corona virus alerts - Latest cruising Information for vessels/locations/rules

[Montanan]

So there is no going to hang out at LAX anymore. Bummer, guess it is back to the Mall!

LAX closes to general public 24/7

Los Angeles International Airport is now closed to the general public full-time, LAX announced Wednesday.

Only ticketed passengers and those meeting or assisting them, as well as authorized airport and city personnel, will be allowed access to LAX’s Central Terminal Area.

The measure is "due to limited flight and passenger activity, social distancing directives, terminal cleaning and sanitizing protocols, construction and a priority to keep all guests and employees at Los Angeles International Airport safe and healthy," according to a statement.

The 24-hour closure is an expansion of a nighttime closure policy enacted in March.

Not complying could be a misdemeanor, LAX said.

Other airports, including Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, have enacted similar closure policies.
https://www.yahoo.com/gma/coronaviru...opstories.html

[Montanan]

1st large study of US hospitalized Covid-19 patients confirms comorbidities

In what is the first large analysis of COVID-19 patients in the United States, researchers confirmed much of what has been reported anecdotally by doctors throughout the pandemic.

The findings included that the most common comorbidities -- the presence of more than one disease or condition in the same person -- among patients was hypertension (57%), obesity (41%) and type 2 diabetes (34%), according to the study published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers also found that male mortality rates were higher than female at every 10-year age interval and patients with diabetes were more likely to have received invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU treatment or developed acute kidney disease.

The data was collected by researchers at Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and included analysis of 5,700 hospitalized patients between March 1, 2020, and April 4, 2020, at Northwell Health, the largest health system in the state of New York.

The majority of the patients in the study were male and the median age of all patients treated was 63 years old.

At triage, about a third of all patients (1,734) presented a fever, 986 had a high respiratory rate and 1,584 patients received supplemental oxygen, according to the study.

Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes, said the research provides "a crucial early insight into the front line response to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York."

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/coronaviru...opstories.html

[Montanan]

New data continues to show virus 'disproportionately' affecting black, Hispanic people


Black residents in Wisconsin and Kansas are dying as a result of COVID-19 at some of the highest rates in the country compared to the relative population size, according to an analysis of data from 33 states.

The Kaiser Family Foundation used data from the states across the U.S. that are reporting data on cases and deaths by race and ethnicity.

The foundation found that states without a major city or large black population have been overlooked for the disproportionate ratio of cases and deaths in the black community.

"Our analysis of these data finds that they continue to paint a sobering picture of how the virus is disproportionately affecting communities of color," according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In Wisconsin, where the black population is 6%, the data showed that black people have accounted for 39% of the deaths and 25% of the cases -- a four-times higher share of cases and an over six-times higher share of deaths, according to the foundation. Kansas has a black population of 6%, but the data shows that black people have accounted for 33% of the deaths and 17% of the cases -- a three times higher share of cases and more than five-times higher share of deaths, the foundation reported.

In the majority of the 33 states, black people accounted for a higher share of confirmed cases (in 20 of 31 states) and deaths (in 19 of 24 states) compared to their share of the total population, according to the foundation.

In six of 26 states, the data showed that there was also a disproportionate impact on Hispanic communities.

Iowa and Wisconsin reported the largest relative differences, with a respective 17% of cases compared to a population of 6% and 12% of cases compared to a population of 7%.

Data was largely unavailable for smaller groups, including people who are American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/coronaviru...opstories.html

[rbk]

Originally Posted by Montanan

The findings included that the most common comorbidities -- the presence of more than one disease or condition in the same person -- among patients was hypertension (57%), obesity (41%) and type 2 diabetes (34%), according to the study published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Funny how one is the leading cause of the other two.

[Montanan]

Well Montana has established a very detailed and phased plan for easing its early and aggressive statewide lockdown. The State has to date had very few cases and only 12 deaths and will now lead the nation as to "reopening". Herein linked is the detailed plan [23 pages long], hope it will go well. Perhaps other states can watch and learn from our experience / experiment. Godspeed all.

Governor Steve Bullock announces phased approach to reopen Montana
Reopening The Big Sky

http://https://nbcmontana.com/news/c...reopen-montana
Wednesday, April 22nd 2020

MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana's churches will be allowed to hold services on Sunday and some businesses can re-open Monday under Gov. Steve Bullock's plan to ease coronavirus restrictions.

Restaurants, bars and casinos can reopen on May 4 with reduced capacity and an 11:30 p.m. closure time.

Schools have the option to return to in-classroom instruction on May 7, but districts can choose to continue distance learning.

People over age 65 or with underlying health conditions are asked to continue to stay at home.

The Montana Hospital Association is lifting its March 26 recommendation that hospitals cancel elective procedures as long as they have adequate protective equipment.

The following release was sent out by the Office of the Governor:

Governor Steve Bullock today announced a gradual and phased reopening of the state beginning Sunday for individuals, and extending to businesses on Monday.

“There are very few states in the country that can say they have seen the number of positive cases decline over these past weeks. Montana can say that because, together, we have made that decline in cases possible,” Governor Bullock said. “While there is reason for optimism this is not a time for celebration. I am going to ask Montanans to continue to go to great lengths to protect one another, to continue looking out for our neighbors who need it the most, and to continue being vigilant in every step we take.”

The plan to reopen gradually was is based on the latest scientific evidence and data, and in consultation with public health experts, health care providers, business leaders, and emergency management professionals. The Governor’s plan is detailed in a Directive and accompanying Appendix with guidelines for certain industries.

“The Montana business community appreciates the Governor’s leadership over the course of the COVID19 pandemic. The Montana Chamber of Commerce supports a phased approach to re-opening our economy, while still maintaining health standards and containing the spread of COVID-19. Montana businesses are capable of being flexible and partnering with our colleagues and employees to address the challenges that this may pose, and are eager to open our doors once again,” Todd O’Hair, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, said.

“Local public health continues to work closely with Governor Bullock and our state partners to work towards a systematic reopening of Montana that minimizes the risk of viral spread. We appreciate the partnerships we have all across the state, which in no doubt, will continue to serve Montanans,” Hillary Hanson, Public Health Officer at the Flathead City-County Health Department, said.

“Montana and its hospitals moved swiftly and thoughtfully to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the results of this effort is demonstrated by a lower incidence of the virus in Montana when compared to our neighboring states. Our hospitals responded to this public health emergency and remain prepared to serve our patients and communities and assist in restarting our economy,” Rich Rasmussen, President and CEO of the Montana Hospital Association, said.

“Because of Montana’s aggressive approach of shutting everything down early in the pandemic, we are in the fortuitous position of having a very low viral burden in the state. With that being said, I feel assured that a cautious, vigilant, and step wise approach to opening up our healthcare, commerce, and education sectors could be attempted. Keep in mind that for every two steps forward we might need to take a step back, but it is in everyone’s best interest that we try,” Dr. Marc Mentel, president of the Montana Medical Association, said.

Montana’s plan to reopen relies on Montanans to adhere to social distancing guidelines whenever possible and to continue to limit gatherings. Guidance remains in place for members of vulnerable groups to continue to shelter at home, though it is no longer mandatory. Additionally, visitation at nursing homes will continue to be suspended and older Montanans and those who are immunocompromised should continue to follow the stay at home directive.

“Our new normal is going to look different. This virus isn’t gone from Montana. So as we turn to support our main street businesses and get more families back to work during this time – as we should – we must also be sure to continue looking out for those around us and protecting everyone around us,” Governor Bullock said. “Once we begin to reopen, we want to be able to stay open. Our personal responsibility to protect those around us – particularly those most vulnerable – remains just as important as any time during this pandemic.”

The stay at home order will expire on April 26 for individuals and April 27 for businesses. Main street and retail businesses can become operational on or after April 27 if they can adhere to requirements to limit capacity and maintain strict physical distancing. Employers are directed to develop policies to keep employees and customers safe including teleworking when possible, enforcing social distancing protocols, and other measures as provided in an appendix of reopening guidelines.

Places of worship can become operational on April 26 in a manner consistent with social distancing between people who are not members of the same household. Restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries can begin providing some in-establishment services beginning May 4.

Businesses where groups gather without the ability to social distance including movie theaters, gyms, and other places of assembly remain closed.

On May 7, all schools will have the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery at the discretion of local school boards. The Directive does not preclude school boards from declaring local emergencies to continue to receive all appropriate state funding to continue to provide remote learning.

Montana’s travel quarantine will remain in effect and out of state travelers and residents arriving from another state or country back to Montana for non-work related purposes are required to quarantine for 14 days.

The Directive does not prohibit more restrictive local ordinances, and encourages local officials to work regionally and make local adjustments as local needs demand.

Montana has aggressively managed the virus with a series of actions including suspending nursing home visitation, closing schools, closing higher risk businesses such as bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters, and enacting a stay at home order. As a result, Montana has the lowest percentage of positive cases per capita when compared to its population and the lowest number of hospitalizations per capita in the nation.

The plan includes several phases and details the factors that will determine when it is appropriate to move to the second phase of reopening. This decision will be driven by conditions on the ground and the latest data. Governor Bullock and his task force will continue to monitor cases closely and carefully to analyze Montana’s work to contain the virus.

The following guidelines for reopening Montana were sent out by the Office of the Governor Steve Bullock, below the guidelines is the full document for reopening the Big Sky :

School Reopening Considerations
CLEANING AND SANITATION:

Frequent disinfecting of door handles, desks and other common spaces.

Require handwashing in regular intervals.

Keep libraries, gyms, and playgrounds off limits unless they can be sanitized between groups.

Provide hand sanitizer.

SICK POLICIES

Implement temperature checks and / or symptom screening when practical.

Require anyone (students or staff) with COVID 19 symptoms to stay home.

LIMIT CLASS SIZES

Consider breaking larger classes into smaller groups.

Students may alternate school days or attend for half days.

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE

Consider use of face coverings by all staff and students

Keep students with the same group and in the same classroom, with teachers rotating when practical.

Consider students eating lunch in the classroom to help limit mixing of students.

Cancel extracurricular activities.

Prevent any non school staff, including parents, from entering school buildings.

Consider reducing bus loads to allow for one student per seat.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES

Provide a live stream of graduation

Consider limiting spectator attendance

For larger schools, consider grouping graduates or providing multiple ceremonies

Follow social distancing between families

ACCOMODATIONS

For students, teachers, and staff in an at risk group:

Schools that reopen will need to take into consideration that some teachers and staff will fall into the at risk category because of their age or other health risks. These individuals should have additional accommodations including: teaching classes remotely, utilizing a larger classroom where social distancing can be maintained, or given an option not to return until the risks are reduced.

Students who are high risk or who have family members who are high risk should not be penalized for failing to attend and should continue to receive remote support.

Accommodations should also be extended to students and staff who are required to quarantine due to exposure or potential exposure.

CONFIRMED or SUSPECTED case of COVID 19

Collaborate with public health to ensure each school has a plan for reporting, contact tracing and both short term or extended closures in the case of a positive COVID case related to the school or community.

Utilize CDC guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 ncov/community/schools childcare/guidance for schools.html

General Business Reopening Guidelines

PHASE ONE: ALL SETTINGS

Health assessments must be conducted for all employees at the beginning of each shift.

In establishments where customers wait in a line, non household customers should remain physically distanced.

Waiting areas where adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained must be closed.

Customers should be encouraged to call for a reservation or an appointment, or establishments should use an online wait listing application.

Physical distancing of 6 feet must be maintained between non congregate customers, this may require:

A reduction in capacity;

A reduction of seating in service and waiting areas;

Management of waiting areas and waiting lines; or

Systems that reduce the amount of contact time between customers and staff.

PHASE TWO: ALL SETTINGS

Non congregate group size has increased from 10 people to 50 people.

All other provisions remain the same as Phase One for general business operations.

PHASE THREE: ALL SETTINGS

Return to normal operations.

Restaurant / Bar / Brewery / Distillery / Casino Guidelines

ALL PHASES

A specific cleaning plan must be implemented, and employees must be trained in proper sanitation practices. Materials will be available on the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) food and consumer services website.

All surfaces occupied must be cleaned between customers, including tables, chairs, booths, and highchairs.

Table items including, condiments, menus, napkins, and décor, should be removed from the table unless they can be adequately cleaned between customers.

Menus must be cleaned between customers.

Growlers and refillable or reusable containers must be cleaned prior to being refilled.

Gaming machines must be adequately cleaned between customers.

PHASE ONE: RESTAURANTS

Capacity must be limited to 50% of normal operating capacity to allow for adequate group spacing.

Tables must be limited to six people per table.

Establishments must provide for 6 feet of physical distancing between groups and or tables by:

Increasing table spacing, removing tables, or marking tables as closed;

Providing for a physical barrier between tables; or

Back to back booth seating provides adequate separation.

In house dining for quick service restaurants should remain closed, if all guidelines can’t be met, including the cleaning of every table between customers.

Sitting or standing at bars or counters is not allowed.

In bars, drinks and food must be served to customers at a table.

Self service buffets must be closed.

Drink refills are not allowed.

Self service cups, straws and lids should be behind a counter and handed to customers

Self service condiments should be eliminated.

Gaming machines that are operational must be separated by 7 foot center to center. Machines must be placed out of service if adequate spacing cannot be assured.

PHASE TWO: RESTAURANTS

Capacity may be increased to 75% of normal operating capacity.

Tables must be limited to 10 people per table.

Establishments must continue provide for physical distancing between groups and or tables but may increase capacity.

In house dining for quick service restaurants should remain closed if all guidelines can’t be met, including the cleaning of every table between customers.

PHASE THREE: RESTAURANTS

Continue to practice social distancing when practical.

Establishments should begin to resume normal occupancy while continuing to follow the guidelines for all facilities.

Outdoor Recreation Guidelines

PHASE ONE AND TWO: RECREATION GUIDELINES

Public lands, fishing access sites, and parks are encouraged to continue to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for local and regional users provided that users can adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and facilities follow frequent sanitizing protocols. Areas that cannot practicably implement social distancing requirements or sanitation needs will remain closed. Limited campground offerings, group use facilities and playgrounds, may be opened at the discretion of local and state managers . Local, state and federal officials are strongly encouraged to coordinate on all reopening decisions. Guides and outfitters may offer services consistent with any ongoing quarantine travel restrictions provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols. Visitors should check the status of any closures and restrictions before traveling.

PHASE THREE: RECREATION GUIDELINES

Campground, group use facilities, playgrounds and visitor centers are fully open.

Personal Care / Services Guidelines

PHASE ONE: PERSONAL CARE (SALONS, MASSAGE, BODY ART, ETC.)

Operations that require close personal contact for an extended period result in exposing staff and customers to greater level s of risk. These situations require additional safety and health precautions.

Screen customers prior to appointment for symptoms of fever, shortness of breath or a cough. Customers that have any of these symptoms must be rescheduled.

Utilize a face mask for staff and for customers when practical.

Stylist / artist / service provider and customer would be a “station” that would be 6 feet away from other “stations”.

Provide for 6 feet of physical distancing between stations, this may require:

A reduction in capacity;

Increasing spacing, removing stations, or marking stations as closed;

Providing for a physical barrier between stations;

A reduction of seating in service and waiting areas; or

Systems that reduce the amount of contact time between customers and staff.

PHASE TWO: PERSONAL CARE (SALONS, MASSAGE, BODY ART)

Establishments should continue provide for physical distancing between stations.

PHASE THREE: PERSONAL CARE (SALONS, MASSAGE, BODY ART)

Continue to practice physical distancing when practical.

Establishments may resume normal occupancy while continuing to follow the guidelines for all facilities.

[Waveguide]

Originally Posted by Montanan

1st large study of US hospitalized Covid-19 patients confirms comorbidities

[...].

The findings included that the most common comorbidities -- the presence of more than one disease or condition in the same person -- among patients was hypertension (57%), obesity (41%) and type 2 diabetes (34%), according to the study published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

[...]

Since there is hardly anyone with Type 2 Diabetes who isn't also obese, one can consider Type 2 Diabetes as merely a symptom of severe obesity. Resolve the obesity, and the diabetes resolves with it.

"Diabesity."

The same is usually true of hypertension. "Hyperbesity"?

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by rbk

Funny how one is the leading cause of the other two.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

The only % that matters to me is that if I die, it’s 100%........

Of course, if you only care about yourself.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Hahaha!

Glad to see your state is looking to reduce the lockdown. Hoping we see something similar start to roll out next week. Then it’s wait until mid May before we might get access to our boat again when and if the boarder opens back up.

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Of course, if you only care about yourself.

Protecting my life by self quarantine and observing the lockdowns protects everyone else from dying. The interests of the general public and myself are aligned: what I do to stay safe and uninfected keeps you safe and uninfected and vice versa. And staying healthy and alive is the priority now, not going back to work.

[GordMay]

The Republican governors of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio all announced on Monday (April 20) they would begin peeling back the curbs on commerce and social activity aimed at stopping the coronavirus outbreak over the next two weeks. Colorado's Democratic governor said on Tuesday he would open retail stores on May 1. Officials from Michigan and Texas also recently stated they are working on plans to reopen. Amid a national debate over how to fight the virus, while mitigating the deep economic toll, these moves are the first to test the borders of resuming "normal" life, in the USA. However, none of the states has met the White House guideline, unveiled last week, of two weeks of declining cases before a state should reopen.

In a recent article*, in the New England Journal of Medicine, a group of physicians proposed ethical criteria for making difficult rationing decisions.
Among other things, they outlined when a younger patient should be prioritized, over an older one, and when someone's instrumental value to society should determine if they get care before someone else. "Many guidelines agree that the decision to withdraw a scarce resource, to save others, is not an act of killing, and does not require the patient's consent," the authors wrote
The ethical dilemma, of how to allocate scarce health-care resources, will likely recede in prominence, in this next phase of the pandemic (recovery).
In its place will be questions about how to ease restrictions, while the threat of COVID-19 remains present (but reduced).

Resolving these question seems to mean, that not everyone will be able to regain their freedoms equally, and some will have to shoulder the burden of avoiding contagion, longer than others.
One option, being considered in countries such as the U.S., Italy and the U.K., is issuing an immunity certificate to those who have already had COVID-19, and can prove they have the necessary antibodies to avoid re-infection. Those with the certificate, would regain the right to work, and to move about freely.
The first phase of the crisis has involved dramatic reductions in our freedoms, but these applied to all of us (more or less) equally.
The next phase, returning to "normal, will not.

* “Fair Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources in the Time of Covid-19" ~ by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D., et al.
➥ https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMsb2005114


A Province of Quebec government guide, to the ethical problems raised by the pandemic, points to Quebec's welfare net as one way of making the trade-offs more palatable. Those affected could, for example, continue to access financial benefits.
“COVID-19: Conditions Necessary for the Maintenance of Essential Services and the Gradual Opening of Other Workplaces”
➥ https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/publicati...pening-covid19

[GordMay]

The pandemic is giving states political cover for controversial acts
From China to Hungary, Bolivia, Israel, Turkmenistan, and even Texas, an unprecedented emergency is presenting openings, some politicians are keen to exploit.
For many governments, the pandemic crisis presents the perfect cover, for carrying out actions they could only dream of, before the virus struck.
More ➥ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pan...stan-1.5541548

[GordMay]

SaNOtize Obtains Health Canada Approval to Commence Phase II Trial for Potential COVID-19 Therapy
More ➥ https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...863096478.html
And ➥ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/...mpression=true

SaNOtize has been evaluating nitric oxide (NO), a naturally occurring nanomolecule in the body, as a first-in-class nitrosylite drug, with the potential to be used as a topical antimicrobial agent to treat a wide variety of diseases.
SaNOtize has demonstrated the effectiveness of its NORS formulation, in eradicating different types of viruses, including influenza and H1N1, and is working diligently to determine NORS’ efficacy to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections.
Has confirmed NORSTM is >99.9% effective against different types of coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19) in tests conducted by the independent Institute for Antiviral Research at Utah State University, and is working with a leading hospital in Israel, to commence a clinical trial, to determine the efficacy of NORS in prevention of COVID-19
➥ https://www.biospace.com/article/rel...id-19-therapy/
➥ https://sanotize.com/
➥ https://sanotize.com/covid-19/

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Of course, if you only care about yourself.

I just had an interesting thought.

In the USA lockdown is principally making one poorer. We now can not buy stuff primarily manufactured in the 3rd world. But we are saving lives in the USA.

As a result in the 3rd world people are loosing jobs. There the USA lockdown may be causing death due to starvation.

In effect we are trading USA lives for 3rd world lives.

I obviously don’t know how true this is, what the correlation is although I’m sure there is some, but neither have I heard the morality discussed.

[landsend]

Originally Posted by Waveguide

Since there is hardly anyone with Type 2 Diabetes who isn't also obese, one can consider Type 2 Diabetes as merely a symptom of severe obesity. Resolve the obesity, and the diabetes resolves with it.

"Diabesity."

The same is usually true of hypertension. "Hyperbesity"?

Really?!!! Do you have proof of this? I know plenty of type 2 diabetics including myself who are definitely not obese. Just curious.