Covid-19 thread

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Cisco is tired of me being on Mud, he literally wedged himself between me and the laptop.

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My wife is working tonight for the first time in a week.

The home now has 7 positives and 15 patients waiting for test results.

The nurses (of which she is one) are having to reuse protective equipment, she wasn't clear in her text what items.

I'm genuinely scared for the first time about this. It suddenly feels a lot more real than it did even this morning.
 
My wife is working tonight for the first time in a week.

The home now has 7 positives and 15 patients waiting for test results.

The nurses (of which she is one) are having to reuse protective equipment, she wasn't clear in her text what items.

I'm genuinely scared for the first time about this. It suddenly feels a lot more real than it did even this morning.
You should seriously think about taking the kids and your self to your parents until this is over.
 
I've got a trash bag set up in the garage for her clothes and have laid out a way for her to get to the shower without touching anything...

Going to talk to her about what to do once she is home and disinfected.

I feel like we are all going to get this at some point anyhow. I'm really curious what her take is on it after taking care of 22 elderly people who have it .. I can't make a determination from news sources. It's all shrouded in mystery and politics.

Interestingly, that number would equal 18% of current Lancaster counties cases!
 
Hi Andy,
Sorry to hear about this and I hope everyone in your family stays healthy. I would be interested to hear your further commentary on the situation though. A first hand report by someone you know is much different than trying to sort face from fiction on all the news sources!
 
Unfortunately, all she has been able to determine is the virus is super contagious, and it is very bad for the older population.

There are over 20 people sick there, and more in the independent living area a few miles up the road.

The home has an empty wing where they had planned to take the sick, but they haven't done so for whatever reason - most likely staffing.

Patients are in their normal rooms, sometimes only separated by a curtain from someone healthy.

There are a lot of staff call offs - she has no idea if they are sick or if they are just scared... It begs the question as to what happens if this gets worse?

Her job last night was to continuously travel around and monitor each sick person, so she had pretty close contact. Luckily no one coughed in her face or anything.

Now this is a nursing home, so remember that when reading this. She believes only a few of them have a chance. Ones with DNR orders are not even being sent to the hospital!

She had the proper gear, but she had to use the same mask for 8 hours. It seems more like a rationing than a shortage.

I am left thinking if this place models the rest of the community, we are in for a world of hurt over the next few weeks.

I have not processed what to do with the family yet. We talked a little about it and didn't really decide anything. I do think we ruled out drastic separation measures.

My feelings after talking to her - either her employer is hiding what is happening, or it is being filtered in some other way
 
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That's scary stuff Andy, thank you for sharing, and we'll be thinking about you and the family and hoping everyone stays healthy. It's a tough and scary situation for sure.
 
I talked to her some more this AM and gathered two other points - they are waiting a LONG time for tests to come back. Some are out 6 days! Gov Wolf's office has requested they send tests through Lancaster General labs now - sounds like the state labs are probably backed up.

So in reality, 3x or more people actually have it than have tested positive because testing is backed up.

Think for a moment if that is true state-wide...
 
So in reality, 3x or more people actually have it than have tested positive because testing is backed up.

Think for a moment if that is true state-wide...

That's the scenario here in Jersey. Tests waiting to be processed and increasing everyday.
 
You should seriously think about taking the kids and your self to your parents until this is over.


No, worst thing to do. You'd be putting the parents in danger.


So in reality, 3x or more people actually have it than have tested positive because testing is backed up.

Think for a moment if that is true state-wide...

I'm tired of thinking about the possibilities, it stresses me out.

We'll find out soon enough.
 
My daughter is a doc at Hershey and has to be there regularly. The protocol for re-entry into her house is to strip at the door, throw the clothes into the washing machine and immediately take a shower. So far so good. My son-in-law, who is immunocompromised, follows the same procedure.

Andy, sorry to hear about the situation your family is in. I'll ask about any protocol suggestions for you, your wife and your family.
 
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OK, family video conference over, here's the scoop on virus protection protocols. HMC recommends that staff with families, who have significant exposure to the virus on the job, should find a nearby hotel room and stay there after every shift, from now forward. Basically, don't come home. This sucks big time but is the best solution to ensuring viral safety if there are kids or elderly at home (you, too).

The second option is as described in the post above, with some additional elements. 1st, spray down your shoes, including soles, before the shoes come in the house. 2nd, while heading for the shower, touch absolutely nothing. 3rd, when you shower, also wash your hair, every time. Since your wife has already been home several times, you guys should also immediately undertake a major disinfection of your place.

Once someone begins to show the symptoms, then follow the CDC guidelines.
 
I talked to her some more this AM and gathered two other points - they are waiting a LONG time for tests to come back. Some are out 6 days! Gov Wolf's office has requested they send tests through Lancaster General labs now - sounds like the state labs are probably backed up.

So in reality, 3x or more people actually have it than have tested positive because testing is backed up.

Think for a moment if that is true state-wide...

My wife writes software for DOH, vital statistics, etc. When this started to hit the state she was working around the clock as there were only 4 hospitals in the state capable of an in-house test. The remainder of tests were being outsourced to labs that are completely overburdened at this point. There is so much happening in the periphery right now as well. Those statistics are not at the forefront until recently. People w/ out the virus suffering from other illnesses need medical attention and are not receiving what they need due to the massive effort to contain COVID.
Tough times for all to say the least.
 
The plot thickens.... this is just starting and things are already getting really bad.

The state has told the nursing home that they are no longer to test anyone on a unit if more than 2 people in that unit (20 residents) are sick because of the testing backlog. They are just to assume the residents are positive. This means that the number in nursing homes will be severely under reported.

My wife's employer has told her they are running low on PPE - they have requested help from the state. We don't know what this means. She will find out when she gets to work tonight.

I get that there is nothing they can do if they run out and there are no more to purchase, but they should also get that we have a family to protect.

The nursing home has also announced that the administrative staff will be "staying isolated so they are not bringing the virus from one part of the home to another". I say, likely story....

Please pray for the healthcare professionals in our country.
 
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The plot thickens.... this is just starting and things are already getting really bad.

The state has told the nursing home that they are no longer to test anyone on a unit if more than 2 people in that unit (20 residents) are sick because of the testing backlog. They are just to assume the residents are positive. This means that the number in nursing homes will be severely under reported.

My wife's employer has told her they are running low on PPE - they have requested help from the state. We don't know what this means. She will find out when she gets to work tonight.

I get that there is nothing they can do if they run out and there are no more to purchase, but they should also get that we have a family to protect.

The nursing home has also announced that the administrative staff will be "staying isolated so they are not bringing the virus from one part of the home to another". I say, likely story....

Please pray for the healthcare professionals in our country.

I am sure there are other healthcare institutions which are hiring. Perhaps they may be safer.
 
Close to home, I had been avoiding the thread, I'm up to speed now. Thoughts and prayers and gratitude to you and yours Andy!
Thank you for keeping us in the loop!

So far we seem to be clear. I keep checking everyone's temperature couple times a day.

I think this may have been working its way around the world for a good deal longer than anyone has been told, misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
 

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