My family, unfortunately, has been close to some of the front lines of the Coronavirus outbreak. One of us was in several CDC Level-3 countries before returning to the United States on March 12, 2020.
Corona Virus And My Family
Due to this we have been caught up in a number of emerging issues from screening and testing, to quarantine and more. I’m here to tell you what’s going on behind the scenes.
What Is Increased Screening?
This family member was in several European cities (Madrid, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and more) during March. When they flew back into the United States we were anticipating the increased screening that we learned about in this speech.
Screening ≠ Testing
As they passed through US Customs they experienced the aforementioned increased screening. This consisted of being asked if they were in China or Italy. This family member observed that not a single person they went through Customs with was asked about symptoms, had their temperature taken, or was given a Coronavirus test.
Federal Government Recommendations
They were given no information on quarantine procedures, nor was it recommended. However, this family member immediately went into self-quarantine to avoid becoming a potential vector for the spread of this virus. We all need to do our best to flatten the curve.
What Is Self-Quarantine?
The rest of us are in quarantine too. There are no tests available to those coming from the middle of the pandemic. We are in quarantine to protect others in case we have Coronavirus due to exposure from our traveling family member. Having been in the health space for almost 30 years I take public health very seriously. This is not just about preventing old people from getting sick, though that is of extreme importance. It is about preventing total collapse of our health care system.
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How Many Tests Does USA Have?
Unfortunately, we do not have enough tests to test high risk populations (like my family traveler) which include those coming from hot spots around the world as well as our medical personnel, and people who experience typical Coronavirus symptoms.1
Testing In Colorado
The governor is desperate for tests,2 and our Boulder County Medical Director personally told me that they do not have enough tests to administer to emergency personnel. As of March 20, 2020, less than 3,000 individuals3 had been tested in Colorado out of a population of 6,000,000.4 We don’t have enough tests here as outlined in The Denver Post article titled, Colorado Coronavirus Testing Frustrations.
Testing In USA
According to this Wall Street Journal, article:5
When cases of the new coronavirus began emerging several weeks ago in California, Washington state and other pockets of the country, U.S. public-health officials worried this might be The Big One…The testing program they rolled out to combat it, though, was a small one.
How Many Tested?
According to the WSJ, as of March 20, 2020, 32,000 people had been tested in the US. Incidentally, of those, 6,500 people tested positive for Coronavirus. It is concerning that 20% of those tested are positive.
Global Coronavirus Count
Here is a link to a Global Coronavirus Counter from Johns Hopkins. Please note, the numbers you see on this counter will be different than those I cite above, given that this tool is current, and the above are from newspaper articles that do not get updated.
Let’s Start A Global Conversation
I’d love to connect with you during this challenging time. Let me know where you are, how you’re holding up emotionally, what your physical condition is, and if you have access to Coronavirus testing. Stay safe, flatten the curve, and support our health warriors!
Joan Seliger Sidney says
Thanks, Elana. Stay well all of you. We’re doing our best, too.
Elana says
Joan, thanks for your comment and stay well!
Nicole says
Thank you so much for sharing this information in such a thoughtful and straightforward way, Elana. You reach such a diverse audience with this blog and it’s wonderful that in addition to sharing fantastic recipes, you are providing first-hand knowledge and information that is so needed at this time. I’ve been a follower of yours since the beginning, and admire you and your work (and almond flour) immensely! Sending you and your family strong, healthy, positive thoughts as you try to navigate the testing chaos.
Elana says
Nicole, thanks for your super duper excellent comment! I’m so grateful we’ve been on this healing path together for so long. Have a fantastic day and stay safe :-)
Joan says
Stay healthy. I am sorry to hear you have experienced the pandemic emergency plan…but at least the Western world had warning and some plans in place. We are grateful!
Testing in Canada is equally sparse.
We returned from Mexico, to Calgary Canada. Upon arrival, there were only our plane passengers in immigration, along with six guards and four immigration clerks. They were masked and gloved in some sort of suit outfit.
We were last out…seniors, and staff was spraying and cleaning as we left. In concourse to exit, we were greeted by provincial ( state reps) who asked us “coughing”? “ flu symptoms”? “Tired, out of sorts”? Then we were given checklists of symptoms, and provincial health care phone number. We were also given list of pro active behaviours: self isolate, six metre distance, etc. Final immigration officer looked us in eye and asked for verbal promise of home isolation for fourteen days.
And out into the cold north wind and snow. Welcome home!
Elana says
Joan, thank you for your report on what you experienced in Canada upon re-entry. That is far more intervention/recommendation than my family member received. Glad to hear about what other countries are doing to protect their citizens from this pandemic. Stay safe!
Leta says
My son Is just recovering from the Coronavirus. He is an artist who owns a gallery in the Mountains of CO. He contracted it from 2 patrons who had just returned from China. Fortunately, he did not have to be hospitalized.
Elana says
Leta, thanks for reaching out with this information. I hope you and yours stay safe and glad to hear he is recovering!
Helen says
I live in Houston, TX. I’m 66 yrs old and so I made a decision to stay in my home. All my children and grandchildren live nearby so it’s extremely hard to have made the decision to have no contact for the duration. After reading extensively I felt it was the best choice for me. I have a niece staying with us that recently moved here from Ireland (before this got to be a thing) and it’s way past 14 days and she is well. One of my daughter-in-laws is a nurse anesthetist in a hospital with confirmed Covid19 patients. She has not had contact with any but feels the stress each day. We are just focusing on positive, uplifting things for now. Hoping if everyone would stay home this would die off sooner than later.
Elana says
Helen, thanks for sharing your situation here. I know it is so hard to isolate for safety and not have physical, in person contact. You are very brave to do so, and I’m glad your niece is with you and also that we can connect here remotely. I have the same hopes as you!
Sherry says
Hi Elana, I have long time enjoyed your terrific site and all your deeply valuable information and truly wonderful recipes.
I returned from a month in France 3/13 through SFO and found no interest in my recent whereabouts, no testing, and no guidance on self quarantine upon arrival. Friends arriving from 2 weeks in Italy a couple of days earlier experienced the same in Miami. Sadly this is what happens when the stupids are in charge.
I know you are working hard to keep your family safe and your diets good. I have increased my daily intake of grass fed collagen hydrolysante, homemade sauerkraut, and am up to at least 2 hours of exercise a day – including a generous amount of walking outdoors, breathing deeply. Fortunately, there are increasing numbers of yoga and chi gong classes appearing online – lucky us.
I wish you all well and safe until this passes. And, it will surely pass…all my very best to you, Sherry Morse
Elana says
Sherry, OMG there are so many things I love about your comment. I don’t even know where to start. I too am very focused on exercise, working to keep it at an hour or more per day. Sending you well wishes and all my very best to you and yours :-)
MBCorso says
In December I stayed in a hotel in Franklin, Tn. for 2 nights. Within a few days I began to have a severe runny nose, cough and great fatigue. I flew back to Richmond, Va 2 days before Christmas. Spent Christmas alone. Sick!!! Could hardly move and coughed all night, but no fever. I drank many green smoothies with ginger, apple, turmeric, etc. and had warm soup. After 4 days at home,, I recovered. Now I am hearing of other strange viruses in Dec. I am glad I know how to eat healthfully. I had not been sick in 4 years and take no meds. I am 83.
I pray your family stays healthy. You know how to do it. Thanks for sharing.
Elana says
MB, I am so grateful that you were ok after that trip. I’m sending prayers to you and yours!
Bonnie Mann says
Hi Elana, I am so happy to see you addressing the many issues that are occurring due to this virus and am sorry to hear about your possible exposure. My husband and I are also on self-quarantine due to being in the Portland International Airport on March 10 and having not been informed at that time that we should be taking precautions. Within a few days this changed very quickly with news of exposure so we are staying in.
We also have a daughter and son-in-law who were traveling in Europe who are presently sheltering in Montenegro due to the fact that there are no flights leaving that country and the borders are closed. They have a leased car from Amsterdam but there is no possibility of returning it now. They are hoping that the State Department will step in and provide some type of safe transportation for them but for now they remain in a rented house and are safe.
We live in Oregon and our governor, Kate Brown, has been very proactive for our state. She started immediately making decisions to keep Oregonians safe which we really appreciate. At the same time, without a mandated order to shelter in place, we continue to see people who are not taking this pandemic seriously and it is frightening to us. Therefore, we will remain at home and take care of each other while supporting our five children and six grandchildren through media. Please continue your updates and wonderful information stream so that others can get relevant information as this picture unfolds. My deepest wishes that you stay healthy and safe.
Elana says
Bonnie, thanks you for updating me on your family’s situation, I’m so sorry you have relatives stranded out of the country, but glad they are safe right now. I too am frightened that many are not taking this public health matter seriously. Our governor has handled this situation well and shown leadership in crisis. For that I am so very grateful. Thanks for sharing your gratitude for the information and research that I provide here. And thanks for being on this journey with me.
Judith Witney says
We live in Ontario, Canada. Both seniors, with heavy health histories. My husband underwent heart bypass surgery last November. I have had a stroke, Cancer and Parkinson’s.We are completely self isolating. Our groceries are delivered and so are our medicines.So far, we are doing well.Stay safe
Elana says
Judith, thank you so much for sharing your situation here. Glad you and DH are isolating. Sending you hugs and stay safe!
Betsy says
Oh dear, wishing you all health, wealth, and abundant love !
Elana says
Thanks so much Betsy! Big love back to you :-)