Let’s be clear—SOME people who have MD degrees are flying while others definitely are NOT and advising loves to wait awhile also.
It’s great that some folks feel ok with flying. I am afraid it will be a very long time before my MDs agree I can safely fly. We all have to factor in our personal risk tolerances and the perceived level of danger from action/inaction.
I did ask my MD via text and he gave a prompt and emphatic thumbs down for me possibly flying to Chicago in November for a medical conference. He’s lost two family member to c19 and both he and I are being “hermits” in our respective venues.
That is best for you then. I never claimed everyone should fly, just that the doctors who I know well, personally, have resumed their flights with their low risk teen children.
I went to pick up a script for my son. All the CVS employees had masks on. I had a mask on. They had X’s on the floor to show how far back people should stand. Saw an older lady (70’s?), by herself, with no mask, as well as a woman probably in her 30’s with no mask. It was easy to stay away from them. A friend texted me a photo from a bar in the Short North in Columbus - completely packed, no distancing, no masks. I think Ohio’s Covid-19 numbers will be rising.
Oh no. My D just finished freshman year at Ohio State. Early on, I thought Gov. Devine was handling this very well, shutting down earlier than neighboring states and before much covid activity in the state, and relying heavily in their health experts. What happened? I was really hoping they’d have things under control by fall.
If instead of attempting to walk in their shoes, you’d listen to their mouths, you’d discover that the push for re-opening is not coming from the people who live paycheck to paycheck, but from business owners who are anxious to have their employees come to work.
Today I talked to various friends. Another friend who lives here is being more careful as she is immune compromised. I know many others that are as well, and understand why they are choosing to stay home. I spoke to a friend in NJ. She is going out to get the basics right now, She also knows people who got very sick from this. She wants more things to open but is cautious. .
GA has been “open” for about 3 weeks. We have not seen cases skyrocket like it was predicted. It does seem to be the young people who are going to the restaurants and doing less Social distancing. I see parents that are relenting and letting their kids start to hang with with a few close friends. . Will see what happens to cases. I dont think the hair salons, retail, and even outdoor seating at restaurants will cause cases to rise, but the increased social gatherings. Personally today I wore my N95 mask, washed my hands a bunch. and did cat adoptions. I then walked with a friend keeping SD.
One thing I did observe was that I had to get gas. AT the Racetrack I went inside to get a drink (gloves and mask) and I was the only one besides the workers.
Final thought, I think the perspective does change depending on ones health , and where they live. I live in a place where our zip code has had very little cases. I dont know anyone personally who has had it. If I lived in the Northeast I would feel differently . If I had major health issues I would also behave differently. . I really hope all those who are at risk, there will eventually be a vaccine /cure/treatment .
The workers on the front line are scared and often poorly paid. They need to pay bills and really want to only work in a safe environment. When things are opened without restriction, they have to make a choice — refuse and risk losing unemployment and their jobs or go to work and risk getting ill and infecting their loved ones. It’s a very untenable position.
My sister, living in NC, was very upset with her daughter because she wouldn’t come over to visit them. My sister said it’s because my niece is concerned for her fiance’s health (he has asthma). My sister said, “It is as if she doesn’t approve our live style.” Then in the next breath my sister said she had a restaurant reservation for next week when it opens up. Hmm, “Yes, sis, your daughter is telling you that she is not aligned with your idea of social distancing.”
My sister also told me that she wouldn’t do a strict shelter in for 14 days if we should get together this xmas, so I told her that we wouldn’t be getting together. On the other hand, I have 2 good friends who have been doing very strict shelter in and we may get together in Jun some where outdoor. My daughters and I are planning to get together for dinner(at home) in Jun for D1’s birthday. I know they wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t careful.
D2 is moving in few weeks to a new apartment with her BF. She was going to try to find a cheaper mover instead of using someone I have used in the last 10 years. I told her no, this is the time to use someone reputable with proper sanitary guidelines.
I still have my job and all, but am getting hit with a $500/mon assessment for my coop because we are not able to collect commercial rent. My expenses are down, but didn’t expect to have to give some of it back.
This article is interesting and says that NY’s new cases are not from those in high risk jobs but from people who have been home who get it when they go out. I have been wondering what is causing new cases and thought it must be those in high risk jobs or their families at home.
'Cuomo said while last week he had theorized that new cases were coming from essential workers, “that was exactly wrong.
“The infection rate among essential workers is lower than the general population and those new cases are coming predominantly from people who are not working and they are at home,” he said.
The state’s budget director, Robert Mujica, said officials expect to “learn a lot more” about the genesis of new cases from contact tracing over the next week.’
Right there. It is not flying that is the problem here. It is being crammed into a room with a bunch of other attendees that presents a much, much greater risk. Remember the Biogen conference in Boston?
To change the subject from this squabbling, does anyone have reports from relatives, friends or neighbors who were hospitalized, or who had bad cases of covid but weren’t hospitalized, and how their recovery after the hospital is going?
The median age for a covid death is something in the late 70s or early 80s, but the median age for a person hospitalized for covid is much younger, probably early to mid 60s. There are a lot of younger people hospitalized for covid. They don’t die, but I’m wondering how they do when they get out.
I’m asking because I don’t hear, anecdotally, of people who are discharged from the hospital, have a brief recovery at home and are then fine. Instead, I keep hearing about people who are not at all fine: they can’t walk half a block without getting out of breath, or they have other lingering deficits.
A lot more people who are hospitalized for covid don’t die than do die. What do you know about them?
Actually, I really think risk is something that’s a very individually calculated thing. Each of us must do our best with the data we have.
None of the MDs I know and am close to in HI are flying anywhere—relatives, friends, etc. Nor are the MDs we know in SF or DC. In fact many programs are quarantining any healthcare professional who flies for whatever duration their program mandates.
@HImom - you have very strict quarantine requirements upon reentry. I would avoid flying to the big land, too, given the circumstances. Who wants to be crammed indoors for 14 days?
My nephew’s residency program in DC had a strict 14 day quarantine requirement for him as well and wouldn’t let him fly to HI for his wedding in early April (before HI imposed their 14 day quarantine). He’s still single as of course the wedding was canceled. The bride’s HI residency program wouldn’t let her fly either.
I’ve not kept up on what the current limitations are for either program.
Yes, that is another dimension of how class / SES affects how one is affected by the various events.
Lower income people are less likely to have much of a choice in choosing whether and how to go back to work in the context of their personal risk and that of others in their households. As one goes down the income scale, the choice is more likely to be made by the employer with no real choice by the employee.
Higher income people (outside of health care) are more likely to be able to work remotely or with greater social distancing. They are also more likely to have money to ride out periods of no income and no unemployment insurance money if they choose to take time off work because of personal risk factors. Lower income people are less likely to be able to work remotely. If their employer tells them to come back to work, they may have no choice because their unemployment insurance money ends then.
Small shop owners. Hairdressers, barbers, masseurs. Music teachers, personal trainers, tennis instructors, house cleaners, professional carpet cleaners, and infinitely more. Most of these people are self employed.
My friend’s brother tested positive, was hospitalized for a few days and then released. After a few more days he was rehospitalized and on a ventilator. He got better and is gone now. He’s about 60.
