Today, Explained So you think you have Covid-19
Mar 6, 2020
Caroline Chen, an investigative reporter at ProPublica with a strong background in outbreak coverage, breaks down the hurdles in COVID-19 testing in the U.S. She discusses the critical symptoms to watch for and the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before heading to emergency rooms. Chen highlights the delays caused by flawed test kits and compares the U.S. response to South Korea's efficient testing strategy. Additionally, she reflects on lessons from past outbreaks like Ebola and raises concerns about healthcare system preparedness for current challenges.
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Initial Steps for Suspected COVID-19
- Call your doctor first if you suspect COVID-19 infection.
- This allows for triage and avoids overwhelming emergency rooms, especially during flu season.
Varied Responses from Doctors
- Doctor's response varies depending on location and case severity.
- They might advise monitoring, suggest coming in for assessment, or test for COVID-19 if likely.
Delayed Testing in the US
- The US lagged in testing due to the CDC's initial test kit design.
- The kit aimed to detect all SARS-like coronaviruses, proving faulty and delaying widespread testing.