3/15 update
Italy and south Korea are about 2 weeks ahead of us on the outbreak .
two countries with similar sized populations, and levels of health care resources.
One country has a population which is very.. rule abiding.. they follow authority, it's culture stresses sacrifice of individual for the greater good.
the other is more carefree... rules are only viewed as suggestions (drive in Italy and you'll be terrified at how people ignore rules of the road)... they love life, and live for the moment...
one country has peaked, and has seen caseloads slowly shrink. their mortality is extremely low compared to other nations, and each new cluster or outbreak is quickly traced and 'contact isolated' stopping further spread.
the other....
Italy has squealched alot of the severity of the situattion at their hospitals, choosing instead to talk about the countries strong response, and fluff pieces about how great their doctors are.
In reality their hospitals were overwhelmed, they ran out of medical supplies, their staff were sickened, they received no guidance, or leadership with how to cope, how to ration their supplies, how to choose where to concentrate their medical resources.
the WHO is a useless political organization ... who's main focus the last 2 months was to kiss China's butt....
their doctors and nurses are talking about complete failure in the next two weeks if they dont receive help.
they are picking who receives care and who dies. as the resources can only save a small proportion of those infected.
they are choosing to only treat those who are younger and would possibly be saved,
that's called triage...
older patients who essentially have no chance of survival are being made comfortable and will die.
now their government wants to prosecute those doctors and nurses , they say it's inexcusable ... as they are discriminating against the old.
they claim it should be first come first serve....
useless politicians...
right now.. people are scared.
we need to avoid this situation by isolating ... and minimizing contact with others.
work from home, minimize trips to public places... wash and sanitize.. avoid sick people
don't eat out.. (dont trust others to prepare your food) wait it out till the rapid spread slows down.
we need to learn from south korea's strong leadership, response, and pre-emptive measures.
we also need to learn from italy's carefree.. poor response...
alot of folks here are saying it's nothing.. its just like the flu ... its media hype...
for alot of you.. it will be nothing.. sniffles.. cough.. sore throat.. maybe a fever... but that doesnt mean you can't spread it to your parents... or your neighbor who it will be a big deal to...
they may die.. or they may be sick for months trying to rehab... or they may live with scarred lungs for the rest of their life.
please... we need everyone to do what they can to try to stop it's spread...
this is the great equalizer.. it doesnt care who you are.. rich or poor, old or young, black white red yellow brown, muslim, jew, catholic, protestant, hindu, druid, whatever.....
it is the enemy to us all....
I have been following this probably more than anyone not involved with the cdc...
I've been reading scientific articles.. news.. and history of previous outbreaks...
I have resigned the fact that I will be infected in the next two months, as I will be drafted to care for these patients.
I one of those docs that can manage a ventilator and work the ICU...
it makes me sad , that in a couple of weeks , I will have to choose not to treat a dying older woman with little to no chance of surviving.
I am afraid of being infected.. but I'm fairly sure i'll survive.
I'm sad for my family who will worry about me, and I will likely not see for weeks to months.
I'm sad that so much of this could have been preventable... but was not due to bad decisions, selfish decision, and stupid decisions.
please do what you can to minimize spread to your family and friends...
if they ask you what you think .... tell them please take this seriously... please tell them if they care about their family and friends.. to prioritize this now...
taking big steps now will prevent complete and utter disaster later...
dont rely on trump, the cdc, who, china, korea, red cross, the government, schools, your boss, your family or friends...
take care of business yourself... and try to keep your own backyard clean and clear...
I think the more people who do this... hopefully will sway others who see our example...
after all .. the herd mentality has wiped out all the toilet paper from store shelves all over the usa...
maybe they'll follow those who do the right thing too....
everyone be strong..
be safe..
kiss your loved ones...
and enjoy this beautiful morning..
every day is a gift... every day i wake up above ground... I thank the lord..
let's recognize who the enemy is...
it's stupidity.. selfishness.. and fear...