The World Health Organization on 11th March 2020 declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, acknowledging what has seemed clear for some time — the virus will likely spread to all countries on the globe.
“We expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the number of affected countries climb even higher,” said the director general.
As of Wednesday, 114 countries have reported that 118,000 have contracted Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, known as SARS-CoV2. In the United States, where for weeks state and local laboratories could not test for the virus, just over 1,000 cases have been diagnosed and 29 people have died. But authorities here warn continuing limits on testing mean the full scale of spread in this country is not yet known.
The virus causes mild respiratory infections in about 80% of those infected, though about half will have pneumonia. Another 15% develop severe illness and 5% need critical care.
The bottom line is: We’re not at the mercy of the virus. The great advantage is that the decisions we all make as governments, businesses, communities, families and individuals can influence the trajectory of this epidemic.”
I can't really hunker down. Still working and getting a little worried about that. I work on Lackland Air Force base where they just flew in over three hundred from that cruise ship. I work with a bunch of your Air Force people who always come to work sick. I'm really thinking about taking a leave of absence or something and staying away from people when I can.
Thanks Jackie. I just saw that on CNN and started thinking that it may be time to think about not coming to work for a while. We'll see how things go in my city of San Antonio for a while I guess.
If you can keep out of arms reach they say with usual precautions that you should be okay. I don’t know how close you need to get to your fellow airmen. Are you in an office by yourself?
Hi Jeff, unfortunately I'm in an office with about twenty or so airmen all sitting pretty close. They did recently purchase a very expensive looking air purifier for out office. I'm not sure how much good that will do though. It's not too close to my desk. I do have my can of Lysol spray, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and my mask at the ready. I'm thinking of putting up a sign at my desk that says "I am immunocomprimized - stay away if sick". Who knows how many will even stop to read it though...LOL
Unfortunately everything we do is on classified networks so can't be done from home. I'm thinking about trying to get my doctor to sign off on short term disability until this blows over. I'm not sure if that would get approved, but you never know.
Probably not. We are over manned here with no extra desks. There aren't really any small offices either. I'm probably over reacting though. Like you said, I need to take a break from CNN.
I live in a town with 50,000 college students from all over the world at a top 10 school and they make up 1/3 of the town’s population. Many travel out of the US to visit home and spring break is next week. The university has told them all to take whatever is needed for online classes only after spring break but the majority live here. And no offense to anyone but they’re teens and twenties. Scary. I stocked up my mom’s cabinets and mine as well. She’s 88 with CLL. My ANC is up to 1.4 but still concerning. I’m not sure I’ll take the Amtrak to Chicago to see specialist in early May. Would you? Take precautions and stay well.
Had a GP visit yesterday. End of appointment she said " your're not to come to the surgery again while this is going on. I will do phone appointments with you for the foreseeable future as you are especially vulnerable. Appointment (telephone) made for 4 weeks time.
The whole surgery seemed really set up and ready for anything. I was impressed.
I only write this for everyone to know and if it isent offered to them to ask for this service.
My daughter Jacqui is in a leadership role at Evergreen Hospital. She’s working from 5 AM to afternoon then home to help her 2 children do homework since schools are shut down. Then back to hospital to direct the evening shift.
She fears for me after seeing patients with underlying health issues that can’t survive
I admire her and the staff at Evergreen Hospital
And pray they all stay well. The staff have gone way beyond the call of duty.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Is lockdown doing more harm than good?
Email
