Went To Doctor Today

[ProfessorGAC]

Annual visit; wellness & renew scrips, so no biggie.
But, doc knows my background so we start talking about the vaccines and the mechanism of creation. He's very knowledgeable about it, and we were engaging in a lot of technical detail.
But, then we get to current case loading.
He saw COVID case increases of patients at their practice (directly connected to one of the hospitals) and the hospitalists are swamped.
He's very worried about the impact of the holidays because of mask resistance and willful lack of caution.
They have had patients cancel appointments because...wait for it...they refuse to come to the office if they have to wear a mask!!!! He said it's at least 2 dozen. Canceling a medical appointment because they have to wear a mask the whole time.
He's worried that just that county could hit 5 a day from Christmas to mid January. There's only 110,000 people in the whole county! Yesterday was a zero death day, but they've averaged nearly 3 since the Thursday after Thanksgiving.
They only have around 130 pandemic to date. He's worried they could double that number in a month.
I looked up their positivity. It's falling, but holiday foolishness could screw that up in a hurry. (Pos Rate was over 22% at one point a couple weeks ago.)
I've now had my first COVID conversation with a med professional and he pretty much feels like those of us here.
Like us, his main deal is "Wear a damned mask!"

[kskiska]

1. Why do they think surgeons wear masks?

Would they want to be operated on by a doctor without a mask? There's got to be a reason they wear them.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. No Doubt

But, because it's become an idiotic political football, that simple fact isn't acknowledged in the least.

[dawg day]

3. This is so scary--

Much of the midwest is crimson and burgundy (Very Bad).
It's a map of the US color-coded for cases per 100K.

[liberal N proud]

4. WOW, I had my annual visit today with similar conversation

He started with absurdity of this post election nonsense and how unbelievable their claims of fraud are.
Then it carried into Covid discussions and the anti-maskers.

It’s ironic we both had similar discussions with our doctors.

I live in South Carolina

[ProfessorGAC]

5. A Mere 800 Miles Apart

In astronomical terms, we're next door neighbors!
My doc's knowledge of the protein chemistry of the mRNA vaccine mechanisms was very impressive.
He's just a GP, but not because he couldn't do a specialty. He could do anything.
He just prefers general med.
Except for some prudence testing (blood draw) nothing really eventful on the health front. How about you?

[liberal N proud]

6. My visit was all good as well

He was pleased with my weight loss since surgery in July and the BP is good.

Not bad for a couch potato

[magicarpet]

7. Hyper mixed messaging from Covidiot in Chief,...

... has caused the free market of mitigation approach to the pandemic. One moment yes,... the next moment no,.... and the next moment maybe.

Calling it a political hoax by Dems to damage his candidacy for a second term really excited the rath of his followers and worshipers.

trDumpie's first term was 10X better than Obama's,... so trDump was guaranteed a second term until the Covid hoax ruined everything.

[BigmanPigman]

8. I went to one of my doctors today

for migraine injections and I told him how some Americans won't get a vaccine and how that nurse in S Dakota posted that patients who are in the hospital bitch to her that it is a hoax, why does she need all that PPE, etc. I said, "Americans are so ignorant" and he had to agree with me. We both loved Biden's new picks in the health fields. He thinks Boden is getting ready for his 2nd term.

[BobTheSubgenius]

9. Refusing to wear a mask to a medical office.

THAT is a new low. Unbelievable.

[orleans]

10. i called in a refill to the pharmacy for an inhaler and they need to check with the doctor

if he wants me to come in i think i'll just try to buy that primatine mist over the counter and use that instead. i do not want to go into my doctor's office b/c i do not want to catch anything--including passing someone as i have to go through the front door of the building then get on an elevator, and then go into their waiting room, etc etc.

nope nope nope nope

i've been lucky so far. but, ironically, my luck would probably end when i go see my doctor to stay healthy!

[Hortensis]

14. We're in an especially dangerous period, and that seems

extremely sensible. If your doctor does want you to come in, though, maybe call him to discuss how you're doing and push for a refill since your strategy requires not needing medical care.

I really felt I had no choice but to see 2 specialists very recently, but in spite of their precautions, examining and testing in the ophthalmologist's office involved 3 people getting up close and personal. Not a happy camper in spite of good news.

Stay safe.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Be Cautious

Primatene's active agent is epinephrine. More than likely, your inhaler is albuterol.
Epi is harsher than albuterol, and less efficacious for conditions like asthma.

According to the findings, albuterol worked markedly better to protect the airways than racemic epinephrine — even when twice the dose of the over-the-counter medicine was given. “This product is only for the transient relief of mild asthma symptoms.

[skorpo]

11. Dr. Appts yesterday & today

Saw gp yesterday & had much the same experience. Today saw opthamologist & he was quite concerned re: people not wanting to come in because of the mask requirements, also because mass transit now requires masks. A "doctor in training" was with him & said his friends and family are afraid of getting tested and scared to get the vaccine.
The offices were in very different communities but the concerns were the same.
I was relieved that everyone practiced social distancing. Even the elevators only allowed 1 party per trip.

[myohmy2]

12. "Canceling a medical appointment because they have to wear a mask..."

...

[mvd]

13. That about says it!

K&R

I think I have something now, but it doesn’t feel like COVID, flu, or a cold. Actually feels most similar to a norovirus affecting the stomach and intestines. Will have to see the doctor if it continues.

[mvd]

18. Feeling better today but still lethargic and kind of sleepy

Anyone else had a stomach virus?

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Glad To Hear You're Feeling Better

Take care!

[smirkymonkey]

15. Thanks for sharing your story ProfessorGAC.

I found it interesting and it has only confirmed my belief in taking safety precautions during this pandemic. I am one of those people who is taking it more serious than most people I know.

Maybe it is because I had an almost Covid-like illness last year after Thanksgiving where I could not breathe, could not cough up what was in my lungs and when I tried I would gag and throw up everything I had to eat or drink. I tried to go into work and they kept sending me home and told me to stay home. I was taking Mucinex and doing hot Vicks compresses all day every day and still had a hard time clearing my lungs. I have never been that ill before. Sorry if that grosses you out, I don't mean to. I just want to say that I never want to get that sick again and if I can avoid it, I will.

Maybe that was a blessing in disguise as it has made me extremely paranoid about being exposed to this virus. I do not have any co-morbitites other than having pneumonia as a child. Anyway, sorry for going on, but I am glad you are safe and taking it seriously as well and have a good doctor. You are one of my favorite DU'ers and I want you to stay healthy!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

16. You have doctors where you live? Must be nice.

[moonscape]

17. Even here in my deep blue county

on the central CA coast where almost literally everyone wears a mask, there is an occasional surprise.

I was in my car at a medical complex and heard someone cursing into the wind. It was a man walking away from the entrance to a medical office, yelling that he wasn’t going to wear an expletive mask and was yelling about how he wasn’t going to let them laser his forehead either!

Guess he passed on seeing Dr Soros that day.