Coronavirus: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt
 

We may as well have a dedicated Coronavirus thread at this point.

Susan H linked to an enlightening post by Immunologist Lisa Turner on FaceBook:

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.turner...01428415526260

Having lived many places, I've had the unusual experience of living through (and having to evacuate from) hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes. These events have led me to becoming very aware of the fragility of life, the need to be as prepared as possible, the suddenness of disaster, and the butterfly wing thinness of the veneer of civilized behavior. During the big CA earthquake in '94, my neighborhood was in rubble. We had no water or power or other services for over two weeks. The National Guard was patrolling streets with guns.

The gas and water lines were damaged. A local business was gouging by selling bottled water for $5 a gallon.

I am stunned at the news when a hurricane is an hour away and then folks decide to stock up on supplies. WTH?

Sure, not everyone has the disposable income to buy pallets of toilet paper ahead or even the room to store them. But, if someone buys one extra gallon of water each week for a year, they will have 52 gallons of water in reserve after a year.

You shouldn't count on the government having your best interests in mind. Pretend you are an Old West pioneer. They didn't have cell phones and FaceBook. They had to rely on themselves to be safe.

If you are prepared, the fear is diminished.

Or, maybe not? What do you think?

I agree with you. I've always stocked up on canned items and other non-perishables in the event of an emergency. I have enough laundry detergent, toothpaste and cough drops to last two years. I take public transportation and have seen people with gloves and covering their mouths and faces with a mask or scarf. When someone sneezes they look horrified. I have always washed my hands and think all people should be doing that not just because of the threat of Coronavirus. If you use the bathroom wash your hands. It's nasty if someone doesn't. Before I cook, I wash my hands. In my world, it's nasty to do anything else. Agree with you about the government not having your best interest in mind. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you.

That really is a sane and rational discussion of the coronavirus. What a wonderful antidote to the 24/7 hysteria I've been hearing.

Agreed...wish everyone would read it.

I am amazed by the number of people who don’t wash their hands or do a quick “pretend” wash and barely get their fingertips wet. I was at the casino a week ago and three women came in, went to the bathroom and “washed” their hands and left all while I was still washing my hands. I see it all the time and it’s the majority doing it not just a few.

The advice is to wash your hands long enough to sing "Happy Birthday."

When we get home after a trip to the store, etc., I use "Yankee Doodle."

:music:

I agree, it’s good to be prepared in advance. People can get ugly when they are afraid. Last year, two men got in a fight over bottled water at Walmart when word got out that a hurricane was on the way. It gets crazy.

My husband thought I was overreacting when I suggested buying a two-week food supply. However, I purchased it anyway. We live in a small town and both of us thought the virus wouldn’t come to our town -at least not for some time. Yesterday the first coronavirus death was reported in my county.

What makes me nervous about this virus is that it lives for 9 days on hard surfaces and is extremely contagious. Thinking of all the things a person with coronavirus can touch (even dvds at thrift stores) a week before I touch them gives me the heebie-jeebies.

So I am planning on stocking up on additional supplies soon. We might start spending more time at home until the weather warms up. My husband is a senior and I qualify for senior discounts at some places. So we have to be a bit more cautious.

It’s gross -especially when they’re at a restaurant.

I also hate it when I’m at a restaurant and see someone put their purse on the floor then go to get something out of the purse and pick the purse up and put it on top of the table. I never set my purse down on top of a table.

I'm not sure where you got your info about 9 days on surfaces. This is what the CDC website says:

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.

The Novel Coronavirus is in my town already.

IIRC a person may not test positive for up to 9 days and still be infected and a carrier. Hence the lengthy isolation of people on the cruise ships? Maybe that's where the 9 day reference came from?

I also agree that being prepared is a good idea, being overly fearful is not. Stress from overreaching fear can actually affect the immune system and make one more susceptible to illness.

I saw an online news story this afternoon, with an included a video, of three women in Australia getting into a brawl in a store over toilet paper. One woman had an entire cart full of just toilet paper, nothing else. Apparently there wasn't any left on the shelf and one of the other two women was trying o take a package out of the cart. The woman with the cart wouldn't give up a single package and a tussle ensued.

I really despair about the human race some days.

And we thought it was bad when people were fighting over Cabbage Patch dolls.

My local store had absolutely no toilet paper on the shelves. I have to admit, that one stumps me. I can see stockpiling food and water, but toilet paper? They were also out of wipes for the carts. Fortunately, I always have wipes in my purse. I guess it pays to be anal sometimes.

I like Dr. Mike's video. He has a lot of helpful information.

https://youtu.be/5CRxyHU9Oxo

His slogan is "Alert, not anxious."

It was on several different news outlets that the virus can survive up to 9 days on hard surfaces. My internet searches provide the same 9 day survival rate.

https://medicalnewsbulletin.com/how-...e-on-surfaces/

Regarding there being no toilet paper on store shelves...

Earlier in this thread or another thread, it was mentioned that newspapers and Sears catalog pages used to be used in place of toilet paper in outhouses. I can't imagine this happening, but if worst came to worst and you are using newspaper because you can't find toilet paper, don't flush it! It will clog up the septic lines. You also shouldn't flush kleenex or wet wipes. They don't dissolve the same way toilet paper does.

Let me tell you ...
 

That is a HUGE pet peeve of mine - having worked at Walmart part time for almost 11 years. . . . The bathroom hand washing technique is HORRIFIC. I don't think it's gotten much better either. :(

I had heard the wash and sing "Happy Birthday" a long time ago and use it. (I also work in the healthcare industry). So hand washing is mega important. I am absolutely appalled by the MAJORITY of people who do a "fake wash" and don't even use soap. Or worse yet, the ones who don't even wash. :eek:

I just went to a seminar 2 weeks ago Friday and while waiting for my boss, had to leave the restroom. I can't watch. I just can't. When we were in the hall I informed her that I just canNOT stand to see the horrific hand washing technique or lack there of when I am in a restroom. (and I am by no means a germaphobe. AT ALL) ....

I am, however, always prepared. I have always been a coupon shopper and I have always stocked up (Comes from years ago, married young, little kids, one car, blah, blah, blah). Our power goes out frequently and during Sandy our power was out for almost 2 weeks. My husband laughs at me ... but I feel better that way.

Anyway ... back to your thread. I will just continue to use proper/good hygiene and that's about all I can do. I am not (yet) freaked out. My fear is more the toll it will take on our economy and the ripple effect.
Cleda

The fake wash is even worse because now they've touched the faucet and infected themselves and others without even washing!

I am also appalled by the lack of hand washing in public restrooms. I can't even imagine not washing after using one. I've even gone into the men's room when the women's restroom was out of soap because I couldn't handle not being able to wash my hands.

I'm prepared, but not panicked. I always buy stuff in bulk during sales so the only thing I bought that I normally wouldn't was extra cat food. I'm low-risk so I'm not concerned about myself, but I have an adult son with asthma and I worry about him. I also plan to self-quarantine if I get ill so I don't infect others. Slowing the spread is really important, IMO. I also worry about my dd who is finishing up her senior year in high school and going far away to college soon. She might be leaving right after graduation for a summer program. Lots of uncertainty over what will happen.

Erica

Personally I would go with the CDC information. In any case frequent hand washing is a good idea.

Here is an article that explains the unknowns, some reasonable common sense precautions to take and ways to prepare should you need to stay at home. I think it makes sense to be prepared without panicking. This article strikes that balance IMO.
https://www.propublica.org/article/i...ign=pockethits

The CDC information quoted is addressing products and packaging materials that are being shipped to America from China. Previous coronaviruses did not survive as long as this newest virus. This coronavirus is highly contagious and that is why there is so much concern. We don’t know that much about it.

I believe that the virus can survive up to 9 days on hard surfaces. I’ve not seen any factual evidence to the contrary. I prefer to err on the side of caution :-)

That's a great article and a reminder that we have to think how quickly people are learning more about this and the information being put out there changes rapidly. It's frustrating, but I think we just have to do our best to try to keep things in perspective.

Same

Repost from another thread
I live in a tourist area. Coachellafest and Stagecoach concerts venue is so close to my house I can hear the boom boom boom of the music at night. We live so close to the venue for the BNP Paribas OpenTennis tournament the city has to post no parking signs on the streets around my home. All 3 events bring in international visitors. The tournament was scheduled to begin this week. It has been cancelled as of tonight. We are waiting on an announcement on Stagecoach and Coachellafest for next month. The area will take a huge financial hit if all 3 events are cancelled but better safe than sorry. The first coronavirus case has been confirmed at a hospital in my area (20 minutes away)and a second one in the county I live in. My husband is 73 with a chronic lung condition and if he contracts the virus I don't think he would survive.My son and geanddaughter work with the public. I'm very worried.

We are earthquake prepared so in case of quarantine we would be reasonably ok.
I worked in a meat department of a regional supermarket for 35 years. I'm used to washing my hands countless times a day. It grosses me out when I'm in a public bathroom and see a woman come out of the stall and out the door without washing her hands!

I intend to listen to the CDC.

What I worry most about is people who insist on coming into work sick. On Friday, I saw two people coughing without covering their mouths. People think it can’t happen to them or because they are young and healthy , so who cares. You never know if a coworker has a suppressed immune system or a chronic condition that they keep private. In addition, there are older folks like myself in the office.

I attended a Public Health Department briefing on behalf of my school on Friday, and the Public Health folks were saying that the virus can live on a surface from 2 to 8 hours. They seemed confident with that information. Someone mentioned the 9 day survivability, but they said no.

Carol

A new YMCA was built less than 5 minutes from my house so I was thrilled and joined. THEN.....

I was in the toilet and a woman walked out of the stall and didn't wash her hands. I yelled out "Please wash your hands" and she replied, "Please go f*** yourself"

I quit the Y right then and there and told them the reason! GROSS!!!!

Diane

Well, I don't have a lot of space for stockpiling, but I agree 100% that we can not depend on our government to have our best interests at heart. After all these years, I can't believe I never really learned this truth until the past couple of years. There has been talk of finding a cure or preventative vaccine that is affordable. Shocking. How about free and mandatory? Anyhoo, I concur that it is a good idea to have staples on hand for emergency situations. I can't say I'll load up on toilet paper and water, but I definitely intend to continue picking up extra and store what I can.

On another note, I can't believe how itchy my nose gets when I'm out and about and remembering not to touch my face! :eek:

Droplets - please, sneeze and cough into a tissue or sleeve. It drives me absolutely nuts when people cough into their hand!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: A lady at my WW meeting did that Saturday morning and got all huffy when I said something. I see medical personnel in doctor's offices coughing into their hands all the time.

I'm taking the precautions available to me. I was the first one at the office this morning and wiped every community surface with Clorox wipes, from door handles to everyone's telephone, keyboard and mouse, to the light switches, copier buttons, etc. I work in a place that is very public and also has many international visitors, so I am nervous, but my gut feeling tells me it is going to be alright. My employers loosened the calling out sick policy so that nobody will be penalized if they have to call out with any illness.

Good luck everyone. Be well.

I work in a public library. We are struggling to find hand sanitizer for our patrons. We have told staff to wash their hands frequently. But for the patrons the hand sanitizer is a must.

What I don't understand is the hoarders that are purchasing them for their homes. You just do not need that much hand sanitizer for your home. Keep your surfaces clean and wash your hands. I have seen folks at grocery stores walking out with cases of them.

But as a public building, I cannot find any. Very frustrating.

Mary

Johns Hopkins published a map of COVID-18 Global Cases.

As of right now, the amount who died from the virus is 3,892; survivors total 62,375. So I'm taking some comfort in that.

That said I'm a little dismayed to see the red bubble over the northeastern seaboard.

A co worker has been sick the past several days, coughing, sneezing, congested. They wouldn't let him call out sick so now he is possibly infecting all of us. I'm sure he just has a cold and not coronavirus, but still. People should be allowed to stay home when not feeling well.

Corornaviruses have been around in other forms before. My DS had the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, back in 2009 and was fine. I know this is a different form of coronavirus but the hysteria surrounding it is insane.

I agree Summer Breeze, I'm 99% sure I had H1N1 - never tested for it - but I had a terrible flu like illness right around the time of that outbreak. I was pretty sick for a week and a half - but, obviously, recovered. I know that those who are older, have a compromised immune system, etc. may not have done as well with that illness or any other virus. But, I feel we are spinning ourselves into hysteria over this.

I do think it is awful that people are penalized for taking sick time - that is true ALL the time, but especially now...

Donna

And then there are those who are laughing it all off and complaining that we're all going crazy over this virus. At least aroung here! (I live in Germany).
We have some non-perishables stocked up for just in case and I'm reminding my kids (teenagers...) to wash their hands when they get home. No hand sanitizer here since they're all under 50% alcohol and only claim to be antibacterial on the label. I have a bottle of spirits (97% alcohol) that I use to clean surfaces.

That's horrible! Don't they realize that everyone ends up losing if people go to work when they're sick?

I don't usually take time off work. You have to go to the doctor's office to get sick leave, potentially passing on whatever you have to everyone in the waiting room and picking up someone else's virus! I work outside, on my own. I do cancel my tutoring lessons when I'm sick.

Summer Breeze that's just ridiculous. Your employers will really love it when the whole place is sick including the bosses. :mad:

Nice! I am famously not a fan of gyms but my friend got me a pass to hers when I was visiting and the amount of sweat and other bodily fluids being flung around really grossed me out, and that was before I got to the bathroom.

I went looking for rubbing alcohol this weekend and everywhere was cleaned out, along with all the hand sanitizer. One grocery store was down to a single bottle of liquid hand soap and all the garbanzo beans, black beans and many of the cheaper brands of pasta and sauce were gone.

Between the real threat of earthquakes, fire and the power outages this past summer, I have several days worth of both drinking and washing water, food, light, indoor cooking supplies (don't use your propane camp stove inside!!), as well as a "bug out bag" in case my cat and I need to get out quick. I live in a small apartment so don't have a ton of storage space. Luckily I also work from home.

I stopped watching the news except for the weather and headlines because it was definitely making me more anxious, and sensational coverage, like live footage of the poor Grand Princess ship chugging around in circles off the coast, isn't useful information.

Great point that I didn't even think about!


The last job I had, the company not only didn't allow sick days, you were penalized with points for calling in sick. If you accrued three points without a doctor's note, it was grounds for a union meeting or even dismissal. Folks came in severely ill. Then everyone else would get it. Not everyone could afford a doctor's visit to get a note. It was really awful! (So much for unions protecting their members...) :(
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The news had an article about how folks were passing the time on the Grand Princess:

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/c...board/2325252/

"On the Grand Princess, Donna LaGesse and her sister-in-law Jackie Eilers had a small celebration in their cabin Saturday night after the captain announced the ship would soon dock. She said they're maintaining a positive attitude, watching exercise videos and re-runs of “The Love Boat."
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