Had a fever this weekend, along with a dry cough, GI distress (which I frequently have, but was worse). I am feeling better today, thank goodness, but still have a persistent dry cough. Trying to get tested for Covid-19. It’s a nightmare. Everything is fully booked today and tomorrow. My doctor won’t call me back (I called the office and explained the situation). The testing situation in the U.S. stinks to high heaven. And the lies we keep hearing from Mike Pence – “everyone can get a test at any time” really annoy me. If you’re Pence, or Tom Brady, or Lebron James, or Giuliani, or Pelosi, or Grassley, etc … you can get a test on demand. If you’re anyone else you’re at the mercy of a totally inadequate system. CVS told me, “sir, you can get a drive-thru test on Thursday (at a place in Brighton).” “Well,” I responded, “isn’t a test 3 days from now kind of defeating the purpose. I need to know now or very soon, not 3 days from now.” Then you hear the, “if you’re having severe symptoms check into a local hospital.” I’m not having severe symptoms and will not be going to the ER unless things deteriorate.
Wow. First, I am sending positive thoughts to you.
Second , Baker just stood before us and told us what a great job Massachusetts does on testing. He has opened more free testing sites.
And yet again…….Today he is doing what he has done every day. Cheerleading and scolding while admitting we are now seeing the surge from thanksgiving. And we are. No matter what he says, the same people will do on Christmas exactly what they did at thanksgiving. I wonder how long it takes for him to figure that out.
According to Doctor F you will see thanksgiving numbers next week or after as it takes two to three weeks to show after the event . So. If he is right as I suspect he is next weeks numbers will be sky high like never before.
Sorry to hear that Joshua. Hope you get better very soon. Perhaps you were better off to go to the ER where you would have known for sure one way or the other by now.
Since I work at Mass. Art all employees must be tested at least once per week with results no more than 24 hours. Right after Thanksgiving we had to get tested twice.
If testing has long lines, what is it going to be like getting vaccinated?? :-O
I forgot, testing includes students as well, very short lines. Practically “in and out”.
Perhaps ALL workplaces should have their own testing sites for their employees like where I am. At least that would take some burden off the general public sites.
I’ve heard from many who are employed in colleges and universities that they’re getting tested regularly.
Philip, your point on vaccination is spot on. I think America is great at inventing things, and ingenuity in general. I also think America is really bad at fair and reasonable allocation of public goods. Not our thing.
As Vicki said – and I can confirm – Baker is proud of all the testing sites in the state. Great. But, none of these sites appear to have on-demand service. It’s so backed up that it makes you wonder what the value is of testing. In a few days I can get a test, but by then I may not even be shedding virus (I hope).
My doctor still hasn’t called me back, by the way. I like my doctor. But come on, there has to be better patient service than this.
The last place I want to be is an ER where I’d be waiting for a very long time, and be exposed to a real possibility of Covid (suppose I don’t have it now, I might get it in the ER waiting room).
I’m doing okay. There’s a good chance I don’t have Covid. I may have had it in April. I get sick two or three times a year, so fevers and body aches don’t get me down.
I wish you all the best Joshua. This is a shameful situation.
My son had quite a time getting tested after he found that he had been in contact with someone who later tested positive. He lives in Marlboro, MA where there is free testing. But, he was never able to get the web site to work to make an appointment. He went to a test site and said that he had an appointment. Of course, the worker saw that he was not on the schedule and asked, “Did you make the appointment this morning? We were having some problems with the system.” My son said, “Yes, that’s right!” As he says, he was only able to get tested because of a computer glitch. It should not be this way. Thankfully his result was negative.
My sister who works for MIT gets tested but me as a Hospital employee does not .
One of my cousins works in a hospital in Richmond VA and she cannot get tested unless she has symptoms.
One would think that working in a hospital of all places, Covid testing would absolutely mandatory, if anything.
No we just check in everyday and are asked if we have any symptoms then tap in and giving a new mask . The hospital keeps track of the tap ins making sure it’s getting done . Any symptoms at all you go home immediately if at work or if home do not come in .
This is insane. When my son had it in spring he was tested right away as was his son. They are in RI
Joshua feel better soon hoping you are covid free.
Joshua, if you are up to it, I wonder about your thoughts on this. One son in law was going to take two weeks from work pre Christmas. Another and my daughter were going to try to. Is 7 safe. I’ve lost some faith in the cdc since trump put his finger in the pie
But, I’m playing it very safe. Besides interacting with my `roommate’ – my son, who probably had Covid in the spring – I’m going with the 14 day quarantine for myself. I did the same in April. It doesn’t mean I won’t go outside for a walk. But, I will not go grocery shopping or interact with people, other than my son and the cat. There is a silver lining. My daughter is due to arrive in 16 days. I should be all set by then. She’ll have to quarantine here. But that’s okay. The point of her visit is to see me and my son Daniel.
By the way, as you alluded to RI has MUCH easier testing (for RI residents). Many more testing sites per capita. On demand testing as well, which we just don’t have, at least not in the Boston area. I thought we did until I tried in vain to get on demand testing today. Struck out. Need more severe symptoms. Or, need referral from PCP. Well, I called, spoke with nurse, she promised a call back. Nada. Vicki, we do NOT have the greatest healthcare in the world. In fact, I’d say that apart from cancer care – which generally is superior here – our care is inferior to virtually all other industrialized nations, across multiple indicators, from responsiveness to follow-up.
And, getting back to testing in RI the data don’t lie: RI has the most tests per million by far of any state. Nevertheless, RI is in trouble as this week it has the highest number of positive tests per million of any state except Indiana.
Thanks Joshua. So we will go with 10 as long as they feel they have not been exposed or even a hint of exposure. But even the it would be masked and distanced.
I did know RI is in trouble. My grandson is having eye surgery next week in RI. But outpatient and in an area not covid related
I don’t think we have the best healthcare at all. Have never thought that. I do think we have some of the best doctors. Macs family always returned here From wherever they were based for yearly appointments ….on home leave…or for surgical procedures. I will say Medicare with a supplement is amazing. Prescription not so much but as you noted, trump made a difference. My out of pocket for prescriptions is cut in half for 2021
C-19 for 12-8 is ready.
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My latest is on lack of transparency in the U.S. healthcare system. This is actually an area which the Trump Administration, to its credit, has been attempting to address. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2020/12/07/us-healthcare-markets-lack-transparency-stakeholders-want-to-keep-it-that-way/?sh=4b92827562b2
Had a fever this weekend, along with a dry cough, GI distress (which I frequently have, but was worse). I am feeling better today, thank goodness, but still have a persistent dry cough. Trying to get tested for Covid-19. It’s a nightmare. Everything is fully booked today and tomorrow. My doctor won’t call me back (I called the office and explained the situation). The testing situation in the U.S. stinks to high heaven. And the lies we keep hearing from Mike Pence – “everyone can get a test at any time” really annoy me. If you’re Pence, or Tom Brady, or Lebron James, or Giuliani, or Pelosi, or Grassley, etc … you can get a test on demand. If you’re anyone else you’re at the mercy of a totally inadequate system. CVS told me, “sir, you can get a drive-thru test on Thursday (at a place in Brighton).” “Well,” I responded, “isn’t a test 3 days from now kind of defeating the purpose. I need to know now or very soon, not 3 days from now.” Then you hear the, “if you’re having severe symptoms check into a local hospital.” I’m not having severe symptoms and will not be going to the ER unless things deteriorate.
Wow. First, I am sending positive thoughts to you.
Second , Baker just stood before us and told us what a great job Massachusetts does on testing. He has opened more free testing sites.
And yet again…….Today he is doing what he has done every day. Cheerleading and scolding while admitting we are now seeing the surge from thanksgiving. And we are. No matter what he says, the same people will do on Christmas exactly what they did at thanksgiving. I wonder how long it takes for him to figure that out.
According to Doctor F you will see thanksgiving numbers next week or after as it takes two to three weeks to show after the event . So. If he is right as I suspect he is next weeks numbers will be sky high like never before.
Sorry to hear that Joshua. Hope you get better very soon. Perhaps you were better off to go to the ER where you would have known for sure one way or the other by now.
Since I work at Mass. Art all employees must be tested at least once per week with results no more than 24 hours. Right after Thanksgiving we had to get tested twice.
If testing has long lines, what is it going to be like getting vaccinated?? :-O
I forgot, testing includes students as well, very short lines. Practically “in and out”.
Perhaps ALL workplaces should have their own testing sites for their employees like where I am. At least that would take some burden off the general public sites.
I’ve heard from many who are employed in colleges and universities that they’re getting tested regularly.
Philip, your point on vaccination is spot on. I think America is great at inventing things, and ingenuity in general. I also think America is really bad at fair and reasonable allocation of public goods. Not our thing.
As Vicki said – and I can confirm – Baker is proud of all the testing sites in the state. Great. But, none of these sites appear to have on-demand service. It’s so backed up that it makes you wonder what the value is of testing. In a few days I can get a test, but by then I may not even be shedding virus (I hope).
My doctor still hasn’t called me back, by the way. I like my doctor. But come on, there has to be better patient service than this.
The last place I want to be is an ER where I’d be waiting for a very long time, and be exposed to a real possibility of Covid (suppose I don’t have it now, I might get it in the ER waiting room).
I’m doing okay. There’s a good chance I don’t have Covid. I may have had it in April. I get sick two or three times a year, so fevers and body aches don’t get me down.
I wish you all the best Joshua. This is a shameful situation.
My son had quite a time getting tested after he found that he had been in contact with someone who later tested positive. He lives in Marlboro, MA where there is free testing. But, he was never able to get the web site to work to make an appointment. He went to a test site and said that he had an appointment. Of course, the worker saw that he was not on the schedule and asked, “Did you make the appointment this morning? We were having some problems with the system.” My son said, “Yes, that’s right!” As he says, he was only able to get tested because of a computer glitch. It should not be this way. Thankfully his result was negative.
My sister who works for MIT gets tested but me as a Hospital employee does not .
One of my cousins works in a hospital in Richmond VA and she cannot get tested unless she has symptoms.
One would think that working in a hospital of all places, Covid testing would absolutely mandatory, if anything.
No we just check in everyday and are asked if we have any symptoms then tap in and giving a new mask . The hospital keeps track of the tap ins making sure it’s getting done . Any symptoms at all you go home immediately if at work or if home do not come in .
This is insane. When my son had it in spring he was tested right away as was his son. They are in RI
Joshua feel better soon hoping you are covid free.
This better darned well not be true
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/07/world/covid-19-coronavirus
Joshua, if you are up to it, I wonder about your thoughts on this. One son in law was going to take two weeks from work pre Christmas. Another and my daughter were going to try to. Is 7 safe. I’ve lost some faith in the cdc since trump put his finger in the pie
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/01/health/cdc-changing-quarantine-guidelines/index.html
I think 10 days is safe.
But, I’m playing it very safe. Besides interacting with my `roommate’ – my son, who probably had Covid in the spring – I’m going with the 14 day quarantine for myself. I did the same in April. It doesn’t mean I won’t go outside for a walk. But, I will not go grocery shopping or interact with people, other than my son and the cat. There is a silver lining. My daughter is due to arrive in 16 days. I should be all set by then. She’ll have to quarantine here. But that’s okay. The point of her visit is to see me and my son Daniel.
By the way, as you alluded to RI has MUCH easier testing (for RI residents). Many more testing sites per capita. On demand testing as well, which we just don’t have, at least not in the Boston area. I thought we did until I tried in vain to get on demand testing today. Struck out. Need more severe symptoms. Or, need referral from PCP. Well, I called, spoke with nurse, she promised a call back. Nada. Vicki, we do NOT have the greatest healthcare in the world. In fact, I’d say that apart from cancer care – which generally is superior here – our care is inferior to virtually all other industrialized nations, across multiple indicators, from responsiveness to follow-up.
And, getting back to testing in RI the data don’t lie: RI has the most tests per million by far of any state. Nevertheless, RI is in trouble as this week it has the highest number of positive tests per million of any state except Indiana.
Thanks Joshua. So we will go with 10 as long as they feel they have not been exposed or even a hint of exposure. But even the it would be masked and distanced.
I did know RI is in trouble. My grandson is having eye surgery next week in RI. But outpatient and in an area not covid related
I don’t think we have the best healthcare at all. Have never thought that. I do think we have some of the best doctors. Macs family always returned here From wherever they were based for yearly appointments ….on home leave…or for surgical procedures. I will say Medicare with a supplement is amazing. Prescription not so much but as you noted, trump made a difference. My out of pocket for prescriptions is cut in half for 2021
C-19 for 12-8 is ready.