COVID-19, the Economy, and Quarantines

Just the facts and news to keep people up to date.

The situation continues to deteriorate in parts of the country. We knew that the number of virus cases would go up as testing expanded. I’m in Middle Georgia, which had been spared, but now has several cases. At least two appear to be from social spread within the community.

Georgia residents can get a map here.

Globally, here’s the Johns Hopkins dashboard.

As it stands at this writing, the United States now has 11,238 cases, 157 deaths, and 106 confirmed recovered patients. Keep in mind that the recovery number is so low because it takes a re-test to get listed. Most patients have recovered and are not listed because of testing kits going to those in need. People who have had the virus, but no longer have symptoms, are being released.

Contrary to rumor and a few reports, there are zero confirmed cases of re-infection.

Right now, according to the Presidential taskforce, 50% of all cases are in three states and 50% are in ten counties. The three states are Washington, California, and New York.

The CDC reports that 20% of hospitalizations of the virus in the United States are between the ages of 20 and 44. 55% of the cases are younger than 65. The rest are 65 and older.

• The Sleeping Giants Awake: American distilleries are stopping their distilling of alcohol to make hand sanitizer. (H/t to Alan Cole for the line title)

• Good News: There is no need to hoard. The food and beverage supply chain is actually fully operational. So stop overbuying products at the grocery store. There are actually people who need toilet paper. Seriously, contrary to rumors online, there are no shortages of food in the country and the supply chain is at 100%. As we settle down over the next week, grocery stores should stabilize.

Remember to be kind to the grocery store workers.

• Hope? Several doctors in South Korea, France, and Stanford are seeing patients cured using a combination of an antiviral made for malaria and a z pack. Though the z pack is for bacteria, it seems to help the immune system as the malaria medicine is administered. The trials are limited but encouraging and ongoing. 100% of patients on the drug cocktail were cured in six days.

• If you have symptoms, stay home. Despite two weeks of the President, Vice President, Governor, and various state and federal health officials telling people to self-quarantine, Georgia State Senator Brandon Beach did not. He had a cough and fever last Saturday, got tested for COVID-19, then participated in a special session of the Georgia legislature on Monday. His test came back positive on Wednesday. He was both sick and contagious. The entire Georgia legislature is now being asked to self-quarantine. Ironically, they shut the place down last Saturday because the Governor feared something like this could happen. But the legislature had to come back to give Governor Kemp emergency powers.

• The President wants to give you money. He favors a plan by Senator Tom Cotton that would give families $1000 plus $500 per child. The Treasury Secretary favors a second $3000 payment if the crisis continues. Some congressional Republicans and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows are reportedly opposed to that.

• If you are homebound and want to exercise, consider following my trainer on Instagram. Tao Fitness in Macon is great and I would hate to see it closed after we get out of our houses. You can follow Steven’s home workouts here. I’m trying to get him to bill me for next month even if I can’t come because I don’t want him to go out of business.

Now, read this closely, please.

A friend passed this on from the CDC. Below is the per-capita infection rate for each state. So, for example, right now you’ll see 4,232 for New York City. That is NOT THE NUMBER OF INFECTIONS. That means it is 1 infection for every 4,232 people.

Nationwide, there is 1 infection for every 31,471 people currently. The numbers are going to change as testing ramps up. That is to be expected. Do not panic when you see the spike this coming week. They are expecting it.

That said, here is the list.

New York     4,232
Washington     6,415
Louisiana     17,811
District of Columbia     18,096
New Jersey     20,801
Colorado     26,661
Massachusetts     27,146
Maine     30,550
NATIONWIDE     31,471
Rhode Island     32,102
New Hampshire     34,864
Wyoming     36,172
Connecticut     37,138
Delaware     37,452
Georgia     40,525
Illinois     43,999
Nevada     48,891
Vermont     51,999
Wisconsin     54,929
Oregon     56,236
Maryland     56,502
Mississippi     59,523
California     60,602
Minnesota     63,367
Tennessee     69,726
Nebraska     71,645
Florida     71,832
New Mexico     74,887
Utah     80,149
South Dakota     80,424
Arkansas     81,563
Iowa     83,028
South Carolina     85,812
Montana     89,065
Virginia     90,803
Alabama     96,141
Pennsylvania     96,256
North Carolina     108,125
North Dakota     108,866
Alaska     121,924
Michigan     124,836
Oklahoma     127,644
Kentucky     127,648
Ohio     132,831
Kansas     138,729
Hawaii     141,587
Indiana     172,621
Idaho     179,207
Missouri     255,726
Arizona     269,582
Texas     349,348
West Virginia     357,429

That’s your update for the day. Remember, if you want the deep dives and political stuff, please get a paid subscription. Frankly, it also helps support my radio show, which you can hear every day 9 am to noon throughout Georgia and (very soon) beyond.