Corona Virus Now Spreading

[aliceneko]

Scenes from the UK yesterday as it was the hottest day of the year so far - we are a nation of morons

Coronavirus 'madness': Hundreds flout social distancing as they flock to Southend beach

 

[denice]

he CDC is now saying that studies have shown that the virus doesn't spread easily on hard surfaces. It appears to be mainly a matter of breathing on each other. Oh well, the surfaces at work have never been cleaner at least!

Well with all of this about disinfecting everything and being home 90% of the time I got a lot of spring cleaning done.

 

[Jem]

So this Tuesday, we (Ontario, Canada) started the first stage "phase one", of our reopening of our economy. But "experts" are cautioning against moving too quick. The reason? Our numbers have plateaued and even increased on some days. And what's concerning is that our testing has decreased in some areas. So we can't blame the increased numbers on the simple fact that we are testing asymptomatic or mild cases people.
To qualify for testing, we still need a referral, which is granted based on symptoms. So the average asymptomatic person is not getting tested.
Our government has only just recently recommended we wear masks where social distancing may be difficult, it's not mandatory.

I'm not sure what to think of all this.
My city has not seen a new case in since May 14th. So I'm not overly concerned at the moment, but that will change when and if people start leaving the city as things slowly re-open (travel to see family, travel for work, etc..)
I'm still not comfortable going to work just yet, thankfully, I won't be for a bit I'm sure....but who knows.
My husband and I are going to go get a mask today, just in case some establishments make it mandatory for entry. We are getting them from our local shelter's thrift store. People have been making masks for them to sell to help boost donations as the store (which is one of the ways they make money for the shelter) has been closed.
Anyway...I'm off to go get ready.

 

[Willowy]

that will change when and if people start leaving the city as things slowly re-open (travel to see family, travel for work, etc..)

Yeah, the local news said that the virus was leveling off in Sioux Falls even before it was supposed to peak. But once people start traveling again it's just going to take off. Can't stay isolated forever.


Hanes has been making a ton of masks and sending them to various organizations for distribution. They look like men's skivvies, lol. Same seams, same fabric, etc. So if you see anyone wearing a skivvie mask, that's where it's from .

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

My stupid city is asking stores not to sanitize the carts that much anymore and we can't bring outs in. We can still wear masks but they want us to build up an immunity So what happens if I carry this thing to my Mom? Most stupid thing I've ever heard but then St Louis has always been backwards.

 

[Jem]

Just got back from our outing. We also made a stop at my FIL house to take care of the dog and pick up some of his spaghetti sauce (Yum!). He went to the ER this morning so we wanted to make sure his dog was OK. Depending on if he comes home tonight or not, we may need to go back.
So both my husband and I each got 2 masks. Mine are a taupe and beige chevron-ish pattern and one with a bunch of cats on it. My husband got a golf themed one and.....crap, I forget the other....oh well.
While we were there picking out our masks a woman walks in and was asked if she was there to shop (the thrift shop) or to buy a mask. She just wanted to shop. Well...they are requiring masks in the store - yes it's advertised - as most of the volunteers that work the store are elderly. Some are also at risk due to health.
Anyway, she responds..."well, I don't want to wear one." To which the clerk said "then unfortunately we can't let you in, we have many at risk people working here....." So the lady, just stormed off, and the clerk couldn't even finish explaining.

I just don't get it. Even if you think wearing a mask is pointless.....just wear one if asked. I really don't get the big deal. This whole "my rights...blah blah" narrative is getting old.
I swear these people need to go live in a third world and oppressed country for a while to see what human rights really are.

 

[Willowy]

I just don't get it. Even if you think wearing a mask is pointless.....just wear one if asked. I really don't get the big deal. This whole "my rights...blah blah" narrative is getting old.

I saw something on Facebook that said "If you wear a mask and it turns out it wasn't necessary, even useless. . .so you wore a mask unnecessarily. What did that do to you? Nothing. If you don't wear a mask and it turns out it was necessary, you might be responsible for someone's death."

I really don't understand the resistance to wearing a mask. I'm not sure what they think will happen.



Trump has called for all places of worship to open immediately. I'm fine with governors allowing them to open, but I really hope the ministers are smart and don't open up yet.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

I saw something on Facebook that said "If you wear a mask and it turns out it wasn't necessary, even useless. . .so you wore a mask unnecessarily. What did that do to you? Nothing. If you don't wear a mask and it turns out it was necessary, you might be responsible for someone's death."

I really don't understand the resistance to wearing a mask. I'm not sure what they think will happen.



Trump has called for all places of worship to open immediately. I'm fine with governors allowing them to open, but I really hope the ministers are smart and don't open up yet.

One of the few times Mom and I agree on something but we don't understand the resistance either. I put the mask on before going in the store while sitting in my car and as soon as all the groceries are wiped down (yes even though they said last not it's not necessary what if it really is?) I take the mask off, put in rubber maid container til I get home, wipe hands and keys and drive home. I'm only in the store for 30 minutes tops as I make my list beforehand and want to give others a chance to go in and shop as well. 30 minutes is not really all that long. Oh and if I do more stores, I have a separate mask for each store. One of the grocery store workers told me that she's gotten to where she feels more comfortable now wearing the mask then not wearing one and may continue to do so after this is all over.

 

[KittyFriday]

I went to return a book to a store in the mall and then to the post office. It's honestly insane how out of place I feel for being one of the few wearing a mask.

It's just so selfish - wearing masks protects others more than the wearer (though mine is an N95 so that protects me a bit more) - so basically it says that those wearing masks care about others and the rest just don't at all.

 

[LTS3]

I had a COVD19 test done today per new work rules. The company is requiring all employees in the first "wave" allowed back on site starting May 26 (plus the essential staff who have been on site since the shut down) to have the test done and be retested every 4 days thereafter. Those who test negative will also have to take a web based health questionnaire daily and show the emailed results to security to be allowed into the building. A second "wave" of employees are expected to be allowed on site in early June and they will go through the same process. Admins will continue to work remotely until further notice. The testing is done by an outside company. It's a nose swab but only goes halfway up the nose so not too painful.

I bought hand sanitizer from a local company that is donating all the profits to make more sanitizer to donate to local hospitals and first responders and other organizations in need

 

[Lari]

Trump has called for all places of worship to open immediately. I'm fine with governors allowing them to open, but I really hope the ministers are smart and don't open up yet.

I know the Archdiocese of Chicago has a slow and steady reopening plan that will start with groups of ten and under for weddings, funerals, and baptisms (before even thinking about having small groups for Mass), with a whole training process on how to do it safely. They've been taking this whole thing very seriously and pointing out that wearing masks to help keep others safe is basically right in line with the church's pro-life teachings, so I don't think they'll rush to reopen at full capacity, no matter what Trump says.

 

[WillowMarie]

I had a COVD19 test done today per new work rules. The company is requiring all employees in the first "wave" allowed back on site starting May 26 (plus the essential staff who have been on site since the shut down) to have the test done and be retested every 4 days thereafter. Those who test negative will also have to take a web based health questionnaire daily and show the emailed results to security to be allowed into the building. A second "wave" of employees are expected to be allowed on site in early June and they will go through the same process. Admins will continue to work remotely until further notice. The testing is done by an outside company. It's a nose swab but only goes halfway up the nose so not too painful.

I bought hand sanitizer from a local company that is donating all the profits to make more sanitizer to donate to local hospitals and first responders and other organizations in need

Mind if I ask what type of work you do? Are all businesses opening back up in your area required to do this extensive of testing for employees?

 

[LTS3]

I work at a research institution. The company is being extra precautious as they allow employees back on site. As the state reopens, there are general guidelines for how to keep employees safe (daily temperature testing, health questionnaire, increased cleaning and sanitization, etc). If a company offers testing to employees, that is at their discretion and is separate from the state's guidelines.

 

[denice]

I got a haircut yesterday and I feel so much better. My hair has thinned out a lot so it doesn't grow out nice and it was at the length where the sides weren't quite long enough to get caught up in a ponytail. They did the texting thing so I didn't come in until they were ready. They took my temperature at the door and were no where near full or even half capacity. They had plexiglass shields between the stylist's stations and between the shampoo bowls. They are also disinfecting the station after each customer and a shampoo bowl after it is used. I saw them doing the shampoo bowl after my hair was washed and they put a sign on it that it has been disinfected. Everyone in the salon wore masks, they required it of their clients and everyone working there had one on.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

My temperature has always been higher than most people. I guess from eating chili peppers that are hotter than ghost chili. But the Vitamin C in the Capascan seems to keep sickness and illness away. So I'm holding off going to a hairdresser as the peppers make my temp so high they'd be calling the ER on me. Ugh

 

[LTS3]

I'm pretty sure a hair cut and color is on my boss's top things to do soon. She's always lamenting about her gray hair showing. It was kind of interesting to see her hair slowly turning gray over the past couple of weeks via our Zoom meetings.

I just came back from the supermarket. There is plenty of toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues in stock now The regular aisle was not quite fully stocked and there were displays scattered around the store. There's still no disinfectant product of any kind. Dish soap is limited. I'm not getting why dish soap has been a hot hoarded item like toilet paper Frozen veggies are back in stock again.

 

[MoonstoneWolf]

Only grocery store I have here that has toilet paper is Save A Lot. Not a lot but enough to last us another 2 months. Seems that people are now hoarding chili. But our stores do still have lots of meat and other fresh produce.

 

[Willowy]

Seems that people are now hoarding chili.

That's probably a matter of availability, not hoarding. It's been hard for produce farmers to keep employees right now.


I went to Walmart and Costco Thursday night after work. I didn't look at the Walmart TP aisle, unfortunately. But the disinfectant selection was skimpy. They did have some of the more unpopular stuff like Lysol bathroom cleaner though. There never was a run on dish soap here. They had a few small bottles of rubbing alcohol. The meat aisle was sparse. Everything else seemed well-stocked. Costco had TP and paper towels, but no disinfectant. They've put a lot of seasonal produce in the meat coolers so it doesn't look as obvious, but there was definitely less meat. Everything else was fine.

Meat prices have gone up considerably. I've heard a lot about that, because the amount going to the farmers is at a record LOW, even though consumer meat prices are high. So Somebody in the middle is taking advantage. . .

 

[artiemom]

I'm pretty sure a hair cut and color is on my boss's top things to do soon. She's always lamenting about her gray hair showing. It was kind of interesting to see her hair slowly turning gray over the past couple of weeks via our Zoom meetings.

I just came back from the supermarket. There is plenty of toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues in stock now The regular aisle was not quite fully stocked and there were displays scattered around the store. There's still no disinfectant product of any kind. Dish soap is limited. I'm not getting why dish soap has been a hot hoarded item like toilet paper Frozen veggies are back in stock again.

I think people have turned to dish soap, in place of pump style hand soap. That was in short supply.

I was shocked that my Instacart shopper found some Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner at Market Basket. Two weeks ago, I was able to get Bounty Paper towels!!!! And Charmin Toilet Paper!! Amazing.

 

[mani]

I don't know whether this has been mentioned before as I haven't read every post but I was thinking, as ghastly as this whole thing is, we're all doing it. I'm in Australia, we have members in the US, UK, Europe, Japan, Korea and probably places I've missed.
It's a dire and disturbing situation and we can't possibly know the extent of our individual experiences, but overall it's unique and in some ways it draws people together.