Coronavirus ~ COVID-19

[C0LLETTE]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Im not freaking out yet...

Only taking precautions for what needs to be done.. And no im not hoarding TP or wipes etc... That's wrong to do that on so many levels.

Wash wash wash hands is key.

Masks wont help nor will other stuff its just preventative measures for some folks.. Most masks are made in other countries anyways. If need be i will make my own.

Maybe a mask wont prevent the virus from entering but the point is that a mask might prevent you from touching your face, on average, 20 times a day and that's where the real benefit is...and wtf is wrong with masks being made "in other countries"?

[randomnotes]

I’ve been washing and disinfecting my hands so much my skin is peeling. I feel like I’ve turned into a germ o phobe overnight.

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

Maybe a mask wont prevent the virus from entering but the point is that a mask might prevent you from touching your face, on average, 20 times a day and that's where the real benefit is...and wtf is wrong with masks being made "in other countries"?

They are made in countries that have a huge impact on the industry. I dont think you wanna wear a mask that could have possibly been produced by someone with the virus...you dont know if they have it, if they do or dont wash their hands etc.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

I'm a bit of a germophobe anyway, so I've got a good supply of hand sanitizer. I never realized before how many times a day I touch my face, though. It's a lot. I've become self conscious about it in front of my coworkers.

As I wrote in the zombie thread, I'm going to stop eating in restaurants and ordering takeout for awhile. I stocked up on some cooking essentials. It will be better for me anyway.

I'm hoping our boss approves a work-from-home plan - but that's mainly just because I want to work from home. We have a small office of only five people, and each of us has our own office. One of my coworkers does have kids, though, and I don't like how they spread germs everywhere they go.

[Kelt]

I saw in another thread and on the news that Tom Hanks has it.

Sad to say, but if a popular American celebrity has it maybe that will get Americans to wake up and pay attention to this.

If we could get adequate testing in this country, I am sure the positive cases would be exponentially larger. So many people with their head in the sand…

Eat good, sleep good, wash your hands.

[Kätzchen]

Question and comment for my sister-femme-friend, Ocean:

Ocean, I wondered too if this covid-19 virus epidemic was a biological warfare type of thing, *But*, what if the covid-19 virus could be a by-product of global warming? That is what I have been wondering myself. Viruses mutate and find ways to survive, just like any species might evolve out of sense of survival. Do you think it's a possibility? Maybe?

I work in a high contact work place venue where people with privilege travel to all sorts of destinations, near and far (domestic or international). As a rule, our work campus places a high priority on health safety, due to any viral outbreak (etc). If one doesn't feel well, one does not go to work. In fact, since this particular outbreak of covid-19? Many employers have flexed schedules for staff/employees so they can work from home (for those who can).

We practice good hygiene, it's a must. Working in a high traffic work place venue requires good hygiene practices.

I also, in response to your post Ocean, keep my cupboards stocked and keep cleaning supplies and other sun-dry necessities well stocked too. More so, since the covid-19 virus became a run-away freight train issue.

I am hyper-aware of cleanliness and keeping our work place in as clean shape as possible. None of us want to contract this illness. It's super concerning. I know I can't miss work for extended periods of time due to any serious health crisis/illness. I don't have spare income to hurdle a financial issue which threatens to cost me everything I might have in emergency income for any unforeseen or unintended consequences of experiencing a health crisis.

I am sending wellness wishes for your own health safety, my friend, in the coming days and weeks ahead.

[Stone-Butch]

I just found out that 3 days ago in BC our first death occurred from the virus. An elderly gentleman living in a nursing home. Our diagnosed total is 77 with the virus as of today.
We need to keep clean hands, masks and away from unnecessary crowds. I do hope that not too many more people will pass from this virus but I know it is a pandemic and we need to look out for ourselves and our loved ones.

[~ocean]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

Question and comment for my sister-femme-friend, Ocean:

Ocean, I wondered too if this covid-19 virus epidemic was a biological warfare type of thing, *But*, what if the covid-19 virus could be a by-product of global warming? That is what I have been wondering myself. Viruses mutate and find ways to survive, just like any species might evolve out of sense of survival. Do you think it's a possibility? Maybe?

I work in a high contact work place venue where people with privilege travel to all sorts of destinations, near and far (domestic or international). As a rule, our work campus places a high priority on health safety, due to any viral outbreak (etc). If one doesn't feel well, one does not go to work. In fact, since this particular outbreak of covid-19? Many employers have flexed schedules for staff/employees so they can work from home (for those who can).

We practice good hygiene, it's a must. Working in a high traffic work place venue requires good hygiene practices.

I also, in response to your post Ocean, keep my cupboards stocked and keep cleaning supplies and other sun-dry necessities well stocked too. More so, since the covid-19 virus became a run-away freight train issue.

I am hyper-aware of cleanliness and keeping our work place in as clean shape as possible. None of us want to contract this illness. It's super concerning. I know I can't miss work for extended periods of time due to any serious health crisis/illness. I don't have spare income to hurdle a financial issue which threatens to cost me everything I might have in emergency income for any unforeseen or unintended consequences of experiencing a health crisis.

I am sending wellness wishes for your own health safety, my friend, in the coming days and weeks ahead.

(((((((((katzchen)))))))) so many reasons have run threw my mind as well. They don't know for sure W.H.O> that is . I have so many emotions running across my mind, it's like a traffic jam lolol it's 2 a.m. and I can't sleep. playing a game relax's me ~

[easygoingfemme]

My daughter's college is shutting down. The students are sent home this weekend and there is no return plan. It's her senior year. She is devastated. So many things she has worked for and planned for and now it's all an abrupt end with no senior showcase, probably no graduation ceremony, and it means she loses her job too.

I'm working closely with CDC and public health at work trying to keep our housing programs safe but there's only so much I can do. The women who live there are out going to work, riding buses. They have to. They still have to go to work and school and medical appointments. It's only a matter of time before our building will end up in quarantine. We're trying to set up emergency plans, especially for our domestic violence shelter, for if staff have to leave. Apparently national guard is helping in some situations so I need to find out more about that.

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen

Question and comment for my sister-femme-friend, Ocean:

Ocean, I wondered too if this covid-19 virus epidemic was a biological warfare type of thing, *But*, what if the covid-19 virus could be a by-product of global warming? That is what I have been wondering myself. Viruses mutate and find ways to survive, just like any species might evolve out of sense of survival. Do you think it's a possibility? Maybe?

(I edited my post for brevity)

On CNN today, another article was posted on how covid-19 is transmissible via saliva (after autopsies on ppl who have died from it).

Here is the article link:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/26/world...-21/index.html

In the article, scientists think that covid 19 is a by-product of climate change. Which is a conclusion I had, early on, last year.

In other covid news: Rico got his first of two shots last week. I am still not able to get one due to our state not updating its website criteria. If i am able to get one by my birthday in May, I will feel lucky.

Both Rico and I practice double masking, we try to stick to a strict adherence for food and wster safety. We do not plan to support fast food industry or go out for dining experiences any time soon.

Ffs, we see people daily in close proximity, drinking and dining outdoors ... with NO masks or giving enough space while dining. That stuff scares us both.

Still ... other harrowing news on the horizon about lack of clean water and untainted food chain is super scary.

It is time for a big change in how earths resources are utilized and to begin cooperative sharing with humans in local, national and global ways.

Our health and safety and survival is on the line.

Stay safe.

Be as well as you can be.

And, stay strong.

~K.

[homoe]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A year after becoming a global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York and New Jersey are back atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of infection.

Even as the vaccination campaign has ramped up, the number of new infections in New Jersey has crept up by 37% in a little more than a month, to about 23,600 every seven days. About 54,600 people in New York tested positive for the virus in the last week, a number that has begun to inch up recently.

The two states now rank No. 1 and 2 in new infections per capita among U.S. states. New Jersey has been reporting about 647 new cases for every 100,000 residents over the past 14 days. New York has averaged 548.

The situation in New York and New Jersey mirrors a national trend that has seen case numbers inch up in recent days. The U.S. is averaging nearly 62,000 cases a day, up from 54,000 two weeks ago.

Asked Sunday what’s going wrong in the U.S. as cases rise, President Joe Biden told reporters: “Based on what I’m hearing, apparently people are letting their guard down.” Biden said he hopes to have a better sense of the situation after a meeting with his White House pandemic team on Monday.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/virus-fig...140524851.html

[Orema]

From CNN: As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the US and its territories, health departments have created landing pages where people can go to get the latest information about the virus in their specific location.

CNN’s list includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/healt...rnd/index.html

[homoe]

Originally Posted by Orema

From CNN: As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the US and its territories, health departments have created landing pages where people can go to get the latest information about the virus in their specific location.

CNN’s list includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/healt...rnd/index.html

Thanks for posting this Orema.

It confirms 3 cases for my area which we heard 2 were in Bainbridge and 1 in Port Orchard.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

We now have 2 confirmed cases at my university. The patients are being quarantined by the university in private housing.

[easygoingfemme]

Originally Posted by Orema

From CNN: As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the US and its territories, health departments have created landing pages where people can go to get the latest information about the virus in their specific location.

CNN’s list includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Guam:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/healt...rnd/index.html

Orema, that's super informative. Thank you.

Everything is so hour by hour. We keep making plans at work and then they change and change again.

We are preparing to close our child care center except for maybe keep one room open just for children of staff. We have 9 staff members who are single parents and don't have the support system to work their jobs full time if they don't have child care and we need them at work for as long as we can have them.

Since we don't have all of the children we usually have, we are re-purposing all of the food we had for them and the cook we have for the daycare centers to cook meals for our housing residents and children who don't have food at home and are used to getting breakfast and lunch with us. Our advocates who work in the courthouse and child protective, where buildings are closing, will come work to help pack up food for our people who need it.
My daughter got her job back working in my building while her school is closed. We put her on front desk where she usually works but she was more needed in my housing department so she's been hard at work making hygiene packs and tomorrow she will start packing food boxes for the quarantined so we are ready to deliver when that happens. Our mental health counselors will be delivering meals to our off campus clients during their more quiet hours.

I did find out today that the public health department has a system in place to bring food to those who are quarantined. It's a great relief. I don't know if they are prepared to serve as many as will need but at least there is a plan in place.

After a debriefing with CDC today I was told I am doing a great job. I really needed to hear that so that made me happy.

[Buckaroo]

I've got 2 weeks until I can head home. I'm in the safest place in healthcare in the OR. I wear masks and gowns all day and constantly scrubbing my hands...yet I'm absolutely terrified for my mom who is 83 years old. The fatality rate for people her age is 15%. So it absolutely drives me livid when I hear ignorant people say how they aren't following the recommendations set out for us at this time. Let me give you a reality check. In Italy, their healthcare system is so overwhelmed that they are having to make life and death choices for people. A 30-year-old mother of 2 will get the vent over a 69-year-old grandmother. THAT IS REALITY! Our country hasn't gotten there YET but don't kid yourself to think it can't/won't happen. Let me give you another reality check....Italy has a bed ratio of 3.8 beds per 1000 people...the USA?? We have 2.4 beds per1000 people. See the problem??? Italy has run out of beds and ventilators...We aren't talking about a 3rd world country...we are talking about a modern, revolutionized country. Stop being selfish and think about others.
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N95 masks fulfill the filtering efficiency criteria of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and are approved for protection against droplet and airborne transmission of 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns in size. N95 masks, which must be fit tested, are believed to offer protection against the contact and droplet spread of the coronavirus.

[RockOn]

I blocked the entrance to my cubicle and wrote in large letters on poster board "KEEP OUT - NO EXCEPTIONS! IF YOU HAVE A SOFTWARE ISSUE, I AM HAPPY TO HELP YOU ... IF YOU HAVE A HARD COPY YOU WISH TO SHOW ME, TAKE A PHOTO OF IT WITH YOUR CAMERA, SEND IT TO ME, WE CAN DISCUSS THEN. YOU MAY SPEAK TO ME WHERE YOU ARE STANDING OR EMAIL/PHONE ME.

Like others, I have washed my hands so much ... they feel dry and crunchy ... but it is a small price to pay. I had to have my friend at work, Dr. Laura, dig a splinter from my palm and that helped a lot to be rid of it. We both washed and disinfected well before contact with each other.