That is very informative and I greatly appreciate it. However, in addition to concerns about the morbidity rate I’m concerned about reports here which purport to be from doctors, stating that a fairly horrific health care situation is going on in Italy. I’m not really finding news reports of people being left for dead in hallways in Italy. Not that I will feel better knowing that a higher percentage of people are dying, but I will feel better if being a week or 2 behind Italy in the progression of this virus does not necessarily mean that we will find ourselves unable to obtain health care while patients and possibly some doctors drop like flies. As to the morbidity, at this point I’m completely confused as to whether this is a pure panic or a real disaster.
The president has signalled his intention to use his authority to dispatch emerge med teams to the hotspot areas. They will set up at alternate locations and and provide overflow for all patients including ongoing flu infections.
There is reason for concern. But there is a plan in place. This is not a drill, but I predict that it will show the system weaknesses without a great loss of life and we will be better prepared when the next one hits.
This ain’t the big one, but it will be enough to scare us into preparing for the big one.
Hand washing works! Sixty seconds with hot soapy water. It works and if people are scared enough maybe they will wash their hands!