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A thread: Despite all my precautions, of which there are many, covid has hit my household. All is fine just now but here are my personal thoughts on the testing/caring side of the situation we find ourselves in.
The 111 system seemed to work well for us. Doctor said he was sending the patient to the hospital to be tested. Drop off at the assessment centre. Ten minutes later, to my surprise, they’re back out. No test. Vitals only taken. Go home. It’s likely you have corona
OK. So far sounds like everyone else’s experience. Nobody is getting tested. Which to me sounds incredibly stupid. Test, trace and contact but what would I know? 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤷🏻♀️" title="Woman shrugging (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Woman shrugging (light skin tone)">Anyway home to manage the symptoms. 48 hours later a deterioration so back to 111. Repeat steps 1&2
Vitals have dropped but not enough for admission. (Like anyone wants to be admitted anyway right?) Chat with a few medically minded family and friends and decide to buy my own oximeter. At the hospital they’ve told us the oxygen danger rate so to my mind it makes sense
I’ll save the profiteering scandal for another day but the handy little device arrived today. I know others who are buying them. Check the patients vitals and they’re fine. Which also helps with the panic breathing and guesswork. Do we need to call 111 again? No
We don’t need to burden the system to get the same checks at hospital by staff already tired, overworked and frightened themselves. Which brings me to the point - maybe there’s a case for every home to have one. It doesn’t replace the medical expertise of course
But it’s a handy guide to know when you REALLY need medical help and when you don’t. This is a horrible illness. It’s not nice to watch someone struggle for every breath. It’s not natural & not being medically trained means some people may panic & feel they need to call for help.
I know it would cost a lot of money. But it might actually help in the long run. Less panicked calls to 111. Quicker calls when help really is needed. Pie in the sky dreaming from me and others? Who knows? Here it is - cost less than a new pair of shoes. Invaluable piece of mind
