Coronavirus - are we all doomed?

[ColinEssex]

I can't quite understand the reporting of positive cases and deaths from the virus from whatever country.

In the UK, we apparently report on cases that have been tested, it is obvious there are 10's of thousands who have it but not been tested - so not reported in official figures. The smaller the number of tests, the smaller the results, so that equals massive under-reporting. Add that to countries that are economical with the truth and the answer is that official figures are basically not worth the paper.
But, what is important is that this is a nasty virus, official figures back up government restrictions and if we get through this, then even with dodgy figures it will have been worth it.
The next big problem is how are we going to pay for it all at the end of it. The U.K.will be massively in debt and will be for decades. You can't spend hundreds and hundreds of billions of pounds without a knock on effect.

Col

 

[vba_php]

The U.K.will be massively in debt and will be for decades.

the entire world is in debt, col. your statement is completely invalid and pointless. it just might come to pass that the entire world sees an agreement whereby a "debt reset" occurs. thus, no one will owe anyone else any money. that's a very real possibility, if leaders have any common sense left whatsoever.

 

[deletedT]

The U.K.will be massively in debt and will be for decades.

Not UK alone. We are ahead of UK in the amount of debt. Maybe Japan has to pay for the effects of this virus more than any other country. We spent God knows how much money for Olympics and now it's cancelled. Or Postponed. They expected to make money out of it, but now look at the amount of zeros in our debt.

 

[ColinEssex]

Someone said the whole world is in debt. There are at least 5 countries with no outside debt. These are, Macau, British Virgin Islands, Palau, Liechtenstein, and Brunei.
Col

 

[ColinEssex]

I see now that the UK Prime Minister has tested positive.
Col

 

[Jon]

And Matt Hancock, the health secretary.

 

[deletedT]

Someone said the whole world is in debt. There are at least 5 countries with no outside debt. These are, Macau, British Virgin Islands, Palau, Liechtenstein, and Brunei.
Col

You can add UAE and Saudi Arabia and Oman to your list.
And possibly China.

 

[moke123]

My stepson in L.I., N.Y. told my daughter last night he has a 101 fever and no health insurance.

 

[vba_php]

Someone said the whole world is in debt.

I did. if you're ignoring me, you wouldn't have noticed.

 

[Jon]

Chris Whitty, our chief medical officer now has it! That is all 3 key figures doing the daily representation all gone down with the coronavirus.

 

[ColinEssex]

What happens in the USA if you need hospitalisation with the virus but you have no insurance? Do you just get turned away?
Col

 

[ColinEssex]

I did, you super-nice person Brit. if you're ignoring me, you wouldn't have noticed.

I am well aware it was you. Please don't use that derogatory language to another member.
Col

 

[vba_php]

What happens in the USA if you need hospitalisation with the virus but you have no insurance? Do you just get turned away?
Col

the USA government, and local governments, have pretty much waived insurance premiums. especially for poor people. furthermore, the screenings that are being done are pretty comprehensive. if you don't have EXTREME symptoms, they are not admitting you to the hospital. they're telling you to wait it out and get lots of sleep.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Col, as I understand it, you would not be turned away. Special funding categories have been prepared in various areas. Louisiana will treat indigent corona victims if for no other reason than to protect people who don't have corona.

 

[ColinEssex]

Col, as I understand it, you would not be turned away. Special funding categories have been prepared in various areas. Louisiana will treat indigent corona victims if for no other reason than to protect people who don't have corona.

Ok I understand. So if you have no insurance, you still get treated. What then is the point of having health insurance? It all seems a bit pointless and waste of money to me.
Col

 

[NauticalGent]

Ok I understand. So if you have no insurance, you still get treated. What then is the point of having health insurance? It all seems a bit pointless and waste of money to me.
Col

It amazes me how the rest of the world sees the health care in the US. I have had Italians ask me about do people really die in the streets if they have no insurance. The idea is almost laughable.

Although it is true better insurance means better care, no one is turned away in the case of an emergency and as Doc said, it the case of COVID19, no one is getting rejected.

 

[ColinEssex]

I'm afraid the rest of the world is fuelled by roumour and inaccurate information.
How does 'better insurance, equals better care' work? Do doctors give basic treatment, then reach a point where they stop treating a sick patient? Sort of 'sorry pal, no insurance, no more treatment '. Surely that goes against medical oaths and ethics.
Or does having insurance mean having china tea cups instead of a mug, or a tablecloth at mealtimes instead of a paper towel.
I still can't see the point in having medical insurance.
Col

 

[NauticalGent]

You pretty much have it figured out, Col. If the care needed is not an emergency, then some one with no insurance would have to pay out of pocket. Seeing most Doctors is cost prohibitive and prescription medicine is also ridiculous...insurance offsets that cost. Without it, it would be up to the individual practitioner to decide if they wanted to treat you and put you an a payment plan...dont hold your breath on that one.

 

[deletedT]

It amazes me how the rest of the world sees the health care in the US. I have had Italians ask me about do people really die in the streets if they have no insurance. The idea is almost laughable.

Although it is true better insurance means better care, no one is turned away in the case of an emergency and as Doc said, it the case of COVID19, no one is getting rejected.

Maybe you need watching this:

Sicko (2007) ⭐ 8.0 | Documentary, Drama

2h 3m | PG-13

www.imdb.com

 

[NauticalGent]

I've seen all the of those and what you see is what someone with an agenda wants you to see. I'll admit our system isn't ideal and there is room for improvement...but that is a different thread!