This thread has been invaluable to me in preparing for the pandemic.
First, let me say that I’m immensely grateful to modern science and medicine for their many accomplishments that have improved the lives of billions of people, including me. Thank you!
My beef is with the idea that in a crisis one should act only on the basis of strongest knowledge. Even in normal times, although that standard is appropriate for pursuit of scientific knowledge, it is not appropriate for public policy when lives are at stake and action must be taken with less than ideal knowledge (see philosopher Nancy Cartwright, Evidence-Based Policy). If I’m thrown from a boat in the ocean and face the choice of a log or a 24” foam board, I’m going to act from theory and cling to the log rather than conduct a RCT to be more confidently sure that it would work better.
I’m in a large city with four big health systems. Unfortunately, I’m now stuck in an otherwise excellent university health system. According to one of the local papers, three of the four systems are willing to act on less than ideal knowledge in order to save lives in crisis circumstances. Mine isn’t, it “doesn’t use any drug in a way that isn't scientifically proven to be safe and effective.” And, CDC: “No FDA-approved drugs have demonstrated safety and efficacy in randomized controlled trials for patients with COVID-19.” This is a little silly. Is it scientifically proven that hospital admission is safe and effective for Covid-19? Aspirin? Ibuprofen? Ventilation? Lying prone for respiratory distress? Low-fat, high-carb hospital food? Where are the trials!
They offer the ordinary standard of care. Which means only “supportive management.” You can get remdisivir if you are eligible and if you agree to sign up to the clinical trial. Which means you have a 50% chance of getting something that might work, rather than a 100% chance of getting something that might work. Isn’t this the ultimate in data snobbery? In a crisis, to kill people for great data and more reputed publications? I thought the AIDS activists brought therapeutic duty back to the fore. Apparently not in my health system. Some perspectives on science vs. health care here: https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC4560875/
I’m 70, with longevity genes, and two managed comorbidities. Ex ante chance of survival if CV19ed: about 90%. I’ve known from the beginning what to expect from my health system. That is why I come here for ideas, because if I were to become seriously ill, I would be cut off from any personal remedies and only be passively “supported” while my body recovered on its own or as I descended into death.
Thanks to all for so many great suggestions here. I have masks, goggles, gloves, infrared sauna, oximeter, oxygen concentrator, moist heat pad, humidifier, quercetin, egcg, zinc, a number of the other supplements mentioned here, and some of the pharmaceuticals (two pirated and two others previously stashed), and lots and lots of knowledge and citations. I’ve also revised my views several times. For example, initially was about to abandon my ARB but because of arguments here and follow up research concluded that the greater weight of theory leans towards continuation.