Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston: managers, foreigners, real estate)

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

Not the current state of affairs. Check the Globe article I linked to above...12/24 byline.

You’re mixing front line ED, ICU, and med surg floors who handle COVID-19 patients with everything else that goes on in a hospital. The teams doing colonoscopies aren’t working. It’s not like you can put a dermatologist in the Emergency Room or a new grad community college RN in the ICU. They’re not trained.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by LLCNYC

This.

I had a heart attack...open heart surgery in Boston, end of March. The place was a ghost town.

Sorry to hear about this.

The spring surge, especially March, April, May, etc. was a different animal. People were told to avoid healthcare facilities unless it was an emergency or suspected COVID. People listened, even to the point of staying away in situations that really warranted urgent help.

That’s not the case now. In addition to Emergency Departments and Urgent Care facilities (which are jammed), many non-COVID areas are overwhelmed due to the backlog of people who deferred care in the spring. Further, in many general hospitals, capacity has been limited in some departments to add capacity for additional COVID patients. Entire repurposed units are not uncommon in many general hospitals.

Getting any type of non-COVID care right now is a nightmare. I broke my wrist around Thanksgiving. We drove to 2 urgent care facilities with lines out the door and they aren’t taking appointments at all anymore. I ended up waiting 6 hours to be seen (which is extremely abnormal). My PCP has cancelled 2 straight telehealth sessions. Not a great time to have anything go wrong.

[msRB311]

I got a mammogram in September and it was the fastest drs appt I’ve ever had. Thankfully I haven’t needed any emergency or urgent care.

[bizcuit]

Originally Posted by rach5

I care about my household and try to keep us safe. I may not succeed, but am trying. But I also care about others and cry about how we are killing each other due to our indifference and cruelty - instead of taking this as an opportunity for patriotic charity and togetherness. I also wonder what we are teaching the next generation with this "me, me, me" attitude. It will be ugly.

Well said. I wish I could rep you again.

[msRB311]

I think the me me me attitude happened long before coronavirus.

[msRB311]

2,973 New COVID Cases, 100 More Deaths

[BostonMike7]

Hospitalizations at 2150 and still climbing


Flu is down. Waaay down

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews...%3fid=74783195

[western mass and love it]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Hospitalizations at 2150 and still climbing


Flu is down. Waaay down

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews...%3fid=74783195

Because no one gets regular sick anymore. It’s Covid or nothing now.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Hospitalizations at 2150 and still climbing


Flu is down. Waaay down

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews...%3fid=74783195

Originally Posted by western mass and love it

Because no one gets regular sick anymore. It’s Covid or nothing now.

Well one would think that with all the distancing, masking up and hyper-sanitation; that the regular bugs/viruses would be down as well. Not really rocket science.

[mdovell]

I'm about to walk away from a house closing in 1 1/2 weeks due to code issues.

Here's a broad question. what would "normal" bring back post covid to the housing market?

there has been much to be said about the so called "exodus" to the suburbs. Really? Higher sales sure and values to a point but is is really making a significant impact in population and school enrollment?

buying a house is easily one of the largest purchases that someone will make in their lifetime. What's the point in buying a house in the suburbs if we think things will snap back to what they were in a year ago? buyers would then look like flippers and then what? Sure people want space and a home gym...I get that. But if the bars, clubs and restaurants get back what exactly are you getting in the suburbs again? I'm all for having a short term mortgage, I might consider a 15 year myself but no one in their right mind has a 1. Between all the paperwork, inspections, walks and moving companies are people REALLY going to go back or not?

The boston globe recently had an article that some parents rather keep things the way they are. If kids go back to school and the parents are still telecommuting it means they'll be alone. Would you rather share a bathroom with your kids or Rick, the guy that made it smell so bad you thought the paint was going to peel off the walls (sorry Rick it's true!). Do we want to go back to vending machine food or walking to a fridge that's fully stocked?

If covid only lasted a few months I could see the new normal being the same as the old. But it's been about nine months and it might be another nine to eleven before this is really solved.