COVID COVID-19 Coronavirus Containment Efforts

[kyphysics]

Call your doctor and ask. If you can't reach them, call your nearest hospital and ask. Do not just show up in the emergency room.

When you say "an ambulance can cost thousands", I assume that means you are uninsured (also as per a previous thread)? If you can still drive, the hospital may direct you to an outside-the-hospital triage area or just meet you in the parking lot.

Also, while it hasn't been decided yet, it is possible if not likely that the US government will be reimbursing uninsured people for Coronavirus related medical costs:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/p...edical-bills-for-coronavirus-tests-2020-03-10

Yeah, I've heard the worry was a healthy person GETTING COVID19 going to a doctor and waiting to be seen. Calling is a better idea.

I have disaster insurance (super high deductible) and covers nothing (except for disaster).

I did see something about that - Trump asking health providers to waive medical debt for COVID19. Not in stone yet, but could be soon and would make sense.

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

ALL of the above can also possibly be explained from very, very little sleep the past few days, as I stayed up 20-hours or so for 3 or 4 days straight every day (i.e., 4-ish hours sleep/night). Lots of panic stockpiling as well, because I had been so busy before and lazy about it. When I got to Costo, Walmart, Target, etc., lines were crazy and stuff was out. Made trips all over town to stock up on TWO months worth of stuff.

I figure there will be a "less informed" class of U.S. citizens who still don't get it and will be out and about the next 30-days. Add to that the growth case rate of this disease (exponential) and April is when I think we possibly get all out craziness. I actually think U.S. lockdown could be in full affect even from April to May (at least, in a worst case scenario).

Hence, my past few days of major stockpiling. Fatigue could easily have come from that. Shortness of breath is the MAIN thing I'll be self-monitoring the next few days. Could be from being exhausted too.

 

[atyy]

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

Why not call your doctor immediately?

In Singapore, many people had to consult a general practitioner twice (or more times) before being tested for COVID-19. This is because the first time the symptoms may be quite mild, and the doctor can't distinguish it from something less serious,. It's only when the symptoms don't improve that the doctors can suspect it's something else, then they get sent for testing. Here is information which was given in the Singapore context. It will be different in different health systems.

https://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/2233-the-covid-19-chronicles

 

[DennisN]

I'm in a self-imposed isolation due to a cold with fever

I'm personally feeling better, I 've had no fever today and I have no runny nose anymore. But I will of course continue to be in isolation.

We're in this together.

I just had a realization about how incredibly connected we all are on this planet at this moment in time, and this time it's definitely not a cliché;

Anyone of us could potentially cause harm to anyone else of us without knowing it.

If I was infected with Covid-19 and was careless, I could infect others nearby who then can infect others nearby and so on, and this could eventually end up anywhere in the world.

 

[kyphysics]

Something I'm not seeing much of is how people in the gig economy (I worked a gig economy job part-time and so does another family member of mine) would benefit from any government relief programs.

If there is sick leave, an Uber driver, for example, would not qualify as an independent contractor. Similarly, unemployment would not apply to ICs.

By some professional economist metrics, a full 25% of all American workers are gig economy workers:
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...economy-us-trump-uber-california-robert-reich

Add to that 40% of Americans don't have $400 in emergency money:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/10-americ...0-emergency-expense-federal/story?id=63253846

I wonder how this plays out if we get the economy grinding to a halt? Seems like there could be a big pocket of the country not addressed (so far) by government emergency intervention plans.

With so many Americans without health insurance (or inadequate), 40% living paycheck-to-paycheck, and 25% in gig economy work not covered by traditional unemployment, if we get a few months of halted production in the U.S., that could be tough.

Hoping we don't see things like desperation crime.

 

[DennisN]

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

ALL of the above can also possibly be explained from very, very little sleep the past few days, as I stayed up 20-hours or so for 3 or 4 days straight every day (i.e., 4-ish hours sleep/night). Lots of panic stockpiling as well, because I had been so busy before and lazy about it. When I got to Costo, Walmart, Target, etc., lines were crazy and stuff was out. Made trips all over town to stock up on TWO months worth of stuff.

I have been told it is important to get rest and enough sleep when you are feeling ill. Too much worry and anxiety is not good either, but I of course don't blame anyone feeling this at the moment considering the circumstances. I am feeling worried myself.

Due to this, I have personally drastically cut down watching the news. I will only watch the news to get basic updates of the development, and mainly in my area.

Instead of the news, I've started to listen to music and watching comedy instead.

EDIT:
It's also good to make sure you drink enough water. I also bought lemons and oranges which I squeeze the juice from, mix the juce with water and drink it for vitamins. Personally I already have been taking food supplements (multisupplements with vitamins and minerals) for a couple of years for other health reasons.

 

[mfb]

Here is the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary

I just see that foreigners from Iran and Italy have to get tested within 48 hours (last page). That's very different from your bullet points before.

People who fully recover from the Coronavirus can be left with '20 to 30%' less lung function, and gasping for breath when they walk quickly, Hong Kong doctors find

How is that a full recovery?

Doctor called Corona helps Indonesia battle coronavirus

Saves tests, we are sure his patients have Corona.

 

[DennisN]

You think so? In Aus toilet paper hoarding has reached insane levels. You want to buy toilet paper - forget it.

Some comedy to lighten things up a bit :
(a friend of mine posted this pic yesterday on facebook)

 

[fresh_42]

Here is an interesting article about the current outbreak focused on rigorous data versus public opinion:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11538-019-00684-z

During an epidemic, the interplay of disease and opinion dynamics can lead to outcomes that are different from those predicted based on disease dynamics alone. Opinions and the behaviours they elicit are complex, so modelling them requires a measure of abstraction and simplification. Here, we develop a differential equation model that couples SIR-type disease dynamics with opinion dynamics. We assume a spectrum of opinions that change based on current levels of infection as well as interactions that to some extent amplify the opinions of like-minded individuals. Susceptibility to infection is based on the level of prophylaxis (disease avoidance) that an opinion engenders. In this setting, we observe how the severity of an epidemic is influenced by the distribution of opinions at disease introduction, the relative rates of opinion and disease dynamics, and the amount of opinion amplification. Some insight is gained by considering how the effective reproduction number is influenced by the combination of opinion and disease dynamics.

 

[Vanadium 50]

@kyphysics , you said yesterday you were having tyrouble breathing. We told you to see a doctor.
Today you still have trouble breathing. See a doctor.

Seriously, how many days do you think you can make it without breathing?

 

[Haorong Wu]

When Canada’s leader Trudeau was asked if he would seal the border between Canada and US, he answered;
“NOT YET TIME...”

Italy’s leader, Conte, also said a similar response... until... 1,000 died of Covid-19 and now he has now finally declared the lockdown of the entire country...

Lessons to be learned by other leaders? Maybe ...

What human have learned is that human never learn.

 

[DennisN]

I do have the following:

-cough (with slight feeling phlegm in the back of throat)
-more strained breathing (when I take breaths, it's as if I have to "struggle" slightly)
-major body fatigue

If I were you, I would call a medical doctor immediately. Please take care!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Sorry this is taken from a tabloid again. Fact-check, please.

If you want to post something, it is your responsibility to check it is true, not everybody else's. Doing so in normal times is bad enough. Doing so in the midst of a pandemic is reprehensible. We all have to make our choices as to whether we want to be part of the solution or part of the problem.

 

[kadiot]

If you want to post something, it is your responsibility to check it is true, not everybody else's. Doing so in normal times is bad enough. Doing so in the midst of a pandemic is reprehensible. We all have to make our choices as to whether we want to be part of the solution or part of the problem.

Noted. My apology.

 

[nsaspook]

Things people don't buy during a pandemic.

.

 

[chirhone]

Here is the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

 

[wukunlin]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

Hubei cities and Wenzhou ended up doing that. Seems to have worked for Wenzhou, the cities of Hubei blew up anyway, probably because it was too late.

 

[kadiot]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

View attachment 258693

That’s what Dr. Leachon proposed last Tuesday.

8 and counting. We are registering one of the highest death rates in the world. People must comply with government directives.

 

[kyphysics]

If I were you, I would call a medical doctor immediately. Please take care!

Cough still there - getting worse.

Shortness of breath and fatigue gone today. As I said, all my symptoms could also have been from freaking exhaustion the past few days!

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded! Just going to wait another day or two. I figured there was a decent chance it was exhaustion, so if I feel better and better, I think I'm fine.

 

[DennisN]

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded!

Great! By the way, I noticed your avatar is from Cities Skylines. I played that game quite a lot a couple of years ago. I love that game.

 

[Haorong Wu]

Cough still there - getting worse.

Shortness of breath and fatigue gone today. As I said, all my symptoms could also have been from freaking exhaustion the past few days!

Definitely not taking it lightly - don't want lung damage. Also, appreciate the "love" from your side greatly! Your warning is well heeded! Just going to wait another day or two. I figured there was a decent chance it was exhaustion, so if I feel better and better, I think I'm fine.

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!

 

[Haorong Wu]

3 hours before lockdown. We have 47 positive new cases in just one day in addition to existing 64 cases. Total is now 111 and 8 deaths.

Do you think Enhanced Community Quarantine is required now, based on other countries experiences? At present we can still freely move in the lockdown capital.

Cases are raising rapidly in German, France and Spain where there are no lockdown. Even in Italy where the lockdown is announced too late, the cases are still growing fast.
Well, if you can, maybe China is the most safe place now.
Personally, I would hope no one come to China just for now, because we have just won at big cost, and any infected person could cause another crisis if he or she is not detected sucessfully.

 

[kyphysics]

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!

Your extra warning makes me want to do this:

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

I do feel a it better today, as I said: less shortness of breath and fatigue. If I see continued improvement, then I'll chalk it up to being me being exhausted, not eating much, and getting little sleep. If it gets worse and/or stays the same (after a good 2 days of rest and big good healthy meals), then yeah, I'm worried!

Personally, I would hope no one come to China just for now, because we have just won at big cost, and any infected person could cause another crisis if he or she is not detected successfully.

Hmmm. Hoping you don't take this the wrong way, but I doubt anyone would want to go to China NOW!

Granted, you guys aren't as bad as: Italy, South Korea, and Iran.

The U.S. is "just getting started" from the data the I've seen. It'll be months probably before people feel "safe" traveling internationally.

 

[DennisN]

Reports are coming that Spain may soon impose a nationwide lockdown:

Spain to impose nationwide lockdown - El Mundo (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain-lockdown-idUSKBN2110MK

Edit: And a second death due to the virus has now been confirmed in my country Sweden.

 

[wukunlin]

I strongly recommend you seek medical help. Not only the virus can damage lungs which may not be recoverable, but also there is evidence that the virus may cause damage to reproductive system as well as to immune system.
Hoping I am just worried too much. Best luck!
View attachment 258694

Your extra warning makes me want to do this:

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

I do feel a it better today, as I said: less shortness of breath and fatigue. If I see continued improvement, then I'll chalk it up to being me being exhausted, not eating much, and getting little sleep. If it gets worse and/or stays the same (after a good 2 days of rest and big good healthy meals), then yeah, I'm worried!

That paper still needs peer review so I wouldn't worry about it future babies just yet (It went on Hubei's government website for a few hours before the announcement got taken down). Have you guys got any helpline? In China, there is free consultation over the phone or internet, as in, whether you check in for Coronavirus for not.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I'm worried I have it.

I ... did some shopping.

So, given that you think you have it, you a) refuse to see a doctor, and b) go shopping. Do you think this is prudent? Do you think this is responsible?

I ... did some shopping.

I am also self-iso-ing.

Evidently not.

 

[kyphysics]

That paper still needs peer review so I wouldn't worry about it future babies just yet (It went on Hubei's government website for a few hours before the announcement got taken down). Have you guys got any helpline? In China, there is free consultation over the phone or internet, as in, whether you check in for Coronavirus for not.

Not that I know of. I'm doing as much research as I can on what local doctors/facilities are providing.

Everyone should do that.

One MAJOR problem is that many places just DON'T HAVE test kits. I just called one of my doctors. No testing is available for COVID-19 is what they said. Even if I have symptoms, they cannot test specifically for COVID-19. The U.S. is way behind the curve.

I hope the drive-thru testing, which is way safer than everyone congregating in a doctor's waiting lounge, gets set up within a week. Given how inept the Trump admin. has been, I am not holding my breath.

 

[bhobba]

'Nice' story about the UQ people working on the vaccine, and its current status:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/science/coronavirus-three-wise-men-crack-the-code-now-to-save-the-world/news-story/a2d2b5f073b81e2186a9530ff60dc36a

If you can't access the story and get a paywall message see my post below.

Thanks
Bill

 

[kyphysics]

Apparently, in my city, only E.R.'s can test for COVID-19. No other locations can YET.

I called my doctor and "urgent care" centers (covered by my insurance policy). I was told that they have a list of guidelines and if you DON'T meet them (e.g., international travel, exposure to someone with international travel or COVID19 positive test, etc.), then they won't test you.

If I have cold/flu symptoms, but NO guidelines criteria, I still cannot get tested.

I'm guessing it's due to limited test kits, resources, and time right now.

 

[Astronuc]

I'm giving this ONE more day. If I still feel very tired, have shortness of breath, and cough tomorrow, then I'll call my doctor (limited weekend hours) and seek help.

One should have called the doctor already with respect to symptoms. It could be COVID-19 (2019-nCoV), or type of influenza presenting similar symptoms.

Several years ago, I had a case of influenza. I had run a fever of 102-103F (39-40 C) on a Sunday night. By Monday morning I was coughing strongly, sweating, exhibited fever and chills, and felt weak. I called an urgent care clinic, informed them of my symptoms (so they would be prepared) and arranged a visit as soon a possible, which was 3 hours from the time I called. Before I left for the clinic, I took a shower and washed my hands again before I left. When I arrived at the clinic, I put on a mask (dispenser near main entrance) and immediately covered my mouth and nose so as not to pass my potential infection to others. I then approached the admittance desk and checked in. I was careful to minimize touching any surface so as to minimize transmission.

I waited maybe 20-30 minutes, and when I saw the physician they quickly determined I had influenza. I was prescribed Tamiflu and a codeine based cough medication. I was able to get the Tamiflu that afternoon. I was also given a note from the doctor that informed my not to go to work for 4 days, even if I felt better.

I went to pharmacy to collect the prescription about an hour after the visit to the clinic, but I was told that the prescription would not be filled until after 2 or 3 hours. I felt so weak at that point, I left and went home to rest. Before returning to the pharmacy, I called ahead to verify the prescription was ready. I returned from the pharmacy and collected the prescription. The whole time I was out in public, I wore the mask. I took the first dose of Tamiflu (Monday evening) when I returned from the pharmacy.

Because of the strong cough, I took the codeine compound, but while it help reduce the coughing, I had a strong allergic reaction to it with a skin rash and painful itching. I had to abandon the codeine cough medication for something more mild, but as effective (Delsym 12 Hour, trade name; active ingredient Dextromethorphan is found in many brand-name cough, cold, and flu remedies, including Robitussin, Dimetapp, and Theraflu.).

I responded positively to the Tamiflu and the fever decreased, but I had a persistent strong cough for three days Tuesday - Thursday). I returned to work on Friday, wearing a mask, and practiced social distancing, and washed my hands a lot.

I've traveled the past two weeks, and I have seen people wearing masks, but some cover the mouth and not the nose, and some pulled the mask under their chin - and some were coughing, which often happens on a plane because of dry air. I will be traveling tomorrow, but I understand the crowds are significantly reduced. Nevertheless, I will be cautious. Coincidentally, my commute takes me to WA, CA, NY, the three states with the highest numbers of confirmed cases. However, except for the airports, the areas where I stay have low rates of infection, since they are far from the metropolitan areas most affected.

 

[atyy]

Apparently, in my city, only E.R.'s can test for COVID-19. No other locations can YET.

I called my doctor and "urgent care" centers (covered by my insurance policy). I was told that they have a list of guidelines and if you DON'T meet them (e.g., international travel, exposure to someone with international travel or COVID19 positive test, etc.), then they won't test you.

If I have cold/flu symptoms, but NO guidelines criteria, I still cannot get tested.

I'm guessing it's due to limited test kits, resources, and time right now.

OK, take care, and make sure you call your doctor back if you need to.