. Final estimates were published in 2011. These final estimates were that from April 12, 2009 to April 10, 2010 approximately 60.8 million cases (range: 43.3-89.3 million), 274,304 hospitalizations (195,086-402,719), and 12,469 deaths (8868-18,306) occurred in the United States due to pH1N1. These final estimates are available at: Estimating the burden of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in the United States (April 2009-April 2010), " From https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm Who do we blame for those deaths ? Seems B Obama prepared his pandemic response playbook a little late ? ( hey, it's my duty to stir up controversy ) PS: ( and generate discussion )

I would have thought you'd give him a white hood ( KKK ) mask, INow, not a 'gimp' ( Pulp Fiction ) mask.

To clarify, CY, The exposure has to be large enough to overwhelm the immune system for serious outcomes. 'Large enough', is obviously different for different people, according to their age or comorbidities.

I would agree. And thanks for the info, INow.

There does seem to be continuing confusion about aerosol spreading of SARS-COV2 virus, with reports out of Wuhan, of detectable traces of virus RNA in cramped, non-ventilated areas of hospitals, markets, and even open air. But you would have to breathe for 15 min or more, to inhale a single fragment of virus, in open air. Whether these fragments are viable whole virions, or not, is debatable, as the testing is not that specific ( only looks for certain markers ), and no-one has yet attempted to 'culture', and grow these fragments to check for viability. Also , viral load comes into play at these small concentrations; how many virus are needed for an infection ? Indications are that low viral loads result in mild to no infections, that may still test positive. Larger exposures are needed for serious,symptomatic cases. A recent case in BC, Canada, had a woman undergo testing 4 times, two positives, one negative, and one inconclusive, so she was diagnosed of having been infected. After quarantine, she was subsequently re-infected, and medical professionals are left wondering if there is no acquired immunity to the virus. I would first look at the testing procedures, to see what determines an active, viable virus. And the minimum number of viable virions that determine infection.

Iowan daily new case number does seem kind of high for the total number of cases ( all depending on testing of course ). I can't get a history of Iowa's daily case numbers, but yesterday's single data point, would indicate new cases are still climbing rapidly. Most places will wait until new case numbers decline for a period of time before considering partial lifting of the lockdown.

I'm only familiar with semiconductor clean rooms, which are not sterile as they are only concerned with particulate contaminants.

Laminar flow simply means without ( or minimal ) turbulence. Top-down flow is a method to minimize turbulence and horizontal flows ( which may spread contaminants )

Didn't think social distancing would be much of a problem in the wide-open spaces of Iowa . Stay safe.

I would think so. Spinning separators work on density, to separate cream from milk, for example. Knock-out pots ( or cyclonic filters ) work on the same principle as a snow fence. Air has to accelerate to go over it, and the heavier snow drops out on the windward side. For this same reason I wouldn't think ventilation systems would spread virus droplets. Going through a high speed fan will get rid of most virus droplets. ( usually the knock-out pot or cyclonic separator is just ahead of the fan to collect dust, liquid or whatever you're separating out of the airstream )

What about this vaccine being developed at Oxford, which has been able to skip several stages of testing. as it uses the same mechanism used for a MERS vaccine previously developed. They say if final testing proves successful, they could have 3 million units ready by the fall.

Droplets tend to fall out of suspension very quickly if the airflow is passed through a 'knock-out pot' ( engineering speak ). In Physics terms, airflow is directed into a large chamber, where it is quickly decelerated, and then accelerated again. The liquid droplets have much more inertia than air molecules, and cannot 'keep-up'; they drop out of suspension.

Anything that damages ( in any way ) the lining of the lungs will lead to chronic pulmonary fibrosis. IE scarring and thickening of the lining, making respiration more difficult ( pneumonia ), and impossible in extreme cases ( you die ). Heavy doses of steroids taken concurrently/subsequently may alleviate some of the effect, but steroids have their own issues.

IIRC Italy and some other European countries have had their R0 number ( R naught or reproduction number ) at less than 1 for over a week before they started cautiously lifting some restrictions. I know we're not near there in Ontario, yet there is talk of lifting some restrictions in the coming week. Then again, our largest hot spots are metro Toronto and retirement homes, and it's a big province. ( I see more old people out and about than young; what are they thinking ? )

Apparently his last 22 min. press briefing, was caused by a CNN reporter, who D Trump wanted moved back, from the front row to the sixth. Both her, and the other reporter in the sixth row refused to move, as is their right, and that got the President 'upset'. He cut the briefing short and refused to take any questions. https://www.mediaite.com/news/wh-tried-to-force-cnns-kaitlan-collins-to-move-to-back-row-at-briefing-reportedly-threatened-secret-service-involvement/ Real 'grown up' behavior.

For the ones who don't recover, getting infected is much worse. ( so far, over 200 000, and climbing )

Again, as far as Germany is concerned... If you carefully think about it, my 'fallacious' argument is perfectly sensible, as you have no idea if people you interact with are infectious or not. So answer the question as posed, without re-wording. Or whether lifting the lockdown *( added to your quote )

That is not what I meant. They are protesting against the lockdown. IOW they want lockdown and distancing restrictions lifted. Lifting those restrictions is what will put everyone else at risk. You rebutted something I did not suggest; Try again. ( and as far as I know, Germany has no such protests, so I fail to see the value of their court rulings in Canada or the US ) Let's consider a similar example... In countries where prostitution is legal, do you also believe sex trade workers who have contracted HIV and /or AIDS, should be allowed to continue working without informing their 'customers, or should they be charged with willful negligence/reckless endangerment to human life, or possibly even manslaughter ?

The 'standard' I use is "your rights stop, once they start infringing on the rights of others" You want to go out and get sick ? Fine I have no problem with that. But what gives you the right to infect others, for several weeks before you come down with symptoms and eventually die ? Or to infect the health care workers whose job it is to save your ignorant a*s ?

Apparently it isn't just the US that has groups protesting the lockdown/shutdown. We had our own protesters yesterday in front of the Provincial Parliament building in Toronto. Dozens ( 30-40 ) people were 'allowed' to protest by the police ( as long as they practiced social distancing ) and no tickets were issued. Our Premier, Doug Ford ( yes, the brother of the (in)famous Rob Ford ) called them selfish, irresponsible, and 'ya-hoos'.

Proud to report I haven't seen a single one of his press briefings.

The biggest thing Republicans had to brag about in November was the strength of the economy. Not like they could brag about the President's track record, surviving impeachment, or anything. With that option gone, the economy limping along ( devastated in NY, NJ, Ill. and Mass. ) and unemployment at close to 25 % ( especially in Republican states ), I doubt they'll even manage to hold on to the Senate. Somebody's gotta be worried about this; I'm surprised they haven't taken the phone ( and microphone at Press conferences ) away from D Trump and told him to shut up. All J Biden has to do is show up in November; If he survives his age and the pandemic. What else is there to draw attention away from ?

And to prove my point that you guys are overestimating his greed, and underestimating his stupidity... https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/skbaer/coronavirus-trump-light-disinfectants President Trump has now suggested experts find a way to inject light or disinfectants into the human body to combat Covid-19. ( I myself have been doing that for years, by raising my blood alcohol level; but not before driving )

I thought borders were already closed other than transporting of goods.