Dr. Gupta: ‘Rewind Your Clock Back To Last Year … Would I Have Gone To The Hospital with These Symptoms?’

EXCERPT:

GUPTA: "Yeah. You know, this is a tough one. I get that this is a new virus so people are understandably concerned. But I think a good way to look at this, even in the midst of this coronavirus outbreak, is just to rewind your clock back to last year and say, 'Okay, here are my symptoms right now. Last year, would I have gone to the doctor or to the hospital with these symptoms?' If the answer is no, then I think the answer can still say no this year as well. Keep in mind, hospitals, you guys have been reporting all morning, they’re starting to get very crowded. Oftentimes, that’s where sick patients are. So even if you don’t have the virus, you may be more likely to contract the virus if you actually go to the hospital. So go only if you need to and call ahead as well, so that if you get there, you can be isolated. Most people, as you guys know, aren’t going to need to go to the hospital. The vast majority won’t need additional treatment. If you do, obviously go and make sure you just check the boxes first."