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People Are Avoiding Emergency Care Because Of COVID-19
Doctors are concerned patients are delaying care because they fear COVID-19. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
Since stay-at-home orders have been put in place, ER doctors in Los Angeles have told me they've seen fewer patients overall. Volumes are down by half in some places. That makes sense as fewer people are on the roads and getting into accidents.
But doctors have been wondering where all the other patients have been -- the heart attacks, the stroke patients. They're concerned patients aren't going to the ER when they need to because they're scared about COVID-19.
And when patients finally do come in, they're often really sick because they've waited days after developing symptoms.
Doctors' message for patients: Don't sit at home waiting for things to get better.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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