Skyline Happenings

Nomenclature

The novel (new) coronavirus is formally named “SARS-CoV-2.” SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated as COVID-19) by the World Health Organization.

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that have been known to infect humans. Viruses in the family are known to cause the common cold, SARS, and MERS. The virus that causes COVID-19 infects people and is easily spread person-to-person but is far less virulent than SARS. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide, including the United States, and has officially been declared a pandemic, or a global disease outbreak. COVID-19 causes a respiratory disease that may be identifiable by dry coughing, breathing difficulties, and fever. Those that suspect they are infected with coronavirus should call their health provider first and should not go to a health care facility unless directed to do so.

(Note: fever was present in only 50% of the symptomatic cases in Seattle whereas cough was present in 88%. At Skyline, if you have fever or severe cough, check with Jeannie and, when indicated, you may be sent for a test). Recent data shows the death rate in China was much lower than first estimated. It’s about 1.4% overall in their data (higher in the elderly as would be expected). More is being learned daily. Drug trials are underway so it’s too soon to know if an old drug like hydroxychloroquine is effective. It will take weeks to months to get reliable data. Despite promises from our President, it will take 12-18 months for a vaccine to come on-line. A hero named Dr. Tony Fauci is the best source of realistic information. At age 79, he is the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). He was a strong force getting us through the HIV and SARS eras. He has been interviewed by multiple media sources.)

Why did the CDC recommend an 8-week moratorium on in-person gatherings?

On Monday the US government officially recommended that people should avoid in-person gatherings of 10 or more people.^[1] This recommendation is supported by evidence from South Korea and China, both of which appear to slowly be returning to life as normal after 8 weeks of anti-coronavirus measures.^[2] On March 10, China closed the last of its temporary emergency hospitals^[3] after seeing a dramatic decrease in new cases over the past couple of weeks.^[4] Likewise, South Korea has experienced a substantial decrease in new cases over the past week.^[5]

As the United States contends with this new and evolving situation, it appears likely that many businesses, offices, and schools will remain closed for longer than two weeks.

This is a time to support one another and to be creative about how we interact. Our family is having a virtual dinner together soon. We will be doing this by having our daughter invite us on the Zoom computer app. For now, call old friends, reach out to others by phone or computer. Go to museums on line. Take a walk or attend Sail classes on the portal.

Get away from the constant news. Once a day tuning in should be enough. Test all your mechanisms for resilience–humor, prayer, trust, forgoing the need to control, helping others in need.

Please send in thoughts you may have about coping with this unique pandemic.

Ed. – Submitted by Irene Campbell

Coronavirus was successfully isolated in the National Security Laboratory of the National Public Health Center for the first time in Hungary, the National Chief Medical Officer announced in a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday of the operative strain responsible for coronavirus infection.

Cecilia Müller stressed that this would provide an opportunity to develop vaccines in Hungary and to test new antiviral therapies.

The pathogen has been isolated under the leadership of virologist Zoltán Kis, and the virus is made available to both domestic and foreign researchers in live and non-live versions.

Isolation also gives you a better understanding of how the virus works – he pointed out. He recalled that their researchers have extensive experience with the previous predecessors of the current virus. “They’ve started testing for an antiviral,” he said. “With all our strength and knowledge, we are at the disposal of the research team that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has set up today,” he said.

Answering a journalist’s question, he said, “when it comes to vaccination success, it’s hard for scientists to know that developing a new vaccine can often take a couple of years, but that is a huge step forward.”

Gov. Inslee signed an emergency proclamation today banning gatherings over 50 people. Gatherings with fewer than 50 people are prohibited unless strict criteria for hygiene & social distancing are met. Grocery stores & pharmacies will stay open. Restaurants that allow take-out service will continue to operate for now. However, dine-in restaurants, bars, clubs & theaters, indoor recreational venues such as gyms and yoga studios must cease operations. Retail stores are closed unless operating at special capacities and strict criteria for hygiene and social distancing. These rules will be for the next two weeks and it may be extended after that. If you don’t have to do activities, stay home. This will save lives. The governor is also asking residents older than 60 and those with underlying health conditions to self isolate, if they can. This will require behavior change. These are very difficult decisions, but hours count here, and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease. Gov. Inslee knows there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities, and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges

Link to full announcement.