Bleeding Edge

Dear Friends, Independents, Citizens, Lincoln party members and fellow Americans…

As your Leader, I feel responsible to inform you of the State of Affairs for our Common Health.

Additionally, I am deeply committed to ensuring that your health and safety is well guarded, and that our National Health is secure.

That is why I want to share these promising and reassuring news with you, as they come in from the mouth of the head of the CDC directly and in advance of any terribly distorted bloody news that might not be accurate and therefore alarming beyond what is necessary and equivalent to the precautions needed to combat this viral epidemic in order to stop it from becoming a pandemic in our country and around the World.

Stay Safe my friends…

Now, according to the Director and the nominal head of the CDC, as of today, February 18th of the year 2020, there have only been 15 confirmed cases in the United States, and only two confirmed cases of person-to-person spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Please pay attention here, because both cases of person-to-person spread of the virus were between very close contacts, such as family members. Previously, all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan, China. At this time, the virus is NOT spreading in the United States.

On January 30th, the Department updated the Travel Advisory for China LEVEL-4 that means: “DO NOT TRAVEL.”

FURTHER THE STATE DEPARTMENT ADVISES: “We strongly urge US citizens in Hubei Province, China, to call 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) to receive the latest urgent advisories and information abut evacuation procedures and travel aways from China.

Now, given the number of inquiries my own office and myself have received, about this issue of the epidemic of the Wuhan coronavirus – I want to give you the latest health updates, yet I also want to share with you all the relevant federal, state, and even global response efforts and to inform you of all the shared resources available, to keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and well informed through transparency and honest communications…

Here bellow are the local updates from the US Department of Health and Human Services (US-HHS), where the Federal health officials have emphasized that while the virus is a serious public health threat, the risk to the American public remains low at this time. Practicing caution when feeling sick and regularly washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water are still the best recommendations for staying healthy.

Back on Friday, January 31st, HHS declared a national public health emergency to aid the nation’s health care community in responding to 2019-2020 Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) pandemic originating out of China. This declaration of a Public Health Emergency allows the President and the US Federal Administration, Agencies and the Cabinet — to deploy all necessary and additional resources that are requested in order for our Government and our Citizens to meet the urgent need of combating this silent killer epidemic before it becomes a Pandemic in our shores.

Here are some updates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), whose current goal is the ongoing U.S. public health response to prevent sustained spread of coronavirus in this country. Federal and local health authorities are monitoring people who have displayed symptoms and have a travel history that puts them at risk. The vast majority of these people have tested negative. As of February 18, 2020, there have been only 15 confirmed cases in the United States, and only two confirmed cases of person-to-person spread of the coronavirus. Both cases of person-to-person spread of the virus were between very close contacts, such as family members. Previously, all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan, China. At this time, the virus is NOT spreading in the United States.

As of today, the U.S. health officials have obtained emergency approval to roll out a new and improved test for the coronavirus that can be used by hospitals and state health authorities for faster analysis of samples.

The new test kits are being sent first to the Public Health Laboratory in Richmond CA, and then to other select US and international laboratories, including 15 other California Public Health biolabs, in an order of acute priority, because California is the epicenter of this disease nationally.

Now, here are some updates from the U.S. State Department which has raised their Travel Advisory for China to “Level 4″ that means “Do Not Travel” to China.

Sadly, those of You reading this that are currently in China — you ought to investigate how to exit the country by any means necessary, and best attempt to depart by surreptitious means, if regular commercial means are not available to allow yo to leave the infected areas. Of course same as all other travelers — You should be prepared to escape embargoed zones, and be alert for the possibility of further travel restrictions with little or no advance notice within any region China and its provinces, or satellites. Most commercial air carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China, and all flights from China to the United States have been redirected to eleven airports throughout the country, including Fairfield airport that have instituted the Wuhan Coronavirus screening centers, and complete quarantine facilities.

Under the temporary emergency measure, foreign nationals, excluding immediate family of US citizens and permanent residents, will be denied entry into the United States, if they have been in China or it’s territories, within the past 14 days.

United States citizens, legal permanent residents and immediate family members, who have been in Hubei province during the past two weeks, will be subject to a minimum of a 14-day quarantine. Travelers returning from elsewhere in China will be subject to screening and self-quarantine for two weeks, while being carefully monitored. If your loved ones are in mainland China or are otherwise affected by this issue, please contact the State Department China desk that deals with the Wuhan Coronavirus epidemic and its transmission from travelers from China.

Below is a list of Do’s and Don’ts from the CDC:

What You Should Do:
Avoid close contact with sick people;
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible;
Stay home if you are sick;
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs;
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol;
If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China or were in close contact with someone with coronavirus in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

What You Should Not Do:
Do not travel to China.
Do not use facemasks. CDC does not recommend the use of facemasks for the general public to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Do not show prejudice to people of Asian descent because of fear of this new virus. Do not assume that someone of Asian descent is more likely to have coronavirus.
Further Information
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The CDC provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.

The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States. I highly encourage you or anyone you know who is abroad or has plans to travel abroad to register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment (STEP) Program, so that you receive important information about safety conditions in your destination country and help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency.

The health and safety of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me or PM me at my FB page.

If your loved ones are in mainland China or are otherwise affected by this issue, please contact the State Department herewith at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada.

And here is the Wuhan Coronavirus epidemic viral disease Covid-19 explained succinctly, because despite China’s best efforts the coronavirus outbreak has spread rapidly around the world threatening to become a Pandemic with 2/3 of all the people around the World eventually infected. As of today, most cities around Wuhan and all of the cities within Hubei province remain in lockdown and almost all international flights to and from China have been suspended.

For those of you still in China as well as those traveling internationally — here is a primer of necessary knowledge for infection and deaths in the following self-reporting countries:

Verified Infections and deaths as of February 8th worldwide

Mainland China: 77,529 [Dead:2,387]
Japan: 687 [Dead:37]
Singapore: 810 [Dead: 31]
Hong Kong: 1,371 [Dead: 19]
Thailand: 650 [Dead: 42]
South Korea: 310 [Dead:11]
Taiwan: 221 [Dead:9]
Malaysia: 228
Germany: 161
Vietnam: 326
Australia: 189
United States: 167
France: 129
Macau: 180 [Dead: 7]
United Arab Emirates: 76
United Kingdom: 106
Canada: 83
Philippines: 182
India: 137
Italy: 33
Russia: 79
Spain: 28
Belgium: 12
Cambodia: 87
Egypt: 29
Finland: 13
Nepal: 79
Sri Lanka: 23
Sweden: 11

Many borders are closing around China and around the World…

The mysterious illness, Wuhan Novel Coronavirus was inleashed from the apparently bio laboratory engineered & Bat-originated-virus, now called Covid-19 that was first reported in Wuhan late last November, through Doctors and other Medical professionals who acted as whistleblowers, and who shared their experience with this New Disease in Social Media, and in person. The local Police and Security authorities arrested those Doctors and failed to alert the upper level National Chinese Health authorities, thus  failing to act against the epidemic and failing to alert the World until late December of 2019, Yet, with the epidemic spreading long before the lead up to the Lunar New Year when Chinese people undertake the world’s largest mass migration internally as well as internationally — the virus has now spread to more than sixty seven countries worldwide.

Wuhan is the capital city of Hubei province and it is a major travel hub connecting some of China’s biggest cities through its airways, roadways and waterways. And with a population of over 11 million — Wuhan city is larger than London or New York. As it happens Wuhan is also the center of Virology and engineered bio-weapons of China. However, hospital space in Wuhan is severely limited, and now, the Central government has engaged in the fast track construction of tens of new Hospitals spread throughout the City’s Center, neighborhoods and along the Periphery Roads.

Wuhan Municipal Health Commission announced a surge of 15,152 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 32,994 after authorities changed their diagnostic criteria on February 12.

The local government has converted a stadium, convention centres and schools into temporary hospitals, so as of now the City of Wuhan has more than 40 designated clinics for critically, or seriously ill patients suffering from the Wuhan Coronavirus epidemic.

Getting medical treatment: The authorities now divide patients into four categories to make the best use of the city’s medical resources.

Here is the triage process:

Ambulance shortage: The 120 emergency hotline was jammed when more than 15,700 calls were made the day after the January 23 citywide lockdown, a Wuhan Emergency Medical Centre worker told state broadcaster CCTV. The city had just 57 ambulances for its 11 million people, far fewer than the national minimum requirement.

Medical service in Wuhan: The city has 27 Grade A tertiary hospitals and some of the highest levels of health services in the country, despite having far fewer ambulances per person than Shanghai or Beijing. Grade A tertiary hospitals are top-tier facilities, with some of the best doctors and the most advanced equipment on the mainland.
Wuhan had 3.57 licensed (assistant) medical practitioners and 4.91 registered nurses per 1,000 residents in 2018, putting it above the national average.

Here’s how Wuhan compares with other major Chinese cities: With the death toll continuing to rise, 189 medical teams with 21,569 medical workers have been sent to Wuhan, and 16 other cities in Hubei province, as of February 14.

On February 14, the NHC said 1,716 medical workers had been infected with the coronavirus. Of those, 1,502 were from Hubei province, including 1,102 from Wuhan.

Evacuated from Wuhan: As the death toll climbs, more countries plan to or already have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan. Thousands have returned home and been quarantined for at least 14 days on arrival to avoid contagion.

From imported cases to local transmission: On January 13, Thailand reported the first case of the coronavirus outside China. Eighteen days later, the Thai authorities were the first to confirm human-to-human transmission.

Face mask mania: Some cities in the region are running out of masks. In Hong Kong, people have queued overnight and reportedly paid more than five times the regular price for supplies.

While masks can be useful during the incubation period – infected people can spread the virus before experiencing any symptoms – commercially available surgical masks are not effective at preventing the transmission of the coronavirus.

Unlike N95 respirators, the disposable surgical masks most people use are not designed to block the very smallest particles from entering the nose and mouth. They do lower the risk of infection but it’s next to impossible to create a perfect fit.

The virus is usually transmitted through droplets during sneezing or coughing. The vast majority of the droplets are less than 100 microns (0.1mm) across. Surgical masks are designed to prevent large droplets passing from one person’s mouth to another person or surface. N95 respirators protect the wearer from breathing in particles bigger than 0.3 microns in diameter. When fitted correctly the respirators filter 95 per cent of airborne particles.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that while wearing a mask can help to limit the spread of some respiratory diseases, it is not enough to stop all infections. The best precautions are simple: wash your hands frequently, try not to touch your face, avoid crowded places and try to stay a metre from other people. The WHO also only advises using masks if you have respiratory symptoms such as coughing or sneezing, mild coronavirus-like symptoms or are caring for someone suspected of having a coronavirus infection. Other key points are:

China’s neighbours take action
At least 15 jurisdictions have restricted or barred entry to visitors from China and/or Hubei province, while more than 20 airlines are suspending or reducing flights to the country.

New cases day-by-day
On January 27, there were 1,771 new infections in mainland China – the first biggest one-day jump since the outbreak started in December. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Wuhan to visit patients and hospital staff.

Deaths day-by-day:

Coronavirus medical personnel infections rates. Status of cases in mainland China:

How deadly is coronavirus?

On Wednesday, January 29, health authorities confirmed the number of coronavirus cases in mainland China had surpassed the amount of people infected by Sars during the 2002-03 epidemic. By the time the global Sars outbreak was contained, the virus spread to over 8,000 people worldwide and killed almost 800.

Symptoms and complications:
Some infected people do not show any symptoms, while for others the symptoms can be severe, even fatal.

Children under two years old and people aged over 65, or with weak immune systems are particularly susceptible to developing severe complications such as pneumonia.

Incubation period can be up to four weeks and in many cases infected persons never exhibit symptoms although they carry the virus and they are infectious to all others they come in contact with…

Where did 5 million Wuhaners go?
About five million residents left Wuhan before the city went into lockdown, revealed mayor Zhou Xianwang on January 26. Most headed to other cities in Hubei province according to Baidu, China’s popular search engine. Here we look at the top 30 destinations on two significant dates.

Flight Master, a popular Chinese travel platform providing ticket booking and data services, announced that three of the top 10 international destinations from Wuhan between December 30, 2019 and January 22, 2020 were airports in Thailand. As of January 30, Thailand has confirmed 14 cases of coronavirus, the highest figure outside China.

Where did the Coronavirus originate in Wuhan according to the Chinese government? The outbreak has been linked to Wuhan’s Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market, which has since been closed. Weeks after the market in the city in central China became ‘ground zero’, the authorities said human-to-human transmission played a role in the outbreak.

Animal meats sold in the open air Chinese markets of Wuhan that could carry the virus and transmit to humans:

This Novel Coronavirus represents a wide variety of viruses present in animals that can in certain circumstances jump to humans. Contact with meat from various animals sold in Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market of Wuhan has been suggested by the Chinese government, as the likely cause of the first reported human infections.

Wuhan is both an International and domestic hub for travel, for commerce, and for various viral infectious diseases, because the City of Wuhan is an important transport link between the four cardinal points of China.

Wuhan is a few hours by train to most of China’s important cities, which makes it a major hub in China’s high-speed passenger train network. The city has one of China’s top 10 economies and is a gateway to nine provinces. This has given rise to concerns that the disease could spread rapidly during the traditional mass migration of people over the Lunar New Year holidays.

Mainland Chinese cities in lockdown:

How big is China’s lockdown?
Upwards of 60 million people are in lockdown today and that is a far larger number of people than the majority of national populations around the nations of the world as compared to the number of citizens affected by the lockdown of the thirty or so major cities of Hubei province in China.

Wuhan waterways: Wuhan is one of the largest intermediate ports along China’s Yangtze River, with ships connecting the city directly to Shanghai and Chongqing. At 6,397km the Yangtze river is Asia’s longest river, and the third longest in the world. It is used to ship food, products and also used by many millions of people for public transportation from the city of Wuhan to all other cities of China and for tourism cruises…

Sadly, the Chinese authorities’ reaction to this new virus, is a bit too little too late, and as it is shaped and informed by the methods used to combat the old SARS epidemic — it has taken too long to rise above it, and confront this new and vastly more contagious and killing virulent epidemic.

Apparently in the eyes of the seasoned contagion & epidemic disease professionals from the US national security forces, from the CDC, and from the WHO public health officials who are on the front lines of fighting this Contagion — the Chinese response to the Coronavirus epidemic has been one of serious obfuscation, criminal non-transparency, official opaqueness, and unlawful shutting down of the whistleblowers, and this obviously failed Chinese policy, has resulted in a runaway epidemic and is now openly described as a study of “What not to do in the event of a deadly viral Epidemic.”

Let us therefore, learn from their errors and do our utmost to fight this contagion and save our people from the new plague that is likely to affect 2/3 of the World’s population, before it snuffs itself out.

Good Luck and God Speed.

Yours,

Dr Churchill

PS:

We’ve got to pull together because this might be the moment that Humanity has got to lay aside our differences, and come together in earnest, for us to fight this killer and maintain our species fairly intact and avoid a relapse into the Dark Ages of 600 years of misery and neglect of Civilization due to sliding down in numbers and skillsets, brought about by this terrible culling of our numbers..

Stay safe my friends, and please lent a helping hand to all those desiring and needing our Help.

Let the Spirit of Compassion reign supreme…

And as my friend Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization’s General Director says: “The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. We are all in this together, and we can only stop it together.”