4 ms·

My understanding is some COVID-19 patients (as in, the fraction of people who experience symptoms much more severe than a regular flu but do not die as a result

My understanding is some COVID-19 patients (as in, the fraction of people who experience symptoms much more severe than a regular flu but do not die as a result) suffer severe permanent reduction to their aerobic capability (lung damage caused by pulmonary edema). I am certainly not suggesting that ALL servicefolk who contract COVID-19 should be medically discharged, but statistically a portion of them will have severe enough cases that medical discharge is the only sensible option, as they may be endangered if left in place. It is not their fault, but if an existing servicemember is no longer physically fit to serve then it seems fair to medically discharge them. And similarly to reject an applicant on medical grounds. I do not think it is fair to blanket reject all COVID-19 patients, as most will make a full recovery and would be perfectly able to serve, but if you had sufficient applicants that you could be choosy about it you would understandbly want to choose the ones with less doubts about their medical history. I am not from the USA so I do not know how picky they are with recruiting at the moment, but if it is a trough in the cycle then I would expect to see recovered coronavirus patients turned away.

aaron695 6y ago
At the higher level of the military, at least, they know almost all Americans will get Covid-19. So to say people who have had it are "banned from joining" wouldn't really make sense. But yes, for now perhaps it is true. Someone who's had it vs someone who'll get it later, not sure why you chose the later. I guess if re-infections continually weaken the person, the later will be stronger. But then you have the unknown of how badly it effects them since they haven't had it yet.
- oyashirochama 6y ago
  Most likely there will be a lung test if you were previously positive for COVID19 to determine eligibility for waivers, they currently have no process to go through waivers though so PDQ will be exactly that permanent without a chance to go at all.

aaron695 6y ago

At the higher level of the military, at least, they know almost all Americans will get Covid-19. So to say people who have had it are "banned from joining" wouldn't really make sense. But yes, for now perhaps it is true. Someone who's had it vs someone who'll get it later, not sure why you chose the later. I guess if re-infections continually weaken the person, the later will be stronger. But then you have the unknown of how badly it effects them since they haven't had it yet.

oyashirochama 6y ago
Most likely there will be a lung test if you were previously positive for COVID19 to determine eligibility for waivers, they currently have no process to go through waivers though so PDQ will be exactly that permanent without a chance to go at all.