US reports 200,000 new cases (and counting) today.  So I was a few days off but we’re gonna hit that 250 in a day mark very soon.  

1 hour ago, SNOORDA said:

Have you had the charcoal ice cubes in your drink?  Meh...  not my thing but apparently people like that flavor.   But their grilled vegetables are bomb.  And im not a veggie fan really

I usually do wine when we go there. Their sides are RIDICULOUS. The brocollini and mushrooms are unreal. Fries too. 

18 hours ago, DrPhilly said:

Are you joking? Sweden is FAR FAR better than those places and others like Spain and the UK.  Not even close.

I've seen a few articles like that one.  They jump on the fact that the Swedish govt has been more vocal now to push people to observe the measures.  What the articles don't do is offer any of the statistical facts.  The bottom line is the 2nd wave is half the size of the 1st one.  The govt expected it to be an even smaller 2nd wave than what we've actually seen.  So the govt has been very aggressive to push in the media for people to be diligent.

The one key argument for "failure" is the comparison of the rates of death to the other Nordic countries.  That is absolutely a relevant stat though Sweden is quite different from those other places so far from perfect.

I was joking, which is why I picked those other countries specifically.  The Washington Post used to be a good newspaper.  Now they're trash, and this is one article that provides the evidence of that.  Of course, the almighy Washington Post seems to know it all, and doesn't bother with rigorous research that you would expect for such a bold proclamation.

6 hours ago, xzmattzx said:

I was joking, which is why I picked those other countries specifically.  The Washington Post used to be a good newspaper.  Now they're trash, and this is one article that provides the evidence of that.  Of course, the almighy Washington Post seems to know it all, and doesn't bother with rigorous research that you would expect for such a bold proclamation.

Yeah ok. They got part of it right but yeah they were quite happy to tilt the article to fit their narrative. 
 

An article came out this morning that says the daily rate average over the last couple weeks has risen up from just over 25 deaths a day in Sweden to around 40. At peak in April it was up to 90 for about two weeks. We are still adding significant numbers of confirmed cases here but with dropping rates. Looks like we will get up to 40-60% of deaths in the 2nd wave as compared to the first wave. 

New study which both WSJ and NYTimes reported on yesterday shows possible evidence of COVID being in the US at least as early as mid-December.  This is based on tests made on blood samples taken in that period.  The articles are careful to explain that the findings aren't conclusive evidence by any stretch but do point to earlier COVID than previously thought.

If this is the case it would add a bit to my personal theory that I was infected in early Feb by colleagues traveling to Europe from the US for company event.

3 hours ago, DrPhilly said:

New study which both WSJ and NYTimes reported on yesterday shows possible evidence of COVID being in the US at least as early as mid-December.  This is based on tests made on blood samples taken in that period.  The articles are careful to explain that the findings aren't conclusive evidence by any stretch but do point to earlier COVID than previously thought.

If this is the case it would add a bit to my personal theory that I was infected in early Feb by colleagues traveling to Europe from the US for company event.

One of my neighbors who is very pro Trump and while not a total anti masker wears one "to be polite" is convinced he had it in October..... 2019.  

3 hours ago, DrPhilly said:

New study which both WSJ and NYTimes reported on yesterday shows possible evidence of COVID being in the US at least as early as mid-December.  This is based on tests made on blood samples taken in that period.  The articles are careful to explain that the findings aren't conclusive evidence by any stretch but do point to earlier COVID than previously thought.

If this is the case it would add a bit to my personal theory that I was infected in early Feb by colleagues traveling to Europe from the US for company event.

I honestly believe that I had it around mid-Feb.  I was as sick as I had been in years and years.  Bad cough - fever - all of that...

No way of knowing for sure though...

23 minutes ago, sameaglesfan said:

I honestly believe that I had it around mid-Feb.  I was as sick as I had been in years and years.  Bad cough - fever - all of that...

No way of knowing for sure though...

I had the worst flu of my life in October and followed that up with pneumonia and I tested negative twice within like 7-10 days of each other.  I was shocked because my flu symptoms ticked every Covid box with an insane temperature pushing 104 degrees. Then when it turned into a respiratory issue with a pneumonia diagnosis I tested out negative again. I know a lot of cases have followed the Fever > Flu Symptoms > Pneumonia cycle but I highly doubt I'd get two false negatives.

 

6 hours ago, DrPhilly said:

Yeah ok. They got part of it right but yeah they were quite happy to tilt the article to fit their narrative. 
 

An article came out this morning that says the daily rate average over the last couple weeks has risen up from just over 25 deaths a day in Sweden to around 40. At peak in April it was up to 90 for about two weeks. We are still adding significant numbers of confirmed cases here but with dropping rates. Looks like we will get up to 40-60% of deaths in the 2nd wave as compared to the first wave. 

We're 3 days into December. This isn't so much about waves as it about making it through the winter until spring when the vaccine can actually start chipping away at the problem.

On 11/18/2020 at 5:05 PM, Talkingbirds said:

Went hiking with my brother on Friday.  4 hr round road  trip.  On way home he got call from grandson that they(daughters family) needed to get tested because one of family members tested positive.  Asked when he last had contact with them.  Said 2 days ago.  My daughter-in-law just finished chemo and radiation treatment and we typically get to see my grandson every other week.  So out of precaution I talked with my PCP to get tested.  Was told if I don’t have symptoms they would not test me.  Told me to try CVS as they were offering drive thru testing.  Get tested tomorrow.  Not allowed to see them without proof of negative test.  We’ve been very good about limiting contacts, wearing masks, etc.  Most times meetings take place outside on deck.  Can’t control people outside our  direct sphere.  Apparently person was infected at workplace.  Vaccines can’t come soon enough.

Got negative test result on 20th.  3days later starting getting symptoms.

Fever, chills. next day severe soar throat, then heavy coughing.  Kept things under control with OTC meds.  Thought about calling doc day before Thanksgiving, but throat cleared up and fever broke. Coughing continued thru weekend so had a videoconference with doc Monday.   Said it sounded like Covid but didn’t order test.  Put me on zpak and prednisone to help get rid of coughing.  Went thru Walgreens to get tested.  Just got result positive.   Brother is fine.  Not sure where I picked it up at.  Looks like wife now has it.  Her symptoms are much milder then mine, but asked doc if he’ll prescribe same for her.  Another videoconferencing today. Script really knocked out coughing for me.

32 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

We're 3 days into December. This isn't so much about waves as it about making it through the winter until spring when the vaccine can actually start chipping away at the problem.

Unlike the US we have a clear set of two different waves here.  A 3rd or 4th could be in the cards for sure.

Just now, DrPhilly said:

Unlike the US we have a clear set of two different waves here.  A 3rd or 4th could be in the cards for sure.

Point is, this isn't the time to get complacent. We've got 3-4 more months of tough sledding ahead. Wear your mask, keep your distance, stay diligent. Don't let your guard down until you get that needle in your arm.

22 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Point is, this isn't the time to get complacent. We've got 3-4 more months of tough sledding ahead. Wear your mask, keep your distance, stay diligent. Don't let your guard down until you get that needle in your arm.

Of for sure.  We just ramped up the heat over here today one more notch.  High schools nationwide are going back to online from Monday thru to the end of the Xmas break.

54 minutes ago, Talkingbirds said:

Got negative test result on 20th.  3days later starting getting symptoms.

Fever, chills. next day severe soar throat, then heavy coughing.  Kept things under control with OTC meds.  Thought about calling doc day before Thanksgiving, but throat cleared up and fever broke. Coughing continued thru weekend so had a videoconference with doc Monday.   Said it sounded like Covid but didn’t order test.  Put me on zpak and prednisone to help get rid of coughing.  Went thru Walgreens to get tested.  Just got result positive.   Brother is fine.  Not sure where I picked it up at.  Looks like wife now has it.  Her symptoms are much milder then mine, but asked doc if he’ll prescribe same for her.  Another videoconferencing today. Script really knocked out coughing for me.

Glad you're doing better and sending best wishes to your wife as well.

27 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

Of for sure.  We just ramped up the heat over here today one more notch.  High schools nationwide are going back to online from Monday thru to the end of the Xmas break.

I'm worried sick for my daughter whose district just voted to begin hybrid on Monday.  They've been all virtual mostly.  Right now seems like not a good time, but the board is trusting the numbers saying the spread is not coming from the open schools.

2 minutes ago, DiPros said:

I'm worried sick for my daughter whose district just voted to begin hybrid on Monday.  They've been all virtual mostly.  Right now seems like not a good time, but the board is trusting the numbers saying the spread is not coming from the open schools.

Schools seem pretty safe. My kids have been in school since the day after labor day with no issues. 

The first wave back in the spring is being absolutely dwarfed here by the second wave...

4 minutes ago, Gannan said:

Schools seem pretty safe. My kids have been in school since the day after labor day with no issues. 

My daughter is 34 year old reading specialist with an underlying condition.

8 minutes ago, Gannan said:

Schools seem pretty safe. My kids have been in school since the day after labor day with no issues. 

We just were notified of the first case of spread from student to student in our district. Talking with the wife about possibly pulling the plug with both of them until at least the end of the year.

21 minutes ago, Dawkins 20 said:

The first wave back in the spring is being absolutely dwarfed here by the second wave...

Was the testing level the same?

I'd rather stick to the death numbers for comparison unless you are sure the testing levels are very similar.  Timing in your waves looks nearly identical to the ones we see here though we've started to turn down the last couple of weeks.

35 minutes ago, DiPros said:

My daughter is 34 year old reading specialist with an underlying condition.

If she keeps her mask on and doesn't touch her face before washing her hands she should be ok. If there are cases of kids infecting teachers on a mass scale, I sure haven't heard of it. No kid in the school where my kids go has gotten it. One teacher got it, but that was from visiting his sister on break who had it (which obviously he shouldn't have done).

34 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

We just were notified of the first case of spread from student to student in our district. Talking with the wife about possibly pulling the plug with both of them until at least the end of the year.

Are kids wearing masks or no? My kid's school is really strict with it. We got notified when our daughter let it slip under her nose.

21 minutes ago, Gannan said:

If she keeps her mask on and doesn't touch her face before washing her hands she should be ok. If there are cases of kids infecting teachers on a mass scale, I sure haven't heard of it. No kid in the school where my kids go has gotten it. One teacher got it, but that was from visiting his sister on break who had it (which obviously he shouldn't have done).

Are kids wearing masks or no? My kid's school is really strict with it. We got notified when our daughter let it slip under her nose.

Yes. They don't notify us when they slip up but it's required everywhere inside the building, and my daughter says most kids even wear them during recess. I think the total number of positive cases is at 98 now, with the first student to student transmission having just happened, and we got an email last night that now likely a second one is being investigated. Also just got notified that a positive case was reported in the pre-k class next to the one our 4 year old is in, so we're pulling her out, at least for the next month or two.

We elected to keep both of them for in-person instruction next semester, but we're gonna talk to their teachers to see what kind of work we can do with them at home asynchronously to make sure they don't fall too far behind. We declined to go full virtual for the next semester because even if Dec, Jan, and Feb are awful, we still feel like we were throwing away 3-4 good months where the risk would be low, just to avoid 2-3 months of the risk being high. I download the datasets and track the numbers at the state and local level daily, and try my best to stay informed as much as possible to try to walk that fine line of doing what's best for my kids academically, while not putting the health of theirs, ours, our parents, friends, etc. at risk unnecessarily either. It feels like an almost impossible balance to strike at times. 

35 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

Was the testing level the same?

I'd rather stick to the death numbers for comparison unless you are sure the testing levels are very similar.  Timing in your waves looks nearly identical to the ones we see here though we've started to turn down the last couple of weeks.

Testing is way up compared to the first wave.... like 5-fold.

Here's deaths...

 

6 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Yes. They don't notify us when they slip up but it's required everywhere inside the building, and my daughter says most kids even wear them during recess. I think the total number of positive cases is at 98 now, with the first student to student transmission having just happened, and we got an email last night that now likely a second one is being investigated. Also just got notified that a positive case was reported in the pre-k class next to the one our 4 year old is in, so we're pulling her out, at least for the next month or two.

We elected to keep both of them for in-person instruction next semester, but we're gonna talk to their teachers to see what kind of work we can do with them at home asynchronously to make sure they don't fall too far behind. We declined to go full virtual for the next semester because even if Dec, Jan, and Feb are awful, we still feel like we were throwing away 3-4 good months where the risk would be low, just to avoid 2-3 months of the risk being high. I download the datasets and track the numbers at the state and local level daily, and try my best to stay informed as much as possible to try to walk that fine line of doing what's best for my kids academically, while not putting the health of theirs, ours, our parents, friends, etc. at risk unnecessarily either. It feels like an almost impossible balance to strike at times. 

Yeah its a tough call. My daughter has multiple learning disabilities and she is about as far form self motivated as a kid can get. She absolutely needs to be in school. Her time with the special ed teacher is invaluable. We will keep her face to face as long as we can. Cases are sky rocketing around here. My wife's hospital is getting full. One of the many reasons I have no patience or tolerance for anti maskers who insist on spreading covid everywhere because "muh freedumz".

12 minutes ago, Gannan said:

Yeah its a tough call. My daughter has multiple learning disabilities and she is about as far form self motivated as a kid can get. She absolutely needs to be in school. Her time with the special ed teacher is invaluable. We will keep her face to face as long as we can. Cases are sky rocketing around here. My wife's hospital is getting full. One of the many reasons I have no patience or tolerance for anti maskers who insist on spreading covid everywhere because "muh freedumz".

Yeah, it's why I get so frustrated on here at times when people argue about basic scientific facts as if there's some level of subjectivity around any of this. If someone wants to argue about their personal beliefs over subjective issues like abortion, gun control, or heck even whether Trump is a good president or not, then that's one thing. But the moment they try to spout off some nonsense and pretend things we know to be objectively true aren't so black and white, then I lose all my patience because I recognize they're the reason my family's health is put at risk unnecessarily. They're the reason why my kids get bummed out when I tell them we can't go to Disney this year. They're the reason why my dad is nervous to get close to my kids now that they've been in school for the last two months. I'm just so F'ing sick of seeing and hearing the same horseshit, especially from people that should know better. Listening to the school board meetings since August has been a real eye opener, and I'm so done trying to put my trust in other parents to do the right thing to keep my kids safe. And it makes me even more depressed when I hear about people dying or getting severely ill knowing how much all of this could've been avoided in the first place.