How long are they contagious?
We really don't know yet! But patients can shed RNA from 1-4 weeks after symptom resolution, but it is unknown if the presence of RNA equals presence of infectious virus. For now, COVID-1 9 patients are "cleared" of isolation once they have 2 consecutive negative RNA tests collected 24 hours apart.
Vitamin C (Paraphrased)?
I have seen no real data on effectiveness of vitamin C and Vitamin D. I don't think it can hurt but there is no evidence to support that it will help you.
Asymptomatic spread (Paraphrased)?
I absolutely agree there is a tremendous number of people walking around with virus unknown to them. That is why the cases will rise rapidly as we are seeing but the mortality rate will decline.
Socialized Medicine to blame in Italy (paraphrased)?
I completely agree! We are much better prepared then people are giving us credit for!
My biggest fear is socialized medicine and having this kind of crisis. It's not surprising for those of in healthcare to see the higher fatality rates in countries with socialized medicine.
I am confident that the United States rates will drop significantly as the denominator grows.
How dangerous do you think it is to use drive through restaurants?
That should not be considered risky. Use drive through at restaurants and pharmacy's to lower your risk.
Dr. REV, have you read this article, and if so what are your thoughts?
CBS News spoke to one of the country's top experts on viruses, Marc Lipsitch from Harvard University, who cautions that 40-70% of the world's population will become infected and from that number, 1% of people who get symptoms from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, could die.
Lipsitch: So say that's half the people. Then the 1% or 2% that we're seeing in the symptomatic people is cut down by half. Whatever the number is, it's gonna take a toll. If it really does spread as widely as that projection says, and that's what I think is likely to happen, then there are gonna be millions of people dying. And I don't think there's any way to get around that. And so I think there's real reason for people to be concerned. I also think that we can turn that concern into actions that will make the situation better.
It's really impossible to tell at this point. But be prepared because the media will go after every doom and gloom story they can find.
But also remember that the Flu kills well over 500,000 annually. So if we and other countries don't take serious precautions than a million plus deaths is not unreasonable.
We all of the things we and other countries are currently doing, I think it would be unlikely to see that type of outcome.
But as the numbers start rising quickly the more people get tested, CNN will find every guy they can that will tell them"WORST CASE SENARO". I tell my patients the media makes money from fear not good stories so don't watch.
For instance, I could save 10 lives today but wouldn't care or report on it at all. But if a doctor down the street had a patient die from a mistake it will be the lead story.
Statement:
People who keep asking me about the numbers being so low that is because the majority of people are completely asymptomatic and not tested. In addition somehow the media is not getting all of them either. But they are being reported to the appropriate authorities.
For instance this story has not been in the news yet but probably will. I know of a physician who tested positive. He was and still is asymptomatic. However, he and many other physicians who he contacted are now in self isolation. This creates more burden because it decreases are number of providers. In addition they are contacting recent patients he saw to let them know to isolate themselves and watch for symptoms. It does not mean they will all get the virus but they need to stay away from others until we know they do not convert to positive.
This will continue to happen as more patients and unfortunately even providers are identified with the virus.
