Discussion & News-USA -- (NOT CASES)-March 2020

NEW MONTH ... NEW THREAD ...

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

'Many more cases' of coronavirus expected in the US, but risk remains 'low,' Pence says
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pence-expedited-process-underway-for-coronavirus-vaccine

Vice President Pence, speaking to Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," warned that "we know that there will be many more cases" of coronavirus in the United States and that President Trump had ordered the stockpile of masks to increase from 43 million to approximately "that amount on a monthly basis."

Pence also announced that the Trump administration has "expedited" the process to produce a coronavirus vaccine, and that clinical trials will begin within an "utterly unprecedented" six weeks. Although the vaccine likely won't be available "this season," Pence said, work was proceeding as quickly as possible under the circumstances. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Exclusive: Defense Department Expects Coronavirus Will 'Likely' Become Global Pandemic in 30 Days, As Trump Strikes Serious Tone
https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-department-defense-pandemic-30-days-1489876?piano_t=1

As President Donald Trump assured the public his administration was properly handling the new coronavirus, a document from the Department of Defense showed that officials are preparing for the possibility that COVID-19 may have a significant global impact.

The warning came as part of Thursday's Joint Chief of Staff daily intelligence brief and, according to a document obtained by Newsweek, officials expect COVID-19 will "likely" become a global pandemic within the next 30 days.

Officials have expected global cases would spread. On Tuesday, the National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI) raised the Risk of Pandemic warning. It went from WATCHCON 2, a probable crisis, to WATCHCON 1, an imminent crisis, due to sustained human-to-human transmission outside of China, according to a report summary obtained by Newsweek. ---CONTINUED---

Coronavirus-worried shoppers empty California, Oregon grocery shelves
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/coronavirus-california-oregon-grocery-panic?fbclid=IwAR3UQoTymswA8VTsd5GZRy_BVdKnSOhItDUGBsIe_Mnu1FI0bDzOJBe7COw

Virus-worried shoppers emptied grocery store shelves of goods like water and disinfectant wipes in California and Oregon this weekend after the first U.S. coronavirus death.

(SNIP) .. After a fourth case of the virus was announced in Santa Clara County on Saturday, residents bought up all the water and Clorox wipes at a Costco in Mountain View, California, ABC7 reported. An employee who answered the phone at the Mountain View Costco told FOX Business that water and wipes were back in stock as of Sunday. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

CDC coronavirus test-kit lab may have been contaminated; US lagging behind other countries in testing
https://www.theblaze.com/news/cdc-coronavirus-test-kit-lab-may-have-been-contaminated-us-lagging-behind-other-countries-in-testing

There may be more cases than we know of

The Trump administration has ordered an investigation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a Food and Drug Administration diagnostic scientist found possible contaminants during a visit to a CDC lab in Atlanta that produces coronavirus test kits, according to Axios. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

How two uniquely American issues could make the coronavirus worse
https://news.yahoo.com/money/coronavirus-sick-leave-health-insurance-162016804.html

The spread of a coronavirus outbreak may be particularly swift in the U.S., thanks to the nation’s cost-sharing health insurance model and legions of workers without paid sick leave.

(SNIP) ... o stem an outbreak in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging sick employees to stay home and to seek out medical care if coronavirus-like symptoms worsen.

But some experts worry many Americans may ignore that advice simply because they can’t afford to lose money by missing work or paying to see a doctor. ---CONTINUED---

Coronavirus Cluster Near Seattle Highlights Vulnerability Of Nursing Homes
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/coronavirus-cluster-near-seattle-highlights-vulnerability-nursing-homes#stream/0

An outbreak of coronavirus disease in a nursing home near Seattle is prompting urgent calls for precautionary tactics at America's elder care facilities, where residents are at heightened risk of serious complications from the illness because of the dual threat of age and close living conditions. ---CONTINUED---

Ex-CDC head Tom Frieden says kids may be secret coronavirus carriers
https://nypost.com/2020/03/02/ex-cdc-head-tom-frieden-says-kids-may-be-secret-coronavirus-carriers/

The ex-director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that the deadly coronavirus may be “impossible” to contain — and that kids may be secret carriers of the disease.

(SNIP) ... Frieden pointed to evidence that people with mild or no symptoms, including children, may be secret carriers of the virus.

He cited a report of a 10-year-old boy who visited the outbreak’s epicenter in China and didn’t show any symptoms of the virus. But when the boy’s parents insisted doctors test him, he was diagnosed with the virus, according to the Lancet medical journal. ---CONTINUED---

A quarter of Americans aren't preparing for a coronavirus outbreak. Some of them told us why they're not worried yet.
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-some-americans-arent-preparing-for-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-2

As a new mom to an 8-month-old, Clare Rager is primed to worry.

But the lawyer living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, isn't so concerned about an outbreak of the novel coronavirus — which has so far infected more than 89,000 people globally and killed more than 3,000, including six in the US — in her community or household.

"From what I understand, it's not really impacting babies or people without comorbidities. That's how I'm getting comfortable with it," Rager told Business Insider. "The flu happens every year, and I'm going to live my life." ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

A US doctor predicts a 'massive surge' in coronavirus cases to 'every single state' in the coming weeks, but says this is 'not the end of the world'
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-doctor-predicts-massive-surge-172012985.html

A doctor on Sunday made a grave prediction about coronavirus in the United States, but, with it, offered some good news.

Dr. Dena Grayson wrote on Twitter that, after spending years trying to develop a medical treatment for Ebola, she is "VERY concerned" about COVID-19 evolving into a pandemic.

According to Grayson, US citizens should brace for a "massive surge" in coronavirus cases in the next roughly three weeks, Newsweek first reported. ---CONTINUED---

'There is absolutely going to be an explosion in the number of identified cases' of the coronavirus in the US in the coming days. A Yale healthcare expert explains why you shouldn't panic.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/absolutely-going-explosion-number-identified-172359472.html

(SNIP) .... "There is absolutely going to be an explosion in the number of identified cases," Forman told Yale Insights. "But how fast that number increases is highly dependent on how fast we can test."

(SNIP)... The number of test kits in the US has been inadequate, Forman said. But as testing becomes more readily available, more cases will be uncovered. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

How Daily Life Could Change for Americans if Coronavirus Spreads
https://weather.com/health/video/how-daily-life-could-change-for-americans-if-coronavirus-spreads?fbclid=IwAR3-YHwYYyzLG9mhha35CxjjktWz5Ty_MZGE6h0L0mCvJ0APCoET7gSPdzo

The CDC has recommendations in place for communities dealing with pandemics that could come into play if the coronavirus continues to spread. (VIDEO at LINK)

Hat Tip to FluTrackers:

HHS clarifies US has about 1% of face masks needed for ‘full-blown’ coronavirus pandemic
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/04/hhs-clarifies-us-has-about-1percent-of-face-masks-needed-for-full-blown-pandemic.html

Today, 03:43 PM
MAR 4 20201:55 PM EST
UPDATED 27 MIN AGO
Berkeley Lovelace Jr.@BERKELEYJR
KEY POINTS

HHS clarified Wednesday that the U.S. has about 1%, not 10%, of the required respirator masks that would be needed if the COVID-19 outbreak were to erupt into a pandemic.
The Strategic National Stockpile currently holds approximately 12 million medical-grade N95 masks and 30 million surgical face masks.

The Department of Health and Human Services clarified Wednesday that the United States has about 1%, not 10%, of the required respirator masks that would be needed for medical professionals if the COVID-19 outbreak were to erupt into a pandemic here.

The agency said its pandemic planning assumptions estimate the U.S. health-care system will need up to 3.5 billion N95 respirator masks over a year. The Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s emergency stockpile of drugs and medical supplies, currently holds approximately 12 million medical-grade N95 respirator masks and 30 million surgical face masks, according to an HHS spokesperson. That’s a small fraction of the number of masks needed in a pandemic scenario. So-called N95 masks are preferred by medical professionals because they filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles.

Health and Human Services official Dr. Robert Kadlec apparently misspoke while testifying Tuesday before the Senate health committee, repeating Republican Sen. Mitt Romney’s incorrect math when he asked Kadlec: “What percent of what would be needed by medical professionals if we were to have a full-blown pandemic?”

“If it were to be a severe event, we would need 3.5 billion N95 respirator masks. We have about 35 million,” Kadlec said.

Romney said, “So, about 10%?”

“Ten percent, and we’re actively working on that,” Kadlec said.

An HHS spokesperson, when contacted by CNBC after the hearing, confirmed that the U.S. has 42 million N95 and surgical masks in its stockpile and will need roughly 3.5 billion if a pandemic erupts here — which comes to about 1.2%.

Harvard scientists say the corona virus pandemic will likely affect 40% to 70% of the worlds population by the end of this year:


https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/482794-officials-say-the-cdc-is-preparing-for

ReadyMom wrote: Hat Tip to  FluTrackers:

HHS clarifies US has about 1% of face masks needed for ‘full-blown’ coronavirus pandemic
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/04/hhs-clarifies-us-has-about-1percent-of-face-masks-needed-for-full-blown-pandemic.html

Today, 03:43 PM
MAR 4 20201:55 PM EST
UPDATED 27 MIN AGO
Berkeley Lovelace Jr.@BERKELEYJR
KEY POINTS

   HHS clarified Wednesday that the U.S. has about 1%, not 10%, of the required respirator masks that would be needed if the COVID-19 outbreak were to erupt into a pandemic.
   The Strategic National Stockpile currently holds approximately 12 million medical-grade N95 masks and 30 million surgical face masks.

The Department of Health and Human Services clarified Wednesday that the United States has about 1%, not 10%, of the required respirator masks that would be needed for medical professionals if the COVID-19 outbreak were to erupt into a pandemic here.

The agency said its pandemic planning assumptions estimate the U.S. health-care system will need up to 3.5 billion N95 respirator masks over a year. The Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s emergency stockpile of drugs and medical supplies, currently holds approximately 12 million medical-grade N95 respirator masks and 30 million surgical face masks, according to an HHS spokesperson. That’s a small fraction of the number of masks needed in a pandemic scenario. So-called N95 masks are preferred by medical professionals because they filter out about 95% of all liquid or airborne particles.

Health and Human Services official Dr. Robert Kadlec apparently misspoke while testifying Tuesday before the Senate health committee, repeating Republican Sen. Mitt Romney’s incorrect math when he asked Kadlec: “What percent of what would be needed by medical professionals if we were to have a full-blown pandemic?”

“If it were to be a severe event, we would need 3.5 billion N95 respirator masks. We have about 35 million,” Kadlec said.

Romney said, “So, about 10%?”

“Ten percent, and we’re actively working on that,” Kadlec said.

An HHS spokesperson, when contacted by CNBC after the hearing, confirmed that the U.S. has 42 million N95 and surgical masks in its stockpile and will need roughly 3.5 billion if a pandemic erupts here — which comes to about 1.2%.

I just found this, but it really doesn't surprise me all that much...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8080111/Mike-Pence-admits-America-does-NOT-testing-kits-meet-coronavirus-demand.html

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Exclusive: The Strongest Evidence Yet That America Is Botching Coronavirus Testing
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-many-americans-have-been-tested-coronavirus/607597/

“I don’t know what went wrong,” a former CDC chief told The Atlantic.

It’s one of the most urgent questions in the United States right now: How many people have actually been tested for the coronavirus?

This number would give a sense of how widespread the disease is, and how forceful a response to it the United States is mustering. But for days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has refused to publish such a count, despite public anxiety and criticism from Congress. On Monday, Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, estimated that “by the end of this week, close to a million tests will be able to be performed” in the United States. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence promised that “roughly 1.5 million tests” would be available this week. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

I Just Got Back From Coronavirus Hot Zone, and No One at JFK Seemed to Notice
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/akwyna/i-just-got-back-from-a-coronavirus-hot-zone-and-no-one-at-jfk-seemed-to-notice

I breezed right through security, faster than any other time I can remember.

NEW YORK — When I arrived at New York’s JFK airport Thursday after spending days outside a coronavirus hot zone in Italy, I was expecting a shakedown: a temperature check at customs and some questions about where exactly in the region I’d been and if I had come into contact with any sick people during my stay.

Instead, I breezed right through security, faster than any other time I can remember. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus expert: 'War is an appropriate analogy'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcJDpV-igjs

CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations Dr Richard Hatchett explains the long-term dangers of the Covid-19 coronavirus - saying it's the scariest outbreak he's dealt with in his 20-year career.

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Trump Administration Announces New Scrutiny Of Nursing Homes
https://www.wbur.org/npr/812359226/trump-administration-announces-new-scrutiny-of-nursing-homes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is ordering health inspectors to focus on infection-control practices at nursing homes and hospitals, particularly those where coronavirus infections have been identified among patients or in the community, CMS administrator Seema Verma announced Wednesday.

"We are hyperfocused on infection control right now," Verma said. "Our role in this is to say, 'Were there some breaches of protocol? Was this facility following the guidelines that are in place? Was there hand-washing? Were they changing gloves? Were they doing laundry appropriately? Was food handled appropriately?'" ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

U.S. Doesn’t ‘Have Enough Tests’ for Coronavirus to Meet Demand, Says Mike Pence
https://people.com/health/us-doesnt-have-enough-coronavirus-tests-says-pence/?fbclid=IwAR1QQq4QZ6cMboCWQFfCKPFwCfj80g1cWt31a3N-7_e0r01h3OLzyMW6FzU

The White House had previously said that they expected to test around one million Americans by the end of the week

The U.S. will not be able to meet the previously promised goal of testing around one million Americans for the new coronavirus by the end of the week due to a lack of testing kits, Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday.

“We don’t have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward,” Pence said to reporters at a press conference, according to CNN. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

House prepares for telework scenarios amid coronavirus threat
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-prepares-telework-scenarios-amid-coronavirus-threat

A memo regarding congressional operations and the coronavirus threat sent to all House offices by the House Administration Committee on Friday signals the House is seriously preparing for scenarios where staff may have to telework “in light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus." ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus: Five more states report cases, as Trump claims virus has been ‘stopped’ and will 'go away'
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/coronavirus-us-cases-trump-colorado-indiana-maryland-nevada-new-jersey-a9383646.html

Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada and New Jersey have reported their first cases of coronavirus as President Donald Trump yet again erroneously claimed that the spread of the virus had been “stopped”.

Speaking at the White House after signing the $8.3bn emergency bill to counter the spread of the virus, Mr Trump urged people to be calm and said: “It will go away.”

“In terms of cases, it’s very, very few because we have been very strong at the borders.” ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Amid coronavirus fears, the CDC told schools to plan for remote learning. That’s harder than it sounds
https://coloradosun.com/2020/03/06/colorado-schools-coronavirus-impact/?fbclid=IwAR3ICPx4gi_cnrjU5_oySnShjXkHY3wMxssljobdQWnbYnmBbKE97Vg_tmc

As schools grapple with responding to the new coronavirus and the federal government’s recommendation to plan for extended closures, one thing is becoming clear: remote learning remains a remote possibility.

An escalating number of COVID-19 cases are being confirmed in the U.S., and at least nine deaths have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon, making extended school closures in some communities more likely. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

'We're gearing up for something extremely significant': Top hospitals across the US told us how they're preparing for the coronavirus outbreak
https://www.businessinsider.com/hospitals-prepare-for-coronavirus-outbreak-providence-jefferson-2020-3

Hospitals around the US are preparing for the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 200 people in the US and 100,000 worldwide.

They want to make sure workers and equipment are ready to go in the event of a worst-case scenario.

"We've not yet seen an epidemic or pandemic in our lifetimes of this size and scope," said Becca Bartles, the executive director of infectious disease prevention at Providence St. Joseph Health System. "We're gearing up for something extremely significant." ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Traveler Screening in US Likely Misses 2/3 Cases of COVID-19
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Traveler-Screening-in-US-Likely-Misses-23-Cases-of-COVID-19-20200306-0013.html

A Harvard epidemiologist warned Wednesday that traveler screening in the United States may not detect most symptomatic cases of COVID-19.

The modeling result using a robust screening program in Singapore showed that most countries' screening procedures at borders miss two-thirds of travelers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, said Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The model compared the number of people likely exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms with the number caught by traveler-screening programs. ---CONTINUED---

Trump 'not concerned at all' after CPAC guest tests positive for COVID-19
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-03-08/Trump-not-concerned-after-CPAC-guest-tests-positive-for-COVID-19-OHhkom7Wb6/index.html

"No, I'm not concerned at all. No, I'm not. We've done a great job" and "we'll have tremendous rallies" – that was the response from U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday to the news that an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Trump insisted he wasn't concerned that the virus was getting closer to the White House, despite both the president and Vice President Mike Pence having attended the conservative conference in late February. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Mike Pence says US tracking another cruise ship over coronavirus concerns
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mike-pence-says-us-tracking-another-cruise-ship-over-coronavirus-concerns/ar-BB10T3hU?li=BBnb4R7&ocid=iehp

Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday that the United States is taking "decisive action" to deal with the crew of a cruise ship that may have also worked on one of the Princess line ships that have already dealt with the novel coronavirus outbreak. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluTrackers:

Statement Regarding Potential COVID-19 Exposure Risk at Conservative Political Action Conference
https://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0320/statement-regarding-potential-covid_19-exposure-risk-at-conservative-political-action-conference.html

Anne Arundel County 03/07/2020 By Press release, Office of Gov. Larry Hogan

ANNAPOLIS, MD - March 7, 2020 - Earlier today, the New Jersey Department of Health notified the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) that a person confirmed to have Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, was in Maryland from February 27-March 1 attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor. Those who attended or worked at the conference may be at some risk for acquiring COVID-19.

MDH immediately notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the governor’s office notified officials at the White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Immediately after learning of this individual’s interactions in our state, we began coordinating with the White House, the CDC and federal officials, the New Jersey Department of Health, Prince George’s County officials, and conference organizers,” said Governor Hogan. “Due to the scale of this conference, we are urging attendees who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to immediately reach out to their health care provider. We are providing this update not to unnecessarily raise alarm, but in the interest of full transparency and out of an abundance of caution.”

MDH recommends that members of the public who attended this event monitor themselves for symptoms of a respiratory infection including fever, cold-like symptoms, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath....

United States could become coronavirus epicenter: WHO
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-usa/united-states-could-become-coronavirus-epicenter-who-idUKKBN21B1FT?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNewsMolt

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States has the potential to become the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic due to a “very large acceleration” in infections there, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. ---CONTINUED---

‘Not Helpful’: Fauci Calls Out Media for ‘Pitting’ Him Against Trump
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/not-helpful-fauci-calls-out-media-for-pitting-him-against-trump/

Dr. Anthony Fauci slammed the media for spinning a narrative that he was butting heads with President Trump over the country’s coronavirus response, calling it “really unfortunate” and “not helpful” that there are stories “pitting” him against the president.

“I would wish that that would stop, because we have a much bigger problem here than trying to point out differences,” Fauci told WMAL’s Mornings on the Mall on Tuesday. “Really, fundamentally at the core, when you look at things, there are not differences.” ---CONTINUED---

Why America now has the most coronavirus cases
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/28/world/why-america-most-coronavirus-cases/#.Xn9ZsW57nfZ

WASHINGTON – From the first known patient in late January to now almost 100,000 infected, the United States has earned the unwanted distinction of leading the world in confirmed coronavirus cases.

Close to 1,500 people have succumbed to the COVID-19 illness — though for now the death rate remains far lower than Italy and several European countries.

How did this happen? And what happens next? ---CONTINUED---

Coronavirus Cases, Concentrated on the Coasts, Now Threaten America’s Middle
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coronavirus-cases-concentrated-on-the-coasts-now-threaten-americas-middle/ar-BB11Oy1B?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=iehp

CHICAGO — A second wave of coronavirus cases is charting a path far from coastal Washington State, California, New York and New Jersey, and threatening population centers in America’s middle. Emerging hot spots include smaller communities like Greenville, Miss., and Pine Bluff, Ark., and large cities like New Orleans, Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago.

Local and state leaders find themselves struggling to deal with the deadly onslaught, urgently issuing guidance to residents and sounding the alarm over a dearth of equipment in local clinics and hospitals. ---CONTINUED---

How long will coronavirus last in the US?
https://www.foxnews.com/health/how-long-will-coronavirus-last-in-the-us

Life in the United States has been completely upended by the coronavirus pandemic, leaving people trapped in their homes and others without jobs as businesses close.

Globally, more than 530,000 had contracted the virus by late March, including more than 85,000 in the U.S.

So when will it all be over? When will life get back to normal? ---CONTINUED---

4 steps Congress can take to help prevent the next big pandemic
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/489823-4-steps-congress-can-take-to-help-prevent-the-next-big-pandemic?fbclid=IwAR2PAetudjzQqy4PEHprhH3xa5vZcin75abft9XMAH0V50jabMeAghJ-l20

With Congress recently passing trillions of dollars of economic stimulus to keep the United States economy from imploding under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, those of us who have worked in public health preparedness for decades are wondering why we ended up in a position where such an incredible sum is necessary. We have sounded the alarm on political leaders' dangerous budget cuts to public health and preparedness for years now, and they have ignored the warning.

Now that pandemics finally have our collective attention, here are four steps that Congress must take to reduce our vulnerability to another pandemic like COVID-19. ---CONTINUED---

New research says COVID-19 could kill 40,000 to 160,000 Americans; might not subside till June or July
https://www.theblaze.com/news/new-research-says-covid-19-could-kill-40000-to-160000-americans-might-not-subside-till-june-or-july

A new study from the University of Washington School of Medicine says that the COVID-19 virus could kill a staggering number of people in the United States over the next four months.
Ditch the fake news ==> Click here to get news you can trust sent right to your inbox. It's free!

The study also notes that the disease could spread through the summer months as well. ---CONTINUED---

How the Pandemic Will End
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-end/608719/

Three months ago, no one knew that SARS-CoV-2 existed. Now the virus has spread to almost every country, infecting at least 446,000 people whom we know about, and many more whom we do not. It has crashed economies and broken health-care systems, filled hospitals and emptied public spaces. It has separated people from their workplaces and their friends. It has disrupted modern society on a scale that most living people have never witnessed. Soon, most everyone in the United States will know someone who has been infected. Like World War II or the 9/11 attacks, this pandemic has already imprinted itself upon the nation’s psyche.

(SNIP) .... In October, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security war-gamed what might happen if a new coronavirus swept the globe. And then one did. Hypotheticals became reality. “What if?” became “Now what?” ---CONTINUED---

Threats of terrorist attacks emerging during pandemic
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6145382445001#sp=show-clips

Former Senior Advisor to the Department of Homeland Security Charles Marino joins Trace Gallagher to discuss terrorist threats amid the coronavirus pandemic. ---VIDEO at LINK---

‘It’s no different from New York’: Urban centers nationwide gird for catastrophic virus outbreak
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/its-no-different-from-new-york-urban-centers-nationwide-gird-for-catastrophic-virus-outbreak/ar-BB11QzZ6

In Chicago, the Army Corps of Engineers was preparing to erect 2,500 patient quarters throughout three of the cavernous halls at McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America.

In Detroit, a major hospital system was readying a letter for patients and their families outlining how scarce ventilators would be allocated, saying those with the best chance of survival would get priority. ---CONTINUED---