A friend of mine is in critical but stable condition - EDITED TO SAY - He's home!

[The Polack MSgt]

Last edited Wed Apr 22, 2020, 04:17 PM - Edit history (3)

He was positive for COVID 19, it developed into pneumonia and he's on a respirator ATT.

In many ways he's got a lot going for him - retired military with solid health insurance, so he won't be bankrupted or denied care.

He also has wife of 37 years who loves him - and she's the reason I'm posting.

Jimmy didn't go from "I'm Fine" to double pneumonia overnight, and she was caring for him until it became too hard to breathe and he started getting blue under his finger nails.

When she asked about getting tested she was told to go home and call if any symptoms develop.

THERE ARE STILL NOT ENOUGH TESTS IN ILLINOIS for this woman who has obviously been exposed to get tested.

So, if she doesn't get sick enough to need intensive care she will never be counted as infected.

TRUMP WINS! YAY!

This is that rancid orange painted sack of assholes' whole plan - MINIMIZE DELAY DENY AND DEFLECT

Mind you, we are in an area that is not in crisis in a state that seems to consistently do the right things so far.

Yet she is sent home untested because there are just not enough tests to spare.

UPDATE
He spent 12 days on a respirator and 3 days after he could breathe on his own they sent him home. I'm a little late with the update, but in case any one wanted a bit of good news...

No one can say how well his lungs will recover - he may have limited lung function/COPD symptoms for the rest of his life, But he has a rest of his life again.

Jimmy is home.

[DonaldsRump]

1. Lord, alive

I am so sorry. This could be any of us.

The lack of testing is particularly APPALLING after so many months of lies.

Is there any way to document this and send to the press and the government (federal, state, and local). There's both an immediate health and political issue, and hopefully a quick outreach sent to the right folks at all levels will get something done, for Jimmy, his wife, and perhaps many others.

I would be happy to help.

[Docreed2003]

2. I'm so sorry to hear this my friend

I truly believe that in Trumps warped mind he believes that if he can minimize the numbers on paper, that is somehow a win...hell he said as much when he refused to allow the cruise ship to dock several weeks ago.

We are suffering under the thumb of a madman and I'm truly sorry to hear that your friend and his wife are victims in all of this madness. My thoughts will be with them and you. Hope you and yours are well!

[Karadeniz]

3. Sickening...not fair...no one deserved to be treated like this.

[Skittles]

4. I guess I don't understand "critical but stable"

it sounds like a contradiction

I found this:

A “Critical but stable” condition, for instance, indicates that someone is in a bad state but not likely to get worse in the short-term. Others recommend against using that phrasing, however, since being in a critical condition implies that a patient vital signs are not stable.

[The Polack MSgt]

12. I agree that it's an odd construct

But I've been hearing that phrasing pretty often in regards to this disease

[Skittles]

19. I wish the best for your friend and his loved ones

stay safe!

[Demovictory9]

5. kick

[Meowmee]

6. That is what they are doing in NY

Don’t go to the er etc unless you are in distress etc. Then when there are no respirators they will leave you to die no doubt. No tests for anyone unless they have a fever and symptoms unless their doc approves it. By appointment only at a drive through. But over 20,000 have been tested in my county and not all had covid so if your doc requires it you get a test. A lot of fishy stuff going on as usual about who gets care. It is going to be very easy to leave people to die without care because no family members are allowed to visit, even for non covid patients. That started a few weeks ago.

[MLAA]

7. Sending good vibes to your friend and his wife.

Can’t hurt 🙂💕💕💕💕

[Gothmog]

8. Your friend will be in my prayers

It is sad that we do not have sufficient tests to to test your friend’s spouse

[The Polack MSgt]

13. Thank you Gothmog

It's so infuriating.

[Warpy]

9. This plus our lack of sensinle health insurance

is why epidemiological studies will not be done in the US. Most people who get this will recover at home, perhaps later tested for antibodies. Our death rates will look astronomical because only the sickest will get tested, and even the sickest might choose to die rather than burden their families with a lifetime of medical debt since job layoffs mean no insurance.

We're just never going to know the full extent of this so the science will have to be done elsewhere.

People are going to have to rethink this country's priorities.

[brer cat]

10. I'm sorry about your friend.

I'm angry about your friend's wife. There is no excuse for not enough tests this far into the pandemic.

[The Polack MSgt]

14. Exactly

Commander Cheeze whiz ignored this for months - If only wee had even semi-intelligent management we'd be so much better off.
I ain't even asking for genuine LEADERSHIP mind you - just some competent MANAGEMENT would have saved thousands of lives

[mommymarine2003]

11. My sister is in Day 10 of Covid-19.

She lives in Washington State. She has been at home the whole time starting out first with a fever, body aches, incredible weakness, and difficulty breathing. She is an asthmatic and I have been so worried about her. She called me this afternoon and sounds so much better. She was not gasping for air this time. The Spokane area where she lives has a group of volunteers who are assigned to each patient (if you sign up for it). That person checks on her everyday via the phone to ask how she is doing and to answer any questions. He also brought her an oximeter so that she can check her oxygen. It helps that my sister has degrees in Bacteriology and Zoology, so she understands much of what is going on, and is keeping a journal on how and what she is feeling. I am so thankful that she lives in Washington State with a governor who took action right away. I live in Oregon, and our governor is doing a great job, too.

[Roy Rolling]

15. My friend for decades...

Died of Covid-19 at 8am today CDT. I hope your friend has a better outcome, this just didn’t have to happen.

I’m so mad.

[The Polack MSgt]

20. My thoughts are with you and his family

My heart aches for the suffering and I ma furious that so many will die needlessly - The Negligent ass faced leeches that comprise the GOP are detestable...

I can't even come up with the words to show my emotions

[whathehell]

16. I live in the Chicago suburbs..Are your friends anywhere near there?

They are offering drive through testing in Antioch, IL, about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. I'll send you the link if you're interested.

[SheltieLover]

17. There is supposed to be testing for anyone on NW SIDE

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your friend! Sending healing vibes!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213234936

Approximately 115 members of the Illinois National Guard are stationed at the testing site along with additional employees from the Chicago Fire Department and Illinois Department of Public Health.

The frontline workers are expected to conduct 500 tests a day, 7 days a week, doubling the number of tests administered since March. While priority is given to first responders and medical professionals, testing has been expanded to include anyone over 18 years old who has shown symptoms of the coronavirus, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Those who are over 60 years old or who have underlying medical conditions can be tested even if they don't exhibit symptoms.

Bad news is that results take 6 days.

I have no idea what's happening on the ground there, of course. I believe article said cars lining up at 4am. Only 500 tests per day though.

I hope this is helpful!

[captain queeg]

18. The biggest reason to stay home and isolate

They aren’t going to have a vaccine or cure any time soon. But if you can delay getting it long enough maybe they’ll at least have tests available. If we can flatten the curve at least hospital beds will be available.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Sorry To Hear That, Sarge

Where in Illinois? We live about 60 mikes south & a bit west of downtown Chicago.

[The Polack MSgt]

22. about 30 miles south east of St Louis

There are some places in Illinois farther from Chicago than we are, but not many.

I imagine that JB will open testing (If he can get test kits) in Springfield and Peoria next. Then the more rural areas as they can

It's a numbers game and the closest 5 counties around my house don't add up even to Peoria's population.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. When In College...

...we twice got coffee house gigs at SIU.
Fortunately, all 3 of us knew people going to school there, so we all had somebody's floor to sleep on.
So yeah, there are some spots very far from StL.
Now, where I live I could drive to downtown StL in 4 hours or less.

[The Polack MSgt]

24. I get up to Chicago now and then

and I know that my driveway to Wrigley Field is 5 and a half hours.

Hope you're doing well - Keep safe

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Same To You!

[gademocrat7]

26. Sending prayers

And positive thoughts for your friend and his wife. We all should have access to testing.

[marble falls]

27. dammit ...

Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2020, 06:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Glad to hear he's at VA. They've done real good for me. He's in good hands.

[The Polack MSgt]

28. Replying to my own thread to kick it back up

Start spreading the news!