Here are some links, charts, videos, and resources I've compiled over the past few days with important warnings and information.
I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, but a concerned US citizen looking to inform the public of the dangers that lie ahead if the US and other countries do not start immediately staying home as much as possible and practicing social distancing when outside. The single best thing we can do is minimize the amount of the virus that is spreading at any one given time.
You'll hear a lot that younger and healthier people should not be concerned. They should not be so concerned about the effects it will have on their own bodies; however, if they become infected, they become vectors that will infect others, including the older and unhealthy population. Most countries, including the US, simply do not have enough medical professionals, hospital beds, respirators, and protective equipment to serve all that will be affected with the most severe symptoms. There will be overcrowding and tough decisions to be made about who gets care and who does not.
Last Updated: 2020-Apr-03 20:00 ET
Lost Sense of Smell May Be Peculiar Clue to Coronavirus Infection
Partial transcript from the press conference:
“I was in New York City yesterday. It was a pretty day. There is a density level in New York City that is wholly inappropriate. You would think there was nothing going on in parts of New York City. You would think it was just a bright, sunny Saturday. I don’t know what I’m saying that people don’t get. I’m normally accused of being overly blunt and direct. And I take that – it’s true. I don’t know what they’re not understanding. This is not life as usual. None of this is life as usual. And this kind of density – we talk about social distancing. I was in these parks. You would not know that anything is going on. This is just a mistake. It’s a mistake. It’s insensitive. It’s arrogant. It’s self-destructive. It’s disrespectful to other people. And it has to stop. It has to stop now. This is not a joke. And I am not kidding.
We spoke to the Major of the City of New York and the Speaker of the City Council, Corey Johnson. I told both of them that this is a problem in New York City. It’s especially a problem in New York City parks. New York City must develop an immediate plan to correct this situation. I want a plan that we can review in 24 hours, so that we can approve it. There are many options. You have much less traffic in New York City because non-essential workers aren’t going to work. Get creative. Open streets to reduce the density. You wanna go for a walk? God bless you. You wanna go for a run? God bless you. But, let’s open streets. Let’s open space. That’s where people should be – in open space areas. Not in dense locations. There is no group activity in parks. That is not the point. We talked about it the other day.
Also, to kids playing basketball yesterday. I play basketball. There is no concept of social distancing while playing basketball. It doesn’t exist. You can’t stay 6 feet away from a person playing basketball. You can – but then you’re a lousy basketball player and you’re going to lose. You just cannot do that.
We also have bigger parks in New York City. We opened Shirley Chisholm park in Brooklyn. 400 acres. Van Cortland park. There are big parks, there are big spaces. That’s where you want to be. But we need a plan from New York City. I want it in 24 hours, because this is a significant problem that needs to be corrected.”
#BREAKING: NY, CT, NJ, and PA will temporarily close all barber shops, nail & hair salons, tattoo shops, & similar services in our four states effective tomorrow at 8PM.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 20, 2020
These temporary closures are not going to be easy, but they are necessary to protect the public health.
Guidelines call for no groups bigger than 10; Trump says restrictions could last into August
New York halts evictions indefinitely due to coronavirus pandemic.
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut closing bars, restaurants indefinitely starting Monday night
Coronavirus: New York City to close nightclubs, movie theaters; limit bars, restaurants
The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together. We have to break that cycle. Tomorrow, I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food take-out and delivery.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 16, 2020
CDC recommends canceling events with 50 or more people for the next eight weeks throughout US
Italy’s deaths jump, Germany closes borders and restrictions multiply around the world.
A top U.S. health official says Americans should be prepared to ‘hunker down.’
What we do next will have a massive impact on the trajectory of this virus in New York.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 15, 2020
We can only maintain public health by STAYING APART.
The decision each of makes now will impact us all tomorrow. STAY HOME.
A coronavirus cautionary tale from Italy: Don’t do what we did
📊 France, Spain and Germany are about 9 to 10 days behind Italy in #COVID19 progression; the UK and the US follow at 13 to 16 days. In Italy we waited too long, these countries should really start implementing aggressive containment measures now. pic.twitter.com/xL7jUczpmY
— Silvia Merler (@SMerler) March 10, 2020
Washington, D.C., Shuts Down Night Clubs, Tightens Rules on Restaurants
Coronavirus: Austria bans all gatherings of more than five people
Bill de Blasio considers NYC lockdown as coronavirus cases jump.
Spain moves toward a nationwide lockdown and France closes most businesses
Hoboken, NJ Mayor Imposes Mandatory Nightly Curfew, Limits Restaurant Access
Duterte places Metro Manila, home to 13 million, under lockdown to contain viral spread
Satellite images show Iran's mass graves for coronavirus victims
It’s not overreacting to prepare for coronavirus. Here’s how.
Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”
How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart
I am by no means a qualified expert on these subjects. I am just sharing what I am learning and reading. Please consult an accountant and/or lawyer for additional information before applying for any program.
U.S. Small Business Administration PPP information page
U.S. Department of the Treasury PPP information page
U.S. Chamber of Commerce PPP information PDF
Twitter updates from Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury
IRS.gov Economic impact payments: What you need to know page
At 29 minutes in, "If the moment comes where your government in the US or any other country mandates self-isolation or any other maneuver, I think it's really the personal responsibility of every citizen to do that because if we don't take down the transmission of the virus then the capacity of your system will be overwhelmed."
On January 19, 2020, a 35-year-old man presented to an urgent care clinic in Snohomish County, Washington, with a 4-day history of cough and subjective fever. On checking into the clinic, the patient put on a mask in the waiting room. After waiting approximately 20 minutes, he was taken into an examination room and underwent evaluation by a provider. He disclosed that he had returned to Washington State on January 15 after traveling to visit family in Wuhan, China. The patient stated that he had seen a health alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the novel coronavirus outbreak in China and, because of his symptoms and recent travel, decided to see a health care provider.
How coronavirus cases exploded in South Korean churches and hospitals
They Say Coronavirus Isn't Airborne—but It's Definitely Borne By Air
The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here's How To Clean Them
Does disinfecting surfaces really prevent the spread of coronavirus?
Coronavirus: China’s first confirmed Covid-19 case traced back to November 17
Copyright © Ryan Smith.