You’re a hero, KG, not in the over-used sense of the word but in the real sense of it - someone who faces danger and fights the good fight. Be careful, be healthy, and thank you.
Wow.
A while back, when he announced his shift from “Private Practice” to the Prison Pill Pusher that he is, and his reason for same, I declared that QtM was a really and truly bonafide hero.
And now KarlGauss had joined him in that rank, going forth and researching and working with people infected with one of the nastiest things I’ve seen over here in N. America… and putting his own life very much at risk. You do your profession proud, sir.
May all the powers that be guide you.
Well done, Karl.
- you’re a force for good. Damn few people can say that…
Stay safe, y’hear ?
I’m working with Infectious Disease right now, and though we haven’t seen any cases in our hospital yet, SARS is definitely the 800-lb. gorilla. I’m reviewing the CDC and WHO web sites daily to stay up to date, and travel history has moved way up in my typical patient interview. (“Hi, I’m Dr. J. Been to Asia lately?”)
I will be thinking about you. As I have always considered you and QtheM to be my honorary attendings, I will almost certainly bend your ear once things calm down somewhat. For now, keep that N-95 on tight.
Dr. J
Good on you, KarlGauss.
Good luck and good fight, Karl. I help with research at a hospital, and most of my patients are in a study that involves people with AIDS, so I’m always very concerned whenever I hear about infectious diseases. My topic of conversation with some of the patients a few months back was what our hospital was going to do about smallpox vaccinations (due to their concerns about then catching something from me; we never had to have the vaccinations), now I guess I’ll be on the lookout for cold/flu-like symptoms and worried about them. I hope you and others working with people with SARS get some good news soon in how to fight this new disease.
Good Thoughts/Positive Vibes/Prayers for KarlGauss.
Protective and positive vibes sent your way, Herr Gauss. Thanks for all you do.
Was your opening line to patients before hand, " Hi, I’m Dr. J, Ever spend time in a Turkish Prison?" 
Take very good care, Karl and all the Doc’s.
Thanks for your efforts, KarlGauss. The world needs more people like you.
Rock on!
Well, KG just sent me a summary of SARS in Toronto. Folks, it is scary! It doesn’t seem to be spreading there among the general population, but health care workers are being affected a lot. KG is still healthy but working his butt off.
One interesting note in his summary is that current treatment regimens are of completely unknown effectiveness. Also the long-term outcome of this disease is completely unknown.
QtM
I just hate it when doctors call something “interesting” It usually involves Very Bad Things.
I’d like to reiterate how much we all are thinking of you fine folks at work. I have been thinking positive thoughts daily and have asked my gf to add you all to her church’s prayer lists.
What I’d really like is to get some actual names as it was kind of odd when Denise asked me the names I wanted added and I was like …ummm DrJ…and ummmm…Karl [sub]so it’s not your real name but hey! it sounds normal![/sub]…and Ummmmmmm…Qagdop:)
Stay safe and good luck.
Good luck and good job, Karl!
Good luck in your fight! Nevah surrendah !!!
Hello there!
A much better day. No new cases among the staff and, in fact, the two from yesterday were probably false alarms.
As the local media is reporting, and as we can attest, there is a clear decrease in the number of cases in the ‘community at large’.
So, the paradox persists (albeit less marked than before) i.e. that there’s a fair number of new in-hospital cases, while those outside of the hospital are decreasing.
At my hospital, there are seven docs and, I believe, 5 nurses and technicians, in various stages of the disease. None is critically ill.
Unfortunately, there was a report today describing the death from SARS of a young (44 y.o.) man with no other health problems. This should dispel the notion that SARS isn’t a risk to generally healthy people. It also injected an element of fear into all those currently afflicted.
When things slow down, maybe I can start an “Ask the guy who’s been looking after SARS patients” thread. But I wouldn’t want to do it now if for now other reason that it wouldn’t be easy to find the time to provide the answers that the questions would deserve.
And, just to keep the record straight, I am just one person out of a group of lots of docs, nurses, technicians, and many other people doing this. What I am doing is no different from many, many others. In fact, I’m lucky - we had warning and were able to take precautions (although it’s clear that they are not perfect).
And now to bed (it’s almost 2:00 AM).
Thanks to each of you for your kindness!
Karl
Your dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated. Get some rest, and stay well.
All best, KarlGauss.
So, each of the knights went their seperate ways. Sir KarlGauss rode North, through the dark forests of Canada, accompanied by his favorite minstrels.
Bravely bold sir KarlGauss, brought forth from Medical School
He was not afraid to die, oh brave Sir KarlGauss!
He was not at all afraid to be stricken by the SARS
Brave brave brave brave Sir KarlGauss!
He was not in the least bit scared to be contaminated
Or to have his luck run out, and his lungs infected
To be quarintined, and his paycheck burned away
And his health all hacked and mangled, brave Sir KarlGauss!
No but seriously. 'Tis noble work and I’m sure everyone here can agree with me when I say THANK YOU.
Best of luck to you and may you finish this endeavor with a clean bill of health, brave Sir KarlGauss!
all the best. China is now doing some pretty serious quarantines of any suspected SARS outbreaks. I am getting more pessimistic though about the fate of the countryside. This could get real bad real fast.