Eagle2000

FYI all. DO NOT trust CCP's data. They are not allowing doctors to report numbers anymore. New cases and deaths are not decreasing in China, (Source, my MD friends there)

narvik

Well, trusting the ~100 number of cases that are currently reported in the USA is also not very smart!

In one case the country tests, but doesn't report (if above quote is true).
In the other case, they don't even bother to test.

stimpy

Can I ask a question? Why care if people are tested or not? If they have influenza or corona does it make a huge difference? Each infected person will have to go through whatever they have to go through whether they are tested or not. Some weak people or people with a particular dangerous health issue could die from either virus. Maybe Corona spreads faster but why would that make such a massive difference? Some more people will be sick for a week or two and some smaller number will die.

I'm going to soon pass through major train stations in France, then CDG, LHR and JFK and then take the subway to work in mid-town Manhattan. I've already decided that I'm probably going to catch the Coronavirus somewhere along the way. I'll be sick for a week or two, just like I would with influenza. I can suffer through it locked in my own apartment where I have a stock of Campbells soup and running water. If that happens, maybe I will wear a mask if I go out to protect others. But other than that I don't see why the world should come to an end? What am I missing?

Eagle2000

I agree, but what I am saying is that it is not contained, not decreasing and is a risk if you plan to travel there. Just like a risk if you go to the US whom I do not trust either, especially with the current admin.

Eagle2000

Some people prefer to prepare, some don't and that's fine, however be prepared for consequences if you are not prepared or unwilling to proceed with caution. Testing is important because some people do not want to get sick,die or be inconvenienced.

stimpy

Testing does not prevent you from getting sick, dying or being inconvenienced. It only tells you what you already know or will soon find out.

Eagle2000

It tells you a pattern so you can avoid going to such places. I really could care less if you go where ever get sick and/or die. However others don't want to.

narvik

The consequences of testing positive for COVID-19 will make one far less likely to infect others.

azepine00

One off here and there is ok but if all of us get sick at once and even small % develops complications it will overload healthcare system capacity.. people who need medical care for other chronic conditions as well as the elderly will face mortality rates in double digits - many will die - see wuhan

stimpy

Only if the data is accurate. Which is in question now. And there is influenza already in nearly every country on the planet. Been that way for years. And it kills people. But that doesn't stop us from traveling.

stimpy

I'm not saying Coronavirus isn't very bad. I'm just asking what good is testing going to do? They clearly aren't testing everyone already. So why go through a massive effort to test everyone?

jiejie

What you're missing is a sense of responsibility and concern for the greater good. Let me use my situation as an example. I'm currently in the USA caregiving for two elderly parents in their 80's. Both with underlying conditions and one with active cancer. While we can keep sequestered to a great extent, I have to go out in public periodically to get supplies, fresh food, etc. If I come in contact with you, who is carrying a virus even with few or no symptoms, I could bring this virus home to them....and it would likely kill them. Influenza at least has some proven antivirals that can be given to blunt the disease impact if given early enough, but this one doesn't. I'm also in a part of the USA that has poor quality and availability of medical care.

At this troubled time, everyone should consider the impact of their actions on others, and not be so selfishly individualistic.

ricardojrsousa

The US tests debacle and overall lack of coordination is truly terrifying.

Another example

Twitter

stimpy

The mask I will wear is my sense of responsibility to the greater good. And it seems that the US is not really doing much testing anyways. By the time they ramp up testing for a hundred million people, we will have learned a lot more about battling this virus, or so I predict.

jiejie

Way, way upthread a few weeks ago, somebody asked about China and "fever clinics." These are designated places to go in each Chinese city, for people who either have a fever or believe they may be harboring this virus. In Beijing, there are over 100 locations, most of them were connected to hospitals (usually a designated place in a wing or separate building on hospital grounds). The fever clinics locations list was well-publicized. along with the warning that all other doctors offices, clinics, other medical facilities would turn them away if they had a fever or suspicion of virus.

This type of idea should IMMEDIATELY be implemented all over the USA, by local and state health authorities. Having potential virus-infected people going willy-nilly to every possible medical facility is just a recipe for spreading disaster.

Shaking my head in disbelief at the multiple displays of incompetence in the US right now on this virus situation. We are in for a rough ride, I'm afraid.