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Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 12, 2020 20:10:56 GMT -5
Like lots of people I've been following the news and info on this one... we've never really seen something like this in the modern world and some of the reactions are... idk fascinating and scary?
So, I frankened the jeep back to life, (-8 (hopefully it holds up!)... which got me to the store where things were... kind of apocalyptic? Whole rows of things were sold out in prep for various upcoming quarantines and other possible side effects of the current pandemic. The place was 10 times more busy than I've every seen, every cart was stacked with supplies and the only thing anyone was chatting about was the Virus. It kind of felt like that if you coughed in public things would turn crazy in an instant!
which put me on a bit of a side trek wondering and hoping everyone is ok and not being affected by this stuff to badly? We're cool and all settled in and, with the exception of one pharmacy run I can't do until tomorrow we don't really have any plans to leave the house for at least a month now. Which is of course not an option for everyone but works for us. Personally we didn't really need anything to stock up, I always keep us prepared in general... not in an over the top prepper sort of way, but we have really found ourselves suddenly without money or resources at times in the past and have learned how to weather tough spots. Today's grocery run was just to stock up on some perishables like milk and fruit, which if there was really a quarantine I'd consider more luxury items anyways, nice to have but not really necessary. (and if things got super crazy I have my own supermarket that I call the lakes and forests of Northern Ontario... not that I expect things to actually go crazy... but with every news cast the paranoid grows just a bit)
I think things may be a bit scarier for people in our town... we're a half abandoned mining town that has reinvented itself as a Retirement Destination and the population is heavily skewed towards the elderly and most vulnerable demographic of COVID 19 so it's got everyone on edge. (The virus has been confirmed in Sudbury which is only a couple hour drive from here and lots of people travel back and forth daily...) Now most young and healthy people should be fine but we have to take extra precautions ourselves because one of Pooka's medical conditions is treated with a medication that has sort of overwritten her immune system and severely weakened it (Which is actually a fair and reasonable trade for what it manages, though it was not an easy decision to use this stuff...), making her more vulnerable to stuff like this... which makes me paranoid and extra careful.
So, mostly I'm going to just keep reading about this as it happens, keep our heads low, be responsible and wary and just keep an eye out as this gets wilder. I hope everyone else is good and hopefully not really affected to badly. ..but if anyone is or has any worries or concerns or wants to chat about it that's cool too... is this Virus changing anything for you? Worried about family or your job or changing your summer plans or just your every day life, going from hugs and handshakes to nods and bows?
I guess its also a good time to share tips and hints and video game suggestions and craft ideas and canning info and other kinds of stuff in anyone needs or wants any thing like that, (-8
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Post by Phoenix Stardancer on Mar 12, 2020 22:17:46 GMT -5
We are mostly set by chance and we live in the South. We plan to only go out as needed to buy groceries or meds. We have video games and internet
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Post by Sweetintoxikation on Mar 12, 2020 22:27:36 GMT -5
I think the media is both harming and instigating the worst of the paranoia. I agree with informing people but the runs on toilet paper in my state.. are just plain dumb. Common sense and caution if you're really worried for yourself (due to immune system issues etc) and those closest to you (if you care of the very young, very old, or someone who has a suppressed immune system) are the only things I even worry about with this? But from what I've gathered through information diving it's just a case of being hygienic and don't touch people you don't know.
I could be completely wrong. But yea.
Paul's office, like so many others, has shut down and has everyone working remotely (from home) for two weeks. We'll see if that gets extended or not. But it's sort of a blessing in a sense? It means more time with Paul and I home together which I like. But other than a bit of worry for my grandparents in England and my mom and dad. I would say we are mostly unaffected right now.
This could TOTALLY change if they shut down our town. Which I don't see happening but who knows.
That said, I hope everyone stays safe and healthy! <3
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Post by Moonlit_Arcane on Mar 13, 2020 1:52:19 GMT -5
Working at a hotel has been a bit of a nightmare in this situation.
I mean, we get people from all over because we literally are designed to attract travelers, and I'm constantly seeing people cough in our lobby and breakfast area without covering their mouths. *eye twitch*
And I don't get sick days or paid time off, so I can't afford to miss work, which is my main issue with contracting the virus, beyond carrying it to my immuno-compromised friend who is one of the people who are high risk. If I do get it, I can't afford to self-quarantine, I have bills to pay and no benefits to leech off of because America's healthcare system is broken. @-@
Needless to say, I've been washing my hands a lot more than usual. But we haven't done any emergency stockpiling, I think our area is now out of toilet paper which is greatttt. -SIGH- We've only had a couple of cases here but I hate, hate, hate working around the public right now. Fortunately I'm night shift, so I interact with a lot less people, but man, this thing spreads like crazy. I'm not worried about me, if I get it, I'm very likely to survive, but other people in my life won't if I pass it to them without knowing I have it. :'D
So yeah, stay safe and cautious, everyone! Don't panic but take precautions, for sure. Hope everyone is able to stay healthy and safe and that selfish idiots haven't kept you from your resources during these shenanigans!!
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Post by melodysangel on Mar 13, 2020 11:14:38 GMT -5
lets see....
things that are proven to stop the spread: washing your hands. Constantly. Using good ol' soap and water.
Things people are buying first: toilet paper.
Its nuts ><
My brothers one of the doom and gloom that went all end of the world on me back in Jan. All I can do is shut it out. We are in the vunerable category..me with my shot immune system (cool fact: there are some that think that the thing that kickstarted my medical issues was a different strain of this. Thank goodness atleast the toddlers bounced back from it!) Dad has arthritis so his immune system is shot..and mom has asthma and works at old navy. Inside a mall.
All we can do is stay sensible. Don't go out unless we have to (appointments/work/getting prescriptions or groceries), keep pocketbacs on us (this one is auto for me..ive had my pocketbac on my purse for years and never leave home without it), and just pay attention to your surroundings. Push doors with your coat sleeve or elbow, stay a bit of a distance away from others...that kind of thing.
Pandemic or not, I cant afford to let it beat me around. My own (non related) health issues alone see to to that with appointments. Ad preparations for a certain 'not a big deal' event happening sometime in may that cant exactly be postponed >> heh.
As far as cases go. As far as I know, it was just 1 at a local hospital. A cancer doctor that returned from Hawaii of all people. We are just monitoring right now.
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Post by scorpiomilo on Mar 13, 2020 13:40:41 GMT -5
I do volunteer work at my local humane society, so, because of the animals I'm there almost every day. We do allot of hand washing, hand sanitizing and mopping/Lysol wipes already even before this so now we've just beefed up things. My big thing right now is that my parents seem to keep joking about getting the virus even though I've told them to stop joking even though, because of my brother ( who is autistic ) who goes to a day program where they do not keep up on hand washing my dad is fairly certain they may get it, it still bugs me that they are so jokey about it.
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Post by Cameron on Mar 13, 2020 15:25:00 GMT -5
Haven’t been too terribly impacted thus far. We did go to the store last night and grabbed some items we were out of. For the most part perishables. We did snag extra pasta and grains, which we were out of too. It was definitely a bizarre atmosphere. All of the paper products were gonzo. Beans, gone. Most of the rice was gone. Funny enough there was plenty of quinoa. We did run into old neighbors and had a pleasant chat about all that has changed. They’re not in the least bit satisfied with what has happened since we moved from the neighborhood, but it was totally refreshing to not talk about the virus! I don’t even think it has reached out community yet, and if it has the number is in the single digits.
Work has been somewhat crazy, but more so in all the paranoia-hype. Working for the government has its perks, but it also has a lot of downfalls. Especially in these types of circumstances. >.< There is talk right now about a “contingency plan” if our building is shut down, but nothing set in stone. I normally telecommute once a week and most of my job can be completed remotely. I definitely feel for those that rely on physically going to work to provide for themselves. My socialworker heart is leaching for you all!
I’ve got mild asthma and am trying to be cautious. I couldn’t imagine being in the shoes of any of the people I work with or anyone who has greater medical concerns that heighten the risk. It’s definitely not good by any measure, but here’s hoping we can all avoid it the best we can. As entertaining/scary all of this paranoia is I’m also worried about the impact of the fall out at this point. I do sense economically we are going to get hit pretty hard when the proverbial rubberband rebounds/snaps.
I’m normally a hermit and keep to myself so that hasn’t been a big struggle for me. I am sorely missing my recreational time, and home workouts are not my favorite. *shrugs* Been washing my hands far more than normal. I feel like all I’ve been doing lately, especially at work, is rubbing my hands together. What between washing and applying lotion. They’re so dry now! But yea. Stay safe everyone. Be sensible and try to keep stress at a minimum. It hinders your immune system.
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 13, 2020 16:16:34 GMT -5
We are mostly set by chance and we live in the South. We plan to only go out as needed to buy groceries or meds. We have video games and internet We're set up like that now to... just have to pickup some prescriptions when they are ready, prob later today (though the pharmacy is way behind...). Any of the extras I'd pick up there are long since sold out (an extra bottle acetaminophen and ibuprofen would be nice, but we'll be fine with what we've got for a month or two, and its not like there won't be a restock soon). Other than that, just Roleplaying, TV marathons, Art and Sphinxes, (-8 I guess to add a bit of near comedy like paranoia we're having freezing rain an house shaking winds atm... so now I'm just hoping the power stays on! I think the media def doesn't help sometimes... and nothing personal to our southern neighbors but American media seems especially nuts to me! (Idk how a deadly virus can be a political partisan topic?) I also find it completely wacky to see businesses affected by stuff like this go into overdrive with adds to make money over keeping people alive and safe. (Like literally watching the news where the Canadian Gov suggests that no one should take a cruise right now due the danger of becoming sick, then another news article about another quarantined cruise ship and then cut to commercial of 'Cruises half off! Never a better time to Cruise!' ...really!?) ...and the panic buying, yikes! In Toronto there were lineups that were several hours long just to get into grocery stores! Even locally, virtually everything on the Can and US gov websites that are suggested that people stock up on were wiped out at the store to. Personally I always have that kind of stuff on hand... I want to say idk why other people don't, but really this kind of panic stockpiling gives people a sense of control I think, something small that they can actually do that makes them feel like they can do something when everything else is out of their hands. Stupid for sure, but psychologically it's understandable... I generally avoid the 'facts' given by any news media when you can get better factual info from websites like WHO and the CDC. At the moment no one even knows exactly how this disease spreads as fast and easily as it does. The CDC says just being within 6' of someone can possible spread it... and of course the trickiest part is that most people who get it are carriers and can spread it for two days BEFORE they show any symptoms. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html Ahh, I can only imagine! When I went to the store yesterday I didn't even want to get near anyone and if someone got close you... 'felt' it, like my personal space bubble is now a 6' radius! If you don't mind some witchy/pagan/FirstNation prayers we'll send some extra ones out. Even just to deal with some of the stress of the situation. That is a super hard spot to be in with work. We're incredibly lucky that everything we work on is done from home atm. ...and I share your worries. My Biggest concern is really me not wanting to be part of the problem by spreading the disease. I'm healthy enough that I'll be fine, but the current statistics put people like Pooka at a 15% chance of dying from this kind of thing. That's terrifying for me! Most of us have played enough rp games to know 3 out of 20 is not to hard to hit and you wouldn't want to take those kinds of risks. Beyond, obviously my love, I could put so many people at risk on a small personal scale (with a town full of of retirees and elderly and one tiny hospital that totally would not be able to deal with this, and I can see parallels with the terrible stories coming out of Italy.)... as well as the socially conscious world scale. I don't think anyone reading this doesn't live in a 1st world country with excellent medical care. It's countries like ours who need to slow and stop this sort of virus by any means we can before it hits places that don't have the medical luxury we do, where things will get more deadly... I hear ya MA... before all of this Covid19 stuff we already had to do all the stuff they recommend, which in turn made/kept us sort of prepared for this kind of thing. When Pooka started her injections we were instructed by the professionals to wash our hands religiously, use hand sanitizer after touching EVERYTHING outside of the house and Pooka is supposed to wear a facemask when we go out to public places. (which she almost never does and is a bit of an aside note... there is some kind of odd stigma about wearing facemasks in public in the West which needs to be dealt with!) So, pre virus we were set up and prepared because we already had to live that way. You're right on Scorpio! I have to admit when news first started to spread I was like 'ah, a flu with a catchy name, whatever..' and it took a while for the reality of what was happening to set in. Now I'm just a normal guy with no real say in things, but what terrifies me is that whole countries and governments were (and still are) as dumb as I was. I guess that being said, while this whole thing is extremely serious business and needs to be dealt with firmly, I do think there is also lots of room for happy information and optimism! It's super easy to get caught up in sensational news, medicine shortages and death tolls but every day the vast majority of people recover, the best medical minds in the world are working on cures and maybe people will learn to listen to Gov advice websites and keep more than a single can of old pasta sauce in their pantries, (-8 Watching whole countries work together to stop a problem could be good sign for everyone going forward! |
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Post by Angel_of_Music on Mar 13, 2020 16:23:17 GMT -5
We've been good so far, but with cases in the county and surrounding ones, my dad was 'deployed'. By that I mean, he works for a branch of the state health department, the state emergency health preparedness area, so in cases like this, he's deployed to make sure med stations are set up right, they have everything needed and are set to go. Of course with that, it cancelled our day out, but the gun show we were supposed to go to was also cancelled because of the government closing it down. It happens. It's pretty much a hyped up flu and it's being blown out of proportion. We just need to be careful. If I don't have to go out, aside from going to work, I'll stay here on my couch. Mom's work has actually given instructions that if a patient is showing signs of it, they're allowed to refuse transport to keep themselves and hospital staff safe. She's a paramedic.
Curious as to how it'll affect us at work, but hopefully not too badly.
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 13, 2020 16:36:59 GMT -5
and hilariously topical, (-8
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 13, 2020 16:54:28 GMT -5
stupid quinoa. but seriously idk what people are thinking and why everyone doesn't have this stuff in their homes already? I almost never buy anything that isn't on sale myself, especially staples like rice and beans and oil and flour and, of course, bathroom tissue. If it is something you need you should probably have it... take any of the items above, I use them all, I know I'll use more in the future and nothing on the list is going to go bad, having super long shelf lives. Knowing that, when something on our staple list goes on sale for a good price I stock up... just common sense!
a thousand times yes! I def needed to talk about some of this stuff and I knew others might as well, but truly I'm a super optimistic kind of person and looking forward to sharing happier and stress free info and topics.
I'm also super interested in the long term effects of this kind of world altering thing. While a lot of people are paranoid now, I like to think of all the positives that can come from this kind of thing when we're clear of the dangers.
No stigma for wearing masks when you are sick or have allergies like in most of Asia?
Better food preparedness awareness and practices?
More people realizing they can work from home without affecting their business! This one is a super positive on the healthy environment front!
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Post by Phoenix Stardancer on Mar 13, 2020 17:24:10 GMT -5
SAng is also vulnerable. He is immuno-compromised and has tiny lungs. So we just take a a few precations, but toilet paper is wiped out some places, but plenty of cleaning supplies. So we have that as we ran out of them just by chance while this goes down
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Post by melodysangel on Mar 13, 2020 18:24:17 GMT -5
So apparently Shanghai is recovering and actually doing pretty well. Mind you China had the longest time frame of this but it should be a sign I think. According to a friend of mind, its almost business as usual. Don't quopte me on it..I cant confirm it since im not there but I thought I would pass that along  Now if only Europe and the West get their butts in gear and actually get their heads out of their butts and work together.... I swear if this even remotely turns into lord of the flies ill scream! |
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Post by Sweetintoxikation on Mar 13, 2020 19:27:50 GMT -5
That is good news. If it is true. I'm hoping that with people paying attention and acting it will pass and with relative swiftness. But only time will tell.
In the meantime, sadly. Two things today.
1. My niece's field trip to the local Egyptian Museum (the place I fell in love with when I was their age and went with my class) has been canceled until further notice. Which BITES. I was going to chaperone for Ally. q.q But it's the price we pay until things are okay again. And I understand. It's just sad. Was looking forward to going there with Ally and Sam.
As a workaround, if they don't re-schedule for the school to go in a month or so because of this virus.. then at some point I'll just take the girls myself. Not as fun as getting to watch them with their friends etc. BUT I -will- share it with them.
2. Arguably more important to my family. We're waiting to hear back still but one of my cousins, Nick, seems to have it. He's been horribly ill for 3 weeks now? The trouble being he's not the best at taking care of himself and has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart. At first, they said it was that plus pneumonia but... apparently that's not the case. SO, my prayers are turned toward him. Here's hoping he doesn't get worse and they do figure out what it is and treat him.
And if it IS this virus.. I hope he comes out alright. He's only a few months younger than I am. But he's had a VERY rough life.
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Mar 15, 2020 18:37:17 GMT -5
Yikes Toxi, I hope everything works out well for your brother! *sends best wishes*
and I feel for your nieces! (I myself want to go to the Egyptian Museum!) and it's rough missing out on a trip full of wonder like that. They are lucky to have an awesome aunt to take them later, (-8
I was also surprised that schools in the US are still open! Most (not some of the tiny provinces, yet) of Canada has closed it's schools... supposedly for just a month (like an extended March Break) but our lead medical experts say it'll prob last until Sept, closing off the rest of the school year.
also, I still want a 'I read and got this post' button instead of just a like button!
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