Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #46

[Arkay]

It sounds like this is not a private hospital, and the quality of care is poor. Are most of the hospitals in NY privately owned? I'm curious about quality of care in gov't versus privately owned hospitals.

For example, in Canada the best hospitals are connected with a university, but all hospitals are gov't owned and provide quality care. Some have fewer resources, which is why university related hospital is better.

I have no idea about ownership overall, but I do know that the vast majority of hospitals in the NY metro area are notoriously horrible, with a few well known exceptions like Sloan Kettering and NYU. I would never ever ever go to a random ER in a borough if I could go elsewhere. Especially, the Bronx. I wouldn't even drive through the Bronx. And I'm not exaggerating.

There are many good hospitals here. NY Presbyterian, Weill Cornell etc. The main problem with the public hospitals is because they typically serve patients who don't have private insurance, and who often don't go to the doctor. By the time they get to the hospital, they're in dire straits. That raises the morbidity rates. Conversely, others who have no insurance flock to the ER for minor issues, again because they don't go to the doctor, and that leads to overcrowding. Then there are illegal immigrants who are afraid of seeking medical care, so they also avoid going until their situations have deteriorated precipitously. (Of course, this is before Covid).
I'm very, very rarely in the Bronx, but it's not all a disaster. There's Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Zoo, for starters. Every borough has a zoo, but the Bronx Zoo is by far superior to the others.

 

[firebird]

Midwifery arrived late in Canada compared to other Commonwealth countries, and some provinces are still slow to act. My daughter is a midwife in Canada. Very few students are accepted into the program, carefully screened before admission - like medicine. They deliver at home and in hospital, liaise with specialists when additional care is needed.

I hope that pregnant women are especially careful to avoid contact with infected people. It's much safer today to birth at home than in a hospital. Maybe the pandemic will inspire more states/provinces to move forward with low risk women birthing with a midwife at home - unless otherwise is required.

It was a huge trend here starting in maybe the mid to late 1990's, but seems to have kind of petered out. Where I am now, the regular rooms in the maternity section of the hospital are like hotel suites - sound systems, wifi, private whirlpool baths, second "beds" -- so maybe that's got something to do with it.

 

[LadyL]

It sounds like this is not a private hospital, and the quality of care is poor. Are most of the hospitals in NY privately owned? I'm curious about quality of care in gov't versus privately owned hospitals.

For example, in Canada the best hospitals are connected with a university, but all hospitals are gov't owned and provide quality care. Some have fewer resources, which is why university related hospital is better.

not in London
U of W hospital is run-down (in comparison to Victoria or St. Josephs)
I've spent a lot of time at all three over the past couple of years
but quality of care is pretty good at all three IMO

 

[otto]

“There are limited data out of China and Europe showing that this appears to be the response pattern followed with this virus," said Thomas Montine, professor and chair of pathology at the School of Medicine. "No one has had this long enough to know how long after infection the antibodies persist."

The test, which takes two to three days for results, was launched on April 6 at Stanford Health Care. Stanford Health Care is able to test 500 samples per day, according to the statement.

"It's essential to have the right tools to understand the biology of the novel coronavirus," said Lloyd Minor, dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine. "This test takes us one step closer to answering the many public health questions about COVID-19."

"Serological testing gives us a more comprehensive view of what's happening in an individual who is infected, or has been infected, with the virus," agreed Montine.

"That approach could be very important in this period when we don't have vaccines or other definitive therapies," said Montine. "We thought this was an urgent medical need, and the usual supply chains were unreliable, so we decided to build our own."
Stanford Medicine detecting antibodies against coronavirus in plasma: research

Everyone is building their own goods today. Much of the supply chain relied on China, NATO countries and allies. One day, everyone realized that some situations require self-reliance.

It's interesting to see a resurgence of innovation in science, engineering and design. It's like people finally have a real-life problem to solve, and they are hitting it head-on in every country.

I think this will alter how countries rely on each other in terms of sustainable living. Some things can be outsourced, but N96 masks, gloves, tests, shields, ventilators all need to be sourced locally forever. What else?

Interesting point about how long antibodies can be detected in someone who is, or has been, sick. It looks like antibodies can be detected 5-7 days after someone is infected. Are antibodies present 2 months after recovery?

 

[Curious Me]

My aunt, uncle, and cousin were all successfully treated with hydroxychloroquine also. My aunt and uncle are close to being 70 and also developed phenomnia from covid. They are doing awesome right now after they started the meds. Thank God.

Wow, more success from using the Hydroxychloroquine. An aunt, an uncle, and a cousin helped by it. It is super good news! I might mention to you that I take the drug myself for RA and it helps me a great deal. Thanks for sharing.

Do you happen to know if they took it in combo with some other drug?

 

[firebird]

There are many good hospitals here. NY Presbyterian, Weill Cornell etc. The main problem with the public hospitals is because they typically serve patients who don't have private insurance, and who often don't go to the doctor. By the time they get to the hospital, they're in dire straits. That raises the morbidity rates. Conversely, others who have no insurance flock to the ER for minor issues, again because they don't go to the doctor, and that leads to overcrowding. Then there are illegal immigrants who are afraid of seeking medical care, so they also avoid going until their situations have deteriorated precipitously. (Of course, this is before Covid).
I'm very, very rarely in the Bronx, but it's not all a disaster. There's Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Zoo, for starters. Every borough has a zoo, but the Bronx Zoo is by far superior to the others.

Yes, I agree with a lot of the reasons you mentioned.

As far as the Bronx, we carried a weapon to walk from the car to Yankee Stadium. Just sayin' -- they didn't call it Fort Apache for nothing.

 

[otto]

This is a tool that we utilize to fight off this crisis,” said Carlos Encinas, chief science officer at BioLab Sciences in Scottsdale.

“The rapid serological test for COVID-19,” he said. “You prick your finger and you put a drop of blood in the cassette and it tells you if your body has shown antibodies against the COVID-19.”

“This test is going to measure if the patient has been exposed or has been infected with the virus,” said Encinas.

“It’s going to help unclog the system,” he said. “So not everyone is going to have to go to the molecular more expensive test.”

“We’re forecast for, in the next months… in the millions,” he said.

“My wife is a physician and every day that she goes out to the clinic… our hearts go out to her,” said Encinas. “She is under tremendous stress because she fears that at any point, she’s going to come home and bring it to us.”

“To help not only her, but other of her coworkers to do the same,” he said.

BioLab Sciences has already started distributing the test devices to healthcare agencies, hospitals, and outpatient facilities across the U.S. The test is already being used throughout Europe and Asia. It’s still pending review by the FDA here in the U.S, but the agency did issue guidance to allow the rapid antibody tests under emergency-use authorization.
Scottsdale-based biotech company announces rapid COVID-19 test kits

That's exactly what the Canadian company is selling. It's an antibody test that is not reliable to detect the virus prior to 5-7 days (thank Herat!). It is unknown whether it is reliable to detect the virus after recovery. Poke finger, results in 15 minutes.

BTNX | Home

 

[kpalma71580]

@firebird

I was surprised too! It is beautiful in those areas. We were looking at houses there originally few years ago, but the taxes were high. We decided to go Northwest.

He is also law enforcement and got covid from on the job. He did say when he got really bad to the point where he was probably going to pass, because his breathing became more difficult, one nurse did come in his room and prayed over him. He thought at the point this was it, but woke up a few hours later.

 

[otto]

It was a huge trend here starting in maybe the mid to late 1990's, but seems to have kind of petered out. Where I am now, the regular rooms in the maternity section of the hospital are like hotel suites - sound systems, wifi, private whirlpool baths, second "beds" -- so maybe that's got something to do with it.

The birthing room is a thing that started in the 1980s. It sounds comfortable, but when it comes to delivery in a hospital, intervention is often used even though it isn't necessary. Women seem to prefer a comfortable birth over a managed birth. Midwives would be a good thing, especially to protect birthing women during pandemic.

Hospitals are the most dangerous place for a new infant at this time.

 

[KALI]

Awww. That's sad. The hospital in my town bankrupted 3 years ago. It had bad ratings as well. However, now our town has no hospital. Just sad, for everyone.

Perhaps not suprising for the literal worst hospital in the country.

"A sobering new report has labeled Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx as the worst in the country for patient safety.

According to Consumer Reports, 30 of the over 50 lowest-rated hospitals in the country are in the New York City metropolitan area."

Jacobi Named Worst Hospital In The Country

 

[kpalma71580]

@Curious Me

I am not sure if they had combination. My aunt did tell me she starting feeling better almost instantly in hospital when they gave it to her. She was discharged first and my uncle was the next day. Their daughter was positive but never hospitalized, she started the meds before her results came back. They are all quarantined together in my aunt and uncles house. My cousins husband is with her kids at their house. Luckily they didn't get it

I know my husbands coworkers were getting treated with hydroxychloroquine and zpack.

I also take for my Rheumatoid Arthritis!

 

[otto]

Awww. That's sad. The hospital in my town bankrupted 3 years ago. It had bad ratings as well. However, now our town has no hospital. Just sad, for everyone.

How are things restaurant wise? Do I remember that you have a restaurant and things are more difficult now? Just a thought, but my son got a job at a takeout joint. Chefs are looking for work right now. They're not happy flippin' burgers, but they'll do it for minimum wage today. Can you do a burger skipthedishes takeout business? Their secret is that they offer donair toppings on burgers - hit a broader audience.

 

[Tbone144]

that's nice but where do they expect employers to source those masks from??

He did say cloth masks were an option. I made cloth masks for my employees. It’s in my best interest to keep them healthy in and outside of work. We have limited interactions with the public but I hope they wear them outside the lab. Now if my boss comes and says I need to make masks for the whole company..he better let me bring my sewing machine to work.

 

[otto]

He did say cloth masks were an option. I made cloth masks for my employees. It’s in my best interest to keep them healthy in and outside of work. We have limited interactions with the public but I hope they wear them outside the lab. Now if my boss comes and says I need to make masks for the whole company..he better let me bring my sewing machine to work.

All experts say that the N95 is required to best protect people who deal with a potentially infected public.

Sewing machine at work to produce protective supplies against an uncontrolled unknown virus might not be enough for employees. Doesn't seem good enough.

 

[Arkay]

Yes, I agree with a lot of the reasons you mentioned.

As far as the Bronx, we carried a weapon to walk from the car to Yankee Stadium. Just sayin' -- they didn't call it Fort Apache for nothing.

Lol, that was in the 1970s. Under Giuliani and Bloomberg, things got much better. Also, don't forget the Bronx has fine neighborhoods like Riverdale, and some Ivy League prep schools.
As to your point about never going to a borough ER if you could help it...you lived here, so you know. If you have good insurance, your doctor can admit you to the hospital with which your doctor is affiliated. But if you have a 911 emergency, that ambulance will take you to the nearest hospital, wherever that might be.
A few years ago a woman tumbled into me at JFK airport, which knocked me over and broke my arm right before I got on the plane. I have terrific insurance, but despite all my protestations, the ambulance took me to Jamaica Hospital as it's the nearest to the airport. It's a city hospital with a poor reputation, but I give credit to every doctor and every nurse who works in any hospital, as long as they are working their hardest to provide good and compassionate care. Most do.

 

[they'll get you]

April 12, 2020 | 10:14pm

China’s new coronavirus cases rise to near six-week high

BEIJING — China reported the highest number of new daily coronavirus cases in nearly six weeks, driven by a rise in infected travellers arriving from overseas and underscoring challenges Beijing faces in preventing a second wave of COVID-19.

A total of 108 new coronavirus cases were reported on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of cases since 143 cases were reported on March 5.

The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,160, while the death toll rose by two to 3,341

https://nypost.com/2020/04/12/chinas-new-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-near-six-week-high/

 

[otto]

April 12, 2020 | 10:14pm

China’s new coronavirus cases rise to near six-week high

BEIJING — China reported the highest number of new daily coronavirus cases in nearly six weeks, driven by a rise in infected travellers arriving from overseas and underscoring challenges Beijing faces in preventing a second wave of COVID-19.

A total of 108 new coronavirus cases were reported on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of cases since 143 cases were reported on March 5.

The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,160, while the death toll rose by two to 3,341

https://nypost.com/2020/04/12/chinas-new-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-near-six-week-high/

China alleged "infected travellers" two weeks ago. Why are people from China still travelling home a month after most of the world was told to go home and stay home on March 18th. It's almost a month later. Where are these infected people coming from?

I think China is lying about the sick/dead numbers because they want to be the first country to claim they conquered the virus. I doubt the increase in numbers is due to travel, unless it is within China, in which case we don't care.

Something has been off about China's reporting of the virus since November 2019. There's no reason to believe them now.

 

[otto]

Something else that is off with China's numbers ...

Yesterday, total numbers were : 81,953 at the end of the day
Today, numbers are : 82,160
There are 108 new cases.

82,160 - 81,953 = 207, not 108.

Today

Yesterday

Coronavirus Update (Live): 1,853,393 Cases and 114,253 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic - Worldometer

 

[firebird]

Lol, that was in the 1970s. Under Giuliani and Bloomberg, things got much better. Also, don't forget the Bronx has fine neighborhoods like Riverdale, and some Ivy League prep schools.
As to your point about never going to a borough ER if you could help it...you lived here, so you know. If you have good insurance, your doctor can admit you to the hospital with which your doctor is affiliated. But if you have a 911 emergency, that ambulance will take you to the nearest hospital, wherever that might be.
A few years ago a woman tumbled into me at JFK airport, which knocked me over and broke my arm right before I got on the plane. I have terrific insurance, but despite all my protestations, the ambulance took me to Jamaica Hospital as it's the nearest to the airport. It's a city hospital with a poor reputation, but I give credit to every doctor and every nurse who works in any hospital, as long as they are working their hardest to provide good and compassionate care. Most do.

It did get WAY better under Giuliani (not sure about Bloomberg). But I'm talking about the early t0 mid 90's wrt Yankee Stadium, not the 70's (I know you're referring to the Fort Apache reference). I'm sure, if you're a native, you've seen "some things." I started taking the bus to NYC when I was in jr. high and had many "friends" who were addicts there. Then I worked there for many years. I've seen some schizz, as I'm sure you have. Yet, still, I don't mess with the Bronx and some other places

I've never had the misfortune of needing emergency medical attention in the city, but I know they'll take you wherever is close. Idk about Jamaica, but if the choice was Jacobi, I would've boarded the plane or chopped my arm off myself lol

eta: I don't deny there a few okay sections of the Bronx. There's not a single person I know who hasn't field-tripped to the Zoo w/o weapons

 

[Curious Me]

Trump's developer friend Stanley Chera dies of coronavirus