113: Asymptomatic
As we thinking about schools in the fall, one scary scenario is a child being infected and not knowing it or showing any symptoms and that child infecting all other kids. It’s more than possible. Asymptomatic cases are one of the scariest thing about the coronavirus. For me (not a doctor), it’s the first I’ve heard about any virus being this way.
The percentage of people who are asymptomatic is really a bit unknown. More news reports refer to three studies that have occurred. All have a bit different conclusions. They are:
There was an aircraft carrier in Guam and the virus spread throughout the entire ship. 17% of the ship’s 4,845 sailors got the coronavirus. Around half of the those who tested positive were asymptomatic.
Another study found that about 18% of positive cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship were asymptomatic.
A study earlier this month tested 3000 non-symptomatic New Yorkers and found that 14% tested had signs of the coronavirus, suggesting that about 10 times the number of people who have officially tested positive have had it.
Regardless of the exact amount, it’s a fact that a large group of people are walking around with COVID who don’t even know they have it.
“We don’t know the definitive answer, but it probably is a substantial proportion. That is a non-scientifically based estimate, based on these dribs and drabs of information that we get.”
- Anthony Fauci
As we try to live with the virus, this one characteristic makes it tough to know how many people are infected. It also makes me look at every friend and family member with suspicion, as there may not be any clues.
It’s as if someone was designing an apocalyptic video game sequel and they were brainstorming on how they could make a terrible virus even worse. It seems so unfair.
Why Are Deaths Down?
This tread was interesting. Basically, some places are coming down in a big way (NYC) while others are going up dramatically (Texas, Florida, etc.). It’s not one outbreak but many different outbreaks. As a whole the current trend is down but if that will reverse once these other increases start to outweigh the declines. (thx J.Allbin)
Other Stuff
The South is losing newspapers. Every state in the South had at least one county without a newspaper. Roughly 10% of Texas counties and 15% of Georgia counties no longer have a stand-alone newspaper.
A killer mask:
Beavis and Butthead is coming back. I loved them in the 90’s and I do think the time is right to get stupid again. (thx Mow)
Taco Bell puts the same ingredients together in variuos ways. Here people get creative with running and biking.
This video is crazy. Instead of one well-planned and coordinated event, we have lots of individuals doing their own thing. Seems appropriate:
We just need to stick with our problems longer. “One target at a time”. THIS
Cases
The World
Highlights
Britain drops quarantine for more than 50 countries — but not for the U.S.
USA
Some highlights:
At least five U.S. states set single-day case records over the weekend as the country’s daily infection report topped 50,000 again.
Arizona is in a tough spot. More than 90 percent of ICU beds were filled. And during the first three days of July, more than 12,400 new cases were announced statewide. Now, it seems, there aren’t enough tests.
Texas is also in a really bad spot. A video of a doctor talking about not having enough ICU beds. It’s terrible and a repeat of NYC’s situation.
This is a good look at how we look as cities and a county going forward. Lots of testing but lower positive rate:
That’s it. Have a great Monday everyone.
“One target at a time”