Questions: Just how long was Rick in the hospital, which leads to how fast did Lori latch onto Shane and just how fast did the zombie outbreak occur. The zombie outbreak appears to be almost instant with the condition of the clogged highway.

I read the comic book, but it was never addressed. The only clue is that he grew a full beard, which can range from 4 to 6 weeks. But this is under the assumption that there was no shaving by a nurse from the time he entered the hospital to the time he woke up.

Originally when I saw Carl outside with Lori to open the episode, I just naturally assumed that this was a flashback sequence because he was bed ridden from a gun shot wound. It wasn't. It's a TV show and they really can't dwell too long on him being bed ridden. They have to keep the story moving forward, even if it goes against what would happen in reality.