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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Sex related question on the 111 online CV symptom assessment checker.

42 replies

PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 13:43

(Apologies if this has already been posted and I have missed it)

Has anyone experienced the (understandably) very long wait times for 111 if they have a CV concern? Last weekend I developed symptoms and as a responsible citizen, as the government advises, I first went through the online 111 CV symptom checker, to be greeted by this helpful advice (and you can tell how unwell I've been that it's taken me days before feeling well enough to post it, despite the anger it induced!)

Background - obviously the 111 service is overwhelmed. I got worse and had to speak to my GP as I was feeling desperately ill, who said it sounds overwhelmingly like CV, and pneumonia. I'm starting to come out the other side but have been very unwell (underlying health issues too).

The feeling of being unable to breathe and knowing the health service is overwhelmed and possible unavailable to help you is fucking terrifying. The feeling that the people are contributing, and being encouraged to contribute to the service being overwhelmed with calls like that is also fucking terrifying. It's a CV related medical service that needs to know your sex, it shouldn't give one flying fuck about your gender.

If seeing questions like that, in that context, in the current crisis doesn't make people realise, what will?

PS I've NCed for this as I don't feel up to having this linked to my posts separately about my health which may be a bit outing, but I'm a long term FWR poster.

PPS Please MN do not move this to the CV topic as it's a feminist issue not just a CV issue.

Sex related question on the 111 online CV symptom assessment checker.
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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 13:45

(I will also be writing to my MP. And I know people will come along and say it's no big deal in the current crisis, but it fucking is as it's contributing to the horrific overload of the NHS at this time. Completely needlessly)

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Berthatydfil · 22/03/2020 13:47

Wtaf

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truthisarevolutionaryact · 22/03/2020 13:48

I suppose this highlights just how self indulgent all this 'assigned at birth', pregnant people, 100 plus gender crap has become.
When we are faced with the ultimate life or death scenario, sex matters. And being honest about sex matters. That is all.

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Notsurehow2handlethis · 22/03/2020 13:49

I think it might be relevant though, to compile as much information as they can. I'm fairly sure that I read that in Italy It's been found that biological males are more likely to suffer severe symptoms than biological females for example

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truthisarevolutionaryact · 22/03/2020 13:50

Posted too soon. The idea that 111 may get clogged up with science / biology deniers is awful. Hopefully they'll get short thrift from the exhausted and stressed call handlers.

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CheriLittlebottom · 22/03/2020 13:52

Very glad that they've clearly put down sex on the form, but it's fucking ridiculous that someone might clog 111 up even more because they can't face ticking the box that says male, even though they wear dresses, call themselves Rachel and cheat at sports. For example.

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Binterested · 22/03/2020 13:52

This will contribute to the overburdening of the health service and thus to excess mortalities. Shame on anyone who uses 111 when they don’t need to because they want their feelings pandered to at this point.

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wonderrotunda · 22/03/2020 13:56

Yep @ Notsurehow2handlethis it’s something like 70% males. Blood type is said to affect the statics too but not as many people know that.
All useful stats for them to collate...they may find more Italian males but more Irish females which may then correlate with blood type or ethnicity helping them identify infection criteria and how to fight it

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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 14:01

@Notsurehow2handlethis you are right, they should be collecting relevant information and this is why biological reality is so important. If you have a higher risk of dying as a male, you need to be aware and acknowledge this - you are putting yourself at risk to deny it and provide wrong or irrelevant information. What you feel like in your head, isn't relevant.

And believe me, when I was trying to seek medical help what I felt like in my head was the least of my fucking worries compared to what my lungs felt like...

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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 14:02

And apologies if this is slightly inarticulate I haven't slept properly all week and feel very pole axed (I'm not even sure that's the right word either!)

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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 14:04

And @CheriLittlebottom what a good example you give :)

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GenxfeellikeaBoomer · 22/03/2020 14:05

Are you kidding?

Just tell them your sex.

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Lougle · 22/03/2020 14:14

At this time, I don't think it matters what they do to make sure they give everyone the correct advice. If that message helps, fair enough.

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Binterested · 22/03/2020 14:21

Everyone knows what box to tick. Everyone.

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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 14:30

@Lougle how on earth can it help the health service to encourage people to contact them with a completely irrelevant question? Surely we should be reducing the pressure on them - who does it help exactly?

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Lougle · 22/03/2020 14:33

It stops people who otherwise might be put off using the service from walking away. It might prevent someone presenting in a much worse state than if they got help earlier.

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Binterested · 22/03/2020 14:53

even If they ring 111 they are going to have to admit to being male or female if that is medically relevant (which it is). It’s presumably actually easier to say this online than to an actual person.

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TheShoesa · 22/03/2020 15:06

The 111 page has been like that for some time (at least a year, possibly longer) so while I agree that phone calls shouldn't be made at this time it isn't actually that the service is inviting calls in this instance.

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FlockofGulls · 22/03/2020 15:09

The feeling of being unable to breathe and knowing the health service is overwhelmed and possible unavailable to help you is fucking terrifying. The feeling that the people are contributing, and being encouraged to contribute to the service being overwhelmed with calls like that is also fucking terrifying. It's a CV related medical service that needs to know your sex, it shouldn't give one flying fuck about your gender

Agree totally.

I'm fine at the moment - Ive not been out of the house for 2 days & am symptom free, but have an underlying health condition (asthma) and live alone. I'm very fit & healthy (excellent peak flow readings) but I am trying to stop myself getting very scared.

The thought that 111 might be taken up with effing snowflakes whining about their gender when we know that the COVID-19 operates differently in male & female bodies, makes me fume.

There's enough panicking & snowflakery about (on MN for example), without this totally unnecessary weight on the system.

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Gingerkittykat · 22/03/2020 15:48

I wonder how much cross sex hormones will affect people physiologically when it comes to the virus?

Is a biological man taking HRT or a biological woman taking testosterone more or less at risk than their birth sex?

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HorseRadishFemish · 22/03/2020 15:56

That was a good example cheri..

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AnyOldSpartabix · 22/03/2020 15:58

I wonder how much cross sex hormones will affect people physiologically when it comes to the virus?

I think taking testosterone potentially might make you more susceptible. But that should be covered if there’s a section on medication, which I presume there was (OP?).

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CheriLittlebottom · 22/03/2020 16:08

I think I've read before that females taking testosterone damage their immune system. Not sure about males & estrogen.

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IAmFleshIAmBone · 22/03/2020 16:22

So they have to clog up the 111 line to ask if having a penis or a vagina makes them male or female Hmm wonders will never cease

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PerspectivePleaseForFucksSake · 22/03/2020 16:42

I think, as an example, if your DC is having trouble with their breathing and you're trying to get medical help for them, to wait behind another adult who is using that service simply because they want to say they aren't sure whether they are a man or a woman, it would infuriate you. I actually can't believe we have to type sentences like that to be honest.

This is basic biology! The other question on the page is how old are you. I don't think we could justify the case of someone phoning up and saying "well I'm 45 but in my head I feel like I'm 17" - on the grounds that they might not use the service unless they were able to tell someone that and ask what they should put down! I do genuinely sometimes think I am 17 Wink but I know as an adult with a brain, I need to tell them I'm 45.

Especially at times like these, we simply cannot pander to shit like this at the expense of peoples lives. And I mean that literally (for once a correct use!)

I can't remember the other questions to be honest, I think it simply asked about a cough and a temperature and then said stay away....

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