General Discussion/Q&A on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[get me outta here]

Children are insensitive and know not what they say. Not to worry. But, it is a learning / teaching opportunity.

I have removed my previous post and apologise to anyone that it may have offended.

 

[burmans]

From a phone call from the family received yesterday I suspect that memo went out to medicos on Friday.

My daughters boyfriend is a newly qualified doctor (she's in her last year of training), they had that team talk on Friday. It was more of a 'this may happen and this is what you may have to do' than a 'this is what you will definitely have to do' .

 

[Pushka]

My daughters boyfriend is a newly qualified doctor (she's in her last year of training), they had that team talk on Friday. It was more of a 'this may happen and this is what you may have to do' than a 'this is what you will definitely have to do' .

Agree, there certainly wasn't a directive that it would come to that. But methinks the writing is on the wall if the curve spikes as in Italy. Last Friday seems to have been a call to arms day.

 

[I love to travel]

My daughters boyfriend is a newly qualified doctor (she's in her last year of training), they had that team talk on Friday. It was more of a 'this may happen and this is what you may have to do' than a 'this is what you will definitely have to do' .

Because of the ageing population this is a conversation we were eventually going to have to have.

 

[SydneySwan]

Just received an email from Kiwi friends currently visiting South Africa. They are due to spend a couple of weeks in Australia on the way back to NZ. They are wondering if they will have to do 'double quarantine' first In Australia then NZ or whether there will be some sort of self-quarantine reciprocal agreement where NZ will recognise their Australian quarantine?

 

[jase05]

Just received an email from Kiwi friends currently visiting South Africa. They are due to spend a couple of weeks in Australia on the way back to NZ. They are wondering if they will have to do 'double quarantine' first In Australia then NZ or whether there will be some sort of self-quarantine reciprocal agreement where NZ will recognise their Australian quarantine?

Will need to do double quarantine

 

[relaxalot]

Agree, there certainly wasn't a directive that it would come to that. But methinks the writing is on the wall if the curve spikes as in Italy. Last Friday seems to have been a call to arms day.

The curve is a moving feast but I came across this. It is a couple of days out of date but seemed to me to be directly relevant to what we may need to expect.

 

[SydneySwan]

Will need to do double quarantine

That will make their schedule;

Australia 14 days self-quarantine
Australia 1 day 'freedom'
NZ 14 days self-quarantine

Not sure how they can avoid Australia on return journey.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Because of the ageing population this is a conversation we were eventually going to have to have.

It might seem overwhelmingly negative, but my parents are in their mid-60s and I have mentally thought through the worst case scenario for this outbreak. That they may not get the treatment they need. Sad thought but is reality in parts of Italy so absolutely can be reality here too.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The curve is a moving feast but I came across this. It is a couple of days out of date but seemed to me to be directly relevant to what we may need to expect.

Yes I posted that earlier today together with commentary from an immunologist,

 

[Denali]

Italy sings to fill the heart... Spain gets a personal trainer who makes you do jumping jacks

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[boomy]

In these crazy times, here’s an example of sane leadership

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I dread any family member who may need hospital treatment in the next few weeks for non Covid issues.

The Vic Government announced today that they are immediately making $60 million extra available so that more elective surgery can be done now, just in case CV 19 starts to deny such surgeries being done.

So the good new is all those waiting get bumped up the list. 7000 surgeries to be done quicker now.

Plus a 140 bed new wing of a hospital brought forward for opening.


While it easy to dwell on the negative our health system are doing many positive things at present. There is a lot of gearing up and expanding behind the scenes happening.

The blood bank will also be impacted. People working in health sector who have school age kids may be required to stay home if schools closed. List of implications unfolds.

Donate now. My wife did on Thursday.

 

[Pushka]

Because of the ageing population this is a conversation we were eventually going to have to have eventually.

Agree. And some expect the most intensive care possible for elderly frail people including intubation when in reality they may then require

The Vic Government announced today that they are immediately making $60 million extra available so that more elective surgery can be done now, just in case CV 19 starts to deny such surgeries being done.

So the good new is all those waiting get bumped up the list.



Donate now. My wife did on Thursday.

I can’t. I’m on blood thinners. They’d suck me dry or I’d bleed all over them.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Agree. And some expect the most intensive care possible for elderly frail people including intubation when in reality they may then require

I can’t. I’m on blood thinners. They’d suck me dry or I’d bleed all over them.

It was more a general call. Now is the right time for people to donate to build up stocks.

 

[Cossie]

The Vic Government announced today that they are immediately making $60 million extra available so that more elective surgery can be done now, just in case CV 19 starts to deny such surgeries being done.

So the good new is all those waiting get bumped up the list. 7000 surgeries to be done quicker now.

Plus a 140 bed new wing of a hospital brought forward for opening.


While it easy to dwell on the negative our health system are doing many positive things at present. There is a lot of gearing up and expanding behind the scenes happening.



Donate now. My wife did on Thursday.

I can't, spent too long in the UK in the eighties!

 

[JessicaTam]

I have removed my previous post and apologise to anyone that it may have offended.

Thank you.

 

[k_sheep]

I'm really keen to hear how you might handle things differently. This isn't a snarky question - quite the opposite - and your opinion of what Australia really needs to do at a National and personal level would be greatly appreciated. Well, I'd appreciate it anyway!

They needed to lock down a week ago I believe. Given for every 1 positive test, they believe there are another 20 out there - it's out already, we are past the containment phase. Just on the slow and delay as much as possible now. The 'flatten the curve'. Obviously the government has higher priorities though - trying to keep the F1, football games and whatever else going was madness.

The CMO is unfortunately out of his depth, he's a nephrologist. He needs to get good advice from infectious diseases, public health and epidemiologists.

Victoria ramping up elective surgeries is just plain irresponsible too - purely a commercial decision. There is insufficient PPE (gowns, masks etc) for front line staff predicted going forward; so they are squandering it now.

In terms of running out of tests - as far as I know, all of the reference labs have an in house assay that doesn't rely on the 'kits' that are in short supply. So testing is still going to be available - but smaller labs (and most private labs) have to rely on commercial kits.

Pardon any cranky vibes ... getting worn out already!

 

[I love to travel]

They needed to lock down a week ago I believe. Given for every 1 positive test, they believe there are another 20 out there - it's out already, we are past the containment phase. Just on the slow and delay as much as possible now. The 'flatten the curve'. Obviously the government has higher priorities though - trying to keep the F1, football games and whatever else going was madness.

The CMO is unfortunately out of his depth, he's a nephrologist. He needs to get good advice from infectious diseases, public health and epidemiologists.

Victoria ramping up elective surgeries is just plain irresponsible too - purely a commercial decision. There is insufficient PPE (gowns, masks etc) for front line staff predicted going forward; so they are squandering it now.

In terms of running out of tests - as far as I know, all of the reference labs have an in house assay that doesn't rely on the 'kits' that are in short supply. So testing is still going to be available - but smaller labs (and most private labs) have to rely on commercial kits.

Pardon any cranky vibes ... getting worn out already!

Thank you for your informed commentary.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It might seem overwhelmingly negative, but my parents are in their mid-60s and I have mentally thought through the worst case scenario for this outbreak. That they may not get the treatment they need. Sad thought but is reality in parts of Italy so absolutely can be reality here too.

I suspect it will be more the late 80s and 90s who will miss out if it comes to that, but maybe I think that because I am late 60s.

I guess it’s all about keeping that curve as flat as possible to prevent those sorts of scenarios.

we are doing what we can. Mr FM sanitises his hands before he gets in the car after shopping and washes with soap and water when he comes home.