Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) resources and discussion thread (Discussion guidelines in OP)

[Deleted member 8741]

I just have a bad vibe that the twin cities are gonna get hard. Too many people coughing in my office for in general really and especially this late in the flu season.

Doesn't help our temps if the temp stuff really has any reality we will have perfect conditions for this shitt pretty much all year long. We won't have even consistent 70s until the end of June and July and August don't necessarily get very hot but it is humid.

The general information on it here is horrifically lacking even on the confirmed cases and I have no idea what's going on with testing, even looking for it.

Click to shrink...

It's possible. That said, here's a bit of guidance:

Fewer than 20 people had contact with Minnesota's second COVID-19 case

Preparations for the COVID-19 outbreak continued in Minnesota on Monday with the legislature working on a $25 million public health plan.

www.startribune.com

M Health Fairview wants patients to call ahead and be screened over the phone for COVID-19 testing, and to then drive when possible to one of four clinics. Masked health care workers will meet them outside, collect nasal or throat swabs from them while they are in their cars, and send them home to remain in isolation and await results. Those samples will then be sent to the state public health lab for testing, with results often coming back within a day.

"You can literally drive up, get swabbed, and drive right home," said Laura Reed, Fairview's chief operating officer.

Click to shrink...

 

[Nude_Tayne]

I have a few doctors in my family and they aren't worried about it. The medical community and the online community are completely opposite of each other. I also live in King County which is the epicenter for the breakout here in the United States. It seems like everyone here is either completely blowing it off or full on panic mode. It's weird as fuck cause I'm kind of in the middle. Shrugs...

Click to shrink...

Have they heard of northern Italy?

I find it hard to believe that there are any doctors who aren't worried about this.

 

[Keyser S]

I have a few doctors in my family and they aren't worried about it. The medical community and the online community are completely opposite of each other. I also live in King County which is the epicenter for the breakout here in the United States. It seems like everyone here is either completely blowing it off or full on panic mode. It's weird as fuck cause I'm kind of in the middle. Shrugs...

Click to shrink...

Hopefully they dont treat anyone seriously in need

 

[Vic_Viper]

My friend's daughter's university has decided, instead of shutting down the school or moving online, to cancel spring break, move the rest of the school year up and try to cram everything in before the virus reaches campus. 🤦‍♂️

Click to shrink...

WOW! Thats just crazy to me. We just had our midterms like a week or two ago. I would be pissed if they tried to make us cram in the rest of the semester, especially if I failed a class because of the rush.

 

[WesternHeretic]

Hopefully they dont treat anyone seriously in need

Click to shrink...

One is a surgeons, another is a family doctors and the last is an E.R Doctor plenty years of experience. I'm going out on a limb and say they know a lot more than some random Joe on the internet. Again I think it's somewhere in the middle. People who are in full blown panic or completely nonchalant are probably off. From what they told me it's more because we lack information rather than it's deadly. They are already going to conference on it the last few weeks.

 

[feline fury]

I have a few doctors in my family and they aren't worried about it. The medical community and the online community are completely opposite of each other. I also live in King County which is the epicenter for the breakout here in the United States. It seems like everyone here is either completely blowing it off or full on panic mode. It's weird as fuck cause I'm kind of in the middle. Shrugs...

Click to shrink...

Ben Carson doesn't seem to be taking it seriously either but I'd like to believe the ones hand waving it away are in a tiny minority.

 

[texhnolyze]

Have they heard of northern Italy?

I find it hard to believe that there are any doctors who aren't worried about this.

Click to shrink...

Indeed.

My boss' wife is a doctor and she's been worried by the possibility of the virus spreading over here. Doctors and medical staffs are the most impacted by the virus.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

It's possible. That said, here's a bit of guidance:

Fewer than 20 people had contact with Minnesota's second COVID-19 case

Preparations for the COVID-19 outbreak continued in Minnesota on Monday with the legislature working on a $25 million public health plan.

www.startribune.com

Click to shrink...

Yeah I really don't have a lot of faith in that when my wife works in a hospital with patient contact (not corona confirmed obviously but she works directly with patients) in Minneapolis and she has had zero top down communication on this. Zero. Also that someone reported on Feb 28th, sent home, and now they are in critical condition in Anoka county. And they are in their 30s.

Also just that virtually eveyone I know here anecdotally obviously but just like this is no big deal, don't worry about it.

Great.

I imagine it is very similar to this all across the country.

 

[Deleted member 8741]

You guys need to chill on bashing the medical professionals. I echo WesternHeretics perspective, a number of medical professionals I know aren't "worried." In the sense that they aren't freaking out and aren't panicking. They definitely respect and are aware of the realities, but I think it's lobbed. into the realities they see every day.

You have to understand that a lot of medical professionals watch people die all the time. They see cancer, and rare diseases, the flu, etc. kill people sometimes daily.

So when there's a new threat. It's received as real and definitely concerning, but it's not a revelation to most of them that something like this could be bad. Doesn't mean they aren't preparing, or aware that they might be exhausted, it just means they're seasoned.

 

[Deleted member 8741]

Yeah I really don't have a lot of faith in that when my wife works in a hospital with patient contact (not corona confirmed obviously but she works directly with patients) in Minneapolis and she has had zero top down communication on this. Zero. Also that someone reported on Feb 28th, sent home, and now they are in critical condition in Anoka county. And they are in their 30s.

Also just that virtually eveyone I know here anecdotally obviously but just like this is no big deal, don't worry about it.

Great.

I imagine it is very similar to this all across the country.

Click to shrink...

My wife works in the medical system and she has had over 40 e-mails the last two days about it. It's all she's hearing.

It is a big deal. It's important to be vigilant and aware. I'm aware of the critical condition situation. I don't have any knowledge besides the articles, but they didn't rule out conflicting issues they just said, "No blatant conflicting issues."

That said, there's nothing panicking and just worrying does for anyone. We should practice social distancing and safe practices as much as possible the next few weeks. Beyond that, it's somewhat out of our individual hands.

 

[97_Mentality]

One is a surgeons, another is a family doctors and the last is an E.R Doctor plenty years of experience. I'm going out on a limb and say they know a lot more than some random Joe on the internet. Again I think it's somewhere in the middle. People who are in full blown panic or completely nonchalant are probably off. From what they told me it's more because we lack information rather than it's deadly. They are already going to conference on it the last few weeks.

Click to shrink...

prepare for the absolute worst while hoping for the best

 

[Jarmel]

this is going to be a wild next few weeks

 

[Deleted member 17092]

My wife works in the medical system and she has had over 40 e-mails the last two days about it. It's all she's hearing.

Click to shrink...

Well, different hospitals I guess.

And honestly if it's just in the last 2 days, and it's just emails, too little too late.

We need massive trainings on this. Not some fucking emails.

 

[Keyser S]

One is a surgeons, another is a family doctors and the last is an E.R Doctor plenty years of experience. I'm going out on a limb and say they know a lot more than some random Joe on the internet. Again I think it's somewhere in the middle. People who are in full blown panic or completely nonchalant are probably off. From what they told me it's more because we lack information rather than it's deadly. They are already going to conference on it the last few weeks.

Click to shrink...

If something is as threat to disabled, elderly, chronically-ill, and immunocompromised, and someone chooses to class it as "not a big deal," I have no time for them, and neither should anyone else. I sincerely hope there are better practitioners in your area.

 

[Jaaake]

Woke up and my throat is soooooo sore today. Otherwise perfectly fine. But I'm a little confused on this whole thing. It's unlikely I have the virus (maybe? Apparently it's a symptom) but should I just stay home anyway?

 

[Halbrand]

Hopefully they dont treat anyone seriously in need

Click to shrink...

Yeah because not being panicked means they won't be good at their jobs

 

[Jarmel]

One is a surgeons, another is a family doctors and the last is an E.R Doctor plenty years of experience. I'm going out on a limb and say they know a lot more than some random Joe on the internet. Again I think it's somewhere in the middle. People who are in full blown panic or completely nonchalant are probably off. From what they told me it's more because we lack information rather than it's deadly. They are already going to conference on it the last few weeks.

Click to shrink...

I also have a few doctors in my family too and one is freaking out because they treat patients clinically so they're prone to catch it, one thinks it's a huge business opportunity because it's up their specialty, and one is stockpiling like crazy because they're just generally paranoid. All three are treating it very seriously. Doctors are humans just like everybody else.

 

[Deleted member 9399]

Sudbury man who attended Toronto conference has COVID-19: health officials

An Ontario man who travelled to Toronto last week to attend a conference has been confirmed to have COVID-19, health officials said Tuesday.

beta.cp24.com

Case confirmed in Sudbury, Ontario. A man in his 50s who had attended a conference in Toronto last week and developed symptoms over the weekend. Sent home to self isolate.

It's worrying though - potentially is the first case of community spread in Toronto, as well as the fact the conference's website boasts attendance of 26,000 people from over 100 countries.

 

[Deleted member 8741]

Well, different hospitals I guess.

And honestly if it's just in the last 2 days, and it's just emails, too little too late.

We need massive trainings on this. Not some fucking emails.

Click to shrink...

I'm not sure what your situation is, but do people in her hospital not have training on pandemics and practices for these kind of outbreaks? This is something that seems somewhat standard practice, but turned up to 11 in most of the medical situations I know. There's always a massive concern for cleanliness, procedures, infection, etc.

It's definitely not just e-mails. I'm just saying it's also definitely being talked about.

I hope I don't come across as dismissive though. I definitely share your concern overall.

 

[Halbrand]

Sudbury man who attended Toronto conference has COVID-19: health officials

An Ontario man who travelled to Toronto last week to attend a conference has been confirmed to have COVID-19, health officials said Tuesday.

beta.cp24.com

Case confirmed in Sudbury, Ontario. A man in his 50s who had attended a conference in Toronto last week and developed symptoms over the weekend. Sent home to self isolate.

It's worrying though - potentially is the first case of community spread in Toronto, as well as the fact the conference's website boasts attendance of 26,000 people from over 100 countries.

Click to shrink...

Ugh.

Who thought having a conference now with people from 132 countries was a good idea

 

[DocTarHeel]

Have they heard of northern Italy?

I find it hard to believe that there are any doctors who aren't worried about this.

Click to shrink...

I'm a physician and I am extremely concerned about our healthcare infrastructure. We (in the US) aren't equipped to deal what's likely coming in the next 1-2 weeks - as we have already seen with what is happening in Northern Italy or what has already happened in Wuhan.

 

[Deleted member 8741]

I'm a physician and I am extremely concerned about our healthcare infrastructure. We (in the US) aren't equipped to deal what's likely coming in the next 1-2 weeks - as we have already seen with what is happening in Northern Italy or what has already happened in Wuhan.

Click to shrink...

Thank you in advance for everything you'll likely have to do in the upcoming weeks.

 

[feline fury]

Yeah I really don't have a lot of faith in that when my wife works in a hospital with patient contact (not corona confirmed obviously but she works directly with patients) in Minneapolis and she has had zero top down communication on this. Zero. Also that someone reported on Feb 28th, sent home, and now they are in critical condition in Anoka county. And they are in their 30s.

Also just that virtually eveyone I know here anecdotally obviously but just like this is no big deal, don't worry about it.

Great.

I imagine it is very similar to this all across the country.

Click to shrink...

That's insanely irresponsible of that hospital's leadership. Not a good reflection of that administration's preparedness.

We got briefed weeks ago when Wuhan evacuees were brought back to the US (granted we're pretty close to Travis AFB). And I'm sure the big wigs were discussing plans before that.

 

[Gazele]

There's a difference between "panicked" and "not a big deal"

My anecdotal example is my dad (a surgeon) is pretty darn concerned about it.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

So I see we are still at the no worries stage. No training, no hospital wide conference calls, no top down communication to people who probably don't even have email addresses. Still seeing cases of people concerned they have it (and do) and being turned away. Gee, maybe that's because there are virtually zero actual policies in place much less training.

Yeah this is going to be bad.

 

[More_Badass]

I'm a physician and I am extremely concerned about our healthcare infrastructure. We (in the US) aren't equipped to deal what's likely coming in the next 1-2 weeks - as we have already seen with what is happening in Northern Italy or what has already happened in Wuhan.

Click to shrink...

I got people at work being excited at low planet tickets because they're planning spring trips and family saying it's being overblown, flu is worse, US is handling it fine, those countries got hit hard because of socialism

It's going to be fucking terrible here

 

[Halbrand]

Coronavirus conference gets cancelled because of coronavirus

 

[Rainy]

I'm a doctor too (resident psychiatrist) and while I'm young I'm constantly worried I'm going to somehow pass it onto my older sicker patients. It's a constant worry every time I walk into the hospital. It's frightening.

 

[Jarmel]

So I see we are still at the no worries stage. No training, no hospital wide conference calls, no top down communication to people who probably don't even have email addresses. Still seeing cases of people concerned they have it (and do) and being turned away. Gee, maybe that's because there are virtually zero actual policies in place much less training.

Yeah this is going to be bad.

Click to shrink...

The clinical doctor that I know is freaking out is because they didn't receive any directions from their clinic about how to treat Corona patients such as special procedures. They're also not doing anything extra to keep the doctors safe.

It's going to be bad when things get really heavy here.

 

[Cap'n Cook]

Is there a possibility that there's tens of thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of people who got infected but never got diagnosed?

To be honest, that's probably the best scenario at this point. It will mean the death rate is much lower is much lower than it currently is.

 

[feline fury]

There's a difference between "panicked" and "not a big deal"

My anecdotal example is my dad (a surgeon) is pretty darn concerned about it.

Click to shrink...

++++

Nobody at our hospital is panicking but people are legit worried about catching it. You gotta maintain professionalism but everyone is aware of the risks.

 

[Halbrand]

China to send coronavirus docs - Di Maio - Politics - Ansa.it

Foreign Minister Luigi DI Maio said Tuesday that China was set to send specialist doctors to help Italy tackle the coronavirus emergency. (ANSA)

www.ansa.it

If people really do have immunity after recovering Chinese doctors who have had it could easily be the best people suited for the job.

 

[Deleted member 34788]

US figures hit a depressing milestone extremely fast.

*sigh*

At least the states have a good amount of power to protect themselves, to a extent, to trumps malignant stupidity.

 

[MechDX]

Woke up and my throat is soooooo sore today. Otherwise perfectly fine. But I'm a little confused on this whole thing. It's unlikely I have the virus (maybe? Apparently it's a symptom) but should I just stay home anyway?

Click to shrink...

If you have even the slightest concern stay home if you can.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

There's a difference between "panicked" and "not a big deal"

My anecdotal example is my dad (a surgeon) is pretty darn concerned about it.

Click to shrink...

Sure, but I'm really not even hearing concerned. Like I feel like I'm the only one in a gulf of fucking nonsense.

 

[Keyser S]

Yeah because not being panicked means they won't be good at their jobs

Click to shrink...

I guess I read "aren't worried about it" as the doctors been flippant about the virus. In response to my post it sounded to me like WesternHeretic suggested it was not a big deal to them. I probably got that wrong. So sorry about that. I dont want anyone panic - especially not doctors. I just want people in important positions to care.

I am just tired of countries, institutions, and individuals downplaying this, and initially thought this was another example of that.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

The clinical doctor that I know is freaking out is because they didn't receive any directions from their clinic about how to treat Corona patients such as special procedures. They're also not doing anything extra to keep the doctors safe.

It's going to be bad when things get really heavy here.

Click to shrink...

Yep. I knew it wasn't just my wife.

 

[Halbrand]

I guess I read "aren't worried about it" as the doctors been flippant about the virus. In response to my post it sounded to me like WesternHeretic suggested it was not a big deal to them. I probably got that wrong. So sorry about that. I dont want anyone panic - especially not doctors. I just want people in important positions to care.

I am just tired of countries, institutions, and individuals downplaying this, and initially thought this was another example of that.

Click to shrink...

All good mate!

 

[Deleted member 8741]

Sure, but I'm really not even hearing concerned. Like I feel like I'm the only one in a gulf of fucking nonsense.

Click to shrink...

Dude, I sanitized my entire office and house today - doorknobs and all. I have hand sanitizer in my car that I put on every time I get in. We are cancelling travel plans for work and making remote work plans.

I'm definitely concerned and acting on it. I just don't think there's any sense in panicking.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

I'm not sure what your situation is, but do people in her hospital not have training on pandemics and practices for these kind of outbreaks? This is something that seems somewhat standard practice, but turned up to 11 in most of the medical situations I know. There's always a massive concern for cleanliness, procedures, infection, etc.

It's definitely not just e-mails. I'm just saying it's also definitely being talked about.

I hope I don't come across as dismissive though. I definitely share your concern overall.

Click to shrink...

They have flu procedures for people known to have the flu, and yes I'm sure there are lots of general cleanliness procedures. It's a hospital.

Imo at this point it's ridiculous they do not already have a hospital wide active flu pandemic procedure in place though.

Like, shouldn't they at this point?

 

[Ooopsklo]

Sorry if my question is stupid but is it inevitable that everyone will get the virus or can I still avoid it?

 

[Deleted member 8741]

Sorry if my question is stupid but is it inevitable that everyone will get the virus or can I still avoid it?

Click to shrink...

It's possible to avoid it. It's also possible to get it and it not show symptoms. But unless you seal yourself off for a few months, there's no promises.

 

[Deleted member 8741]

They have flu procedures for people known to have the flu, and yes I'm sure there are lots of general cleanliness procedures. It's a hospital.

Imo at this point it's ridiculous they do not already have a hospital wide active flu pandemic procedure in place though.

Like, shouldn't they at this point?

Click to shrink...

In my opinion they absolutely should. I'm not sure to what extent some have TBH.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

Dude, I sanitized my entire office and house today - doorknobs and all. I have hand sanitizer in my car that I put on every time I get in. We are cancelling travel plans for work and making remote work plans.

I'm definitely concerned and acting on it. I just don't think there's any sense in panicking.

Click to shrink...

I'm not talking about you specifically and I hope you know that. Just that the general no fucks given attitude I'm seeing at work and with friends and out and about and that my wife is in close contact with generally sick people on a daily basis and there is zero concerted effort to protect her beyond normal hospital policy, is, well, concerning

 

[DarthWalden]

All these reports about how it's being handled in the US is crazy.

Here in Canada, we have health link a number you can call if you have any questions and if the symptoms warrant it we have a drive thru clinic where you can get a test. All folks admitted for testing are required to suit up before they get tested so as not to spread the disease.

Most of our 14 local cases are from travelers and it doesn't look like it's spread yet. Honesrly I don't know what else we can do at this point.

The thing I'm worried about is this thing looks poised to explode in the states which is going to be impossible to prevent here in Canada kf/when that happens.

 

[Deleted member 21709]

Sorry if my question is stupid but is it inevitable that everyone will get the virus or can I still avoid it?

Click to shrink...

Can you stay at home?

 

[Ooopsklo]

It's possible to avoid it. It's also possible to get it and it not show symptoms. But unless you seal yourself off for a few months, there's no promises.

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the answer. I'm not worried about getting so much as my parents getting it

 

[Ooopsklo]

Can you stay at home?

Click to shrink...

Yes

 

[feline fury]

Anecdotally, my boss's boss (who rarely shows his face around here) was concerned enough to show up three Sundays ago on a graveyard shift to make sure things were ready and people were informed about what to do. And we work in the freaking lab where there's no direct patient contact. I can't imagine the stress levels of the MDs/RNs/etc who are given no guidance on what to do in the face of an impending outbreak.

 

[Halbrand]

All these reports about how it's being handled in the US is crazy.

Here in Canada, we have health link a number you can call if you have any questions and if the symptoms warrant it we have a drive thru clinic where you can get a test. All folks admitted for testing are required to suit up before they get tested so as not to spread the disease.

Most of our 14 local cases are from travelers and it doesn't look like it's spread yet. Honesrly I don't know what else we can do at this point.

The thing I'm worried about is this thing looks poised to explode in the states which is going to be impossible to prevent here in Canada kf/when that happens.

Click to shrink...

That's my main concern too.

As said earlier in the thread though there's now some community transmission in BC and someone in Sudbury appears to have gotten it from a conference in Toronto last week, and it sounds like he went to emerge, possibly not following protocol.