Hi guys. With the new outbreak there's quite some misinformation going around, and since my major is Biochemistry/Molecular Biology (and having studied virology as part of my degree), I thought I might help out the community on this site, if you have any questions regarding the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, or just viruses in general.
Not giving medical advice though, not qualified for that. More than happy to talk science.
There is something that needs to be said about the COVID-19 pandemic, but most people in the scientific community don't seem to want to come right out and say it. So I guess I will. The pandemic will run its course, but don't expect things to return to the way they were anytime soon. There will eventually be a vaccine, but it may well take years for an effective one to be developed. (So far the record for the fastest has been the mumps vaccine, which took four years.) Until then, the novel coronavirus will be with us, just as polio once was.Until there is a vaccine, there will be periodic outbreaks and flare-ups of COVID-19. Hopefully, there will effective treatments available by the end of the year. Unfortunately, chloroquine (and hydroxychloroquine) has not lived up to its initial promise.For one thing, its side effects have been a major problem. Some trials on COVID-19 patients had to be halted, because the patients developed serious heart problems (cardiac arrhythmia). And in some cases, ti didn't seem to help anyway. On the other hand, remdesivir (originally developed to counter the Ebola virus) has shown promise in recent trials against COVID-19, Perhaps it, and other compound similar to it, will indeed prove useful as a treatment for coronavirus patients. But at any rate, we're going to have to deal with this pathogen for a while yet - probably years. It's not going to disappear any time soon. Unfortunately, we're going to have to face that fact.
Australia has achieved "flattening the curve" and is on our way to riding out the crisis, so good news for me.
However I'm aware the situation is still pretty bad in the US, so, my best wishes for everybody, stay safe. I hope all will be well, both in terms of health, and the financial impacts from the outbreak.
However I'm aware the situation is still pretty bad in the US, so, my best wishes for everybody, stay safe. I hope all will be well, both in terms of health, and the financial impacts from the outbreak.
"Cardillo is the CEO of Mend Urgent Care. He said he has found it only works if combined with zinc. The drug, he said, opens a channel for the zinc to enter the cell and block virus replication."
Correct - and to be more specific, it interferes with the action of RNA polymerase.
"He added that the drug should not be prescribed for those who are presenting only mild symptoms, as there are concerns about shortages for patients with other conditions who need to take the drug on a regular basis."
Yes, there are. And it it can also have serious cardiac side effects. Patients who take it on a regular basis need to have their heart functions closely monitored, because hydroxychloroquine can cause cardiac arrhythmia (potentially serious). There is also the possibility of taking an accidental overdose. Anything over one gram a day is an overdose, and can have serious complications. There have already been several cases of people attempting to self-medicate with hydroxychloroquine, and ending up in the ER with severe symptoms. In short, it is a potent prescription medication, and should never be taken except under the direction of a doctor.
Correct - and to be more specific, it interferes with the action of RNA polymerase.
"He added that the drug should not be prescribed for those who are presenting only mild symptoms, as there are concerns about shortages for patients with other conditions who need to take the drug on a regular basis."
Yes, there are. And it it can also have serious cardiac side effects. Patients who take it on a regular basis need to have their heart functions closely monitored, because hydroxychloroquine can cause cardiac arrhythmia (potentially serious). There is also the possibility of taking an accidental overdose. Anything over one gram a day is an overdose, and can have serious complications. There have already been several cases of people attempting to self-medicate with hydroxychloroquine, and ending up in the ER with severe symptoms. In short, it is a potent prescription medication, and should never be taken except under the direction of a doctor.
And I have this story that may have some link with Melissa Benoist, who is with child. From KGW-TV in Portland, OR is the story of a pregnant woman who was diagnosed with Covid-19. The woman, Angela Primachenko, from Vancouver, WA (not BC Canada) gave birth to a baby girl while in a medically induced coma. At one point she had to breathe with a ventilator.
While the baby was born six weeks early, she did test negative for Corona. Thankfully the mother was able to breathe on her own and was taken off a ventilator Monday night.
We can only pray Melissa doesn't have to face such an event.
While the baby was born six weeks early, she did test negative for Corona. Thankfully the mother was able to breathe on her own and was taken off a ventilator Monday night.
We can only pray Melissa doesn't have to face such an event.
And also there is this...a noted LA doctor told KABC-TV he has had success in prescribing the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in combination with zinc.
Here is a portion of the interview from ABC7 LA's YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVs_EWVCVPc
Dr. Anthony Cardillo said he has seen very promising results when prescribing hydroxychloroquine in combination with zinc for the most severely-ill COVID-19 patients.
"Every patient I've prescribed it to has been very, very ill and within 8 to 12 hours, they were basically symptom-free," Cardillo told Eyewitness News. "So clinically I am seeing a resolution."
Cardillo is the CEO of Mend Urgent Care. He said he has found it only works if combined with zinc. The drug, he said, opens a channel for the zinc to enter the cell and block virus replication.
He added that the drug should not be prescribed for those who are presenting only mild symptoms, as there are concerns about shortages for patients with other conditions who need to take the drug on a regular basis.
"We have to be cautious and mindful that we don't prescribe it for patients who have COVID who are well," Cardillo said. "It should be reserved for people who are really sick, in the hospital or at home very sick, who need that medication. Otherwise we're going to blow through our supply for patients that take it regularly for other disease processes."
Here is a portion of the interview from ABC7 LA's YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVs_EWVCVPc
An interesting interview with the director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).Good to hear most people are in fact "social distancing". The original CDC models got it wrong, because they assumed (incorrectly) that only about half the public would do as they requested.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/04/07/cdc_director_robert_redfield_because_american_public_did_social_distancing_coronavirus_death_toll_will_be_much_much_much_lower.html
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/04/07/cdc_director_robert_redfield_because_american_public_did_social_distancing_coronavirus_death_toll_will_be_much_much_much_lower.html
What we're doing is working - so let's keep it up!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/04/07/coronavirus-anthony-fauci-social-distancing-deborah-birx/2959335001/?fbclid=IwAR2xgO6glvMXl7J5GSlWljsKUb1XP6CFckXJg9ULn8BtKRlhUoC7vY_DtDQ
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/04/07/coronavirus-anthony-fauci-social-distancing-deborah-birx/2959335001/?fbclid=IwAR2xgO6glvMXl7J5GSlWljsKUb1XP6CFckXJg9ULn8BtKRlhUoC7vY_DtDQ
Stewart has inspired me to give some general info:
Why "corona" virus?
- Corona is latin for crown. Under high magnification the spike proteins on the viral surface (used for recognition and attachment onto host cells) make the virus look like a crown. There are many coronaviruses as Stewart has pointed out, the most notable human coronaviruses other than the recent one being SARS-CoV, which caused SARS, and MERS-CoV, which caused Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Also, has nothing to do with the beer
, which is also named after crown.
What's a virus?
- A virus is a self-replicating infectious macromolecule. Unlike bacteria and other pathogens, viruses are not living, although they are composed of molecules commonly found in life, namely proteins and nucleic acids. Generally viruses have a protein shell (capsid), which contains its genes inside. Once inside a host cell, it will use the host cell's own proteins to copy the viruses's genome and manufacture more viral proteins, assembling a new virus.
Why no treatment yet?
- Unlike with bacteria and antibiotics, general-purpose antiviral drugs are hard to achieve. Normally drugs are specific for each virus, targeting its unique proteins or replicative mechanism. Coronaviruses are Baltimore class IV, meaning their genome is made of positive-strand RNA. Due to how gene replication works, Class IV viruses don't need to carry their own replicative proteins (unlike some other viruses) as the cell autonomously transcribes their genome. The lack of viral-specific replicative proteins means fewer viable drug targets. That doesn't mean we have no solution, but it's harder to design such a drug.
When's vaccine coming?
- The world is working faster than its ever been trying to create a vaccine. Scientists believe a vaccine can be achieved in a year, which is considered incredibly fast. Often, the science component of vaccine research is not why it takes so long. After conceptually realising a vaccine, it would need to undergo numerous in vitro testing, purification, animal testing, and numerous clinical trials, before being approved, not to mention commercial aspects such as finding funding sources and manufacturers.
Vaccine for the new coronavirus is already being fast tracked in most cases. My university, the University of Queenland, is one of the few places actively researching a vaccine for COVID-19, and has recently received a massive grant from the state government to speed up development.
Why "corona" virus?
- Corona is latin for crown. Under high magnification the spike proteins on the viral surface (used for recognition and attachment onto host cells) make the virus look like a crown. There are many coronaviruses as Stewart has pointed out, the most notable human coronaviruses other than the recent one being SARS-CoV, which caused SARS, and MERS-CoV, which caused Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Also, has nothing to do with the beer
, which is also named after crown.What's a virus?
- A virus is a self-replicating infectious macromolecule. Unlike bacteria and other pathogens, viruses are not living, although they are composed of molecules commonly found in life, namely proteins and nucleic acids. Generally viruses have a protein shell (capsid), which contains its genes inside. Once inside a host cell, it will use the host cell's own proteins to copy the viruses's genome and manufacture more viral proteins, assembling a new virus.
Why no treatment yet?
- Unlike with bacteria and antibiotics, general-purpose antiviral drugs are hard to achieve. Normally drugs are specific for each virus, targeting its unique proteins or replicative mechanism. Coronaviruses are Baltimore class IV, meaning their genome is made of positive-strand RNA. Due to how gene replication works, Class IV viruses don't need to carry their own replicative proteins (unlike some other viruses) as the cell autonomously transcribes their genome. The lack of viral-specific replicative proteins means fewer viable drug targets. That doesn't mean we have no solution, but it's harder to design such a drug.
When's vaccine coming?
- The world is working faster than its ever been trying to create a vaccine. Scientists believe a vaccine can be achieved in a year, which is considered incredibly fast. Often, the science component of vaccine research is not why it takes so long. After conceptually realising a vaccine, it would need to undergo numerous in vitro testing, purification, animal testing, and numerous clinical trials, before being approved, not to mention commercial aspects such as finding funding sources and manufacturers.
Vaccine for the new coronavirus is already being fast tracked in most cases. My university, the University of Queenland, is one of the few places actively researching a vaccine for COVID-19, and has recently received a massive grant from the state government to speed up development.
I've been getting some questions about why the medical folks on TV are using the terms "novel coronavirus" and "COVID-19" for the virus causing the pandemic. They're actually conforming to standard practice in nomenclature in virology. From the CDC:
"On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practice external icon for naming of new human infectious diseases."
"On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practice external icon for naming of new human infectious diseases."
Hi comicfan, sorry to hear about your situation. Being immunocompromised, the virus is indeed a severe danger for you and your father.
Yes,not a great situation but I do the best I can.I'm actually not surprised my doctor recommended me to be the one to go out over my father.As he pointed out,between the two of us I have a little more going for me because I'm much younger than my father and the big thing is that I do get Gamma Globulins every month.That's probably the difference maker.If I wasn't getting them,my father probably would of been the better option.Before the Gamma Globulins as a child,I was sick all the time.Infection on top of infection on top of infection.Once I began Gamma Globulin treatment,I stopped getting sick and only get ill maybe once in the blue moon with a cold.Basically like normal people.I tried going off the Gamma globulins treatment about 14 years ago(this was before I started Remicade) and immediately starting getting sick with infections again.I quickly resumed treatment and was fine and no way can I ever be off them now while taking a immunosuppressant for my arthritis.It's a pain in the neck because both are I.V. medications.At least I can coordinate them together so I only have to be stuck once.The Gamma Globulins are every 28 days while the Remicade is every 8 weeks.So a Remicade month,I leave the catheter in and flush the line after the Gamma Globulins and reuse it the next day for the Remicade.
Your precautions sound pretty airtight. One thing I might point out though is you mention changing gloves. Be sure to wash/disinfect your hands between changing gloves. That applies to masks as well, also avoid touching face as much as possible when removing mask. Other than that sounds like you’re doing the best you can given what you have. Stay safe and good luck
Yes,I keep one of my hand sanitizers on me when I'm out and use it after each glove change in my car and then again when I'm completely finished at home and use hand soap the rest of the time.And I'm careful with removing the gloves too.
I wish I could get more hand sanitizer but no place has it that I can find.I'm fine for now though.
I'm very careful removing the mask.And I only remove it once I'm completely done being out for the morning/day.I know the masks are better for use if you're already sick to keep others from catching things from you but my doctor said since I have them,it's not a bad idea to use it given my condtion.But he emphasized definitely use the gloves.
I'm loaded up with gloves due to my I.V. needs.I use them when I flush the line and remove the I.V. when done.
The only reason I have the masks is because I bought them when my mother had to go in the hospital several times over the years(she passed away a number of years ago) and had to wear them when I would visit her due to my immune system.
Brierose,
I agree with what Fedguy said. Also, avoid touching surfaces in public places with your hands, if at all possible. Push doors open with your elbows or shoulders. Push elevator buttons with your elbow, too.. Push flush handles in public restrooms with your foot, and open the door (if it has a knob or handle) with the same paper towel you used to dry your hands. I'm sure there are a lot of other examples that I could easily think of. Then wash your hands as soon as you get home. This quickly becomes second nature after you've done it for a few days.
I agree with what Fedguy said. Also, avoid touching surfaces in public places with your hands, if at all possible. Push doors open with your elbows or shoulders. Push elevator buttons with your elbow, too.. Push flush handles in public restrooms with your foot, and open the door (if it has a knob or handle) with the same paper towel you used to dry your hands. I'm sure there are a lot of other examples that I could easily think of. Then wash your hands as soon as you get home. This quickly becomes second nature after you've done it for a few days.
Hi Brierrose
Regular surgical masks are not considered by scientists to be effective at preventing yourself from being infected, and indeed the official advice here in Australia from the government is masks should only be worn if you yourself are sick. N95 masks can prevent transmission but aren't practical for daily use.
One issue with wearing masks is, you could make your risk of being infected higher due to having to touch your face when wearing and removing them. Hence, regular surgical masks at least are not recommended to normal healthy people, and you're absolutely right as in they're better reserved for the actual medical personnel.
If you keep your distance, stay home mostly and wash your hands often, sounds like you're on top of this.
Regular surgical masks are not considered by scientists to be effective at preventing yourself from being infected, and indeed the official advice here in Australia from the government is masks should only be worn if you yourself are sick. N95 masks can prevent transmission but aren't practical for daily use.
One issue with wearing masks is, you could make your risk of being infected higher due to having to touch your face when wearing and removing them. Hence, regular surgical masks at least are not recommended to normal healthy people, and you're absolutely right as in they're better reserved for the actual medical personnel.
If you keep your distance, stay home mostly and wash your hands often, sounds like you're on top of this.
My question is about masks and gloves, which I understand there’s shortages of. Obviously medical personal and people with compromised immune systems should use them as necessary. It’s my understanding that Coronavirus is transmitted in much the same ways as flu and cold viruses so it makes sense that for people who are sick (confirmed or suspected) wearing a mask and gloves lowers the risk of transmission to others that they must have contact with.
I’m healthy and only going out as needed but without any type of protection except wipes. For a healthy person, when I do go out, does wearing a mask and gloves actually do more harm than good because I’m using a resource that someone else critically needs? Besides staying home, washing my hands when I do go out and of course helping others what can a healthy person do?
I’m healthy and only going out as needed but without any type of protection except wipes. For a healthy person, when I do go out, does wearing a mask and gloves actually do more harm than good because I’m using a resource that someone else critically needs? Besides staying home, washing my hands when I do go out and of course helping others what can a healthy person do?
Hope, Help and Compassion for all
Hi comicfan, sorry to hear about your situation. Being immunocompromised, the virus is indeed a severe danger for you and your father.
Your precautions sound pretty airtight. One thing I might point out though is you mention changing gloves. Be sure to wash/disinfect your hands between changing gloves. That applies to masks as well, also avoid touching face as much as possible when removing mask. Other than that sounds like you’re doing the best you can given what you have. Stay safe and good luck
Your precautions sound pretty airtight. One thing I might point out though is you mention changing gloves. Be sure to wash/disinfect your hands between changing gloves. That applies to masks as well, also avoid touching face as much as possible when removing mask. Other than that sounds like you’re doing the best you can given what you have. Stay safe and good luck
I have a compromised immune system and have been getting gamma globulins every 28 days since I was a child(I'm 41 now).I'm also on a immunosuppressant(Remicade for severe arthritis since I was 16).I talked to my doctor who is infectious disease two weeks ago because I help out my father.He's 77(just retired as a pharmacist after 50 + years in December).He's in good health.No underlining condtions(in that way,he's in better shape than me).but my doctor said that between the two of us,I'm the better candidate to go out places for necessary errands(grocery and supply shopping,banking,pharmacy) due to 1) my age and 2) my immune system is being boosted by the gamma globulins.
I'm being as careful as I can.I wash,wash,wash my hands regularly.I only go out for supplies(food,meds if necessary,and the bank drive threw) once a week,on Friday mornings.And I do the grocery shopping as soon as they open at the crack of dawn when the stores has the fewest people(and I keep my distance of the ones who are there).The past two weeks,I started at 6 am and I'm completely done everything by between 10 or 11 in the morning finishing with dropping off stuff for my father(so he doesn't have to go out to places at all).Every place I go I wear rubber gloves and change them after each store(so I usually have two or three extra pair of gloves on me depending on how many stops I'm making).I have several boxes of rubber gloves.Probably more than enough to last over a year.And I wear a mask.Since I have a limited number of masks I just keep the mask on until I'm completely done for the morning(I have two boxes of masks and I believe there is 20 in a box.Since I only go out once a week,I only need one mask a week so I think they will last me a while.Plus I'm careful not to touch my eyes/non mask parts of my face while out and about.As soon as I'm done for the morning and the final pair of gloves off,I scrub my hands.I have hand sanitizer but limited because it's hard to get.My doctor said hand soap is just as good and I have plenty of that.So I only use the hand sanitizer to clean with after being out and use hand soap the rest of the time.
So Friday mornings(like today) I do the errands for myself and my father and then I don't have to set foot outside my home for another 7 days.1 morning a week out for errands,the rest of the days I go nowhere.
Is there any other precautions I can take?I wouldn't even go out once a week if I didn't have to but there is no way around that for certain things(delivery isn't a good option for groceries and some of the supplies needed nor banking) and I'm trying to keep my dad from having to go out places.
I'm being as careful as I can.I wash,wash,wash my hands regularly.I only go out for supplies(food,meds if necessary,and the bank drive threw) once a week,on Friday mornings.And I do the grocery shopping as soon as they open at the crack of dawn when the stores has the fewest people(and I keep my distance of the ones who are there).The past two weeks,I started at 6 am and I'm completely done everything by between 10 or 11 in the morning finishing with dropping off stuff for my father(so he doesn't have to go out to places at all).Every place I go I wear rubber gloves and change them after each store(so I usually have two or three extra pair of gloves on me depending on how many stops I'm making).I have several boxes of rubber gloves.Probably more than enough to last over a year.And I wear a mask.Since I have a limited number of masks I just keep the mask on until I'm completely done for the morning(I have two boxes of masks and I believe there is 20 in a box.Since I only go out once a week,I only need one mask a week so I think they will last me a while.Plus I'm careful not to touch my eyes/non mask parts of my face while out and about.As soon as I'm done for the morning and the final pair of gloves off,I scrub my hands.I have hand sanitizer but limited because it's hard to get.My doctor said hand soap is just as good and I have plenty of that.So I only use the hand sanitizer to clean with after being out and use hand soap the rest of the time.
So Friday mornings(like today) I do the errands for myself and my father and then I don't have to set foot outside my home for another 7 days.1 morning a week out for errands,the rest of the days I go nowhere.
Is there any other precautions I can take?I wouldn't even go out once a week if I didn't have to but there is no way around that for certain things(delivery isn't a good option for groceries and some of the supplies needed nor banking) and I'm trying to keep my dad from having to go out places.
I’d like to add community transmission in China is already halting due to strictly enforced distancing/isolation. If it’ll work in the most populous country, certainly it’ll help in others.
The following study is about Australia but I believe should be relevant globally.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/03/25/greater-social-distancing-could-curb-covid-19-in-13-weeks.html
The following study is about Australia but I believe should be relevant globally.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/03/25/greater-social-distancing-could-curb-covid-19-in-13-weeks.html
A friend of mine asked whether the virus passes through the digestive tract unharmed (it does), and which disinfectants work. All the common ones will destroy the virus, but you have to leave them on the surface for a minute or so before wiping them off:
"She is correct about the Coronavirus passing through the digestive tract untouched. Although it is protected only a thin layer of lipids (not a thick protein coat like gastrointestinal viruses), the gastric juices and stomach acid won't destroy this virus. However, the lipid layer is easily penetrated and the virus subsequently destroyed by bases (like the quarternary ammonium compounds in disinfectant sprays like Lysol), alcohol (70% solution or higher concentration), and oxidizing agents (including bleach and peroxide)."
"She is correct about the Coronavirus passing through the digestive tract untouched. Although it is protected only a thin layer of lipids (not a thick protein coat like gastrointestinal viruses), the gastric juices and stomach acid won't destroy this virus. However, the lipid layer is easily penetrated and the virus subsequently destroyed by bases (like the quarternary ammonium compounds in disinfectant sprays like Lysol), alcohol (70% solution or higher concentration), and oxidizing agents (including bleach and peroxide)."
The short answer is - Yes!
These sorts of "population curves" have been used by biologists for many years (so they are nothing new).
In fact, the *preliminary data* does appear to indicate that the population curve is beginning to flatten here in the US (in other words, social distancing seems to be starting to work):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/24/coronavirus-social-distancing-fever-charting-kinsa/2897136001/?for-guid=3f01ae80-8344-4a91-af96-81a8cc3c05d0&utm_source=usatoday-The+Short+List&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=narrative&utm_term=article_body&fbclid=IwAR0FVJJxB7pdiipZMT3l9S-0u8HYGBQaWS9V5yfms0DomYArZCParzjXO8s
These sorts of "population curves" have been used by biologists for many years (so they are nothing new).
In fact, the *preliminary data* does appear to indicate that the population curve is beginning to flatten here in the US (in other words, social distancing seems to be starting to work):
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/24/coronavirus-social-distancing-fever-charting-kinsa/2897136001/?for-guid=3f01ae80-8344-4a91-af96-81a8cc3c05d0&utm_source=usatoday-The+Short+List&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=narrative&utm_term=article_body&fbclid=IwAR0FVJJxB7pdiipZMT3l9S-0u8HYGBQaWS9V5yfms0DomYArZCParzjXO8s
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