It's been a little bit frustrating watching the evolution of this. Even today a lot of people are very unaware of whats coming and the preparations, at least from what we can see on the outside, are woefully inadequate in the US and other countries.
Back on Feb 10th the CDC had done 398 tests, it's now Feb 25th, 15 days later and they've only done 426 tests. The surveillance testing that was meant to be set up totally failed to work and still hasn't started.
The virus is 3+ generations on in Italy where it's gone from no cases to 322 cases and 11 deaths in a few days, and now cases are showing up in neighboring countries. Expect a similar kind of surprise "outbreak" to appear here in the US once we eventually get testing capabilities up to speed.
Probably the biggest disappointment has been the deliberate and dangerous misinformation that was spread online and on the news saying the flu was more dangerous. Most people I've spoken to have been under this false belief.
Part of this is terrible communication on the part of the US government, specifically the CDC.
* Watching their press conferences I have no idea how the average American comes away with concrete steps for preparation. The pressers seem mostly focused on laying out everything the HHS / CDC doesn't know and describing that the CDC "is assessing its own preparation" - suggesting they're still not prepared even though the situation has been building for weeks.
* The COVID-19 section on their website is still focused on China even though the virus has obviously spread at this point to several countries.
I suspect the virus itself is unavoidable at this point unless you're willing to walk around with eye protection, rubber gloves, an N95 respirator, etc. But it's critically important to suggest what counter measures (if any) the US can expect to employ, like imposed travel restrictions and curfews in affected areas, so Americans can adequately prepare supplies.
I'm sorry, I don't at all follow your last sentence. The flu IS more dangerous. Upwards of 45 million people get the flu every single year, hundreds of thousands of those are hospitalized, and tens of thousands of those are killed by Influenza. I'm not at all seeing the "deliberate and dangerous misinformation."
erentz|6 years ago
Back on Feb 10th the CDC had done 398 tests, it's now Feb 25th, 15 days later and they've only done 426 tests. The surveillance testing that was meant to be set up totally failed to work and still hasn't started.
The virus is 3+ generations on in Italy where it's gone from no cases to 322 cases and 11 deaths in a few days, and now cases are showing up in neighboring countries. Expect a similar kind of surprise "outbreak" to appear here in the US once we eventually get testing capabilities up to speed.
Probably the biggest disappointment has been the deliberate and dangerous misinformation that was spread online and on the news saying the flu was more dangerous. Most people I've spoken to have been under this false belief.
Donald|6 years ago
* Watching their press conferences I have no idea how the average American comes away with concrete steps for preparation. The pressers seem mostly focused on laying out everything the HHS / CDC doesn't know and describing that the CDC "is assessing its own preparation" - suggesting they're still not prepared even though the situation has been building for weeks.
* The COVID-19 section on their website is still focused on China even though the virus has obviously spread at this point to several countries.
I suspect the virus itself is unavoidable at this point unless you're willing to walk around with eye protection, rubber gloves, an N95 respirator, etc. But it's critically important to suggest what counter measures (if any) the US can expect to employ, like imposed travel restrictions and curfews in affected areas, so Americans can adequately prepare supplies.
stolenmerch|6 years ago
isusmelj|6 years ago
crmrc114|6 years ago