Thread by @mike_malaska

Stuff getting real. Phone rings. Call from Representative Adam Schiff (we're in his district). Group telecon. Here is delayed transcription.

All of California now in "stay at home" order was 30 min ago. (now, 1 h 30 min ago.)

Basic health info:
Wash hands. Stay at home. Social distancing.

Refer to cdc.gov and lahealth.gov
His office will have up to date info, too.

Describing legislation that got passed. And new proposals for future legislation.

Mostly financial impats. And getting hospitals vetilators, equip, and PPE (personal protection equipment.)

State, county, and city directives all rolled out now in last 30 min.

Now turning over to a Medical Doctor at UCLA to give medical info. (Didn't catch name.)

UCLA Dr: We are no longer in containment. Is mitigation. Physical distancing.

Trying to flatten curve.

UCLA doc: Testing kits are still in short supply.

For testing: Nursing home testing potential cases is a priority. People with mild symptoms may not ever get tested.

Person from Small Business Administration (SBA) on telecon.

Key quote "what we do now will affect duration."

Question from La Crescenta (whoo hoo!) asking about health care workers not having sufficient PPE.

Schiff saying there are two big problems right now. Not enough tests. And not enough protection equipment for health care workers.

These two things are tangled. Since not enough tests, they have to treat every patient as infected. Change PPE between patients.

<I hadn't thought of that until now. Makes sense.>

Schiff in favor of Defense Act to commandeer stockpiles and ramp up production. Says should've happened sooner.

Also mentioned (by UCLA doc?) Ntationa Strategic Stockpile.

(National Strategic Stockpile)

Q: Is virus airborne? Can it be transmitted in air?

UCLA MD: Major transmission seems droplet spread. 6 feet is safety zone. Thinks this is primary transmission route. But not clear...

Measles can go long distances. Brought up example of someone coughing on other side of stadium.
(that's for measles.)

Cal-OSHA treating as airborne transmission.

Schiff asking if Ca-OSHA too strict. More strict than CDC guidelines.

UCLA Doctor say maybe Cal-OSHA may be better for health care workers. Intubation or other procedures could cause aerosols.

But if equipment (PPE) levels drop, may need to relax standards.

<Shit. Gotta suck to be a health care worker and hear that.>

Now talking abot unemployment for people who may not qualify under current regulations.

I think this is for proposed future legislation. Especially for non-traditional work. Question was from someone in entertainment industry (obviously pretty big deal here.)

Argh.
"Hi I'm currently uninsured. Testing is free but treatment is not. If I get tested, found positive, and need treatment, what do I do?"

(not a good answer here)
Schiff admitting this is a big weakness.

Will mental health services be considered essential?
Schiff says yes. Try to maintain safe distance. But providing mental heal service is critical.

"health"

Ooooh. Question about water.

Any chance of water cutoff? Or limiting purchases at stores?

Schiff says no. Water services is an essential service. Rationing? He doesn't contemplate that. Food and essential supplies transport lines will be prioritized.

Schiff: Not rationing. But limiting contact with people. The goal is to flatten curve so that hospitals can deal with it. If we don't our healthcare system will be inundated.

Brace yourself. We will see spike as more tests become available. We won't know if we flattened curve until after.

There will be another telephone town hall next Thursday at same time. Can sign up on his office website.

UCLA medical doctor getting last message in: There will be deaths. About 2%. Mentions that kids can infect other. We are all in this together.

Schiff repeats: We are all in this together.

Town Hall Telecon ends.

Damn. That was historic stuff. Was really good. But drove home the serious reality. Wow.