| Media outlets are confirming that we cannot look to the Oklahoma Health Dept. for the encouraging news of the vast thousands who are expected to fully recover from this year's novel virus, Covid-19. Just this morning, Ben Morgan of KRMG-Cox Communications said; "The state is not tracking recoveries as a person has to have multiple, consistent tests to confirm a recovery. The limited number of testing supplies makes confirming recoveries less of a priority." This will give us the false and discouraging impression that everyone is falling ill & perpetually struggling for their lives. It's a disservice not to at least allow primary care physicians to report, then just add a disclaimer that the health dept. has not verified the recovery. This is something that the physicians trade associations can and should set up as a public service. It could be set up in 15 minutes, using Google Spreadsheets & Forms. Sadly, Oklahomans already have the false notion that when someone becomes infected, they will end up in the hospital (if a bed is available) and probably put on a ventilator. And the experts say that maybe half those on the ventilators will die. But for at least 80% (given other nations' experiences), the patient will be very capable of home treatment and safe recovery. I write this article while checking in daily with family. One of my siblings is suffering in a Seattle apartment, with only telemed consultation and no test. The symptoms are classic covid and very very painful. But not particularly alarming. Seattle has several hundreds of recovered patients and they are sharing their stories. That's a good thing! Because if the people don't speak up, then all we will hear is the defeatist narrative from our own State Health Department. |  We contacted our friends at KRMG. Russell Mills said he's asking people to reach out to them with stories of the illness and recovery. In further news, Ben Morgan of KRMG also shared these medical resource status details: |
TULSA, Okla. - There are now 17 deaths in Oklahoma and more than 480 confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. Many wonder how this is affecting the hospitals in The State.
Despite the growing numbers, the Oklahoma State Department of Health isn’t reporting any surges at state medical facilities yet. Here are the numbers as of Monday night from 98.5% of reporting hospitals statewide. Hospital Beds
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Equipment
The limited number of testing supplies makes confirming recoveries less of a priority. |
