'I Could Easily Kill Them': Terrified Doctors Sound Alarm on Coronavirus

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/terrified-doctors-sound-alarm-on-coronavirus-chaos-nationwide

“I desperately want to be tested, for the sake of my patients,” one doctor said.

Olivia Messer
Reporter
Updated Mar. 13, 2020 7:01PM ET / Published Mar. 13, 2020 6:07PM ET

<snip>

One doctor based in Oklahoma City, who asked to remain anonymous because she was not cleared to speak to the press and did not want to draw undue attention to her local clinic, told The Daily Beast on Friday that she had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and had not been tested, despite the fact that she treats high-risk patients.

“I have a minimal cough, some body aches, some fatigue and chills—but no fever, no runny nose, and I can suppress my cough,” said the doctor. “If I don’t take care of my patients, it creates a huge problem, but if this is COVID-19, I could easily kill them, no matter how well I wash my hands.”

“I am a physician whose patients are mostly very elderly with lots of complicated medical problems,” continued the doctor. “They are all at high risk of dying. I am not a high priority person to test, by most standards, but I desperately want to be tested, for the sake of my patients.”

To be clear, she said she had not tried to get a test herself but knows she does not fit the criteria, especially because she does not have a fever or serious cough.

“How am I supposed to know whether to disrupt our whole clinic?” she said. “Who will take care of people when the providers get sick?”

</snip>

[jimfields33]

1. With no fever, it's most likely beginning flu or terrible allergies

I wonder if she would be tested even if available.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. The whole goal is to have point of care testing - immediate, if possible

If testing were truly available, everyone with a sniffle would be tested. People are walking around seemingly healthy but are carrying the virus - you need to find and isolate *them*.

[dewsgirl]

5. Not everyone gets a fever, David and Sally Abel from the Diamond

Princess, had slight coughs and no fevers until the day before their tests came back, one of them had a slight fever.

[yellowdogintexas]

10. generally speaking, flu does not sneak up on you, it runs into like a train

Colds and related viruses do come on slowly.

It sounds like this one sneaks up on you and if you are not resistant enough it slams into you after it has worn you down.

The few times I have had flu I have literally been fine one minute and flat on my back the next. I am hoping my normal high resistance stays with me. Plus I had a flu shot. If I start to feel bad, I'll go to the doc and at least verify if it is the flu.

My husband on the other hand comes down with anything and everything. He got every little cold,virus or other thing our daughter brought home from day care except chicken pox but only because he had already had them.

[Vivienne235729]

19. Actually, it's the other way around. No fever, dry coughcovid19

+fever, muscle aches, fatigue=fever.
Runny nose, itchy eyes, post nasal drip, cough, etc=allergies

[dewsgirl]

2. Fatigue, body aches, chills..sounds bad.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. I haven't had the flu in years

At different times, I've had bronchitis and sinus infections, but not full-blown flu in at least 11 years, maybe? If I start feeling shitty now, I'm going to be led to believe it's coronavirus.

So, if I get any of those symptoms, Ima gonna freak.

[dewsgirl]

7. Hang in there..

I sent you a DM.

[yellowdogintexas]

11. I think my last true flu was maybe in the early 1980s

I have had some rough colds and allergy storms that pushed me into nasty bronchitis, bad sinus infections and laryngitis but not the 'did you get the number of that train?" flu.

1980 and 1981 I think were the last times I had the flu

[IndyOp]

4. Sounds like she is very much like my

mother-in-law’s doctor. Most patients 80+ with complications that led them to seek out a gerontologist instead of sticking with a family doctor. She passed a year ago - we adored her doctor and would be horrified if she was in a similar position.

[Ms. Toad]

8. She needs to try.

To be clear, she said she had not tried to get a test herself but knows she does not fit the criteria, especially because she does not have a fever or serious cough.

That will either get her tested - OR - put the refusal to test a person with symptoms whos is treating high risk individuals on the record.

I have zero tolerance for people who give up without even trying, especially when those people are treating vulnerable patients.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. Hospitals and medical staff may soon be overwhelmed. I keep hoping not, but the numbers are scary.

This Dr. (like most) is a caring person, and I can't imagine the stress of knowing that he may be a carrier to patients.

[BootinUp]

12. SCAWRY!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

13. First-line workers and other key personnel in society should all be tested and...

tested regularly.

We must not allow our medical, political and public safety structures break down. Anarchy during a pandemic would be fatal to us all.

As the old saying in recovery circles goes: "you can't take care of others if you don't take good care of yourself."

[crickets]

18. THIS.

[Marthe48]

14. Hoping if I get sick, can stay home

If I get diagnosed with coronavirus, what kind of meds would I get? I had pneumonia twice when my husband had cancer. The first round I was really sick, the 2nd round we caught it in time. I almost got it again after he passed away, but again caught it in time. I was finally well enough to get a pneumonia shot, and got the other one last year. I also got a flu shot. I wasn't hospitalized any time for my illnesses.

When I got pneumonia, I got antibiotics, an inhaler, mucus pills, and instructions: liquids, and rest. I got a breathing treatment at the dr. office. The 2nd bout, the dr. said I had minimal asthma, and got a 2nd inhaler. I also have the breathing exerciser. Since May of 2017, I have been careful of my airways. If I go out in the cold, I have a balaclava, or toboggan and scarf or a scarf. I stay in a lot. I get congestion often, but the otc mucus meds, occasional inhaler hits keep me acceptably healthy.

I know I'm high risk for age and medical history. If I get symptoms, a diagnosis and a round of meds, I hope I can stay at my house and just deal with it. I think I am healthier now than I was 4 years ago. At least less stressed.

I'm staying home for the next several days, treating myself to special meals I am making myself. If I get bored, I might go for a short drive with no stops.

I hope testing is set in place. People who aren't sick can help people who are: food drop off, meals, day care, check on elders by phone or or means. I hope we can all stay healthy and do all we can to keep others healthy or comfortable.

[yaesu]

15. By guess and by gosh medical system in the US. NT

[certainot]

16. stupid motherfucking republicans

[crickets]

17. Since this illness is sometimes asymptomatic, all health care workers

who wish to be tested should be tested. I don't understand why she isn't even trying to get a test. When it comes to the front line in preventing the spread of this illness, if you are sick with anything at all close to the symptoms you not only should be tested, you should be quarantined as even more dangerous than general public since you are coming in contact with people whose health is already compromised.

“How am I supposed to know whether to disrupt our whole clinic?”

You're sick: it is already disrupted.

This is one of those awful "and so it begins" moments in the worst case scenario.