Coronavirus: living samples found on frozen food packaging in east China’s Qingdao, CDC says

An outbreak of Covid-19 in Qingdao, which started last month and was linked to two port workers who had been patients at the same hospital. The workers were asymptomatic, but a few days later, a total of another13 people were infected.

CDC could not confirm whether the workers were infected by handling infected packages or contaminated the packages themselves after contracting the virus somewhere else.

According to the CDC investigation, living samples of the coronavirus have been detected on frozen food packaging.

Testing of Qingdao's 10 million residents was carried out over five days. To be exact, the total number is 10,899,145. What an incredible feat!

There are many news media outlets publishing the same story but a great deal of variation. In order to find out the authenticity, I turned to YouTube, and the China newspaper, not just relying on South China Morning Post.

Several news articles do not mention anything about the frizen food, and presence of virus in the packaging causing the cross infection. They mainly emphasise the hospital not being decontaminated properly.

The number of people tested varies greatly, from 4 million to 11 million.

Thank you for reading.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3106000/coronavirus-living-samples-found-frozen-food-packaging-east http://sd.people.com.cn/n2/2020/1017/c166192-34356146.html

Coronavirus: living samples found on frozen food packaging in east China’s Qingdao

A Covid-19 patient in the UK now has permanent hearing loss

A Covid-19 patient in the UK now has permanent hearing loss

It probably is my naivety to assume that loss of hearing should not be a surprise after a serious recovery from COVID19from COVID-19. After all, the disease causes respiratory problem, and affects the airway.

I shall continue after further research into this subject.

A Covid-19 patient in the UK now has permanent hearing loss

Donald Trump and wife Melania test positive for COVID-19

Donald Trump and wife Melania test positive for COVID-19
https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/donald-trump-and-wife-melania-test-positive-for-covid-19-20201002-p561cu.html

At about 3:30 pm, 2 October, 2020 I read The Age and found out Donald Trump and wife Melania tested positive for COVID-19.

I never wish anyone to subject to such unpleasant episode. This virus does not discriminate on the basis of wealth, race, colour, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or status.

At 74 years old and obese, Trump falls into the highest risk category for serious complications from the disease, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans and more than 1 million people worldwide.

The President’s closest advisers, Hope Hicks, contracted the infection, was experiencing symptoms, and had been in close proximity to the President without a mask in recent days.

Hicks travelled to and from the presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio with him. She was also aboard the President’s helicopter, Marine One, to Joint Base Andrews, and on Air Force One for the President's visit to Minnesota political rally.

Study by Cornell Alliance for Science shows that Donald Trump is the world’s biggest driver of coronavirus misinformation. His remarks on use of disinfectant and hydroxychloroquine led to major spikes articles on ‘miracle cures’. A study of coronavirus patients in a US government-run hospital for military veterans found more deaths among those treated with hydroxychloroquine than those treated with standard care.

Donald Trump claimed that the pandemic was a hoax for political gain by the US Democratic Party. He also alleged that the virus was a bioweapon released by a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

He suggested the possibility of injecting disinfectants inside the body to cure the coronavirus. While a disinfectant can kill viruses on surfaces, it can be poisonous if ingested.

Another of his ideas floated was exposing patients to "ultraviolet or just very powerful light". UV irradiation and high heat are known to kill virus particles on surfaces, but by the time the virus has taken hold inside the body, no amount of UV light on the skin will make a difference.

If the infection is very mild, Donald Trump may become more comical and cynical. However, if his condition gets worse and requires hospitalisation like British prime minster Boris Johnson, his views and outlook about the pandemic may change after his recovery.

Get well soon, POTUS and FLOTUS.

Thank you for reading.

Donald Trump and wife Melania test positive for COVID-19

Sweden records highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases since June

Sweden records highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases since June
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/sweden-records-highest-daily-rise-in-covid-19-cases-since-june-20201001-p5618d.html

A surge in infection in Sweden is not unexpected, just like Quebec and Ontario. If no drastic measure is taken, the rise is likely to be exponential in the next few weeks. There is no data to show the number of people tested, and therefore the number of infections will not reflect the real situation.

There are other reports to show that economically Sweden is no better than or just as bad as the neighbouring countries, although the people have enjoyed more freedom of movement.

In my previous post I touched on super spreaders. In my opinion, I believe it is likely one is among these newly infected in Sweden. The number of infection cases will continue to grow because of super spreader.

You may recall Lombardy in Italy started with medical doctors witnessing cases of patients died of pneumonia-like disease in November 2019, but no action was taken. Things became drastically wrong, and a large number of the population, especially the aged, died in the subsequent months.

UK is another example. Boris Johnson bragged about his visit to hospital treating infected patients and took photos with them without wearing a mask. He was experimenting with the theory of “herd immunity”. Fortunately, he was struck down by the virus himself, or else health policies would not change to curb with the rapid rise.

Wearing mask in public places is not a human rights issue or a fashion statement. It is about quality of life. Your health, or even your life is in your own hand now! Take good care and stay safe.

Thank you for reading.

Sweden records highest daily rise in COVID-19 cases since June

Just one 'super-spreader' could spark a third coronavirus wave

Just one 'super-spreader' could spark a third coronavirus wave
https://www.theage.com.au/national/just-one-super-spreader-could-spark-a-third-coronavirus-wave-20200930-p560jl.html

Most people do not ask questions even on matters that concern them. Some have no idea what is going on. A few will probe and ask why, either to satisfy their curiosity or want to find out more in order to pursue their subject further.

In my case, I ask not only why but also why not. Very often, my thought process is similar to an atomic chain reaction.

On several occasions I can’t control my thoughts and ideas. They keep pouring out automatically and unconsciously. I have no epidemiology and medical training, but my knowledge in science and other disciplines, plus my logic mind enable me to postulate children possessing certain immunity and being super spreaders.

The presence of an infected person or persons in an enclosed area and confined space with poor insufficient air circulation, the virus population can only increase in the air or on objects touched by the infected. When I meet someone in the open, I try to social distance at a distance further than recommended whenever possible, and with a mask on. I try NOT to face each other, but stand next to the person, or perpendicular to the person. In addition, I shall also ask the person to stand in a more sheltered spot on windy day, and stand sideway so any aerosol is blown away, not in the face on either party.

I have seen shoppers going extra lengths to take precaution in wiping down the trolleys or shopping baskets at larger supermarkets, but when they go to smaller stores or “farms” selling fruit and vegetables, all the precautions are forgotten.

Anyone can be infected unknowingly, because there are asymptomatic carriers out there. It is important that even when dealing with people you know well, like family members, do not assume they are completely innocent; whho they have met or encountered may not be 100% virus free. We must not be over paranoid or we will die of fear or depression. However, observing basic hygiene rules and logic of air circulation and air flow can minimise getting infected.

Thank you for reading.

Just one 'super-spreader' could spark a third coronavirus wave