Coronavirus (Sports-Related and General)

[bigegypt0417]

[quote="andyb, post:1476, topic:51907"]
I have a friend in FL who is panicing, and he should be worried. But FL, the most "dangerous" state at the moment had a step jump up and then a slower increase every day after that. It is increasing, but it is not exponentially increasing, which is what we must avoid.

that seems like a dubious way to read the florida numbers...reporting double the number of daily cases is a bad turn...even though that seems to have leveled off. going from 1500-2000 to 3500+ a day is a bad trend.

[andyb]

The day to day raw numbers are subject to reporting delays. The rolling averages are much better indicators. One thing about FL is not just the positive tests increasing, it is the positive rate going from 8% to 14%. That is bad.

‘We clearly haven't beat it’: Florida politicians alarmed over coronavirus spike

[LoneStarPhan]

Here in Texas, late this afternoon:

COVID-19 updates: Gov. Abbott says 'tougher actions will be required' if case...

"If we do not start wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, it could result in [businesses] actually having to close back down," said Gov. Abbott.

[el-pietro]

The faster a country required masks, the fewer coronavirus deaths it had: study

If you want life to go back to normal, wear a mask.

[andyb]

TX is certainly an interesting case. 5,000+ positives yesterday. The size of the state means that is really not that bad as it would be the equivalent of about 1,200 in a state like Arizona. Per capita testing in TX though is among the lowest in the country (about a third less than CA for instance and CA is below average). So the number of positives is probably a very low estimate of the number of cases. All these positives though will push more people to get tested. The lack of testing in the early months probably means TX has one of the largest undercounts of fatalities of any place in the country.

TX got lucky in the early months. Warmer weather probably slowed the growth of the virus and the lack of population density outside of a couple of cities meant that social distancing was easier to pull off. Now that it is really hot though, people are indoors more in air conditioning and getting sick just as the economy re-opens.

What happens in TX the next month may dictate what happens in the rest of the country this year.

[zambonir]

Opinion | People Have Stopped Going to the Doctor. Most Seem Just Fine.

[julio]

Opinion | People Have Stopped Going to the Doctor. Most Seem Just Fine.

I just kicked my dental appointment (routine) back from this Friday to August 27th.

[zambonir]

I actually really need to go to a dentist, but it strikes me as much higher-risk (in terms of time spent and close-up contact) than a quick visit to the doctor. My wife is actually have elective surgery tomorrow that was supposed to be four months ago.

It is certainly not easy to find the balance between overdiagnosis/overtreatment and lack of care. I think "better safe than sorry" is natural to some extent, but unlike wearing a seatbelt (or, despite what some people say, getting a flu shot) there are consequences - deaths, side effects, cost. And the profit motive -whether from the hospital side or the insurance/Medicare side - is powerful. It's easy to to view colonoscopys, mammograms, drugs and some biopsies as unnecessary when your risk is low - unless you're one of the unlucky 5%.

This was a good book.

Barbara Ehrenreich Urges Us to Accept, Accept the Dying of the Light

[Lawman]

I have a routine dental cleaning this coming Friday. I'm keeping it b/c I actually have a toothache (pushed off a cavity filing due to work a few months ago and now feeling may need route canal).

But, in general, how often do you need to to go to the doctor anyway, assuming you're relatively healthy? I mean, once a year for a general physical should cut it.

[andyb]

I usually schedule a physical around my birthday in April. Might skip it this year. Seems too much trouble even if they were doing appointments.

[tom81]

I had a root canal canal done in early January. The dentist scheduled me to have a cap put on that tooth in April but that visit was cancelled due to the quarantine. I had it done on June 15th and was very impressed with the precautions followed by the dentist. He was masked, gloved, and using all sorts of antiseptic mouth products. I was in the seat for about 3 hours and felt safe.

[bkox]

But, in general, how often do you need to to go to the doctor anyway, assuming you're relatively healthy? I mean, once a year for a general physical should cut it.

But how many ppl are relatively healthy. As a diabetic I'm supposed to see my endocrinologist 3 to 4 times a year. A podiatrist 1 to 2 times a year plus my regular doctor 2 times at least a year. Also the eye dr once a year. 10% of the country is diabetic.

With auto immune disorders, mental issues and heart disease..what percentage is considered healthy?

[zambonir]

If you're truly healthy and under 50 you don't even need an annual physical. Even over 50, every two years probably suffices, and there is some debate over what constitutes "healthy" (as far as blood pressure, cholesterol) and what preventive measures are necessary (colonoscopy probably, PSA test almost definitely not. There are now alternatives to colonosopy that are sufficiently diagnostic for lower-risk people, but then your medical provider doesn't make money off the procedure).

Actual diseases and disorders are a different story. I suspect even with something as serious as diabetes, if it is being well-monitored and maintained, some people might be paying for more doctor's visits than they need (and the frequency and dangers of overtreatment are also pretty well-documented).

[julio]

I have a routine dental cleaning this coming Friday. I'm keeping it b/c I actually have a toothache (pushed off a cavity filing due to work a few months ago and now feeling may need route canal).

But, in general, how often do you need to to go to the doctor anyway, assuming you're relatively healthy? I mean, once a year for a general physical should cut it.

Depends on a lot of things. Age. Chronic conditions. Etc.

I see my primary every 4 to 6 months, have bloodwork annually - because I take a blood pressure med that can have negative side effects, and we watch it pretty carefully. Dentist twice annually for cleanings.

[Lawman]

Right. Dentist twice annually. I'm 43, on the heavy side but quite active. I take a blood pressure medication and see an endocrinologist for a hormone deficiency problem. I take a physical once a year, just to be able to talk over concerns w/ my doctor.

[schillingfan]

Opinion | People Have Stopped Going to the Doctor. Most Seem Just Fine.

I’ve been doing on-line doctor appointments. Tomorrow I do have to get an ultrasound. I got a my blood tests, and they had a screener at the door, asked questions, did a temperature check and had social distance spots with all other seats Tied up. Tomorrow may be the first time I actually get my blood pressure checked and get weighed since January.

One wonders if the face of medicine will be changed? Doctors get paid a bit less for virtual appointments. But it also could result in less need for nursing staff and support staff and smaller office space if more people do telemedicine type appointments.

[Lawman]

But it also could result in less need for nursing staff and support staff and smaller office space if more people do telemedicine type appointments.

I would think so, but telemedicine is obviously limited as well. But, blood pressure and weight can be taken at home and results logged into your chart remotely.

[bkox]

COVID-19 antibodies may fade in as little as 2 months, study says

[andyb]

The Brits seem to be taking their cues from Florida unfortunately also:

https://twitter.com/Tobias_Ellwood/status/1276152218819989508/photo/1

[zambonir]

I feel like those photos are always a bit misleading but doesn't sound like it in this case. Lines to get on the ferry, people illegally parked, your normal summer vacation nightmare.