Coronavirus prep
Replies
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but no one would ever say to a family member going through that loss "well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful. It's a mass trauma.19 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I hate that I'm becoming desensitized to numbers. Back when Italy recorded an all time high of 250 deaths in one day my heart was breaking for them, now people are becoming numbers. I think I may need to lay off checking daily stats for a while.
Perhaps becoming desensitized is required so the left brain can take over and figure a way out of this mess starting with the positive good this virus is bringing to the human race and to nature as a whole.
Since my left brain isn't working, what are your suggestions to get out of this mess, using the positive good you've seen?12 -
cmriverside wrote: »"well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful.
I'm so sorry, that's awful.. =/
I agree, if grief and condolences are not something you excel at, the best thing you can do is not say anything.
You know... sometimes I've had situations come up where I literally have no idea how to react with words, which really sucks if I'm alone, but if I cant think of what to say, I usually shoot for what the next most appropriate thing would be, in the case of loss, I would ask if i could give them a hug.
If I'm with others, i will allow someone else to say something and use that as a learning experience, because while i work in a place where loss of family is reality, I have honestly never lost anyone before. I had to learn my empathy of how it feels, and while i am sincere, I cant imagine I'm even close to how it truly feels. I know the sadness I feel thinking about what my life would be like once I lose everyone I'm close to but I cant compare it to the reality, but I do try my best to use what I feel and learn based on only outside experience to be there for people when they're struggling.10 -
moonangel12 wrote: »
Gardening and sewing for me as wel! I have logged more hours on my machine in the last couple weeks than in... well... I have no idea!L1zardQueen wrote: »@JustSomeEm
You can use discard starter in recipes.
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-crumpets-recipe
What recipe are you using for the starter? There lots of different ways to get one going.
Regarding what has been keeping me busy? Gardening and sewing.
I have been sewing face masks like mad but between sewing those I will be attempting to sew a swimsuit. I’ve lots of time on my hands. Lol
What have you been sewing?
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KrissCanDoThis wrote: »cmriverside wrote: »"well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful.
I'm so sorry, that's awful.. =/
I agree, if grief and condolences are not something you excel at, the best thing you can do is not say anything.
You know... sometimes I've had situations come up where I literally have no idea how to react with words, which really sucks if I'm alone, but if I cant think of what to say, I usually shoot for what the next most appropriate thing would be, in the case of loss, I would ask if i could give them a hug.
If I'm with others, i will allow someone else to say something and use that as a learning experience, because while i work in a place where loss of family is reality, I have honestly never lost anyone before. I had to learn my empathy of how it feels, and while i am sincere, I cant imagine I'm even close to how it truly feels. I know the sadness I feel thinking about what my life would be like once I lose everyone I'm close to but I cant compare it to the reality, but I do try my best to use what I feel and learn based on only outside experience to be there for people when they're struggling.
My mother was a registered nurse and worked the night shift for many years. Sometimes she'd arrive home in the morning and say that someone had died. I was a kid and looked at her horrified, and asked if she was afraid to be alone in a room when someone died. I'll never forget her response "No, I consider it a privilege to be there at that time and comfort the family as best I can".18 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »moonangel12 wrote: »
Gardening and sewing for me as wel! I have logged more hours on my machine in the last couple weeks than in... well... I have no idea!L1zardQueen wrote: »@JustSomeEm
You can use discard starter in recipes.
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-crumpets-recipe
What recipe are you using for the starter? There lots of different ways to get one going.
Regarding what has been keeping me busy? Gardening and sewing.
I have been sewing face masks like mad but between sewing those I will be attempting to sew a swimsuit. I’ve lots of time on my hands. Lol
What have you been sewing?
I made several face masks, some for my local humane society. They donated their surgical masks to the hospital and asked for reusable fabric ones, which are sufficient for preventing human cooties getting into animals when doing surgeries. I also made a couple for myself and a friend.
I also made a dozen soup bowl cozies to donate to a kitten rescue for their ongoing fundraising efforts. A friend gave me one at Christmas and it is so handy I plan to make another for myself. I also am planning to make wedge shaped placemats for my round table. All the ones I see online are PVC and I want fabric.
The cozies:
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snowflake954 wrote: »KrissCanDoThis wrote: »cmriverside wrote: »"well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful.
I'm so sorry, that's awful.. =/
I agree, if grief and condolences are not something you excel at, the best thing you can do is not say anything.
You know... sometimes I've had situations come up where I literally have no idea how to react with words, which really sucks if I'm alone, but if I cant think of what to say, I usually shoot for what the next most appropriate thing would be, in the case of loss, I would ask if i could give them a hug.
If I'm with others, i will allow someone else to say something and use that as a learning experience, because while i work in a place where loss of family is reality, I have honestly never lost anyone before. I had to learn my empathy of how it feels, and while i am sincere, I cant imagine I'm even close to how it truly feels. I know the sadness I feel thinking about what my life would be like once I lose everyone I'm close to but I cant compare it to the reality, but I do try my best to use what I feel and learn based on only outside experience to be there for people when they're struggling.
My mother was a registered nurse and worked the night shift for many years. Sometimes she'd arrive home in the morning and say that someone had died. I was a kid and looked at her horrified, and asked if she was afraid to be alone in a room when someone died. I'll never forget her response "No, I consider it a privilege to be there at that time and comfort the family as best I can".
I have unfortunately missed deaths of residents who I grew close to. I remember one person I used to visit quite frequently when I would work and I'd stay and chat with her for a while, i remember as time went on, she became less and less interested in coming out for meals, I brought her in some home made turkey soup, and she told me that she was just so tired of living and that she was ready to go, that was truly one of those moments where I didnt know what to say because here is a person whose life has meaning and value and who I enjoyed visiting and getting to know, who has friends and family who would miss her... but also, who was i to dismiss how she felt and not also be fully present for her desires, despite what it truly was?
I wanted to tell her she was just being silly and that shes going to be here for a long time. But while that sentiment would show her I cared for her, it also would of made her feel lonely in her own feelings inside.
I put my hand in her hand and I said to her "well.. I want you to know that I have loved every minute we have spent getting to know each other and getting to serve you meals, and I will continue to do that no matter how much time that is"
She smiled and said thank you and said it was a pleasure to have someone like me. She passed away not soon after on my weekend off.
I walked out of that room tho, unsure if what I said was the right thing to say. It was an experience to learn from.28 -
What you said was perfect8
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I hate that I'm becoming desensitized to numbers. Back when Italy recorded an all time high of 250 deaths in one day my heart was breaking for them, now people are becoming numbers. I think I may need to lay off checking daily stats for a while.
To make my post clearer, I'm not desensitized to the struggles of people or the stories I hear. It's the numbers. What triggered my previous post was looking at yesterday's numbers this morning like I always do, seeing how Belgium recorded 283 deaths yesterday and thinking "that's not too bad". First time Italy broke 200 I felt differently. Numbers breaking thousands now are making me look at people as numbers and compare them like numbers. I don't like that.14 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I hate that I'm becoming desensitized to numbers. Back when Italy recorded an all time high of 250 deaths in one day my heart was breaking for them, now people are becoming numbers. I think I may need to lay off checking daily stats for a while.
To make my post clearer, I'm not desensitized to the struggles of people or the stories I hear. It's the numbers. What triggered my previous post was looking at yesterday's numbers this morning like I always do, seeing how Belgium recorded 283 deaths yesterday and thinking "that's not too bad". First time Italy broke 200 I felt differently. Numbers breaking thousands now are making me look at people as numbers and compare them like numbers. I don't like that.
Oh we knew what you meant.. lol its gale who seems to have lost touch7 -
I was just reading in the news that one of the facilities that is owned by the company I work for had to evacuate a second floor in order to quarantine residents who have tested positive, they weren't expecting it to spread the way it has with how strict everything is and only had 20 beds, now they need 38..
I really hope it doesnt make it to my building because the one that has it right now... it's basically a high rise style building with many many floors..
Ours is 2 floors =/2 -
snowflake954 wrote: »KrissCanDoThis wrote: »cmriverside wrote: »"well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful.
I'm so sorry, that's awful.. =/
I agree, if grief and condolences are not something you excel at, the best thing you can do is not say anything.
You know... sometimes I've had situations come up where I literally have no idea how to react with words, which really sucks if I'm alone, but if I cant think of what to say, I usually shoot for what the next most appropriate thing would be, in the case of loss, I would ask if i could give them a hug.
If I'm with others, i will allow someone else to say something and use that as a learning experience, because while i work in a place where loss of family is reality, I have honestly never lost anyone before. I had to learn my empathy of how it feels, and while i am sincere, I cant imagine I'm even close to how it truly feels. I know the sadness I feel thinking about what my life would be like once I lose everyone I'm close to but I cant compare it to the reality, but I do try my best to use what I feel and learn based on only outside experience to be there for people when they're struggling.
My mother was a registered nurse and worked the night shift for many years. Sometimes she'd arrive home in the morning and say that someone had died. I was a kid and looked at her horrified, and asked if she was afraid to be alone in a room when someone died. I'll never forget her response "No, I consider it a privilege to be there at that time and comfort the family as best I can".
This is how I feel about it too. When I've had someone pass (patient, not family), I do have a ritual when I get home to help with it. I will light a candle and spend a few moments thinking about that person and to thank them for the opportunity to care for them in those final days/hours and to wish them peace.19 -
JustSomeEm wrote: »Just got back from Walmart. Got there right as it was opening and managed to snag some TP! Woot! There wasn't much on the shelf, so I'm sure it is already gone by now. They also had Easter candy at half off... I brought way nore home than I should have. I probably should have eaten before I headed out htis morning. During all this 'stay at home' stuff, I've been trying to create sourdough starter, which is taking a LOT of flour. Part of the process is feeding the starter twice a day for a short time to get it going, so I needed to pick up some flour too. There wasn't very much of it, and I felt a bit wasteful buying it to feed to a starter that I'm having trouble getting to do much. I'm strongly considering stopping this little experiment until things are more normal, which makes me a little sad, since I have so much extra time now and likely won't later.
What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I'm so glad I jumped on the gardening bandwagon (I was already planning to garden and did last year, but am getting more elaborate this year) instead of the sourdough one. I don't think I have the patience for sourdough. I've always meant to try making kombucha and yogurt and kimchi, so those are on my list of possible projects, however.
Sounds like you are full up! For myself, in addition to work and exercise and obsessing about my garden, I've also decided to experiment with the kitchen appliances I rarely use, and am taking an online German class, and just started trying to figure out a family history project to work on. (I actually started this by thinking it would be fun to see the effect of the 1918 flu on my family, but it seems like none of my ancestors, siblings, children, etc. died from it.) I also have plenty to do to just finish organizing a few closets and getting rid of stuff -- back to the "does it spark joy" thing ;-) -- even if the actual getting rid of will have to wait in some cases.3 -
My husband managed to find a 16 pack of TP at Staples yesterday. Finally! Now we're set for another month. I purchased some masks at a Sewing and Alterations shop in town. I find it hard to breathe through the fabric, which probably means it's a good dense weave. I hate wearing it, but will when I need to.
One of the issues people had with the Michigan Governor, as I understand it, is that she made purchasing seeds and plants illegal. I understand the problem of trying to keep people from going out shopping, but now is the time to plant seeds for gardens. Some things can't wait until July. Hiring someone to mow your lawn was also forbidden, which hurts people who can't do it themselves.7 -
There is some work being done outside my house. I think it's part of the ongoing city project to replace aging water mains and sewer lines, so good that it's being done, but it's loud (off and on). Under normal circumstances, of course, I would be at work and not able to hear it.
I realize this is a very minor complaint.4 -
cmriverside wrote: »but no one would ever say to a family member going through that loss "well at least they passed fast and didnt suffer, how long before the room is empty? We need to have it cleaned for the next resident to live in it"
...and yet, people can be so cruel.
I've had the misfortune to lose all my family members, one by one.
The things people say just defy explanation.
If you don't know what to say, say nothing.
...and yeah, this virus is Nature's way. Doesn't mean it isn't horribly painful. It's a mass trauma.
A little over a year ago, I lost my 35 year old daughter to metastatic breast cancer. The whole watching her decline and die experience was, quite honestly, horrifying and traumatic. I couldn't agree more with your statement bolded above. Some of the things that people said during her battle with the disease and after losing her defy any rational explanation.25 -
In case anyone needs a feel-good story today:
A 99-year-old war veteran has walked 100 laps of his garden to raise £14m and counting for the NHS.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-52303859
I'm not crying, you're crying! Ok, maybe a little...22 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »@JustSomeEm
You can use discard starter in recipes.
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-crumpets-recipe
What recipe are you using for the starter? There lots of different ways to get one going.
Regarding what has been keeping me busy? Gardening and sewing.
THANK YOU for the recipe. I'll try those the next time I feed the starter. With two teenage boys in the house, they won't go to waste. I tried to make focaccia bread with some of the discard, but it turned out super-terrible and its made me leary of trying again.JustSomeEm wrote: » What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I am also working from home for 8 hours a day. If I have the energy I am cooking, but my depression has been making it hard. I also finally have picked up writing again and am working on the trilogy I started so long ago. It's a good outlet and something I enjoy doing which I really need right now.
Writing is a fantastic outlet.
The sudden changes and weirdness has thrown us all for a loop. Sending hugs to you @AthijadeJustSomeEm wrote: »Just got back from Walmart. Got there right as it was opening and managed to snag some TP! Woot! There wasn't much on the shelf, so I'm sure it is already gone by now. They also had Easter candy at half off... I brought way nore home than I should have. I probably should have eaten before I headed out htis morning. During all this 'stay at home' stuff, I've been trying to create sourdough starter, which is taking a LOT of flour. Part of the process is feeding the starter twice a day for a short time to get it going, so I needed to pick up some flour too. There wasn't very much of it, and I felt a bit wasteful buying it to feed to a starter that I'm having trouble getting to do much. I'm strongly considering stopping this little experiment until things are more normal, which makes me a little sad, since I have so much extra time now and likely won't later. What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I'm so glad I jumped on the gardening bandwagon (I was already planning to garden and did last year, but am getting more elaborate this year) instead of the sourdough one. I don't think I have the patience for sourdough. I've always meant to try making kombucha and yogurt and kimchi, so those are on my list of possible projects, however.
Sounds like you are full up! For myself, in addition to work and exercise and obsessing about my garden, I've also decided to experiment with the kitchen appliances I rarely use, and am taking an online German class, and just started trying to figure out a family history project to work on. (I actually started this by thinking it would be fun to see the effect of the 1918 flu on my family, but it seems like none of my ancestors, siblings, children, etc. died from it.) I also have plenty to do to just finish organizing a few closets and getting rid of stuff -- back to the "does it spark joy" thing ;-) -- even if the actual getting rid of will have to wait in some cases.
Funny that you mention yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi. I made yogurt yesterday, hubby started a batch of kimchi, and he has a batch of kombucha down there somewhere too.
I also have a container garden I started last month, so we'll hopefully be able to make small salads in a few weeks? I like to make fun of my husband always having projects, but I think I've realized that I'm nearly as bad about it as he is...
Also - Good suggestion about going through and getting rid of things. I tend to let things stick around way longer than I should... So that is going on my to-do list. 4 -
New Mexico hospitals expected to hit full capacity this week or next with peak coming in May. That sounds pretty bad, but all in all we have fared better than most states in regards to per capita infections and deaths do in large part to early response and a high level of testing and surveillance per capita of our population.
Our governor was called by the White House yesterday to see if the state would be interested in being a pilot program for more vigorous testing and surveillance for when we start opening the country back up. Given that we have two of the largest laboratories in the world in our state, Los Alamos National Lab and Sandia National Lab, we have a lot of capacity to substantially expand testing.10 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Before things re-open, we need testing. I recall there was a big announcement made weeks ago about a test that can be done with results in 5 min. Where are these tests available? If it is that quick, perhaps they should be available in mass. Instead, places are still checking for fevers, which allows asymptomatic carriers to unknowingly spread it.
That was from two companies, one of which I know is Abbott Labs. There's another one too. The issues are that they also need a cartridge for them that also has to be manufactured. The machines are complex to make and the cartridges were slow to roll out. Only reason I know all this is I've been daytrading more since recruiting is more or less shut down for a while, though I'm doing some work for tech startups.
Their ability to produce the cartridges fast enough has been an issue. Another issue has been the feds laying off responsibility on the states and not taking the lead. That is certainly slowing things down. You have to have a federal response. I think, out of fairness, that the Feds have been more concentrated on PPEs and ventilators (and the economy) -- you have multiple disasters that need addressed all at once -- but their attention is being moved to this now.MikePfirrman wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Before things re-open, we need testing. I recall there was a big announcement made weeks ago about a test that can be done with results in 5 min. Where are these tests available? If it is that quick, perhaps they should be available in mass. Instead, places are still checking for fevers, which allows asymptomatic carriers to unknowingly spread it.
I work in a hospital laboratory. I’ve used these machines before, for regular Flu A/B and Strep A testing.
The Covid-19 cartridges are new, obviously, but the test is run exactly the same as the others that can be run on this platform.
The 5-min time is for a swab that is positive, otherwise it takes 3 minutes warm-up time, 30-second inoculation time, and 10 run time. So a total of 13.5 minutes for a negative result. This does not include specimen receiving time.
Also, we only have one analyzer. So, if we get 3 specimens at the same time, 2 of them have to wait.1 -
snickerscharlie wrote: »JustSomeEm wrote: » What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I am also working from home for 8 hours a day. If I have the energy I am cooking, but my depression has been making it hard. I also finally have picked up writing again and am working on the trilogy I started so long ago. It's a good outlet and something I enjoy doing which I really need right now.
For lots of people, just getting through the day is an accomplishment in itself especially if depression and anxiety are factors. No one should be made to feel like they've 'wasted' their time or feel diminished or unaccomplished if they haven't freaking cured cancer during their downtime.
People have enough to worry about right now.
You know, I've been thinking about this today and this situation is hard on everyone--the uncertainty especially. I think that if you suffer from depression just getting through the day is a victory. Take everyday one by one and just get through, if that's all you can do. There are no rules here, nothing that you have to accomplish in this time. It might be nice to experiment and see what distracts you, or amuses you. Try something new everyday. Don't worry about people that are cleaning their house, planting their garden, reading 30 books, painting their spare room,.....I think you get the idea. Wishing you all luck in these trying times, and it's nice to hear all your stories and worries and tips on getting through.8 -
For real. The two weeks I was furloughed, I considered a day I put on real pants a success. I puttered around the house, did a little yard work and a little baking. I also re-watched all 3 LOTR extended version and 4 seasons of Great British Baking Show on Netflix and did not organize my closet like I intended.snickerscharlie wrote: »JustSomeEm wrote: » What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I am also working from home for 8 hours a day. If I have the energy I am cooking, but my depression has been making it hard. I also finally have picked up writing again and am working on the trilogy I started so long ago. It's a good outlet and something I enjoy doing which I really need right now.
For lots of people, just getting through the day is an accomplishment in itself especially if depression and anxiety are factors. No one should be made to feel like they've 'wasted' their time or feel diminished or unaccomplished if they haven't freaking cured cancer during their downtime.
People have enough to worry about right now.
Getting up and doing things is generally helpful for mild depression, but ignore everyone saying we need to be journaling and learning a new language and making gourmet meals to enjoy alone right now!
"The Taneytown Police Department in Maryland shared this ominous message on social media: Please remember to put pants on before leaving the house to check your mailbox. You know who you are." 😂
I'm going through similar issues with establishing a lockdown routine, and I heartily agree with your advice. My biggest accomplishment to date is pushing myself out the door for a walk every day and I'm happy with that for the moment. 😊10 -
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For real. The two weeks I was furloughed, I considered a day I put on real pants a success. I puttered around the house, did a little yard work and a little baking. I also re-watched all 3 LOTR extended version and 4 seasons of Great British Baking Show on Netflix and did not organize my closet like I intended.snickerscharlie wrote: »JustSomeEm wrote: » What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I am also working from home for 8 hours a day. If I have the energy I am cooking, but my depression has been making it hard. I also finally have picked up writing again and am working on the trilogy I started so long ago. It's a good outlet and something I enjoy doing which I really need right now.
For lots of people, just getting through the day is an accomplishment in itself especially if depression and anxiety are factors. No one should be made to feel like they've 'wasted' their time or feel diminished or unaccomplished if they haven't freaking cured cancer during their downtime.
People have enough to worry about right now.
Getting up and doing things is generally helpful for mild depression, but ignore everyone saying we need to be journaling and learning a new language and making gourmet meals to enjoy alone right now!
"The Taneytown Police Department in Maryland shared this ominous message on social media: Please remember to put pants on before leaving the house to check your mailbox. You know who you are." 😂
I'm going through similar issues with establishing a lockdown routine, and I heartily agree with your advice. My biggest accomplishment to date is pushing myself out the door for a walk every day and I'm happy with that for the moment. 😊
:laugh:2 -
spiriteagle99 wrote: »(snip)
One of the issues people had with the Michigan Governor, as I understand it, is that she made purchasing seeds and plants illegal. I understand the problem of trying to keep people from going out shopping, but now is the time to plant seeds for gardens. Some things can't wait until July. Hiring someone to mow your lawn was also forbidden, which hurts people who can't do it themselves.
Two things:
1. In my understanding (sitting in Michigan, and having actually read the executive orders as well as some analysis, I believe this not to be strictly true. Big box "department" stores, ones that sell a diversity of things including a range of essential ones (groceries, hardware) have been ordered to close access to areas selling certain products (including plants/seeds). This was in response to problems with what amount to recreational shoppers wandering the stores and looking at, maybe buying, all kinds of nonessential items, increasing human contact in various ways by doing so.
Plants and seeds are still available by mail, and in my understanding in some cases from smaller retailers (so far) who are required limit traffic in a different way based on floor space and concurrent customer counts. (I have friends who have bought seeds very recently in these circumstances locally).
2. In most of Michigan, it is not the time of year to plant gardens, in the way that the average person does it. Most people wait to plant until at least the average last frost date, and very many traditionally wait until Memorial Day weekend. Some do start plants indoors, but it's far less common, and some of those who do, are seed-savers.
(I'm in the central mid-Southern part of the state, near Lansing, one of the warmer zones, but not the warmest anywhere statewide. Our average last frost day (50% probability) is somewhere in the May 4-10 range. There are certain things that dedicated gardeners (a minority) would normally plant out now, such as peas and greens. Most casual home gardeners simply don't bother doing that. I know many such gardeners, and used to garden here myself for over a decade, at different times on either the casual or dedicated end of the scale. Some true plant nerds may be troubled, but frankly quite a few of them order seeds by mail from specialty sources anyway, vs. picking them up at Home Depot or Meijer, which tend to specialize in crappy but inexpensive seeds not tailored to our climate.)
Once you filter out the seed savers, and the folks who would've used specialty mail-order sources, the number of people who'd genuinely plant this early is fairly small. I grant that this population is probably larger out-state (such as the farther North, where partial-subsistence gardens are more common), and Covid cases are also less numerous, so a sense of aggrievement in those areas may be more understandable. Those folks may also be more reliant on big-box stores as a source.
Things are difficult and controversial here, and certain people/groups are using partial truths, sometimes even falsehoods, to paint a picture. It's good to be careful. Some people ignore authoritative sources of information, and rely on biased ones. Some people have poor reading comprehension (current interpretation of the executive orders as I understand them requires understanding how major points in an outline-style presentation relate to minor sub-points below them, and perhaps even to how one date's order modifies an earlier one.)
I'm not even 100% confident of my interpretation of the current executive orders, but certain retailers are behaving in line with what I wrote above, and as of when I last looked (couple of days ago) there had been no countering clarification to the executive orders. That may change.16 -
Krisscandothis.....I just want to make the comment here that you seem like such a kind and compassionate person, working from your heart. And if I remember correctly, did I read that you didn't go past 9th grade? You're also one of the most eloquently-spoken people here.
It just proves that a college education does not define intelligence. You are, my dear, highly educated in real life. 12 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »JRsLateInLifeMom wrote: »No mandatory masks here in Texas. Heard USA president talking about opening the country back up soon.Will see who he opens up or not - plus how it goes. I’m still waiting to see our jump in cases from Easter parties. Good news is after that cops are getting like only 40calls a day now so way less work for them so they can concentrate on more important stuff like assisting Medical facilities to food drives ect
Still not sure how he can open a state up if the gov or mayor says no. Federalism, it's real.
Exactly. It has been governors and mayors and county executives who have closed schools and businesses and issued limits on how many people can congregate together. I don't understand why anyone would think that decisions on when to rescind all those order won't be made by the same governors and mayors and county executives.
However, I'd expect that if there's a national "open it up" order or recommendation, even purely symbolic, it will significantly fuel the inclination for more localized protests like the one in Michigan yesterday . . . and perhaps even open rebellion against the state/local orders, as a matter of civil disobedience.
Based on what I've seen so far about yesterday's Michigan protest (still incomplete info/analysis, so I'm still monitoring), the alignment of the protestors in an overall political sense seems to be toward the national government, against the state government, which seems to me to increase likelihood of defiance of state orders if they conflict with even symbolic national recommendations. (There appears to have been a good bit of MAGA or "Impeach Whitmer" verbiage in protest signs, and sentiment among protest supporters interviewed by radio/TV, or whom I've seen Facebook and the like.)
Once again, I'm trying very hard not to express a political opinion about which side of this is more justified or correct. I definitely have such an opinion, even though I'm trying my best to evaluate new information even-handedly as it comes out. But I'm trying to keep my posts focused on facts, as best I can with my limited understanding and information sources.8 -
JustSomeEm wrote: »L1zardQueen wrote: »@JustSomeEm
You can use discard starter in recipes.
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/sourdough-crumpets-recipe
What recipe are you using for the starter? There lots of different ways to get one going.
Regarding what has been keeping me busy? Gardening and sewing.
THANK YOU for the recipe. I'll try those the next time I feed the starter. With two teenage boys in the house, they won't go to waste. I tried to make focaccia bread with some of the discard, but it turned out super-terrible and its made me leary of trying again.JustSomeEm wrote: » What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I am also working from home for 8 hours a day. If I have the energy I am cooking, but my depression has been making it hard. I also finally have picked up writing again and am working on the trilogy I started so long ago. It's a good outlet and something I enjoy doing which I really need right now.
Writing is a fantastic outlet. The sudden changes and weirdness has thrown us all for a loop. Sending hugs to you @AthijadeJustSomeEm wrote: »Just got back from Walmart. Got there right as it was opening and managed to snag some TP! Woot! There wasn't much on the shelf, so I'm sure it is already gone by now. They also had Easter candy at half off... I brought way nore home than I should have. I probably should have eaten before I headed out htis morning. During all this 'stay at home' stuff, I've been trying to create sourdough starter, which is taking a LOT of flour. Part of the process is feeding the starter twice a day for a short time to get it going, so I needed to pick up some flour too. There wasn't very much of it, and I felt a bit wasteful buying it to feed to a starter that I'm having trouble getting to do much. I'm strongly considering stopping this little experiment until things are more normal, which makes me a little sad, since I have so much extra time now and likely won't later. What are y'all doing to pass the time? I have work for 8 hours each day, exercise, cooking and I'm working on a Masters Degree, so homework. But other ideas are always welcome.
I'm so glad I jumped on the gardening bandwagon (I was already planning to garden and did last year, but am getting more elaborate this year) instead of the sourdough one. I don't think I have the patience for sourdough. I've always meant to try making kombucha and yogurt and kimchi, so those are on my list of possible projects, however.
Sounds like you are full up! For myself, in addition to work and exercise and obsessing about my garden, I've also decided to experiment with the kitchen appliances I rarely use, and am taking an online German class, and just started trying to figure out a family history project to work on. (I actually started this by thinking it would be fun to see the effect of the 1918 flu on my family, but it seems like none of my ancestors, siblings, children, etc. died from it.) I also have plenty to do to just finish organizing a few closets and getting rid of stuff -- back to the "does it spark joy" thing ;-) -- even if the actual getting rid of will have to wait in some cases.
Funny that you mention yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi. I made yogurt yesterday, hubby started a batch of kimchi, and he has a batch of kombucha down there somewhere too.
I just ordered a big how-to fermentation book that I've had my eye on for a while. I figure this is a good time to start something I've been curious about for years.6 -
Krisscandothis.....I just want to make the comment here that you seem like such a kind and compassionate person, working from your heart. And if I remember correctly, did I read that you didn't go past 9th grade? You're also one of the most eloquently-spoken people here. It just proves that a college education does not define intelligence. You are, my dear, highly educated in real life.
That's so sweet, thank you so much ♡7 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »I hate that I'm becoming desensitized to numbers. Back when Italy recorded an all time high of 250 deaths in one day my heart was breaking for them, now people are becoming numbers. I think I may need to lay off checking daily stats for a while.
To make my post clearer, I'm not desensitized to the struggles of people or the stories I hear. It's the numbers. What triggered my previous post was looking at yesterday's numbers this morning like I always do, seeing how Belgium recorded 283 deaths yesterday and thinking "that's not too bad". First time Italy broke 200 I felt differently. Numbers breaking thousands now are making me look at people as numbers and compare them like numbers. I don't like that.
You are expecting too much of yourself. It is a practical necessity that they are, in fact, just numbers. Otherwise you would be grieving all the time and not just because of CV19 but because someone dies in the world every second of the day. The people that died of something that was not newsworthy are not even on the general public's radar. They are even more of a number.
CV19 is a new reminder that life is transitory. It might temporarily connect a person to total strangers but how could that last?
I am still grieving the loss of a family member (heart attack) but I do not expect total strangers to also grieve. I am sure anyone that hears about it cares on the surface but it doesn't result in real grief. That is normally saved for their own circle of friends, people they know, and family.
So far CV19 has barely touched my area but not too far from me a tornado has killed and destroyed homes and businesses. That seems like a more appropriate place to invest my energy, time, and money. These are also people who have experienced loss and many of them struggling. The difference is I can do more for them.
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