Originally Posted by
Radgirl
... djpil's post is interesting for missing out one word - DEATH. The risk of an individual dying is the same if you do nothing or if you use lockdown to reduce the surge. ie you are not preventing a single death with herd immunity unless you are overwhelming the health services ...
From my friend, Dr Brent Blue in the USA recently:
"People are going to die regardless of the current intervention
Flattening the curve will only save some lives.
Let me explain those two statements. Anytime a virus is new to the world’s population, there is no immunity. When a respiratory virus spreads through the population, people with underlying medical issues (particularly in the elderly, smokers, COPD, diabetes, obesity, cardiac disease, & kidney disease) are going to get sick and many of them will die. This will happen now or will happen over the next months or years. It is a terrible thing to say but that is what is going to happen. We can slow it down, but it is still going to happen.
By flattening the curve, it will prevent overloading of medical resources which saves lives mostly by saving non Covid patients who need intensive care resources and Covid patients by preventing medical personnel from having to decide which of two SURVIVABLE patients will the get the resources. Flattening the curve may DELAY people getting sick allowing for treatments to be developed which may help but treatments are months down line at best. (Treatments are more likely to be developed before a vaccine.)
This is going to be a long haul for all of us. Mental and physical health are going to be key given the length of time social distancing may be in place. At least in Jackson, we have the ability to get outside and exercise. Call or Skype/Zoom with friends and family. We are all in this and it will probably be harder than we all think.
Emerg+A+Care Covid Testing Numbers as of 3/31
88 Patients Tested
8 Positive
15 Pending from today’s testing
If you want to be tested, the easiest way is to call ahead (307-733-8002). They will send you a registration form by Email. Fill it out and return, then drive up. A medical assistant will come out to your car to be swabbed."