Makes you wonder if the repeat system for scripts is a good idea.
For some things it is but generally not.
There are some meds which are maintenance long term but antibiotics are short term temporary. But antibiotics dont work for Coronavirus
.......
As a bit of comparison
WHO estimates between 290K-650K people die from influenza each year - estimated 3000 in Australia. No one calling for masks, quarantine during the flu season.
And malaria kills nearly half a million people a year. But is is not in the consciousness of the general public because its not close to home.
Under 5 yr child mortality worldwide is about 5 million is 2018 mostly from nutrition, water related, respiratory illnesses. Malaria is in the top 5. Not important in Australia.
So often the media garners public interest, but public interest wanes when the media loses interest. All this is happening in the shadows unfortunately.
Is n-COV important?. Yes it is but let's not go overboard. Take sensible precautions. Stay at home if sick is the main theme for anything - wear a mask?. Otherwise wear a mask if you want to but don't forget anything you touch may be an infection risk. We certainly don't for the 3000 deaths each year from Influenza.
.....
A patient is suspected to have n-COV if clinical
AND epidemiological criteria are satisfied:
Clinical criteria:
Fever/history of fever AND acute respiratory symptoms - one of following: shortness of breath, cough or sore throat.
Acute respiratory symptoms and Xray evidence suggestive of lung infection whether or not fever is present.
Fever without these symptoms does NOT satisfy the clinical criteria
Epidemiological criteria:
Travel from Hubei province or a declared outbreak area within 14 days of symptoms
Close contact with a CONFIRMED case of n-COV within the last 14 days
Being near someone who coughed or sneezed does NOT satisfy Current epidemiological criteria.
Testing:
Nose,throat swabs to test for presence of n-COV virus (available now)
Blood test - (these are stored for when the antibody test becomes available but currently not available yet)
What mask to wear:
Lucky we had a bushfire...
The same P2 or N95 masks that have been given out in the bushfire areas. (Though they dont last forever. )
Bunnings sells them - just stick to the 3M masks: