iramurphy

The efficacy of flu shots have varied over the years. Probably 40-60% effective. However there is evidence that those who are vaccinated are less likely to die from the flu, have milder symptoms if they get the flu. It is also thought those who are vaccinated are less likely to spread the flu.

No

It is one of the ways. The others are self quarantine when ill, hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping hands away from face.

Our cases per million are far fewer than Italy. Those of us who are going to deal with patients must rely on evidence and best practice. Italy is a poor example.

We need to do what has worked well elsewhere. Italy is a SH..show.

I’m not disagreeing, but thus far, the evidence doesn’t support that assumption. In my world we try and base life and death decisions based on evidence. I realize it may be too early to rely on the evidence thus far but these are the hard decisions we have to make in health care, as leaders and in society.

Correct but also said no evidence that closing schools in other countries have made a difference. That makes it tough on the decision makers.

According to the Washington Post, the CDC says there was no evidence that countries that closed schools decreased spread of the virus anymore than those that didn’t. They did comment that closing may allow for cleaning and sanitizing which may help in select areas. Therefore, those that question closing schools especially in areas where there has been few cases have some points.

There is no reason to grant another year of eligibility for winter sports teams who played an entire season. If you do it for the seniors why not others. Just teams who made the tourney or are still in the playoffs? Scholarship and incoming recruits do what. I don’t see this happening.

Washing your hands with soap and keeping your hands from your face is as important as hand sanitizer. Why gloves? The virus can’t penetrate skin. We are still not being advised to wear masks so we shouldn’t waste them. We need to remember if this gets out of hand we will need these masks. We have known about this since January. The hand washing recommendations have been out for some time. Travelers need to be prepared and informed. I wouldn’t expect someone else to by my necessary items.

This should not have been published in Newsweek or even a restroom walk.

I was prepared to travel to Arizona yesterday for a Mayo conference and would have done so but it was canceled. There are risks of exposure as you sit on planes and travel through airports etc. I you are in good health and less than 50 then you are less likely to have a severe case but it doesn’t mean you won’t. I haven’t seen anything that would help advise you otherwise. I would also try to avoid the high endemic areas if able

I’m not defending Trump, but why aren’t these travelers carrying their own sanitizers, masks gloves and anything else they think they need? Why do you think they all need gloves? Do all healthy people need a mask? If you have traveled in the last month or so, you will see many travelers are wearing masks and have their own hand sanitizer. Why should we have to purchase personal products for those who don’t prepare for travel? I’ve had to wait in long customs lines here and elsewhere when there wasn’t a health crisis. I’m not there, so I’m not sure what the delay is. If we want to check everyone’s temp then are we going to provide cots and pillows cuz the delays will be much longer.

I didn’t say fever without respiratory or other symptoms was nothing to worry about. I will make clear: If you have cough, sore throat, body aches, severe cold, runny nose with or without fever stay home. If you have a combination of the above stay home. If you start developing shortness of breath, especially associated with cough or fever and or can’t stay hydrated contact your provider, clinic, hospital for advice/instructions before going to clinic, hospital, ER or calling an ambulance (unless you have a life threatening emergency). There isn’t one symptom that we know means you have this, nor any symptom you don’t have that says you don’t. Some may have misunderstood my comments that debate about canceling events which were already taking place was understandable meant I disagreed with those decisions. I also understand the debate about school closings. Points about kids being safer in school and getting nutritious meals vs keeping people at home where they are less likely to be infected or possibly infect others are reasonable talking points. Doesn’t mean I disagree with the decision makers. It is smarter to error on the side of caution until we get a better handle on this thing. The statistics and predictions are in flux so we need to be diligent. I don’t believe we should be afraid but we need to be concerned, practical, diligent in our practices, behavior and activities. Lastly there will be plenty of time to point fingers, assign blame and to second guess once we get through this. We need to cut the political blame and demand our political leaders on both sides focus on what is best for this country and our citizens. They need to postpone the political rhetoric until bans are lifted on travel and public gatherings and focus on working as a team to do what is best.

Having been stationed in Germany during similar exercises in the past, some of the personnel has likely been there before Christmas. It used to be called REFORGER. It also involved militarily forces from other NATO countries. I have no idea of why nor how they will proceed.

It came from a group working 4 scenarios and one included the numbers that you refer to. They didn’t account for the preventive measures being enacted, testing, treatment etc. I don’t believe “most experts” believe this will happen but they aren’t all communicating with me.

The 1,000,000 came from one of the 4 scenarios presented by the CDC group preparing earlier for the pandemic. They also mentioned that responses, behavioral changes, testing and treatment would affect those numbers but there was not a new prediction.

I would disagree with the decision.

Thanks. He has an impressive resume in health care administration and business. With all due respect he isn’t one of the go to guys in Infectious Disease. We don’t know for sure how this will all play out but the CDC puts out regular updates, the State Health Depts across the country put out regular updates and I get one from our parent organization virtually every day. All of those sources are more realizable than an administrator with no training or experience in Infectious Disease. None of the reliable sources that I count on are predicting 1 million deaths but this is a new virus and we still are trying to learn and that includes developing a vaccine. If this guy said 1million deaths in the US I would disagree.

Expert on what? Name?

Health care professionals aren’t waiting for politicians, preparations have been moving forward for some time.

That is not the prevailing opinion and thus far the facts don’t support that persons opinion. Leave Trump and Obama our of this neither of them have a clue as to how to deal with this. It isn’t their job. Our country’s health care experts are dealing with it with support from government agencies and the worlds health care professionals.

US Military has postponed a number of training exercises. I believe that included the European exercise but I would have to look that up. Only a fool would call this nonsense. There is room for discussion concerning what we should cancel and the media has been a big part of the problem. We don’t need to be scared but we need to be concerned. If medical people where you are from are treating this like the common cold they are ignorant morons. They should be able to go about their daily tasks as usual but dealing with this requires much more than the common cold. Lots of hype, plenty of over reaction but this isn’t the common cold and we can and do test for it.

Fever isn’t the marker. I said people with cough and fever should stay home. Testing depends on many factors, including recent, travel, occupation, known exposure, sore throat, cough, fever etc. I do believe every medical facility should have protocols in place that allow the health care providers to test without waiting time with some county administrator I can’t vouch for this source, but if you google www.worldometers.info it compares different counties from 3/14. The USA has one of the lower number of cases per million population (7.5/million). Of the present 2395 cases 10 were listed as critical. USA death rate was 2.2%. Some talk about hospitals overwhelmed with cases and no resources to care for the sick. I have family in the New Rochelle NY area which is the epicenter of one of their outbreaks and that isn’t the info they are hearing. For those of you experiencing that where are you?

It is a mistake for medical schools or residencies to change rotations for students and residents. This is how they learn. This is exactly where they should be.