This thread is my story battling symptoms this last week. They started differently than what has been reported, which caused some confusion and later fear, and might have led to other's exposure. I believe there are a things we (collectively) can do to better combat #COVID
My wife (Melody) and I were exposed to someone that was sick and in our home a few days before we started seeing symptoms. Melody developed a mild fever, headache and was nauseous a little over a week ago. She also had digestive issues.
The next day, I started having the same issues and developed a rash on my biceps that lasted for a few hours. We didn’t think much of it, because these aren’t symptoms commonly described as being related to COVID-19 and we likely exposed other people.
I developed a light cough a few days later. Melody did too. I didn’t really start feeling it in my lungs until a couple days after the cough. I had shortness of breath, was unable to focus and lethargic.
I had pain in my chest the next day. Melody was winded and with pain in her chest and back - a sharp “ice pick” like pain. Her blood pressure spiked which led to headaches and dizziness. Our fevers stayed below 100 and seemed to come and go. Our kids have not been symptomatic.
A hotline nurse asked that we visit the ER due symptoms & an underlying health issue. It took about 45 min to get through to her. She was kind and helpful but frequently challenged with her computer system dropping our voices. She ended up using her cell phone to call me.
At the hospital, they asked us to wait outside until they could bring us masks. The entire ER was masked up. The hospital had converted a pediatric area to a quarantined area. They kept patients isolated, were well covered, and there were trays of cleaning supplies.
They tested vitals, blood, did an EKG and chest X-rays. It took about 3.5 hrs. They also advised against taking Advil and suggested Tylenol for treating symptoms. They did not ask for insurance or co-pays.
They did not test us for COVID-19. A nurse told us that only those admitted to the hospital due to severe risk are tested. This could lead media to report the mortality rate is much higher than it actually is because many have contracted the virus but are unreported.
They are expecting many more cases in the days and weeks to come and it looked like the ER only had three or four rooms available to deal with the influx.
We need to help lesson the load on the healthcare system. One is to treat other "hidden" symptoms using the skills and tech we have available.
There are other very real hidden COVID-19 symptoms that most will experience: fear, isolation, and helplessness that is exacerbated by a lack of available medical care. These are also symptoms that we can treat - collectively, and with the help of tech companies and businesses!
1.1. Though I actually think @CNN has done a good job with Q&A from listeners on TV, the website could use a shift.
2. Setup phone and internet care with an online chat option. We already use these tools for customer service with different tiers of support. I suspect we can use the at-home workforce to serve more people. We have millions of people at home, with time, and the ability to help.
3. Create a volunteer counselor program where isolated and/or symptomatic people can go to talk about their issues and anxieties.
3.1. Equip these counselors with resources including links to local communities: neighborhood programs, charities and churches who are offering programs and support (grocery delivery services, professional counseling, child care, etc.)
4. Create a volunteer hands-and-feet network. I’ve seen people using @Nextdoor to reach out an offer help and information. Maybe this is a rallying point and resource to point people to? This could be a resource for the above. We need more grocery delivery, for example.
5. Share your stories of health, mild symptoms, and treatment. I still have some symptoms, but they are getting better. What I was reading in the media was terrifying.
5.1. Most are experiencing symptoms even more mild than mine! Share these stories so that people know what to expect, that they are not alone, and that many will be exposed and be ok. Is there a site dedicated for this?
I’m sure there are many more ideas and would love to learn more about the teams that are making them happen. Love and peace to you all.
