Are you worried about the Coronavirus?

[Arcadian]

Universal Orlando theme parks is closed through end of March. Disney Orlando announced closing as well.

PGA Tour. No matches for a month.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Can you move here? I would.love to have a Dr as wonderful as you.

Haha. Thanks. Honestly one of the reasons I choose to work mostly in the ED as a specialist consultant is that being in outpatient practice would break my heart because I can only see so many patients and I’m in a super high demand specialty. I hate telling families I don’t see patients outside the ED when they ask if they can follow up with me, but at least this way I feel like I’m being fair. :/

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Have you seen the data on chloroquine? What are your thoughts?


SARS-CoV-2[edit]
In late January 2020 during the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak, Chinese medical researchers stated exploratory research into chloroquine and two others, remdesivir and lopinavir/ritonavir, seemed to have "fairly good inhibitory effects" on the 2019 novel coronavirus. Requests to start clinical testing were submitted.[38][39][40]

On 19 February 2020, preliminary results found that chloroquine may be effective and safe in treating COVID-19 associated pneumonia.[41][42] There is evidence to indicate the efficacy of chloroquine phosphate against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, on Vero cells.[43]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroquine

I was just reading a Nature article on what meds they are investigating. I think there are some very promising candidates and I think docs are not being shy about using meds ”off label” if it seems it might be beneficial. It’s definitely promising! Yay for rapid genomic sequencing!

 

[facetgirl]

Our schools are closing as of tomorrow. They say for a week but I think it will be much longer. I have a friend whose company told them to work from home through July 1st. My husband was "furloughed" today for at least 2 weeks. I'm optimistic that when this all settles down he can go back.

I'm fine. This is just very real and very depressing. Trying to have a brave face for my kids who are upset that they will not see their friends and worried about what this means for the rest of the school year. Sorry to be a downer.

 

[Arcadian]

DH just came back from the pharmacy, our insurance BCBS will not cover any extra months of medication for his Janumet so he can have extra on hand. The medication outside of insurance is $570 a month.

Has anyone had this experience or is this unusual? I guess we will just have to fill it month by month.

ETA: he is also on blood pressure meds so our out of pocket would be higher than that $570. I am also on Metformin for my PCOS but can go without it if need be since I'm not diabetic.

BCBS hasnt moved to 90 days yet? Thats crazy.

 

[chemgirl]

Canadian Prime Minister’s wife just tested positive. He’s in isolation. Maybe we’ll get more spending on medical equipment.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

BCBS hasnt moved to 90 days yet? Thats crazy.

This is just what the pharmacist told him at our local CVS but we will look into it more tomorrow, this just seems crazy to me too!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There's one thing I am puzzled about, and maybe @MakingTheGrade can elaborate. My husband is very skeptical about this virus because he said the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic had a lot of cases and a lot of deaths in the US (over 3000 who tested positive but likely much higher), but the US didn't shut down like it is doing right now. What I read was that one out of 6 people had it. 2009-2010 was one of those crazy years...bought a new house on 7/2009, had to clean out and reno the old house to sell thoughout that school year, last year of teaching, furniture shopping, moving in June, and daughter got married in 12/2010. Apparently I was way too busy to be panicked about the pandemic! I honestly remember that it existed, but no schools here closed, no events were cancelled that I can think of, and I can't recall any family members getting H1N1. It was more serious in children than the CV, but this appears to have higher death rates of older people. Although we have no idea of the true death rates considering we don't have the numbers including all the mild cases that will never be tested. Today we have around 40 deaths and schools are closing, flights are restricted, people told to work from home, stock market crashes.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This is just what the pharmacist told him at our local CVS but we will look into it more tomorrow, this just seems crazy to me too!

Just an honest question. Are you concerned that pharmacies will be closed or that no one in the family might be able to go pick up a prescription? I am personally not worried about using the drive-thru window to pick up something from the pharmacy. Better than going inside. My husband's presciptions are all mail order and come automatically. I am very thankful for that.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

There's one thing I am puzzled about, and maybe @MakingTheGrade can elaborate. My husband is very skeptical about this virus because he said the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic had a lot of cases and a lot of deaths in the US (over 3000 who tested positive but likely much higher), but the US didn't shut down like it is doing right now. What I read was that one out of 6 people had it. 2009-2010 was one of those crazy years...bought a new house on 7/2009, had to clean out and reno the old house to sell thoughout that school year, last year of teaching, furniture shopping, moving in June, and daughter got married in 12/2010. Apparently I was way too busy to be panicked about the pandemic! I honestly remember that it existed, but no schools here closed, no events were cancelled that I can think of, and I can't recall any family members getting H1N1. It was more serious in children than the CV, but this appears to have higher death rates of older people. Although we have no idea of the true death rates considering we don't have the numbers including all the mild cases that will never be tested. Today we have around 40 deaths and schools are closing, flights are restricted, people told to work from home, stock market crashes.

Remember the Last Global Pandemic? Probably Not

In 2009, a new strain of H1N1 influenza emerged. It did not cause anywhere near the disruption that Covid-19 has, and for good reason.

www.bloomberg.com

TLDR: it seems to be much deadlier than h1n1, and also leading to more cases that require hospitalization and resource management is one of the things we’re really worried about (see Italy as an example).

 

[Rubymal]

I don't know whether to cry or laugh. My company is still restricting people from working from home. They are only allowing if you are sick and have a doctor's note. Ignoring the fact that you could have it and be asymptomatic.

In addition, our stated has banned gatherings of 250 or more. We have almost 300 people in our office alone.

We have surpassed 100 confirmed cases in our immediate area. I don't know what else to say.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Just an honest question. Are you concerned that pharmacies will be closed or that no one in the family might be able to go pick up a prescription? I am personally not worried about using the drive-thru window to pick up something from the pharmacy. Better than going inside. My husband's presciptions are all mail order and come automatically. I am very thankful for that.

I did think of the drive-thru being an option even if they were to impose a quarantine situation like NY the pharmacy is right around the corner, I guess because he has multiple conditions that make him susceptible to illness it would be a little more comforting to have the medication here. Maybe that doesn't make sense. I have been able to keep my wits about everything else but when it comes to him I'm just worried. He was the only one of the four of us to get the flu last year and he was very sick. Maybe all the constant reports, emails, texts etc are getting to me. You make a good point though, it probably is not a concern because of the drive-thru and being in such close proximity to the pharmacy.

 

[Arcadian]

15 new official cases in FL. Some in my county. Most are travel related.

 

[Babyblue033]

A Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) 2 mins from our house is closed because a staff member tested positive for Corona....

Would you like some COVID -19 with your fries and chicken.....

Oh man! My DH wanted to eat KFC the other day and I said no. Now I won't be able to eat it without worrying. Boohoo.

Just had a call from my mum who is in Vancouver, asking me to send her some face masks as she could not get them locally.

I informed her it would take upwards of 2 to 3 weeks or more before they arrive in UK and another week or so on top of that for Vancouver, and they would be coming from China.

She said don't bother.

DK

My mom in South Korea went to the post office about shipping my younger son's birthday present, and was told it will likely take a few months with all the flight restrictions. She just brought the package back home.

My company with main offices in NYC and NJ officially said "voluntary work from home" as of this morning. Urgent meeting this morning where I was told it will likely change to mandatory WFH by Monday so to prepare everyone for that. Rumor started circulating that someone from the NYO was confirmed with Covid-19 but who knows.

NYC declared state of emergency with state count of 328 (95 of them in NYC). I'm about an hour outside of the city and schools are still open in my county. Debating on when to keep my 4 year old from preschool. Not looking forward to being cooped up at home with an antsy 4 year old and a 2 year old boys...

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I did think of the drive-thru being an option even if they were to impose a quarantine situation like NY the pharmacy is right around the corner, I guess because he has multiple conditions that make him susceptible to illness it would be a little more comforting to have the medication here. Maybe that doesn't make sense. I have been able to keep my wits about everything else but when it comes to him I'm just worried. He was the only one of the four of us to get the flu last year and he was very sick. Maybe all the constant reports, emails, texts etc are getting to me. You make a good point though, it probably is not a concern because of the drive-thru and being in such close proximity to the pharmacy.

Given that we are dealing with something quite unprecedented here I think it makes sense to want to have extra meds at hand if they are essential to health. I don’t think it’s so much about not being able to physically go to the pharmacy as it is supply chain issues with manufacturing, transport, and staffing if things get really locked down and workers are calling out. Hard to fill prescriptions if the pharmacist or mailman or packaging guy has to stay home with the kids.

 

[Matata]

Oregon Shakespeare Festival on hold until Apr. 8; most schools in the valley are taking an early and extended spring break; moratorium on events with 250+ people for the next month and other reasonable measures being enacted by our governor per CDC. Two residents of my town were quarantined on the Grand Princess ship in California. Released today but they said they didn't know where they were being sent for additional quarantine.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Remember the Last Global Pandemic? Probably Not

In 2009, a new strain of H1N1 influenza emerged. It did not cause anywhere near the disruption that Covid-19 has, and for good reason.

www.bloomberg.com

TLDR: it seems to be much deadlier than h1n1, and also leading to more cases that require hospitalization and resource management is one of the things we’re really worried about (see Italy as an example).

Very helpful, thank you!

I read that one of the problems in Italy is an aging population. I looked it up and their median age is 47.3 and the US is 38.2. So at least that is in our favor. Population density is very different, too, with Italy at 532 people per sq mile and the US at 94 people per sq mile. (Certainly big cities have a much higher pop density, but overall, we are in a much better position to avoid contact if we choose to do so.) I am just trying to look at the positives with hope we won't be as bad off as Italy. I am planning to drastically reduce my contact with the outside world. My only problem is that my husband likely will not.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

On a lighter note, my daughter told me she ordered TP from Amazon since it recently became hard to obtain here!

 

[whitewave]

Louisiana has 19 now. Only testing worst off in hospital.

plus

1 positive who attended conference with 1,000 other people and who doesn’t live in Louisiana

and

3 who attended Mardi Gras from out of town who are now positive.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Very helpful, thank you!

I read that one of the problems in Italy is an aging population. I looked it up and their median age is 47.3 and the US is 38.2. So at least that is in our favor. Population density is very different, too, with Italy at 532 people per sq mile and the US at 94 people per sq mile. (Certainly big cities have a much higher pop density, but overall, we are in a much better position to avoid contact if we choose to do so.) I am just trying to look at the positives with hope we won't be as bad off as Italy. I am planning to drastically reduce my contact with the outside world. My only problem is that my husband likely will not.

I have many reasons to be hopeful that things in the US will not be as bad. Our response time and testing effort continues to be frustratingly slow. But at least there is this:



Also since we are one big country we can share and allocate resources in hopefully more effective ways. Imagine if Italy had access to the icus in Germany and France for example.

 

[MamaBee]

This makes me so angry!
Also please don’t feel bad asking your family doc! I’m not a family doc but would be heartbroken if one of my patients was in this kind of predicament but didn’t feel comfortable asking me!
I’ve refilled meds for my patients that I didn’t write because sometimes they couldn’t make it to their other appointments.

@MakingTheGrade I think I will try calling the office..She’s difficult to reach. Her office is in a medical building on a campus. Maybe I will contact my doctor.

 

[MamaBee]

Very helpful, thank you!

I read that one of the problems in Italy is an aging population. I looked it up and their median age is 47.3 and the US is 38.2. So at least that is in our favor. Population density is very different, too, with Italy at 532 people per sq mile and the US at 94 people per sq mile. (Certainly big cities have a much higher pop density, but overall, we are in a much better position to avoid contact if we choose to do so.) I am just trying to look at the positives with hope we won't be as bad off as Italy. I am planning to drastically reduce my contact with the outside world. My only problem is that my husband likely will not.

@diamondseeker2006 My husband already knows I will go to my other house in Maryland. I just need to get my stuff there and get some refills to last me a while. It’s a big decision to leave him behind..and also pull my son out of work...

 

[Polabowla]

No water here & the sink water is not drinkable where I live.

Kids home from school; but dh still has work- everyone must be in office. Most offices are not shut down here.
So what's the point to quarantine the kids then? They're supposed to have online classes, though where everyone is supposed to come up with separate devices for each kid to use simultaneously I have no idea.

I wanted to take my kids to the public library, but wasn't sure if the virus can live on the books?
I'm honestly torn between panic & thinking everyone is overreacting

 

[Babyblue033]

For all the fellow moms. This at least cured a bit of my "TP anxiety". LOL!!!



In the middle of all this, hubby tells me he's going to Home Depot tomorrow to get something for the lawn to kill the weeds. Lawn care, really? I of course told him I'm coming along, because I'm curious to see if they have any TP!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

 

[telephone89]

2 children in Canada tested positive now. AB and BC cancelling all events with 250+ people and advising against travel outside of Canada. No schools closed yet though.
My trip to the US looks like it's going to be cancelled...

 

[MarionC]

How are you doing with all that? She sounds like she is doing what my grandmother would.have if she was still with us. (cancer sucks!) I know she enjoyed herself but scared the rest of us while she was doing it...

Tis the joy of elder life to scare our descendents. Turn the tables and all that. Truly it adds to the enjoyment.

 

[TooPatient]

Tis the joy of elder life to scare our descendents. Turn the tables and all that. Truly it adds to the enjoyment.

It must! My grandparents enjoy that too. Grandma especially, though she won't admit it to my mom .

 

[Begonia]

There's one thing I am puzzled about, and maybe @MakingTheGrade can elaborate. My husband is very skeptical about this virus because he said the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic had a lot of cases and a lot of deaths in the US (over 3000 who tested positive but likely much higher), but the US didn't shut down like it is doing right now. What I read was that one out of 6 people had it. 2009-2010 was one of those crazy years...bought a new house on 7/2009, had to clean out and reno the old house to sell thoughout that school year, last year of teaching, furniture shopping, moving in June, and daughter got married in 12/2010. Apparently I was way too busy to be panicked about the pandemic! I honestly remember that it existed, but no schools here closed, no events were cancelled that I can think of, and I can't recall any family members getting H1N1. It was more serious in children than the CV, but this appears to have higher death rates of older people. Although we have no idea of the true death rates considering we don't have the numbers including all the mild cases that will never be tested. Today we have around 40 deaths and schools are closing, flights are restricted, people told to work from home, stock market crashes.

I caught H1N1 very early on before it was big news. It was the sickest I've been in my life. Went into my lungs, lowered BP so I couldn't get up without falling. It was so awful. This stuff scares the crap outta me.

 

[missy]

Curious if anyone has an educated guess as to the time it will take Covid-19 to run through the population so to speak?

Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)

Country-by-country data and research on the pandemic. Updated daily.

ourworldindata.org