This is the FiscalRangers.com and Vance Jochim's personal opinion and collection of primary sources of information on COVID-19, Wuhan FLU, CoronaVirus, WuFlu that I assembled. Created March 13, 2020 (will be periodically updated). Updated March 31
BOOKMARK this page for future reference:
https://www.fiscalrangers.com/covid-19-wuhan-flu-coronavirus-wuflu-factsheet-from-fiscalrangerscom-in-florida.html
Update March 31, 2020 - I am discontinuing updates here. Rely on sources listed below like the CDE or Florida State sites, plus daily White House press briefings by President Trump on C-Span.org and Breitbart for latest news on the Chinese Wuhan Virus. VJ
Summary of Key Points
- March 30 - Forbes warns of stimulus grant scams - heed their warning!
- March 25 memo from Lake County Chair Leslie Campione disclosing Covid-19 cases in Lake County and recommended steps to reduce infecting Seniors. View this photo
- March 23 - Update from Lake County, FL Chair Leslie Campione on County efforts
- The FL Dept. of Health created a Covid-19 dashboard HERE (added Mar. 18):
- White House Press Briefings by the Coronavirus Task Force are the best source for current news.
- March 16 President's "15 Days to control the Virus" Guidelines on the CDC website
- Use the above three sources as your primary news on latest developments.
- Social Distancing was very effective in St. Louis during the 1918 Spanish Flue pandemic. Philadelphia ignored the idea and suffered many more mortalities. Watch this video.
- March 21 - FL Gov. Ron DeSantis giving a LIVE update on the virus. He will be in the Villages on Monday, March 23 to open a testing facility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Sfvggxq0k He says 60% of infections are UNDER 60 years of age.
- Cures and Treatments for Wuhan Virus - we added a section below on March 19.
- Heat & Humidity may reduce life of virus per this study which is good for Florida.
- President Trump & VP Pence are taking daily actions at all levels to reduce risk of infection.
- Recovery rates per the US Surgeon General are 98-99% and most cases are low risk.
- Social distancing is a major factor in reducing infections by reducing contact points.
- Medicare says "Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home."
- Ignore the rantings of the leftist press - they are trying to create panic to benefit leftist candidates.
- Economic downfall consequences may be a tradeoff for emphasizing social distancing - save lives or save jobs will be the issue? DO NOT let the leftists use this to attack Trump. He and VP Pence have taken the position that saving lives through strong actions is more important than allowing events and businesses to stay open and spread the virus further. So brace for a short (we hope) economic downturn. Start asking your local governments NOW to start reducing local spending to reduce taxes. I have added a section below discussing the need to plan for economic changes.
- Skim our sources below, then dive deeper related to your concerns.
- There is no major food crisis when store shelves still are full of corn dogs.
My Opinion as a fiscal watchdog blogger who likes facts, not emotions:
It is my own opinion the liberal press and Democrats are using this virus as a Saul Alinsky crisis (never let a good crisis to go waste) to create divisions, blame and attacks on Trump.
My own research leads me to believe that most cases that do exist are mild and become recoveries. China ignored early cases and reacted badly, possibly generating more fear than necessary in developed countries that reacted quickly.
Use the sources below and compare the Wuhan flu (they were actually the source) statistics to others like the normal flu, or the Swine Flu and decide for yourself.
The panic leading to the closure of events and travel restrictions may be overblown but may result in reducing the spread of the virus, but we don't do that for more dangerous ailments.
But the danger may be real for some people, so here are the major sources on the virus/flu that I have found. When you see someone post advice on the internet without sources, go to these places to get the scientific basis for comparison. I also include some other conservative commentator sources and even mainstream sources so you can quickly check on recent developments.
I would quickly look at each of these, and then refer to them when you want more in-depth information. BUT, I trust the analysis by the vloggers listed further down. Official government sources like CDC and WTO are at the bottom of this page.
White House Press Briefings - https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse/videos
Never rely on the mainstream press for their interpretation of what President Trump or VP Pence are saying about the Wuhan Virus or other topics. Watch his press briefings directly.
THIS is the playlist of VP Pence's press briefings including the Coronavirus Taskforce.
TRANSCRIPTS of the White House press briefings, including the Corona Virus Task Force are HERE https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/
Testing & test kit availability: According to VP Pence, test kits are being rolled out nationwide at centers to be defined (on March 16) and will be free of charge (no copay). However, they will restrict them to those who show defined symptoms, not just anyone who walks in can get them without symptoms. They don't want to waste the existing inventory of kits on those without symptoms. ALSO, according to this White House statement, a massive test program in South Korea of xx people WITH SYMPTOMS found only XX% actually were infected.
Symptoms and how to screen yourself for them The parent company of Google, Alphabet, has another subsidiary Verily, that is working with the White House on an online screening app for Coronavirus. The White House and press confused people about its rollout. Apparently, a pilot will roll out in San Francisco only on March 16.
Good, current overview article by Dr. Chris Centano cited by Dan Bongino show
Credible NEWS sources on Coronavirus / Wuhan Virus
https://www.glennbeck.com/ - Glenn Beck is controversial, but covers issues skipped by the mainstream press.
He is probably most likely to spell out negative economic issues caused by the pandemic, so you should find other sources to compare to what he says because he also hawks buying gold and silver periodically. But, for instance, they have been following all the financial regulatory revisions happening that could affect the future economy, interest rates, and the economy.
How bad is this Wuhan Virus compared to other Pandemics Like Swine Flu, HIV, SARS? (New 3/16/20)
What does the Coronavirus feel like - from a diagnosed patient on a cruise ship who has recovered.
Two conservative online commentators who have reputable sources and reasonable perspective. I watch these two conservative vloggers daily before Fox news for ALL conservative topics.
1. Debbie Georgatos - "America Can We Talk" - the best conservative commentator who shows righteous indignation over the leftist attempts to attack Trump using the Coronavirus as a crisis.
Vlog on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs at 4 pm EST "America Can We Talk" - Located in Texas.
AmericaCanWeTalk.com
Here is her recent March 12 session on the virus - she calls a CNN Jim Acosta statement "pure evil", and calls Ilhan Omar a "complete lunatic".
https://youtu.be/Nu53fsEDiR4
"The left is not interested in solving the problem but making political points to attack Trump"
2. Dan Bongino - "The Dan Bongino Show" - daily vlog/podcast
He has many connected sources with a conservative viewpoint.
Here is a recent March 12 vlog on "Take a Stand against Coronavirus Hysteria"
https://youtu.be/UBIAu67aiEc
"People in the media are contributing to the Chaos"
"Jim Acosta from CNN is one of the dopiest people on the media..."
"Folks, these people (the leftist media) are contributing to the chaos..."
"The media loves chaos. It hurts Trump... and it gets clicks"
"The confusion, fostered by the media, is not helping."
"The reason why US testing kit rollouts were slow were ponderous FDA regulations," Trump ordered them to streamline the approvals to speed it up...
The official Coronavirus tracking map by John Hopkins Hospital (added Mar. 15)
(WARNING - there are fake virus tracking maps being found on the internet that contain computer viruses to steal your data, so always check the URL address of any source. If they offer a downloadable app or .exe file instead of a webpage, do not get it!)
Recovery rates from the Wuhan / Coronavirus may be as high at 98-99%%
Hardly any leftist media disclose recovery rates, but only rave about growth in cases and deaths in order to try and embarrass Trump, thus feeding hysteria and panic.
I wrote an article about it HERE. To me, this is the most important statistic, and since the US Surgeon General now has disclosed recoveries are 98-99%, it doesn't appear a big risk to me (but I am not 80 years old, either). I once had bronchitis and that was much worse.
As I find sources on recoveries and rates, I will post it here. So far, it seems most people recover and may only have mild cold like symptoms and that is it. Even actor Tom Hanks was infected in Australia but disclosed he and his wife only have mile "flu like" symptoms.
Cures and Treatments for the Wuhan Virus - added March 19
Testing, potential treatments and prevention from TechCrunch
- Worldwide research is starting to document possible cures, including one used already for Malaria.
Social Distancing, or separation from others to reduce virus transmissions is a major factor.
Mar 22 - Social Distancing was very effective in St. Louis during the 1918 Spanish Flue pandemic. Philadelphia ignored the idea and suffered many more mortalities.
Watch this video. (Mar 16)The Washington Post had a major Mar. 14 article on this that showed graphic simulations of different environments. They also pointed out that the Chinese method of quarantines was not very effective. I suggest you read this article and watch the automated simulations, even where 25% or 50% of the population practices social distancing and how it affects healthy people NOT being infected with a virus. Social distancing is also encouraged by shutting down events, travel and some businesses to reduce spread of the virus. The Washington Post simulations provide a clear reason why that is needed, and we think that is why it is being implemented by the Trump Administration.
Economic actions and indicators to monitor to plan for effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
It is becoming clear that local and country economies will be affected by the actions taken to reduce Coronavirus risks, and some irrational panic. Basically, the US Government is acting to protect lives first vs economic indicators so expect some short and long term consequences such as jobs, unemployment, retail sales, etc to change So I added this section Mar. 17. Most people know about watching the stock market, and employment, but here are some indicators to watch.
My Opinion: Based on living through several severe recessions:
- Act to reduce any monthly payments as much as possible. Increase positive cash flow.
- Follow guidelines issued before Hurricanes. Have two weeks of food, cash, etc.
- Get all family members to reduce spending until the economy turns around.
- Evaluate YOUR family risk based upon what you see happening.
- Evaluate your employment vs economy changes - have a backup plan.
- Consider selling some assets where the value may drop further.
- Start learning how to cope via an internet or work at home economy.
- Understand that some business actions may not be rational, but based upon investor panic.
- Monitor what respected financial advisers are saying such as Dave Ramsey
- Watch out for doomsayers who preach converting your funds to bitcoin, gold or silver.
OurWorldInData.org - Good source for statistics and actual symptoms
"It is most crucial to know the common symptoms: fever and a dry cough.
As the visualization shows, close to 90% of cases had a fever and two-thirds had a dry cough.
The third most common symptom was fatigue. Almost 40% of cases suffered from it.
‘Sputum production’ was experienced by every third person. Sputum is not saliva. It is a thick mucus that is coughed up from the lungs (see
here).
Of the 55,924 cases, fewer than 1-in-5 (18.6%) experienced shortness of breath (‘dyspnoea’). An earlier study reported that a much higher share (55%) of cases suffered from dyspnoea, but this was based on a much smaller number of cases (835 patients).
20
Many of the most common symptoms are shared with those of the common flu or cold. So it is also good to know which common symptoms of the common flu or the common cold are not symptoms of COVID-19. COVID-19 infection seems to rarely cause a runny nose."
My original video source on China and then the Chinese Government's screwups related to the Wuhan Virus - two western vloggers who lived in China for the last 12 years and posted about life there. One of them, Winston Sturzell (AKA Serpentza), taught English to Chinese medical school students and married a Chinese Doctor. He and his vlog partner "C-Milk" have made two documentaries on China while riding motorcycles. Both married Chinese women and relocated to California last year due to Chinese government treatment of non-Chinese "Foreigners". I have watched their videos on life in China and actions by the Communist Chinese government for at least four years. Just look up their most recent YouTube videos on China or the Wuhan Virus at:
Serpentza - https://youtu.be/AB_A2HKmZgI "Coronavirus - Enough with disinformation"
ADVChina Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/advpodcasts
C-Milk's YouTube channel on China (no real name due to trolls hunting him on YouTube)
His latest video on the Coronavirus - https://youtu.be/P12W0FPco90
"Official Government Sources"
They are good for technical advice, but their statistics and political bias may be suspect, which is why I listed the above vloggers first.
WHO - World Health Organization (however some think they protect China by not reporting true news about the China situation). Update March 31, 2020 - see comment and link below. I personally don't think the WHO was providing good data or advice. So go to the CDC or State websites below.
March 31, 2020 - Articles are appearing that WHO is controlled by China and helped cover up how bad the virus was in China.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 - and click their link to see daily situation reports.
CDC in Atlanta (Center for Disease Control) - primary source cited by VP Pence's Coronavirus task force.
https://www.cdc.gov/
"To guard against the virus and keep it from spreading, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommended that people wash their hands frequently with soap and water, avoid close contact with those who are sick, and urged people to stay home if they feel ill.- Breitbart"
They have a list of precautions to take now, and other advice.
They have a list of coverages. Co-pay fees have been eliminated for the Coronavirus.
Does YOUR health insurance firm have a Coronavirus page or bulletin.
Check their website, review and bookmark the page.
If the worst happens, and you need an ambulance to a hospital, know which hospital is covered.
Florida Dept. of Health Information Page on COVID-19
Updated CoronaVirus daily statistics are listed on this page, including County-level statistics
- The FL Dept. of Health created a Covid-19 dashboard HERE (added Mar. 18):
March 25 memo from Lake County Chair Leslie Campione disclosing Covid-19 cases in Lake County and recommended steps to reduce infecting Seniors. View this photo
Lake County, FL School District information on the Coronavirus
Updated Mar. 25 - There is one school district per County in Florida, so each should have their own information page.
Also, visit their homepage and scroll down to "News" to see press releases on Coronavirus, info on school closings, etc.
https://www.lake.k12.fl.us/
Lake County Schools have closed and they are rolling out Chromebook distance learning to most of their 42,000 students. PARENTS should supervise the kids to ensure they do the lessons and quizzes or they might be held back (my opinion) (I tried to see older press releases but the system demanded a login to a parent "portal" system... not very intuitive.)\
Please post comments or questions.
Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers.com - a fiscal watchdog blog for Lake County, FL
Created March 13, 2020, updated March 30
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Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers@comcast.net
YouTube Channel "FiscalRangersFlorida"
