My family’s personal experience with a potential Coronavirus infection - not good

[Anonymous]

Has there been any indication that the testing in South Korea for example is effective at slowing the spread? It says it takes 3 days to her results so for those 3 days the person is still going about their daily life, interacting with everyone and if they are positive then spreading it around.

You can be a carrier without any symptoms so even if you test everyone who gets sick, it is still going to spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have got to be kidding. Yes, the Center for Disease CONTROL has just given up. More like they've been given marching orders from Agent Orange to downplay/stall the situation.

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

They gave up on containment, yes, and instead are focusing on mitigation after the fact. It's just a theory, clearly I am not the CDC. But look at how the virus spreads and the unique properties that have made it so difficult, like the long incubation period. Do you truly think we could have stopped it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At the rate this sucker spreads, and with 80% not needing hospitalization, the last thing he needs to do is to leave the house unless he actually requires hospital services (to support breathing, for example). All pursuing a diagnosis will do right now is potentially expose other people.

This.

Then why are so many infectious disease specialists and doctors pushing more testing? Serious question

+1

So much stupid on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have got to be kidding. Yes, the Center for Disease CONTROL has just given up. More like they've been given marching orders from Agent Orange to downplay/stall the situation.

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

They gave up on containment, yes, and instead are focusing on mitigation after the fact. It's just a theory, clearly I am not the CDC. But look at how the virus spreads and the unique properties that have made it so difficult, like the long incubation period. Do you truly think we could have stopped it?

Shutting down air travel certainly could have helped.

OP, I understand that you are anxious. But the test would not fix the situation. I would act as though he has viral pneumonia and self-quarantine within your home. I hope that he begins to recover soon and that he does not require medical treatment to support breathing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have got to be kidding. Yes, the Center for Disease CONTROL has just given up. More like they've been given marching orders from Agent Orange to downplay/stall the situation.

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

They gave up on containment, yes, and instead are focusing on mitigation after the fact. It's just a theory, clearly I am not the CDC. But look at how the virus spreads and the unique properties that have made it so difficult, like the long incubation period. Do you truly think we could have stopped it?

Yes, if we took it seriously from the beginning and took necessary steps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He has had a fever, sweating, chills and fatigue for 9 days. Cough started on day 5. Diagnosed with pneumonia today (day 9). When at the doctor earlier this week, he inquired about Coronavirus because his flu test was negative and this came on within a week of being with a group in which several members had just returned from travel in Europe. Furthermore, he spent time in a US resort over Pres. Day with a lot of tourists from all over the east coast. Doctor said prob not Coronavirus if he hasn’t been exposed to a known infected person and since he hasn’t been to China.

Returned to doctor today because fever and illness continues and pushed harder on the Coronavirus question and she said it’s feasible to be concerned but there isn’t anything she can do other than advise him to call the county health department. She can’t test and has been told only to use screening procedures which inquire about recent travel (as if that even matters anymore).

He called the county health department immediately after leaving doctor and they said that he doesn’t sound high risk because he hasn’t been out of the country. He pushed back and said that that doesn’t seem to matter anymore, and they didn’t budge.

So basically, a person who is legitimately concerned about this is on their own. Good luck getting help.

I’m FURIOUS.

What exactly would you like them to do differently?

Not OP, but TEST HIM. We already know that this virus is spreading among people that have not been out of the country or in contact with a known infected person. We need to know how and where it is spreading in order to accurately inform the public that they are at higher risk in their area. Or to decide to close schools, tell people to self-quarantine.

This is a massive public health failure.

There are not nearly enough tests.

Also part of the massive public health failure.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm so sorry - I would also be frantic and terrified. But I just don't understand what you think getting a test is going to do. Treatment isn't any different than treatment of the flu - rest, liquids, etc. I'm guessing even if he's tested and diagnosed, unless he's showing life threatening symptoms like sepsis or inability to breathe, they'll send him home to recover.

Hang in there. If you can have him use a separate bathroom, I would do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have got to be kidding. Yes, the Center for Disease CONTROL has just given up. More like they've been given marching orders from Agent Orange to downplay/stall the situation.

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

They gave up on containment, yes, and instead are focusing on mitigation after the fact. It's just a theory, clearly I am not the CDC. But look at how the virus spreads and the unique properties that have made it so difficult, like the long incubation period. Do you truly think we could have stopped it?


By knowing who is infected we certainly could have a shot at mitigating its spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He has had a fever, sweating, chills and fatigue for 9 days. Cough started on day 5. Diagnosed with pneumonia today (day 9). When at the doctor earlier this week, he inquired about Coronavirus because his flu test was negative and this came on within a week of being with a group in which several members had just returned from travel in Europe. Furthermore, he spent time in a US resort over Pres. Day with a lot of tourists from all over the east coast. Doctor said prob not Coronavirus if he hasn’t been exposed to a known infected person and since he hasn’t been to China.

Returned to doctor today because fever and illness continues and pushed harder on the Coronavirus question and she said it’s feasible to be concerned but there isn’t anything she can do other than advise him to call the county health department. She can’t test and has been told only to use screening procedures which inquire about recent travel (as if that even matters anymore).

He called the county health department immediately after leaving doctor and they said that he doesn’t sound high risk because he hasn’t been out of the country. He pushed back and said that that doesn’t seem to matter anymore, and they didn’t budge.

So basically, a person who is legitimately concerned about this is on their own. Good luck getting help.

I’m FURIOUS.

What exactly would you like them to do differently?

Not OP, but TEST HIM. We already know that this virus is spreading among people that have not been out of the country or in contact with a known infected person. We need to know how and where it is spreading in order to accurately inform the public that they are at higher risk in their area. Or to decide to close schools, tell people to self-quarantine.

This is a massive public health failure.

There are not nearly enough tests.

And that is a problem. Why can Italy and South Korea test so many more people
Daily and the US can't??

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

This. You simply can't test and trace everyone. One single contact tracing can be an intensive amount of work. Those who think we would ever have the money and resources to do this on every runny nose, no matter who the president is, are nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm so sorry - I would also be frantic and terrified. But I just don't understand what you think getting a test is going to do. Treatment isn't any different than treatment of the flu - rest, liquids, etc. I'm guessing even if he's tested and diagnosed, unless he's showing life threatening symptoms like sepsis or inability to breathe, they'll send him home to recover.

Hang in there. If you can have him use a separate bathroom, I would do that.

Really? You don't know what a test can do? If you find out you're positive, you can immediately start to quarantine yourself. You should also notify your place of work, worship, and places that you have frequented. You should tell anyone you visited that you have the virus, so that if they develop symptoms, that information can be reported.

If the test turned out negative, and it was just a really bad cold or flu, then you would go on as one normally would. But as far as we know, COVID-19 has a much higher fatality rate especially among older people and immunocompromised people than the flu. The information a test provides could save a life.

[Anonymous]

Just my opinion - they aren’t testing because they don’t want increasing numbers to cause panic. And sadly, it’s probably at least partially politically motivated. My DH returned from an overseas trip. Fever, chills, difficulty breathing, cough, extreme fatigue. The diagnosis was pneumonia. When I expressed concern about Corona, the doctor says they weren’t testing for it. WTF? The doctors and nurses weren’t wearing masks. We sat in a crowded waiting room. This is going to spread like wildfire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He has had a fever, sweating, chills and fatigue for 9 days. Cough started on day 5. Diagnosed with pneumonia today (day 9). When at the doctor earlier this week, he inquired about Coronavirus because his flu test was negative and this came on within a week of being with a group in which several members had just returned from travel in Europe. Furthermore, he spent time in a US resort over Pres. Day with a lot of tourists from all over the east coast. Doctor said prob not Coronavirus if he hasn’t been exposed to a known infected person and since he hasn’t been to China.

Returned to doctor today because fever and illness continues and pushed harder on the Coronavirus question and she said it’s feasible to be concerned but there isn’t anything she can do other than advise him to call the county health department. She can’t test and has been told only to use screening procedures which inquire about recent travel (as if that even matters anymore).

He called the county health department immediately after leaving doctor and they said that he doesn’t sound high risk because he hasn’t been out of the country. He pushed back and said that that doesn’t seem to matter anymore, and they didn’t budge.

So basically, a person who is legitimately concerned about this is on their own. Good luck getting help.

I’m FURIOUS.

What exactly would you like them to do differently?

Not OP, but TEST HIM. We already know that this virus is spreading among people that have not been out of the country or in contact with a known infected person. We need to know how and where it is spreading in order to accurately inform the public that they are at higher risk in their area. Or to decide to close schools, tell people to self-quarantine.

This is a massive public health failure.

There are not nearly enough tests.

And that is a problem. Why can Italy and South Korea test so many more people
Daily and the US can't??

You are correct that they are testing more than we are but they still aren't testing the numbers we would need to satisfy people like OP. You cannot test every single person with a cough - you just can't.

It's very likely that the CDC realized this early on, and realized containment wasn't really possible, and decided that it wasn't worth it. They just can't come out and say that because everyone will freak out that they are not concerned with human life. And it's true, that's not the nicest thing to say, but sometimes, it is the reality.

This. You simply can't test and trace everyone. One single contact tracing can be an intensive amount of work. Those who think we would ever have the money and resources to do this on every runny nose, no matter who the president is, are nuts.

You can’t get everyone but if we did it early it would have cut down significantly on infections.

Too bad so many in the US are anti-science/information. People will die because of our inability to act.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my opinion - they aren’t testing because they don’t want increasing numbers to cause panic. And sadly, it’s probably at least partially politically motivated. My DH returned from an overseas trip. Fever, chills, difficulty breathing, cough, extreme fatigue. The diagnosis was pneumonia. When I expressed concern about Corona, the doctor says they weren’t testing for it. WTF? The doctors and nurses weren’t wearing masks. We sat in a crowded waiting room. This is going to spread like wildfire.

And literally the only reason why they don’t want panic is because of the stock market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'm so sorry - I would also be frantic and terrified. But I just don't understand what you think getting a test is going to do. Treatment isn't any different than treatment of the flu - rest, liquids, etc. I'm guessing even if he's tested and diagnosed, unless he's showing life threatening symptoms like sepsis or inability to breathe, they'll send him home to recover.

Hang in there. If you can have him use a separate bathroom, I would do that.

Really? You don't know what a test can do? If you find out you're positive, you can immediately start to quarantine yourself. You should also notify your place of work, worship, and places that you have frequented. You should tell anyone you visited that you have the virus, so that if they develop symptoms, that information can be reported.

If the test turned out negative, and it was just a really bad cold or flu, then you would go on as one normally would. But as far as we know, COVID-19 has a much higher fatality rate especially among older people and immunocompromised people than the flu. The information a test provides could save a life.

Um, if you have the flu, wouldn't you quarantine yourself anyway? And would you really remember everyone you came across? I took the Metro yesterday. I went to work. I went to my client site. If I were infected, there's no way even 1/3 of the people I saw could be made aware. Plus it seems a good number of the infected appear to be asymptomatic or only have some minor upper respiratory symptoms. Should you test everyone with the sniffles?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just my opinion - they aren’t testing because they don’t want increasing numbers to cause panic. And sadly, it’s probably at least partially politically motivated. My DH returned from an overseas trip. Fever, chills, difficulty breathing, cough, extreme fatigue. The diagnosis was pneumonia. When I expressed concern about Corona, the doctor says they weren’t testing for it. WTF? The doctors and nurses weren’t wearing masks. We sat in a crowded waiting room. This is going to spread like wildfire.

https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/3/2/21161067/coronavirus-covid19-china

Here is an interesting interview with a WHO expert. According to him, rapid detection, isolation of diagnosed patients, and contact tracing were key to controlling the virus in China.