If you don't have a respiratory illness, or a chronic disease that requires regular monitoring,

[Aristus]

please stay out of medical facilities for the time-being.

"What seems to be the problem?"

"Oh, I gotta lil thingy here on my finger."

"How long have you had it now?"

"Oh, I dunno, about ten years or so."

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

"Does it impair the function of your finger?"

"No."

"Okay, this is probably something that could have waited until this world-wide pandemic is over, right?"

People, if it can wait, please wait...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I wouldn't want to go to a medical facility unless I really, really had to.

Last week I broke my little toe by stubbing it on furniture in the dark - a common dumb household injury. Since it was pointed sideways and hurt a lot I figured it was broken, so I iced it and taped it up, then I sent an email to my usual clinic (they are doing just about everything but emergencies remotely these days) and asked them what to do, and whether I needed to come in for an x-ray - which, I added, I really didn't want to do. They responded that I had already done what needed to be done and there was no need for anything else as long as the toe wasn't numb or cold. I've just been replacing the duct tape (I don't have any medical tape) every day and it seems to be healing up. Not much short of a severed limb could get me into a clinic full of sick people these days, and bravo to all you folks who work at them.

[Ohiogal]

2. Don't worry

I have substantial co-pays with my health insurance to fork over if I want to see a doctor. Makes me avoid the place unless it’s a physical.

[Nictuku]

3. Worried...

My mom has been having vertigo for the last 2 weeks, since she hit her head pretty hard on something.

She is dizzy, she is scared, and has made an appointment for tomorrow. She hasn't been anywhere since March. But she is very worried about what is going on with her head and dizzyness, and so tomorrow she is going to go to a doctor appointment for it. (specialist referral).

She is 78 and Diabetic.

[Aristus]

5. That's definitely the kind of thing we need to clear the decks for.

People like your mother shouldn't have to wait for an appointment behind someone with something that can wait.

Is it all right if I send you a PM with some questions?

[Nictuku]

6. Sure.

[Initech]

4. Thankfully I am related to an ER doctor so any advice I need I can ask him.

Though I do have to go in for a blood test this week and I am not looking forward to that.