WEDNESDAY UPDATE - JAILS INFECTED AND COIVD DIARY#5

Good Wednesday morning. In response to our earlier comment that we were not hearing about many people being diagnosed, we received the below comment. Also note that Ace Herald Reporter David "Covid-19" Ovalle wrote yesterday that not only have three Miami Correction Officers been diagnosed, but the three officers all worked in different jails. The three officers were asymptomatic and were tested under a program to test ALL first responders-police, firefighters and it seems corrections officers. This is significant in limiting the virus by identifying and isolating people who are positive with no symptoms. This is how South Korea flattened the curve.

Anonymous said...

Rump:

On your comment re anecdotal reports, I am experiencing the opposite. Yesterday I learned of the first two cases (5 cases actually, 3 in one household and 2 in another) in my personal circle. Both families started experiencing symptoms over the weekend. And both families saw the symptoms in their children first. The thinking is that the schools were silently circulating it the week before the closure and that the incubation period is now turning into the active symptoms phase.

Moreover, there seems to be stigma associated with telling people, which is why both households started experiencing symptoms over the weekend, but didn't tell friends and family until a couple of days later.

And spread among families with kids is frightening for grandparents. Both families mentioned above reported similar patterns of behavior. They both believed that they were practicing responsible social distancing by limiting gatherings to 10 people. But both families spent time with grandparents (people in this case in their 60s who are otherwise healthy and vibrant) after schools closed and before symptoms appeared. Those grandparents are now exposed and in the potential incubation period.

It seems to me that the SFL numbers are only heating up. Moreover, almost every physician I know, and I know enough of them, is reporting the same thing: the hospitals they work at are continuing to turn away patients that are likely COVID positive every day without testing when they believe the patients are relatively young and otherwise healthy. That does not speak well for reliable numbers or flattening the curve.

I hope you're right about the warm weather and the flattening of S.Fla's curve. But I am not seeing it in my circle of friends, family, and contacts.

Thank you for that comment. It is important. We all are looking at a large event through a small window.
Carl had a close call, but it looks like he will be fine. 

Covid Diary #5:

Rumpole, it was touch and go for a while. I had written to say I was getting worse and then I started having trouble breathing.  My fever kept spiking to 102. After a few panicked calls from my girlfriend I somehow managed to drive myself to the hospital. I would not expose anyone to the virus and let them drive me. That in and of itself was full of drama, trust me. My O2 sat numbers were low- low 70's and it was like there were straps on my chest and I could not catch my breath. In any other circumstance I would have been certain I was having a heart attack. 

I was admitted through the ER and placed on oxygen and albuterol aerosol treatments to help me breathe. One piece of good news. I was assured by the doctors and staff they had ventilators available if needed.  I was given IV antibiotics as well as some steroids and I had quick and positive reaction with 12 hours. My O2 levels increased to mid 80s and then mid 90s and I felt much better. I was in the hospital more than two days- about 60 hours.  My fever which had been as high as 102 returned to normal. I was discharged and returned home. The nurses were amazed I had driven myself to the ER based on how sick I was. I cannot explain it but somehow I just found the strength. When I had parked, it took me a long time to catch my breath and walk from the car to the ER. As soon as I was through the doors I was seen and placed in a wheel chair and immediately given O2. I cannot say I lost consciousness but I was close. 

The hospital is an amazing place. All of the health care workers are risking their own lives to treat people like me. And yet they did it with a smile on their face- albeit under their mask. The nurses are the true heroes. They made sure I was comfortable. They helped me walk to the bathroom and brought me soup and juice and hot tea when I asked for it. They sat with me when I had aerosol treatments and when I was panicked having trouble breathing and they talked me through it. They calmed me down and let me know I was going to be OK and to trust them. Maybe I wasn't in a life threatening situation, but I felt like I was and that they saved my life. God bless them. 

My doctor now says he believes the worst has passed. He said I should remain in isolation for two weeks past when all symptoms are gone but that I should be OK now. Today I took a small blanket and sat outside in the sun and listened to the radio and was just happy to be alive. My appetite has returned for soups and puddings. I cannot get enough of Jello chocolate pudding and chocolate-vanilla swirl. It goes great with coffee and a vanilla wafer cookie. I know people have been sending me good wishes and prayers and I greatly appreciate it. I think I'll send one more diary entry when I am feeling better and I hope this helped your readers. 

Carl

Sunday March 22 Update AND Covid Diary #4

Before we get to Carl's Diary, please check out DOM's blog and the astounding news Judge Cohn's refusal to grant a mistrial in an ONGOING case. Also sad news that Above the Law blogger/founder David Lat is fighting for his life on a ventilator. His blog is here.
http://sdfla.blogspot.com/

And see below for an order from a District Judge in Illinois notable mostly for the restraint of a Judge dealing with an idiot of a lawyer.


Carl's Diary #4:
Hello Rumpole from the land of isolation. Medically, this MF'er is one nasty SOB. Remember my first post where I needed to lose ten pounds? Done. I am sick to the point my strength is sapped. What does this mean? A month ago I was your typical lawyer living a high-pressure life. I multitasked with my phone, speaking and emailing and texting while in a meeting. I managed several complicated federal civil and criminal litigations with pressing deadlines a week. When I relaxed I was still occupied. Keeping an eye on the market and reading articles while on my Peloton
Now? I lay on my bed just staring at the wall for hours, two tired to change the TV channel. My phone indicates over a hundred unanswered texts and five hundred plus emails and I could not care. I just lay here and ache. 
The good news? My lungs are clear thank the lord. I am just sick.
More good news. My neighbors are angels. My GF told them I was sick. Later that day a lasagna was left on my doorstep. Then some paperbacks. Then a whole container of Italian Wedding Soup. And then, two rolls of toilet paper in a Publix bag with a note to leave it on the porch if I need more (I don't). People care and that really means something to me. 
This Saturday afternoon which is my morning because I managed to sleep from 6am to 3pm I managed to make myself a K-cup of Starbucks coffee (dark French roast) and it may be the best cup of coffee I have ever had. The caffeine  flooded through my veins, reviving me, as the dark sweet liquid lingered on my taste buds. It was a semi-miracle. 
My doctor has stayed in touch with facetime. He tells me I am approaching the end of being ill. I got sick, got a bit better, then got wacked hard. He has asked me to monitor my fluid intake and output which means using a large plastic container and keeping a log. Don't ask. It's all I can manage. He says this is to make sure my kidneys aren't shutting down. So far, so good. Anecdotally supplements of magnesium before I go to sleep helps me sleep through the night and has stopped my acid reflux. As the Beatles sang- whatever gets you through the night, right Rumpole? 

Rumpole, I hope this diary does two things for your readers. First, STAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. I see reports on TV of people in the park running in groups and kids at bars partying. Bad idea. Second, this is survivable. It's bad but if you told me that there is some good out of me getting sick like being able to volunteer to give blood for an antibody vaccine then it is worth it to help society. And if my experience removes the uncertainty from your readers, then I hope this helps. 

RUMPOLE SAYS: Hang in there Carl. We are pulling for you. Below is an order from US District Court Judge Seeger in the Eastern Division of Illinois. We applaud Judge Seeger for his restraint. This is a lawyer who should be punished. Unicorns and Elves in a world-wide emergency? Puhleeze.

20-Cv-1666 -- Unicorn Order -- Art Ask Agency 3-18-20-1 (1) by HR on Scribd

COVID 19 DIARY POST#2

Dear Rumpole/Diary/-  How do I describe being a member of a select group that no one wants membership in? How can I describe the feelings of fear of being attacked by something doctors have told me they cannot defeat if the virus attacks my lungs and my organs begin to shut down? 

It's weird. I am scared. And then I feel okay and I want to go for a long bike ride (or in my case Peloton class) to show that I am healthy. But I am not healthy. My cough is subsiding and that is good. The fever is persistent and that is bad. I don't sneeze or have a runny nose. But I ache. I don't cook much and even if I did I have no appetite. I'm living on Progresso soups my girlfriend leaves at my door with little notes. I recommend the chicken corn chowder and sometimes a half a grilled cheese to go with it. Or some mac and cheese. I feel like I'm back in college. I swig OJ from the container. No one is in the house and I don't want to use glasses and dishes I have no energy to wash- or even to fill up the dishwasher. 

Part of me thinks this is a blessing. I will survive this. I will have passed the ultimate test of our new times and once on the other side of the river, I join a more exclusive club- those who have immunity to Covid-19. Maybe my antibodies will be analyzed and used to create a vaccine. A Presidential Medal of Honor sounds nice- me and Rush Limbaugh. Ha!  The Carl-Covid-19 Vaccine. Give me a small piece of Bristol Meyers Squibb and I'll save humanity. 

It is hard to deal with clients and not let them know I am sick. I hold this information  back because I do not want to panic them. Many of them just call me to make sure I am still around. They hear my voice and they are reassured. If I cannot do my job I have associates and partners ready to step in. But my clients like me and depend on me and I do not want to let them down. 

Meanwhile every attorney working from home now is swamping me with pleadings. The world is shut down and conversely I am more busy than I have been in months. 

Worst inconvenience- no cleaning woman. The woman who cleans my apartment and does my laundry and shops for me and feeds the cats and scoops the cat liter cannot help me. I am keeping her on salary. We have been together too long and this is my small contribution to the world for now. She offered to come in with a mask and I said no. 

Meanwhile my cats are furious. Cats like a nice schedule. Breakfast at 8. Sunbath in front window at 11. Light lunch at 12. Nap from 1-4. Chase socks across floor from 5-5:15. Knock over plant at 6 before dinner. Now they sit on me and screech that they have not been fed and I am sometimes too sick and tired to move. They have to wait and patience is not their strong suit. 

I crave a cold beer sitting in the sun. I crave holding my GF while we do the NY Times Sunday Crossword and sometimes sip mimosas. I crave a slice of Steve's Pizza in North Miami. I miss waking up worried about my cases and not the world. 

Thank you again Mr. R. This is my therapy. 
Covid-Carl. 

COVID DIARY DAY ONE

The following is from an email we received. We are convinced the individual has been in the hospital and has tested positive and we have agreed to publish his diary unedited:

Rumpole thank you for publishing my diary. You have a lot of information to covey. I hope this can help.  I am a lawyer. Approximately 50 years of age. I have a long term GF but I live alone. I am being a bit vague because I do not want my identity released. 
Health: Mostly good. Should lose ten pounds. Have a Peloton I've been using. Borderline hypertensive and taking one med (diuretic) which seems to work. Biggest issue is I have a hiatal hernia which means I have severe acid reflux when I sleep. I am in danger of asperating small particles into my lungs and I had surgery scheduled which has been canceled because of my diagnosis. 

Onset: I returned from overseas last Friday because of the border closing. I was feeling achy sick the day before and I wore a mask and purchased the seat next to mine to keep people away (no attacks- it was a two seat row in first class). I brought my own food and drink on the plane so I would not interact with the flight crew. Two doses of Tylenol on the plane and I slept. I had no fever when I landed and I went straight home. The next day I awoke with a fever and a dry cough. I went to the ER. I tested negative for the flu but the chest x-ray showed signs of  pneumonia so I was tested. I am positive as of the day I am writing this. It is not a surprise. I feel sick in a way I have never felt before. 

Saturday night. I was discharged from the hospital after getting an antiviral treatment for pneumonia. Before I left the doctor told me that the pneumonia was "slight" or "atypical" and commonly called "walking pneumonia". We reviewed self isolation and I went home. The test results will take a few days but we are assuming I am positive. I called a family member who went shopping for me on Sunday and left the bags outside my door. 

Sunday. My fever returns with a vengeance reaching over 102 and I am debating going back to the ER. I am coughing but I do not feel short of breath. Getting up requires effort as does simple tasks like making a cup of coffee. I take Advil which does a good job of taking the fever down to 99. I drink some soup- clear broth- and have a few glasses of OJ and a piece of pound cake later in the day but I have no appetite. My fear is my acid reflux. 

I go to sleep and wake up choking. I am having an acid reflux attack and I spent the next hour vomiting and coughing uncontrollably. By four AM the burning in my chest and throat has stopped but I am lying on my bathroom floor unable to summon the strength to get back to bed. Eventually I stagger into my bed a total mess. One of my cats- Targa- is worried and she circles me trying to rub against me. She's always been the sympathetic one. Bonsai, her brother, eyes me suspiciously, as if I am doing all of this to catch him and clip his nails which he hates. Eventually he comes over as I am lying in bed and gives me a sniff before taking up his spot at the foot of my bed.

I sleep most of Monday and feel 100% better. My fever must have broken while I slept  because I am soaking wet and shaking uncontrollably. A warm shower helps although I am afraid of falling as I am weak. I am able to hold down food and I drink most of my gallon of OJ. I am also taking Zinc and Vitamin C, but who knows what helps? 

Monday night I have an appetite and make a grilled cheese but even doing that exhausts me. I ache all over and the cough hurts. They gave me a narcotic cough suppressant which I take and knocks me out. 

If this is as bad as it gets then I can handle this. I never have a problem breathing. My GF actually brought me a portable O2 sensor which I use on my finger and my O2 saturation never drops below 97% even when I am coughing. The real change is that I have no energy reserves. I get tired quickly and hit a wall and literally have to find a place to sit down or I feel I will collapse. Doing laundry is a chore- pun intended. I can't bring myself to look at my office emails. I text my assistant to read them and call me and we answer the most pressing ones. She reads- I respond and she types and sends them out. But I can only concentrate for 30 minutes at a time. 

I've been writing this for about a half hour and I am tired so I am signing off. 
Thanks for allowing people to see what this is all about Rumpole. And you can call me "Covid-Carl". Carl or CC for short.