We here at Rancho Santa Fe Fire, the Local 4349 would like to encourage our community to stay diligent in its measure to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We understand that much of the population will eventually contract this virus, but if too many people get it all at the same time, then it becomes taxing on the Emergency Medical System. The CDC has established guidelines on how to limit exposure and slow the spread and they should be followed. These consist of limiting travel, home confinement, not gathering in groups larger than 10 people, and staying at least 6 feet from others. Although social distancing seems to be a burden on the public, studies have shown that it can greatly reduce the spread of this disease.
Many people who contract this virus will have a mild response exhibiting symptoms no worse than a common cold. Although patients who have this should be monitored for worsening symptoms, the real danger is to the elderly population. Those that are experiencing shortness of breath, poor perfusion, or a high, uncontrolled fever should absolutely seek further treatment immediately at a hospital or accessing the 911 system. Many people believe that transport by an ambulance to the hospital is a way to bypass the long lines and waiting rooms at the local emergency room, but this is false. Ambulances are often instructed to drop their patients off in the triage area of the emergency room to be evaluated by the staff to determine the severity of their condition as those in the most severe categories are tended to first. So, if you suspect that you have the COVID-19 virus, or even the flu or common cold for that matter, and you are experiencing normal, manageable symptoms, there is no need for you to access the 911 system. A phone call to your primary care physician is appropriate and they will further direct you. For further instruction on how to manage your health from home click on the link below.
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/CDC-10Things.pdf