Kay135 Loc: Newburyport, MA

I am a practicing internal medicine physician in Massachusetts and thought I should share some of my thoughts.
Most important - Please forget your politics and try to all work together as a community. This current situation is extremely serious and will continue to change all our lives in many ways for weeks and months to come. We have to brace for impact here, and we should not be counting on getting a lucky break. There is no scientific evidence that a first generation mutation of such a virus will follow seasonal patterns. It is my desperate hope, but I would not count on it. The situation in Northern Italy is terrifying. The main reason we have barely seen any cases in our communities yet is because we have not been testing on a larger scale. It is as simple as that. Until the last couple of days or so. I have encountered multiple situations talking to patients on the phone who have come back from all kinds of places with obvious risk of exposure needing medical advice. Our local hospital and other health care facilities in the area are doing their best to get ready for this. The logistics of testing are incredibly complex. Safety concerns for other patients, the medical personal and also dealing with limited and shrinking supplies. As of last night there have only been less than 11,000 tests performed in the entire country. It currently takes 3-5 days for the results to come back. Right now situations and assessments change in 24 hours.
What can we do? Avoid crowds. No meetings. No business trips. No Disney or spring break. I honestly hope the public schools are going to close for a few weeks and follow the lead of the colleges. Kids supposedly don’t get very sick, but obviously will spread the disease like everyone else. Don’t touch anything. Wash your hands. Carry around sanitizer. Change your routines. Be aware. If you need medical help and think Corona is a concern, give your medical provider or hospital a call first. Don’t just show up. Exposing your medical practice or hospital could lead to the facility having to self quarantine for 2 weeks. The same goes obviously with your work place, school or even a restaurant or any business.
I know what that means. We obviously are worried about who is going to watch the kids, needing a paycheck, disastrous consequences for businesses. Obviously the pig picture - the economy, the stock market etc.
The cases in China started to decrease a few weeks ago. It is felt that this was accomplished by extreme measures that could never be replicated in a western country. Italy is trying right now. Other nations will follow.
But we have to start trying. We cannot say we need to maintain normalcy to protect the economy or something along these lines. That does not mean we have to panic. Self report. Self quarantine if needed or if exposed. Help the ones who have to be at home for a few weeks. Look out for the elderly, people with medical issues, people who are in need.

And again - FORGET ABOUT POLITICS! — in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

odujim Loc: New Jersey

alexol

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

I commend you on putting this on this site you sir are 100% correct, Italy is in this situation due to its just a flu and it is not it is a total unknown but soon (I hope) to be solved I personally know people who think the same way they did in Italy and they are the ones who will infect the heard thanks for posting this you speak the truth let’s hope all who read it pay attention.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Dannj

Thanks for posting this. So much of it is common sense but we ALL need to be reminded to use it. The danger isn’t just of “me” getting sick it’s more about “me” passing it along to others.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

Bill 45

Very good, thank you.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Thank you for this post.

Linda S.

Yes, thank you very much! I have some friends that think the virus is a joke - and they are intelligent people! They are more worried about the stock market falling...

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Have your friends who think that take a look here and thanks to the doc for his posting.

https://youtu.be/E3URhJx0NSw

steve33 Loc: Yarmouth MA

Thank you for your insights. I too live in Massachusetts (Yarmouth) and, although there have been no reported cases on Cape Cod, there have been school closings nearby (Plymouth). My fear is that, due to lack of testing, schools remain open until it's too late and virus has already spread through the schools. School districts cite their main reason for staying open is to feed kids and parents need to go to work. I'm a retired senior and I'm keeping my grandkids home (ages 4 and 7) because I don't think it's safe to send them. What do you think?

Kay135 Loc: Newburyport, MA

All schools will be closed within days. I have no doubt. The more we all work together to limit exposure, the better.

Bill 45

It not a question of what I think. It more what you think is the best way to keep your grandkids safe. Don't forget to kept up with their school work. Don't let fear take over your grandkids or you.

repleo Loc: Boston

Kay, I commend you on your piece and I totally agree with your sentiments.

Unfortunately, it would appear that the crisis is already a political football.

According to a just released ABC News/Ipsos poll:

'Among Democrats, 83% are concerned about getting coronavirus, including 47% who are very concerned, and among Republicans, 56% are concerned, including only 15% who are very concerned. Only 17% of Democrats are not concerned while a larger 44% of Republicans are not concerned.'

I wonder which flavor of Kool-aid I should be drinking to protect myself and my loved ones.