Asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 didn’t occur at all, study of 10 million finds

[Revmitchell]

This is where we disagree. I believe that we can compare how respiratory viruses spread and find common ground.

Do you have any evidence that the covid-19 virus is very much divorced from other respiratory viruses (like influenza and other covid viruses)?

I understand respiratory viruses can be more or less severe and more or less transferable than others. But I do not see how we can argue that this covid virus is so different from any other respiratory virus (to include other covid viruses) when it comes to behavior.

What im saying is one cannot make that assumption without clear evidence of which none has been produced

 

[JonC]

What im saying is one cannot make that assumption without clear evidence of which none has been produced

I agree. There are assumptions either way. You can assume someone could be asymptomatic and spread the virus (like with influenza and the SARS coronavirus) or you can assume people have to be asymptomatic to spread the virus (like the virus in The Stand).

Either way there is assuming, I suppose by necessity since we are still in the middle of the pandemic (or hopefully towards the back end).

The difference is how we assume. Are we going to lean towards protecting people or preserving individual rights? It's kinda like using a car seat for a baby. If you are not going to get in an accident, you probably do not need the seat.

 

[Reynolds]

I agree that the current fiasco is a prime example of junk science (on both sides). I guess that is to be expected to a degree people are making "scientific conclusions" without enough scientific evidence (it is still too early for many of the conclusions we hear).

It is not only that we are in the middle of a pandemic, but also that we are making concrete decisions based on too little evidence. If I were pro-mask I could find a lot of evidence and scientific reports to support my position. If I were anti-mask I could do the same. It is a mess.

Personally, I don't care. If a store says I have to wear a mask then I wear one. I found out the hard way why this is very bad in a cigar store. You have to trash the mask you worked so hard on (removing the two inner layers) because the smell is not good a day later. If not, then I don't.

I don't wear them. I like watching the store people nutt up and act hysterical. The courts, in Ga anyway, are on my side.
I only wear mask in Dr office. That's for me, not anyone else.

 

[JonC]

I don't wear them. I like watching the store people nutt up and act hysterical. The courts, in Ga anyway, are on my side.
I only wear mask in Dr office. That's for me, not anyone else.

I am normally in GA. I was mentioning to another member that the courts in GA prevent people from suing businesses if they get COVID, which is a good thing (although I don't think he believed me).

In SC things hare also opened but it is up to each business or city to make rules. I noticed in Charleston masks are required on the sidewalk (not enforced, but there were signs letting people know it was required). I guess I can see it if there is a huge crowd (probably regardless of the pandemic).

 

[SGO]

Russel Brand's take on Corona virus and politics:

 

[JonC]

Just found out one of my friends lost his wife the other day to covid.

 

[Aaron]

The title of the news article is totally misleading!

Lest anyone think that the article proposes that lockdowns were unnecessary one should read with understanding the original research article.

Post-lockdown SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid screening in nearly ten million residents of Wuhan, China [LINK]

Abstract
Stringent COVID-19 control measures were imposed in Wuhan between January 23 and April 8, 2020. Estimates of the prevalence of infection following the release of restrictions could inform post-lockdown pandemic management. Here, we describe a city-wide SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid screening programme between May 14 and June 1, 2020 in Wuhan. All city residents aged six years or older were eligible and 9,899,828 (92.9%) participated. No new symptomatic cases and 300 asymptomatic cases (detection rate 0.303/10,000, 95% CI 0.270-0.339/10,000) were identified. There were no positive tests amongst 1,174 close contacts of asymptomatic cases. 107 of 34,424 previously recovered COVID-19 patients tested positive again (re-positive rate 0.31%, 95% CI 0.423-0.574%). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan was therefore very low five to eight weeks after the end of lockdown.​

My conclusion is that this article supports a strong government response to the virus through total lockdowns.
The number of asymptomatic cases detected following the "stringent" lockdown were within the estimated range of false-positives.

Rob

Whether or not the authors of the study are toeing the party line on lockdowns is not the issue. Lockdowns in the US are being justified by the idea of asymptomatic transmission. If there is none, or if it's rare, there remains no medical or scientific rationale for the restricitions.