Finally some thought has been placed in testing and they test the sewage vs. individual testing. We noted this all the way back in 5/26 https://covid19mathblog.com/2020/05/covid-5-26-20/

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/poop-tests-stop-covid-19-outbreak-university-arizona?

“By testing dorm wastewater for the coronavirus, the University of Arizona may have stomped out a potential outbreak before it could spread, The Washington Post reports. Several countries and some U.S. universities have been checking sewage for RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in people’s poop, which can signal infections shortly before clinical cases and deaths appear. In Arizona, wastewater from a student dormitory contained viral RNA just days after students—who had all tested negative for COVID-19—moved into their rooms this month. The university retested all 311 residents and dorm workers and found two students who were asymptomatic but positive for the virus; they were then quarantined, officials explained in a press conference. “If we had waited until they became symptomatic and they stayed in that dorm for days, or a week, or the whole incubation period, how many other people would have been infected?” said former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, now a faculty member at the university. That suggests sewage testing “is a very good early warning system,” environmental health scientist Kevin Thomas of the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, told The Washington Post.”

As an individual you want a test for peace of mind – but as a collective – individual testing is significant waste of resources and time as positive rates are not that high producing significant amount of negative results which become apparent if one would test sewage. There are blocks and areas that are not worthy of spending resources (manpower/capital). The virus is very virulent but precise. The virus does not rapidly spread beyond a certain range as noted in multiple studies. Sewage testing from multiple complexes such as dorms makes perfect sense. From there one can do individual testing as an area is identified. I do believe even larger geographical wastewater testing could probably be correlated with intensity of viral load enabling a estimation of spread particularly if you had a time series.

Public restrooms have been noted as places that present an issue as typically ventilation is poor and now proof flushing disperses particles into the room. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020319942?via%3Dihub

“toilets are a daily necessity but may promote fecal-derived aerosol transmission if used improperly, particularly in hospitals (Ding et al., 2020). A fluid dynamics simulation suggests that during toilet flushing, massive upward transport of virus aerosol particles was observed, with 40–60% of particles rising above the toilet seat, leading to large-scale virus spread indoors (Li et al., 2020). Past tests confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was found on toilets used by COVID-19 patients, in the air in hospital nurses’ stations, in air handling grate, on surfaces, on multiple air outlet vents, and in the air in patient rooms as well as airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) in general wards (GW”

Not the best news for school openings – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2770149

“the study by Han et al13 highlights that a large percentage of infected children may be asymptomatic or presymptomatic despite infection with SARS CoV-2 and that both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals may shed virus for prolonged periods of time (2 to 3 weeks) regardless of symptom”

As noted in the report they measure detectable virus – they did not quantify the level needed for infection – viral load likely will exist it is a matter of keeping it low enough not to get infected. A healthy individual should be able to withstand a certain level of viral load without being infected.

Countries in the news Spain, Indonesia, and Peru.

Spain is having another wave of confirmations similar to March. However what is different this time is the amount of deaths is very small – fatality rates under 1%

Indonesia confirmations are rising along with death – fatality rate around 4%

Peru as noted before confirmations and deaths have been rising and they were one of the first countries that went into lockdown. Implementation of lockdown and usefulness needs to be questioned. Selective and focused quarantining likely more effective and easier to implement.

Covid can be a blessing IF we think of it as a way to focus on our health/lifestyle so we can become healthier and build stronger immune systems. There is a direct and obvious connection and governments should recognize the cost of failing to regulate our vices of food will lead to significant societal cost. The leading death categories in the US is still Heart disease and Cancer currently over 3X more than covid. Rest in Power Chadwick Boseman who died of colon cancer at age 43 – https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/six-ways-to-lower-your-risk-for-colon-cancer.html#:~:text=Diets%20that%20include%20lots%20of,Get%20regular%20exercise.

“…Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Diets that include lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colon or rectal cancer. Eat less red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats), which have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Get regular exercise. If you are not physically active, you may have a greater chance of developing colon or rectal cancer. Increasing your activity may help reduce your risk. “

“Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of getting and dying from colon or rectal cancer. Eating healthier and increasing your physical activity can help you control your weight.”

“Don’t smoke. Long-term smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop and die from colon or rectal cancer. “

“Limit alcohol. Alcohol use has been linked with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. “

“Research shows that habits related to diet, weight, and exercise are linked to colorectal cancer risk, and those links are stronger than for other types of cancer. Changing some of these lifestyle habits may be hard. But making the changes can also lower the risk for many other types of cancer, as well as other serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes.”

You are not helpless in preventing deaths beyond covid – there is some personal responsibilities you have to take upon yourself to shift the odds into your favor.

US below 1K – India leads the death chart

Perhaps the homeopathic drug in Gujarat India is working as noted https://covid19mathblog.com/2020/08/covid-8-24-20/ Deaths are extremely low and being so close to the center of India’s leading death state Maharashtra is a testament.

Texas leads the states at 172

Texas death are scattered across the state. LA CA leads the county deaths at 31