One would hope that once these field hospitals are set up, essential scans and surgery will go ahead, but we have to realise that in a 'normal' year, many operations are cancelled during Season Flu which we don't get to hear about. Due to icy weather when people fall, due to intake of those with 'flu who will die due to underlying conditions ....... those statistics are not released until the next Autumn because they are spread over many months.
It will depend too on how many medical staff are self isolating due to cold symptoms: on an 'in case' basis. Once testing becomes more available and thorough, these 'in case medics' will be able to return to work.
People with low immune systems have to be shielded hence the cancellation of many treatments. Although when I had radiation treatment I wanted to get it out of the way, I felt that I was getting rid of the tumour, there have been over the years, thoughts that the profession may be over treating with chemo - that it could be given in less amounts over a longer period of time to lessen side effects. But no one in the Oncology World has, as yet, been brave enough to suggest it for fear of repercussions. So although some treatments have been cancelled, it may be that some patients will have had enough chemo to stave off any problems. But Oncologests simply do not know.
The 'C' word still has the power to frighten.
