One positive side effect of lockdown...

My family is spread all over the country and the world. This morning, the timing was so perfect and everyone was home, we all got Google Duo installed and did 10-way video call. Got to see all aunts, uncles, kids...at once. It was like virtual thanksgiving.

 A very rough / anecdotal estimate would be 50%. So half of people can be sent home with minimal to no workup (probably didn't need to come in). The other half deserve further investigation into their respiratory complaint.

You can't clinically tell the difference between flu or COVID or some other virus. I have to assume at this point if you come in with cold/flu symptoms it's COVID until proven otherwise. Unfortunately I don't have enough tests to know for sure.

Quote from: qwerty on Today at 10:49:04 AM

Thanks IAC. Very helpful.

One last question - probably too hard to answer but any insight would be helpful.

What % of those that show up to ER with Covid-19 symptoms actually should have just stayed home because their symptoms did not actually require an ER visit?

I’m guessing there is a decent % because of the fear factor of having a new virus?

The real answer is we do not know. It's not something we track or can track unless we test everyone.

We are seeing panic induced calls and emails just based on the volume. But, is there panic at the ER level, I'd say no (or not yet)

Unfortunately, that can change very quickly as we're seeing in NY

Everything mentioned here plus drycleaning costs. I have been in my PJs/workout attire for past 14 days. Wash Dry Repeat.

Other way to look at it, those are all the small businesses that must be suffering badly.

Is anyone here spending more money or even the same money because of this?  Regardless of whether your job is secure:

Can't go out to eat
Can't to go movies
Can't go to theme parks
Can't go on vacations
Can't go to the gym
Can't go to school or daycare
Can't host birthday parties or other social gatherings
Less need to buy a new car or other forms of transportation, and related costs (fuel, service)

Personally my family is saving over $2000/month just on monthly recurring expenses for our daughter (daycare, gym, dance, karate).  I don't think I've driven even 5 miles in the past week+.  We used to go to Costco weekly to stock up on groceries, which is essential, but I would also buy a lot of other stuff while there. 

The only thing I think we'll be spending more on is groceries, as we are looking to start home deliveries from Amazon, Costco and others.  But that's a small amount relative to what we'll be saving.

I imagine a lot of people are in the same boat, even with the same paycheck.  Then add in the millions who have been laid off or are at risk of losing their jobs.  How is consumption not going to drop by trillions per year?  Depression, indeed. 

Also, this looks to further drive income inequality.

From what I’ve read though, the choices are somewhat limited. Ralph’s, vons, etc need to start using it

There are various videos on YouTube regarding Amazon Go.