Allon

I wonder to what extent BP medications such as ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril (Zestoretic) might have on the virus. I knew it has a diuretic mix and is the first line of defense on hypertension. Might it help or inhibit the virus? What other hypertension drugs out there that could affect the virus positively or negatively.

Randy, take it slow at first. You know my leg condition. They said I would never play sports but at 36 I was playing soccer and kicking ass. Keep walking when you can. Never stop staying reasonably active. Sounds like you got a good attitude and that is so important.

I am sure there's going to be a bunch of analysts comparing how China vs US reacted to the virus. I think we are making a lot of mistakes initially and China did too but they got it straight after a while. They basically sacrificed a province to save the world. I hope we don't have to do that.

Been following all along, Randy. Despite being so diminished I congratulate you for still keeping up with the site. And keep up the good work of recovery. It'll happen. Anything I can do otherwise, to lighten the load, please do not hesitate. Just keep in mind I am mostly systems programming with some distributive database experience. But I can follow a checklist.

He is director of the lab at Baylor. He did mention of their coronaviruses they had been working on several that were close to the genome associated with COVID-19. One I think he said was 80%. The written article is here from NBC. I can't find the other interview. This guy runs the lab there that specializes in tropical and rare diseases that nobody else will work on. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/scientists-were-close-coronavirus-vaccine-years-ago-then-money-dried-n1150091 I do know there are other research sites (Kansa State) that are being funded by corporate money but their freezer does not have the vaccine Baylor was "excited about." I just think somebody needs to get off their ass and get going, and allow the public to know what they are doing, and not in some internal restricted publications. I think Gov. Cuomo (NY) had a good point yesterday when he said what we need is information and the more of it the better. People will panic more from having no information. At least we can argue about the conflicts.

Well when you fire the people who are in charge of handling pandemic and world wide disease, I guess this what you get. And then cut the budget. I understand from cable news, that the renowned Baylor School of Medicine was close to a vaccine years ago but the funding was dropped. Some of the 8 billion dollars allocated to the fight of the infection should be going there. Need about 3 million bucks. https://abc13.com/5988295/

"civilized eating habits." Uh, speaking of propaganda. I wonder who came up with that expression. I will bet a whole department worked on that one. It still does not paint a good picture for Chinese cuisine..... China, China.

Yes, it is remarkable how many trained and knowledgeable "workers" including doctors, got the disease, and died, when they already were trained in sterile technique for a normal flu or cold. But it's the nature of the beast. I saw technique mistakes made all the time and committed them myself. Even when I studied microbio in college, I am amazed more did not come down with some of the stuff we helped with in the research labs. Just using tubes and tools was a real hazard I shudder to think about now. Fortunately, we used some very strong (and carcinogenic) bug killers. Speaking of "moist" environments, a grad student friend of mine went around with a sample kit and tested the droplets around the toilets at the university as part of a paper. He found live staph, syph, and gonorrhea in some of the puddles. He went in right after someone used the toilet. Apparently, there are other studies confirming. Those are bacteria not viruses, but it shows how vulnerable we are. But the CDC is now saying they will filter any further news as they are worried about information overload. My sister said last night, "I hear it all day." So she shuts down and won't pay attention when it might be really serious. On the other hand, my wife (Chinese) has family near the drop zone. She shuts down from abject fear. It borders on PTSD, which I have and have seen many times.

The masks are essentially the same. We have had snug fitting masks with lines around the nose and aerator screens and all kinds of contraptions that still only test 75% (N95) effective and not recommending for anyone with breathing problems, which cuts out a lot of elderly. Dr. Shi (the Wuhan researcher), as the article I posted points out, only published after getting some preliminary confirmation from the US research facilities. Nonetheless, she and colleagues were working on this form of corona for a lot longer than other doctors were running across it in humans. Wuhan's research is still being peer reviewed -- in China and around the world. Frankly, at this stage, we will never find out who found it first or tried to publish or warn with the CCP running the propaganda machine. It's like ladyboys in Thailand: at first the government arrested them. Now there's a beauty pageant for them when they start drawing tourists. Several media articles now are on to the bat cave. As Dr. Shi wrote, she found coronavirus antibodies in 400 people who lived in and around Yunnan in subsequent trips to the cave, before the so-called "meat market" incident. To me, it does not matter who got it "first." I have been through dengue fever outbreaks in Cambodia and Laos and Vietnam. They still have them, but treatment is better so fewer people die. And so-called C Diff (Clostridium difficile) in hospitals. C Diff will run a ward from patient to patient and you will never find the cause of it, and the tragedy is a lot of people will die. An outside worker could touch a sheet and hand it off. As usual, it's the immune system that usually (usually) determines the how pernicious the disease is. And when there are 600,000 variants of the common cold, for instance, and viruses like corona go through mutant variation as they progress, we will be at this for a while. Some evidence of variation of corona is they are finding it in people who actually recovered with symptoms slightly worse than a cold. Other pathological history says lung damage occurs even in the majority of patients who do recover. There are some promising results from an anti-corona vaccine study. I guess any good news is good at this point.....

Randy, I worked 4 years as a surgical tech in a hospital surgery to the point of boredom. I have had the lectures we got as a required regulation, and the procedures we had to follow. Every time a doctor came to take a specimen from our autoclaves, we had to listen to him/her talk about the latest in "germs" which we just called "bugs." A virus will live anaerobically, that is without oxygen, in any altitude, even a vacuum., even in an autoclave if it is resistant enough. Bacteria will "spore" and can be almost as difficult to kill. But they can be killed with right tools and procedures. We have all read about that stuff...... Some viruses from my understanding (and Greg, please correct as I did not finish my microbio studies) are actually composed of RNA or ribonucleic acid, smaller than DNA itself. RNA latches on to other cells and infects them. The coronavirus has spines on it that some have indicated may assist to do that "latching." (The spines supposedly give it that "corona" look under a microscope. (I am not sure that characteristic has been verified but I am very curious.) By the way, how are those 401K's and IRA's doing?

Well said, Greg. I had written about a woman researcher, Zheng-Li Shi, who muddled about the bat caves in Yunnan and found corona viruses almost exactly similar to SARS and MERS and COVAD-19 in 2005. And I recall another doctor (actually several) who died as a result of COVI-19, and they were outed by the CCP when they first "found" the "new" virus. Ms. Shi of Wuhan Institute of Virology, really the lead of other researchers, had to publish her work in an American institution instead of one in China, I am sure that caused some concern among netizens. But now the researchers are accused of causing the virus itself by letting out their samples of the virus from their labs. China, China.

Yes, the air is replaced and recycled. Here is one of the better articles I found. In some I like the term "Air quality in an airplane is better than you think." Not better than I think. Sorry. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34708785/ns/travel-travel_tips/t/airplane-air-not-bad-you-think/#.XlPp6ShKjyQ Supposedly, British Air has developed a plasma system that will kill 100% of bacteria and viruses. Probably too expensive right now but may be used in aircraft. Note: regional flights do not have such air replacement and filtration. So....

There is controversy about some points there. Iff circulation is as they suggest, an aisle seat has more space between flyers, unless there is a constant line to the bathroom. A window seat is surrounded within the meter distance. I also do not accept that droplets fall within the circumference of the cougher. We have all seen tests where a light is shown against a black backdrop and person's sneeze or cough is caught on high speed film. Both of them send sputum quite a ways. And when someone says the air is exchanged 3 times an hour means something if there are filters that grab viruses, and those filters had better be changed pretty often by some brave people. If they mean air comes from the outside of aircraft and exchanged it still goes through filters at the rate they say. Although I would agree the air in a plane is probably a little better than that on the street over time, but the exposure part when you are sitting butt to butt -- I don't know. I want the metrics. I want to see how many viruses and other bugs are found on filters and samples from people's clothes, before and after flying. Food samples. Water samples.

Not to add to the complications, but Mazda also makes a good car. After they settled down the Wankel engine on their Rx-8 and up to a 12-A engine (sorry to see the 13-B go away) they started to make SUV's and some real solid sedans and 4 doors. I drove the Rx series for years. Just a thought....

I hope Taiwan is smart enough to move their radar sites after each encirclement. A "fly by" is often done to map the location of radar, including gun site radar, during the fly by. Flying a second time determines if the radar is mobile and moved. If there is constant movement after such an exercise, then Taiwan is a formidable enemy in a defensive position. Type of radar means something too. If Taiwan has over the horizon radar, they probably knew the planes were coming the moment they took off and where. If Taiwan has ECM's on the ground, I hope they kept them down so they are not discovered. Now it's resources. How many men does China want to lose in order to get Taiwan? Same with Taiwan, especially, unless the US steps in. Three major task forces are supposed to be in or near Taiwan, to fend off such an attack. It's a good time to divert China to a real foe, someone they can beat now that Hong Kong is indefatigable. In this scenario, an island, someone is going to lack the discipline not to fire. Then we shall see.....hope not. The world has had enough killing.

From what I have read and posted, thsees wet markets are not be blame solely but they are part of the pattern of spread of the virus. The markets are not clean. Often only water is used to keep the product clean and tissue and fluids often interact and mix. They just need to have a cleaner place to sell. I notice articles that indicate the CCP is sterilizing (sanitizing really, since they can't kill all the bugs) using chlorine or peroxide solutions on the bat caves where Dr. Shi (earlier posting) worked identifying the various C viruses. That might help stop the spread of it to non-infected animals but those are that are already infected (i.e. thousands of bats) are still a threat. Viruses usually have a half-life like drugs and eventually get down to numbers that are marginally threatening. Literally they run out of hosts. Let's hope that is soon. I am more concerned about the anti-racial theme this thing is taking. We have had some nasty looks lately that make me want to strap my Beretta.

Here, here, Greg.

I have driven all three. For safety, I would choose the Subaru. For style and a good degree of reliability, take the Toyota. Honda to me is more reliable and comfortable, although Toyota makes a good car. Depends on which one you like.... I drove the hell out of all 3 brands. But one thing the Japanese have yet to really learn how to do: paint a car, and make good brakes. Lately, not much good at air bags either. Lots of periodicals on the subject. Kelly Blue Book, Motor Trend, Consumer Reports.But buy the one you feel is for you and that you like. Test drive the car. Do not buy a car that you have not test driven. Luck....

I am with Greg....try hard not to let them give you an epidural. I know a lot of women get it done so they can see a live birth but the danger of getting meningitis and encephalitis these days is not uncommon. And doctors are afraid of anesthetic shock but if they know what they doing with the gas (provided you don't have other contraindications) I am always in favor of general anesthesia. Better for the patient and the doctor. I ran the recovery room as part of my shift. Lots of stories there..... But again, it's not your body, is it..... (Wanna worry? See George C Scott's famous monologue in The Hospital. It is so true.)

Nurse Ratched is alive and well in this house too. But I can say all nurses get really directive when they see bed sores, the enemy of every hospital. Just got to follow orders and be nice until they fix the problem. Not easy. I have had stenosis from injuries and so far not a big issue requiring surgery but I imagine it will be some day. Already causing some stiff walking. I have lost an inch of height. Hang in there, Randy. Try and relax but keep your mind active. You are not the patient to them. Your body is and it does not belong to you. Now, anyway. The more you fight'em, the more the pain. I'll bring my chess board..... if I can get by the airport.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/opinion/coronavirus-china.html?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

Here is what the CDC actually says about prevention: Nothing about using a mask. It might make you feel like you are preventing yourself from being infected but the efficacy of the mask (really any mask but a respirator type and that is 75% effective) is almost nihil. It may prevent infection from a splash sneeze cough that places sputum on the mask instead of you. Isopropyl alcohol is actually a pretty good bug killer but not easy to carry on a plane.

Charles, we went through an ugly episode recently and I just let her ventilate. She is really guilty of what Eric Berne calls "Shit Bagging". Seeing something that makes her angry (whether it is me or not) and she holds it in until something finally breaks and dumps the bag of doodoo all over you. (Read Eric Berne's Games People Play -- a really funny and great read.) She ended with "I want divorce." Ok, I will call the lawyer. She gets real quiet. I smelled wood burning.... Are you sure you want this? You asked for it. (IOW -- don't let the door kick you in the ass....) Her best friend called her and summoned her for counseling. She told her my wife was a lucky woman to have me. Her friend is by herself, single, with a great son and really attractive (anyone interested?). I let it ride for a few days and sent her a weChat. "I know it is hard for you to be alone during the day while I work. Just know that I still care for you." Now it is as if nothing happened. Took her shopping and she is good to go..... Go figure....best of luck. Hang in there. She might be worth the trouble.

Just a comment from an old surgical tech and EMT. (Not a doctor....) Have been doing some reading still confirming what was true when I used a mask in surgery. The people who use masks are really only preventing the spread of their sickness to other people, and the percentage effectiveness is around 0.6% -- but it varies, down to practically totally ineffective. The conclusions reached by several studies show the masks normally worn by people traversing the environment outside surgery (SFM -- surgical face masks that are held by bands around the ears or head) just maintain a sense of false safety. They are really designed to prevent you from contaminating those around you. (Imagine what the health police are thinking when you wear a mask in the airport.) The best way to prevent you from getting any airborne virus is to keep your mucus membranes (eyes, ears, node, mouth) from contamination by washing your hands regularly. We were trained thoroughly in "surgical technique" which goes much farther in the way you handle things using "sterile" fingers for instance. Studies show people touch their eyes 3.6 times per hour. (Some are even higher but activity determines the rate.) Very few bugs (germs) can handle warm water and soap. (And dry your hands without touching anything but the towel. Use the blower if present.) After touching anything where germ filled droplets might be found, don't touch your mucus membranes until you can wash your hands. The sanitizing fluids that advertise their effectiveness are not that effective if you continue to touch your face and other surfaces. https://www.today.com/health/quit-touching-your-face-flu-researchers-say-1C7284851 The idea is not to be a hypochondriac but during a flu epidemic, it might be a good idea to learn and keep good hygiene technique. And keep your immune system healthy. (Don't get old.... ) There are several sites but this one is pretty thorough. Good luck. With 5 cases already in the US, this thing could get ugly. And those of you in China, be careful but enjoy life. It's the only one you got.

I use Western Union all the time but I don't send real large amounts, if that makes a difference. It's easy online. But be sure and tell your receiver to make sure they get the name right, of you that is. Believe it or not, my wife, married for years, one time could not spell my name. (Chinese women are like that.) She was denied. WU stations (such as banks) are not supposed to do that with WU if the receiver has that tran ID and a government ID. I use a personal code that you can send with the transmission, and have had no problems since. Tellers, and such, seem to trust more if that code is there.