COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Here is the official site set up by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
It has information to prepare and prevent as well as advice if you think you have it.
If you have additional question or concerns I will try to find the appropriate website(s) with that information and add it to this post
Comments
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djmammo, Thank you for posting this. I saw on the news that this statement was for review about whether to wear a cloth mask or not. I know people are not trained on how to safely remove a mask and the chances of touching your face are increased.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
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What's funny (not) is those of us in healthcare that are not being given sufficient PPE and are basically being thrown to the wolves. My company is clearly ok with everyone getting sick.
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gb, unfortunately you are exactly right. Our neighbor is an EMT and is furious that people are not taking this seriously. Additionally, the fire department is no longer assisting on anything other than auto accidents and cardiac cases. She says they view EMS as lepers. So tragic. We have another family in our neighborhood who absolutely will NOT stay home. Both in their late 60’s. Clearly, no cure for stupid! I sincerely hope you come out safely on the other side
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re: Masks
Public health / epidemiology has always been an interest of mine ever since i read the account of Dr. Snow and the cholera epidemic.
If I remember correctly the key to ending epidemics/pandemics is to institute wide spread screening for the disease which by definition would include those with no symptoms, but are still able to transmit the disease to others. We need to identify the Incubatory Carriers and Asymptomatic Carriers who are those that are infected and have no symptoms but eventually will, and those who are infected and never develop symptoms of the disease, respectively. Typhoid Mary is an example of the latter. We don't have enough test kits available in the US for this yet. There are companies that are working on tests that can give us results in minutes.
Some argue there is no point in testing those who already have the symptoms of the disease. Since there is as yet no specific treatment for COVID-19, there is no specific therapeutic decision to be made in advance. They all will be given the same supportive care which may include a ventilator if necessary, whether they have COVID, Influenza-B or any other similar virus. The patients with shortness of breath are more likely to have COVID than the flu and there is a quasi-specific set of findings on Chest CT for those with the Coronavirus.
As far as masks go, under normal circumstances, surgical masks protect patients not doctors. They catch droplets that might spread bacteria or viruses and therefore protect the person not wearing the mask, not the mask wearer. In the OR no one wants saliva from the surgeon landing in an open incision.
In the absence of a widely available, rapid, and reliable screening test for an infective agent that has a significant mortality rate, the only strategy is to assume that everyone is a carrier and to take steps to prevent transmission. In addition to instructing people to stay inside, precautions may have to include having everyone wear a mask or other device that covers their nose and mouth, when they are out in public. It really doesn't have to be that sophisticated a barrier if you are just trying to catch droplets exiting your mouth, and not trying to prevent submicroscopic virus particles from entering through the mask. Again a mask protects other people, not you. If you are a heath care worker in an environment with a high concentration of the virus, you are trying to protect yourself and extraordinary measures are warranted (see video I posted earlier in this thread).
As far as the availability of testing is concerned, my own PCP (who happens to be a pulmonologist) was sick and bedridden for two weeks with a presumptive case of COVID-19. And though he pre-qualified for testing as a healthcare worker, he could not locate any facility in the area that was able to offer testing and this included facilities where he was on staff. He basically recovered before any test kits became available and he remains untested.
Speaking with classmates and colleagues elsewhere in the country I hear the following: "We have had swabs available but send them out. Turn around time is 7-8 DAYS. We test if symptomatic- fever, cough but have seen also atypical sx like abdominal pain and diarrhea. So if almost anyone is sick they are at risk for it" and more disturbingly "I can tell you from seeing NYC patients via telehealth visits that there are plenty of people in NY who have COVID19 and are not being tested. Statistics are completely wrong and if everyone is not staying home, this virus will continue to spread".
Let's be careful out there.
Here is a good reference on the subject: Epidemiology (from CDC)
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gb2115, Yogatyme , That is truly terrible. I don't want to bring politics into this, but your mayors are not doing their jobs. That is who you need your supervisors to complain to. My neighbors across the street are 40 something. They have numerous cars coming and going depending on the day. I am over 60 and a responsible, retired nurse. I have only been out 3x since Feb. 10th. Stupid doesn't have an age.
djmammo, Thank you for your thoughts and information. Stay well.
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Yogatyme:
I'm also having difficulty keeping my elderly mother home. Right now she is insisting on going to the liquor store. This town has an older population and many of them don't seem to be social distancing despite many of them being high risk. Since the local coffee shop closed it's doors, a group of regulars have been holding a tailgate meetup in the parking lot every morning. A number of local doctors wrote an open letter to the public pleading with people to take the social distancing more seriously, anticipating that cases and hospitalizations are about to explode and they will not have enough ventilators.
While the maximum mortality rate has been stated to be somewhere around 4% for confirmed cases, people don't understand that that is with medical care. If need far exceeds hospital capacity and ventilator supply, mortality rates will sky rocket. More people will not only be dying from the virus but from other medical issues they could not receive treatment for.
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WC3, I went to Costco's senior hour yesterday to buy my monthly groceries. Social distancing was maintained and Costco is doing a great job. When I went out to my car a State Trooper was monitoring the parking lot to make sure everyone continued to practice social distancing. I wonder why your local police department isn't taking social distancing seriously by breaking up these groups or by giving them a fine. Staying at home isn't easy and maybe your Mom just needs to go out. Is there anywhere safe to take a walk?
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I, personally, think that everyone who can get their hands on a mask should wear one when out in public, as we need to presume everyone has it. I can't for the life of me understand the advice not to wear one, it just doesn't make sense. Saying that people will touch their faces because of a mask makes it seem like they think everyone is a moron.
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SummerAngel, I was at Costco yesterday where they are practicing social distancing. The woman in line 6 feet from me first put her mask on inside out, removed it, putting her hair in her face, then had to adjust the straps over her ears a few times. She didn't wear glasses and didn't have eye protection. I counted at least 5 times she touched her face. Then she took her used gloves out of her handbag and put those on readjusting her mask another time. At least I was protected from her! I gave up what masks I had to those on the front line. I guess you could wear a scarf or a piece of material over your face. Don't pull it down to talk on your cell phone like I saw yesterday. I was in and out in one hour, practiced social distancing, did not touch my face, and disinfected my door handles, hands, steering wheel. Took a shower, washed my clothes, sunglasses, glasses, etc. I won't go out now for another 14 days or so to get milk, lettuce. My Costco groceries will last the month. I make my own bread. I am trying to do what I can to stay well.
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Well, maybe people are morons, then! I haven't been out of the house since I got sick since I still have symptoms. How depressing to think that people are that incapable of logical thought and behavior.
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flashlight:
The crazy thing is, the cops pulled up and were completely ok with the gathering.
My mother has difficulty with masks and I worry they may pose more of a danger to her than not unless she is supervised with them. I originally gave her an N95 (I tried to donate my spares by my hospital won't take them because the package has been opened) with two head straps but she struggled with the order in which the straps went over her head and then with wearing it properly, which caused her to put her hands near her face more. I switched her to a surgical mask that just loops around the ear. She ran in to a fast food place to use the restroom when I was in the market the other day. I finished the shopping before she exited the restaurant and was walking towards the car when she came out.
I was pleased to see that she remembered both the gloves and mask, but as she got closer, I realized she only placed the mask over her mouth, leaving her nose exposed. I explained to her that it also needed to be over her nose and without thinking she shoved her thumbs with the dirty gloves on down near her nose on the inside of the mask to adjust it before I could stop her.
Her difficulties relate back to her neurological issues. She used to work in the medical field and wore PPE on a regular basis.
She seems to coming around to the idea of sitting in the car as I go in to the shops for her.
I'm not really in the position to wash my clothes every time I walk in as this building has shared laundry facilities but everything I bring in either gets washed or wiped down with bleach.
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Or maybe masks for everyone isn't such a good idea.
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The problem with everyone and their brother wearing masks to go to the grocery store is that there legitimately aren't enough masks. In my outpatient clinic (where we access blood lines and eventually will have covid patients probably) we have a couple of boxes of surgical masks for 15 staff members. All masks are now on backorder. When they run out they are out. I was issued one surgical mask 2 weeks ago and was told to keep it clean and use it indefinitely.
So I understand the need for the general public to protect themselves, but medical facilities really really really really need the masks (and gloves--we are worried about those as well). No gloves or masks...we'll make all of our patients septic.
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My workplace has gone to mandatory wearing of masks (skilled nursing facility). Which makes sense for our vulnerable population
If people feel the deserve to at least have something between their nose/mouth then just use a bandanna. No sewing needed. Most of them are large enough to tie behind your even overly large head. Plus you could use it to rob a bank. Dual purpose.
But I agree that surgical/procedure masks are hard enough to find. Leave them for medical professionals and others on the front lines.
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DogMomRunner....use it to rob a bank, lol. Thanks for the chuckle, I needed that!
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DogMom, this is look you will get......haha!
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gb2115: I tried to donate my extra N95 masks but my hospital will not accept them because there are fewer than 5 and the packaging they were in had previously been opened.
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Yogatyme-
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WC3--disappointing but I am not all that surprised. :-(
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WC3,
I found 5 N95 masks in my garage that were unused But the package had been opened. While my local hospitals would not accept them, my dd has a friend who is am EMT. She had been using the same mask for 3 days and was more than happy to take mine. If you have any personal connections to first responders they might be able to use your masks
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This also from the CDC:
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exbrnxgrl:
I don't unfortunately. But if I see someone in the medical field around I will offer one to them.
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This was just posted in our neighborhood email: I realize the CDC recommends wearing a face cover in "hotspots". I believe they did a grave injustice to the public. If you are not donning and doffing your PPE correctly you are putting yourself at a higher risk . If you don't understand those terms - that is your first clue you may be a greater risk. There are steps to remove (doffing ) your protective gear correctly (PPE) and proper storage once it has been used. Even Health care providers make mistakes . Walking through the grocery stores many, many people are potentially contaminating themselves. If you feel the need to wear mask you should uptube proper procedures . Honestly social justice distancing/ staying home if you don't need to be out it's probably more protective. She has a point.
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flashlight, I agree that she certainly has a point.
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From the CDC:
"CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others."
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
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I understand the need to feel some sense of control in this crazy time right now. I know here on Long Island we are the new epicenter so even more so now everyone is covering up. Gives you sense of taking some control. Forget up having groceries delivered from grocery store or just picking up. There are no times available.. So people are forced to go out and restock at times. You wait outside on a line as now everywhere allows only a few in a time. Which I'm all for. My daughter works in a specialty grocery story as a personal shopper now. She just graduated college and had been working in this store on and off for years while at college. At 23 she's worried about not going in to work. May be no jobs once this over , so she goes in every day. I worry about her. She says people still get in your face. They just don't get it.
Here is a link I'm sure many of you have seen. Simple two hair ties and a bandana or handkerchief for a quick homemade mask. It does not offer any real protection but for a quick trip somewhere, better than nothing and you can wash it after you get back so no matter if you touch it when taking it off.
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beach, it has to be so worrisome for your family with your daughter working. I have a niece in CO who works at Whole Foods and another in Boston who works at CVS. Our family worries so much about them and they are not in areas w infection rates nearly as high as NY. Yesterday, there was a lot of coverage about Long Island being the new epicenter. Hoping your daughter and the rest of your family stay safe.
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Another PSA: My daughter is now back at work at the extremely busy Safeway pharmacy where we think she contracted COVID-19 in the first place. They installed a plexiglass shield to offer some protection to the pharmacy workers. She says that people now lean over to go around the plexiglass to talk to workers. Please, people, don't do that! The workers CAN hear you when you speak through the plexiglass!
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When the Surgeon General says more people will die from smoking and opioids than from Covid 19, he is sending the wrong message to the people who aren’t taking this seriously. While that may be true, healthcare workers don’t risk their lives by treating smokers or opioid addictions and the rest of us can stay away from smokers and opioid addicts. This is yet another dangerous message.
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