COVID-19 UPDATE

Racine County surpasses 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases; death toll unchanged

Alyssa Mauk
May 16, 2020
May 16, 2020
15

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jaj215 May 17, 2020 2:06pm

In response to those who are asking why this is different from the flu or other infectious diseases:

* There is no vaccine, unlike the flu for which there is a vaccine available every year.

* Until a few weeks ago there were no approved treatments for COVID-19. The antiviral remdesivir has been shown to moderate symptoms somewhat, and the FDA recently approved it for emergency use. Other antivirals are being tested, as is convalescent plasma therapy. That said, there is as of yet no effective treatment protocol for severe cases of COVID-19.

* Physicians are learning that COVID-19 is far more than a respiratory disease. It can cause blood clots, strokes, liver damage, kidney damager, and overreaction of the immune system. That's one reason why physicians are so concerned about this virus -- it's unlike any other coronavirus they've seen and it affects people unpredictably.

* This coronavirus is more easily transmissible than the flu. Influenza has an R0 rate of about 1.8, meaning that a person infected with the flu will infect on average almost 2 other people. This coronavirus, in contrast, has an R0 that is estimated to be between 2.5 and 5 00 -- meaning that it is far more infectious than the flu.

* The whole point of the lockdown was the slow the rate of infection in order to avoid overwhelming hospitals. It worked and hospitals were not flooded with a wave of COVID-19 patients. The concern now is that if businesses reopen without strong social distancing practices in place -- e.g., limiting store capacity, requiring customers to wear masks, rigorously disinfecting, etc. -- infections will soar and hospitals will once again be in danger of being overwhelmed with patients.

* This virus does not care if you are a Democrat or Republican. It is not a "lefty plot" to destroy the economy. It is a global public health emergency that affects all of us.

phoner2 May 17, 2020 8:38am

With the numbers so low why is Racine should not be closed.

John Q Public May 17, 2020 9:44am

Another smart Racine resident

ggodmuls May 16, 2020 7:48pm

You have to get it, to know if you will survive it. They say this stuff will be around for over 2 years - so let's get it over with. Let WI be open for business!

oldlugan May 16, 2020 8:19pm

are all of the 1000 sick or did some get better, Tell the whole story not just half of it.

HankPearson May 17, 2020 7:28am

The death rate as reported is 18 for almost 3 months. Other states are now admitting that C-19 may not be the primary cause of death, but the deceased my have tested positive or had symptoms to be included in the C-19 death count. In any event, in Racine County although the 18 deaths are tragic it's most probably without Narcan the drug overdose toll would be even greater. Is it possible that the shutdown imposed by Racine may pose a greater threat to health and well being than C-19?

ggodmuls May 17, 2020 7:55am

Does the Circle of Life confuse you?

https://youtu.be/GibiNy4d4gc

John Q Public May 17, 2020 9:45am

"Money means more to me than human lives"

ggodmuls May 17, 2020 2:08pm

You mean those collecting Social Security and government Pensions?

shield May 16, 2020 6:22pm

This daily JT bs briefing is so political and so old..it is disgusting already..People die everyday of cancer, aids, flu, falling at home, car accidents, besides all the other illnesses out there... and there is no vaccine for them..yet we lived daily..everyday..but we allowed over played lies to scare everyone even the TRUMP..Fauchi was and is a Fraud he is a propagandist with greed on his mind.. The way the lefty media is pushing this flu we will never go out again, sports is over..Tear down those stadiums...tear down restaurants, all shopping in person is over.., The left has killed America, and they love the Power...Trump cannot even stop what has happened...but he is the only hope for any future at all... Fight TRUMP Fight!

John Q Public May 17, 2020 9:44am

You should infect yourself with covid to prove the genius of you and your slumlord cheetoh god

shield May 17, 2020 4:14pm

Your problem is you are infected with fascism Pubic...you should go to Russia, or Venezuela, CHINA...they will treat you right... Truth is it is sensationalized as mentioned above...it is over played...and our natural immunities in our bodies in 90 % of our country is what beats down these viruses.. Instead we have hidden and did not fight it as we have always done...the risk now is bigger because the kids did not stay in school, and they show no signs of illness and could be the spreaders of the virus in fall because they have been kept away from socializing..

Schmegmo37 May 16, 2020 5:13pm

Back in 1969 there was the Hong Kong flu. It killed over 100,000 in the U.S. It killed between 1-4 million worldwide. No schools were closed. Nothing was closed. No masks were worn. No news was sensationalized on a daily basis. What's different today other than Lyndon Johnson was President?