Coronavirus - In the DR

[Garyexpat]

In my opinion what needs to come is a complete lockdown of every person on the island...in their home, by law.

This will happen in the United States as happened in China France and Italy.

An open grocery store is not the issue here.

WOW, Mr. Stalin I prefer my freedom. Complete lockdown has NOT and will not happen in my opinion in the U.S. We are used to freedoms and rights and won't tolerate it.
BTW, The flue has taken the lives of over 22,000 people in the U.S. this year and no hysteria.
I suggest you move to Cuba or Venezuela where your tactics are commonly in use.

 

[Polar Bear]

Is anyone here a medical professional specializing in applicable medical fields? You know...virology, immunology, epidemiology or is an infectious disease specialist?

Didn't think so. So why should anyone take what's being said here as truthful or useful? We can all use "google" yet most wouldn't have the first clue how to tell what's good info and what's BS.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

It all depends on what your priorities are.

If you just want to save the economy, then let the disease run wild. Tell people not to bother going for treatment, they will either live or die-the hospitals are for heart attacks, car wrecks and people who get struck by lightning. Dig up a bunch of pits, fill and repeat and voila, in almost no time at all, everyone left is now immune and the economy and life can go on.

When protecting populations is deemed to be the cause of the day, different decisions need to be made. I seem to recall that the crinkly document says that all {people kind} are created equal. One could extrapolate that it would be inappropriate to compare the value of a person who is 80 and infirm with the value of a person who is 18 and stupid.

You either try and save everybody or nobody. Practical reality sometimes means that tough choices have to be made, but the effort is genuine and people understand that.

This "most people will recover" devalues a life of someone you do not know, do not love and has no impact on you whatsoever, except you are being asked to stay home for them when you'd rather be out and about doing something else. That's just selfish and unfortunately a trait shared by many these days. Some may in time experience an epiphany and change how they think, but most will not. Until it is someone they know, they love or someone that has a big impact on their existence, the order of the day is "what do I care, most will recover, it's just the Flu after all, who brought the beer Yeah!"

For all the shortcomings, at least Dominicans don't seem to have evolved to the point of callous indifference yet unlike some other cultures.

 

[Expat-in-Cabarete]

You are one of many fellow Americans missing the point. The flu (not flue) does not spread as quickly, kills less of the affected, and it is known. This one is expected to infect 150 million Americans, and kill between 1-3 million. Is that similar to the "flue"?

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

PB,

This is a discussion on a backwater mostly irrelevant forum except for those with a singular interest in the DR and American politics I guess. If you are looking for professional grade info from immunologists or epidemiologists boy are you in the wrong place.

We deal in discussions with some useful information that sometimes contains a fact or two. Speculation, conjecture and pure opinion coupled with more than little bit of goading, taunting and circuitous name calling. If you don't like what someone thinks, make them feel small - yep that's us.

Want to understand exponential growth of leukocytes in agar substrate at 98.6 degrees F, try here:

https://www.immunology.org/about-us/our-people/governance/forum

Want to throw a nerf football at your monitor and wear out a keyboard every week, now that's something we can help you achieve right here.

People make mistakes and some take great delight in being the first to point out those mistakes. Some don't seem to even be able to read but that doesn't stop them. The rest of us know we are a community discussing DR related topics. All we have to offer are our observations and opinions. Most users here know this and assign each participant a degree of credibility that is either used responsibly or squandered.

This thread about CV19 in the DR is useful, entertaining and due to human error sometimes inaccurate. To sit at this table you have to accept that.

 

[TropicalPaul]

People out of work DONT DIE AND KILL EVERYONE AROUND THEM!

People out of work in DR have little food so weakened immune systems, no medicine, no medical insurance. You cannot compare the experience of being workless in DR to being workless in the US or Europe where there is a safety net. IMO the death rate caused by the increase in poverty that the inevitable recession will cause will far outstrip the death rate from the virus. I am an expert on labour markets and worklessness and there are very clear links between death rates and levels of unemployment.

Secondly, there are clear links between crime rates and levels of unemployment. You will see the number of attacks rising as people lose their jobs. Unfortunately the moral compass in Dominican society is not always set at the same level as in first world countries and there are those who think it's not so bad to kill someone because they've got something you want.

 

[etolw]

People out of work in DR have little food so weakened immune systems, no medicine, no medical insurance. You cannot compare the experience of being workless in DR to being workless in the US or Europe where there is a safety net. IMO the death rate caused by the increase in poverty that the inevitable recession will cause will far outstrip the death rate from the virus. I am an expert on labour markets and worklessness and there are very clear links between death rates and levels of unemployment.

Secondly, there are clear links between crime rates and levels of unemployment. You will see the number of attacks rising as people lose their jobs. Unfortunately the moral compass in Dominican society is not always set at the same level as in first world countries and there are those who think it's not so bad to kill someone because they've got something you want.

Only stupid and/or drugged ladrones kill their host. PN and CESTUR do not like that, and make good effort hunting them down.

 

[TropicalPaul]

Only stupid and/or drugged ladrones kill their host. PN and CESTUR do not like that, and make good effort hunting them down.

If you have been following DR1 for a while, you will know that there have been some horrific cases in the last couple of years of members of our expat community murdered, and always the motive was money. I can't remember any of the murderers being drugged and one in particular was a qualified lawyer so clearly not stupid. And the reassurance that the police will be on the case isn't much help to you when you've just been attacked or murdered.

You cannot dismiss the effects an economic recession are going to have on crime in DR. Seriously.

 

[etolw]

I am living it as we speak. I do not read about it as you do. Been here 22 years

Neighbours robbed last week. They were not tourists but Dominicanos

Seriously

It was worse before

 

[JD Jones]

DR Coronavirus cases jump overnight to 34 with 2 deaths.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

 

[DR Solar]

Following the given guidelines and common sense.

We paid our employees two weeks in advance. Our older housekeeper that has some minor medical problems has been told to stay home. Only one employee per day will work, rotating the days. Mostly outdoor work at our home so no interaction with anyone else while working. We will continue to pay our employees for as long as it takes.

Being from earthquake prone California, we always had an extra stash of cash, food and supplies. That same readiness planning has stayed with us and adjusted more concerning water, power and security. We agree with TP and others that crime will increase as desperation sets in.

A side note. I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago and while out for dining, a man nearby my table was collapsing and being held up by two others. They tried to put him on a barstool. I heard the man complaining of chest pains and could not breath. His right hand was holding his left arm and his speech a little odd. I quickly went over and confirmed his distress and got him laying down on the floor and yelled for 911. I continued to talk with and at times slapping the man as he faded in and out at times. I did not do CPR since his heart had not stopped at that time. Medics arrived and took over, he was having PVCs and most likely would have gone into cardiac arrest. What surprised me was no one else had any idea of what to do. I first learned CPR and the Heimlich maneuver in high school and a few refresher classes.... 40 years ago. I have used the Heimlich maneuver 4 times but this was my first time confronted with using CPR. I find it so odd that learning something over 40 years ago just happened to become important.... over 40 years later.

I returned home here in the DR the next day so don't know what happened to the guy. With the virus starting to show up in Miami and people at the airport with masks, changed security procedures and my luck had a guy next to me coughing on the flight. Just finishing my 2 week at home quarantine. (minor sore throat)

To me; being aware and prepared are so important. Applying and doing even more so.

 

[etolw]

Following the given guidelines and common sense.

We paid our employees two weeks in advance. Our older housekeeper that has some minor medical problems has been told to stay home. Only one employee per day will work, rotating the days. Mostly outdoor work at our home so no interaction with anyone else while working. We will continue to pay our employees for as long as it takes.

Being from earthquake prone California, we always had an extra stash of cash, food and supplies. That same readiness planning has stayed with us and adjusted more concerning water, power and security. We agree with TP and others that crime will increase as desperation sets in.

A side note. I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago and while out for dining, a man nearby my table was collapsing and being held up by two others. They tried to put him on a barstool. I heard the man complaining of chest pains and could not breath. His right hand was holding his left arm and his speech a little odd. I quickly went over and confirmed his distress and got him laying down on the floor and yelled for 911. I continued to talk with and at times slapping the man as he faded in and out at times. I did not do CPR since his heart had not stopped at that time. Medics arrived and took over, he was having PVCs and most likely would have gone into cardiac arrest. What surprised me was no one else had any idea of what to do. I first learned CPR and the Heimlich maneuver in high school and a few refresher classes.... 40 years ago. I have used the Heimlich maneuver 4 times but this was my first time confronted with using CPR. I find it so odd that learning something over 40 years ago just happened to become important.... over 40 years later.

I returned home here in the DR the next day so don't know what happened to the guy. With the virus starting to show up in Miami and people at the airport with masks, changed security procedures and my luck had a guy next to me coughing on the flight. Just finishing my 2 week at home quarantine. (minor sore throat)

To me; being aware and prepared are so important. Applying and doing even more so.

Went out to buy takeaway at the beach last evening. A very young couple that rented sun chairs came by and asked how to get food brought. I were curious and tried to ask them why they had not left with the last flights. They were too afraid to talk to me. I looked stressed and scary I suppose.
I told them that the guy they rented sun chairs from will bring the food. They said they knew that. I had to ask them if they did not know anything about the virus situation? Oh yes thay said, we know that.

Poor people, they looked like deers in the headlights at night

 

[Ecoman1949]

It all depends on what your priorities are.

If you just want to save the economy, then let the disease run wild. Tell people not to bother going for treatment, they will either live or die-the hospitals are for heart attacks, car wrecks and people who get struck by lightning. Dig up a bunch of pits, fill and repeat and voila, in almost no time at all, everyone left is now immune and the economy and life can go on.

When protecting populations is deemed to be the cause of the day, different decisions need to be made. I seem to recall that the crinkly document says that all {people kind} are created equal. One could extrapolate that it would be inappropriate to compare the value of a person who is 80 and infirm with the value of a person who is 18 and stupid.

You either try and save everybody or nobody. Practical reality sometimes means that tough choices have to be made, but the effort is genuine and people understand that.

This "most people will recover" devalues a life of someone you do not know, do not love and has no impact on you whatsoever, except you are being asked to stay home for them when you'd rather be out and about doing something else. That's just selfish and unfortunately a trait shared by many these days. Some may in time experience an epiphany and change how they think, but most will not. Until it is someone they know, they love or someone that has a big impact on their existence, the order of the day is "what do I care, most will recover, it's just the Flu after all, who brought the beer Yeah!"

For all the shortcomings, at least Dominicans don't seem to have evolved to the point of callous indifference yet unlike some other cultures.

Interesting reference to lack of DR callous indifference CG. I suspect their current attitude is their version of stoicism tempered by decades of dealing with poverty, corruption, and constant tropical diseases like malaria and dengue. The old saw, “Where ignorance is bliss tis folly to be wise”, comes to mind.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

One's personal security while here in the DR has always been a concern that everyone has to deal with up to their own level of comfort. As is the case in most other places where walking down the street doesn't get the ladrones arrested, crimes of opportunity and property may well see in increase over time if restrictive measures measure remain in place long enough.

During the "good times", we put up walls, fences, iron bars, procured scary four-legged poop factories, camera systems and even more forceful measures. In this regard, today is really not that much different for someone who has dealt with their personal security than the situation yesterday. Regardless of the likelihood of a security related event occurring, you are either protected as best you can be in your home or you are not.

When you are outside your home you have always had to remember in the back of your mind that it is possible that two guys on a moto will ride up beside you and politely ask for any spare change you might have, or your phone, jewelry, wallet or the official baseball cap you are wearing. That hasn't changed either.

Security is just like having extra food and water for tough times. You either have some or you don't and that is completely on you based on the decision you made.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Four other types of febrile viruses affect the population

According to sentinel surveillance reports carried out by the Epidemiology Directorate of the Ministry of Public Health until February 15, the system had identified the circulation of sustained influenza A H1N1 pdm09, influenza A H3N2 and influenza B viruses. , to which was added in recent weeks the detection of respiratory syncytial virus, which is different from influenza and affects mostly young children.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-tipos-de-virus-febriles-afectan-a-poblacion

 

[caribmike]

Just read that too. I wonder if they exclude each other? I mean, when you get one of them, can you get another too? Or only one virus at a time and the others (Corona?) can't get in?

 

[bienamor]

And now for some more positive news, and interesting read. I know that all who have been in the military and served in SE Asia are familiar with this drug. The US military probably has a warehouse full of this stuff. I know I took it for about 14 months in the 1960's. once a week as entered the mess hall.
If this works would be the cheapest drug ever for a novel virus. at about .04 a pill

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/chloroquine-malaria-drug-treat-coronavirus-doctors/story?id=69664561.

https://www.businessinsider.com/malaria-pill-chloroquine-tested-as-coronavirus-treatment-2020-3

There are no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19, but researchers are testing a slew of existing drugs to see if they could work.
One of those drugs is called chloroquine, a widely used anti-malaria pill that was first approved in the US in 1949.
Countries including China, South Korea, and Belgium have added it to COVID-19 treatment guidelines as anecdotal reports have suggested that it might work.

"If clinical data confirm the biological results, the novel coronavirus-associated disease will have become one of the simplest and cheapest to treat and prevent among infectious respiratory diseases," a group of French researchers wrote in a paper published on February 15 in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

One of the three authors of that article was Didier Raoult, a prominent infectious-disease expert who's running a clinical trial in France to test a version of the drug called hydroxychloroquine on a few dozen patients with COVID-19. It's one of many clinical studies going on around the world testing chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine.

Early reports of Raoult's trial were positive, with Raoult saying chloroquine appeared to shorten the time that people with COVID-19 are infectious.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

A word to the wise...

As is being discussed in other countries right now, the DR Govt is considering interior travel restrictions of some sort. Before you hop in your land yacht and strike out for the other side of the island, consider what you might do if you suddenly can't easily get back to where you started.

I would expect that there would be some advanced notice of any such measures, but ....

President may restrict freedom of transit and assembly of people

 

[william webster]

So ----

15 days is now 25 days
and
I am told that only 5 people at a time are allowed into the supermarket

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Just read that too. I wonder if they exclude each other? I mean, when you get one of them, can you get another too? Or only one virus at a time and the others (Corona?) can't get in?

Oh no, you can get infected with as many distinct viruses as you choose to breathe in all at the same time. With Flu, the various strains are similar in structure so most of us having been exposed to several strains of Flu in the past and don't need a whole lot of time for our bodies to fight these viruses. Partial immunity carries forward year after year.

But sure, you can have the Flu and be infected with Dengue while going to the pharmacy and catch CV19 on the way home. Wouldn't want to be you, but the scenario is certainly possible if unlikely based on the odds. That's why doctors tell people to go home and go to bed until they recover. Sick with one disease at a time is enough for most people.