No.
We have no treatment for COVID-19. All we are doing is providing aid for breathing and letting the disease take its course. It will reduce morbidity levels if we can provide this for everyone.
Until we can test for the disease quickly, contact trace, and isolate we aren’t squashing the disease. We are just controlling the rate at which it goes through the population. This will result in many more deaths.
We are pushing for herd immunity which, until we have an antibody test that works, is unproven. There are some worrying Chinese reports, taken with a huge pinch of salt, that some patients aren’t building up sufficient antibodies to prevent re-infection. If this is found to be true then, depending on the incidence of this, herd immunity is a long way off.
It seems fundamental that without accurate testing, the struggle is uphill. Unfortunately that seems to be the case and is surely a priority at this point (along with PPE for those that require it)
Future planning will rely on it.
I’m beginning to doubt the antibody side of things. Lots of stuff everywhere about reinfections of those previously cured.....lots of stuff from Korean experience.....again this questions the accuracy of testing so it’s a mutual problem.
Another thing that’s clear is that those that suffer from it in a bad way face a long, drawn out health issue.
Coronavirus infection may cause lasting damage throughout the body, doctors fear
Some patients who have recovered from coronavirus infection are suffering lasting damage, including liver damage, heart damage and blood clotting problems.
Read in Los Angeles Times:
https://apple.news/AIXELvE58SEmrndTm2k5DBQ
It’s a helluva situation.