Evening all after another day when the madness seems to have increased exponentially.
Sorry to dump this on this thread - did start one of my own but don't think my title was catchy enough to get a response, so I'm just hoping that one or two of you knowledgeable and helpful lot may be able to take a quick gander and possibly answer the questions that today's events have brought to mind:
Ok, am going to post a real life scenario that has developed today in relation to people close to me - not living in my house but still local family.
Last night Person A developed a really bad cough, high temperature and symtoms supposedly consistent with the CV19. This morning, they were no better, in fact so poorly that they were moved to ring 111. Person B, their DP has a condition that makes them at greater risk of complications if they do catch the virus.
Following instructions, person A got themselves as instructed to the testing waiting area set up in our local hospitals car park, and was taken in by staff for assessment. An X-ray has shown a severe chest infection, but not bad enough to be admitted - the area inside had bays crammed full of people. Very strong antibiotics were prescribed, plus steroids and person A was told to go back to their car wearing a mask, and go home. When they asked about being tested they were told that only people ill enough to be admitted were being tested. So we do not know if this is, or is not, the virus.
Being responsible types, persons A and B are self-isolating in their home for at least seven days while monitoring progress of treatment and seeing if person B develops symptoms. They have the space, fortunately, to separate from each other to a large degree, and also keep the two pre-teen children in the house out of harms way. We are rallying round to make sure they have everything they need because it seems like madness to assume that without a test result it definitely isn't CV19.
These people are not well off. An added layer of anxiety is that UC, which Person A claims, will only be adjusted sympathetically if a formal diagnosis is given - which it can't be if no test is done. This is by no means being referenced in a grabby way, but to illustrate the knock on effect of the way this virus is being handled. Person B has had their freelance work cancelled this week due to CV19 fears.
I think we have all had an inkling that this would become a problem of massive proportions, but having it so very close to home really does show how disorganised and unhelpful the current testing regime is.
Aside from general opinions, does anyone have any idea how a "normal" flu virus / chest infection can be differentiated from CV19 without testing?
Obviously if person A massively deteriorates despite treatment, they will seek appropriate medical help again. But I can't see any value in the current approach to testing - people who have been close to A&B in the last week are now on high alert for symptoms, and wondering about their own necessity to self isolate as a precaution - which will affect, potentially, jobs and caring responsibilities. Should we or should we not isolate? My instinct and social responsibility bone says yes, my logic says no because it might not be - I'm going round and round in circles with this.
Just do the fucking tests already in these circumstances surely?????