Euan Rossi, an orthopedic surgeon and medical consultant at events like Crankworx and Hardline, is urging mountain bikers to make more sensible choices if they choose to ride during the Coronavirus outbreak. Rossi has been on the frontline of the NHS in Glasgow and fears the NHS will be overloaded if more mountain bikers take risky choices on the trail.
| Addressing mountain bikers, you obviously know I love to ride a bike, I love to race bikes, it's a massive part of my life but right now you have to make good decisions. One of those decisions is not putting pressure on emergency services unneccessarily. Yes, go for a spin, get your legs turning, get your heart and lungs working, we know that's good for you we know that increases your resistance to disease, makes you healthier, keeps your mental health in good nick but don't do anything that's going to test the emergency services right now. Don't be an a*shole and go over the bars and break your collarbone right now, the country just won't be able to cope. So, please, be responsible. If you go out yourself, tell someone where you're going. If you get to a trail centre and see that there's about 20 people queueing for the ticket machine, tell them they're being idiots and to give more space and then just move on. Keep away from other people right now.
If you have a fever or a persistent cough, these are the two hallmarks of having Coronavirus, you must self isolate for 2 weeks, it's absolutely essential.—Euan Rossi |
As the world struggles to suppress the spread of COVID-19, please follow the guidelines of your local health authorities. Even if you don’t have the virus, bike-related hospital visits put additional stress on your medical systems; do not undertake any activities that put you or others at risk.
Be careful out there guys.
Here is some real science to clarify things.
bedford.io/blog/ncov-cryptic-transmission
youtu.be/ifKbwDf51bA
In the next few weeks I won't be surprised if there is political revolution against Trump in America once people realize he has literally killed thousands of his own followers by downplaying it early.
As has already been stated, people of all persuasions are capable of stupidity. Need I say what follows... lol
AND they send you home as you are because your just not that "urgent" considering...
I concur. As a newly crowned, Coronavirus Queen (got my results today).
Also, I'm a doctor (GP), 100% got mine at work. Not that old (43), but I do have asthma. Listen to what experts say. I'm telling you, stay safe, don't be stupid. Pneumonia ain't fun.
Also if it turns out that you were already infected but asymptomatic (or with very mild symptoms) and you will get to Emergency Room, there's a high risk of you infecting the medical staff treating you (look what happens in Italy and Portugal - in Portugal every fifth - I think - doctor got infected!!), which means that A LOT of other people might not get help in time. This usually also means closing the ER (A&E) or an other ward for disinfection, for at least a few hours. This ain't no joke, we see a lot of this here in Poland. One whole hospital had to be evacuated (patients and staff), because many of the staff and also some patients were infected. It only takes one spreader to infect 2-3 other people, do your math. Be responsible, not only for yourself, but for others.
Also, probably most of you know someone with cancer, asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease, kidney disease. Take into account that if they get infected, you might lose them.
It kills me to think when I'll be able to ride my bike again (and I just got back to riding more stuff after broken ankle Frown ).
Terrible trend for sure, but the sheer number of car related deaths/severe disabling accidents makes cycling seem relatively safe by comparison. Seems like the general message should be don't do anything inherently risky right now given the circumstances.
My father is an MD at one of the largest hospitals in the country dealing with this along with RT friends actively treating COVID, I know and can say non-anecdotally the gravity of the situation isn't being blown out of proportion (at least not by medical professionals) and is being worsened by people who can't get a f*cking clue and participate in the meager, temporary life changes needed to help improve things.
Let's put it this way: my wife is a cancer survivor and if she got laid up because a bunch of asshats can't stop partying despite all the warnings and any added strain on our healthcare system prevented her from getting care, I don't even want to imagine the words and emotions. JFC
A "good omen" if we have to sit on our butts for six or more weeks.
I'd imagine that their exhalations are still present in the air when I cross through them seconds after. THOUGHTS ANYONE?
This stuff you write that will be here to see for time ahead may haunt you.
Next unpopular opinion, where the f*ck was your dumbass leader when h1n1 killed 250,000 people in one year worldwide? Why didnt the economy shut down then? Why weren't you raging at random internet strangers then? Hmm seems you may have some sort of confirmation bias.
I will be riding alone or only with my wife who is quarantining with me for two weeks after arriving home next week. After the two weeks, and only if the curve is downward by then. So likely not riding.
Sure your more likely to die in your car on the way to the trailhead. But this is, in our time, an unprecedented situation that requires some extra effort and a little more... if not kindness or respect because some of us don't seem to be capable. At least mutual acknowledgement that were in this together and how we act, and how we respond to others actions are going to be what either makes this totally f*cked up and keeps getting worse; OR just bit of a frustrating spat in our lives we can tell our grand kids about...
IMO, we're only in as deep as we are because of the current backlash trends in society to be "me/us first"/can't be bothered with any prudent or cautious actions that might benefit the greater good. Short sighted and it shows.
Anyway, pry neg propped out of existence in 5, 4... and it was NOT my intention to do the soapbox... what I really wanted to say was.
Be Excellent to Each Other... and San Dimas High School FootBall RULES...
Most silly little crashes on mellow trails don't end up requiring medical attention. The OP was just saying to be cautious, to be mindful of your actions and how they might end up affecting others AND to make sure your following local health and safety guidelines. The note at the top of the PB website about not taking risks is a good mantra. (despite the continual flow of video's with riders taking risks!! )
Now I think a person has to consider their situation, if I was in the middle of New York where hospitals are filled to the brim I'd be making different decisions. And if your not supposed to be out in the forest mountain biking where you are at than I'm not advocating you do. But I think there are plenty of situations where a person can get out and ride and also be safe and make good decisions on how fast they ride, what features they ride and where they ride so that they are minimizing risks to acceptable levels.
You can’t go out on the trails and guarantee that you won’t get injured so you shouldn’t be on them. You shouldn’t need the government to tell you that, it comes naturally to any mature respectful adult. You can keep making excuses to justify your selfishness but your risking people lives and you know it.
Since people as a whole can't be trusted, everyone has to suck it up for a short while. Don't be the guy that ruins it for everyone else.
Going for a trail ride doesn't automatically = Rampage. I'm in total compliance with my local health and safety requirements and at the moment the state is encouraging us to get outside and exercise. If that changes I'll change my habits too.
I'm not saying it isn't happening at all in my area; but it's not rampant. And there will always be stupid people. If they close all the trails tomorrow there will be some idiot who builds a ramp in their backyard and jumps off his 2nd story roof. I'm not going to be "that" guy. But I'll keep up the mellow trail rides as long as it's still OK in my area.
There has been a lot of talk about making sure people are still following social distancing guidelines and not bunching up on hiking trails, etc. That if it becomes a problem there will be new restrictions. But so far it's been good...
It’s clear we should try our best not to end up in hospital. The question is how far you have to go to achieve this. Most accidents happen in and around the house, people slipping in the shower etc. Should we all stay in bed the entire day? This situation will last months not weeks, so people do need to keep their mental health as well as their physical health. Exercise helps with both.
At the moment gov advice allows us to go out, if they feel that admissions to trauma units / a&e are too much then they'll give us a signal... may be in the form of a TV broadcast from our PM...
You also failed to acknowledge my point that mtbing doesn't have to be extreme. You can get out on your daily cycle on the mtb in the woods and not incur any more risk as you would on a road cycle, probably even less so. I will repeat that this is still well within gov guidelines.
You can repeat what you're saying like a broken record all you want pal, there's not much else to discuss. Until our CMO & gov say otherwise, we are still free to go outside on our bike, once a day, in our locality. Like the orthopod in the video above says, just don't take unnecessary risks. Are you saying the orthopod also doesn't have a leg to stand on?
Assume the moral high ground all you want, but when this all over and the NHS is back to normal (under resourced and really f*cking busy), go out on your bike, send it, break a collar bone, and while you are waiting in a packed out a&e give yourself a big clap yeah.
Jogging is an unnecessary risk, so is skipping or any physical activity, can hospitalise yourself doing anything. You have failed to grasp the point I have made that the gov is taking the advice from the top of the NHS in setting out the guidelines, so if the advice from them gives leeway to cycle along a forest track, or on a road, or run very fast or walk on grassy hill then we can.
Won't bother replying to any other dense reply you give. Better of discoursing with an orange. Stay within your Facebook mob pal.
There are acceptable levels of risk decisions to make depending on the local situation. My decisions are totally fine.
@stiingya See this is why you’re mocked. Just because there’s a possibility of someone slipping in the shower doesn’t make it ok to go and hurt yourself on a mountain bike. Surely you understand the difference between having a heart attack and intentionally getting on your bike and taking risks you shouldn’t be taking and getting yourself in hospital?
It’s not a difficult concept to understand all you need to do is stay at home where you probably won’t get infected and therefore don’t spread it on to others and you don’t do anything that’s going to put strain on our at capacity emergency services that includes getting into the shower carefully. Just try and think about someone other than yourself for once. Have a lovely day guys. Xxx
It must suck to have to bring up old history to show how good your "country" is..... let's talk about the present, lady.
I was ashamed at what I saw on Sunday on many so called "relevant athletes" feeds on Instagram. Far too many "day 1 of quarantine", "self isolation riding" type posts. Not only do they risk spreading a potentially lethal viral infection, they risk stretching our emergency services beyond breaking point.
People have worked hard - often under the radar - to make mountain biking a legitimate and widely accepted pastime in the UK over the last decade. The way some of these riders were behaving jeopardises that. Let us not forget that in the UK, more specifically England but also official trails in Scotland, land access has been hard won and is easily revoked.
This will pass, but we don't need a legacy and perception of self entitlement hanging over the sport we love when it does.
This situation may not be ideal, but it is necessary for now, and there are benefits & opportunities to take stock of what's important.
There are some amazing people here; I have had some great discussions here over the past decade with great people, however many have become invisible through the ever thickening fog of the "shit shower of opinions as facts".
I'd also like to highlight the amount of resources getting injured takes away from people who's lives are at stake. My wife is a doctor and said the average procedure or surgery requires ~10 people to be present in the operating room. That's 10 masks doctors, nurses etc. could be using to help people who actually need it. There's already a shortage of masks and protective equipment everywhere for healthcare workers.
You may have to just deal with that broken collarbone and having a shorter arm because it's just not important compared to what's hitting healthcare systems right now. All elective procedures are being cancelled; that includes some cancer treatments apparently to put it in perspective for how serious this is becoming. Don't be a selfish a$$hole and take away protective equipment from people like my wife and put her and my family at risk.
You have leccy and running water?
Luxury!
We used to warm a small tin shed wi' 23 people wi' a small birthday cake candle.
And if we wanted t' hot water for bath, we'd all pee in a bucket. And the lucky ones got to enjoy it while it were still tepid!
From what I have seen already, a whole lot more people are using local Web based community groups to spread word of mouth for good service/workmanship providers from grocery delivery through home repair etc. There are new opportunities to be had in this new/temporary, more local economy.
Stay home.
www.statnews.com/2020/03/17/a-fiasco-in-the-making-as-the-coronavirus-pandemic-takes-hold-we-are-making-decisions-without-reliable-data
Whatever the figures, there's no doubt that the health systems in countries affected couldn't cope. 24 doctors and medical staff have died in Italy, because your risk increases with exposure. One of the highest risk categories is high blood pressure. In the US (and probably the UK) that's about 40% of the population above 40.....
m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=tQD4B_hmdvo
So....the cops shut the down the beaches. Call out these people! Dont be afraid, do your part. IF they want to start shit.....after telling them they are idiots, get their number and offer a one on one, toe to toe, man to man.......AFTER this is over!
United we stand not only as a country but a planet!, Good things always come of the bad.....we got a ways to go. After this is over, the world will be a better place.
Keep sending if you can, if you cant...get your bike porn on! One thing I have learned from many bad , long lasting injuries from Kiteboarding to Mtn Biking.......when the time comes to shred again....you will appreciate more than ever, and trust me when I say you/we will come back stronger, better and smarter... be it an injury or pandemic.... we will be back!
Spent nearly two years non weight bearing....ended up with bone infection and 16" permanent titanium rod in my tibia. So I say the above with experience......
Be well, be safe, help thy neighbor, dont hate on E bikers, gravel bikers,street bikers or uni-cyclist .....we are all in this together! And we will all be able to SEND again!
Hope that cleared it all up, sometimes you have to beat a horse that wont drink the water otherwise they/we die.
Cheers, nothing meant bad to those following the rules....only to the few ruining it for us. Speaking up here is great.....but speaking up in real time on the trails or beach in person (from 6 feet away) is how we can stop this.
Be Safe
You're completely f*cked.
2) Standing within 1 foot of each other in a line of 20 people waiting to touch a communal metal surface is pretty much the definition of idiot in the current climate
3) If you know better, swallow your pride and tell people. No one benefits from being allowed to carry on in ignorance, and in this case people will catch infections and come to harm.
Statistically there is a very good chance at least 1 of those 20 people will has the virus.
Euan also works for the NHS, he is far from being a 'life insurance salesman'. The NHS don't preform surgery unless it is truly necessary.
What are you doing to help?
Statistically you are a moron if you think that 50,000 cases in a country with 330,000,000 people would make there be a statistical certainty that one of 20 people in a group would have the virus. Especially with a maximum of 14 day incubation period. You have a higher chance of one of those people having a real disease that kills you, HIV, Hep C, etc.
Last point, then I'll let you go back to planning your next job in this "gig" economy, I am currently working on getting PPE and supplies to our local hospital. On my own dime. Have filled 1/2 of their monthly request already with careful strategy. We are ordering directly from the manufacturer and have pooled our order power with other companies in need. What about you? Running another grubhub order?
I'm working from home and the company I work for have given Stanford Medical School in California access to our two 96 Terabyte servers to crunch data in the search for a Covid-19 vaccine while we can't use them.
Cheers.
Telling 20 odd people not to stand so close together is pretty valid.
Okay, I'll elaborate:
Calling a large number of people IDIOTS is a really good way to put yourself in immediate need of medical attention...unnecessarily
See, chances are more than one of those 20 people will take offense to being called an 'idiot' to the point where they will react, well, violently toward you.
That should be fairly obvious to anybody with the kind of life experience a grown man gets along the way
Pinkbike: Rampage retrospective
PS- what is the ticket machine at a trail center?
I don't know... there seems to be no good option for people doing stuff like MTB...
If you don’t want to get hurt you probs should not be on a mtb
We have to face reality here - this virus is here to stay, and it will kill lots of people, and put hundreds of thousands into hospital. This is not gonna be over in a few weeks. The problem is that we have to flatten the infection curve for long enough for loads of people to become resistant - stop after a month, and the peak will be just as high, only a month later. We won't be able to put our lives on hold for years...
Plus, China lying about it's success, imagine that. And remember, China physically locked people into their appartments for a month. Of course this is going to be more effective than our half-arsed quarantine in the western world, plus all the western governments have been seriously late with the social interaction reduction measures. Like the UK imposing strict restrictions TODAY, after 335 people have died. This means likely at least 50000 infected at the moment, more likely 100000... So by the end of the incubation time, we're looking at quater to half a million cases in the UK.
My money is more on the scenario that in a few months time, we will slowly restart commercial life with some significant differences in our social life. There is no chance in hell to kill this virus now, so we will need to learn to live with it.
I've still been out riding. But I'm dialing it back a few notches. We all (should) know our limitations and what risks are reasonable to take. It varies by person. But this is a very bad time to be pushing it out on the trail.
Plus, the person doing my stupid xray isn't qualified to take care of ICU work anyway.
www.radsportverband.at/index.php/aktuelles/radsport-news/allgemein/4816-coronavirus-klartext-des-sportministers-zum-radsport
@metaam: no, but if you should get surgery, but don't absolutely need it (hint: very, very few broken collar bones actually require surgery), you're simply not going to get surgery. My dad was scheduled to have his cateract operated in two weeks, my mum should have gotten her meniscus fixed next week. Both have been postponed, and the same would happen to a collarbone. What I am getting at: if you mess yourself up, you don't necessarily mess up the hospital, but the consequences for yourself will be worse than normal.
But you are right in that the brutally savage part about nature is that it preys upon the weak. Predators catch the slow, injured, old & dumb, thin the herd and strengthen those that remain. This predator, if left unchecked would literally strengthen our populaces worldwide. A 4% kill ratio in areas with lower access to modern medicine, attacks smokers, diabetics, heart conditions, compromised immunology profiles, asthmatics.
At the same time, we all have friends and family with one or more of these "weaknesses" and we love those in our families who are weak. So...tough time to lose money, time, freedom & connections todo the right thing, but at the same time a good time to show love to the weak.
And yes, it IS a your or me situation currently. When we are canceling "un-necessary" surgeries such as a total knee or total hip for a PT who has been waiting a number of days or weeks (would be months in Europe) for a theory? As if an Ortho SNIF will ever even have a chance of a Pulm flu PT, not only are they not set up for that, the staff are not trained for that.
There is some delusion that a Doctor is a doctor? Um, no. I do not go to my PCP for a total knee, I do not go to the Ortho for my allergies and I do not go to either for my apnea (none of which I have). To that, I do not go to an MD for CPR (paramedics are far better at it).
So, now we in the United States are denying care to PT's because someone "might" get sick. That is disgusting.
And I have to ask, what made you the expert on this? There are multiple doctors in this thread who have expressed their educated opinions, and somehow you seem to believe that you know more than them. I'd love to hear your credentials.
-My clinic is closed as of last week and for the foreseeable future. That means 6 of my colleagues and our two employees (who will collect unemployment) are going without any earned income for an indefinite amount of time. This was a difficult decision and we did not take it lightly, nor was it the "safe way out" considering our families generally rely on our incomes to eat. We simply could not justify the risk of being a hub of infection given the often close-contact we have with our patients, who are predominantly elderly or otherwise medically fragile.
-Me volunteering to support my hospitalists so that they can tend to the sickest of patients when the surge hits our area is also not the "safe way out." This is a short-term way for me to help out my local hospitalists, not a long-term career change. Anyone working in a hospital exposes themselves to a variety of contagious disease and this is especially poignant given the relatively high attack rate (this is an epidemiological term you can familiarize yourself with) of the SARS-COV-2 virus. I am, by all normal measures, not qualified to act as a hospitalist and I don't expect to continue this work once the need is no longer so extreme. But in these circumstances, our local hospital system has reached out to community doctors and healthcare staff to volunteer to support their already stretched-thin staff. They are preparing for what has happened in places like China and Italy, where surgeons are running emergency rooms and primary care docs are playing the role of hospitalists. So yes, in an emergency situation like this, when the healthcare system becomes flooded with massive surges of sick people, a doctor is in fact a doctor, as you say. In fact, several thousand Italian medical students will be staffing primary care doctor's offices while the attendings go to help in the hospitals. I can't understand how you have missed this, being in healthcare yourself.
Your posts are scattered and I can't grasp your motivation or core argument here. The anger is not helping anyone.
You said a ton, what I read was "reimbursement rates are low and telemedicine is killing my facility fees. My patients are elderly and I am not bringing in new patients as the younger demographic tend to use the ED as a Primary Care facility since Obama screwed things up".
"So, in the meantime patients who need to see Ophthalmologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Thoracic Surgeons, and others should continue to live in pain, despite setting aside time for procedures that have already been scheduled"
Plus, you (nor I) have put a point on the #1 challenge to healthcare (you eluded to it). "Hub Infection is that for the sake of the PT or for what we all practice day to day - Defence of the facility. I already see commercials on TV for the lawyers who now want to sue for this...the cost of litigation is without a doubt the #1 driver for healthcare in the United States. I can not tell you the number of PTs I have seen first hand show up at the ED for what should be a PCP issue (headache, sore throat and on and on). First words out of their mouth are "I am going to sue".
In a private facility, we can street them (and a reason to NOT take Trauma call for private MD's). In L1/L2, they KNOW they will be treated. Then complain the ED took X number of hours (as it never was an Emergency).