Coronavirus

[Architeuthis]

I live in a smaller town called Sequim on the north Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. One day before the non-essential job restrictions when into effect, I was working in a rural area pruning fruit trees.  I was up on a ladder and this guy driving by on the road stopped and rolled down his window and started asking me way too many questions.  He asked me if I was working, I said it doesn't feel like work to me, it's a nice sunny day. Then he said,  do you know that tree pruning and landscaping are considered non essential jobs. I told him that the Governor said that this doesn't go into effect until the next day. Then the guy started asking me personal questions like do you live here at this place, if not, where do you live?  Then he asked, do you have a business license or a company name? 
 By then I could tell this guy was on a mission and I wasn't giving him any information. So I politely asked him, so who's clock are you on??  He got mad and said "I'm turning you in, and drove off.  I know he was offended because he thought the mandate was allready in effect, and deep down inside I can appreciate his concern (people are scared). 
 However, I didn't have any close contact with anybody that day. I showed up to do my job and I was outside up in a fruit tree pruning nowhere near any viruses or people. I do take this whole thing seriously, but people like that are busy-bodies and I didn't owe him any explaination. I had to finish a harmless job so I can pay bills.
 I guess it's ok for 65 year old people to work around hundreds of people at grocery stores, but not ok to work in a rural area pruning fruit trees by yourself away from people all together. Good grief!

[jingle.boy]

Our facility has moved to level 1. Many patients and employees are positive.
Some have died. I just witnessed a code blue on a Covid patient. Not sure if
they were saved. Tensions and fear are high, morale is low. Nurses have quit
in large numbers. I gave my wife an out to isolate from me until this is over
but she said she is staying with me. Crazy, surreal times.

Speaking of your wife, has your at home routine changed much? I'm not in health care, but when I get home, I'm met with a cloud of disinfectant spray. I take all my clothes off as soon as I get in the house and jump in a hot shower. Then my work clothes and towel get washed in hot water.

I'm not going to lie; this is a stress-inducing situation.   It's not all fun and board games at the Stadler household.  Nothing to panic about, nothing that will be permanent, but it's a compact, sealed vessel with a turbulent brew of emotions, and that's not easy for all people.

Yeah, there's been some turbulence off and on in the jingle.household too.  Over STUPID shit.  That's what happens when the stress volatility meter is going haywire.

[Adami]

People weren't meant to spend THIS much time together.

That's why men invented war. To get away from their families for a while.

[emtee]

Chris Cuomo is positive.

[millahh]

So we had a fun stressor on Saturday...one of our cats started off the day lethargic, and by mid-afternoon had developed a very noticeable fever.  Our normal vet was closed.  The emergency vet was closed!!  Eventually found one that we had used a few years ago when we lived in a different town.  It was a bizarre experience, had to bring her up to the door, set her down and step back, then the vet tech could get her.  All conversations about history and what was going on, and the assessment were all over the phone while I was sitting in the parking lot. She had a 105.7degF fever, and it turned out her neutrophils were way down (so, she'd been fighting a massive infection, for a while).  We got her home, but her fever started to come back and her breathing was shallow and fast, and the vet was closing soon...we were contemplating having to take her to a 24 hour vet that we knew was open, but which was dead-center in NJ's hotspot (Bergen county).  Fortunately she equilibrated and is back to her old, healthy self, but jesus christ that was a stressful few hours.

[jingle.boy]

Forgot to thank Harmony for that post.  Very solid and well founded advice.

[lordxizor]

I live in a smaller town called Sequim on the north Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. One day before the non-essential job restrictions when into effect, I was working in a rural area pruning fruit trees.  I was up on a ladder and this guy driving by on the road stopped and rolled down his window and started asking me way too many questions.  He asked me if I was working, I said it doesn't feel like work to me, it's a nice sunny day. Then he said,  do you know that tree pruning and landscaping are considered non essential jobs. I told him that the Governor said that this doesn't go into effect until the next day. Then the guy started asking me personal questions like do you live here at this place, if not, where do you live?  Then he asked, do you have a business license or a company name? 
 By then I could tell this guy was on a mission and I wasn't giving him any information. So I politely asked him, so who's clock are you on??  He got mad and said "I'm turning you in, and drove off.  I know he was offended because he thought the mandate was allready in effect, and deep down inside I can appreciate his concern (people are scared). 
 However, I didn't have any close contact with anybody that day. I showed up to do my job and I was outside up in a fruit tree pruning nowhere near any viruses or people. I do take this whole thing seriously, but people like that are busy-bodies and I didn't owe him any explaination. I had to finish a harmless job so I can pay bills.
 I guess it's ok for 65 year old people to work around hundreds of people at grocery stores, but not ok to work in a rural area pruning fruit trees by yourself away from people all together. Good grief!

The city I'm in literally sent out a statement via email and Facebook telling people to mind their own business and stop calling 911 because people are leaving their homes.

[Stadler]

I live in a smaller town called Sequim on the north Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. One day before the non-essential job restrictions when into effect, I was working in a rural area pruning fruit trees.  I was up on a ladder and this guy driving by on the road stopped and rolled down his window and started asking me way too many questions.  He asked me if I was working, I said it doesn't feel like work to me, it's a nice sunny day. Then he said,  do you know that tree pruning and landscaping are considered non essential jobs. I told him that the Governor said that this doesn't go into effect until the next day. Then the guy started asking me personal questions like do you live here at this place, if not, where do you live?  Then he asked, do you have a business license or a company name? 
 By then I could tell this guy was on a mission and I wasn't giving him any information. So I politely asked him, so who's clock are you on??  He got mad and said "I'm turning you in, and drove off.  I know he was offended because he thought the mandate was allready in effect, and deep down inside I can appreciate his concern (people are scared). 
 However, I didn't have any close contact with anybody that day. I showed up to do my job and I was outside up in a fruit tree pruning nowhere near any viruses or people. I do take this whole thing seriously, but people like that are busy-bodies and I didn't owe him any explaination. I had to finish a harmless job so I can pay bills.
 I guess it's ok for 65 year old people to work around hundreds of people at grocery stores, but not ok to work in a rural area pruning fruit trees by yourself away from people all together. Good grief!

The city I'm in literally sent out a statement via email and Facebook telling people to mind their own business and stop calling 911 because people are leaving their homes.

Maybe it's gallows humor, but that made me laugh out loud.   

(I was watching Ridiculousness over the weekend, and they had a segment that was supposed to be funny wisdom from old people, and this young - to me, so, 20-ish - woman had her camera and her grandmother was behind her in a rocking chair.   The girl asked "Gramma, what's the secret to a long life?" and Gram said "Mind your own goddamn business!"   I think it was meant to be something else in context, but it's not far off if you're asking me.)

[Northern Lion]

I live in a smaller town called Sequim on the north Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. One day before the non-essential job restrictions when into effect, I was working in a rural area pruning fruit trees.  I was up on a ladder and this guy driving by on the road stopped and rolled down his window and started asking me way too many questions.  He asked me if I was working, I said it doesn't feel like work to me, it's a nice sunny day. Then he said,  do you know that tree pruning and landscaping are considered non essential jobs. I told him that the Governor said that this doesn't go into effect until the next day. Then the guy started asking me personal questions like do you live here at this place, if not, where do you live?  Then he asked, do you have a business license or a company name? 
 By then I could tell this guy was on a mission and I wasn't giving him any information. So I politely asked him, so who's clock are you on??  He got mad and said "I'm turning you in, and drove off.  I know he was offended because he thought the mandate was allready in effect, and deep down inside I can appreciate his concern (people are scared). 
 However, I didn't have any close contact with anybody that day. I showed up to do my job and I was outside up in a fruit tree pruning nowhere near any viruses or people. I do take this whole thing seriously, but people like that are busy-bodies and I didn't owe him any explaination. I had to finish a harmless job so I can pay bills.
 I guess it's ok for 65 year old people to work around hundreds of people at grocery stores, but not ok to work in a rural area pruning fruit trees by yourself away from people all together. Good grief!

The city I'm in literally sent out a statement via email and Facebook telling people to mind their own business and stop calling 911 because people are leaving their homes.

Yeah, what ever happened to the mantra "leave well-enough alone"  I'm a liberty guy, this kind of thing makes my blood boil.

[Cool Chris]

I live in a smaller town called Sequim...

No way, I knew you lived in the PNW somewhere, just didn't know where.

The city I'm in literally sent out a statement via email and Facebook telling people to mind their own business and stop calling 911 because people are leaving their homes.

WA has set up a website where you can report "violators," businesses who are open who shouldn't be, and some cities have sites where you can report people who are gathering it large groups.

[ProfessorPeart]

Seeing reports that Pritzker is going to extend Illinois' stay at home order until 4/30 today. Not unexpected, but bad since my wife cannot work.

[New World Rushman]

So we had a fun stressor on Saturday...one of our cats started off the day lethargic, and by mid-afternoon had developed a very noticeable fever.  Our normal vet was closed.  The emergency vet was closed!!  Eventually found one that we had used a few years ago when we lived in a different town.  It was a bizarre experience, had to bring her up to the door, set her down and step back, then the vet tech could get her.  All conversations about history and what was going on, and the assessment were all over the phone while I was sitting in the parking lot. She had a 105.7degF fever, and it turned out her neutrophils were way down (so, she'd been fighting a massive infection, for a while).  We got her home, but her fever started to come back and her breathing was shallow and fast, and the vet was closing soon...we were contemplating having to take her to a 24 hour vet that we knew was open, but which was dead-center in NJ's hotspot (Bergen county).  Fortunately she equilibrated and is back to her old, healthy self, but jesus christ that was a stressful few hours.

We had a vet situation on Friday. Our dog was only half-opening her right eye for a day or two. I assumed it was a scratch but made the appointment just to be sure.
They informed me to call when I was parked out front, which I did. The vet tech came out within a few minutes and took her right out of the car, within ten minutes, the vet called me, informed me it was indeed a scratch, and explained the meds and doses. A few minutes later, the receptionist called me for my payment info, then the tech came out with my pup and the meds. I never left the driver's seat.
It was very efficient, things should be like this always!

[ReaperKK]

I had the same situation with my cat this past weekend, she needed her steroid shot. I pulled up, they came and picked her up, gave her the shot and charged my card. ezpz.

[jingle.boy]

I feel horrible for the pet owners who have to help their pet cross the rainbow bridge.  I hope some vets are making exceptions, because that would be a terrible thing to have to 'turn over' to the vet and their staff alone.

[eric42434224]

A small bit more stress in the 42434224 household, but I think that is to be expected.  But on the whole, it is pretty reasonable.  Wife is a teacher, and both her and my two daughters (just turned 11 & 14) are home.  I normally work from home 75% of the time...now its 100%, so really not a big deal for me.  We are lucky to have a very large covered, and screened in, patio area with our outdoor pool area by a lake.  Covered area is about 15 ft X 50 ft with an 8 person dining table, sectional couch with 60" TV and surround system, outdoor shower, and fire pit, etc.  Basically an outdoor house....which is great when 4 people (2 adults and 2 kids) are all on computers doing work and classwork.  Plus I have an upstairs office, so we all have our space to get our stuff done during the day.  It is in the high 70's to low 80's and sunny, so we take breaks and relax in the pool.
We are very lucky to have the weather and outdoor space to live in during isolation.  If we all had to be stuck in a small house during this, the stress level would be WAY higher.  Doing a lot of take-out to support our local restaurants, so we will all be fat as hell when all is said and done.  We are trying to stay as isolated as we reasonably can, especially due to my Mom living nearby, with her age and some health issues, we are keeping our distance.

I hope everyone in DTF weathers this storm and comes out on the other end healthy.

[Adami]

Tomorrow is April Fool’s day. So prepare for social media posts about every celebrity testing positive and probably dying from covid.

[ProfessorPeart]

Seeing reports that Pritzker is going to extend Illinois' stay at home order until 4/30 today. Not unexpected, but bad since my wife cannot work.

It's official and my wife isn't taking it well. She is bipolar and she is absolutely stir-crazy with this. As soon as the Governor announced it she said she is going for a drive and left. This is a real life change for her. She is a total social butterfly and I am a total shut-in who is mostly anti-social. I love it, she hates it.

Big plus I am taking out of all of this is it is forcing her to not spend too much and allowing me to save up some cash.

[millahh]

I feel horrible for the pet owners who have to help their pet cross the rainbow bridge.  I hope some vets are making exceptions, because that would be a terrible thing to have to 'turn over' to the vet and their staff alone.

The read I get from my usual vet is that they'd allow this, and I could imagine they'd even spare a mask.  It would be a very extenuating circumstance.  And oddly, much safer than saying goodbye to a loved one in a hospital, as vets offices aren't going to be teeming with the virus.

[lonestar]

Tomorrow is April Fool’s day. So prepare for social media posts about every celebrity testing positive and probably dying from covid.

And a new forum theme 

[MirrorMask]

Tomorrow is April Fool’s day. So prepare for social media posts about every celebrity testing positive and probably dying from covid.

I'd rather prepare for the only day where people question whatever bullshit they read on the internet, and wonder why they don't keep the same attitude the other 364 days of the year.

[Cool Chris]

A previous employer of mine. A horrible situation all the way around.

https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-doesnt-want-holland-americas-stricken-zaandam-cruise-docking-2020-3

The Coast Guard will not yet permit the MS Zaandam, a Holland America cruise with at least two confirmed cases of COVID-19 onboard, and the MS Rotterdam, the ship sent to rescue its healthy passengers, to enter US waters.

Florida officials remain concerned that allowing Zaandam and Rotterdam passengers to disembark in Fort Lauderdale's seaport Port Everglades could worsen the spread of coronavirus in the area.

[The Walrus]

As of today, 26 confirmed cases in my county... only one up from yesterday, but this time, it's the first confirmed case in my own town.

Fuck.

[mike099]

Our facility has moved to level 1. Many patients and employees are positive.
Some have died. I just witnessed a code blue on a Covid patient. Not sure if
they were saved. Tensions and fear are high, morale is low. Nurses have quit
in large numbers. I gave my wife an out to isolate from me until this is over
but she said she is staying with me. Crazy, surreal times.

Speaking of your wife, has your at home routine changed much? I'm not in health care, but when I get home, I'm met with a cloud of disinfectant spray. I take all my clothes off as soon as I get in the house and jump in a hot shower. Then my work clothes and towel get washed in hot water.

You should at least get some shower sex for your trouble

[ErHaO]

So I have been ill for more than a week. A couple of days of (mild) fever and a massive headache, then about one and a half day getting better with barely any symptoms, and then suddenly significantly more ill than I initially was, with a dry cough. Thankfully at the time of writing I am finally better. I had to go to the doctor and they did test for a variety of infections (all negative). She told me that corona patients under her care followed a similar pattern (ill, almost better, then suddenly more ill, and some progressing into severe illness). But they only test hospitalizations here, so there is no way of knowing. I locked myself up and have followed the social distacing protocols prior, so thankfully the chance I spread something nasty is small.



Also regarding the state of The Netherlands now:
Despite initial signs showing our measurements are lowering the amount of new cases on a daily basis, the actual peak of corona patients in the hospitals is expected to be at the end of may (almost two months from now). On average, the patients at the ICU are there for 23 days (!!!). And offcourse with the long incubation time, initial mild disease, it potentially takes a while for patients to get to the point of hospitalization. Based on our data, it seems highly likely a lot of countries have not seen their peaks yet. Also, statistically, 80% of our ICU cases is overweight, so at least here there seems to be a potential connection in that regard.

Honestly the fact that they expect the peak to be so far ahead is just depressing.

[cramx3]

ErHaO, get well soon.  Stay safe. 

[TAC]

ErHaO, get well soon.  Stay safe.

Amen, brother!

You should at least get some shower sex for your trouble

Hah! My wife won't even kiss me until I get out.

[CrimsonSunrise]

I feel horrible for the pet owners who have to help their pet cross the rainbow bridge.  I hope some vets are making exceptions, because that would be a terrible thing to have to 'turn over' to the vet and their staff alone.

That would be absolutely heart breaking. I couldn't even imagine it.

ErHaO....  Hang in there Brother, we will keep you in our prayers.

[Elite]

ErHaO, I had the exact same symptoms, only a lot less 'extreme', so to speak. I don't ever really get ill from a regular cold, so I didn't really have any problems at all. My girlfriend's immune system is not as good and she was more ill. She also had the shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell; symptoms that are supposedly typical of this virus. Without being tested, she's pretty sure she's had the coronavirus, which would basically mean that I've had it as well. I was feeling more tired than usual and had had a cold, nothing too serious, then after a few days of feeling better I suddenly got this extreme headache. There's no way to know for sure, though it would be quite good to know if I've had it and that it didn't affect me a lot.

---

Regarding the situation in the Netherlands; I get the feeling our healthcare system is very different from that of other European countries (mainly countries like Italy & Spain), where the goal is to heal basically everybody as soon as possible. Our healthcare system, or maybe our society, is more focused on quality of living, rather than stretching out a life when there's barely any chance for recovery. We're also not prone to place everybody who enters a hospital on the Intensive Care immediately. From what I gathered - and this may be wrong -  is that in Italy, elderly people who already have a lower chance at survival, are put on the Intensive Care beds, essentially filling up places that now can not be used for younger folk, who then die as well. The death toll actually goes up if you try your best to save people with little chance, by not having the resources to aid those with a higher chance to survive. Sounds pretty terrible to type stuff like that out, but in these situations, I think the health care's goal should not be about saving everybody, because that's impossible - it should be about healing as many people as possible and, harsh as it sounds, this includes not using all your resources on people who are going to die anyway.

^ I don't know if that came across in the right way and I truly do not mean to offend anyone with it. I am not a healthcare worker (teacher here), but I have many friends that are. The situation in our hospitals right now is not nice, but the way our healthcare is organised - like I said, quality of life before prolongation - has actually made the situation more managable here as far as I can tell.

[MirrorMask]

Not offensive at all Elite; sadly the immense emergency of so many people sick at the same time drives the sanitary system to a collapse and forces doctors to make do with the resources they're left with, beside having to make those decisions that you outlined. This has always been the true danger of the virus, regardless of the high mortality rate or not. Too many people sick at the same time is never, ever a good thing.

Best wishes to pull through to the many people who in the latest pages discussed their situation!

[DreamerTV]

Jumping in to wish all the best to everybody in here, especially those affected by the virus.

About Italy's death toll, it's quite complicated. Because of how our state system is organized, we're basically counting every person who's passed with Coronavirus, not just those who passed because of it. A lot of people who were already in hospitals, or other health facilities, and were already severely ill, got it there, and their condition worsened.

[Lonk]

You should at least get some shower sex for your trouble

Hah! My wife won't even kiss me until I get out.

 

Jumping in to wish all the best to everybody in here, especially those affected by the virus.

About Italy's death toll, it's quite complicated. Because of how our state system is organized, we're basically counting every person who's passed with Coronavirus, not just those who passed because of it. A lot of people who were already in hospitals, or other health facilities, and were already severely ill, got it there, and their condition worsened.

This question was brought up before. It's will be impossible to know how many people died because of the virus since so many were already ill.

[Darrellos]

I don't you can even make that distinction at the moment, sadly. It's just unrealistinc to try to determine whether someone died "from" or "with" coronavirus in this situation. Not enough resources to do that.

[jingle.boy]

Samuel Jackson's new poem

[KevShmev]

Well, the beer distributor my younger brother works for (I forgot his title, but he runs this area) is declaring bankruptcy on the 15th this month, so he will be out of a job.  Ugh.

[Northern Lion]

Well said, nobody can wax eloquent like Samual L Jackson.