Corona Virus Now Spreading

denice

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When it comes to hospital capacity we have been moving away from inpatient care for many years. A lot of what used to be major surgeries are now done with a laparoscope so a procedure that used to involve many days in a hospital is just an overnight stay or done on an outpatient basis. Many cardiac bypass surgeries have been replaced with placing stents. The hospitals in this area now divert ambulances with a heart attack victim to the cath lab rather then the emergency room. The stents are done as soon as they come in. People rarely stay in hospitals for extended periods of time. Since those big cardiac type surgeries are rare that cuts the need for things like ventilators.
 

Ceracera

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Yeah the issue I see is really availability. In China, and likewise here in Korea, we have factories set up to make masks. We also have a population that uses them regularly outside of healthcare settings and so the demand is always there. Therefore, even with the huge increase in demand, after a little while, the factories were able to catch up and others were able to convert their machines to meet demand. Then, shipping takes only a few hours to go anywhere in the country. For the same thing to be effective in America, every state would need mask-making factories.

It is the advice that needs to be followed in Asia, but not in other areas due to the low manufacturing and shipping capacity. After all, the masks the West used to get were from China and Korea and we've stopped exporting so that we can use them ourselves. That's 50 million people getting 2 masks a week in Korea alone.
Dont know about korea, but production still hasnt caught up in china.

Medical staff, especially those in wuhan had to reuse masks and hazmat suits. Some hospitals had to rely on donations from people who had bought masks for pollution before the pandemic began. A lot of factories even switched to producing protective equipment.

masks are becoming easier to buy compared to before, but theyre still scarce.
 

Xraystyle

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Dont know about korea, but production still hasnt caught up in china.

Medical staff, especially those in wuhan had to reuse masks and hazmat suits. Some hospitals had to rely on donations from people who had bought masks for pollution before the pandemic began. A lot of factories even switched to producing protective equipment.

masks are becoming easier to buy compared to before, but theyre still scarce.
We are rationed to 2 a week that we can only pick up at pharmacies. You can't buy them online or in other stores.

China just sent a load to us as a goodwill gesture.

But still, at least factories have the capacity to switch, so then it's just a matter of having enough materials and enough working hours to produce enough products. The infrastructure is at least there. It's not in the west. They relied almost entirely on importing. My parents bought a pack of masks in the US before they came to Asia on vacation in February. The masks were from China.

Now that the virus is really hitting India, I fear the shortages will get worse again. My Indian friends have been wearing masks, so I think they are also being advised to do so.
 

Xraystyle

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India has already banned the export of medical equipment.
Sorry, my intention was that with more people than China, they would probably look to import since 2 billion people wearing masks would be impossible to keep up with. If China and Korea (and other manufacturing countries) catch up as the number of cases diminishes, they might look to open exports again and the products would go there, where EVERYONE is being told they need them, rather than to Europe or the Americas. That's just pure speculation on my part. Hopefully by then, other places have been able to switch over to manufacturing masks and protective equipment on their own to meet the demand of the health care industries domestically.
 

donutte

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Yeah, the scary thing is less about catching it myself (for me anyway), and more about spreading it without realizing I might have it. The asymptomatic ones are particularly terrifying because odds are, at least in the US, they will not be tested, and will just spread away unknowingly. Just part of why Trump's recent statements about easing up on restrictions is pretty terrifying.
 

Jem

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I'm going to go to my local pet store to get a bag of litter and some food. I looked up online first to see what's what with hours and what not. Glad I did. The store now had shorter hours and are putting limits on how many can enter the store at a time. They are now only open at 11am till 7pm on weekdays, (I forget the hours for the weekends) and are only allowing 2 people in the store at a time. Their shipments come in on Tuesdays, so the stock should be good for what I need. They have also posted that IF there is a line up outside, to please keep at least 6 feet from the others in line. The door is locked between letting people in and out. They also recommended that you could call ahead so the staff can gather your items and have them ready at the cash, so there is less people spreading germs around the store, which means less cleaning and sanitizing for the staff.
I'll take advantage of that one! I won't have to carry the huge bag of litter from the back of the store!:yess:
 

KittyFriday

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I'm leaving the house today to take my dog in for grooming along with my parents' dog. Their dog is in bad need of it and my dog is a Cocker mix so he needs to be trimmed especially around his ears to get better air flow there. I'm also going to try to go to the vet to get him more arthritis medication and probably also try to snag a rake and some lawn bags as spring pickup is next week. Hoping they have both of those things at the farm store where the groomer is but I can go to Menards as well if I need to.

I'm honestly a bit nervous; I'm obviously a hypochondriac anyway but I actually haven't been to a store in a couple of weeks because I'm trying to avoid the crazy. I doubt the farm store will be too bad but who knows about any other stores I may need to venture into.
 

glittercat

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Just had an email from Pets at Home. Have to say I missed the bit in the speech that says only 30 mins??? Going to take longer than that if you have to queue...!! But good to know they will be staying open.

'Dear VIP Community,

I am sure, like many, you were glued to the briefing by our Prime Minister last night. He made it clear that the best way we can support the NHS is to follow his instructions and stay at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

He has determined that you are able to leave the house for a short period of time (30mins) to shop for necessities. He has said that pet shops and veterinary practices will remain open to serve pet owners with essential items and essential/emergency health needs. I want to reassure you that we are here to help you care for your pet in these unsettling times. We will keep you informed as the situation develops so please do check our website, Facebook Page, VIP app and emails for future updates.

There are clear guidelines the government have laid down which we will implement immediately:

Only a small number of people will be allowed into the shop or practice at any one time, so please if you absolutely need to shop try and come by yourself
We must operate a queuing system outside of the store/practice. It’s Britain, it will rain, so please do bring an umbrella in case it does
We have implemented social distancing rules, these will be made clear on arrival please take time to familiarise yourself. Please help protect our colleagues by strictly observing these:

We are only accepting card payments (ideally contactless), please do not use cash
We are restricting opening hours on Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. This will give us more time to do further cleaning and ensure shelves are stocked. Please check our website for our store or practice before leaving to ensure they are open and only call us if you absolutely need to
All of our pets are now no longer on the shop floor but don’t worry they are being loved and taken care of by our colleagues in dedicated facilities
All our Groom Room salons are closed so that everyone can focus on serving you
We would ask that you only buy absolute essential items so that we can serve you quickly and safely
All our suppliers continue to work hard, we will implement reduced ranges but do our best to ensure restricted diets and veterinary specialist diets are kept available
Our website is open 24hrs a day. Whilst there will some delays to deliveries, we will continue to operate it as normally as we can

I know these are worrying times for everyone. Never have I been prouder of my colleagues throughout the entire business, who through adversity have given their all to serve our customers. They are tired and worried like you but have chosen to come to work to ensure the nation’s pets are fed and kept healthy. A smile goes such a long way and we would really appreciate you being super patient as everyone is working hard to support you and your pets.'
 

Kieka

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My city now has grocery packages available for pick up. Basically is is a set box of groceries for $55-75 that you can order and pick up at a drive up site. They load the box in your car and no contact with a person in the process. For example they have an package for $70 with:
  • (4) Rolls of Toilet Paper
  • Loaf of Bread
  • 1 lb Butter
  • 1.5 lbs Sliced Cheddar Cheese
  • 5 lbs Ground Beef
  • 3 lbs Frozen Chicken
  • (2) Onions
  • (12) 6″ flour tortillas
  • 5 lbs Rice
  • 28oz can diced tomatos
  • 24oz Liquid Eggs
  • (1) Gal 2% Milk

Interesting option since it let's at risk people get some basic groceries without paying delivery service prices. Since I am still working, I am using delivery services for my groceries since it give another person a job during this time (tipping generously). But if I wasn't working or my parents needed groceries that would be a viable option. They have a kids pack with mac and cheese and corn dogs, let's be honest I would probably do that one.
 
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Winchester

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this is news from Luxembourg but I'm guessing this may unfortunately be happening worldwide :(
Domestic violence rises in Luxembourg as lockdown lasts
You know, I've been worried about that, for women and children, too. Men are home and alcoholics now have nothing better to do than drink. And get angry at everything that's going on. Who better to take it out on than their wives, girlfriends, and kids? We're going to be seeing that a lot, I'm afraid. (And I don't mean only men: I've seen first-hand how ugly women can be to their children.)

It's going to be ugly. And the longer the lockdown, the worse it will be.
 

Graceful-Lily

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I went to the grocery store (still here actually) and they have tape everywhere all over the floor plus signs telling people to stay at least 6.5ft away from each other. Nonessential stores are closing midnight tonight but of course the grocery store will still be open. Yet again, people are hoarding and a lot of the shelves are empty. So, there are lots of workers working hard to restock.

This is giving me a lot of anxiety.

1585073168112246943344968170630.jpg

These and other signs on almost every stretch of aisle.

Almost everyone I pass is in mask and gloves. 😞
 

Willowy

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You know, I've been worried about that, for women and children, too. Men are home and alcoholics now have nothing better to do than drink. And get angry at everything that's going on. Who better to take it out on than their wives, girlfriends, and kids? We're going to be seeing that a lot, I'm afraid. (And I don't mean only men: I've seen first-hand how ugly women can be to their children.)

It's going to be ugly. And the longer the lockdown, the worse it will be.
Yeah :(. I'm of the opinion that at least half of parents shouldn't be allowed within 10 feet of their kids, let alone be stuck with them 24/7.

And in general, domestic partners are the largest threat to a person's safety, so 24/7 contact and lack of exposure to other people (who can call the cops if they see bruises) isn't great for anyone really.

They just announced that SD schools will be closed at least until May 1, likely leading to closing the schools for the rest of the year. I don't expect anything good to come of that. And state employees have been told they may not get back to the office until August or September :/. But most of them are working at home so hopefully things don't get too backed up.

(Note: I'm not saying that it isn't necessary to isolate, or that there should be a rush to get people back to school/work. Just that it probably will lead to other problems, and hopefully we can keep an eye out for that to protect others as much as possible.)
 
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Jem

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Good news for fellow Ontarian's! Hydro is now only charging Off Peak rates for the next 45 days!!! Great news as we all stay home and are using more electricity...
 

doomsdave

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Yeah :(. I'm of the opinion that at least half of parents shouldn't be allowed within 10 feet of their kids, let alone be stuck with them 24/7.

And in general, domestic partners are the largest threat to a person's safety, so 24/7 contact and lack of exposure to other people (who can call the cops if they see bruises) isn't great for anyone really.

They just announced that SD schools will be closed at least until May 1, likely leading to closing the schools for the rest of the year. I don't expect anything good to come of that. And state employees have been told they may not get back to the office until August or September :/. But most of them are working at home so hopefully things don't get too backed up.

(Note: I'm not saying that it isn't necessary to isolate, or that there should be a rush to get people back to school/work. Just that it probably will lead to other problems, and hopefully we can keep an eye out for that to protect others as much as possible.)
Post office still open?

Ours are, so far.
 

aliceneko

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The first personal bit of news related to Coronavirus hit my family today: the teacher of one of our friend's children passed away from the disease at the age of 47 last night.

Was that on the 8.30 BoJo speech? I missed it.... BBC news here I come...
Yep. I'm not focusing on Bozza's speeches much myself, I'm mostly catching up on videos and things I see on social media, which probably isn't so good!
 
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