How does your workplace treat people with conditions like chronic rhinitis, allergies and chronic cough? How would anyone be able to tell whether that person has Covid symptoms if they have these symptoms every day?
The answer I've been seeing is that you need a doctor's note. I think workplaces are concerned about liability first and foremost but if you can get a doctor's note, then it's not on them.
@Anonymous you're letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. Yes, it's not going to prevent everything, but these screenings will prevent some things. Do you have a better solution?
@a nonymous but it’s impossible to tell the difference if someone has initial symptoms for Covid or lets say a chronic cough. So how would this person then know when to self isolate? A note is nothing but a piece of paper and doesn’t inform about current Covid status.
@Anonymous That's why people in this situation are being advised to do regular precautionary testing. DF who has chronic bronchitis is getting tested weekly. It's not perfect, there's still a possibility she could miss initial symptoms for a few days, but it's better than either (a) not giving a fuck or (b) isolating forever.
Also, most people with chronic conditions are familiar with what their chronic condition feels like. Any change in those symptoms--a headache with the cough, for example--is another trigger to get tested.
@Anonymous As an MD, you surely know that some conditions mimic Covid symptoms and they come and go. I, for example, would never know whether I have an exacerbation or whether I am having early stage Covid symptoms.
The answer I've been seeing is that you need a doctor's note. I think workplaces are concerned about liability first and foremost but if you can get a doctor's note, then it's not on them.
@Anonymous When people are told to self screen, this will totally backfire.
@Anonymous you're letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. Yes, it's not going to prevent everything, but these screenings will prevent some things. Do you have a better solution?
@Anonymous I don’t, that’s why I am asking the wise ladies of NYCMoms.
Doctor's note, if it's a chronic condition. And probably regular testing to be safe.
@a nonymous but it’s impossible to tell the difference if someone has initial symptoms for Covid or lets say a chronic cough. So how would this person then know when to self isolate? A note is nothing but a piece of paper and doesn’t inform about current Covid status.
@Anonymous That's why people in this situation are being advised to do regular precautionary testing. DF who has chronic bronchitis is getting tested weekly. It's not perfect, there's still a possibility she could miss initial symptoms for a few days, but it's better than either (a) not giving a fuck or (b) isolating forever.
Also, most people with chronic conditions are familiar with what their chronic condition feels like. Any change in those symptoms--a headache with the cough, for example--is another trigger to get tested.
@a nonymous I don’t think everyone is getting the advice to get tested regularly, even if not exposed and no symptoms. I never heard that, in fact.
I’m an MD in a hospital setting. Our entry checkpoint has questions that include “do you have XYZ symptoms which are *new or unusual for you*”?
@Anonymous As an MD, you surely know that some conditions mimic Covid symptoms and they come and go. I, for example, would never know whether I have an exacerbation or whether I am having early stage Covid symptoms.
Yes, she knows.
Also work in a hospital and our protocol is similar ... e.g. asks for "new cough"