Fear and Loathing, a Rat Flu Odyssey

My understanding of the flu was that outbreaks slow down in warmer months because there is less concentration of students in school/universities and less adults all being cooped up inside. Probably people get more physical activity in warmer temps as well thereby helping their immune systems.

A virus with potentially a longer life on inert objects then the flu will potentially be able to overcome that warm weather drop in spreading rates.

Is the virus spreading in SE Asia right now? Because it’s not cold there.

Teh global warmingz came to save humans.

Oh, and there's this...

Guy in Florida went to China, for work, came back with flu symptoms, worried that it might be COVID, went to doctor, turned out to only be the flu, and, surprise! He owes $1400, out of a total billing of $3270. And he will owe even more than that, unless he can provide his insurance company with three years of detailed health records proving that he didn't catch the flu as a result of a pre-existing condition. (Needless to say, this is one of those non-ACA health plans that certain political factions have fought to allow, because free market consumer choice!) Oh, and the hospital where he was tested isn't finished billing him; the $1400/$3270 bill is only partial, physicians bill individually (are they in-network? maybe, or maybe not!), so more surprises ahead.

Anyway, unlike this guy, most people who have crap insurance know better than to go to a doctor or hospital, which is going to be a problem, for the whole world, if this pandemic makes the jump to this particular country, with its patchwork health care system that's mainly devoted to price gouging rather than keeping people healthy.

He also hasn't yet received the bill from the ER doctors that saw him - so he'll see that bill jump back up over $2k real soon. He will incur costs trying to track down and send in 3 years worth of medical records as well. He pays over $2000 a year in insurance so some people are saying $1400 is a good deal for a trip to the ER.

This is all excellent news as it will coach anyone who has flu like symptoms and any potential exposure to covid to not get tested and instead just carry on with their mild symptoms- like going to work as a cook or nurse or preschool teacher. Or care attendant at a retirement home.

Trump will cure covid and it will be so easy. Just as soon as he resurrects the CDC out of the grave he put it in. Sorry - are we allowed to mention his name in the Padded Room?

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Originally Posted by bennymac

My understanding of the flu was that outbreaks slow down in warmer months because there is less concentration of students in school/universities and less adults all being cooped up inside. Probably people get more physical activity in warmer temps as well thereby helping their immune systems.

A virus with potentially a longer life on inert objects then the flu will potentially be able to overcome that warm weather drop in spreading rates.

Is the virus spreading in SE Asia right now? Because it’s not cold there.

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I think it's true.

Sent from my Redmi Note 8 Pro using Tapatalk

It's not like its below freezing in Lombardy, Daegu, Wuhan, or Qom. It's quite temperate.

The virus seems happy to spread in regions that have temps close to normal indoor climate controlled temps. It is probably spreading indoors primarily anyway. (like on a cruise ship)

In the Summer, people spend less time cooped up indoors (a theory behind flu season).

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Originally Posted by Summit

It's not like its below freezing in Lombardy, Daegu, Wuhan, or Qom. It's quite temperate.

The virus seems happy to spread in regions that have temps close to normal indoor climate controlled temps. It is probably spreading indoors primarily anyway. (like on a cruise ship)

In the Summer, people spend less time cooped up indoors (a theory behind flu season).

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there is no below freezing requirement for any winter seasonal flu. it is the more time spent indoors in close contact and the drier colder air and if heated the then even drier air and dried out nasal passages. humidifiers are huge
wuhan, still cold by flu standards
https://www.google.com/search?q=wuhan+climate

Italy? Alto Adige is basically germany.

Iran?
Lots of cold mountains right next to the mountains in Turkey where upwards of 40 just died in avalanches. There have been no reports in Afghanistan or Pakistan but you can bet that it is spreading unimpeded based on what has happened Iran. And that means Northern India, Nepal, etc, which were already probably getting it direct from Wuhan.

The 1918 flu raged all summer and died in October.

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

The 1918 flu raged all summer and died in October.

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Did you mean to say that everyone died in October? October 1918 is the highest mortality rate in US history.

"Between war and sickness, life expectancy fell from 51 to 39 years of age in 1918, according to Davis."

https://www.history.com/news/spanish...s-october-1918
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-res...emic-h1n1.html

Tropical Singapore, maybe the most advanced country in the world when it comes to responding to an epidemic, has seen just under 100 confirmed cases. Singaporeans without any recent travel history have contracted the virus which suggests the virus can spread in warm humid environments.

The good news is Singapore currently has more recoveries than it has new cases so in theory an effective response can contain this thing.

Attachment 317541

@Multiverse's post: Highs right around 90 every day this week in Singapore - perhaps AC in warm weather might be an analog of winter in a cold climate (i.e. people gathered together inside in cool, dry air) in wealthy societies closely enough to continue the spread though summer? Just a hypothesis.

^ I looked it up and yeah going in and out repeatedly from hot outdoor into air conditioning lowers the body's natural defenses because blood flow, which contains white blood cells, to the nose and throat is immediately restricted by the body in an attempt to preserve core temperature. It's a natural automatic response to suddenly entering a cold environment.

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Originally Posted by MultiVerse

Tropical Singapore, maybe the most advanced country in the world when it comes to responding to an epidemic, has seen just under 100 confirmed cases. Singaporeans without any recent travel history have contracted the virus which suggests the virus can spread in warm humid environments.

The good news is Singapore currently has more recoveries than it has new cases so in theory an effective response can contain this thing.

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I was suposed to be there right now, don't regret bailing one bit

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Originally Posted by MultiVerse

^ I looked it up and yeah going in and out repeatedly from hot outdoor into air conditioning lowers the body's natural defenses because blood flow, which contains white blood cells, to the nose and throat is immediately restricted by the body in an attempt to preserve core temperature. It's a natural automatic response to suddenly entering a cold environment.

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Lowers the body's natural defenses how much?

I'm ramping up my vitamin C intake.

Three Intravenous Vitamin C Research Studies Approved for Treating COVID-19

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/...ZYQXkifQ%3D%3D

Can Herbal Medicines Fight Wuhan Coronavirus?

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/ca...an-coronavirus

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Originally Posted by splat

I'm ramping up my vitamin C intake.

Three Intravenous Vitamin C Research Studies Approved for Treating COVID-19

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/...ZYQXkifQ%3D%3D

Can Herbal Medicines Fight Wuhan Coronavirus?

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/ca...an-coronavirus

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Snake Oil claims.

NTTAWWT.

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Originally Posted by Summit

In the Summer, people spend less time cooped up indoors (a theory behind flu season).

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The only solution is to just give everyone this summer off from work. Who's with me?

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Originally Posted by The AD

The only solution is to just give everyone this summer off from work. Who's with me?

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I'm in.

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

The 1918 flu raged all summer and died in October.

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No, it didn't

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The first wave of the 1918 pandemic occurred in the spring and was generally mild. The sick, who experienced such typical flu symptoms as chills, fever and fatigue, usually recovered after several days, and the number of reported deaths was low.

However, a second, highly contagious wave of influenza appeared with a vengeance in the fall of that same year. Victims died within hours or days of developing symptoms, their skin turning blue and their lungs filling with fluid that caused them to suffocate. In just one year, 1918, the average life expectancy in America plummeted by a dozen years.

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https://www.history.com/topics/world...8-flu-pandemic


There is no such thing as 'it can't spread in summer' or warm climates. it's just that in the aggregate spreading becomes less efficient. Instead of each person spreading it to two people each person spreads to 1.8, and then the number keeps dropping until fall.

You guys aren't off for the summer?

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Originally Posted by splat

I'm ramping up my vitamin C intake.

Three Intravenous Vitamin C Research Studies Approved for Treating COVID-19

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/...ZYQXkifQ%3D%3D

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They have been investigating Vitamin C for years for a million things. The studies don't pan out. The most recent amazing claim was that it would treat Sepsis, but those studies have not panned out.

Vitamin C treats and prevents Scurvy. We also use it for burns or as a last ditch for Methemoglobinemia.

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Originally Posted by liv2ski

You guys aren't off for the summer?

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https://media.giphy.com/media/YmVNzD...pmLr/giphy.gif

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Originally Posted by Summit

They have been investigating Vitamin C for years for a million things. The studies don't pan out. The most recent amazing claim was that it would treat Sepsis, but those studies have not panned out.

Vitamin C treats and prevents Scurvy. We also use it for burns or as a last ditch for Methemoglobinemia.

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So.....you're against studies that might help produce some results except the ones you have anecdotal experience with?
Are you saying they shouldn't study it at all?
Wonder how they found it helped with methemoglobinemia?
Did you read all the studies or just scientifically poo-poo it at first glance?

🤦♀️

I'm going to keep a spray can of Lysol at me desk. Spray the crap out of the place and keep my door closed. Might be a good time to tell the boss I'm telecommuting (from the ski slopes)

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Originally Posted by Vt-Freeheel

Attachment 317541

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I don’t see Baker Mayfield’s beard anywhere on that chart.

Looks like the Browns will be shopping for a new QB soon.

RIP Baker, say hey to Tanner for us.

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Originally Posted by liv2ski

You guys aren't off for the summer?

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I'm off for life.

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Originally Posted by splat

So.....you're against studies that might help produce some results except the ones you have anecdotal experience with?
Are you saying they shouldn't study it at all?
Wonder how they found it helped with methemoglobinemia?
Did you read all the studies or just scientifically poo-poo it at first glance?

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So you are for putting words in peoples mouths? Where did I say that studies should not be done?

My point is there are just a few things that we know it works for and works well. We should not put much stock in the simple fact that studies are being done because usually the studies don't back up the wild initial claims. That is not a Vitamin C thing... its a trend in general where certain interest wildly promote the potential of a treatment without good evidence and then it doesn't pan out under science, whether it is Big Pharma or Big Alternatives or just an excited practitioner.

Now when studies come out confirming a treatment, then we should get excited.

Studies say alcohol kills it on surfaces, right?

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Studies say alcohol kills it on surfaces, right?

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60-80% isopropyl

30-55% ethanol works well if ingested ;)

As a pirate, I can confidently say I'm thankful for vitamin C.

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Originally Posted by powdork

have any citations to back that up?

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That Chinese restaurant shitter scene in Enter The Dragon?

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Originally Posted by muted

Lowers the body's natural defenses how much?

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As far as I know it isn't quantified but the effect is temporary depending on how long it takes for a person's body to acclimatize. The main thing is you don't want to be cold or shivering in a transmissible environment.

Per powdork, and iceman's hypothesis, influenza likes people gathered together in cold dry conditions. There are other viruses, though, that are just as transmissible in warm humid environments.


Sort of related and quantifiable, the relative transmissible-ness of greeting gestures:

Attachment 317582

Maybe just throw a random bird and call it good.

^what about the elbow bump?

fucking amateurs

Hmmm, the prolonged versions of the fist bump and high five: these are things?

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Originally Posted by MultiVerse

As far as I know it isn't quantified but the effect is temporary depending on how long it takes for a person's body to acclimatize. The main thing is you don't want to be cold or shivering in a transmissible environment.

Per powdork, and iceman's hypothesis, influenza likes people gathered together in cold dry conditions. There are other viruses, though, that are just as transmissible in warm humid environments.


Sort of related and quantifiable, the relative transmissible-ness of greeting gestures:

Attachment 317582

Maybe just throw a random bird and call it good.

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Better and not pictured, elbow bump, AKA "the hospital handshake" or "the Liberian handshake" because it was used during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

Maybe it's best to just not make physical contact with people who are not in your immediate family during a pandemic?

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Originally Posted by The AD

Maybe it's best to just not make physical contact with people who are not in your immediate family during a pandemic?

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It survives on surfaces for 8-10 days.

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

It survives on surfaces for 8-10 days.

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https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...durcdq7smz.jpg