My Roommate Told She Has COVID-19

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Rossticus
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In reply to FriscoKid • 9:17p, 3/14/20
FriscoKid said:
Does it feel like a bad cold/flu or does she think she needs to go to the ER because she's going to die and she can't breathe?


That's why she went last time, according to her account. She's consistently had a fever, SoB, sore throat, dry cough, etc and she has preexisting conditions that result in a very weak immune system. When she went she was tested for flu, strep, etc and all came back negative. So it's pretty much confirmed as a virus of some sort that's not flu.

The fact that the hospital contacted her and asked her to come back is an interesting development.
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Forum Troll
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In reply to Rossticus • 9:19p, 3/14/20
AG
Rossticus said:
FriscoKid said:
Does it feel like a bad cold/flu or does she think she needs to go to the ER because she's going to die and she can't breathe?


That's why she went last time, according to her account. She's consistently had a fever, SoB, sore throat, dry cough, etc and she has preexisting conditions that result in a very weak immune system. When she went she was tested for flu, strep, etc and all came back negative. So it's pretty much confirmed as a virus of some sort that's not flu.

The fact that the hospital contacted her and asked her to come back is an interesting development.
Flu tests are notoriously unreliable. She could still have COVID-19 but my bet would still be on flu.
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Rossticus
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In reply to Forum Troll • 9:31p, 3/14/20
Forum Troll said:
Rossticus said:
FriscoKid said:
Does it feel like a bad cold/flu or does she think she needs to go to the ER because she's going to die and she can't breathe?


That's why she went last time, according to her account. She's consistently had a fever, SoB, sore throat, dry cough, etc and she has preexisting conditions that result in a very weak immune system. When she went she was tested for flu, strep, etc and all came back negative. So it's pretty much confirmed as a virus of some sort that's not flu.

The fact that the hospital contacted her and asked her to come back is an interesting development.
Flu tests are notoriously unreliable. She could still have COVID-19 but my bet would still be on flu.


I'm dubious. I think docs are probably just erring on the side of caution when they can't test. I'm not concerned for myself outside of the pain in the ass of self isolation/quarantine. I WOULD be worried about all the places I've been the last couple of weeks and who I could have inadvertently exposed if things do trend in the wrong direction.
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FriscoKid
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In reply to Rossticus • 9:42p, 3/14/20
AG
Rossticus said:
FriscoKid said:
Does it feel like a bad cold/flu or does she think she needs to go to the ER because she's going to die and she can't breathe?


That's why she went last time, according to her account. She's consistently had a fever, SoB, sore throat, dry cough, etc and she has preexisting conditions that result in a very weak immune system. When she went she was tested for flu, strep, etc and all came back negative. So it's pretty much confirmed as a virus of some sort that's not flu.

The fact that the hospital contacted her and asked her to come back is an interesting development.

So she just felt sick and still does? Sorry, but you are patent zero on the board...

You are probably going to get it too. I think everyone is trying to find that balance between flu/cold and worldwide Spanish flu pandemic that kills millions.

We haven't heard many stories about people catching this thing and getting over it. Thanks for sharing the PBP on her.
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Rossticus
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In reply to FriscoKid • 9:59p, 3/14/20
FriscoKid said:
Rossticus said:
FriscoKid said:
Does it feel like a bad cold/flu or does she think she needs to go to the ER because she's going to die and she can't breathe?


That's why she went last time, according to her account. She's consistently had a fever, SoB, sore throat, dry cough, etc and she has preexisting conditions that result in a very weak immune system. When she went she was tested for flu, strep, etc and all came back negative. So it's pretty much confirmed as a virus of some sort that's not flu.

The fact that the hospital contacted her and asked her to come back is an interesting development.

So she just felt sick and still does? Sorry, but you are patent zero on the board...

You are probably going to get it too. I think everyone is trying to find that balance between flu/cold and worldwide Spanish flu pandemic that kills millions.

We haven't heard many stories about people catching this thing and getting over it. Thanks for sharing the PBP on her.


I've got nothing to gain by this being eventually confirmed, so I REALLY hope this is a case of the doc being overly cautious and a run of the mill virus seeming worse than it is due to her other health complications.
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Vernada
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In reply to Rossticus • 9:03a, 3/15/20
AG
So has there been any changes in testing protocols? Has your roommate been tested? Or will she be?
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Yukon Cornelius
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In reply to Rossticus • 10:43a, 3/15/20
AG
Rossticus said:
Chrundle the Great said:
It's flu plus respiratory arrest/symptoms. I'm guessing she is showing the respiratory symptoms and they don't see any other causes.


Correct. She tested negative for everything they could test her for that would result in this set of symptoms and they all came up negative. This is why more widespread distribution of testing kits would be helpful.


They don't exist. People don't understand testing kits for a specific virus like this aren't just sitting on a shelf somewhere. They don't exist! They have just now been able to even make a test and then they have to be manufactured. Which by the way almost ALL of that stuff is made in China... and China has refused to give data about this to other countries.
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Aust Ag
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In reply to adairtexas • 10:44a, 3/15/20
AG
Nobody has really came up with the answers to your very valid questions.
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Fitch
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In reply to adairtexas • 10:54a, 3/15/20
AG
The CDC has published guidance that school closures for 8-20 weeks may be more effective than 2-4 week closures. I don't think that's been adopted widespread at this point, but is instructive how long we might be living with this new normal.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/considerations-for-school-closure.pdf
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mazag08
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10:58a, 3/15/20
AG
We've essentially shut down the country for what is amounting to a typical, though new and slightly different, virus.

The panic STILL doesn't come close to matching the circumstances.
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farmrag
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In reply to adairtexas • 11:15a, 3/15/20
adairtexas said:
So my question is how long are we going to stop society? 2 weeks? What happens then? Everybody stay home 2 more weeks and so on? How many businesses fail because of what might be? I mean if this was the plague I might understand. It's a flu! A bit more serious than the normal flu but it's still just a flu. Like the flu, a certain percentage of people will die from it like people do every year from the regular flu.
A flu that no one has been vaccinated for.
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Mowdy Ag
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In reply to farmrag • 11:36a, 3/15/20
AG
farmrag said:
adairtexas said:
So my question is how long are we going to stop society? 2 weeks? What happens then? Everybody stay home 2 more weeks and so on? How many businesses fail because of what might be? I mean if this was the plague I might understand. It's a flu! A bit more serious than the normal flu but it's still just a flu. Like the flu, a certain percentage of people will die from it like people do every year from the regular flu.
A flu that no one has been vaccinated for.
Welcome to the everybody's world of not-that-long-ago.
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hph6203
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In reply to Mowdy Ag • 12:00p, 3/15/20
AG
Mowdy Ag said:
farmrag said:
adairtexas said:
So my question is how long are we going to stop society? 2 weeks? What happens then? Everybody stay home 2 more weeks and so on? How many businesses fail because of what might be? I mean if this was the plague I might understand. It's a flu! A bit more serious than the normal flu but it's still just a flu. Like the flu, a certain percentage of people will die from it like people do every year from the regular flu.
A flu that no one has been vaccinated for.
Welcome to the everybody's world of not-that-long-ago.
This is a brand new virus in humans. People have natural immunities to the seasonal flu even without vaccinations, that's not really the case with this disease. It's why it's more infectious and more deadly than the seasonal flu.

So no, it's not "welcome to a couple of years ago". It's potentially "welcome to 1918". That disease killed 1-5% of the world population. Or 70-350 million people if this disease did the same thing. It shouldn't because we're taking more precautions than they did back then, but this has the potential to be much worse than a typical virus.

There's a reason governments are taking this as seriously as they are.
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permabull
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In reply to adairtexas • 12:07p, 3/15/20
AG
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aggierogue
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12:47p, 3/15/20
AG
What's odd about the OP is that I went to the doc Friday and tested positive for Flu A. I was offered the coronavirus test (for $90) and turned it down. The story by the OP doesn't match up to my experience. My symptoms were similar to theirs and I could have easily acquired the test.

Not saying the OP is inaccurate. But tests are available. If you have a fever and cough, you have the symptoms to get tested.
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hph6203
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In reply to aggierogue • 12:56p, 3/15/20
AG
aggierogue said:
What's odd about the OP is that I went to the doc Friday and tested positive for Flu A. I was offered the coronavirus test (for $90) and turned it down. The story by the OP doesn't match up to my experience. My symptoms were similar to theirs and I could have easily acquired the test.

Not saying the OP is inaccurate. But tests are available. If you have a fever and cough, you have the symptoms to get tested.

Brother has friends in California that have symptoms and their doctor believes they have it, because they have had close contact with a person who lives with a person who has tested positive and they have not been able to be tested.
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aggierogue
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In reply to hph6203 • 1:02p, 3/15/20
AG
It probably depends on the clinic. But as I stated, as of Friday, I was able to get the test (With my symptoms) if I wanted it.
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Proposition Joe
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In reply to aggierogue • 1:04p, 3/15/20
aggierogue said:
It probably depends on the clinic. But as I stated, as of Friday, I was able to get the test (With my symptoms) if I wanted it.

So then tests are available to some people and not available to others.

Which I think is what most of us have been reading.
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Diggity
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In reply to permabull • 1:08p, 3/15/20
AG
****s gonna spread regardless

What's the long game plan?
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JDCAG (NOT Colin)
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In reply to mazag08 • 1:10p, 3/15/20
AG
mazag08 said:
We've essentially shut down the country for what is amounting to a typical, though new and slightly different, virus.

The panic STILL doesn't come close to matching the circumstances.


Thank God for a pro-active approach.

I don't know why people think it is over reacting to try and slow things down before they get terrible.

As for the whole "it's the flu" argument, no - it isn't.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/people-have-been-trying-underplay-why-coronavirus-different-flu-n1156801

Not only that, but with this thing taking up more and more space in hospitals, the flu WILL kill more people than it otherwise would have.

Hopefully these drastic measures make a huge impact on slowing this thing and then in a month or two you and everyone else can talk about how big a nothing burger it was (and ignore that these measures you consider so over the top are likely the reason it will be behind us).
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Mowdy Ag
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In reply to hph6203 • 5:00p, 3/15/20
AG
hph6203 said:
Mowdy Ag said:
farmrag said:
adairtexas said:
So my question is how long are we going to stop society? 2 weeks? What happens then? Everybody stay home 2 more weeks and so on? How many businesses fail because of what might be? I mean if this was the plague I might understand. It's a flu! A bit more serious than the normal flu but it's still just a flu. Like the flu, a certain percentage of people will die from it like people do every year from the regular flu.
A flu that no one has been vaccinated for.
Welcome to the everybody's world of not-that-long-ago.
This is a brand new virus in humans. People have natural immunities to the seasonal flu even without vaccinations, that's not really the case with this disease. It's why it's more infectious and more deadly than the seasonal flu.

So no, it's not "welcome to a couple of years ago". It's potentially "welcome to 1918". That disease killed 1-5% of the world population. Or 70-350 million people if this disease did the same thing. It shouldn't because we're taking more precautions than they did back then, but this has the potential to be much worse than a typical virus.

There's a reason governments are taking this as seriously as they are.
Thanks for trying to put words in my mouth. I did not imply that we should take this lightly. Far from it. The fact is, "new" rogue viruses have always existed, and along with them, pandemics like this one. The campaign for mass flu immunizations has not existed for long in our medical history, but in some respects it is now taken for granted. We spent most of the 20th century waiting for the next big hit by a "new" virus, some of which were devastating. My observation is that we are now back in that boat. ...which indeed we are.

...but carry on with your sanctimonious take.
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rws92
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In reply to [removed post] • 5:11p, 3/15/20
AG
SoupNazi2001 said:
There are many viruses that could have similar symptoms. That doctor is an idiot for just saying that.
You're an idiot for thinking that a doctor would not know that already
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill
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Rossticus
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11:18p, 3/15/20
Ok. Quick update. Roommate was advised to go in to ER to have another blood panel taken this evening, which she did. Still tests negative for all the usual suspects and shows elevated lymphocytes as well as physical symptoms. THIS time they offer her a test, however, it's not covered by her insurance and will be billed at $3000.

She declined and said that she'd continue to self isolate and come back if severity continues to increase. She'll follow up with insurance tomorrow as well as stay in contact with her medical provider so as to be aware of any changes to the pricing/availability of testing.

Another tidbit I wasn't aware of is that she and her boyfriend are friends with, and very recently had dinner with a couple that has been directed to self isolate due to contact with Greg Fenves' wife (they had dinner right before the Fenves thing became known). Fun stuff.
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Not a Bot
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In reply to Rossticus • 11:29p, 3/15/20
AG
What kind of test are they offering? Must have been through a private lab.
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Rossticus
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In reply to Not a Bot • 11:31p, 3/15/20
Moxley said:
What kind of test are they offering? Must have been through a private lab.
No clue on that but would probably be my guess.
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bay fan
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In reply to Rossticus • 11:36p, 3/15/20
S
3000$. It's illegal to charge extra for tp or Purell and while people are looking out for each other and many companies and employers are trying to help their employees we have insurance companies charging 3k for a test? Ridiculous.
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Not a Bot
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In reply to bay fan • 3:37a, 3/16/20
AG
I'm questioning the veracity of this story for that reason.
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Rossticus
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In reply to Not a Bot • 6:20a, 3/16/20
Moxley said:
I'm questioning the veracity of this story for that reason.


According to her it's the cost of the test without it being covered by insurance. According to the hospital, whatever changes announced by Trump to mitigate cost haven't yet been implemented.

I have no idea what kind of coverage or lack there of she has. Just going off of what I'm told and knowing her verified medical history I don't have a reason to doubt her at this point. When I'm able to speak with her at length instead of brief text updates I'll obviously have a clearer picture.
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dmart90
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7:29a, 3/16/20
AG
Tell her to get the test and send the bill to the CDC... I'm only partly kidding.
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Rossticus
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7:39a, 3/16/20
Ok. Got clarification. $3k was the ESTIMATE provided by the individual in admitting for the cost of the full visit. Insurance wouldn't cover because despite there being cause for concern she still doesn't meet the requirements for being high risk.

This was at St David's. Baylor Scott and White will let you pay $40, report your symptoms via their app, and then a clinician will review and determine whether you're high risk.

The definition of "High Risk" and meeting those criteria to receive testing as of this weekend still seems to be the catch. And apparently her combined Dx of autoimmune and cardiovascular issues don't qualify her as high risk due to her not being on a treatment regimen they consider to be sufficiently aggressive to suggest that it's a "serious medical issue" despite the overall Dx.

Anyway, this all sounds like kind of a cluster ****. Providers are still behind the curve on testing people as a preventative measure to limit community spread which really isn't their primary focus to begin with, nor should it be. They're trying to treat cases that are of the most immediate potential threat to people's lives.

Until testing is available on a bore readily available basis there are probably a lot of people in similar situations who will remain "unconfirmed" and either proactively self isolate or say **** it and potentially continue to spread it in the community. I think that's why things are being shut down. To give the public health apparatus time to ramp up to the point of prophylactic testing capacity.

Honestly, at this point, I'm pretty much done with the whole thing.
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mtony77
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In reply to Rossticus • 4:48p, 3/17/20
AG
How are you and your roommate doing?
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Fitch
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5:09p, 3/17/20
AG
https://instagr.am/p/B9z_j66A0fp

Quote:
Some life news: I woke up Saturday morning feeling like crap and, by mid-day, had a fever. So, given my recent travels to France and Taiwan, I decided to get a #COVID19 test (spoiler: I tested positive). Here's what happened:

First, it was incredibly hard to find information about getting tested. The Austin Health Department website had nothing. I found some news articles that said Austin has testing but couldn't confirm on the city's website. I called 311 & they said they'd call me back.

I managed to learn from our local paper that, as of Friday, a private hospital, BSWHealth, began testing. It's $40. I filled out an online questionnaire and they said I met the qualifications for testing. Austin's 311 told me that BSW Health in Austin is currently the ONLY place you can get tested. We are so screwed in containing this.

So, yesterday morning, I drove to the drive-thru testing.

It took an hour but they finally shoved a huge swap up my nose, told me to stay at home, and that I'd get the results within 48 hrs.

The results came back this morning: I tested positive for #Coronavirus and am now quarantined.

The doctor said that given that a lot of my aches are gone and my fever is down, I probably just have a mild case & it shouldn't get worse but, until further notice, I am stuck inside.

A few things I learned through this process:

1. There's no easy place to go for information. A lot of people are telling me they can't find testing in their local community. If it wasn't for the brief mention in the paper, I wouldn't have found this clinic.
2. Local health departments have no clue what to do. When the health department called me, they said they were just following other districts for guidance. It did not give me a lot of confidence.
3. More people have it than you think. If you feel sick, take your temp. If you have one, get tested. I had a mild case that could easily be confused as a bad cold. If it wasn't for my recent travels, I would have dismissed it as such. Get tested.
4. Given how limited testing is, seems like we're gonna do a really bad job containing this.

So please stay home, wash your hands, & let's contribute to stopping the spread.
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aginlakeway
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In reply to Fitch • 5:17p, 3/17/20
AG
"given my recent travels to France and Taiwan"

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FriscoKid
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In reply to Fitch • 5:23p, 3/17/20
AG
Is that you or someone else? The quote is confusing.
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Rossticus
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In reply to mtony77 • 5:25p, 3/17/20
mtony77 said:
How are you and your roommate doing?


Both feel like crap. I've had the following symptoms for the past few days: Persistent headache. Lower respiratory congestion and cough but no upper respiratory symptoms. Kind of short of breath. Every few regular breaths or particularly when I'm talking I start feeling like I'm running out of air (like you feel when you hold your breath) and I have to breathe really deeply to the point it feels exaggerated. Fatigued. Feel winded even just doing laundry. Extremities feel unusually cold. Intermittent low grade fever.

All these things are out of the ordinary for me but I'm not really worrying about it. Don't feel nearly as bad as I would with the flu or a bad cold even right now. Not going to waste anyone's time or resources to find out if it is or isn't COVID at this point since it doesn't really matter. I'm able to WFH and everything is shut down so I'm staying busy and not going anywhere anyway. If I start feeling like hammered dog **** then I may change my mind.
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