Coronavirus’s spread in U.S. is ‘inevitable,’ CDC warns

[yuna628 9,690]

2 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Toilet paper doesn't help the CV either, considering it is a respiratory illness with fever.  Not diarrhea.  

Well actually, this is kind of weird but it seems in a small percentage of cases their symptoms start like a stomach bug. In fact one of the patients at UMMC had only stomach bug symptoms after she had returned from her trip. Lucky they tested her. She's stuck in the containment area now... and I'm going to really dread going to that hospital.. 

3 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

I know.  Talking to my doc today, we were laughing about how silly people are.  (And they kept my appointment; I am hearing from friends that some doctor offices are rescheduling appointments for a couple of months from now?)

 

Then braved Costco only to find the shelves EMPTY of paper towels and TP.  As in not a single roll.  Laughed with the checkout guy about how silly this all is. (Pic enclosed)

Got our food and came home.  Hope I don’t have to do that again for a month.

 

Haven't heard of doctor's canceling yet, unless they are sick themselves. Unfortunately a couple cases of some really sick doctors that saw patients before their infection was confirmed. They are now pretty much only allowing one visitor in the building to see a patient at a time. So if you had like two or three people to see someone, they won't even be allowed to go out into the visitor lounge. No persons under 18 either. I really think they should also restrict the elderly.

 

Husband is getting increasingly worried about stuff he's hearing from work. Most colleges and unis are making the call to send students home and do remote learning. Unfortunately there's some colleges that are really behind on that technology and very tight on budgeting to even be able to purchase it. Zoom is very critical but some colleges only have a small budget for licensing purchases. These next two months are the busiest time of year for him, and they aren't giving good direction to the staff as to what should be done. We're going to get to the club store this weekend and see what we can stock up on.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

25 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

I know.  Talking to my doc today, we were laughing about how silly people are.  (And they kept my appointment; I am hearing from friends that some doctor offices are rescheduling appointments for a couple of months from now?)

 

Then braved Costco only to find the shelves EMPTY of paper towels and TP.  As in not a single roll.  Laughed with the checkout guy about how silly this all is. (Pic enclosed)

Got our food and came home.  Hope I don’t have to do that again for a month.

 

 

 

   The downside is, people panicked because they were scared that TP would run out, and now they have artificially created the very situation they worried about. Which will create more panic.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

14 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Well actually, this is kind of weird but it seems in a small percentage of cases their symptoms start like a stomach bug. In fact one of the patients at UMMC had only stomach bug symptoms after she had returned from her trip. Lucky they tested her. She's stuck in the containment area now... and I'm going to really dread going to that hospital.. 

Haven't heard of doctor's canceling yet, unless they are sick themselves. Unfortunately a couple cases of some really sick doctors that saw patients before their infection was confirmed. They are now pretty much only allowing one visitor in the building to see a patient at a time. So if you had like two or three people to see someone, they won't even be allowed to go out into the visitor lounge. No persons under 18 either. I really think they should also restrict the elderly.

 

Husband is getting increasingly worried about stuff he's hearing from work. Most colleges and unis are making the call to send students home and do remote learning. Unfortunately there's some colleges that are really behind on that technology and very tight on budgeting to even be able to purchase it. Zoom is very critical but some colleges only have a small budget for licensing purchases. These next two months are the busiest time of year for him, and they aren't giving good direction to the staff as to what should be done. We're going to get to the club store this weekend and see what we can stock up on.

 

   I made an appointment today for Thursday. That's the fastest I have ever been able to see my doctor. They did have a recorded disclaimer that anyone with respiratory symptoms had to let them know when scheduling the appointment or they may not be able to see them. Not a bad idea so they can have precautions in place ahead of time.

 

  Hopefully no one coughs on me.

[90DayFinancier 910]

36 +dc states are now tracking 

70 Coronavirus cases linked to one conference....just like the flu

 

 

It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response

A series of missed chances by the federal government to ensure more widespread testing came during the early days of the outbreak, when containment would have been easier.

Image

A research project in Seattle tried to conduct early tests for the new coronavirus but ran into red tape before circumventing federal officials and confirming a case.Credit...Grant Hindsley for The New York TimeBy Sheri Fink and Mike Baker

• March 10, 2020Updated 10:06 p.m. ET
•  

Dr. Helen Y. Chu, an infectious disease expert in Seattle, knew that the United States did not have much time.

In late January, the first confirmed American case of the coronavirus had landed in her area. Critical questions needed answers: Had the man infected anyone else? Was the deadly virus already lurking in other communities and spreading?

As luck would have it, Dr. Chu had a way to monitor the region. For months, as part of a research project into the flu, she and a team of researchers had been collecting nasal swabs from residents experiencing symptoms throughout the Puget Sound region.

To repurpose the tests for monitoring the coronavirus, they would need the support of state and federal officials. But nearly everywhere Dr. Chu turned, officials repeatedly rejected the idea, interviews and emails show, even as weeks crawled by and outbreaks emerged in countries outside of China, where the infection began.

 

By Feb. 25, Dr. Chu and her colleagues could not bear to wait any longer. They began performing coronavirus tests, without government approval.

What came back confirmed their worst fear. They quickly had a positive test from a local teenager with no recent travel history. The coronavirus had already established itself on American soil without anybody realizing it.

“It must have been here this entire time,” Dr. Chu recalled thinking with dread. “It’s just everywhere already.”

In fact, officials would later discover through testing, the virus had already contributed to the deaths of two people, and it would go on to kill 20 more in the Seattle region over the following days.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Oh brother.

 

The first case in the US was a man who had been in Wuhan.  Returned to the US on the 15th of Jan, and self-admitted on 19 Jan.  Testing showed he was positive for covid-19.

Edited March 11, 2020 by Voice of Reason

[TBoneTX 45,782]

3 hours ago, 90DayFinancier said:

she and a team of researchers had been collecting nasal swabs from residents experiencing symptoms throughout the Puget Sound region.

To repurpose the tests for monitoring the coronavirus, they would need the support of state and federal officials.

I should think that they'd also need at least Institutional Review Board approval, if not also written informed consent from all patients whose stuff they were repurposing.

[TBoneTX 45,782]

14 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

slowdowns in flying

Just on Tuesday, Southwest began a $49 sale.  Didn't think they'd do it with Spring Break so nigh.

[90DayFinancier 910]

Smart move...but very slow

 

https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/10/as-national-covid-19-cases-top-1000-insurers-waive-treatment-fees-and-u-s-preps-stimulus/

 

As national COVID-19 cases top 1,000, insurers waive treatment fees and US preps stimulus

Jonathan Shieber@jshieber / 10:14 pm PDT • March 10, 2020

Image Credits: nicescene / Getty Images

The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. crossed 1,000 on Tuesday as President Donald Trump met with the nation’s largest insurers and members of his cabinet to discuss how to pay for treatment and lessen the financial blow of the disease’s spread.

With the nation’s healthcare apparatus beginning to get a better understanding of the proliferation of the virus that causes COVID-19 within its borders, efforts have shifted fully from containing the disease’s spread to stopping the contagion from getting worse.

“What we would like the country to realize is that as a nation we can’t be doing the kinds of things we would be doing a few months ago,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during the daily briefing from the President’s Coronavirus Task Force. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in a state that has no cases or one case, you have to start taking seriously what you can do now, if and when the infections will come, and they will come.”

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

I seem to recall someone on here predicting the airlines would be hit harder than they were after 9/11.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/10/jetblues-robin-hayes-demand-for-flights-down-more-than-after-911.html

[Steeleballz 7,550]

29 minutes ago, 90DayFinancier said:

Smart move...but very slow

 

https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/10/as-national-covid-19-cases-top-1000-insurers-waive-treatment-fees-and-u-s-preps-stimulus/

 

As national COVID-19 cases top 1,000, insurers waive treatment fees and US preps stimulus

Jonathan Shieber@jshieber / 10:14 pm PDT • March 10, 2020

 

Image Credits: nicescene / Getty Images

The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. crossed 1,000 on Tuesday as President Donald Trump met with the nation’s largest insurers and members of his cabinet to discuss how to pay for treatment and lessen the financial blow of the disease’s spread.

With the nation’s healthcare apparatus beginning to get a better understanding of the proliferation of the virus that causes COVID-19 within its borders, efforts have shifted fully from containing the disease’s spread to stopping the contagion from getting worse.

“What we would like the country to realize is that as a nation we can’t be doing the kinds of things we would be doing a few months ago,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during the daily briefing from the President’s Coronavirus Task Force. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in a state that has no cases or one case, you have to start taking seriously what you can do now, if and when the infections will come, and they will come.”

 

 

   The title of the article says insurance companies will waive treatment fees, but the content says they are waiving coronavirus testing copay's (which means nothing as testing is currently already free) and extending coverage for treatment, which also really means nothing. Curious to see what insurance companies come up with.

 

  I would like them to be more specific about what they are waiving, covering and extending. Vague policy coverage statements already cause enough problems for people.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

15 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

   I made an appointment today for Thursday. That's the fastest I have ever been able to see my doctor. They did have a recorded disclaimer that anyone with respiratory symptoms had to let them know when scheduling the appointment or they may not be able to see them. Not a bad idea so they can have precautions in place ahead of time.

 

  Hopefully no one coughs on me.

 

  Hate to quote myself, but I just got a recorded message from my doctors office. It says if I have respiratory symptoms or suspect coronavirus exposure and my appointment was for a different issue, I must call to reschedule the previous appointment and make a new appointment specifically for the respiratory symptoms. 

 

  My wife's friend works at a stand alone ER and she heard they had someone walk in the waiting room and cough for about an hour before letting the receptionist know he was worried about coronavirus. This despite the signs on the door that said to notify staff immediately if you suspect that. My guess is since it's a stand alone ER, they can not actually treat coronavirus, so after all that, they would have to transfer the patient to a hospital based facility anyway. I haven't heard if they need to quarantine other patients or staff because of this.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 minute ago, Steeleballz said:

 

  Hate to quote myself, but I just got a recorded message from my doctors office. It says if I have respiratory symptoms or suspect coronavirus exposure and my appointment was for a different issue, I must call to reschedule the previous appointment and make a new appointment specifically for the respiratory symptoms. 

 

  My wife's friend works at a stand alone ER and she heard they had someone walk in the waiting room and cough for about an hour before letting the receptionist know he was worried about coronavirus. This despite the signs on the door that said to notify staff immediately if you suspect that. My guess is since it's a stand alone ER, they can not actually treat coronavirus, so after all that, they would have to transfer the patient to a hospital based facility anyway. I haven't heard if they need to quarantine other patients or staff because of this.

While I was standing in line at the doctors office yesterday, waiting to check in for my new-patient appointment, this guy walked in and stood behind me.  He was breathing heavily, almost wheezing, and clearing his throat quite a bit, but not quite coughing.  I was going to ask him to step back a bit (he was about a forearm's length behind me; I could actually feel his body heat on my back), and was relieved to see a very overweight individual.  Pretty sure the wheezing was from the effort between the car and the office.  After a few minutes, he was breathing normally again, thankfully.  So I didn't rush home and burn my clothes.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

Just now, Voice of Reason said:

While I was standing in line at the doctors office yesterday, waiting to check in for my new-patient appointment, this guy walked in and stood behind me.  He was breathing heavily, almost wheezing, and clearing his throat quite a bit, but not quite coughing.  I was going to ask him to step back a bit (he was about a forearm's length behind me; I could actually feel his body heat on my back), and was relieved to see a very overweight individual.  Pretty sure the wheezing was from the effort between the car and the office.  After a few minutes, he was breathing normally again, thankfully.  So I didn't rush home and burn my clothes.

 

  That's my worry too. Hopefully my doctor is set up the way pediatricians usually do it. They usually have one side for sick kids, and the other side for wellness visits. 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 minute ago, Steeleballz said:

 

  That's my worry too. Hopefully my doctor is set up the way pediatricians usually do it. They usually have one side for sick kids, and the other side for wellness visits. 

A friend reported that his regular doctor, whom he has been seeing for years, cancelled his annual check up yesterday for next week.  Meanwhile, my new doc let me keep mine.  Maybe they need the cash flow?  Dunno.  But they were not at all worried about CV.  The PA walked into the room, gave me her name, and stuck out her hand.  Without thinking, I shook it, then realized what I had done.  I said, "You're not too worried about the virus, I take it?"  She laughed and said, "No, I think running out of TP at home is a bigger risk."  (man, I sure hope she washes thoroughly after leaving the bathroom!)

 

Two extremes, not sure either are good in general.  

[Steeleballz 7,550]

5 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

A friend reported that his regular doctor, whom he has been seeing for years, cancelled his annual check up yesterday for next week.  Meanwhile, my new doc let me keep mine.  Maybe they need the cash flow?  Dunno.  But they were not at all worried about CV.  The PA walked into the room, gave me her name, and stuck out her hand.  Without thinking, I shook it, then realized what I had done.  I said, "You're not too worried about the virus, I take it?"  She laughed and said, "No, I think running out of TP at home is a bigger risk."  (man, I sure hope she washes thoroughly after leaving the bathroom!)

 

Two extremes, not sure either are good in general.  

 

    I agree. I did call and reschedule the kid's annual physical exams for summer though. They were supposed to be next week.  Mostly because the doctor is always running behind, and I don't want to be in the waiting room for an hour for no reason.