Just had conversation with a chief from a major Philly hospital

[PCIntern]

I trust this person explicitly. Those of you here who know me know I don’t lie or embellish when it comes to repeating conversations. This is what I gleaned from our conversation:

There will be serial deliveries of essential foodstuffs to stores. This may or may not include pet food. Use your judgement accordingly

By the end of the week we are going to be like Italy. Not enough equipment in hospitals so decisions will have to be made which are life and death.

People of advanced age who are infirm who catch this “likely will die” because their lungs will fail OR they will not be triaged to life support because of advanced age.

This is going to be a minimum two month ordeal if not longer. This individual is very pessimistic and normally is very pragmatic. I have known this person for 25 years.

[hlthe2b]

1. just placed a pick-up order for another 50 pounds of dogfood. I've been worried about that.

[marlakay]

8. we forgot to buy last trip to Costco

And i bet its gone now, i tried to order online and all pet food is out of stock. I hope she can handle a different kind if we run out. We have a few weeks left.

[hlthe2b]

12. Try to mix old with new 50:50 for a few days.

[smb]

31. I Ordered Extra Stock Of Cat Food Last Week

Our three overlords will be well fed.

I did find myself considering types that the humans could eat in a pinch (not really an option; I'm allergic to seafood and one of the cats is allergic to chicken and higher-grade seafood cat food is about the only type available without chicken or "meat by-products" ) .

[shanti]

39. I have an order in with Instacart from Costco

to be delivered this afternoon. It includes a 25 lb bag of cat kibble and 2 containers of kitty litter, along with my daily breakfast items and a couple of bottles of liquor. I'm thinking that my complete order won't be filled now

[marlakay]

75. My hubby ventured out first time in 4 days

went to costco and TJ's, loaded up the cat food, normal amount that last her 3 months, milk and juice.

So we are ready to stay home physically for a few months, mentally not so sure, hubby is already going nuts and driving me nuts!!

[Traildogbob]

34. Me too

Two weeks ago I went back to get a second 50 bag, just in case, and the cashier started ranting about, "oh that is silly, this whole thing is propaganda". And she is in daily contact with hundreds of people. The vectors are running free and could care less. Some are calling this the "thing of the boomers". Boomers that went to war, created vaccines, build this country with hard labor and faught and demanded Goverment to write legislation to protect the environment, the late 60's through the 70's Era of Environmentslism. Spoiled, lazy, arrogant too busy to vote brats, may wiffully kill us off, so why are we stressing ouselves out and fightin for them? Let em deal with their self destructive future. If it was not for my 30 year old daughter, I would maybe stop stressing about the future of the planet. Not really, I have a passion for the planet, and ALL species, except GOP MAGATs.

[customerserviceguy]

49. In her job

denial is a survival strategy. My daughter-in-law is a cashier in the area north of Seattle, and she's worried as hell.

[pazzyanne]

90. Me three.

My life residency record on earth is all about human rights, animal rights, trying to improve the environment, and generally making life better for everyone and everything. Been doing this for over 75 years. Our youngsters have a hard lesson coming. Sadly, they will not learn it until they lose some of their loved ones to this epidemic.

[dameatball]

60. I just ordered from Chewy.com at 3:15pm. They still have some.

[hamsterjill]

67. Chewy deliveries are running behind.

Chewy rocks!!! They are doing the best they can to keep up but deliveries are behind.

[dameatball]

72. Yes. They said 4-6 days, so probably that is even a bit optimistic. But better than waiting since I

doubt anything is going to get better right away.

[Amishman]

2. I have a relative in R&D with a major pharma company

His thoughts are in line with that, we will need a 4 week full lockdown (no businesses open other than emergency services, no travel at all) at minimum to clear this. He and his peers are very scared.

Longer we wait, the longer we will need.

[Raven]

3. "People of advanced age"

what does that mean? Asking for a friend.

[PCIntern]

5. 60 and up

[cwydro]

7. I dont consider 60 as an advanced age.

The 60 year old people I know are runners, workers, volunteers, athletes, you name it.

[PCIntern]

10. Uh huh.

I understand, however: Metabolically and objectively they ain’t 19. Compensatory mechanisms and reserves are not what they used to be.

[customerserviceguy]

50. The 60 year olds

that are in bad shape are not in your line of sight, but they still exist.

[kimbutgar]

61. In California they are saying 65 and older should stay self quarantined

But I bet a lot of those overweight mf45 supporters who eat junk food are also at high risk.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

54. I'm 71 and in a lot better health than a lot of younger people I know.

However, I am 71. I have reproduced. It it's a choice between me and someone younger, the younger person should be the one treated, not me.

[Hoyt]

78. +1. But if morphine is available, I'd like an overdose.

[KentuckyWoman]

83. I hear you.

I am in pretty good shape for late 70s. But it would be wrong to pick me over someone younger. If I get it, just make it merciful.

[PatrickforO]

89. Indeed. I'd far rather die in my home surrounded by people who love

me and whom I have loved than coughing up blood alone in a hospital corridor because I'm old and thus not worth saving.

I'd much rather die of a huge overdose and be relieved of suffering.

[evertonfc]

4. major urban areas will be hit hard

[MissB]

13. I guess I'll have more time to garden

Have lots of plant starts under lights in the basement.

[johnthewoodworker]

18. We've still got snow cover in Northern Wisconsin. I sure am looking forward to spring gardening.

[AllyCat]

27. Planted my cold frame yesterday in So Wisconsin

Just a few weeks early for this type of seed. Have not started seeds but thinking I should.

[Hekate]

6. Thank you, PCI.

[Beringia]

9. Thanks for sharing

[keithbvadu2]

11. Are Trump/Pence still hiding numbers of people and tests?

Are Trump/Pence still hiding numbers of people and tests?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. In TX yes. Have it on good sources that hospital has a patient

now and it's not being reported anywhere. So red states covering for trump it seems. Lots of smoke and mirrors

[keithbvadu2]

25. New cartoon

[oldsoftie]

43. Here's a possible explanation for that:

A friend works in a hospital north of here and said they have one case that is home quarantined. They're almost positive he is a case, but until the test returns positive they wont report it. Supposedly there is about a 5 day window to test positive. I say "supposedly" because i dont know if thats definitely a fact, just 2nd hand from him.
I also heard pretty much the same on the local news; "we expect the numbers to go up as several tests that have been taken are expected to come back positive."

[LiberalArkie]

46. Most states are sending to CDC for confirmation. Arkansas does not have to

The state health dept test is good enough for the CDC.

[calimary]

24. Is the Pope blessing an empty St. Peter's Square?

[Skittles]

63. of course they are

that is what repukes do - lie, lie, lie

[spinbaby]

14. Medical people I know are terrified

I know two people who work in ERs—a nurse and a respiratory therapist. They both assume they’re going to catch it.

I also know an oncology nurse who says that they’re postponing vital therapy because of the pandemic.

[PCIntern]

16. Yep.

Medical personnel are at the top of the arc. Especially dentists.

[csziggy]

23. I have a dentist appointment at the end of April

I'm hoping that the worst will be over by then since it is to replace a temporary crown. He waited to put the permanent crown on since the cavity that required removing the original crown was very close to the nerve and he thinks I may need a root canal.

The dentist office has sent out cautions about the virus and I am golad they are being careful - but I would not blame them if they cancel all appointments until this whole mess is resolved. No matter how many precautions they take, they, as are all medical providers, are exposed to the virus.

Now I need to call my cardiologist's office to see if they still want me to come in for my yearly checkup next week. I'd just as soon not go, the way things are proceeding.

[SuprstitionAintthWay]

68. My dentist 5 days ago shared with me Sen. Tom Cotton has the truth about the c-virus:

it's a plot against America engineered in a secret Chinese bioweapons lab!

Good to know.


My experience has been the dentistry profession contains a much higher rate of wingnuts than most other medical fields.

Any suggestions for finding dentists who, oh, I don't know, support universal health care, for example?

[csziggy]

73. I don't know - I walked out of one dentisst's office

He had Faux Noise on in his waiting room, then while I was in the chair and couldn't respond he spouted all sorts of right wing crap. I never returned.

The dentist who just retired on me never talked about politics so I have no idea what his views were. I do know that he did a lot of pro bon work for homeless and low income. But he's retiring.

The dentist I am seeing now is the son of his partner. He's mentioned nothing about politics. I can live with that. If he starts in with right wing nut stuff, I will look for a new dentist.

Oh, this dentist office has no TV in the waiting room, just some nice general magazines.

[Cousin Dupree]

88. I cannot reveal the reasons why I know this, but you are absolutely correct about dentists!

[SunSeeker]

33. Our dental office just called to reschedule my son's appointment on Thursday to April.

It was just a checkup/cleaning, and I was wondering if my son (he's 16) should go, but the dentist made my decision for me!

[dalton99a]

87. Illinois dental group recommends dentists stop seeing most patients as coronavirus spreads

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-pandemic-chicago-illinois-news-20200315-tn4rchjbazb73h6x2i4vz7v3xq-story.html

12:22 p.m.: Illinois dental group recommends dentists stop seeing most patients as coronavirus spreads

Many dental offices across the state may stop seeing patients this week except for emergency cases , following a recommendation from the Illinois State Dental Society.

The society issued a recommendation Sunday night urging Illinois dentists to treat only patients who need emergency procedures between Tuesday and March 31 to help limit the spread COVID-19.

The state has not issued a mandate, but a number of dental offices throughout Illinois seem to be following the society’s recommendations, said Dr. Alice Boghosian, president-elect of the society.

Illinois has about 10,000 licensed dentists, said society executive director Eric Larson.

“It’s not something that anyone wants to hear about their business, but … it is our moral obligation and duty to try everything in our power not to spread this disease,” Boghosian said. — Lisa Schencker

[barbtries]

15. Thank you for the heads up.

This is the information we need.
I made sure we had plenty of dog food last week. good to know. who doesn't consider dog food an essential??
When I read your title i was thinking maybe it's not all that bad. silly me.

[DENVERPOPS]

17. Like I have been saying

This is shaping up to be the largest elderly/senior GENOCIDE in history.

The Republicans are getting giddy about that because it solves the need for all the hard work it would have caused them to wipe out
Social Security and Medicare.........

Republican Scum

WASF

[johnthewoodworker]

20. Lots of republicans in the elderly demographic, it could negatively impact republicans/Fox news.

[bigbrother05]

32. My thought, it's the Trump demographic being hit

Conservative old folks and Faux viewers who think it's a hoax will be thinking they've been raptured.

[OnDoutside]

38. Logically I think you are right, but as I suggested earlier, stay away from any Trumpers you

know, because they will vectors of the virus, through stupidity.

[DENVERPOPS]

65. I banished

any and all Republicans from my life years ago...........

Except for our two neighbors who laughed their asses off when in Late December we started stocking in all kinds of stuff and were completely done by January one. They would just laugh when they saw us unloading all the stuff, and yell: IT'S A HOAX......
They saw us yesterday, and didn't say a F***ing thing.......LOL

[OnDoutside]

66. Hahahaha, unfortunately we have to go through the same thing.

[liberalmuse]

19. This is sobering.

Thank you for sharing. The only thing I needed to buy more of was dog food. I will keep picking up dog food any time I have to go to the store for supplies

[NBachers]

21. Our doctor friend is invoking the Italy comparison as well. He and his associates are very scared.

[Initech]

40. Calling this a nightmare is an understatement.

[calimary]

26. Thanks for this, PCIntern! Good reminder.

We stocked up awhile ago. And cat owners: if you have indoor cats, don’t forget kitty litter!

[Vinca]

28. I trust your reporting and it scares the hell out of me.

[samnsara]

29. thank goodness I have my pet food ordered on subscription...

...I always assumed this was going to go on past the summer. I have an 83 yr old uncle living alone in another town with VA services and a cpl people who watch out for him. Hubby checks in on him 3-4 times a week on his way home from work. Im just going to call him and not visit.

[James48]

30. Note to all: notes from Italy

I've had several notes from friends living in Italy.

They said the hoarding shortages stopped fairly quickly- only about two weeks. Then the supply chains caught up fine for non-perishable foods in grocery stores. No need to hoard more than a two week cupboard full. What is still in short supply is disinfectants, rubber gloves, wipes.

Just passing that along. I think we will be same here. the empty shelves today will fill back up fine in a week or two, once everyone is stuck at home and won't be out shopping like they are now.

[crickets]

45. Good to know. Thanks for the reassurances. nt

[femmedem]

76. That seems reasonable to me. My worry is dipping below what I would need if I have to quarantine.

I've got a three-week supply of cat litter and cat food, but I'll feel safer when I have four or five weeks worth set aside. I didn't want to take more the last time I was out because the shelves were emptying and I didn't want to cause someone else to go without.

[pazzyanne]

92. Blessing on you!

Too bad there are not a lot more people who will do this. I love kind, compassionate people!

[wiggs]

81. Two things: 1) though you're probably right that food will be available, it remains a chance that

supply chains for items could be disrupted, depending on workers' family situation, availability to load trucks, and potential area lockdowns. 2) even though there will be food in the stores, there may be areas and times when we don't want to go out to markets and increase exposure. When to go out of the house will be up to individuals, dependent on risk and need. It would be nice to have the flexibility to go out when appropriate and not have to go to the market out of desperation.

A two week cupboard may be more than enough for some areas, at some times....maybe not enough other places, other times. Trying to align a two week cupboard with exactly a two week peak of your area's virus impact seems risky.

Regardless of your strategy...good luck to all!

[woodsprite]

35. I had the opportunity to make an interesting observation.

I belong to a social group where one of the members is a Dr. up at Thomas Jefferson in Philly and the other is an ER nurse down here in at Christiana Care in DE. We were discussing whether to cancel our concert season (we sing). The guy from Jefferson said that it was very important to curtail activities, use social distancing, etc. to keep ahead of the cases for everyone's sake. The one from Christiana Care said it hadn't gotten to DE yet, it wasn't much more than the cold or flu, and they hadn't even started separating their respiratory patients from regular patients in the ER.

That was this past Tuesday, 3/10. On Wed., 3/11, DE announced it's first case. Now we're up to 7 that we know of (all associated with the university).

I noticed the nurse from Christiana is now putting posts on FB of how you can protect yourself, what to look for, how not inundate the ERs, etc.

What a difference 12 hrs makes.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

36. Thank you. We are a reality-based community here on DU.

We would appreciate any and all updates from your perspective in the future.

I suspect it will take supply chains of all sorts a couple of weeks to adjust to this system shock. We have to be sensitive to the fact that the people that operate supply chains have to take precautions for their safety and like you folks, they are one of many keys to our survival.

KY.........

[Brainfodder]

37. Nothing new really, but thanks for more confirmation.

I happen to have family in the medical field in greater Philly.

After reading and viewing Italy, yeah people downplaying this TO others need a good kick?

I got a lot of 50+ in the family besides me, 1 is in the very extreme risk group, & 2 are over 90.

GOOD LUCK!

[nini]

41. I'm sure the CDC will report all this accurately too

unbelievable

[appalachiablue]

42. Thanks for reporting this and I'm not surprised. We've recd.

notes from friends recently who are west coast and assoc. w medicine and their writing suggests they know what's going down like your friend at the Philly hospital.

In addition I left a msg. for a script refill last week and the physician got back to us today with a note that emphasizes 'taking good care and best.' Not reading into it, the professionals in medicine know the reality and what we're facing.

[Ms. Toad]

44. I'm no epidemologist, or doctor - but I have an advanced degree in math.

I've also been watching the progress since mid-January. This assessment matches mine, based on publicly available information about China, Italy, and US confirmed cases, hospital beds (including how many are typically full with other patients), and how long patients will need a bed if they are hospitalized.

[SuprstitionAintthWay]

71. I read one blog I thought may be right. That, mathematically,

Last edited Mon Mar 16, 2020, 10:08 PM - Edit history (1)

on the Flattening The Curve graph, America could successfully flatten it below the "no measures" scenario peak by 4/5... drive it 80% lower, and we'll still run out of ICU beds and ventilators even at that much flatter peak.

I think that's the reality hospital staffs understand, too. And correctly fear.


After this pandemic is over, let's not forget to return to the issue of why the number of hospital beds in America has fallen so tragically low: 25+ years of our free-market, profit-seeking health insurance industry pushing the insured out of inpatient care early. Often dangerously early -- in the 2000s a co-worker of mine died from that practice.

Turning inpatients into outpatients has been a real profit-center for insurers, though!

And of course driven down the number of hospital beds that exist.

[Aquaria]

77. One thing I'm grateful for

Is living in a blue city.

Thanks to the ACA, three of our successive D mayors fought hard to get more hospitals and urgent care centers built here in San Antonio. We have three new hospitals built within a couple of miles from my house, and within a mile of where I live, we have four urgent care centers. One of them is only three blocks from my front door.

We’ll get hammered, without a doubt, but maybe it won’t be as bad as it would have been before Julián Castro got the new hospitals ball rolling.

[MLAA]

47. I started one additional precaution today

Yesterday there was a DU post with a link to an article with a study that documented gargling and swishing out nose/sinus with salt water improve immunity (and in the case of colds it reduced time the cold lasts).

Note: needs to be either distilled water or boiled tap water and allow To cool.

Note: read full article for yourself before you decide to try it or not

My assessment is may not help with covid19, but figure it can’t hurt!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6654291/Gargling-salt-water-cure-common-cold-body-produces-anti-viral-BLEACH.html

[PCIntern]

48. It probably cannot hurt and may well help

The only thing I’ll say is that in medicine there are so many counterintuitive truths that it’s staggering.

[MLAA]

51. I just remembered something from 45 years ago

I had lots of orthopedic surgery from age 7 to 17. I remember once after a surgery where I must have had a healing incision. My family had a summer vacation tradition of driving to a Florida beach and staying in an inexpensive motel across the street from the beach. My parents asked the doctor if it was okay to go at that time. He answered absolutely, salt water was healing! Funny how an old memory lays dormant until something jars their slumber!

[mr_lebowski]

52. PetCo by my house in Mesa AZ looked fairly normal yesterday but I was in the cat section

Didn't check the Dog section.

There was tons of cat food, just like normal.

Litter didn't seem depleted much either.

[Karadeniz]

53. REMINDER ON CAT/DOG FOOD! You can replace commercial food with human food. I bet there

Are still cans of undoctored canned pumpkin on the shelves. Or you can use the food processor on fresh carrots or canned peas/beans. This is for fiber/filler. The dogs will benefit from the pumpkin/carrots betacarotine and work against free radicals, but for the cats, it's fiber. Basically, cats need to get their nutrients from their protein source.

For their protein, lightly scramble eggs or use meat or fish.

Cats should have the fiber/protein mixed 50%/50%...if you err, make it on the side of more protein.

Dogs can derive a lot of nutrition from vegetables, so you can mix fiber/protein 60%/30%.

I like to add a raw egg yolk to the meal once daily. It will still have its digestive enzymes, helpful for the whole meal, and none of its protein has been killed by cooking.

You might want to add a kitty/doggy vitamin.

[PCIntern]

55. Terrific post! Thanks!! nt

[Karadeniz]

57. You're very welcome! For years and years, I fed my cats and dogs homemade food every

Day. I made up a huge bowl of it in the morning...huge!...the contents weighed 10-15lbs and stirring it with my hand resulted twice in steroid shots in my hand. Ouch! Lots of nerves in the hand, so I had to stop.

[brooklynite]

56. Not inconsistent with what I've heard from my journalist friend...

[mollie8]

58. Dog Food

My dog Mollie was having issues with constipation. She was on Purina 1. The vet recommended canned chicken and vegetable Science Diet. When I bought some I noticed it was just chicken and vegetables so I started making my own. I use chicken thighs (or whatever is on sale), veggies (green beans, peas, carrots, celery, eggs (for a healthy coat), and rice or noodles. It works great--no more health issues. The lady at the kennel where we take Mollie for grooming says she eats better than we do.

[Joinfortmill]

59. Thank you

[H2O Man]

62. Recommended.

[dawn5651]

64. this is what italy has had to do. :(

[rocktivity]

69. Dovetails into the CDC recommending a shutdown for eight weeks.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2020/03/15/cdc-recommends-against-gatherings-50-people-eight-weeks/5056310002/


rocktivity

[cwydro]

70. Well, I'm plenty stocked on food, wine, and pet food.

Irish friend reminded me to buy whisky, which I’ve not done yet.

I’ve got my chickens, who give me lots of eggs, I grow my veggies...I’m easily able to self isolate because of my property, but for now, will continue working part-time driving for home-bound seniors.

[cstanleytech]

74. I wish those of you with pets the best of luck.

I know that I would be worried myself about ours but over the past 5 years we have lost our dog and 3 cats all due to old age with the last kitty dying in January.

[Tree-Hugger]

79. I wonder....

....will the Hahnemann building be re-opened? I also wonder about all of the ventilators they had.

My dad is a respiratory therapist and very well acquainted with all Philly hospitals. I am so glad he is retired now.

[PCIntern]

80. That is being considered.

Worst possible timing of shuttering that hospital.

[BumRushDaShow]

84. They decommissioned it so I expect it has been stripped of equipment

But I know it is on the "just in case" list and the city was trying to ID some money for surge and that facility, plus some other places, were being considered. The problem they said would be cost to get it back to being an operational hospital however it might be someplace for triage. I would think if places around the world are setting up tents for patients, then a building would be better and Hahnemann has a heliport (which was a unique and convenient thing with the hospital overlooking I-676 and near I-95, often getting accident victims as a Level I trauma center).

[jimlup]

82. Yes two months if not longer...

We'll see if the dramatic measures taken today help.

Time for the Federal Government to step up with $ for the people. If not now when? If not now - then you'll know that they don't give a fuck.

[DonaldsRump]

85. Let's call it the "Trump Virus"...give credit where it's due. n/t

[Mendocino]

86. I have advanced risk.

I had a stroke and I'm 62.

[zanana1]

91. I'm a person of advanced age and...

I'm just as valuable as a person 30 years younger. It's ageism, plain and simple.

[NotHardly]

93. This crisis will show Trump & his cabal of incompetents to be exactly what we feared...

likely a lot less of us around by the time they get through 'handling' this emergency.

I hope that after this crisis is over that these F**kers are all hunted down, arrested, tried and convicted of the mass murder of American citizens and others who will be victims of this pandemic. And get to serve nice long long sentences in some of our finest federal prisons.