Thread by @tjspragg

I’ve deleted my last tweet about my trip to the emergency room at the weekend

(Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern)

🧵THREAD 🧵

Unfortunately the image caused some panic in some that didn’t see the whole accompanying explanation. This was not my intention and apologise to anyone left confused by this.

Here’s a more sober, non-pictorial, explanation instead, to answer all the questions I’ve received.

(Quick disclaimer: this thread is not for you to feel sorry for me. In the grand scheme of things I’m mostly ok. I just want to share my experience to give insight into the process/protocol, tell you how fantastic our emergency services are - and flag some things I’ve learnt).

My daughter and I have been self-isolating for the past week from the moment we started experiencing symptoms of what I thought was likely cold/flu. Pretty standard stuff for March when there is a toddler at home.

We opted for due diligence and the whole family was isolated.

As the week went on, my cough got a lot worse and started triggering asthma attacks, something that I’ve not experienced since I was a teenager.

These got worse and more frequent, so eventually I called 1177 for advice. They told me I had to head to the hospital.

I started by visiting Närakuten (non-emergency) at my local hospital.

Everything there was clearly signposted and there were several opportunities to talk to extra staff that had been put in place to provide directions.

The entrance to the building was my first sight of masked hospital staff.

We kept a distance and they directed me to an intermediary room to wait. The room was completely stripped bare and had clearly been recently repurposed for the screening of arriving patients.

From a distance a very kind, masked, Doctor took one look at me and sent me on to akuten (the emergency room).

Akuten was somewhat more of an alarming experience.

First you solo enter a yellow medical field tent on the outside of the building. From a distance I was asked many questions about my symptoms. Then doctors, clad in rubber boots, surgical masks and face shields, took my vitals

A quick consultation later and I was separated from my wife and escorted to a locked isolation room, that had a door straight to the street.

My first chat was with a nurse via an intercom. She explained that it took time for staff to come in due to strict clothing procedures.

The room was stripped pretty bare.

All the medical equipment needed was there, but everything else had been stripped. No blanket for the bed, no paper towels for your hands, just a place to lie and wait.

I have to admit, it was pretty cold and lonely in there - but it was also kind of reassuring that the room itself was obviously set up for quick, intensive cleaning turnarounds (something I could hear happening in my neighbouring rooms).

When the nurse arrived, she was wearing yet another layer of protective clothing:

Full surgical clothing, mask, face shield, thicker gloves, all put on in the purpose built room between mine and the rest of the hospital.

Her job was to take blood.

My particular problem was that since I’d used my inhaler so much, no matter what we tried, hardly any blood was coming out of me. After 5 or 6 attempts we gave up and I was told to wait for the doctor.

When the time came to meet the doctor she was incredibly thorough: medical history, recent symptoms, timeline, recent travel, people I’ve been in contact with, etc etc. S

he examined me extremely thoroughly and had some information from the little blood I had given.

She concluded that my symptoms are consistent with corona - but that there was no point in testing - since I’m young and otherwise mostly healthy.

She told me that testing would not change their advice: isolation at home and a series of prescriptions to treat my lungs.

For reference: Sweden recently decided to only test those categorised as most vulnerable.

To be honest - given the impression I got of how limited supplies are becoming - I’m quite happy they didn’t waste one on me.

So anyway, I’m home now.

Still not well - but continuing to isolate and trying to give my lungs a fighting chance.

I get the impression that if it wasn’t for my asthma creating complications, this whole thing could well have just felt like a mild flu.

Some takeaways:

1. The emergency services were EXCELLENT. Well prepared, well informed and observing strict routines. What was obvious though was that it wasn’t especially clear to them how long they would have supplies of protective equipment.

(One nurse I met had to rummage around in several rooms to find a face mask, and told me the worry was that some of the protective gowns would be out of supply in a matter of days. What lightened my heart though was hearing about random people showing up and donating masks)

2. LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY:

Like I said, if it wasn’t for my asthma, this could have easily felt milder. I can imagine if you felt mild symptoms, it would be easy to be tempted to carry on as normal.

Don’t! The advice is there for a reason and constantly updated.

3. If you suffer from asthma like me: check up on your medication supplies and consider how soon you will need a new inhaler.

I usually use mine once a month. These days I’m using it 20+ times a day (and I came pretty close to running out completely).

🧵END/THREAD🧵

(Don't feel sorry for me - just wash your hands and stay home if you are unwell)

(Oh - and support independent/small businesses as much as you can right now - they are hurting)

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