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On a different note, Joel Garner,the West Indies and Somerset cricketer stood 6 feet 10 inches tall. He was at a reception when a coy young woman fluttered her eyelashes and asked him if he was built in proportion. "No" Garner gruffly replied,"If I was, I would be 8 feet tall."
 
I am not a Doctor, (but I play one in certain, direct to video movies – stage name Doctor Big Dong Ramser) but I did train as a scientist (Nuclear Physics, not Medicine, Biology or Chemistry) and I want to share what I have seen in my own research on vitamin D.

Few foods provide a significant source of D. However, humans are capable of producing all the D they need from exposure to sunlight. Unfortunately, in far Northern and far Southern latitudes, the ability to make this is significantly reduced. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, there was an explosion of rickets in Northern Europe and America. Children who previously had played outside in the sun, had moved to cities with high rise building with small windows, no porches and dark alleys. Eventually the treatment of supplementing D in some food products, especially milk, virtually eliminated this problem.

However, underlying vitamin D deficiencies remain. Rickets is only the tip of the iceberg for severely low levels. D is also essential in a whole range of functions in the body. Studies are showing that D may have a role in preventing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Most topical is an emerging role in boosting the immune system to prevent or lessen upper respiratory infections (Convid-19?)

Unfortunately, many people still have low levels of D. Simply a glass of D milk a day is not enough to support a healthy level (25(OH)D level of 50 nmol ⁄L - Vieth R. What is the optimal vitamin D status for health? Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2006; 92: 26–32.). Sun exposure in the summer will give you that if you spend time outdoors. However, in the winter, living above 37°N or below 37°S will give you almost no D even with long periods outdoors. Add to this that many now avoid the sun due to skin cancer worries. A study of Australian Dermatologists in the winter showed that for the study group, the average serum 25(OH)D was34.4 nmol ⁄L (range 5–84). Only six (13%) of the dermatologists had serum 25(OH)D levels > 50 nmol ⁄L but seven (15%) had serum 25(OH)D levels <20 nmol ⁄L. Note that sub 20 is regarded as clinically deficient and in children is very likely to lead to Rickets. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24034150_The_vitamin_D_status_of_Australian_dermatologists

While the research is relatively new and conclusions are still evolving, it seems that those who do not work outside should increase their vitamin D by taking supplements. Note that there is such a thing as D toxicity with mega doses. (Interestingly, it seems that the body self regulates D manufacture from sun and rarely enters a toxic level solely from sun exposure.)

I take and I would recommend to others 25-50 mcg (1,000-2,000 IU) daily (daily is important) of D3 (preferred form) supplements. This is less than a third of the amount regarded as risking toxicity. This is especially valuable for the elderly (who absorb D less efficiently) and those living in far Northern (or Southern hemisphere) areas such as Canada, Britain, Scandinavia, Baltics, Northern Russia.

I think the advice is even more important today when people may be socially distancing by staying inside more.
 
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I am not a Doctor, (but I play one in certain, direct to video movies – stage name Doctor Big Dong Ramser) but I did train as a scientist (Nuclear Physics, not Medicine, Biology or Chemistry) and I want to share what I have seen in my own research on vitamin D.

Few foods provide a significant source of D. However, humans are capable of producing all the D they need from exposure to sunlight. Unfortunately, in far Northern and far Southern latitudes, the ability to make this is significantly reduced. At the beginning of the industrial revolution, there was an explosion of rickets in Northern Europe and America. Children who previously had played outside in the sun, had moved to cities with high rise building with small windows, no porches and dark alleys. Eventually the treatment of supplementing D in some food products, especially milk, virtually eliminated this problem.

However, underlying vitamin D deficiencies remain. Rickets is only the tip of the iceberg for severely low levels. D is also essential in a whole range of functions in the body. Studies are showing that D may have a role in preventing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Most topical is an emerging role in boosting the immune system to prevent or lessen upper respiratory infections (Convid-19?)

Unfortunately, many people still have low levels of D. Simply a glass of D milk a day is not enough to support a healthy level (25(OH)D level of 50 nmol ⁄L - Vieth R. What is the optimal vitamin D status for health? Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2006; 92: 26–32.). Sun exposure in the summer will give you that if you spend time outdoors. However, in the winter, living above 37°N or below 37°S will give you almost no D even with long periods outdoors. Add to this that many now avoid the sun due to skin cancer worries. A study of Australian Dermatologists in the winter showed that for the study group, the average serum 25(OH)D was34.4 nmol ⁄L (range 5–84). Only six (13%) of the dermatologists had serum 25(OH)D levels > 50 nmol ⁄L but seven (15%) had serum 25(OH)D levels <20 nmol ⁄L. Note that sub 20 is regarded as clinically deficient and in children is very likely to lead to Rickets. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24034150_The_vitamin_D_status_of_Australian_dermatologists

While the research is relatively new and conclusions are still evolving, it seems that those who do not work outside should increase their vitamin D by taking supplements. Note that there is such a thing as D toxicity with mega doses. (Interestingly, it seems that the body self regulates D manufacture from sun and rarely enters a toxic level solely from sun exposure.)

I take and I would recommend to others 25-50 mcg (1,000-2,000 IU) daily (daily is important) of D3 (preferred form) supplements. This is less than a third of the amount regarded as risking toxicity. This is especially valuable for the elderly (who absorb D less efficiently) and those living in far Northern (or Southern hemisphere) areas such as Canada, Britain, Scandinavia, Baltics, Northern Russia.

I think the advice is even more important today when people may be socially distancing by staying inside more.
As a biochemist/immunologist by training, I would agree. There has long been a debate as to why seasonal flu is seasonal. It's likely multifactorial, as most things biological are, including that the virus survives better in the dry indoor air of winter (this appears to be true of COVID-19 as well), that people congregate together in closer quarters, but Vitamin D may also be a factor (potentially melatonin as well). So taking D and melatonin, which are both very inexpensive on line seems a good idea. Melatonin can aslo help one get a good night's sleep, which is also important for immunity. It's no panacea, since tropical locations, sunny California and the Southern Hemisphere have experienced COVID-19 as well, but it can't hurt.

For further information, see here
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2014/the-reason-for-the-season-why-flu-strikes-in-winter/

I should add that the orders from authorities to "stay indoors" should be better worded. Going outside in a crowd is certainly to be avoided, but a good walk outside with your canine companion in a non-crowded location is one of the healthiest things one can do.
 
As a biochemist/immunologist by training, I would agree. There has long been a debate as to why seasonal flu is seasonal. It's likely multifactorial, as most things biological are, including that the virus survives better in the dry indoor air of winter (this appears to be true of COVID-19 as well), that people congregate together in closer quarters, but Vitamin D may also be a factor (potentially melatonin as well). So taking D and melatonin, which are both very inexpensive on line seems a good idea. Melatonin can aslo help one get a good night's sleep, which is also important for immunity. It's no panacea, since tropical locations, sunny California and the Southern Hemisphere have experienced COVID-19 as well, but it can't hurt.

For further information, see here
http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2014/the-reason-for-the-season-why-flu-strikes-in-winter/

I should add that the orders from authorities to "stay indoors" should be better worded. Going outside in a crowd is certainly to be avoided, but a good walk outside with your canine companion in a non-crowded location is one of the healthiest things one can do.
Common sense is what is required, one should try and lead as normal life as possible, whilst avoiding social contact wherever possible. Rules are for the guidance of the wise and the slavish obedience of fools.
The stringency of the most recent measures in the UK has been accelerated as a result of a reluctance on the part of the metropolitan population,particularly in London, to observe the guidelines recommended by the Government.
 
I'll agree with this too, supplementing a bit of D is one of the no-regrets measures to take in this situation ( & I have been doing so for a while).
the virus survives better in the dry indoor air of winter (this appears to be true of COVID-19 as well), that people congregate together in closer quarters
Another thing to consider is that the mucous membranes will dry out more easily and get more easily attacked; seeing to it that your indoor winter air is not too dry and perhaps moisturizing a bit can help. Anbody who gets weird allergies, chafed lips etc in winter will probably know that from experience.
orders from authorities to "stay indoors" should be better worded. Going outside in a crowd is certainly to be avoided, but a good walk outside with your canine companion in a non-crowded location is one of the healthiest things one can do.
This is also still permitted (canine or not) in those places where there's now effectively a curfew, such as here.
 
I assembled the data from the Bing Coronavirus tracker this morning for several of the largest countries affected. What you rarely see is data scaled to population. I have done so

Salient facts: Italy Spain and Iran (Iran is widely believed to be underreporting) have the lion's share of the deaths per million and death rate. Even then, Italy, the worst only has (to date) a little over 6 deaths per 100,000. At rate less than seasonal flu (this, of course will change).
Death rates per confirmed case are lowest in NYS, Switzerland and Germany, with Germany being a far outlier. No single reason for this has been determined, though it is believed that in Germany and Switzerland it is partially related to higher testing rates. If testing rate are indeed the main drive, it would imply the true mortality is fairly low (<1 percent of cases)

Figures out of Italy and Spain (and Iran - though again, may not be reliable) are clearly outliers. Italy's high rate of cases is probably due to close trade ties with China and refusal early on to stop China flights.

UK has an unusually high death rate, but this may be due to small sample size so far.
 

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This is also still permitted (canine or not) in those places where there's now effectively a curfew, such as here.
Don't get me started on the places that are imposing a nighttime curfew. As if walking around at three in the morning when no one is about will spread the virus like wildfire!
 
I assembled the data from the Bing Coronavirus tracker this morning for several of the largest countries affected. What you rarely see is data scaled to population. I have done so

Salient facts: Italy Spain and Iran (Iran is widely believed to be underreporting) have the lion's share of the deaths per million and death rate. Even then, Italy, the worst only has (to date) a little over 6 deaths per 100,000. At rate less than seasonal flu (this, of course will change).
Death rates per confirmed case are lowest in NYS, Switzerland and Germany, with Germany being a far outlier. No single reason for this has been determined, though it is believed that in Germany and Switzerland it is partially related to higher testing rates. If testing rate are indeed the main drive, it would imply the true mortality is fairly low (<1 percent of cases)

Figures out of Italy and Spain (and Iran - though again, may not be reliable) are clearly outliers. Italy's high rate of cases is probably due to close trade ties with China and refusal early on to stop China flights.

UK has an unusually high death rate, but this may be due to small sample size so far.
We have had one death in our immediate area attributed to the virus, but as the gentleman concerned was in his late eighties , living in an assisted environment, and already suffering from chronic coronary and pulmonary problems it is difficult to assess the significance.
 
Death rates per confirmed case are lowest in NYS,
Through the excellent work of Stan Goldman and Barbara Moore at sniffing out anyone spreading the virus around! :D

All of these numbers come with major caveats. The number of cases in NY has shot up since they put in a large number of testing sites. Now, they are running out of testing supplies, so maybe the #s will stop rising...There is a significant lag between the identification of cases and deaths, so low death rates may be an artifact of when the tests were ramped up. They will certainly write books about this (maybe I will do one myself).
 
I assembled the data from the Bing Coronavirus tracker this morning for several of the largest countries affected. What you rarely see is data scaled to population. I have done so

Salient facts: Italy Spain and Iran (Iran is widely believed to be underreporting) have the lion's share of the deaths per million and death rate. Even then, Italy, the worst only has (to date) a little over 6 deaths per 100,000. At rate less than seasonal flu (this, of course will change).
Death rates per confirmed case are lowest in NYS, Switzerland and Germany, with Germany being a far outlier. No single reason for this has been determined, though it is believed that in Germany and Switzerland it is partially related to higher testing rates. If testing rate are indeed the main drive, it would imply the true mortality is fairly low (<1 percent of cases)

Figures out of Italy and Spain (and Iran - though again, may not be reliable) are clearly outliers. Italy's high rate of cases is probably due to close trade ties with China and refusal early on to stop China flights.

UK has an unusually high death rate, but this may be due to small sample size so far.
I appreciate your analysis but I find it incomplete.
Indeed, many highly populated nations such as India, Japan or Brazil are not taken up and others such as Russia or North Korea are very discreet about what is happening at home. In addition, China, which appears to have passed the peak of the pandemic, has not been recovered either.
This peak, I do not have the impression that many countries have reached it and I find that it is much too early to envisage the end as well as the duration of this epidemic.
The confinement that we must observe in many countries is not about to end.
 
Through the excellent work of Stan Goldman and Barbara Moore at sniffing out anyone spreading the virus around! :D

All of these numbers come with major caveats. The number of cases in NY has shot up since they put in a large number of testing sites. Now, they are running out of testing supplies, so maybe the #s will stop rising...There is a significant lag between the identification of cases and deaths, so low death rates may be an artifact of when the tests were ramped up. They will certainly write books about this (maybe I will do one myself).
I agree in most. But my understanding is that those who die do so fairly rapidly (within two or three days of symptoms) ("...die," "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.") Have you heard different?
 
While I am no expert in infectious diseases, anyone can see than many of the measures being taken are knee-jerk, cover-your-ass, can-you top-this which might have little useful results. No politician today wants to be accused of not caring, so they are all moving, leapfrog-like to the most severe restrictions with probably no cost/benefit analysis. sA an example from the Chicago Tribune

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a “stay-at-home” order for the entire state starting at 5 p.m. Saturday through at least April 7, marking Illinois’ most aggressive step yet to try to slow the coronavirus’s spread.

Residents can still go to grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs. All local roads and airports remain open, with interstate travel expressly permitted. Illinoisans can leave home to help care for relatives, elderly residents or other vulnerable people.

Note, that we keep open airports and interstates. Let's help the virus spread as quickly as possible from community to community. But visiting your neighbor is a sin.

The order even allows liquor stores and recreational cannabis dispensaries to remain open for business should the second week of impromptu homeschooling create an essential need.

Liquor and Cannabis!!! Joking aside, "essential need"??????. He just doesn't want to piss of the drunks and pot-heads during homeschooling!
 
Note, that we keep open airports and interstates. Let's help the virus spread as quickly as possible from community to community. But visiting your neighbor is a sin.

Perhaps he doesn’t have jurisdiction over the interstates and airports, or because they need to remain open for the movement of supplies?
 
Perhaps he doesn’t have jurisdiction over the interstates and airports, or because they need to remain open for the movement of supplies?
Perhaps. But ships of good represent a tiny fraction of people passing through airports and on interstate. As far as power is concerned, he hasn't even asked people not to to so. The best way to stop the spread of an infectious disease is to "stop the spread." The longer the trave, the greater the spread. How do you think it got here so fast from china? people swimming the Barents Strait? The federal government would have the power to ban interstate and I have yet to hear one governor or one "expert" as for that.
 
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