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 Tom Hershey, Pennsylvania 
 
Posts: 1,435 
Joined: August 2000
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Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 | 
Coronavirus deaths in Washington now 6... |  |  |  
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Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 | 
Mostly old people in rest home with compromised health conditions.  Fuel the paranoia and hysteria. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 | 
I am limiting my comments on the Corona virus till more is known and testing is being done not just from those that have travelled to hot spots but Country wide testing for the average American who wants to be tested. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 | 
Wendy--there is not currently and there NEVER will be, in my estimation, enough test kits and testing FACILITIES available to test just ANY person that wants to be tested.   And considering how many people have been tested and had a negative result and then a positive result, to suggest that everyone be tested that wants to be, without any symptoms or any real chance of exposure, is foolish. 
 Carol Hill
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Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 | 
In New York 30 million dollars is to be used for testing... Hospitals and Doctors are begging the CDC to allow testing without question about the patients travel history. It is crazy to not be able to test average Americans showing symptons because they did not travel to China or Italy. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 | 
There are NOT enough tests available to test those who SHOULD be tested, and there are not facilities to DO the tests.  And it would be silly to allocate resources to be able to test EVERYONE.  And health insurance companies will NOT pay for it, unless it is medically required.   Your first post seemed to indicate that you want anyone to just be able to call up and get a test, regardless of travel OR symptoms.  
 Carol Hill
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Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 | 
18 million Americans have ordered the DNA test kit to see if there is a rich relative they did not know about... LOLI am amazed that a test kit for Covid-19 is not readily available.
 
 Here is a scary thought. My travels to SXM have been recent while two French Nationals have tested positive for Covid-19.
 If I told my Doctor that it would probably warrant a test for the virus....
 
Last edited by sxmmartini; 03/03/2020 04:15 PM. Reason: Another thought
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Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 | 
This thing is way too new for there to be test kits readily available, particularly that are RELIABLE.   I do not really think the DNA test kits that are on the market are particularly reliable.  Several years ago, we were silly enough to waste $50 on a DNA test kit on our dog, that we got at a shelter.   Even though he weighed 25 pounds soaking wet, his DNA test kit came out that he was a majority a MASTIFF, followed by a small percentage of dachshund.   He looks like neither of those breeds in the slightest.  Cheap DNA test kits are worth what you pay for them.   Cheap Corona tests would not be fun.  They would be exceedingly dangerous. 
 Carol Hill
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Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Apr 2005 Posts: 7,674 Likes: 4 | 
A Mastiff and Dachshund is a scarey thought how those two dogs could breed. LOL I did say I would curb my hype on Covid-19 so I think it is time to chill... Thanks for the humor in all this! |  |  |  
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Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Aug 2000 Posts: 85,273 Likes: 85 | 
Yes, that would be quite the sight!  ...although I have a friend who has a dog that actually IS a combination of what he calls 'a very DETERMINED dachshund' (male) and a golden retriever!   
 Carol Hill
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Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 | 
Where there is a will there is a way.     |  |  |  
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Joined:  Feb 2007 Posts: 4,915 Likes: 38 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Feb 2007 Posts: 4,915 Likes: 38 | 
Good news--so far CDC does not list any health problems in SXM except Dengue and Rabies. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 Traveler |  
|   Traveler Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 20,518 Likes: 61 | 
First I've heard about rabies.  Was told all the years I've been there that there's no rabies in  SXM.  Where do you base this info from? |  |  |  
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