As an Emergency physician...
I will say that unless we can develop immediate rapid in-house testing similar to rapid strep or influenza testing, there is no hope to contain the spread of COVID-19. Current guidelines for testing are unacceptable. With active community spread of this virus and most people having mild symptoms, it is unconscionable to reserve testing for those being very ill without alternative explanation, those being able to prove close contact with an infected person or those with travel to a level 3 affected country. So many people will fly under the radar that this policy has no hope of containing spread.
I cannot fathom the stinginess of policy that forces such a huge hurdle to testing, and even then, the test has to go to the state labs and take days to result. For the tested patient, such a delay will likely cause spread to multiple people wherever that person goes until they are informed they should self-quarantine. For the mildly ill patient who does not meet criteria, if infected, they will infect dozens of people in the community for weeks. This policy is insane and is virtually guaranteeing spread of the virus.
That this is politically driven is an American tragedy and we are witnessing in real time what will be a devastating pandemic. Our healthcare system will be overwhelmed in due course by this outbreak. Local hospitals in affected communities will find themselves short of resources, equipment and personnel. Healthcare workers will not only not be able to handle the influx of ill patients, especially in communities heavy with nursing homes and the elderly - running short of ventilators and ICU beds, etc., but also will face getting infected on a daily basis, literally risking their lives while having their hands tied diagnostically.
I am 58 years old and anticipate weeks to months of being exposed to a symptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients for whom I will unlikely be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment), as well as being exposed to moderately and critically ill patients while facing the reality that many docs an nurses are getting infected despite appropriate use of precautions. i feel certain I will get this virus, in large part due to our inability to appropriately test anyone with respiratory symptoms as we do with influenza. We appear to be dealing with something that is spread by droplet, contact and maybe even airborne spread. I’ve never seen anything like this. Mortality of influenza is 0.1%, mortality of COVID-19 is 20 to 35 times that.
I hope I live.
= new reply since forum marked as read
tragedy in the making. Thank You.
The 60W bulb, the 1000W microwave, etc.
If the work done by the energy is lighting a light bulb, then it's 'neutral', and if it's frying someone to a crisp, it's 'bad'.
So in the analogy at hand, I think it's more accurate to say that the 'energy' is neutral.
The 'power' is actually specific to the work done.
That's what I was getting at, for better or worse 
I can't though, because you're absolutely correct. Without rapid testing - without speed in diagnosis, quarantining and isolating - we will never be able to manage this disease let alone contain it.
Try to get adequate sleep in the coming weeks and months, you will need to take care of yourself as much as possible. Thank you for being on the front lines. 
Not knowing what to say out of fear, I guess.
I'm usually an optimistic person but I have this sense of doom inside at the moment.
I'm very scared and want to say "Thank You", you'll be in my thoughts and heart, as well as everyone in the healthcare field.
Our valley doesn't even have any tests to administer to anyone. It seems more likely than not to me that it is already here. Our population skews elderly and a really high percentage of smokers. Add in all the asbestosis and other copd . . . . this is going to be rough.
Take every precaution you are able to MM, especially when visiting a hospital. Wear an N95 if you can. If you think gloves might help you remember not to touch your face, do that. Who cares what anyone else thinks. And of course, wash --> sanitize --> repeat.
a few years ago got a Vogmask N-99 but it's a size too small. Air comes in at the bridge of my nose but I guess it's still better than nothing.
Your routine is impressive. I'm a person who has never been a handwasher except when they're dirty 
Am so far away from being a germaphobe it's not funny and hard to think that way but am trying to change habits and develop new ones.
Thanks for writing that out - is helpful
I have several unused boxes of N95 masks left over from the last big regional fire here. One thing I was never told was how long they could be used (though with black smoke I guess you could kind of tell) and whether they could be cleaned and re-used, and if so, how to clean them.
If anyone has information on this, I would appreciate it.
Again, thank you Dr. Elias and all the rest in harm's way. 
I hope more medical professionals like yourself can be heard on public media to shock our public into reality. We in turn can start raising mortal hell with our politicians that can help change this policy.
We wish you the very best of luck and please keep DU up to date.......
I hope for information and guidelines to protect heroes (like you) who are on the front lines.
Hospitaling is my career choice when I'm not doing other things. I've been thinking about dusting off my teletech credentials and return to work for a couple of days a week even though I'm retired. The need is great.
Guess I'll put that off for awhile. I would be more trouble as a newbie than I'm worth as a spare hand.
If I live, they might need my help anyway.Then again, maybe you can get the virus more than once.We don't know yet.
Hospital crews are the BEST folks on earth.
