Wuhan Coronavirus

[T-Rock]

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results. Apparently LabCorp in Burlington, NC is backed up severely, due to the massive number of tests being performed. Although we may have the common sinus crud (I think we do), we have noticed some weird things happening with our taste & smell.
Never thought I'd see this happen, but the following is from the NC Respiratory Care Board, just this morning through email:

Dear Licensee,

Since the National Emergency Declaration and Emergency Declaration by Governor Cooper, the NCRCB accelerated the Covid-19 response by taking the following actions:

The NCRCB established a Covid-19 Task Force Adhoc Committee to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services. The goal is to help patients stay in the home while ensuring they receive the supplies they need. However, there is concern family caregivers will need support, which is where RCPs come into the picture. We discussed with DHHS to suspend all prior authorizations for the Medicaid and Medicare patients receiving respiratory support at home. We discussed the possibility of increasing Medicaid supplies to match those received by Medicare, at least on an emergency basis. It is now to be determined by the NCDHHS Administration. Update: The request for prior authorizations was sent to CMS last week.

After the Covid-19 Task Force Adhoc Committee last week, the Board approved the following emergency rules that expire in 60 days on March 18, 2020, during an emergency meeting:

The Board waived the requirements for continuing education requirements.
The Board waived the requirements for random audits and proof of compliance with the Board’s requirements for continuing education. No audits for at least 60 days. Those under current auditing will not be assessed until their next renewal.
The Board waived the requirements for each applicant for renewal or initial licensure to provide a copy of current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).
The Board waived the requirements for twelve hours of continuing education hours for all renewals and initial licensure.
The Board waived the $ 75.00 late renewal fee of any license, but you must maintain a license to work.
The Board waived the requirements for lapsed licensure that requires licenses lapsed in excess of 24 months to reapply for licensure. Those licensees who have lapsed for less than five years may renew without penalty, BLS, or CE requirements.
The Board waived the requirements for individuals on inactive status; There will be no requirement to convert his or her license to active status by submission of a renewal application and payment of any late fee. They may renew without penalty, BLS, or CE requirements.
These rule waivers were submitted on Friday, March 20, 2020, and approved by the NC Rules Commission Rules Codifier. Officially, these waivers take effect on March 30, 2020. Temporary rules were also submitted following the emergency rule submission to extend these waivers for the full duration of the National Emergency Declaration.

These changes allowed licensing time to be reduced to 2 days in some cases as opposed to 30-45 days for those individuals applying by reciprocity as long as they have a current license in another state and active NBRC credentials. All licensees and applicants for licensing must have and maintain active NBRC credentials.

The Board also passed a ruling and a position statement:

1) The Respiratory Care Assistant Declaratory Ruling allows senior students to work for up to 12 months or until licensed by the Board.

2) Pandemic Flu: Covid-19 Response Position Statement states in part:

“In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Board wishes to emphasize that all flu-related procedures fall within the scope to include surveillance and mitigation strategies, assessment, diagnostic testing, and vaccinations. As experts in mechanical ventilation and aerosolized medicine, the Board encourages licensees to use the AARC Practice Guidelines and guidance documents and Centers Disease Control Guidelines, specifically “Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings.”

Covid-19 resources and statements will be placed on the website as soon as possible under the Covid-19 Resources tab.

Once again, we know you are working hard to treat the sickest patients in the hospital, so you must remain healthy. Take all necessary precautions per your facility policies and the Center for Disease Control guidelines. We are developing our resource page so you can also look on our website in the next 24 hours for information pertaining to this issue. Please stay tuned for more information as we adapt to this evolving situation. Above all, stay healthy.

Best Regards,

Dr. William L. Croft, Ed.D, Ph.D., RRT, RCP

Executive Director

North Carolina Respiratory Care Board

125 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 100

Cary, NC 27511

Phone: (919) 878-5595

Fax: (919) 878-5565

E-mail: bcroft@ncrcb.org

[Old Dog New Trick]

Originally Posted by T-Rock

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results. Apparently LabCorp in Burlington, NC is backed up severely, due to the massive number of tests being performed. Although we may have the common sinus crud (I think we do), we have noticed some weird things happening with our taste & smell.
Never thought I'd see this happen, but the following is from the NC Respiratory Care Board, just this morning through email:

T-Rock my prayers are with you and your family. That same loss of smell and taste is being reported elsewhere for recovering persons. Wishing you and yours the best and full recovery.

[T-Rock]

/\ Thank you Sir. We're good. Just running low on our booze supply

[GratefulCitizen]

Curious about something and wonder if there's someone with medical knowledge who could address this.

Categories which seem to be more affected by COVID 19:
Older (more specifically not young)
Male
Diabetic
Cardiovascular disease
Lung disease

Also, hydroxychloroquine has shown to be an effective treatment.

All of these have something in common: iron.
Are iron levels a risk factor?

[Old Dog New Trick]

Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen

Curious about something and wonder if there's someone with medical knowledge who could address this.

Categories which seem to be more affected by COVID 19:
Older (more specifically not young)
Male
Diabetic
Cardiovascular disease
Lung disease

Also, hydroxychloroquine has shown to be an effective treatment.

All of these have something in common: iron.
Are iron levels a risk factor?

Good question although I believe women are more iron deficient than men. It has also been shown that smokers are more susceptible to lung complications from the virus. I don’t know and I’m not a doctor. Would love someone else to take a stab at this.

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by Old Dog New Trick

Good question although I believe women are more iron deficient than men. It has also been shown that smokers are more susceptible to lung complications from the virus. I don’t know and I’m not a doctor. Would love someone else to take a stab at this.

That was my point.
All of these categories have HIGHER iron levels.

One of the ways hydroxychloroquine works is by preventing the displacement of Fe from hemoglobin.
Seems to be a connection.

People living in areas with higher air pollution (dense urban areas) and at high altitude (Colorado?) would also have higher iron levels.

[PedOncoDoc]

Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen

That was my point.
All of these categories have HIGHER iron levels.

One of the ways hydroxychloroquine works is by preventing the displacement of Fe from hemoglobin.
Seems to be a connection.

People living in areas with higher air pollution (dense urban areas) and at high altitude (Colorado?) would also have higher iron levels.

Elevation actually changes oxygen affinity of hemoglobin through increases in 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate - these changes are independent of iron stores/levels.

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by PedOncoDoc

Elevation actually changes oxygen affinity of hemoglobin through increases in 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate - these changes are independent of iron stores/levels.

Ok.

Any thoughts on higher iron levels?

[Old Dog New Trick]

I was going to C&P this but it got too long. It’s one of the most detailed description I’ve seen of cases, by age, sex, contact methods, disposition (at home or hospitalized) and or recovered.

Definitely worthy of your time. 182 known suspected cases in Houston and surrounding counties.

https://abc13.com/health/new-cases-b...o-182/5999764/

Not that many have been hospitalized!

Second source: 183 cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 in greater Houston area; 2 deaths, 18 recovered

https://fox26houston.com/news/183-ca...s-18-recovered

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Old Dog New Trick

Definitely worthy of your time. 182 known suspected cases in Houston and surrounding counties.

Indeed; that's an amazing breakdown from a general news site.
Thanks! (Hint to Regional outlets, this is how it's done.)

[Old Dog New Trick]

Well here it is...Martial Law has been imposed on a state by state basis.


https://todaysfive.com/united-states...uard-deployed/

PS I cannot confirm or deny source of this site. Leans far right if you ask me and may be BS.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by T-Rock

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results. Apparently LabCorp in Burlington, NC is backed up severely, due to the massive number of tests being performed. Although we may have the common sinus crud (I think we do), we have noticed some weird things happening with our taste & smell.
Never thought I'd see this happen, but the following is from the NC Respiratory Care Board, just this morning through email:

Prayers for good news T-Rock

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by T-Rock

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results. Apparently LabCorp in Burlington, NC is backed up severely, due to the massive number of tests being performed. Although we may have the common sinus crud (I think we do), we have noticed some weird things happening with our taste & smell.
Never thought I'd see this happen, but the following is from the NC Respiratory Care Board, just this morning through email:

Loss of taste/ smell is a correlation. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Be well and be safe!

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by T-Rock

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results.

Prayers out

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by Old Dog New Trick

Well here it is...Martial Law has been imposed on a state by state basis.


https://todaysfive.com/united-states...uard-deployed/

PS I cannot confirm or deny source of this site. Leans far right if you ask me and may be BS.

Ok... soooooo...Your senses are correct OD - As Abraham Lincoln once said, Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

I would SUGGEST that the states listed have requested Title 32 enactment of National Guard.

Thus far the following States have activated their National Guard in support of COVID-19 response

Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Guam | Illinois | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Massachusetts | Maryland | Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Wisconsin

What is Title 32 you say??

Under Title 32 status, a guardsman is activated by and remains under the control of the governor, but is paid for by the federal government. This helps relieve the financial burden on the affected state.


Just saying