Corona Virus

[Glennsallnighter]

Looks like our schools are going to close down soon with more cases being diagnosed. Whats happening in other countries?

[My My]

Our local schools aren't closed yet, but schools in the town adjacent to ours just closed until April. I suspect it is just a matter of time until ours shut down too.

[CAinOH]

Well, we had 3 people test positive for the virus yesterday, so Ohio is now in a state of emergency. (One of the infected people is in the hospital. One was at the CPAC meeting that Trump attended.) We have a Primary next Tuesday. Last night, the Ohio Secretary of State declared that nursing homes are off limits as polling places. So, a lot of our counties are scrambling to move voting places and let the voters know before Tuesday.

I have a friend in California who teaches elementary school. They've already set up a plan for remote teaching. She says it's day-to-day right now as to what's going on. Here in Ohio, there's not much of a run on anything (although that may change now), but she says the stores are out of almost everything out there.

ETA: Okay, Ohio State University has suspended face-to-face classes and travel.

[KingWalsh]

I have a friend in California who teaches elementary school. They've already set up a plan for remote teaching. She says it's day-to-day right now as to what's going on. Here in Ohio, there's not much of a run on anything (although that may change now), but she says the stores are out of almost everything out there.

ETA: Okay, Ohio State University has suspended face-to-face classes and travel.

Ya local school system cancelled Friday's dance and any field trips requiring plane travel. Also considering remote learning. Store I go to seems Well stocked.

Well I work nightshift in Hospital lab. We are very busy, people are panicking, ER is non stop. But to my knowledge only a select few were truly tested for Coronavirus; results aren't back from the state either if I heard correctly .

Pearl Jam cancelled/postponed their tour due to the virus.

From what I gather , Italy is getting hit hard.

Wash hands like crazy, use Lysol and follow same advice as the flu.
Wishing everyone well

[NightMistBlue]

I’m starting to get a bit concerned. Mainly for my mom, who’s 92 and in assisted living.

[WalshFan88]

It's a very real problem with dire consequences for life and prosperity. And it's not a hoax or blown out of proportion, as some politicians in America would like you to believe. It's a real concern and should be on the forefront of everyone's decisions and minds especially when work, travel, food, and visiting relatives is concerned and also hygiene, limiting traffic in your home, etc. It's not FUD (fear of uncertain doubt).

Also, one isn't to believe the info that POTUS put out as far as it being not as prevalent as the flu and therefore it's being overdramatized. That's not true. It's not as high of numbers as the flu but it's just now coming over here! Who's to say we won't have far more coronavirus deaths in 2020 and 2021. I really wish the POTUS and VPOTUS would take this a little more seriously and stop downplaying it's severity. We need more tests in more places, and we need to stop sharing funny little memes on Facebook about how "if you lived here/did this as a kid, you're immune" or trying to make it political. It's not. But it's also not a myth/hoax/made up by MSM, either. I think it's definitely a pandemic at this point, and I wish the CDC weren't being kept at bay from telling the truth on certain things and being more clear and, frankly, real!

I definitely think cancelling events, limiting travel, and working from home (whenever possible) is a smart, and wise choice. Is it inconvenient? Sure. But the health of our people, stability of our economy, and preservation of society is worth the perceived inconvenience. I think anyone who is 50+ should probably think twice before visiting with grandkids that are traveling to see you. I think they shouldn't be making their snowbird trips to the southern states, either. I think it's shown that COVID-19 is far worse in the senior population. Usually that's the case with viruses, but it's usually also prevalent in children. Children and seniors are usually the most affected. Children, because of the immature immune system and seniors, because of a weakened immune system. However, it so far isn't really hitting very many kids. I think the ID specialists and epidemiologists at CDC in Atlanta have some work to do on finding out why it's favoring the geriatric population more than younger adults and children. There are some getting sick, but it's far worse and more prevalent in the elderly and 65+ community, which is concerning and frankly heartbreaking. I think that this virus needs to be further investigated and we need to do a lot more digging on why it's so different than other similar viruses in the past. I don't think we are anywhere close to coming up with a vaccine. We still don't know everything about it! And we can't just bet on getting vaccines anytime soon.

I agree with the sentiment of having a real problem with people running out and buying all the masks and causing shortages for the healthcare system but we need to quit making fun of those running out and buying hand sanitizer and soap in mass quantities. I know my family surely is. And not to mention, other supplies like Clorox wipes, gloves, etc. And yes, we have bought a couple masks in case we have to get in confined spaces. I'm personally not going to Florida this year. Nor will I be getting on a plane or train or bus. I'm going to be headed up to St. Louis soon for a medical problem, and I'll be almost bathing in Purell.

I think that we also need to be mindful of our food/drink intake. Those people can't work from home and if they are struggling financially, some might choose to still come into work and deal with the symptoms. Those are the same people making your food and filling your glass of whatever. It's a crying shame those people can't have paid leave. I'd like to think most places would be better than that, but some don't and so you have food service workers with CV making food for people, and you suddenly have a massive, massive problem on your hands. These companies need to get their thinking straight and do the right thing. I think the food service industry is a critical component to the spread of communicable disease, and the sooner we realize that we will be better off. Start eating more home cooked meals or prepackaged foods, processed foods (as much as they are unhealthy, they're still healthier than coronavirus!). Frozen pizzas, Banquet microwave dinners, frozen foods, Lunchables, whatever. But eating out especially in big cities should be avoided IMO, or really thought out. And I would avoid fast food chains at all costs! Same for the bars who serve beer out of a glass instead of a can or bottle. Those things all make a huge difference. Same with food delivery services. That's another set of hands on your food that doesn't need to be there. Personally I won't be eating out any time soon nor will I be going through McDonalds for a drink. Take coolers, ice, and bottled/canned soda/water/juice, etc. I think any of those sources is a potential risks. And yes, wipe down bottles and cans from the store. Maybe order goods like that from Amazon so you don't have to go into a Walmart, as today it came out that it was found in one of the workers in Kentucky! I think online shopping needs to be the way to go for foods and drinks that don't require constant refrigeration.

Again, it's a hassle but I think we ARE to that point of severity in the coronavirus. I don't think right now it's over the top. Staying home wearing a mask and never going out and boarding up you're house, maybe. But not taking precautions outlined above. And I must also say if you are sick with similar symptoms even if you probably don't have CV - stay home! Do the right thing and self-quarantine and don't go outside.

In short: yes it is that serious IMO and anyone who downplays it is either highly uneducated or has a hidden agenda that isn't in your best interest! Stay safe and healthy everyone.

[Glennsallnighter]

@walshfan - In Ireland we will have paid leave if we have to self isolate or work from home. Food workers are using masks and sanitisers in many places. All the same I would be wary of buying any food that is uncovered - gone are donuts and chicken fillet rolls from my house!! lol! There is no sanitiser left on the shelves. Not as a result of panic buying but because apparently there is loads of sanitiser in the country but the bottles that carry it are made in China and are on short supply

[KingWalsh]

Wise idea regarding eating out and such.
NightMistBlue, well wishes for your mom.
A coworker of mine has family in China and was sending masks to her family at $200 just for shipping. Had to use private company because China post was confiscating them.
another coworker said her daughter lives in Arkansas and store shelves are bare and they have stockpiled a lot of stuff especially toilet paper and cleanser.

[CAinOH]

Excellent post, Austin!

I am not worried for me. Yes, I am 60 and in the "concern" category for age, but I'm healthy. My husband is 64 and diabetic. He wore gloves to vote earlier this week. My step-mom has bronchitis (and she was tested for a myriad of viruses; the hospital confirmed just bronchitis), and my near-80-year-old dad is a candidate for heart valve surgery this year. I worry more for them. Universities and colleges are on remote-teaching only. I mentioned moving the polling places from nursing homes above (and, for the record… yes, I think that is a very good idea). Boards of elections are setting up drop-off services outside the offices for people to drop off ballots and not have to go inside.

As a business owner, I am deeply concerned about the effects COVID 19 will have… is having on the economy. If no one is working, how will people get the supplies they need? I can see essential services holding on to healthy employees and not letting them go home (think utility companies/nuclear plants/hospitals). As Austin said, we don't want sick employees working, especially at food services, but these people have a crucial decision: Work and get paid or shelter at home and don't get paid? We all know what the right answer is, but that may not be an option for some. Many of them do not have health care.

[Brooke]

Honestly, I think the media is causing a panic about this thing. I have 2 registered nurses in my immediate family and they say the corona virus has been around for years and this is another strain, but it is no worse that any of the others. Yes, if you are elderly or have a compromised immune system, any 'flu' is dangerous. I have an 87 year old mother with diabetes in the nursing home and she worries me a bit. But I believe if everyone is smart about it and washes their hands, doesn't go to work or school, or out in public if you're sick, then we will survive.

Remember the bird flu, sars, and ebola that was going to kill us all the last few years? Didn't happen..

The media..............:rolleyes:

JMO!!

BTW, Austin, I am not uneducated and have no hidden agenda.

[WalshFan88]

Honestly, I think the media is causing a panic about this thing. I have 2 registered nurses in my immediate family and they say the corona virus has been around for years and this is another strain, but it is no worse that any of the others. Yes, if you are elderly or have a compromised immune system, any 'flu' is dangerous. I have an 87 year old mother with diabetes in the nursing home and she worries me a bit. But I believe if everyone is smart about it and washes their hands, doesn't go to work or school, or out in public if you're sick, then we will survive.

Remember the bird flu, sars, and ebola that was going to kill us all the last few years? Didn't happen..

The media..............:rolleyes:

JMO!!

BTW, Austin, I am not uneducated and have no hidden agenda.

I vehemently disagree, Brooke.

Coronavirus, the name, has been around for years. This is true. However COVID-19 is unlike any other strain of corona, hence being called the "novel coronavirus". Novel means unlike others before it. This is very different than other strains, and is proven to be worse in certain populations than other strains of CV, and the flu. For some reason, it isn't hitting the youth like most viruses. It's mostly targeting older people. And the younger people that get it are mostly just carrying it with very manageable sometimes. Therein lies the problem. We probably have younger adults carrying it to their older loved ones, the older public, etc.

Ebola never made it over here. If it had, there would have been tragic results and honestly, we would have had a massive death count. The very small number of people that worked over there that came home went to Emory University in Atlanta to be treated at home (USA), but were never exposed to anyone else. It never broke loose in the US. We should be thankful for that, and not claiming it was a hoax. JMO. SARS and bird flu didn't have the impact that was predicted, true, but also the numbers of those affected here aren't there like they are with COVID-19. We also shouldn't compare it to influenza A or B - it just got here. And with more testing in more places, those stats will only continue to grow. I have no doubt in my mind there are more people actively infected with COVID-19 than have been documented. We need more tests.

Swine flu was very real, and H1N1 still infects people along with H3N2 and other strains of influenza. I personally contracted H3N2 two years ago, despite having flu shots! These strains can and do change and some of them can be far worse than others. Every virus can mutate and change and that's precisely what makes them so deadly. Especially if it's a major change from what was seen by it's closest comparison.

Again - we truly need to do more research into the why and how of COVID-19 CV and we truly need to find out why it's different, and how it's spread. It's been said that if people don't wash their hands for at least half a minute, they might as well not bother. Regular plastic saran wrap type gloves that food workers use aren't going to cut it either. Hence why hand sanitizer sales are up, and people are buying special masks. The other day when the stock market was down 2000+ points, Walmart's stock was still in the green! It's because people are panicking - and damnit I can see why! I don't think that is a bad thing. It's not OTT.

I agree completely about the handwashing, provided they are going by the recommend time set by CDC. I also agree and have said that people need to stay home if sick (with anything!), and not go to work. Even if it means you aren't paid. Even doubly so if you are in the food service or restaurant industry. I think that the food service industry is likely going to be one of the biggest if not the biggest in terms of transmit.

I don't think you have an agenda Brooke, nor do I think you are uneducated as a person, but I think we can safely say we fundamentally disagree on this outbreak and probably best to leave it at that.

[WalshFan88]

The WHO has officially recognized the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic/PHEIC.

Events are being cancelled, orders are made in big cities that they cannot hold events with large numbers of people, and bands are cancelling/postponing tours.

Not at all out of proportion from what I'm seeing.

[shunlvswx]

We have our first presumptive positive in my state. The guy got it when he went to Florida. He has isolated himself at home.

I have tickets to see Joel Osteen on Friday and then I want to see JD in Tupelo this weekend. At this point, I'm thinking about not going to neither one of them. They have cancelled our St. Patrick Day parade. Our big boss of my agency don't want our agents to travel to Memphis.

I have sick time and its enough for three weeks. If I run out, they will probably have to go into my vacation time since I had to do that when I broke my ankle.

I'm not afraid, but I'm being very cautious.

[NightMistBlue]

In Ireland we will have paid leave if we have to self isolate or work from home.

That's wonderful. A lot of people in the U.S. don't have that, but should. In my workplace, we've been getting emails from the brass to stay home if we feel unwell. But we don't have paid sick days! And this is a hospital environment, not that everyone deals with patients. Sorry, I've gone a bit OT.

My mom's nursing home has now instituted a "no visitors" policy, including family. It's best to keep them safe though, they are the most vulnerable.

[Brooke]

Austin, I guess so.

I do feel bad for anyone that has it and hope and pray it all goes away as soon as possible.

I guess I feel that where I live, boondocks of NE Missouri, I'm pretty much safe.

[shunlvswx]

The concert I was supposed to go to tomorrow has finally been cancelled. I work for the Department of Corrections and they are not letting anybody come visit the prisons. I don't work in the prison, but I like I said. Our big boss didn't want any of the agents to travel close to Tennessee.

I remembered hearing about cancelling classes at our colleges, but I can't find that. I haven't heard anything about shutting the public schools. We only have one case at this moment, but you never know when things will change.

[Delilah]

No real changes where I live. Kind of like Brooke, our community is in an almost rural area, away from the city and big crowds. A major development in the region is that the remainder of the Houston Rodeo has been cancelled and that is a big deal. Yesterday I saw someone wearing a mask for the first time.

Just to clarify, there was indeed a case of Ebola diagnosed in Dallas a few years ago. The patient had travelled from an African country and there was a lot of hysteria about all the people who came into contact with him, from his partner to the hospital personnel, one of whom ended up being quarantined in her cabin on a cruise ship. Needless to say, there was no “massive death count.”


That's wonderful. A lot of people in the U.S. don't have that, but should. In my workplace, we've been getting emails from the brass to stay home if we feel unwell. But we don't have paid sick days! And this is a hospital environment, not that everyone deals with patients. Sorry, I've gone a bit OT.

My mom's nursing home has now instituted a "no visitors" policy, including family. It's best to keep them safe though, they are the most vulnerable.

Hey, NMB, I used to work in a hospital setting as well and we had something called Paid Time Off which could be used for sick days, vacation, doctor appointments or whatever. That was many moons ago though and I know a lot has changed.

The “no visitors” policy sounds like a good idea. Stay safe, NMB’s mom. :-)

[WalshFan88]

Good to know. However, I think had that patient not quarantined well by the healthcare system and had been more exposed to more people, and it had a chance to spread at large like CV is doing - there would definitely have been a massive death count. The point still stands. Your chances of surviving an ebola infection are the most grim of any virus that we know of - even in healthy people. Referring to ebola virus outbreaks, we've never had one over here and it's a damn good thing or yes, we most certainly would have had a massive death count. Ask any ID specialist or epidemiologist. It's nothing to make memes about or to be glossed over. It's not hysteria!

The mortality rate of COVID-19 is almost 10 times higher than the flu! And we don't even know all of the data yet. The White House has severely mishandled this IMO, tests aren't getting out anywhere near as fast, data isn't coming back like it should. I have no doubt there are people out there right now who are carrying it without knowing it because the severity of it isn't anywhere as severe as in the older population! Also the contagiousness rate is higher. Whereas influenza patients will infect 1.3 new people, novel CV patients are infecting 2-3 people. This also explains the necessity to cancel large events and stay at home!

Thankfully, we are starting to see a little action on the part of POTUS on this. We need more travel bans and we need to cancel any and all large events that house a number of people be it concerts/sports/conferences, etc. I think if we take it as serious as it is, we can at least not spread misinformation and make comics out of what is a very real situation with a measurable impact on life.

https://i.imgur.com/QbuDWbQ.jpg

Here's some essential reading:

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-new-coronavirus-isn-t-like-the-flu-but-they-have-one-big-thing-in-common

https://elemental.medium.com/why-we-should-care-commonly-asked-questions-and-answers-about-covid-19-6b166f1876e9

[WalshFan88]

I do feel bad for anyone that has it and hope and pray it all goes away as soon as possible.

I guess I feel that where I live, boondocks of NE Missouri, I'm pretty much safe.

Now that we can agree on!

I also live out in the boonies, albeit in Illinois. I call it Redneckville, USA! However my family is still taking all of the precautions someone who lives in Peoria, Springfield, or Chicago would take.

[CAinOH]

Governor of Ohio has just increased spring vacation for school kids K-12 to 3 weeks starting Monday. Also a ban on meetings/gatherings of more than 100 people. (Work, church, libraries and such are exempted.) I'm gathering from Facebook posts that there is not a roll of toilet paper to be purchased in Xenia anywhere. (Good thing I bought some last Saturday… and yes, we needed it.)

[Pippinwhite]

On days like this, I'm glad I work from home. I live 30 miles from a fairly large city with a big tech population and government presence. I don't do much socializing and stay away from crowds. I think cancelling any event to keep people from congregating in large numbers is the right call.

[MarthaJo56]

The Eagles performance for Tuesday, March 17, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX has been postponed. Fans who purchased tickets to this concert will be notified when the exact rescheduled show date has been determined.

[WalshFan88]

Live Nation just suspended all arena and stadium tours.

[Glennsallnighter]

Our Taoiseach (Prime Minister) made an announcement yesterday closing all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from 6pm yesterday evening. Public transport has been curtailed and no indoor gatherings of over 100 people or outdoor ones of 500 people. De facto means that all shows, concerts (including country to country which was this weekend) sports fixtures, movies church services, most weddings etc are de facto off. Anyone who can work from home has been directed to. The speech sounded errily like Morgan Freemans one in the movie 'Deep Impact' when the meteorite was due to hit the Earth. It was strange leaving work yesterday not knowing when we will be back. I hope we get to go back soon.

[New Kid In Town]

Here in NJ we have 29 confirmed cases and one death. The man was 69 and suffered from diabetes and other heath issues. Rutgers Univ(where I grad.) has cancelled all classes until April 23rd. The students are on home schooling. They also cancelled all sporting events for the remainder of the school year. The St. Patrick's Day Parades in various towns have all been cancelled and all concerts have been cancelled.
NYC cancelled all public events and delayed the St. Patrick's Day Parade indef. Some schools in NY are on home schooling. They have not yet done this here in NJ but I think it may happen soon. One of my sisters works in the City and takes a bus every day to Port Authority. If the weather is bad she transfers to the subway to get to work. She does walk as long as it is not raining. She is hoping she will be able to work from home. I have to take the train 2-3 times per week. We both have been as careful as we can be.
NMB - Sending warm wishes regarding the health and safety of your Mom. I think the "No Visitors" policy is the correct one. My Mom was in a nursing home for many years and the patients there usually have multiple health issues, my Mom did.

All my Border friends stay safe !

[Brooke]

Large events are being canceled here too. My mom's nursing home is closed to visitors. So far our area schools are still open. Being a small Class 1 school system with only around 250 students PK-12, we'll see what happens.

The toilet paper shortage has hit our area though! :lol:

[shunlvswx]

I went to two stores on my lunch break and they did have some toilet tissue. It was getting small, but their was some.

Our city hasn't shut down the schools yet, but our colleges are not letting the students come back until March 23rd then its going to be online.

I'm still trying to figure out why our coliseum went ahead and still have a concert last night while Joel Osteen was cancelled tonight. I'm scratching my head.

[FreyFollower]

The Louisiana governor has cancelled all schools K-12 and gatherings over 250 until mid-April, and postponed the Presidential Primary two months.
Locally, people are buying groceries like it's Thanksgiving. I live outside a town of around 5,000, thirty-five miles to a bigger town. No bottled water, hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol...or toilet paper!
I saw on facebook that we will be able to tell children that we survived the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020!:smile:
I do worry about my co-workers having to find someone to stay with their school age children..and pay for it!

[WalshFan88]

It’s now a national emergency.

My mom is a school psychologist for a K-12 district in Illinois and our governor just shut down all schools until March 30th. They will go in Monday and that’s it. And it may get extended past the 30th.

[shunlvswx]

It is now 4 cases in my state and they are in the same county the first one was reported.

To tell the truth. I really want it to stay down there. Then it is spring break week for our state this week. Once those people come back home, those numbers could go up since a lot of them went to those states that were infected.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well - we got the directive at work yesterday to work from home until at least April 3rd. Our leadership based their decision on the recommendations of the CDC. I didn't read the entire CDC notice, but the thing they called out that make this different from other viruses is the speed at which it can spread and the fact that so many people are asymptomatic.

I know the media can hype some things, but I'm taking this seriously - this can get out of control very quickly if we don't heed these warnings.

[WalshFan88]

I know the media can hype some things, but I'm taking this seriously - this can get out of control very quickly if we don't heed these warnings.

Exactly, dreamer!

The MSM isn't out to get you or anything like that. Any news outlet joking or downplaying something as grave as this should be shut down, point blank. If anything, most of them (CNN, MSNBC, etc) are trying to keep people informed and clear up the miscommunication at times that might or might not be coming from the White House on any given day of the week. The media companies that try to downplay it or just refrain from it (one of them rhymes with rocks) are the ones to worry about. Those are the ones who probably have the agenda that the current administration has! Those are the ones I try to watch out for and speak out against. If this had been before the 2016 election it wouldn't have been made political, but in the current "climate" shall we say - anything and everything can be politicized for the benefit of one party. I'm not a pessimist. I'm also not an optimist. I don't see the glass as half full or half empty by default. I take it day by day and look at the data and make my conclusion on how I should view and handle things. I guess there is a third category - a realist. While I think pessimism gets old, so does optimism especially in the face of reality when reality is telling a different story. Overly positive people can be just as dangerous. I don't think there is anyone who fits this bill yet, but I could see it getting out of hand. I think there are people who are turning a blind eye in Washington and I think there is a serious problem with that! Right now it's just denial, rose-colored glasses, and a bunch of downplaying. But the minute we get happy about things we will know we're in even worse off shape than we are now. Volatility is at an all time high now!

Personally, as someone who is quite literally one adrenal crisis away from death at any given moment, my family and I will take this as serious as it is. My father isn't in the best of health, my mother is the healthiest of us 3 but she's no spring chicken (sorry Mom!) either. Not to forget my grandpa, grandma, and step-grandpa who are older and some of whom have serious comorbities as well. It makes me nervous. I feel like at any minute someone who I love dearly could become infected and at risk of dying. I myself worry about dying anyway, I didn't need COVID-19 to make this any worse. Coronavirus worries are real. People aren't being hypochondriacal for worrying. Especially those who have poor health and/or over the age of 60. As Dreamer says, in young people there are a large number that are just simply carrying it.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

[KingWalsh]

Well tonight at work hardly anyone coming to the ER unless true emergency; which is a drastic turn from days prior where we were getting so many people for flu like symptoms etc. I think people are self quarantining themselves more. Even driving in there was much less cars on the road for a Weekend. My kids are home now for two weeks as well and will be doing e-learning. Convinced my Mom to stop going to the gym for a while.

hang in there everyone, wishing the best for all....stay safe.

[WalshFan88]

Just found out two tested positive for COVID-19 in Springfield, IL. Not too damn far from where I live (only about 1 and a half hours). One is in the ICU.

[WalshFan88]

As was suspected, asymptomatic younger and middle age people are spreading it.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-spread/index.html

[MarthaJo56]

Yesterday, I gave into my gut feeling and called Kaiser's advice line. I'd been having a little cough, runny nose, headaches etc. They advised me to go into the ER, which I did. Although they don't have the Covid-19 test, I got x-rays & blood work & an EKG. I'm happy to say, my blood work was all good, my lungs are clear & my heart is healthy. I knew this all, but the cough was bugging me.
The doc said, what I think is true,that it's environmental.
We also have a beautiful tree full of orange blossoms, so my allergies are kicking in, hence the runny nose & headaches.
That all being said, I'm headed to out tonight, to hang out with friends and relax before my Kevin heads off to work. I am safe!!! And will continue on with my healthy living & eating☺️ I'm 64, by the way.

[FreyFollower]

Glad you received a good report, MarthaJo!:yay: I hope you feel better soon and continue to fend off the CoronaBug (Along with everyone else here)!!
It had occurred to me that it being allergy season, a lot of people will be unsure what they are dealing with.

[WalshFan88]

Yesterday, I gave into my gut feeling and called Kaiser's advice line. I'd been having a little cough, runny nose, headaches etc. They advised me to go into the ER, which I did. Although they don't have the Covid-19 test, I got x-rays & blood work & an EKG. I'm happy to say, my blood work was all good, my lungs are clear & my heart is healthy. I knew this all, but the cough was bugging me.
The doc said, what I think is true,that it's environmental.
We also have a beautiful tree full of orange blossoms, so my allergies are kicking in, hence the runny nose & headaches.
That all being said, I'm headed to out tonight, to hang out with friends and relax before my Kevin heads off to work. I am safe!!! And will continue on with my healthy living & eating☺️ I'm 64, by the way.



Glad to know you are doing ok.

The hospital that had the two cases closeby just had a press briefing and they had someone from the department of public health come on and say that they don't want people coming to ER, urgent care, or their doctor but rather call a hotline and go through a screening. If they think you are at risk, you go to a designated testing place to be tested. They said that if you show up to ER, you won't get a test because there are just not enough of them. If you get admitted and they think you have it, then perhaps so but they are telling everyone who thinks they may have COVID-19 or have been around someone confirmed, to call.

Personally I will be staying home for the foreseeable future. I will be making the trek to St. Louis soon for my health (which is another can of worms but needs to be done as I can't move my right foot), but I won't lie that I will be taking every measure possible to stay as hygienic and clean as possible. And I will be carrying enough Purell to bathe a town of people with. I don't care if people think it's silly. I guess I'd rather be silly than sick or dead, so there you go. It's not out of proportion nor is it hyped or any of that. It's getting real and more so every single day. I think it's hysteria to deny it. I think people need to be careful now.

[KingWalsh]

Glad you received a good report, MarthaJo!:yay: I hope you feel better soon and continue to fend off the CoronaBug (Along with everyone else here)!!
It had occurred to me that it being allergy season, a lot of people will be unsure what they are dealing with.

I second FF, good news MarthaJo! FF, the timing with allergy season is bad (not there is a good time but you get the point). Plus flu season still going and never mind pneumonia and everything else.

good luck with your treatments Walshfan88, it’s not silly, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep you and yours safe.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well - as a nation, I have no doubt that we will survive this in time. But ... at what cost? As I said earlier, what concerns me the most is the number of infected asymptomatic people that are unknowingly spreading the virus. Look at what is going on in Italy - it is an awful situation. And, politics aside, the fact of the matter is our government did not take this as seriously as they should have several months ago. So, now, we are lagging far behind where we should be in terms of preventative actions. It was inevitable that the virus would eventually make it over here and that there would be some fatalities. But, it is sinful that lives are being lost in this country because we weren't prepared for this.

[WalshFan88]

Our governor just shut down all bars and restaurants. Drive thrus will be allowed for now, which I think is a mistake. But I do love our governor Pritzker and I think he's been pretty proactive otherwise. I still think that drive thrus are a big avenue for sick workers to spread germs, and for sick customers to pass germs through the little window. I have no doubt that in time those will be closed as well. I think it's a smart idea.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/fauci-americans-are-going-have-hunker-down-significantly-more-fight-n1159381

Great article on how we need to isolate ourselves and protect everyone, including ourselves.

[WalshFan88]

Well - as a nation, I have no doubt that we will survive this in time. But ... at what cost? As I said earlier, what concerns me the most is the number of infected asymptomatic people that are unknowingly spreading the virus. Look at what is going on in Italy - it is an awful situation. And, politics aside, the fact of the matter is our government did not take this as seriously as they should have several months ago. So, now, we are lagging far behind where we should be in terms of preventative actions. It was inevitable that the virus would eventually make it over here and that there would be some fatalities. But, it is sinful that lives are being lost in this country because we weren't prepared for this.

Amen, dreamer.

I mean it's no secret I'm no fan of the POTUS - but even if I was, I sure would have liked to have seen him take credit for the mistakes and for him and the VPOTUS to have taken it more seriously from the start.

[CAinOH]

As of 9pm tonight, all bars and restaurants in Ohio will be closed to dine-in customers. Delivery and carry-out will be available. We purposely went to our favorite, family-owned Italian restaurant tonight for support.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/state--regional/coronavirus-governor-mike-dewine-ohio-department-health-director-host-afternoon-press-conference-share-updates/wnQmjMgs4RJo8mnptScCoO/

We've talked about remote working at the office. I'll still go in. We only have 10 people, we have our own separate cubicles, and the maintenance guy wipes down all the common areas twice a day with Clorox wipes. If I catch COVID-19, it probably won't be at work. Everything else is closed. Husband works out of the home, but he's 64 and has T2 diabetes (but well-managed).

So glad everything is okay, Martha Jo. Austin, take care...

It seems everyone we talked to today didn't say "Bye." We all said, "Be well."

Be well, my friends.

[MarthaJo56]

As of 9pm tonight, all bars and restaurants in Ohio will be closed to dine-in customers. Delivery and carry-out will be available. We purposely went to our favorite, family-owned Italian restaurant tonight for support.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/state--regional/coronavirus-governor-mike-dewine-ohio-department-health-director-host-afternoon-press-conference-share-updates/wnQmjMgs4RJo8mnptScCoO/

We've talked about remote working at the office. I'll still go in. We only have 10 people, we have our own separate cubicles, and the maintenance guy wipes down all the common areas twice a day with Clorox wipes. If I catch COVID-19, it probably won't be at work. Everything else is closed. Husband works out of the home, but he's 64 and has T2 diabetes (but well-managed).

So glad everything is okay, Martha Jo. Austin, take care...

It seems everyone we talked to today didn't say "Bye." We all said, "Be well."

Be well, my friends.

Thanks, CA!

Looks like California is shutting down, too. My Kevin is an overnight baker at Panera and so far, they are still open and he is still working.

https://ktla.com/news/coronavirus/california-governor-calls-for-closure-of-all-bars-and-wineries-home-isolation-of-everyone-65-and-older/?fbclid=IwAR0a-Be2ZMl3G1rt6nZcHcj_QvQWQJ-rbtIzGiaFdkv7J9i5T9iXdRDcAdM

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/57/7f/36/577f360509ec8038a1ff9701b7386876.jpg

[shunlvswx]

We now have 10 cases in my state and two were just reported in my county yesterday. Too close for comfort. Two college students who just came back from spring break. I'm afraid these numbers will start to go up once our local spring breakers come back home or start experiencing symptoms. Colleges and school are out until next week.

A few of our churches did live streaming today. My church also did it. My pastor has three churches so he did the live stream from the church that's closer to home. I think we will be doing this for a week or two.

I work for the state and at this moment, state employees still go in. Until our governor tells us to not come in, we still have to go in.

It's about 25 of us at our office and majority of us have our own offices. Only one person who's office is a cubicle and a few who share offices. Our agency has told us to stay home if we are sick. I'm just worried about the offenders that come to our office to report in. Reporting in to their probation/parole agents is over with until next month, but we will still have some come in. We need to not let them come in until this is over.

[Glennsallnighter]

All our schools are off, all our pubs are closed, they are talking about closing the restaurants and an announcement is imminent. Kids are not allowed mix or do playdates. All sporting fixtures are off. No house parties, weddings, christenings etc. No outdoor gatherings of more than 500 or indoor ones of more than 100. About 11am we are expecting an announcement that the country will be locked down from 8am in the morning. I'd say the main reason for the speed of this (most countries are staying longer at the social restriction phase) is that St Patricks Day is tomorrow and is one of the social highlights here every year. They HAVE to contol mass movement of people and want us to STAY AT HOME this year.

[CAinOH]

We are now in uncharted territory in Ohio. The Governor (with the cooperation of the Secretary of State) wants to postpone tomorrow's primary until June 2nd. He does not have authority to do that... unless Ohio was being invaded. They are suing to make it happen. So, as of this moment, we may or may not have an election tomorrow. Depends on how the judge rules.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/coronavirus-dewine-acton-give-updates-efforts-slow-virus/QxFijmWJLveYSolplq8c5I/

[WalshFan88]

The judge denied the request.

https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/ohio-judge-denies-request-to-delay-primary-80732229522

[KingWalsh]

Well CT has closed gyms, restaurants for dining in, recreational, sports, and governor said schools closed until March 31. Where I work has been designated as a drive thru testing facility.

One thing I was happy to see is that Stop n Shop is opening at a specific time for senior shopping only. Which is great idea. especially since people like the ones below exist:

Two jerks from Tennessee snatched up all this hand sanitizer from various dollar stores, etc to sell on eBay:x They got busted and eventually donated their surplus to local church, but he showed no remorse when asked.

[CAinOH]

The judge denied the request.

https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/ohio-judge-denies-request-to-delay-primary-80732229522

Yes, but the Ohio Health Director, Dr. Amy Acton, said, "No!" No primary today. The voter registration rolls are on hold. No updates, no additions until after the in-face primary on June 2nd. (Oh, the software I'll have to write!)

(Last night was "fun"... or should I say "interesting." The old Chinese curse? "May you live in interesting times." Yeah, we're there.)

CNN story:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/ohio-primary/index.html

Okay, I just want to put this out there: An Ohio Republican Governor has just set a precedent for elections in that an elected official has cancelled/postponed an election. You can argue whether it should have happened or not, but it has happened. Lots of ramifications here... lots.

[New Kid In Town]

Here in NJ just about everything is closed - school, bars, rests., movie theaters, gyms, bowling alleys, etc. The Gov. just started a 8 pm to 5am curfew. I saw on FB this morning that Stop & Shop(a local grocery store here in the Northeast) will have a special Senior shooing time this Thursday from 7am to 9 am. I am glad they are doing this. I went to the grocery store on Sunday with my neighbor and almost everything was gone. Of course there was no TP or paper towels and cleaning products of any kind. No milk, eggs, meat, chicken, snacks and, almost no frozen veggies. This was worse than the biggest panic buying for a big snow storm. An employee said they had never seen anything like it before. I haven't either.

I have to say I just don't get the need to buy 27 rolls of toilet paper. I grew up in a big family and we never used 27 rolls of toilet paper in one month. While I was trying to grocery shop on Sunday, I saw a woman walk past with 6 things of laundry det.
All the grocery stores around me are now putting limits on everything. Needless to say they should have done this earlier.

MaryJo and Austin take care. All my Border friends be safe !

[My My]

Well CT has closed gyms, restaurants for dining in, recreational, sports, and governor said schools closed until March 31. Where I work has been designated as a drive thru testing facility.

One thing I was happy to see is that Stop n Shop is opening at a specific time for senior shopping only. Which is great idea. especially since people like the ones below exist:

Two jerks from Tennessee snatched up all this hand sanitizer from various dollar stores, etc to sell on eBay:x They got busted and eventually donated their surplus to local church, but he showed no remorse when asked.

I read that article about the ebay sellers, KW. They spun it as doing a service to those from rural areas who may not have the chance to buy any hand sanitizer locally. I'm glad ebay cracked down on them and they lost some money.

And I agree, NKIT, people don't need 27 rolls of t.p. or 6 bottles of detergent. All of this hoarding is getting crazy!

[WalshFan88]

On the subject of buying I do believe there is legitimate reason for panic and I do believe we aren't too far away from a federally enforced curfew if not quarantine. The coronavirus is a legitimate reason for serious panic and it's not hysteria. It's a real problem and I think social distancing, self-quarantining, etc is the only way to do it. I think closing everything is the right thing to do as severe as the COVID-19 outbreak is.

But hoarding is just wrong, and prevents those less fortunate from getting the stuff they need. I do like the idea of seniors only shopping for a couple hours. Buy what you know you will need to survive for a couple months and reevaluate then. But don't hoard it all for yourself. And certainly don't buy it all up and sell it to make a buck. If you do the price gouging and get caught doing it you should be arrested. Point blank.

[NightMistBlue]

Is anyone else feeling a bit... hemmed in, claustrophobic? I still work outside the home but when I hear of closing bars, restaurants, stores, etc. I get antsy. They're even saying no more than 10 people in a group on the beach. A small insistent voice within me is saying, "Time to flee!"

[shunlvswx]

To tell the truth. I really hate that my agency is NOT letting us go home. My office has people come in every day to report in and they are putting our lives in danger. Some stupid person came in here saying he's sick. I pray he doesn't have the coronavirus.

[WalshFan88]

Is anyone else feeling a bit... hemmed in, claustrophobic? I still work outside the home but when I hear of closing bars, restaurants, stores, etc. I get antsy. They're even saying no more than 10 people in a group on the beach. A small insistent voice within me is saying, "Time to flee!"

Not at all, but I'm an introvert through and through. :grin: I'm much more social online, I tend to be hermit-like in real life. Probably because I'm actually quite shy in real life. The online me is polar opposite, obvs.

I do feel like it's the right thing. I have no doubt that for those who are social that the distancing will be tough but IMO it's what's needed to put a stop to the novel coronavirus or at least slow it down some.

[shunlvswx]

I'm an introvert too. So I can find something to do. I can read some books, binge watch some shows etc. When I broke my ankle three years ago, I couldn't leave the house for 3 weeks. I think I can do it whenever that comes to to that.

[WalshFan88]

I'm an introvert too. So I can find something to do. I can read some books, binge watch some shows etc. When I broke my ankle three years ago, I couldn't leave the house for 3 weeks. I think I can do it whenever that comes to to that.

Exactly.

I think the idea of "shelter-in-place" is a good one and is one most should be practicing whenever possible. I think it's asinine how some companies are handling this.

[CAinOH]

Well, yesterday we let our employees make their own decision as to whether they wanted to work from home or not. With yesterday's primary postponed, there isn't a lot to do. So, there are three of us here at work: two owners and the maintenance/do-whatever guy. At least Tony made coffee.

I have software updates to work on. That will keep me busy.

ETA: My other brother just showed up. So all three owners are here plus Tony. The coffee is good.

[KingWalsh]

[QUOTE=CAinOH;392308
The coffee is good.[/QUOTE]

Good coffee, yes!! Mines a little strong today. Kids have first day of e-learning. The home schooling is pretty involved, it'll be a struggle for me after coming off my shift; I am lucky I work part time nights. Thursday starts my 4 in a row, And co-worker told me supplies are in for drive thru testing, it shall be interesting.

More stores in my area are doing senior only shopping hours. 👏

[CAinOH]

Just an (amusing) interjection: We're waiting for the Ohio Governor's daily press conference to begin, and the web site is playing the music Monty Python used for their television theme song. "Not dead yet!"

[My My]

Just an (amusing) interjection: We're waiting for the Ohio Governor's daily press conference to begin, and the web site is playing the music Monty Python used for their television theme song. "Not dead yet!"

Even though we're all in a very serious situation, there are times we need to keep up our sense of humor. Thanks, CA!

Every time I hear stories about toilet paper hoarding, I hear Elaine from Seinfeld saying, "I do not havee a square to spare."

[KingWalsh]

Even though we're all in a very serious situation, there are times we need to keep up our sense of humor. Thanks, CA!

Every time I hear stories about toilet paper hoarding, I hear Elaine from Seinfeld saying, "I do not havee a square to spare."


I agree, humor is needed and it’s ok! Even in times like these! As they say laughter is the best medicine 😊. Every time I hear about toilet paper hoarding, I think of Beavis and Butthead “I need TP for my bunghole”.
P.s. love Seinfeld! Classic!!
https://eaglesonlinecentral.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2538&d=1584560152

[CAinOH]

Ohio update: Governor DeWine is closing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, all barber shops, all hair salons and nail spas, and all tattoo parlors as of end of business today. Five BMVs will stay open to handle commercial licensing, and he is instructing the Ohio State Patrol to not ticket drivers with expired licenses... and asking other law enforcement entities to do the same.

Not closing businesses yet, but he is asking that we take each employee's temperature when they come to work. If they have a fever, we must send them home. We sent guy-who-does-errands out to buy thermometers. Is there thermometer hoarding going on?

He said he will probably end up closing daycares, but not quite yet.

ETA: Yes! The lawsuits over the stopped primary election have begun!
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/ohio-democratic-party-files-lawsuit-over-primary-election-delay/95-c126fbe8-076b-4499-aa9e-7845c6532454

[Brooke]

Well, obviously this is more serious than I thought at first! I guess I just hoped too much it would pass quickly and would not turn out like it has. My bad.

All of the schools in my area are closed as well as churches are canceling all services till at least April 1st. There are no mandatory closings in Missouri, yet. They have left it up to each individual business and school. Lots of restaurants have closed dine in services and are still, so far, doing pick ups. My daughter is pretty much out of work. The hoarding has hit our grocery stores. The toilet paper hoarding is crazy! Most grocery stores are letting the elderly shop the first hour or two of business. Great idea! (I'm still young enough to not have to do that! lol) There are only four people in my office and have no way to work at home, but we are pretty safe out here in the sticks, we hope!

I hope this doesn't last, but it sounds like it could last another month or two. Prayers for everyone to stay healthy.

[New Kid In Town]

Ohio update: Governor DeWine is closing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, all barber shops, all hair salons and nail spas, and all tattoo parlors as of end of business today. Five BMVs will stay open to handle commercial licensing, and he is instructing the Ohio State Patrol to not ticket drivers with expired licenses... and asking other law enforcement entities to do the same.

Not closing businesses yet, but he is asking that we take each employee's temperature when they come to work. If they have a fever, we must send them home. We sent guy-who-does-errands out to buy thermometers. Is there thermometer hoarding going on?

He said he will probably end up closing daycares, but not quite yet.

ETA: Yes! The lawsuits over the stopped primary election have begun!
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/ohio-democratic-party-files-lawsuit-over-primary-election-delay/95-c126fbe8-076b-4499-aa9e-7845c6532454

CA - No thermometer hoarding as far as I know. Our daycare and pre-schools were ordered closed as of this past Monday. I cancelled a hair apt. today for tomorrow. I am surprised they are still open. However, with the way things are going, that can change daily and sometimes even hourly. The Governor is considering ordering a lock down like SF has. I have to confess, I find it stressful listening to all of this 24/7. I have tried to limit my tv news time but still find myself switching to CNN or MSNBC.
CA - I hope the election stuff does not get nasty. It of course is not my business as I don't live in Ohio but, I think they made the right call. All those people who did vote in the other states were not practicing social distancing - there was just too many of them waiting to vote. Our primary is not until June. Speaking of Seinfeld, can you imagine the show they would have on the tp hoarding if it was still on tv - lol.

[WalshFan88]

It's indeed a very serious situation now. I feel like like this time period will be an exclamation point in the world history book. Time will tell, but I don't have a good feeling about this whole thing.

I'm really just hoping that with the social distancing and hygiene practices that hopefully everyone is doing that we can slow down the spread until we either find a vaccine, or better ways to prevent death in those that are seniors or compromised. I personally fall into the latter category. I think that my conditions aren't as compromising as the ones linked to CV death (COPD, diabetes, heart failure, etc) but I have taken daily corticosteroids for decades now and do have some conditions that put me at risk. I have adrenal insufficiency. So any stressors put me at high risk for adrenal crisis, which is a life and death matter. I've had several of them, and mostly all but 1 have been in the last 6 or so years. I have had to increase my daily medication several times. Which lowers your immune system! My endo told me that even if I was really having a bad panic attack or going through severe emotional stress I should take more meds for that day. And if I have even a low grade fever - more meds. So with the possibility of a bad cold killing me, and the fact that the very medication I need to survive lowers my immunity - needless to say I'm pretty nervous about this and don't mind saying that I will take it at face value and absolutely believe what I'm told re: CV.

[WalshFan88]

Tuesday night I watched Keith Urban perform in his basement on Instagram Live. He streamed for about 30 minutes. He had a Les Paul guitar, an amplifier, and a mic. One of his buddies ran a laptop system with the tracks of the songs he was playing, with the guitar playing and singing live but the rest of the instruments were off the tracks. Nicole Kidman was there dancing. At first I thought it looked like a rehearsal space because of the road cases but nope - it was his basement. I'm a massive KU fan and it really lifted my spirits. I think we will see more and more of this, and inevitably some will be only available with a purchase. I'm not a fan at all of classic country or traditional old school country but I love today's pop country/modern country/contemporary country music and I've seen Keith live 3 times now and I think he's the best entertainer in the country genre. While he doesn't pull Kenny Chesney-like crowds usually, he gives it all and he will play places other than NFL stadiums! He's a criminally underrated guitarist too and a nice guy.

[Glennsallnighter]

CA, absolutely the right decision. Ohio IS being invaded, by a virus. Make no mistake this thing is lethal and anyone who does not respect its power is being very foolish. It has brought the world to its knees. irresponsible action now will have serious repercussions. I'm not trying to scaremonger but nobody, nowhere is immune and we all have to be very very careful

[CAinOH]

Absolutely, GA.

Took my temperature before I left the house, because if we have a temperature of 100.6 or more we are not to leave the house. 98.7... or 98.6. I have never been good at reading thermometers, but it was less than 99.

And there is a limit on how many thermometers you can purchase right now. Errand-guy went all over town and got to Walgreen's just as the clerk was putting out four. Errand-guy grabbed all four but was told he could only purchase two. So, if someone comes into work and looks like they shouldn't be here, we can take their temperature and send them home.

Second day of being at work with only a couple other people. It's weird... but kinda nice at the same time.

Be safe, my friends. Be well.

[KingWalsh]

Walshfan88, I feel for you, your issues are serious and take all precautions. I'm happy you were able to break free for a while as Keith kicked butt on guitar! 🎸Last night, we watched some footage from The Brothers concert at MSG to unwind. Warren Haynes is so good! Derek Trucks too! A shame Dickey wasn't a part of it. But the important thing is that music is amazing isn't it?


CAinOH, great idea to check temps at work. My mom is having a hard time finding thermometer too.

Just a tip I read...we all know dehydration is bad, yet sometimes forget drink or are too busy, etc. A Japanese doctor (name I can't remember sorry) reminded how important it is to drink because it helps flush the system (specifically the mouth) The virus gets directed to the digestive system And body can get rid of it. In a dry mouth, the chance of it shedding and even entering the lungs is much higher.

And at my house...Last week my son had strep throat and now my daughter has a fever 100.2 and sore throat. I have been disinfecting like crazy and kids haven't left the house since quarantine went into effect. My husband has been a nervous wreck since this started and this has just elevated it exponentially.

[KingWalsh]

Well, daughter fever subsided and feels head congestion and sore throat. Otherwise ok. On break at work. It’s steady, but not that bad. First positive in my town confirmed.

[WalshFan88]

The US state of California is on lockdown/stay-at-home order.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/us/california-coronavirus-stay-home-order/index.html

[NightMistBlue]

That's kind of alarming to me, especially how the Governor's office "declined" to tell the Los Angeles Times how they arrived at their projection of half of Californians potentially being diagnosed with the virus. Dude, if you're going to take away people's freedom, essentially putting them under house arrest, you better be darn sure about your information and forthcoming to the press and public.

[longtimeeaglesfan]

I was listening to The Worry Song this morning, "I worry about disease. I worry about the flu. And if you got it from me or if I got it from you. And if I were you, I'd worry about that too."

Joe Walsh would have been a great President in times like these!!!!! :applause:

[WalshFan88]

That's kind of alarming to me, especially how the Governor's office "declined" to tell the Los Angeles Times how they arrived at their projection of half of Californians potentially being diagnosed with the virus. Dude, if you're going to take away people's freedom, essentially putting them under house arrest, you better be darn sure about your information and forthcoming to the press and public.

Well right now they have the most amount of cases of COVID-19, next to New York. Last I heard they had surpassed Washington State, which is kinda where it all broke loose originally in the nursing homes.

I think it's not a bad idea considering the severity of things right now. And New York, who has the most cases, is now on "pause".

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/new-york-workforce-stay-home/index.html

[WalshFan88]

I was listening to The Worry Song this morning, "I worry about disease. I worry about the flu. And if you got it from me or if I got it from you. And if I were you, I'd worry about that too."

Joe Walsh would have been a great President in times like these!!!!! :applause:

Hah, at this point I'd even be happier with the easter bunny, but yes I think Joe would make a great president. :hilarious:

[Midnight_Flyer]

schools closed for us today

[WalshFan88]

And now my state (Illinois) is also on lockdown/shelter-in-place order per our governor.

I will not at all be surprised if most states end up doing this before the end of the month.

[WalshFan88]

schools closed for us today

The schools in Illinois are closed now until April 8th I believe. Originally it was through March 30th.

I think the right call is cancelling school for the rest of the school year. Reevaluate things in August, and play it by ear.

[shunlvswx]

Our schools are closed until April 14th.

We are up to 80 now and one death. 21 counties now and my county is now the second highest at 7. I think we're going to hit 100 in the next day or so.

[KingWalsh]

Longtimeeaglesfan: THE WORRY SONG!! YAASS! Love it! We need Joe for pres! ☺️


Seeing an uptick tonight at work...CT is closed now as well, for nonessentials....school is out indefinitely I gather?

[My My]

Our schools here in Indiana are closed until the beginning of May. It's looking like they probably won't reopen this year as schools around here end around Memorial Day.

[CAinOH]

Governor DeWine came close to locking down Ohio yesterday. He mentioned "businesses behaving badly" with a warning. Ohio also reported its first COVID19 death yesterday, and it hit close to home with those of us who have a hand in Ohio elections. The older man was a board member with the Licking County Board of Elections. Licking County is one of our newer clients, and a couple of the guys in the office were familiar with the gentleman. A second death is being investigated.

And, it's now hit very close to home for me, too... possibly. My bff works in a Banfield Vet Hospital just north of Cincy. A co-worker called in sick with flu symptoms. The woman went to the doctor and the doctor told her to quarantine herself with suspicions of COVID19. No test was ordered and (from what I understand) no test will be ordered. The head vet plans on going in today and she plans on self-quarantining for the next 14 days. If my friend doesn't work, she doesn't get paid. There is another co-worker who is also in the National Guard. They're hoping she can get tested. The vet is also trying to get Banfield to secure a test for the sick co-worker. It's all very up in the air right now with lots of uncertainty. My friend is going in today (she's filling the schedule for the sick co-worker) and will hopefully get more information today.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

This is getting more and more frightening. The number of confirmed cases here in the U.S. is almost 5 times higher than it was just a week ago. Very scary - and, of course, we don't have any idea what the real number is because you can only get tested once you have symptoms. So, here we are just continuing to spread this throughout the country with no end in site instead of getting ahead of the curve. To me, that is inexplicable. I feel so frustrated and helpless.

The good news is I'm busy working from home, and am spending time outside each day to get some exercise. My dogs are loving me being at home. And while I am definitely practicing social distancing, I am communicating with family, friends, and neighbors even more than usual.

On the bright side, I do enjoy the humor in the thread to help keep things in perspective. I got a text yesterday that made me laugh so I thought I'd share. It said ...

"I'm done with the 90-day trial of 2020. How do I cancel?" :grin:

[New Kid In Town]

Here in NJ they opened two testing sites - one in North Jersey(Bergen Co.) and one in Central Jersey(PNC Concert venue). The Bergen site ran out of testing kits after testing 600 people yesterday. We are on a semi-lock down and the Gov. will be doing a complete lock down probably tomorrow at the latest. As of yesterday there were 890 confirmed cases and 11 deaths. Schools are closed for the rest of the year and all graduations have cancelled. They went to on line classes about 10 days ago. Of course my tv had to bite the dust yesterday. Thank God I have one in my bedroom. I am going to try and get outside today as I am going stir crazy. Everyone please stay safe.

[WalshFan88]

I echo Dreamer's sentiments...

I'm a home body/introvert, so I'm not going to feel too pent up, at least not yet. I do miss takeout from local restaurants the most! This frozen pizza instead of real pizza business is for the birds. :rofl:Honestly shows you my priorities (food!). I'm not really missing out on any social interactions as I tend to keep those to a minimum. I typically only go out when it's time to go play guitar at a jam or gig somewhere.

We live on a big farmland out in Redneckville, USA so if I wanted to go outside and sit, I can do that as our neighbors live aways away from us. I can also ride the side by side. Problem is, with my bum leg I can't really do that. But if I hadn't had a dead foot, I would be able to ride around on the property and burn off any "cooped up-ness" off pretty quickly. I'm quite fortunate in that regard. I will just go sit outside instead.

[shunlvswx]

I don't know if i said this, but the commissioner of our department finally let us off on Wednesday, but we are semi closed. We still have to work, but we only have to come in one time for the next 2 weeks. The offenders will be stopped on the first floor. We had no choice to stay open since we are an essential office.

I do have to go in on Tuesday to do the monthly report for our department and I'm good to March 31st. Its probably going to be extended.

[WalshFan88]

The death count has now reached 300 in the United States per CNN. It's very scary and something I never thought I'd see happen in my lifetime.

It showed a massive unpreparedness on the part of the US government and a lack of responsibility of some out there. There's been pictures floating around of different beaches and the young kids were still doing spring break standing right next to one another. It's just sad. I'm normally about as "anti-boomer" as one gets, but that was just dumb on the part of the younger adults/teens and was not at all smart to do. :(

I'm just thankful it isn't Ebola virus/hemorrhagic fever. I dread to think of what the death count would be up to then as Ebola is even more untreatable and most don't survive it. It's something we need to be super careful about. But I never thought I'd see a pandemic with mandatory quarantine in my lifetime. I was wrong, obviously. I've actually watched movies that are a little too close to reality right now for my liking.

[WalshFan88]

Our local movie theater put this on their showtimes board. I thought it was excellent!

https://i.imgur.com/F6UACCh.jpg

[shunlvswx]

The death count has now reached 300 in the United States per CNN. It's very scary and something I never thought I'd see happen in my lifetime.

It showed a massive unpreparedness on the part of the US government and a lack of responsibility of some out there. There's been pictures floating around of different beaches and the young kids were still doing spring break standing right next to one another. It's just sad. I'm normally about as "anti-boomer" as one gets, but that was just dumb on the part of the younger adults/teens and was not at all smart to do. :(

I'm just thankful it isn't Ebola virus/hemorrhagic fever. I dread to think of what the death count would be up to then as Ebola is even more untreatable and most don't survive it. It's something we need to be super careful about. But I never thought I'd see a pandemic with mandatory quarantine in my lifetime. I was wrong, obviously. I've actually watched movies that are a little too close to reality right now for my liking.

I agree, Austin. I never thought in a million years something like this would happen. All my life when I hear deadly diseases popping up and killing people in other parts of the world, I pray it would never come this way. It came very close with Ebola, but thank goodness it didn't spread. We will get through this. Its going to be a long couple of months. I don't see this ending anytime soon.

As for those younger adults in Florida on the beach and just didn't care. I really hope none of them are from my state. Somebody from that group might have it.

[sodascouts]

So I have been working my butt off this past week, spending hours and hours each day trying to convert all my courses to online mode since my college has announced that they're going online for the rest of the semester. They made the faculty come on to campus at first to do our course conversions during an extended spring break, but on Thursday, they finally allowed us to work from home. After long hours, I'm ready for the first week which starts Monday, and we'll take it week by week from there. This is going to be so much more work, but I'm grateful that I'll still have my salary and won't be impacted financially like some. I feel so bad for my students, especially my seniors, and all they will be missing out on. There won't be any graduation ceremony, for instance. And the education majors who needed to student teach this semester in order to graduate on time are screwed. The list goes on and on.

Cases reported in Memphis and Tupelo, but none where I am... yet.

[KingWalsh]

Wow, that’s a lot to take on. The ripple effect is unreal. My husbands hours are cut but will be paid as usual. Thank God. But he is so consumed with this and very stressed out 😰. On break at work, since they cancelled non emergent surgeries, it is very slow, and hardly anyone in E.R. It is so strange, I never thought I’d see something like this. Luckily I am in a rural area too and can venture out in my yard and such.

Walshfan88, it truly does seem like something out of the movies.

[New Kid In Town]

So I have been working my butt off this past week, spending hours and hours each day trying to convert all my courses to online mode since my college has announced that they're going online for the rest of the semester. They made the faculty come on to campus at first to do our course conversions during an extended spring break, but on Thursday, they finally allowed us to work from home. After long hours, I'm ready for the first week which starts Monday, and we'll take it week by week from there. This is going to be so much more work, but I'm grateful that I'll still have my salary and won't be impacted financially like some. I feel so bad for my students, especially my seniors, and all they will be missing out on. There won't be any graduation ceremony, for instance. And the education majors who needed to student teach this semester in order to graduate on time are screwed. The list goes on and on.

Cases reported in Memphis and Tupelo, but none where I am... yet.

Soda - I was thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. All the colleges here have cancelled classes for the rest of the year(all online) and there will be no graduations. I feel so sorry for all the kids who after four years of hard work cannot have their graduation ceremony but the health and safety of everyone is more important. Normally, most of the college graduations are held in stadiums like Rutgers and Giants Stadium. No way you can put all those people together.
We are on official lock down as of yesterday. We are only supposed to go out to go to the grocery store, get gas, go to the bank and a pharmacy. We can get outside to walk in our neighborhood but that's it. I have to say our Governor Phil Murphy has done a great job in dealing with all of this. Andrew Cuomo has also done a great job and, he and Murphy have been coor. things so both states have the same guideline. It is nice here today(the weather has been beautiful) and I will take a walk around my neighborhood.

[sodascouts]

Soda - I was thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. All the colleges here have cancelled classes for the rest of the year(all online) and there will be no graduations. I feel so sorry for all the kids who after four years of hard work cannot have their graduation ceremony but the health and safety of everyone is more important. Normally, most of the college graduations are held in stadiums like Rutgers and Giants Stadium. No way you can put all those people together.
We are on official lock down as of yesterday. We are only supposed to go out to go to the grocery store, get gas, go to the bank and a pharmacy. We can get outside to walk in our neighborhood but that's it. I have to say our Governor Phil Murphy has done a great job in dealing with all of this. Andrew Cuomo has also done a great job and, he and Murphy have been coor. things so both states have the same guideline. It is nice here today(the weather has been beautiful) and I will take a walk around my neighborhood.

Unlike New Jersey, Mississippi was one of the last hit, so we still had a lot of people doing "business as usual" right up until the case was announced in Tupelo on Thursday. There wasn't panic buying (good) and there were still a lot of people out and about, running errands and living life as usual (not so good). Churches only closed at the request of the governor. Now, however, more people are staying home out of their own free will. I haven't left the apartment complex since Wednesday afternoon after returning home from work, although I'm thinking of getting some take-out today. I want to support the restaurants, and that seems reasonably safe.

I had a student email me yesterday, wanting to meet on campus Monday to pick up some of her graded work. I'm unsure what to tell her.... does she think we are all still up there?

New Jersey is so much worse off - I heard about a family there who lost several members. So tragic. A forced lock down is pretty intense, but understandable. I hope you are staying safe!

Indeed, I hope all of the Borderers are staying safe. Whether it's living in high risk areas, being in high risk age groups, having underlying conditions, or just worrying about carrying it to others, we all know by now that we have reason to be concerned.

[sodascouts]

Wow, that’s a lot to take on. The ripple effect is unreal. My husbands hours are cut but will be paid as usual. Thank God. But he is so consumed with this and very stressed out 😰. On break at work, since they cancelled non emergent surgeries, it is very slow, and hardly anyone in E.R. It is so strange, I never thought I’d see something like this. Luckily I am in a rural area too and can venture out in my yard and such.

Walshfan88, it truly does seem like something out of the movies.

I never thought about the fact that there would be fewer accidents and people in the E.R. now. Wow. It really is like an alternate reality, or movie, as Austin says....

I heard the concern about rural areas is that when it does hit, it will take a lot fewer cases to overwhelm the hospitals since they are smaller, less well-equipped, and further apart.

A woman in our church had a teenage son who had been hospitalized in Memphis with a serious heart problem for over a year. He'd gotten a heart transplant a few months ago, but his body was not accepting it well. He finally passed away Friday. I wondered if it had something to do with the virus, but nothing has been said. It made me wonder about the people in hospitals suffering from other ailments, though, and risks to them.


Personally I will be staying home for the foreseeable future. I will be making the trek to St. Louis soon for my health (which is another can of worms but needs to be done as I can't move my right foot), but I won't lie that I will be taking every measure possible to stay as hygienic and clean as possible.

Austin, I can see why you are concerned about going in for a visit to somewhere even for your health, but if you need to see a doctor... just be careful. Sounds like you've got that under control, though.



As for those younger adults in Florida on the beach and just didn't care. I really hope none of them are from my state. Somebody from that group might have it.

I saw one of those girls interviewed yesterday as a follow-up; she'd been caught on the news at the beach a few days ago saying "I don't care about this virus! I just want to get drunk and party!" She was really defensive and tried to play it off like she hadn't really meant what she said at the time. I thought, "Just apologize, girl! Most of us underestimated this."

[shunlvswx]

Soda. Stay safe up there. We now have 20 cases in my county. We're the highest along with DeSoto, Harrison, Forrest, and Pearl River. I think our governor needs to do something quick. We are now at 207. I don't even want to know what our numbers will be tomorrow. We will be at 300 in two days the way its going. Its time to get serious and do a lockdown.

[CAinOH]

Ohio goes under a "stay at home" order Tuesday at midnight. It's so open-ended, though, as to who works or not, and where you can go. I'll definitely be at work tomorrow... not sure what happens after that, but we've already got a directive from the Secretary of State we're preparing for, so not sure what means for us. Most of the Boards of Elections are already not in their offices, but they've been directed to come in once a day and gather absentee requests (one Democrat and one Republican necessary). We'll know more about the primary this coming Friday.

We got carry-out from two of our favorite restaurants this weekend. The restaurants can still be open for delivery and carry-out under the "stay at home" order, too. Paper products are starting to show up on the shelves at the grocery store. I was able to pick up paper towels. Some things still missing but if you weren't picky about brand names, you could get what you needed for the most part.

The Banfield my bff works at closed today for two weeks. She went in with another worker to call everyone with an upcoming appointment to let them know of the closure.

I'm going to tell y'all what people around here are telling each other now: Take care. Be safe. Be well.

[WalshFan88]

Now the death toll is over 400 in the US. More than half of active US cases are in New York state.

Also, Rand Paul (senator) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is after his dad, Ron Paul (former representative), claimed it was a "hoax" and was one of the deniers. I guess it might hit home to him now!

Every day it's more out of control than the last. Everyone has a right to be scared and everyone is wondering what is going to happen next. I just hope it will be a thing of the past here real soon, but it won't.

[WalshFan88]

Stay safe, Soda. I'm glad you're home for now.

[KingWalsh]

The hospital I work at is urban and starting to see a uptick in symptomatic people. Not a surprise but hoping for the best. At 10pm, when I was getting ready to go to work, I got text that school is out until Apr 22.

I hope everyone stays safe.

the spring breakers make me so mad! It’s going to cause a second tide!

I recently read some aren’t experiencing typical symptoms. Some are having digestive problems at first. Others are losing sense of smell and taste. That strikes me as odd.

[New Kid In Town]

Unlike New Jersey, Mississippi was one of the last hit, so we still had a lot of people doing "business as usual" right up until the case was announced in Tupelo on Thursday. There wasn't panic buying (good) and there were still a lot of people out and about, running errands and living life as usual (not so good). Churches only closed at the request of the governor. Now, however, more people are staying home out of their own free will. I haven't left the apartment complex since Wednesday afternoon after returning home from work, although I'm thinking of getting some take-out today. I want to support the restaurants, and that seems reasonably safe.

I had a student email me yesterday, wanting to meet on campus Monday to pick up some of her graded work. I'm unsure what to tell her.... does she think we are all still up there?

New Jersey is so much worse off - I heard about a family there who lost several members. So tragic. A forced lock down is pretty intense, but understandable. I hope you are staying safe!

Indeed, I hope all of the Borderers are staying safe. Whether it's living in high risk areas, being in high risk age groups, having underlying conditions, or just worrying about carrying it to others, we all know by now that we have reason to be concerned.

Soda, tell her you can't meet her! Yes, that case of all those family members who have passed is so sad. They live in a town about 20 minutes south of me. That area is big for horse training and there are numerous beautiful horse farms. The first family member who died meet with someone who was a horse owner/trainer as part of his business. The man then went to a family gathering and, not knowing the horse trainer had infected him, spread it to other family members. The horse owner/trainer was the first person to die in NJ. Thus far the family has lost four people and three others are in the hospital, two in critical condition. They can not even have a funeral for them at this time. Such a heart breaking, sad story.
Kind of going stir crazy in my apt. but this must be done t keep everyone safe.
Border friends please stay safe !

[Brooke]

I'll be the first to admit I was wrong about this thing. I was only going by what people I know and trust said about it and they really did believe it wasn't so serious. Obviously, they were wrong.

I pray everyone here stays well and safe. I am working, but there are only a total of 4 people in my office and we have lots of room. We wipe down all commonly touched surfaces each morning and use hand sanitizer or wash our hands after handling money.

Hopefully the Dems and Reps can get this stimulus bill out to the people who need it and not try to add something else to it. I guess they are fighting over that. Good grief, this should be the only thing on it in this emergency.

[MarthaJo56]

No one is immune.... Stay well!
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jackson-browne-tests-positive-coronavirus-972713/?fbclid=IwAR1lG5T8VHtCDYZjI0ZWN1YrqI0pxVLulpPCuS_8 txROmRg4BlEuhp7Bpyg

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a5/2b/82/a52b825bb3e991ff1601e49a99adfa70.jpg

[WalshFan88]

It came out that the WHO is likely to state soon that the US is the epicenter of COVID-19, if the numbers keep getting worse. Today was the deadliest day thus far.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-24-20-intl-hnk/h_fcb28454c11c7181ab4fea5dc77cbe90

[WalshFan88]

I'll be the first to admit I was wrong about this thing. I was only going by what people I know and trust said about it and they really did believe it wasn't so serious. Obviously, they were wrong.

I pray everyone here stays well and safe. I am working, but there are only a total of 4 people in my office and we have lots of room. We wipe down all commonly touched surfaces each morning and use hand sanitizer or wash our hands after handling money.

Hopefully the Dems and Reps can get this stimulus bill out to the people who need it and not try to add something else to it. I guess they are fighting over that. Good grief, this should be the only thing on it in this emergency.

Well I think you aren't the only one, but I do appreciate you coming forward and admitting it. It's a big problem now and I just hope we get a handle on it here PDQ.

And yes, I think it would be great to see something that benefits the people who need it, the workers themselves, and not just another corporate bailout.

[KingWalsh]

No one is immune.... Stay well!
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jackson-browne-tests-positive-coronavirus-972713/?fbclid=IwAR1lG5T8VHtCDYZjI0ZWN1YrqI0pxVLulpPCuS_8 txROmRg4BlEuhp7Bpyg

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a5/2b/82/a52b825bb3e991ff1601e49a99adfa70.jpg

Poor Jackson! well hopefully he will pull through in my prayers. 🙏🏻 I worry about our boys too!

back to work at break, big uptick in positives. We are now getting screened before entering hospital for work. We are supposed to have enough Masks and such for those in patient care areas; I feel bad for all the nurses and docs. At least I’m hidden in the lab.

governor says he doesn’t see kids going back to school until fall.

everyone stay safe. Stay well!

[New Kid In Town]

No one is immune.... Stay well!
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jackson-browne-tests-positive-coronavirus-972713/?fbclid=IwAR1lG5T8VHtCDYZjI0ZWN1YrqI0pxVLulpPCuS_8 txROmRg4BlEuhp7Bpyg

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a5/2b/82/a52b825bb3e991ff1601e49a99adfa70.jpg


I saw this on FB this morning. Wishing Jackson a speedy recovery.

[Brooke]

Yes, sorry for Jackson.

It's getting very real for me now as last night we found out there were now 2 cases at our local hospital which is about 25 miles away from me. One was a resident at my Mom's nursing home. They have been closed to visitors for about two weeks. I hadn't been there to visit for about three weeks. I talked to my Mom Saturday and she sounded well and hadn't heard about this whole thing. I asked her if she ever watched the news! She thought she did!!! Obviously she just doesn't remember. She has short term memory loss, a form of dementia. Thankfully, she still remembers us.

[MarthaJo56]

Poor Jackson! well hopefully he will pull through in my prayers. 🙏🏻 I worry about our boys too!

back to work at break, big uptick in positives. We are now getting screened before entering hospital for work. We are supposed to have enough Masks and such for those in patient care areas; I feel bad for all the nurses and docs. At least I’m hidden in the lab.

governor says he doesn’t see kids going back to school until fall.

everyone stay safe. Stay well!

My daughter,Savannah, works in a hospital as well. She does patient intake and is pregnant!! She wears a mask & gloves, but it still worried. As are we. Fortunately, she is young & healthy so we are
The hard part is, we are in California and she's 3000 miles away from us in Vermont. Hopefully, we'll be able to fly out there in September. She is due September 13th.:heart::heart::heart:

[UndertheWire]

I haven't been able to access this site for the last week, so it's good to see you all again and hear that you are ok.

With typical luck (or lack of foresight) we lost our broadband a week ago. The ISP expects to restore it on Friday. My son has just set us up on 5G.

In the UK, we are now on lockdown. We're allowed out once a day for exercise and to buy essentials. When I looked this morning, there were 17 confirmed cases in out small city (population approx 80k) but the total must be much higher. So far, two people from work have reported symptoms out of 70. Both are young and without known medical conditions. The colleague who is on immuno-suppressant drugs has been self-isolating for more than a week and he's pretty strict. I've been very careful, too, as I have asthma.

Yesterday, I was shocked to hear that a new hospital with two wards each able to take 2,000 patients will open in London next week. That really brought it home. This is serious. Most of the US has the advantage of being slightly behind the curve but it's coming.

On the positive side, both my sons have come home. We are all able to work from home - subject to availability of internet - and the house is big enough so that it doesn't feel crowded. At Christmas, one son gave the other a board gamed called Pandemic. We haven't felt like playing it.

This is bad but there are positives. With everyone staying at home, we are consuming less and that reduces pollution and global warming. We also learn what is important to us. I had to cancel a holiday, but so what? I understand that our children and possibly their children will be paying for this but to put it in perspective, a few years ago War Bonds for the the 1914-18 war finally redeemed. My son said that we are still paying for the Napoleonic Wars, though I'm not yet convinced.

Even if the US government has been slow to act, US technology firms are in the forefront of managing and treating this pandemic and hopefully the US can learn from Asia and Europe.

[New Kid In Town]

Hi UTW - I am so happy to hear you are doing well. My home state of NJ has been hit particularly hard. I also have asthma. I am doing well but stir crazy. Here in NJ we are on strict lock down. We are only allowed out to go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the bank, and a gas station. Our Governor Phil Murphy has done an amazing job thus far in dealing with all of this. Sending best wishing to you and your family! Take care !

[WalshFan88]

And now it's confirmed the US has the most cases of novel CV. We've passed China and Italy. It sounds like the WHO will be announcing soon that the US is now the epicenter for CV.

Scary, scary times ahead.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-27-20-intl-hnk/h_dc3bd0938f2cfea6448472d563a19837

[NightMistBlue]

Oh I hope not Austin. No one really knows what will happen, so I tend to lean towards (mild) optimism.

[Glennsallnighter]

Ireland has finally gone on lockdown tonight. We are only to leave home if we are an essential worker (Hubby), to go for food shopping, for medical appointments and to take exercise within 2km of the home.
This is for 2 weeks till easter Sunday after which there will be a review.

[WalshFan88]

Oh I hope not Austin. No one really knows what will happen, so I tend to lean towards (mild) optimism.

Oh I hope not too! But I'm not a optimist or pessimist. I try to be a realist whenever possible. I tend to go along with whatever is happening at the moment with the given data for the day. If it looks bad, I'll be mentally preparing for it. If it looks better I'll be hopeful but I won't get my hopes up to the point of being unrealistic or be set up for disappointment. I think you have to take it day by day and look at the news.

Looking at the stats and the numbers of daily cases, one can only worry about the future. I think bracing for impact is the right thing here. Those still denying it and calling it hysteria or overblown are the people who need help, and hopefully will wake up and smell the coffee. It's a very real, very widespread problem. If testing availability was as it should be, we would probably be gobsmacked by the numbers of cases. And now doctors, nurses, etc are dying from this. It's truly more than a pandemic - it's a crisis and a very real threat to human life. I'm hoping that at the end of this we will band together and realize we are all human. This virus doesn't care if you are christian or atheist, gay or straight, black or white, democrat or republican, woman or man, old or young, USA or elsewhere, etc. It's the human race against one enemy.

It came out today that the US is now the epicenter for COVID-19. Every day we set a new record for deaths in this country. I have a very real reason to be afraid. And if everyone would willingly go along with isolation, social distancing, and self-quarantine we could be in a better spot. We have to be on lockdown. I think it's going to take an enforced curfew to get some people to stay the hell home. I see it happening!

Our governor (IL) today said this is the biggest crisis in his lifetime. He said in a printed release that those that don't obey his stay-at-home/shelter-in-place executive order and are gathering in groups regardless and still going to parties are spitting in the face of the healthcare workers on the front lines. While it sounds harsh, I fully support Gov. Pritzker's comments. He's been far more responsive than our own POTUS, which is just sad honestly.

Yes - hope for the best, but don't be unprepared and be ready. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and prepare for it to get worse before it gets better. Brace for impact and just hunker down and stay safe.

[WalshFan88]

Joe Diffie (country singer) has now died. John Prine (folk singer) is in critical condition on a ventilator.

This is getting more scary every day. One can only hope/pray/wish for things to make a change for the better as soon as possible.

[shunlvswx]

This is getting scary. I really pray this will be over sooner rather than later. Mark Blum who was in the movies Desperately Seeking Susan, Blind Date, and Crocodile Dundee died last week. HE had asthma. So he was at high risk.

But I think of Tom Hanks (who is a diabetic), his wife Rita (who is a cancer survivor), Jackson Browne and many others who have recovered. There is hope.

[CAinOH]

Alan Merrill, composer of "I Love Rock n Roll" (one of Joan Jett's signature songs) has died from coronavirus.

https://ew.com/music/i-love-rock-n-roll-alan-merrill-obituary-coronavirus/

[MarthaJo56]

and now John Prine is in critical condition
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91262972_10163232418155424_2989595068228173824_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_oc=AQlZMVjghN0Xai6teJESaVYdiFteOWnFfR5pMB9L1FB G_09UOMftFl-aUkbG2jGw3U_Nj3fGgJId3CB3ptCiPkNF&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=25f497bed7aeb6e56ca2e79251dd4220&oe=5EA54251

[CAinOH]

Schools are out (just online schooling) in Ohio until April 30th. Things will be assessed again at a later time. No extension of the Ohio "Stay at Home" yet. That currently expires April 6th at 11:59pm.

[KingWalsh]

CT is out until end of April too. We have the “stay at home, stay safe” quarantine in effect. It’s strange going to the store and they have blue x where to stand when in line to check out. Cashiers have plexiglass for protection. It’s funny seeing some of the items that are not affected by the quarantine shopping. For example, ramen is hard to come by unless you want the shrimp flavor....that one is fully stocked. I found that amusing.

work, is strange. Movie like. Temperature check ins, masks and places converted into isolation areas. People are on edge. Everyone is stressed they will get it or have it. So it’s a hot topic of conversation, and then come home and hubby is so stressed and worried and consumed with it as well. It’s all exhausting.

E learning is going well.

[Brooke]

Our small school is out too and I find it strange that they aren't trying to have take home work or classes online. Most others in our area are doing that. They said it's because so many don't have internet, but really? Most have cell phones and they could do the take home packets for those that don't. Maybe the time will be forgiven, but hey, they can still do some of the learning at home. I just can't quite understand this. But, I don't have kids in school. :shrug: :hmm:

All non-essential businesses are closed. My office is still going, but there are only 4 people that work here and everyone needs water. We also have a glass wall between us and customers if they do come in. We are sanitizing everything possible or using had sanitizer when we handle money and keeping our distance.

I really miss my grandsons. Them and their mom walked over to my work yesterday to bring me a picture the oldest had made for me and it was all I could do to not grab him and hug him and his little brother. We kept out distance and talked for just a couple minutes, I nearly cried when they went on. The little one was in his stroller and held out his arms to me and doesn't get why I couldn't take him. Their mommy is our kindergarten teacher and also the oldest's teacher. He is still getting some lessons at home, much to his dismay! He likes to tell me that he watches videos all day because he knows I don't like it! I know better! :lol: Their daddy, our son, is a UPS driver and he says it's pretty much impossible to keep everything sanitized. Can you imagine their trucks and all the boxes they have to deliver every day? He thinks we will all have it before it's over. They are trying but.......

Our daughter's birthday is tomorrow and we usually go visit her or she comes home. She had to close her restaurant in December. It started out great but business dwindled down and she said she just couldn't make ends meet or keep good, reliable, trustworthy help. She was working at a winery that also has a restaurant but they had to close down because of this stuff. She is staying home and avoiding people. Hopefully the stimulus checks will come out soon to help these people who are unexpectedly out of work.

[shunlvswx]

The mayor of my city will announced a stay at home order tomorrow at 3:00pm. This might finally help my county. We're at 90 cases right now with 100 cases could come tomorrow. A thousand cases will definitely come tomorrow since we're over 900 cases right now. Only 20 deaths at this moment.

Since I'm essential since agency one of those essential agency, I still have to go in even under the order, but luckily we are not seeing anybody. They would have to report via phone. We did a schedule for the whole month and I have to go in every Wednesday and Thursday for the whole month since I'm ok with.

[sodascouts]

Glad to hear all these updates. Nothing has changed for me, except that I really think I have never worked harder at my job in my life! Ironically, my "work hours" are longer now. I am about to go to bed now after reviewing some drafts. So much plagiarism. Just in one class alone, I looked at 20 drafts today and 5 of them had plagiarism. That's 1 out of 4. So freaking depressing.

I went to Walmart a couple days ago and it was pretty busy; nobody seemed to be making much effort to "social distance" and the people at the cash registers weren't even wearing gloves. However, the next county over has had a rash of cases and several deaths, so I don't know why people aren't taking it more seriously.

I promised a student I'd get a book for him, so I have to go back to campus and pick it up tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be fine, but I have to admit, I've become rather nervous even doing that.

Shundra, Mississippi is getting a bed rep for how the governor is handling things! Looks like your mayor taking matters into his own hands should help.

[New Kid In Town]

Well, things are terrible here in NJ & NY. We have a "Stay At Home" order until April 30th. I have already been home under that order for 2 works(may be a little long.Not sure as the days just seem to run together). Thus far we have 18,696 know cases and 267 deaths. The next 2 to 3 weeks are supposed to be the worst. Only people with symptoms can be tested at the various testing sites here. There is no way to test people who may have had mild symptoms or no symptoms but are a carrier. I saw on the news the other day a company in Colo. is working on coming up with a test for this but it would be on a very small scale as they are not equipped at the present time to do mass testing. Thank God my family and friends a safe thus far. Everyone stay safe.

[MarthaJo56]

Finally! The Florida governer ordered a stay at home". My oldesrt son is a manager at Chili's in St. Augustine and eventhough they were just doing take-out, there was still way too many people going out. At least now I can feel like my son & grandson are relatively safe.

[Glennsallnighter]

Like Soda, I too feel that I am working harder by day organising online classes and setting work. Without being able to teach 'live' I'm having to vet everthing I set online very carefully and am also trying to troubleshoot students problems too. So I feel like I'm never 'off', even though very few of my students are engaging (another problem). But I have settled into a routine of working most of the day, cooking from home, getting some housework done and going for a (permitted at social distance) 2km walk in the evenings. The pace of my life seems to have slowed a bit, I'm nervous going shopping and I sanitise any goods when I get them home.
I have both a trumpet and a flute and I would like to try to learn to play one of them at least a bit while we are in quarantine. It would be nice to have something specific to have achieved during this.
School officially closes for the Easter holidays on Friday this week so I'm not sure what (if anything) I will be expected to do over the break. (Brooke maybe with it so close to Easter is why the school didn't set work?)
They are expecting the peak of the corona virus surge over the Easter weekend. So far about 3000 cases (But initial models suggested we would have 15,000 by now so something is working) with 85 deaths, the majority the elderly and immunocompromised.
I'm just going to stay as coccooned as possible in my pwn home and area and pray that when there is an update on Easter Sunday they will be able to start relaxing at least some of the restrictions.

Please everyone, stay safe, we will beat this!

[shunlvswx]

Glad to hear all these updates. Nothing has changed for me, except that I really think I have never worked harder at my job in my life! Ironically, my "work hours" are longer now. I am about to go to bed now after reviewing some drafts. So much plagiarism. Just in one class alone, I looked at 20 drafts today and 5 of them had plagiarism. That's 1 out of 4. So freaking depressing.

I went to Walmart a couple days ago and it was pretty busy; nobody seemed to be making much effort to "social distance" and the people at the cash registers weren't even wearing gloves. However, the next county over has had a rash of cases and several deaths, so I don't know why people aren't taking it more seriously.

I promised a student I'd get a book for him, so I have to go back to campus and pick it up tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be fine, but I have to admit, I've become rather nervous even doing that.

Shundra, Mississippi is getting a bed rep for how the governor is handling things! Looks like your mayor taking matters into his own hands should help.

The governor finally announced a stay at home order for our state this afternoon. Finally!! His go into effect on Friday at 5:00pm until April 20th. My mayor’s order goes into effect Friday at midnight.

Since I’m an essential worker, I still have to go in. I have to go in twice a week until the end of the month. That could change again for next month if our cases don’t get better. So the other 3 days I’m staying home. My mother is also an essential worker. She only will stay home on Thursdays.

[WalshFan88]

Our governor (IL) just extended the stay-at-home order until April 30th.

I think it's starting to become obvious this will be an exclamation point in history for all the wrong reasons...

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Our governor issued a Stay at Home order until June 10th this past Monday - although I'm dreading it to some extent, I think it was the right move. I think it is helpful for people to know what's ahead so they can plan accordingly. I think the extended date is much better than setting incremental dates that are moving targets. And he can always rescind the order if things improve quicker than the current projections.


BTW - Since there are multiple threads on this subject in this forum, I'm going to move this thread to 'Wonder at the Powers That Be'. At this point, that's probably where it should be.

**ETA: Thread moved.

[CAinOH]

I am sure Gov. DeWine (now an international superstar along with Dr. Amy Acton) will extend the "stay at home" order until April 30th tomorrow. The Ohio Attorney General is going after businesses that haven't shut down to challenge them as to why they think they're "essential." Number one on his list? Hobby Lobby! Go, Yost, go!

Our business is essential, at least until the primary is through. There are only four of us actually in the office, everyone else is working remotely from home. I have lots to say about what we worked on today, but I will be diplomatic and say nothing. <insert eye roll> The Ohio Secretary of State was sued today by the League of Women Voters and the ACLU for the way he's finishing the March 17th Primary. I fear this will never end.

[CAinOH]

Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne died today from Covid 19.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/entertainment/adam-schlesinger-dead/index.html

Fountains of Wayne did "Stacy's Mom" in 2003. Adam Schlesinger also co-wrote the title track to Tom Hanks' "That Thing You Do."

[CAinOH]

Jazz great Ellis Marsalis, Jr (dad of Branford and Wynton) has succumbed to Covid 19.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/ellis-marsalis-jr-legendary-jazz-musician-teacher-and-patriarch-dies-at-age-85-of-coronavirus/ar-BB1238oh?li=BBnbfcL

[NightMistBlue]

I’ve Always Been a Dreamer: is that a typo or has your governor actually extended your lockdown into June?!

[Brooke]

So far our Govenor hasn't issued a 'shelter in place' order. I don't really agree with him on this. Most people are staying home as much as possible. I'm still working, but we did put a sign on our door to please pay their bills online, by phone or put in our drop box. The people that did come in yesterday were elderly people that should have been staying home! Don't quite understand them!

So far, my county hasn't had any cases. The case from my mom's nursing home, which is in another county, went to a hospital in my county though. Missouri has now had only 18 deaths and 1834 confirmed cases. I sure hope that stays low.

[CAinOH]

Ohio is now "stay at home" until May 1st.

[My My]

Indiana schools will stay closed for the remainder of the school year.

[MarthaJo56]

And now Christopher Cross has the virus:

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9350734/christopher-cross-coronavirus

https://youtu.be/fvEv37FNxXs

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I’ve Always Been a Dreamer: is that a typo or has your governor actually extended your lockdown into June?!

No NMB - That isn't a typo. Our governor is a former physician so that may contribute to him being so cautious. Nevertheless, as I said before, I support his decision.

[WalshFan88]

And now animals are catching the novel CV.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/05/us/tiger-coronavirus-new-york-trnd/index.html

:(

[FreyFollower]

Well, you know, I wondered why I had heard that animals couldn't get it when it started with bats.
Sure hope they are right about the tigers recovering!

[Brooke]

We finally have a "shelter in place" in Missouri. My county and several neighboring counties don't have any confirmed cases yet. A couple have 1 or 2 cases. Across the mighty Mississippi in my neighboring Adams County in Illinois there are 7 confirmed cases.

I visited my Mom through the window at her nursing home Saturday for her 88th birthday. They haven't had any more cases there either. Great news!

[New Kid In Town]

Brooke that was so nice you were able to "visit" your Mom for her birthday. Hope she stays well.

We now have 41,090 Corona Virus cases with 1,003 deaths. Our Governor Phil Murphy has ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half staff to honor those who have passed. Thus far he has been doing a great job. He has established a "Knucklehead Hall of Shame" for those people caught violating the Stay At Home Order. This past weekend they arrested some guy who put a Who concert on in his front lawn ! There were about 50 people there and the police gave them all summonses. They arrested a second guy yesterday who was at the "Concert" and cursed at the cops. 99% of the people are obeying the orders. You always have that one percent that have to act/be jerks. I see very few cars and people out in my neighborhood.

[LuvTim]

We have a stay at home order here, too. I believe we have had about 100 cases in our county so far.
We've been sitting out on the deck and taking walks to get some fresh air (pollen included, for free.)
Feeling so bad for everyone suffering loss in this difficult time.
Trying to maintain our sense of humor and holding out hope that things improve for all of America, and all over the world, sooner rather than later.
Best wishes to everyone here. Take good care.

[shunlvswx]

News just came out that John Prine lost his battle with the coronavirus. So sad.

Its sad to say we might be seeing a lot more famous people dying especially the older ones.

[shunlvswx]

I was hearing experts saying that majority of the people who are getting the virus and/or dying are African Americans. Its kinda scary especially since I'm an African American, but my mother and I are doing everything to protect ourselves.

[sodascouts]

I was hearing experts in my state saying that majority of the people who are getting the virus and/or dying are African Americans. Its kinda scary especially since I'm an African American, but my mother and I are doing everything to protect ourselves.

I saw that on the news, too! I think they said it was because of their socioeconomic circumstances rather than any increased vulnerability due to ethnicity. Here's more info:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/us/coronavirus-black-americans-race/index.html

The news is worrisome, though! You and your mom are doing the right thing!

[shunlvswx]

Thanks. If I didn’t haven’t to go to work twice a week, I would stay home. Both my mother and I are essential workers , so I have to go. I don’t mind going in. I’m only off for three days. My mother goes in for 4 days. I’ll be staying in my office the next two days and spray down my office when I get in in the morning because who knows who’s been in there since last Thursday.

[KingWalsh]

We, CT, are definitely still climbing in numbers. The tri state area is hit hard, as NKIT pointed out with New Jersey’s numbers. It’s sad at work. They keep converting sections into more areas for covid patients. Supplies are low, yet are getting donations from a lot of places. Shopping in so strange, restricted to 1 family member and stores can’t be above mid capacity.

[Glennsallnighter]

We are almost 2 weeks into almost complete lockdown at this stage. This means only essential workers allowed to travel to work. We can leave home for shopping, medical appointments and/ or to care for an elderly or immunocompromised person. Also exercise within 2km of the home. Parks, Beaches, forests and beauty spots have been closed and the police will be out in force over the Easter weekend to make sure people do not breach the regulations. They have said no visiting of family or to holiday homes over the Easter weekend too. Restrictions on lockdown are supposed to be lifted on Sunday but somehow we doubt it. Numbers are fairly constant with about 350-400 new diagnoses daily and 210 deaths overall with the median age of deaths about 80 yo. They say the surge is due over the weekend. BUT its taking 5 days to get an appointment for a test and another 5 to get a result, so its impossible really to tell who has it and who hasn't. In Ireland everyone has the same access to healthcare for this virus regardless as to whether they have insurance or not.

[sodascouts]

I bet it seems like it's been going on years!

It my area, we've just been on lockdown half that time, and it seems like ages.

They say it will be at its peak in this region in a couple more weeks.

For so long, we were told not to bother with facemasks. Now that's changed, but almost nobody here is wearing them yet (when I last went out, I saw one on an off-duty nurse, and an on one post office worker). I expect people will start soon, when things get worse. So far there are still less than 100 deaths in the state, and no one county has higher than 6 deaths. Amazing, considering how close we are to Louisiana, and how blase some local people been have been. I just ordered a homemade facemask for myself off Etsy; it should arrive in a few days.

[Glennsallnighter]

Our lockdown has been extended till at least the fifth of May. Our state leaving certificate exams which are normally run at the beginning of June have been postponed until at least the end of July. I don’t know where this will all end. Stay safe everyone :grouphug:

[KingWalsh]

I agree, I have no idea when this will end, out gov extended it to May 20, yet I’m sure it’ll go on longer. Why have the kids go back to school for a few weeks? Work continues to be stressful. And I’m in a funk of sorts right now. 😕

[New Kid In Town]

Our lock down has been going on for three weeks and there is talk of it going to the end of May. Our Governor issued an order earlier in the week for everyone to wear a mask when we go outside. Thus far we have at least 54,588 cases and and almost 2,000 deaths. They are saying the next two weeks are supposed to be the worst. I will probably have to leave my house by the end of the week to go grocery shopping. I have not been out in two weeks except for walks around the block. Grocery home delivery like Instacart have been so overwhelmed they can't keep up with the orders. I tried to order delivery two weeks ago and the three sites here could not take any more delivery orders. So, I had to go to the grocery store. Now they are limiting the number of people allowed in to shop and according to a friend it is being closely supervised by store managers. My sweet niece ordered a couple bottles of wine sent to me.
I had to trow out some recycling the other day(I live in an apt. complex) and when I tossed mine in I noticed the bin was full of beer and wine bottles. I have never seen that many bottles in the bins. I can't imagine doing this until the end of May but I know it is a small price to pay to stay safe.

[KingWalsh]

The numbers are heartbreaking NKIT. I know the numbers, at least in my state are off. We keep getting more and more inpatients, just where I work alone, yet the gov says hospitalization is happening at a slower rate. I don't see how that's true. 10,538 positive, 448 deaths in CT are the reports, but I don't know, I don't think it's tapering. It's so depressing

Our grocery stores are doing the same, in fact today I ran in quick, as I was leaving there was a line waiting outside to get in because they met their max.

I'm trying to stay as positive as I can, don't want kids to stress, my husband talks about it non-stop and so I don't talk to him about it, try to change the subject, because it just isn't good for him, then it's off to work. I am finding it harder to be upbeat. :sigh:.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Yeah - I think the longer this goes on, the worse the 'stay at home' thing is going to be for all of us. But, we are strong and we can do it. We've come too far to let our guard down now though. My family an I are all trying to follow the advice about practicing social distancing, but not social isolation. We are trying to figure out the best option for all of us to do video chats online? Anyone have any recommendations?

[KingWalsh]

Well, Dreamer, I’ve always done FaceTime with my phone. If on android, I think it’s google hangouts. Skype,online, is another choice. I think you have to pay for zoom...unsure. I’m not an expert though. It’s tough.

tonight is the busiest I’ve been on since this all started. I’m tired.

[UndertheWire]

I just checked the pricing model for zoom and there is a free option for up to 100 participants with a time limit of 40 minutes per meeting. I expect the idea is to get people familiar with it so that they will be more likely to buy it for business.

[WalshFan88]

You definitely want something that doesn't favor one platform over the other. So, for me that means FaceTime for iPhones and Duo for Androids is out. I know Duo has an iPhone app, but it's not near as functional for those users as the Android app. Google Hangouts is being deprecated and isn't that great anymore, there are service issues and a lack of a usable feature set. They are going to make it a business only feature. FaceTime doesn't work with Android or Windows at all, they don't even offer it. You have to have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Again, Duo technically has an iPhone app but I've not had good luck with it in the past.

That leaves us with Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, and other companies.

Personally, I think the most hassle free way to do it is probably Skype because it is free, works just as good on the iPhone and iPad as it does on an Android phone like a Pixel or Samsung. It works great on both Mac and Windows computers and doesn't favor Windows, which is great considering Microsoft does own Skype! But the Mac version is just as great. And being that Microsoft isn't in the phone business, it's great.

Some of these require your phone number (WhatsApp, Duo, etc) however some don't (Skype, Zoom, etc). Just something to keep in mind. I find that while WhatsApp is great on your phone, it's not very tablet or computer friendly. Skype and Zoom are both great on ALL types of devices be it smartphones, tablets, or laptop and desktop computers. With a desktop, you'd need a webcam but most laptops have one built-in.

Right now I have the family using FaceTime as we all are on Apple iPhones. However, I would definitely do a poll of all potential people you want to chat with, and see if they have all Apple. If not, go with Skype! If you all are on Android, then Duo would probably be the best choice considering it's preinstalled on most modern Android phones, be it Samsung Galaxys or Google Pixels (the two most common Android brands).

[CAinOH]

Doesn't WhatsApp have a major security flaw? A quick Google search brings up privacy and security concerns, but the articles are dated mid-2019. Maybe they've been addressed.

[WalshFan88]

Doesn't WhatsApp have a major security flaw? A quick Google search brings up privacy and security concerns, but the articles are dated mid-2019. Maybe they've been addressed.

Yes, it's been patched. It wasn't a privacy thing that they changed (unlike with Zoom), but rather a bug in the software that had security implications.

It's end-to-end encrypted for text messages, it's probably the best there is. Far more trustworthy than WeChat or even FB messenger. Harder to hack. Other than iMessage, it's the only end to end encrypted system trustworthy for texts.

[sodascouts]

Thanks for the thorough review, Austin!

I just did a video chat with my family for the first time. We used zoom. It worked well, but the 40 minute limit is kind of annoying. I definitely give Skype the edge there. I use skype to video conference with one of my students who needs extra help, and I’ve had no issues.

[Brooke]

Cool info! Thanks Austin!

I've done FaceTime on my iphone which both of my kids have, but I've got limited service on my cell where I live. We may have to try Skype.

[WalshFan88]

Cool info! Thanks Austin!

I've done FaceTime on my iphone which both of my kids have, but I've got limited service on my cell where I live. We may have to try Skype.

Some carriers offer FaceTime over Wifi, if your home wifi is good.

[Brooke]

I have Wifi and it works great for streaming the tv. It seems we have trouble with FaceTime though.

[WalshFan88]

I have Wifi and it works great for streaming the tv. It seems we have trouble with FaceTime though.

Interesting. Usually streaming services require far more bandwidth than FaceTime. It could be that something is blocking the ports that FaceTime uses on your router to connect, OR, just a problem with your carrier's implementation of FaceTime over Wifi or Wifi calling.

[shunlvswx]

The governor of my state announced school is done for the rest of the school year which I’m not surprised. Our stay at home order ends on Monday. I wonder if he will extended until the end of this month. I hope so.

We are still getting high numbers, but it looks like we are slowly dropping even though we still having over 100 cases every day. I went up to over 200 on Friday I think. We are now over 3,000 cases and my county is the hotspot of the state, but we only had 2 deaths which is good. Even though we are increasing in cases, we’re not increasing in deaths. We just hit over 100 deaths today.

[WalshFan88]

I think we are extended until the last day of April in Illinois.

Personally, I think they shouldn't bother with the rest of the school year for high school and lower. And don't make the kids do summer school, seems kind of wrong. It's not their fault this stupid virus is out of control right now. As far as staying at home and reopening businesses, go by what the virus statistics say. Don't reopen it to lose all the progress too early and have a massive problem, as if it isn't bad enough. It's not a race to who reopens. Let's let things improve and take it day by day rather than make deadlines. That seems very irresponsible.

[Brooke]

Our schools are out for the rest of the year.

What I don't understand is some of the area schools are either doing work over the net or packets are picked up at school if they don't have internet. They can also park in the school parking lot and download lessons to do at home. Our school is doing nothing. They say there isn't enough kids that have internet and too many parents won't help at home. They say this year's work will be forgiven and whatever is done at home won't count anyway. If that's so, why are some schools doing it?

I just feel bad that the kids will then be behind if they don't at least try.

And I don't have kids in school myself, just a grandson in kindergarten.

[Glennsallnighter]

I think we are extended until the last day of April in Illinois.

Personally, I think they shouldn't bother with the rest of the school year for high school and lower. And don't make the kids do summer school, seems kind of wrong. It's not their fault this stupid virus is out of control right now. As far as staying at home and reopening businesses, go by what the virus statistics say. Don't reopen it to lose all the progress too early and have a massive problem, as if it isn't bad enough. It's not a race to who reopens. Let's let things improve and take it day by day rather than make deadlines. That seems very irresponsible.

I agree Austin. Although nothing is written in stone we have pretty much finished up for the year too. We will continue to provide online support and classes for the kids who want it but in the area where I teach a lot of the families don't have internet and the kids don't have devices to interact on. We don't have a tradition of Summer school in Ireland and students progress to the next year automatically.

However one group of students that will continue with classes as much as possible is our final year secondary school students because they have the Leaving Certificate exams to do. Its an entirely written exam and takes place under strict supervision. This is like your passport out of school and the grades you get dicatates what course you get in University/college the following year, so its very high stakes. It has been postponed from the begining of June to the end of July. They are hoping teachers might get back into class in Juky for 2 weeks in an effort to help finish revision with those students.

Brooke I wouldn't worry too much about what the kids miss at this stage, particularly the younger ones. They will easily make up when they return in September, and its much better they be healthy. There is also a lot of informal things that parents can do with their children while they are off which are just as educational, and many kids are revelling in this time off engage with their parents in a way that they didn't have a chance to before now.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Thanks for all of the advice on video apps everyone. I figured in my research that Skype would probably work best for us. Nice to know my research wasn't all in vain. :thumbsup:

[UndertheWire]

Our lock down has been extended for at least another three weeks. I know it makes sense but...

[shunlvswx]

Our governor is suppose to give his decision tomorrow on if we will reopen. Our stay in place order ends on Monday.

IMO. Our state is not ready to reopen. Our numbers are not getting better. I live in one of the counties that is a hotspot and we definitely shouldn't open in our county. If we reopen, its going to get worse. We almost close to 4,000 cases and the last two days our cases went up to 200, but our deaths have been very low. Plus some people don't give a dang about of not going around too many people.

Is it worth our lives to reopen to satisfy others? That's a big fat no. Our state needs to extend the order until we can get these cases under control.

[sodascouts]

I'm betting he will extend it, shun. My county just had its first death. They're starting to get hardcore here - people wearing facemasks at last, a 10:00 curfew where I am and an 8:00 pm curfew over in Tupelo. The curfew in Tupelo is being enforced, and it has some people fuming who think it is way too early. It's one thing to be advised to stay home; it's another to be told you *have* to go home or you'll be put in jail. One of my friends called it "power grabbers going nuts."

I guess we'll see.

[shunlvswx]

It looks like my city has extended the stay at home order until April 30th.

[KingWalsh]

It’s not getting any better here in lil CT. It’s packed here at work. Numbers aren’t leveling off or slowing down. The weather has been crappy so couldn’t really go outside either. Today was windy and chilly in the 40s. Went out for a little bit. State parks are closed now too. CT wants everyone to wear face mask while out and about. Which I have.

[New Kid In Town]

Well, the sad new continues here in NJ. Thus far there have been at least 75,317 confirmed cases and at least 3,518 confirmed deaths. The County I live in is 5th in the State with confirmed cases. Our Governor Phil Murphy continues to do a great job and stated we will probably be under "Stay At Home" order until at least May 31st. Schools are closed until than. However, I can't see them re-opening in June. We are in a state pack with Mass.,RI, Conn, NY, Pa. & Del. where all decisions when to open will be made as a joint bases so every state is the same and people can't travel to another state and spread the virus. I just found out the my sister and BIL, who live in another state, may have the virus.

On a kind of silly note(we do need some kind of laugh) my best friend and her husband went grocery shopping yesterday. The store they went to had toilet paper! They purchased one 20 pack of Scott(one was the limit) and gave me 9 of the rolls ! My search has ended ! My sister has been on the endless search too and I will probably split them with her.
When this is all over, I will be going to Costco and getting the biggest package of tp and pt I can find. Also Lysol wipes, spray, etc.
Stay safe everyone.

[Brooke]

My county finally had one confirmed case yesterday. Person is quarantined at home, so not too sick evidently. I was hoping for no cases in my county!

Our governor has extended the stay at home order till May 4th. Missouri is relatively low in cases so I hope it stays that way and that it gets lifted then.

Tp is still nowhere to be found! Nor hand sanitizer or wipes. It's so ridiculous! My co worker said she was in the local Dollar General and they got a shipment in the night before and one lady bought it all. DG higher ups said no limit on anything and the clerk told her all they could do was 'suggest'. So by morning when the elderly are allowed to shop by themselves there is none! :evil: Big strike against DG for me!

Grocery stores do have limits here but you have to go early.

[UndertheWire]

Ah, those toilet rolls and hand wash. I think that has settled down over here, maybe because people have run out of storage space.

I hope you are all keeping safe. It looks like you have governors who are trying their best to get things under control, at least in the worst hit areas.

A month ago, our area had just one confirmed case but now it's up to 156 hospital admissions and 40 deaths. That's with a lockdown for the last three weeks. In the early days, the cases were doubling every 3-4 days and now it's 8-9 days.

[WalshFan88]

Today our governor Pritzker announced that schools in Illinois will be closed for the remainder of the year. It needed to happen. On Facebook, certain friends are bemoaning this because of senior high school students missing prom and graduation, but it's far more important to stay healthy and ensure health of those less fortunate! They will survive. I don't doubt it's unfortunate, but it's the right call. It infuriates me that people are still downplaying this or denying it outright. It's not a democrat hoax, it's not the government trying to control you, it's not the same as the flu, etc. I understand people don't want to live in fear, and that people get antsy when they are told to do something that they might want to rebel just because they can, but it's just foolish. I'm not saying you have to live in fear but blind optimism is far worse than well-informed realism or even pessimism! Also, stay-at-home/shelter-in-place is extended to May. Prior deadline was end of April. The quarantine/isolation will last how long it needs to, to control this virus and slow or stop the spreading. It's gone behind social distancing at this point, IMO. 6ft is ok I guess, with masks. Our department of health says everyone should be wearing masks, even those not compromised or infected. I personally agree, I think it is pretty smart to do.

[henleyfreychick]

Well, the sad new continues here in NJ. Thus far there have been at least 75,317 confirmed cases and at least 3,518 confirmed deaths. The County I live in is 5th in the State with confirmed cases. Our Governor Phil Murphy continues to do a great job and stated we will probably be under "Stay At Home" order until at least May 31st. Schools are closed until than. However, I can't see them re-opening in June. We are in a state pack with Mass.,RI, Conn, NY, Pa. & Del. where all decisions when to open will be made as a joint bases so every state is the same and people can't travel to another state and spread the virus. I just found out the my sister and BIL, who live in another state, may have the virus.

On a kind of silly note(we do need some kind of laugh) my best friend and her husband went grocery shopping yesterday. The store they went to had toilet paper! They purchased one 20 pack of Scott(one was the limit) and gave me 9 of the rolls ! My search has ended ! My sister has been on the endless search too and I will probably split them with her.
When this is all over, I will be going to Costco and getting the biggest package of tp and pt I can find. Also Lysol wipes, spray, etc.
Stay safe everyone.

NKIT hope you're staying safe! I'm up in Bergen County and things are pretty bad. I agree with you, I think Murphy is doing a great job, but I do wish they would decide to close the schools for the rest of the school year. If states like PA right next to us who don't have it as bad (yet) have made that decision, shouldn't we also? Maybe it's just because I'm a teacher and absolutely overwhelmed by online instruction- I think all of the teachers could plan better if we had a definitive timeline of things and less of "we'll check back in three weeks." Personally, I'd rather know that we're doing the rest of the year online so I can plan my lessons better instead of this "we'll see" mentality. Maybe they're afraid the entire state will riot if given too long of a quarantine at once :?
Where did you see the May 31 date? I keep seeing May 15 everywhere. So much conflicting info these days.

In any case, stay safe! And hoping your sister and BIL are doing okay...

[KingWalsh]

CT is now at 16,809 confirmed and 1,036 deaths. Lamont has basically been doing what NY, NJ do. I wish they would just call off the school year as well. May 20 is the date for now, but our last day of school is June 9....so why even go back? On the radio LaMont said PA and CA already closed for the year and in a round about way/read between the lines type of way signaled that’s where we are headed.

It’s hard to stay positive, I try, especially for kids....everyone stay safe.

[FreyFollower]

Our Governor gives our population a C- on their adherence to expected behaviors during this time. While a fair percentage are wearing masks, many other guidelines are being ignored. Whole families, including infants, still go to town almost daily to "get out". Children roam essential stores, handling everything, while parents chat. People will sit down right next to me in the employee lounge, while I come up with an excuse to get up. I blame it partly on Louisiana's "Hurricane Party" mentality that there is nothing really serious going on and the government just wants to spoil their fun.
People who are having to stay home (while understandably antsy) should see this as a gift of time to complete neglected tasks, contact old friends by phone, and reconnect with their family and their faith in meaningful ways.
I have to worry daily about bringing the virus home to my elderly mother I care for, and would love to be able to stay home.:-(

[Ive always been a dreamer]

NKIT - :pray: that your sister and BIL don't have this. If they do, we can just cross our fingers that it's a mild case for them.


Ah, those toilet rolls and hand wash. I think that has settled down over here, maybe because people have run out of storage space.

I hope you are all keeping safe. It looks like you have governors who are trying their best to get things under control, at least in the worst hit areas.

A month ago, our area had just one confirmed case but now it's up to 156 hospital admissions and 40 deaths. That's with a lockdown for the last three weeks. In the early days, the cases were doubling every 3-4 days and now it's 8-9 days.

That's the thing about this virus. By the time someone starts showing symptoms, they may have already infected countless of other people. The only way to find out for sure who is carrying the virus is to test people. For the life of me, I can't understand why we haven't figured that out yet here in the U.S. So, until we do, the only safety net that we have is to continue social distancing.

I feel sorry for seniors who will miss their proms and graduations. They are both such a special part of the school experience for many of them. Those are the events that you remember for the rest of your lives. However, under the circumstances, it is the smart choice. Maybe, once we get through this, they will be able to plan some events to make up for it. I'm sure it won't be the same, but it would be meaningful to somehow bring classmates back together to celebrate their accomplishments at some point. Not many classes have a one-year reunion, but not many classes miss their proms and graduations either.

[New Kid In Town]

Well, some good news, my sister tested negative. We are still waiting for my BIL's results. My sister and I were talking yesterday and we both think she had the virus the test was a false negative. She had all the symptoms except the cough. We both think this virus was around late last fall/winter. Because everyone can't be tested, we will never know the true number of people who had it.

[groupie2686]

I hope you and your family are okay New Kid!

I've avoided even going in this thread because I'm trying to keep my stress and anxiety at bay but...we're stuck at home here in New York state until May 15 and the economic impact terrifies me as much as the virus. My employer laid someone off last week and one boss said it was due to job performance, the other said it was for financial reasons, so I don't know what is going on (both perhaps are true). They've told me my job is secure and the company would have to go under for them to let me go, but with circumstances as they are.... I spent a horrific sleepless night worrying about what I would do if they went out of business. I was out of work for 5 months once, a horrible experience, and this looks even more bleak, in this economy what jobs are there to get? I'm just trying to take things one day at a time, working as hard as I can (longer hours, actually, than if I was in the office) and hoping there is some way out of this soon that keeps everyone safe and doesn't put everyone out of work.

Glad to see everyone on here is safe and healthy!

[KingWalsh]

Good to hear test came back negative NKIT. It’s possible to be false negative, good thing all is well. It’s crazy how this virus affects people in all kinds of ways. CT reporting lower hospitalizations...but I still don’t see it here at work so who knows.

hi Groupie! Fellow tri-stater! It is stressful. Hoping this clears up soon, I struggle staying positive, but like you said one day at a time. The Border has helped me. Great bunch of peeps here :grouphug:

[CAinOH]

Oh, Groupie... I'll keep you in my thoughts. I, too, struggle with what's happening economically to this country, although I am not one of those "we must open even if it costs lives" people. So devastating to so many people in so many ways. This virus has changed our society drastically, and we're going to have to learn that some things are "the new normal."

Ohio schools K-12 will not open physically for the rest of this school year, all online learning. But there is talk of a partial opening of businesses and other things on May 1st. That scares me, Ohio is one of the lowest states for testing. I don't know how we are going to decide things are not getting worse when testing is not happening at the level it should be. Ohio has been really good at "flattening the curve" but I think that's all going to go out the window.

We shall see. Brave New World, indeed.

[shunlvswx]

Our governor is not thinking. Some business have reopened yesterday. HE also reopened the beaches, and people can now fish. Bad mistake. At some of the pictures I've seen, nobody I mean nobody is practicing social distancing. I was looking a picture of people standing outside at the Tax Collector place. Nobody was doing social distancing except one guy. I see why my race has the highest cases and deaths. We are soo hard headed and some don't care. When I go to the store, I saw a lot of them not wearing mask.

HE said we have reached our peaked, but yet. We had 300 this weekend and 238 yesterday. Our numbers have been on a rollercoaster ride and he shouldn't reopen the state on Monday. I don't know where he gets his numbers from, but our numbers are not steadily going down. And he reopens the state next week, its going to get worse.

I'm all for people going back to work, but at what cost. Our state is nowhere near safe to reopen especially with people not practicing social distancing. I pray he doesn't reopen. I'm glad my mayor sees our numbers not going down and I have a feeling he's going to extend stay in place order after April 30th.

[sodascouts]

Our governor is not thinking. Some business have reopened yesterday. HE also reopened the beaches, and people can now fish. Bad mistake. At some of the pictures I've seen, nobody I mean nobody is practicing social distancing. I was looking a picture of people standing outside at the Tax Collector place. Nobody was doing social distancing except one guy. I see why my race has the highest cases and deaths. We are soo hard headed and some don't care. When I go to the store, I saw a lot of them not wearing mask.

HE said we have reached our peaked, but yet. We had 300 this weekend and 238 yesterday. Our numbers have been on a rollercoaster ride and he shouldn't reopen the state on Monday. I don't know where he gets his numbers from, but our numbers are not steadily going down. And he reopens the state next week, its going to get worse.

I'm all for people going back to work, but at what cost. Our state is nowhere near safe to reopen especially with people not practicing social distancing. I pray he doesn't reopen. I'm glad my mayor sees our numbers not going down and I have a feeling he's going to extend stay in place order after April 30th.

Yeah, I'm surprised at how early we are opening, shun. I guess we'll see if it was a mistake soon enough...

Reading about everyone's situations really brings it home how severe this is. Everyone stay safe!!

[KingWalsh]

CT is still climbing we are so busy at work. Then we have idiots protesting the quarantine. It’s like what’s wrong with people. I am afraid of a second surge. Like the Spanish flu. So hoping it won’t happen. Please everyone stay vigilant regardless!

[New Kid In Town]

We have 92,387 confirmed cases and at least 4,753 deaths as of Tuesday. It was the highest day of confirmed cases thus far. I can't say how angry I am about those protestors. I know they want to go back to work but it is not safe yet ! How can Ga. and some other states say it is safe to have your hair and nails done or get a tattoo ? I don't get it. Everything they have been saying shows the virus will come back in the fall like the Spanish Flu did. Well, I don't want to rant so I will just say everyone please stay safe.


BTW, there is a special on tonight called "Jersey4Jersey". It will be carried on CBS, NBC & ABC. I don't know if that is just local or nation wide. It will have Bruce, Bon Jovi and a bunch of other people. Just giving a heads up.

[Glennsallnighter]

Our numbers of cases are slowly starting to drop and with one days exception our numbers of deaths are reducing slightly too, although one death is one death too many. They say we are flattening the curve and that most of the deaths are where clusters developed in care homes. The Chief Medical Officer and minister for health are talking about tentatively relaxing a few of the restrictions after May 5th. We will see. Nobody is in favour of opening up too early as we don't want to be hit by a second wave of illnesses, but the country is in limbo and that can't go on indefinitely either. I'm looking foreward to meeting my brother and sister 'properly' again after 6 weeks.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

We have 92,387 confirmed cases and at least 4,753 deaths as of Tuesday. It was the highest day of confirmed cases thus far. I can't say how angry I am about those protestors. I know they want to go back to work but it is not safe yet ! How can Ga. and some other states say it is safe to have your hair and nails done or get a tattoo ? I don't get it. Everything they have been saying shows the virus will come back in the fall like the Spanish Flu did. Well, I don't want to rant so I will just say everyone please stay safe.


BTW, there is a special on tonight called "Jersey4Jersey". It will be carried on CBS, NBC & ABC. I don't know if that is just local or nation wide. It will have Bruce, Bon Jovi and a bunch of other people. Just giving a heads up.

Those number are appalling, NKIT. It is beyond sad. It's hard to believe that the U.S.A. is one of the leading countries in the world and, yet, we have the largest numbers of cases and deaths by far of any country in the world - no other country is even anywhere close to us. It is absolutely disgraceful AFAIC. I love my country, but I can't begin to describe how unfathomable this is to me that something like this could happen here. And now, to think it could get even worse because some people are so ignorant, negligent, selfish, and are in total denial with regard for the facts. I'm just as tired as anyone with staying at home, but there is no way I'm willing to go back to normal life yet. I just continue to pray for us all and hope for the best.

And, NKIT - I think your special program may be local. I don't see it listed in any of our local listings.

[CAinOH]

It was a local program, found this:

https://ew.com/genre/music/bruce-springsteen-jon-bon-jovi-deliver-classic-tunes-jersey-4-jersey-benefit-concert/

[KingWalsh]

I watched a little bit, it played in CT too at 7pm. The performances didn' t hold my attention unfortunately. And the one I wanted to see, Halsey, I missed! My daughter really liked Halsey. Oh well.

It's like the one that played on the 18th, shorter though. It was a nice idea, but me personally, I got depressed with the talking regarding COViD19 and recorded the one from the 18th so wound up skipping through that. There songs were mostly slow that bummed me out too. The Roots and Jimmy Fallon did safety dance that was cute Paul McCartney did "lady Madonna" it was ok. Stones did "YCAGWYW". That was neat. Otherwise it made me more bummed out; if the songs were more upbeat i feel it would be been better, but that's just me.

So hoping the boys would do something. :pray:

[New Kid In Town]

Hi KF, I watched it too. I agree that most of the songs were kind of somber but, I think that goes along with the situation right now. My sister and I were texting back and forth while we were watching. She said my niece(her daughter) went to high school with the very pretty Black girl who sang in the beginning. I cannot remember her name. I am embarrassed to say I had never heard of either her or Halsey. It turns out Halsey comes from the same town I grew up in. It looked like some of the people performed from their home studio(such as Bruce & Bon Jovi). It turns out it was just local for the Tri-State NJ, NY & So.Conn. area. 100% of the profits go to food banks and to buy PPE for hospitals and first responders.

Dreamer, I agree with you. As of yesterday the confirmed cases in NJ is 95,865 and confirmed deaths are 5,063. The county I live in moved up to number three for confirmed cases. I saw something on the National news the other day that said on one company in the entire US makes swabs ! This is unbelievable to me. One company ! Everything now comes from China ! We had better start coming up with some kind of plan for when this hits the second wave in the fall. I can't imagine being prepared for a second wave when we only have one company making vital equipment.

[KingWalsh]

NKIT, I think the singer is Sza...she is beautiful. I know it's somber times, but personally , I needed something a bit upbeat, i have been feeling down for a while.

The numbers are heartbreaking. NJ, numbers are so tragic, as all are. CT now at 23100 positives and 1639 deaths. News reports suggesting state will open later than May 20.

Our supplies come in slowly. It's hard since every hospital worldwide wants the same stuff. And now they order other tests to monitor the patients in house, where we would run maybe 1 or 2 a night but since the outbreak we run about 20 on nights alone! Nevermind day shift or evenings! So again other hospitals want those tests too, so things are on back order, etc. I've said it before, but the ripple effect is never ending.

Stay safe.

[CAinOH]

I have a bad feeling. In yesterday's news conference (Wine with DeWine at 2pm), the Governor announced that he is presenting the guidelines for opening Ohio back up. The presentation is not until Monday's news conference. In the question and answer portion of yesterday's conference, there were lots of inquiries about how and when, but he deferred to Monday's meeting. But, there are already Facebook posts from companies now shuttered touting limited services starting May 4th.

C'mon, Governor! You've managed to chart through these uncertain waters with good plans so far (although we still have this primary that seems never-ending)... don't muck it up now.

[New Kid In Town]

Thanks KF Like I said, I have never heard of either of them.
It is just crazy that state compete against each other and the government for PPE. We will be in sorry shape if/when the virus returns in fall. Our Country was so unprepared for this, which is truly sad. KF stay safe.
Stay safe everyone !

[CAinOH]

The beginning of Governor DeWine's Restart Ohio includes:

May 1: Elective surgeries that don't require overnight hospital stays, all dental procedures, all vet procedures are a go.
May 4: Offices, manufacturing, and construction are a go; but if an employee can work from home, they are encouraged to do so.
May 12: Retail is open.


Masks are mandatory starting this weekend (even in the office, ugh). No word on restaurants, daycare, salons, recreational facilities, and gyms yet. "Wait and see" on those.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

U.S. Confirmed Cases
1,004,435

U.S..Deaths
56,308

[KingWalsh]

I am nervous early opening might make a second wave come faster than expected. They say hospital admissions were down three days in a row, but then today we had a bump and now back to the numbers we were at prior. I think it’s too early to start talking about opening things up. I know people need money and normalcy but we need to be very cautious. I am afraid people will think things are fine and slack on being careful. Everyone be smart. Stay safe!

dreamer the numbers are breaking my heart.

[New Kid In Town]

U.S. Confirmed Cases
1,004,435

U.S..Deaths
56,308



There have been 111,188 confirmed cases here in NJ and 6,044 confirmed deaths. Our governor talked about a gradual opening and things that would have to happen first such as sustained reduction in cases, expanded testing including those who have not had the virus, contact tracing, safe places for isolation for people who test positive and a plan should the virus return in the fall. He gave no date when the state would reopen. I have to say most of the people have been obeying the "Stay at Home" order. Of course there are always a few who think the law does not apply to them. Our governor calls them "The Knucklehead Hall of Shame".

[WalshFan88]

I'm seeing a lot of people on my Facebook start to complain and want to reopen the country, let alone our state (Illinois). We are NOT ready yet. Lets not ruin whatever good we've done thus far with quarantine.

It's nuts! IMO, if you listen to the right people (Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, and the rest of the actual scientists and not the POTUS) - May will be a peak month. Yes, some states are doing better but we are foolish to think it's over yet or we are even out of the woods at this point. It will take some time and I don't think that we all need to rush back into things for us to lose whatever progress we may have made. It's like stopping antibiotics at the first sign of feeling better instead of completing the course prescribed by your doctor. With a matter as grave as this, we mustn't get too hasty. Lives are at stake and we should respect the HCW.

When a hospital won't treat my fractured leg because of my immunocompromised health, and only kept me overnight to make sure I wouldn't have a crisis, that told me all I needed to know. Normally these fractures go to surgery. They are making me try a 4 week trial run of mandatory bedrest before they'll take me to the OR to see if it heals, which I was all in favor for. Again, that should tell you something IMO!

When I see tweets like "Liberate *insert state here*" I just shake my head.

[Glennsallnighter]

I totally agree with you Austin. The USA went on lockdown later than Ireland, later than the other European countries and later than Italy, yet they want to lift it up earlier. From what I am reading from newspaper articles and communications from friends and family in the USA it is not even as severe a lockdown as European countries have imposed and it looks like quite a lot of Americans are not following it as rigourously as they should be. Our numbers of confirmed cases are going down as are our deaths (and many of them are occurring in confined situations such as Nursing homes as opposed to among the general public) and yet when our lockdown expires on Tuesday next week we expect it to be extended for another 2 weeks with only very minor tweaks (allowing the elderly to leave home for short exercise, but keeping everyone else in during that time, allowing landscapers back to work and maybe extending the 2km personal zone to 5km). The vast majority of the population are compliant at least.
Yes Austin, that says it all when you are sent home from hospital without surgery. As well as keeping beds free thay are keeping you safe! Hope the fracture is healing well. Take care!

[UndertheWire]

In the UK, the lockdown is still in place but, from today, hospitals will look to increase non-Covid treatments, starting with the most urgent such as cancer treatments. We're waiting to hear when there will be further relaxation but the warnings are that it will be a slow process.

It feels selfish, but I'm focused on doing what I can to keep myself healthy and working. If I'm working, I can help the economy and if I'm healthy, I'm less likely to occupy a hospital bed.

I don't want to get into quack cures, but I think it's worth checking you have sufficient vitamin D. Apart from helping build strong bones and teeth, it may play a part in the immune system. A recent but small study suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of Covid 19 (further research projects are underway). In the UK, we have been recommended to take a 10 microgram supplement, although this hasn't had much media coverage. It's worth checking the recommendation where you live.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52371688

[WalshFan88]

In the UK, the lockdown is still in place but, from today, hospitals will look to increase non-Covid treatments, starting with the most urgent such as cancer treatments. We're waiting to hear when there will be further relaxation but the warnings are that it will be a slow process.

It feels selfish, but I'm focused on doing what I can to keep myself healthy and working. If I'm working, I can help the economy and if I'm healthy, I'm less likely to occupy a hospital bed.

I don't want to get into quack cures, but I think it's worth checking you have sufficient vitamin D. Apart from helping build strong bones and teeth, it may play a part in the immune system. A recent but small study suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of Covid 19 (further research projects are underway). In the UK, we have been recommended to take a 10 microgram supplement, although this hasn't had much media coverage. It's worth checking the recommendation where you live.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52371688

I've been taking Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) for years. I have low blood Vitamin D levels, so I've been taking it for the last 3+ years probably on a every other week basis.

I hear that taking Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is better and works longer, if you listen to the holistic folks but the medical world still advocates for D2.

[Glennsallnighter]

In the UK, the lockdown is still in place but, from today, hospitals will look to increase non-Covid treatments, starting with the most urgent such as cancer treatments. We're waiting to hear when there will be further relaxation but the warnings are that it will be a slow process.

It feels selfish, but I'm focused on doing what I can to keep myself healthy and working. If I'm working, I can help the economy and if I'm healthy, I'm less likely to occupy a hospital bed.

I don't want to get into quack cures, but I think it's worth checking you have sufficient vitamin D. Apart from helping build strong bones and teeth, it may play a part in the immune system. A recent but small study suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of Covid 19 (further research projects are underway). In the UK, we have been recommended to take a 10 microgram supplement, although this hasn't had much media coverage. It's worth checking the recommendation where you live.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52371688

Thanks UTW. Vitamin C is also recommended, I'm taking a 1000mg Vitamin C drink every day augmented with at least one glass of absolutely freshly squeezed Orange Juice. I'll check my Vitamin D as I take a vitamin supplement too.

[CAinOH]

I take a megadose of Vitamin D, under an NP's prescription.

We're having our guys come back to work on May 11th. That makes me sad, because I have really come to enjoy a mostly empty office building.

Governor DeWine is promising word about opening the salons and restaurants this week. Protests have ramped up, they tried breaking into the State House on Friday. I think the Governor is doing the right thing: Open something, check the numbers... try something else. I have been checking the "curve", Ohio is heading in the right direction.

[Glennsallnighter]

Well because we have all been very good boys and girls we are now allowed to exercise within 5km of home, that means really going for a walk or a cycle as all the car parks at parks, beaches etc are still all closed. We must still only socialise with people that live in the same dwelling as each other (no family/friend visits etc)and people over 70 who are not immunocompromised are now allowed to leave their homes briefly once a day for exercise but again are not allowed socialise with those outside their home unit. If we are very good for the next 3 weeks and do not spread the virus any further, we might be allowed meet up with family members outdoors only in groups of no more than 4 and at least 2m apart. Of course that will be a signal for the weather to break!

[WalshFan88]

It just came out that in a town close by me, the Taco Bell has been shut down by the health department after a cook was found to have the coronavirus, and they think one person at least has been infected by said cook. The building has been quarantined, and they are trying to put it on blast on local news and all over social media so the customers who went through the drive-thru will know if they show symptoms to be tested immediately and come forward to the health department with the date and estimated time so they can investigate how big of an issue this might become and how many people could have been exposed.

As I said when this whole thing started - the food service industry is a huge, huge vehicle for this virus. Drive thrus need to be shut down - period! Not offering eat in customers is one thing. They need to stop it all.

[KingWalsh]

Near me they closed a cumberlands gas station because a worker was positive. Darn it best price around.
I am leary of food service too! Got two more digiorno in the freezer walshfan88 ha ha!

May 20 is the date for some stuff to start opening again here in CT. It makes me nervous. I fear that people will slack.

We had beautiful weather the past few days finally after what seemed like endless rain and wind. It was nice to get out in the yard and feel the sun.

[UndertheWire]

Well because we have all been very good boys and girls we are now allowed to exercise within 5km of home, that means really going for a walk or a cycle as all the car parks at parks, beaches etc are still all closed. We must still only socialise with people that live in the same dwelling as each other (no family/friend visits etc)and people over 70 who are not immunocompromised are now allowed to leave their homes briefly once a day for exercise but again are not allowed socialise with those outside their home unit. If we are very good for the next 3 weeks and do not spread the virus any further, we might be allowed meet up with family members outdoors only in groups of no more than 4 and at least 2m apart. Of course that will be a signal for the weather to break!
That's not too different from how it is here in the UK. We have "guidelines" rather than "rules" such that a daily walk might take an hour and that although we are allowed to drive to somewhere, the travel time should be less than the time spent exercising. In practice, it means I walk up the same hillside , a round trip of around 2km. Thank you farmers and landowners with public footpaths over your land. On the whole, we've also been good boys and girls - much better than predicted - so it's been disappointing to see how slowly the figures are coming down. However, they do finally seem to be falling. The next official review of the lockdown measures is in a few days and it does seem likely that it will be more of the same with a few tweaks. Eventually, we may learn where the mistakes were made.

Workwise, we're starting to think about how we can manage staff and offices. There are supposed to be preliminary guidelines released next week.

[New Kid In Town]

Our Governor opened all the parks this past Saturday with Social Distancing to be observed. I went with my sister and it was good to finally get out for a good walk. The park was crowded with maybe half the people wearing masks(we are supposed to wear them outside). Yesterday the Governor closed all schools for the rest of the spring semester. They still have to figure out what they will do in September. As of yesterday(Monday) we have 128,260 confirmed Corona Virus cases and 7,910 confirmed deaths.
There is an Amazon warehouse in my town that was closed down for cleaning after 34 employees came down with the virus. Thus far only the parks have been opened. The Governor will decide in the next week or so how to handle the opening of all our beaches for the summer. It is a big money maker for the state and all the shore towns so I can't see him keeping them closed. How people will social distance on a beach and boardwalk is beyond me.

[WalshFan88]

I really hope that everything starting to reopen isn't a big mistake. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't see this going well at all. May will be a peak month for COVID-19.

I'm hopeful that Remdesivir will be effective for those who are really sick. It's a real treatment and not that stupid hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combo that certain members of the govt were peddling a couple weeks ago, much to the chagrin of the medical community that realizes hydroxychloroquine's dangers! Remdesivir is an actual antiviral drug, and is being tested for COVID patients and has got FDA approval finally.

And I certainly hoping that vaccines will be out sooner rather than later. I really hope that they can get it done before the damn thing mutates and we lose all progress.

[UndertheWire]

I wonder if there is a way they can restrict the number of people arriving in seaside resorts. Opening the beaches should be ok so long as density is lower than usual.

Here, parks and beaches are open for walking but many car parks are closed. The idea is to stay close to home. I haven't driven my car in six weeks - I wonder if it still works!

[Glennsallnighter]

I wonder if there is a way they can restrict the number of people arriving in seaside resorts. Opening the beaches should be ok so long as density is lower than usual.

Here, parks and beaches are open for walking but many car parks are closed. The idea is to stay close to home. I haven't driven my car in six weeks - I wonder if it still works!

I bought a brand new car and collected it on 22nd February. As hubbys car was in for repair I was pretty heavy on the driving the first week. The second week I had to go to a conferece in Killarney over 300km away. I had been intending to go by train but as the date got nearer we were all starting to worry about the virus so I decided to drive instead where I woiuld be more secure. So 2100km on the car in the first 2 weeks!! In the remaining 9 weeks I have only taken it out once a week to do my 'big' shop and now only have another 100km on the clock!!

[scottside]

I really hope that everything starting to reopen isn't a big mistake. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't see this going well at all. May will be a peak month for COVID-19.

I'm hopeful that Remdesivir will be effective for those who are really sick. It's a real treatment and not that stupid hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combo that certain members of the govt were peddling a couple weeks ago, much to the chagrin of the medical community that realizes hydroxychloroquine's dangers! Remdesivir is an actual antiviral drug, and is being tested for COVID patients and has got FDA approval finally.

And I certainly hoping that vaccines will be out sooner rather than later. I really hope that they can get it done before the damn thing mutates and we lose all progress.


I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, BUT my sister was given hydroxychloroquine and the Z-pack which helped her heal after a near deadly bout with the virus. I accept that this treatment won't work for everyone, but it did work for her and I'm forever thankful for her doctor jumping on this when things were looking really bad. She is now nearly fully recovered, but is still dealing with a cough and fatigue.

Remdesivir seems to show a lot of promise for those very sick, but I'm not sure what it will do for those on the margins.

[My My]

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, BUT my sister was given hydroxychloroquine and the Z-pack which helped her heal after a near deadly bout with the virus. I accept that this treatment won't work for everyone, but it did work for her and I'm forever thankful for her doctor jumping on this when things were looking really bad. She is now nearly fully recovered, but is still dealing with a cough and fatigue.

Remdesivir seems to show a lot of promise for those very sick, but I'm not sure what it will do for those on the margins.

That's wonderful news for your family, scottside! I'm glad it worked for her and that she is recovering.

[scottside]

Thank you, My My. It's been a tough couple of months, especially since she's in a different state than I am and I am still unable to visit her, but I'm grateful for her recovery.

[WalshFan88]

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote, BUT my sister was given hydroxychloroquine and the Z-pack which helped her heal after a near deadly bout with the virus. I accept that this treatment won't work for everyone, but it did work for her and I'm forever thankful for her doctor jumping on this when things were looking really bad. She is now nearly fully recovered, but is still dealing with a cough and fatigue.

Remdesivir seems to show a lot of promise for those very sick, but I'm not sure what it will do for those on the margins.

Well, so far remdesivir is in an intravenous med, so not something you can take at home or even by intramuscular/subcutaneous injection.

I'm so glad she got better on the medicine, but I think it is so dangerous and the side effects are so unpredictable that for the large majority of people, it should be avoided. Especially when people are going to their docs and demanding it because of what they saw on the POTUS's "briefing" on any given day. Let your doc decide and don't try to pressure them. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug. Azithromycin is an antibacterial/antibiotic. While the combo may have properties that help lessen symptoms, it doesn't target the virus itself like an antiviral. It's like those with the flu or a common rhinovirus (cold) demanding to be given antibiotics. Not only does it do nothing, but it leads to MRSA and superbugs with antibiotic resistance. And some old-timey docs are really bad about throwing antibiotics at the littlest of things. Now if you get bacterial sinusitis as a result of your cold, by all means give Augmentin or Zithromax, but it's overdone in the majority of cases. My ENT doc is really funny about antibiotics. He only does them when essential.

I think my hydroxychloroquine hate not only comes from the deadly side effects but also the fact it was presented the way it was. Same with the potentional disinfectant injection/UV light thing.

[UndertheWire]

Wow! I've just read that the Trump administration is to wind down its coronavirus task force. If it is a war, it seems that Trump has chosen to surrender. Presumably this means he will leave it to the individual states to continue to fight. He appears to be hoping that the death toll will be seen as a failure of governors and he'll be able to claim the victory of reopening the USA. If he starts his narrative now, perhaps he'll be able to rewrite history by November.

I understand that a lockdown is bad for the economy and that those most at risk from the virus are the elderly and those in poor health who are likely to be contributing least to the economy. It's still brutal.

[CAinOH]

Wow! I've just read that the Trump administration is to wind down its coronavirus task force. If it is a war, it seems that Trump has chosen to surrender. Presumably this means he will leave it to the individual states to continue to fight. He appears to be hoping that the death toll will be seen as a failure of governors and he'll be able to claim the victory of reopening the USA. If he starts his narrative now, perhaps he'll be able to rewrite history by November.

I understand that a lockdown is bad for the economy and that those most at risk from the virus are the elderly and those in poor health who are likely to be contributing least to the economy. It's still brutal.

No, Trump isn't surrendering. That would be almost understandable. Trump is winding down the task force so the problem will go away. No task force? No problem! I know, doesn't make sense... but that's the leadership we've got in this country right now.

Thank goodness for the governors who listen to the experts (and not offer their own "medical advice").

[CAinOH]

It seems Trump has now abandoned the plan to abandon the Corona Virus Task Force.

Yeah, whatever, dude.

[shunlvswx]

My governor has lost his freaking mind. Our numbers are still going up and we had the highest death in the state yesterday (30). The highest cases we had was almost 397 this past Friday. And he wants to continue to slowly open our state back up and loosen the restriction. :headscratch:

Believe me. I want people to go back to work. I want everything to go back to normal, but we are nowhere near over. Our numbers are not decreasing and some of the Mississippi folks are soo hard headed. The doctors and the governors keep saying our numbers have flatten. I'm not seeing that. What's next? Seeing 500 cases and 100 deaths reported in a day.:headscratch:

[New Kid In Town]

Thank you, My My. It's been a tough couple of months, especially since she's in a different state than I am and I am still unable to visit her, but I'm grateful for her recovery.

Wow scottside I am so happy to hear your sister is recovering. I sure it is very hard not to be near her at this time. I have three sisters who live out-of-state so I know what you mean. I have one sister and her husband who both tested negative but their doctor was sure they both had the virus. My sister had a mild case but, my BIL was pretty sick for a couple of weeks. He is now doing much better.
Don't get me started on the Corona Virus Task Force and Jared K. That task force was a joke - not a single doctor on it and Jared K.(who is from NJ) does not have any medical training. Thank God the states that need them have good governors who are on top of everything. It was a worthless task force anyway. Don't expect any advice from our Pres. as he just wants to get people back to work. I understand that as I have family members who are not working. However, it has to be safe for people to return to work and their normal lives. All the medical professionals have said states opened too soon. I heard on the news last night that states that opened have had an increase in cases. Our governor has not given a time table as to when he will re-open the state.

[shunlvswx]

Wow scottside I am so happy to hear your sister is recovering. I sure it is very hard not to be near her at this time. I have three sisters who live out-of-state so I know what you mean. I have one sister and her husband who both tested negative but their doctor was sure they both had the virus. My sister had a mild case but, my BIL was pretty sick for a couple of weeks. He is now doing much better.
Don't get me started on the Corona Virus Task Force and Jared K. That task force was a joke - not a single doctor on it and Jared K.(who is from NJ) does not have any medical training. Thank God the states that need them have good governors who are on top of everything. It was a worthless task force anyway. Don't expect any advice from our Pres. as he just wants to get people back to work. I understand that as I have family members who are not working. However, it has to be safe for people to return to work and their normal lives. All the medical professionals have said states opened too soon. I heard on the news last night that states that opened have had an increase in cases. Our governor has not given a time table as to when he will re-open the state.

I agree, NKIT. Its too soon, but the governors don't give a damn about that. Yes our economy is suffering, but is it that important to risk more lives to the ones who haven't got the disease because some knuckle heads don't care.

Like I said. I want my state to reopen, but our numbers are not going down. I can understand if it was, but isn't. Plus you have to worry about the ones who didn't care from the beginning giving us the disease. Maybe I'm heartless, but I'm worry about my health, my mother's health, my poor grandma who's in a long term care center who had a few cases in there. I thank god she's still ok.

I'm going to continue to wear my mask at work and out in the public. Some of my co-workers are going into other people's offices. Some not wearing mask (my boss told people to not go into offices and wear your mask when you leave your office). With this covid-19 going around, I'm staying in my office and only going out of my office to use the restroom. I don't got time to be sick because of stupidity.

[CAinOH]

Don't get me started on the Corona Virus Task Force and Jared K. That task force was a joke - not a single doctor on it and Jared K.(who is from NJ) does not have any medical training.

That's right, this isn't the group of doctors and researchers... it's that group that Kushner heads. Sorry, I was thinking it was a group Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci was working with. My bad! (I actually expected expertise from this administration?)

And scottside, so glad to hear your sister is better. So many have been lost... and from what I understand, the recovery is long and hard for many who get this virus.

[Glennsallnighter]

I understand that a lockdown is bad for the economy and that those most at risk from the virus are the elderly and those in poor health who are likely to be contributing least to the economy. It's still brutal.

So they don't have a right to be protected because they are past their sell-by date and aren't 'useful' to the economy??? We have locked down to protect everybody PARTICULARLY the elderly and the vulnerable.

[WalshFan88]

Amen UnderTheWire and CAinOH! A-freaking-men. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's really bothersome to me.

I am soooo tired of his administration and him making this a circus. It's insane. When you start telling people maybe they need to just find a disinfectant to inject or UV light treatments it's time for you to step the heck down! Not to mention the dangers of promoting drugs that people shouldn't take unless it was their doctors idea. And the possibility of conflict of interest since he had a stake in the company that makes hydroxychloroquine! Certainly not taking any medical advice from Donald Trump, lol. And yet he's trying to block Dr. Fauci from testifying, and trying to push for everything to open up and "wind down" the "task force". I think some people think that this virus will just disappear, and go away. The way he made it sound the other day is that it will just go away. Yeah, it's going to pack it's little RNA-riddled bags and go home. Right, and the sky is orange, right Donald?! OMG. The fact that someone would take him at his word, and then go home and drink chemicals used to treat sick fish because it had chloroquine in it. No, Trump didn't make him drink it, but he's in a position of influence to his base and there are unfortunately people out there that simply do not know any better and would believe anything he says, so much so that they will do crazy things like this. Let alone youth. An old saying- but with great power and influence comes greater responsibility. He's not holding the bottle to his lips, but he certainly led him to it, however indirectly that may be! I think it's so dangerous to make comments like that, especially vague ones that don't reflect science or anything. I mean here locally someone drank freaking Clorox and had esophageal and GI burns!

And to think people still trust him more than the medical community, including Dr. Fauci. This Dr. Judy Mikovits lady has really shot herself in the foot with all that conspiracy talk, when she has such a shady past, and has even been arrested for stealing information! It shocked me to see on Facebook so many reposting that video and saying how frightened they were and how it all made sense to them now. I sat in amazement, not in anger. It was so unbelievable. There is a reason Dr. Fauci has served 6, count 'em, 6 US presidents. He's truly the knight in shining armor, along with Dr. Birx. Those are the people to trust. Not some senile businessman or some quack trying to push an agenda. Now I'm not saying conspiracies don't happen (they do), but this is just pure Alex Jones tinfoil hat-level insanity. I feel the same way about Jones and his pushing the whole crisis actor thing on Sandy Hook as I do about Trump's suggested treatments and his off the wall commentary. Alex Jones's fanbase went and then attacked the parents. Did Alex Jones make them do it? No. Same with Trump calling this the "Chinese virus". Yes, it originated from Wuhan, China but the way he kept using that phrase in a negative tone just promoted xenophobia, but that's nothing new with Donald. But again, if you are an influential person, you need to take great care in what you say. Even online YouTube and social media celebrities need to be careful for the fact that if a young person or a person who is intellectually disabled gets ahold of your words and takes them and uses it out of not knowing any better, you are still quite guilty IMO. You should be leading by example, and doing it intelligently.

I think the governors in most states are far smarter and are taking the medical community's advice and doing the right thing. Unfortunately, some are not and are making terrible mistakes that I HOPE won't cause any more fatalities. I know I'm quite proud of my governor (IL - J.B. Pritzker). He's taken heat from DJT, but just puts it right back on him. Thankfully, we are still doing a stay-at-home mandatory order and that if you have to leave to go to the doctor or to go to the store, you must wear a mask. Some business aren't enforcing it, but thankfully most are. Some people are really PO'ed about it and are boycotting businesses who enforce it. I hate to tell these people, but your "freedom" to not wear a mask does not mean it's ok to make others sick. Period! Wear the damn mask, get one made in your favorite sports team logo or flowers or whatever. But for the love of god, wear the damn thing and stay home whenever possible. Let's not ruin whatever progress we have (hopefully) made with quarantine and social distancing thus far folks!

Of all the times to have a global pandemic, I couldn't think of a worse administration to have it under! At this point I think the Easter Bunny might have been a better choice... It's funny until you think about it! I hate when real life starts looking like science fiction movies. I don't like it at all. Trust me, I cannot wait for this to blow over and when it's right, to go back to normal life. But hopefully we will be a little more grateful for each day and fully realize the fragility that is human life. But for the sake of our elders, frail and compromised health family, friends, and the human race who may not survive COVID, be smart about it.

Be safe and be well out there Border friends. And may we all SAFELY get back to our lives as soon as it's possible, but not a minute before. I really hope everyone stays healthy and doesn't catch this virus.

[shunlvswx]

I'm so glad I can come here and not be called an azz (Yes I was called that on facebook because I didn't want our state reopen). Its been a long time we've been in harmony about a subject.

[WalshFan88]

I understand that a lockdown is bad for the economy and that those most at risk from the virus are the elderly and those in poor health who are likely to be contributing least to the economy. It's still brutal.

I literally saw someone post on Facebook yesterday that whatever risk by opening up early and having frail or older people die was ok, because we are overpopulated anyway and that she thinks this is natural selection right "in front of our eyes", and that it was ok to her that only the strongest survive. Like we need weeding out and this is God's way of doing that. As someone who is in extremely compromised health with adrenal insufficiency, and is basically one adrenal crisis away from death at any given trauma/stressor/illness. I was fuming mad. I was literally disgusted. I truly felt sick and nauseous. I took offense, yes. I have no shame in admitting that. And then it hit me. There is probably no comment that hits so close to home for me. I haven't been that sad in awhile. But today I looked at my folks, looked at my pets. And I realized I am worthy. There are times when I've felt like an incredible burden on my folks, my relatives, my friends, and even the world. I have felt like damaged goods. I have felt worthless. But I refuse to subscribe to that anymore. I refuse to accept what my school bullies called me. I refuse to believe the things that have been said about me behind my back by people I once valued as friends. And I refuse to think I'm any less of a person. I made the mistake of not sticking up for myself in school and believing every last word some snot-nosed brat said about me be it my appearance, my social skills, whatever. That won't happen again in my lifetime.

I'll say this - this woman has no right to say who lives and who dies and that the coronavirus is just some sort of gift of a natural phenomenon and will "take out the trash" (to put it bluntly). I've always hated the whole alpha/beta thing too. Really? We aren't wild animals! We are people and NO life is more important than that of another. Sure, us disabled folk aren't contributing as much, but do you really think we wanted to live like this? Ugh. Trust me, I'd rather be able-bodied. I have every right to live just as much as some jock guy who think he looks like Adonis or some "important" money grubbing CEO lining his pockets. This is humans we are talking about. We might have come from the wild animals, but we've evolved. Natural selection doesn't matter anymore. Everyone is 110 percent equal. No life is greater than another. Just because you are "old" doesn't mean you should just quit wasting air and wither up and die. And just because you're disabled or are disfigured means you should do the same. No! We have the right to live just as much as the best looking, hardest working, top-genetics guy/girl. We have a right to be protected in the best way possible from death in this fashion. We shouldn't just quit wasting Mr. or Ms/Mrs. Perfect's air. Not at all!

It truly ripped my soul open to see someone said that so bluntly and unashamedly. I was heartbroken by someone I didn't even know. I know there are people who think this way, but never have I seen it in print or heard someone say so coldly that us older or poor health folks should just die already. Thankfully, this woman wasn't on my friends list and was rather a friend of a friend. And thankfully, I just didn't say anything. I don't want to even entertain the notion of people like that. I truly feel that the human race needs a reset of our minds. I was hoping that this pandemic would bring us closer together. But it won't. :(

While I would never wish harm on anyone I really hope that someday, by some circumstance, that woman realizes just how heartless and cruel her mindset is/was. Maybe something will happen to an elderly loved one or her grandbaby will be born like I was with severe medical issues. Maybe then she'll realize that we are worth having around. Maybe then she'll realize that it's time to do some soul searching. Again I would never wish harm on anyone, but I do hope she has something that causes her to reevaluate what's important. None of us are perfect. None of us as human lives are more prized than the other. We all deserve love.

/rant

[WalshFan88]

I'm so glad I can come here and not be called an azz (Yes I was called that on facebook because I didn't want our state reopen). Its been a long time we've been in harmony about a subject.

As much as I love social media for the most part, and vouch for people using smartphones without labels being put on them, some networks can be a cesspool. Facebook and Twitter are going downhill fast. The amount of crap talking on there now rivals YouTube comment sections and Reddit at this point. There is a reason that Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc are all gaining popularity especially with younger folks.

I had once thought Facebook was the best platform, because you had your full real name and picture and therefore didn't hide behind a screenname, but I think people have become so brazen (just see my above post for a glaring example) and emboldened that having your picture and name associated with it just simply doesn't matter anymore. Even on a friend's page! The people who are "ists" and "phobes" (and I'm being serious, but you know what the abbreviations are) come out in droves. Bigots, basically. And even the ones who aren't that can still share misinformation or just toxic rhetoric. I feel like after the 2016 election, the nasty people were given all the confirmation bias they needed and felt like they had a platform and that they could come crawling out and speak their hate freely. And sadly, I think they are right. Unfortunately it was like taking a time machine back to the 50s and beforehand. It felt like we had just reversed all progress in one fell swoop of a year. It hasn't got any better since then, perhaps even worse.

I do post to Facebook semi-frequently, as a lot of my relatives and older friends are on there. But I really don't read the news feed much, if I'm honest. And while I do post to Twitter occasionally, I don't like it either. I feel like Twitter is just a cesspool. In some ways worse than Facebook, since there isn't a friends list but rather it's all people you probably don't know. While Facebook has groups and pages, you also have friends that you have to add on there, unless you set your profile to public in which case all bets are off. But I feel like that Facebook is becoming more and more toxic everyday. I'm probably too old for Snap and TikTok, but I do love Instagram so much. I keep my social media drama free. Politics, religion, even semi-NSFW stuff doesn't get posted. And I'm quick to moderate comments or pull something. I don't want that. I try to be mindful of my social media presence. I'm not an influencer at all, but I still want to lead by example and think twice before hitting post. I don't want to trigger a vulnerable person in any way at all... And to be sure, people have the right to post what they want and I'm in no way saying that people should run their pages like mine. Most don't, lol, including some family members, and that's fine. Some of the posts I might agree with. And while not every supporter of a politician or religion is toxic, a fair number of them are and I will just keep scrolling. I try to not associate myself with it.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

scottside - so glad your sister is recovering. I have some bad news of my own - my youngest brother and his wife, and stepson have all tested positive. His wife is a front line nurse, so I guess it shouldn't be a huge shock, but it's still very scary. I talked to my brother a little while ago and so far he is doing fair, although he was obviously not feeling very well. Everyone, please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. My emotions right now are all over the place.

I couldn't agree with everyone more. Here are the numbers from a little earlier today. I think this just about tells us all we need to know. The U.S. federal government, it seems, has reached a new level of stupid ...



Location
Confirmed Cases
Recovered
Deaths


United States
1,223,468


189,910


73,039




Spain
220,325


126,002


25,857




Italy
214,457


93,245


29,684




United Kingdom
202,356


929


30,150




France
174,224


54,078


25,812




Germany
168,162


137,696


7,275




Russia
165,929


21,327


1,537




Turkey
131,744


78,202


3,584




Brazil
125,218


48,221


8,536




Iran
101,650


81,587


6,418




China
82,928


77,980


4,633




Canada
64,670


28,162


4,363




Peru
54,817


17,527


1,533




India
52,987


15,331


1,785




Belgium
50,781


12,731


8,339

[WalshFan88]

scottside - so glad your sister is recovering. I have some bad news of my own - my youngest brother and his wife, and stepson have all tested positive. His wife is a front line nurse, so I guess it shouldn't be a huge shock, but it's still very scary. I talked to my brother a little while ago and so far he is doing fair, although he was obviously not feeling very well. Everyone, please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. My emotions right now are all over the place.

I couldn't agree with everyone more. Here are the numbers from a little earlier today. I think this just about tells us all we need to know. The U.S. federal government, it seems, has reached a new level of stupid ...



Location
Confirmed Cases
Recovered
Deaths


United States
1,223,468

189,910

73,039



Spain
220,325

126,002

25,857



Italy
214,457

93,245

29,684



United Kingdom
202,356

929

30,150



France
174,224

54,078

25,812



Germany
168,162

137,696

7,275



Russia
165,929

21,327

1,537



Turkey
131,744

78,202

3,584



Brazil
125,218

48,221

8,536



Iran
101,650

81,587

6,418



China
82,928

77,980

4,633



Canada
64,670

28,162

4,363



Peru
54,817

17,527

1,533



India
52,987

15,331

1,785



Belgium
50,781

12,731

8,339




Best wishes to your family, Dreamer. I will keep them in my thoughts. Sorry to hear they are sick.

[UndertheWire]

Dreamer, I wish your family well. It's a scary time. The friends I thought were most vulnerable have had the virus and have come through without hospitalisation but still found it tough.

That table is also scary. What makes the US different is its size so instead of having a single national peak, each region may have a peak at a different time. I saw figures that showed that although cases were falling in New York, when you look at the US excluding New York, infections are still increasing.

Austin, we value you. It got me thinking of a recent news story in the UK (and which no doubt was reported worldwide) of the 99 year old man who raised funds for the NHS by walking 100 laps around his garden by his 100th birthday. It hit all the right buttons. It was a thank you to our health service who are at the front of treating this virus but it also showed someone who has value and is still a "person" despite being in that most vulnerable group by about 30 years.

[Glennsallnighter]

Ireland - Cases 22, 248, Recovered 17,110, Deaths 1,375.

But its really very hard to compare countries who have vastly different geographical features and populations.

Dreamer I too am thinking of and praying for your family. I hope they all come through this ok.

Austin, I hope you know that all of us here are aware of your health struggles over the years and how hard you work to overcome them. Please be assured that you are a valued member of our community and you have as much of a right to be on this planet as anyone else. And in my book it is NEVER ok to sacrifice frailer or older peoples lives to make money. I agree we can't be on lockdoen forever but the opening up has to be gradual and steps have to be assessed as to their impact on virus control.

Looking at worldometer this morning. Only 10 new cases yesterday in the USA and 223 here in Ireland. HOW is there only 10 cases in the USA in 1 day. Is everyone who shows symptoms being tested automatically like over here? Just wondering what the testing strategy in othe countries is?

[UndertheWire]

My guess is that most of the US figures have yet to be uploaded.

I'm confused by the testing strategy in the UK. I think that anyone with symptoms who is either aged 65+ or goes out to work can ask for a test. In addition anyone who lives in or works in a care home can ask for a test regardless of symptoms. But that's all fairly new. Until recently, only those admitted to hospital (and hence seriously ill) were tested.

[CAinOH]

scottside - so glad your sister is recovering. I have some bad news of my own - my youngest brother and his wife, and stepson have all tested positive. His wife is a front line nurse, so I guess it shouldn't be a huge shock, but it's still very scary. I talked to my brother a little while ago and so far he is doing fair, although he was obviously not feeling very well. Everyone, please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. My emotions right now are all over the place.

Oh, no! Will definitely keep your family in my heart and mind. Blessings to you all.

[New Kid In Town]

Oh No ! Dreamer I am so sorry to hear this. Sending prayer for your family and their recovery.

Shun, Sorry to hear that your colleague made those nasty remarks to you. Some people just don't get it until it smacks them in the face and effects a family member.

Austin please know that we all care for you and know the brave battle you face every day. It is a sad day when people think the elderly and those with health problems are worth less than the healthy. We will be in that position one day. I saw on the news a couple of weeks ago that a governor suggested the same thing. I can't remember what state he is from but glad he is not my governor.

UTW - I saw the story about that gentleman on the news ! It was a wonderful story ! God Bless that man.

Our governor extended the "stay at home " order until June 5th. Which is the right thing to do. We have a staggering number of cases and deaths in NJ. As of yesterday(Wed.) we had 131,890 confirmed cases and 8,549 confirmed deaths.
They are currently working on some kind of plan for the summer regarding the opening of all the beaches and businesses. I have no idea how they will work that out but it will not be easy. Stay safe border friends !

[Brooke]

Dreamer, so sorry to hear this. Prayers for your family.

[CAinOH]

Okay, in Ohio you can get your haircut at a salon starting May 15th. Patio dining starts May 15th. Indoor dining starts May 21.

I dunno... I think it's a little soon.

Now my husband and I have a decision to make. Our tickets for the Cincinnati Dinner Train are for May 23rd. They have been offering refunds and gift certificates for those that are uncomfortable when the train does run again. It's eating in a train car. But it's our 35th anniversary. What do we do?

[KingWalsh]

Scottside, glad to hear recovery is happening and Dreamer prayers going out to you and yours. This virus is baffling because it doesn’t act like a typical virus. At first they said it’s like the flu but it isn’t. The symptoms vary greatly and some are quite strange. CT ,as a state , hospitalization down,they say, but our numbers where I work are holding steady.

I hate to be a party popper CAinOH but I would get a refund or certificate and celebrate when it’s died down. It’s too risky.

shun, on the radio they had a protester that said similar things like “oh the ones that are dying are like 70s right well..” I was so disgusted and he was ranting about how he doesn’t want his freedoms taken away. I mean how disgusting. Why does age matter?? These are all loved ones! Makes me sick.

Everyone, please stay safe don’t let your guard down if something doesn’t feel right than it isn’t. Trust your gut.

[CAinOH]

I hate to be a party popper CAinOH but I would get a refund or certificate and celebrate when it’s died down. It’s too risky.

We most likely won't go. My husband is 64, diabetic, and an ex-smoker (he quit 36 years ago, but he's still in that category). Right now I'm just waiting on the train to make some kind of announcement before I do anything.

[Glennsallnighter]

Our governor extended the "stay at home " order until June 5th. Which is the right thing to do. We have a staggering number of cases and deaths in NJ. As of yesterday(Wed.) we had 131,890 confirmed cases and 8,549 confirmed deaths.
They are currently working on some kind of plan for the summer regarding the opening of all the beaches and businesses. I have no idea how they will work that out but it will not be easy. Stay safe border friends !

Because medical statistics is part of my background I have been crunching the numbers for some of the larger countries and examining the trends, mainly using worldometer. I'm wondering that I'm hearing on the ground about very high numbers of cases and deaths in the USA, yet when I look at the official records they don't tally. While every death is sad and we would wish there were none, 164 deaths yesterday for example in the USA seems out of synch with say 229 in Spain (which has only had 20% the number of cases compared to the USA) and 227 out of just 30,000 cases roughly in Mexico? whereas the USA has almost 1.3 million cases so far?

Is the strain of the virus milder in the USA? Or are the methods to cure it in some way better? Or are not all deaths being categorised as Covid-19 or C-19 related? I'm not pointing the finger here, I'm just interested in the statistical figures.

Is the testing regime strict in the USA? Here anyone displaying any of the symptoms is tested pretty much immediately and told to self isolate at least until the result comes in. Turnaround time is down to within 72 hours. We are testing roughly 43,000 per million of population, the UK is testing 22,600 per million and the USA 25,000

As I say, just interested in the logistics of the thing, seeing what if anything is working towards an eventual positive result

[UndertheWire]

There's an interesting research paper from an UK university looking at how effective different measures have been across Europe. The conclusions are that the most effective have been school closures, banning mass gatherings and closure of hospitality businesses (ie bars and restaurants where people gather). They found that stay at home, wearing masks and closing non-essential businesses had a much smaller effect. If the study stands up to scrutiny, it may influence what measures are relaxed. Some more numbers to crunch. https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/new-study-reveals-blueprint-for-getting-out-of-covid-19-lockdown

I foolowed worldometer at the start of the outbreak but as the number of cases grew, I became less confident that its data was up to date. For the US, my guess is that Johns Hopkins might be better, although I find the presentation less accessible. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Today, Wales announced some small relaxation of rules from Monday, including opening of garden centres and being allowed out to exercise more than once a day. In England, we won't be told anything until Windbag Johnson speaks on Sunday nut I expect it will be similar. The R number in Walse was given as 0.8, so not much room for change. The other impression that I get is that the infection rate in care homes and hospitals (throughout the UK) is still very high.

[shunlvswx]

Just now for my state governor's press conference. He will continue the safer at home order for two more weeks. He had open back up restaurants, but only can have 50% of the people in there. If I heard right. Salons, barbershops, and gyms can open on Monday with restriction of course. As bad as I need to take my extensions out and put more in, I'm going to wait until its safe. I might need to buy a wig until then.

404 new cases today. My county numbers is now 657 with only 11 deaths(this is where the capital city is located and where I live too). WE are still the hotspot in the state. The mayor of Jackson's safer at home order ends next Friday and he's probably going to extend it after that. Our state will probably be hitting 10,000 cases probably in the next few days(if these numbers continue at 200 or 400).

[Brooke]

Our state lifted the stay at home order on Monday. We are opening back up in phases. We had the highest number of new cases that day at 368. It has gone back down to 285 yesterday, but ???

My county has 5 cases. No deaths.

I don't think there are nearly as many cases of Covid-19 as they are reporting. The medical advisor of Illinois was on tv answering questions about it all and she stated on live tv that if you had a heart attack and was also tested for c-19 your death was recorded as being caused by c-19. But, you actually died of the heart attack! Also if you fell off a roof and died and then tested positive for c-19, your cause of death was from c-19. That is not right! The hospitals get more money from the government if they say you died from c-19. That's a racket by the doctors doing the reporting and the hospitals. They get more money for everything pertaining to c-19, medication, ventilators, etc.

Therefore, who really knows how many people are really dying from it? In this country anyway.

I will put the video on my Fb page as soon as I can so you can listen to her!