Coronavirus prep

11112141617498

Replies

  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    just_Tomek wrote: »
    just_Tomek wrote: »
    I have a 2 week trip planned for Morocco that starts on March 16. If the WHO does not declare this a pandemic, which most likely will affect all travel, I am set on going. Be smart, take precautions and live. If it gets you it gets you. Its not like you can see this coming.

    My sister is in Morrocco right now. They didn't have any confirmed cases, to my knowledge, a week ago. It will probably be fine as long as you take proper precautions at the airport and plane.

    1 today. So it started.

    Honestly, I think you’re more at risk of not being allowed back in country after your trip than you are of getting the virus.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    try2again wrote: »
    I currently have 4 children knocked out with flu like symptoms... it’s been days of high fevers, crazy coughing, etc. I “joke” that it could be coronavirus, but we’ll never know since they can’t test for it yet! (Although I am seeing headlines that tests are making their way around). We are on the outskirts of DC, a “bedroom community” for people that work in the city, so lots of potential to bring it in. Haven’t been to the doctor, we homeschool so no need to expose them to anything else if the symptoms are treatable at home (we have been often enough to have the needed meds for her croup) so not 100% sure what it is.

    Wednesday is when it started, I thought my daughter was reacting to some bags of soil I bought - her cough started within minutes of being in the car with them. Super sensitive lungs, at age 8 she gets croup that shuts down her airways with any airborne irritant (no longer able to even swim in indoor chlorine pools). I went to buy a mask for her since we still had 45 minutes in the car to get home and found the supply wiped out... at multiple stores. Didn’t know what was going on, until the guy at the hardware store told me why the shelves were cleared.

    We would be ones that would need to stock up on water, our well water is awful to try and drink... something I took for granted when we lived in NC with well water so good we could bottle and sell it.

    They CAN test for it, the test gets sent to CDC in Atlanta. Those symptoms sound the same as COVID 19 symptoms are...I do hope they are okay. The cough and fever are the main thing, and having trouble breathing.

    In the Seattle area (according to the press conference today) the government labs are up to 200 tests per day, University of WA just today came online to do 200 more, they hope to gear up to a total of 2000 tests daily between the two labs within a couple days. Turnaround time on the test appears to be about one day.

    If you want you can go to KOMO News and watch the King County news conference.

    We're up to six deaths now. :(

    I saw someone post in another forum that the test is not cheap- like in the area of $2-3000. Anyone know about this? If true, I don't think I'd seek testing for myself or a family member unless they were high-risk. :/

    Edited to add: Just happened to see this as well- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/02/811314938/coronavirus-testing-what-to-know-as-it-becomes-available-across-the-u-s

    Since there's no cure, just treatment of whatever symptoms you have, which are evident without a test, I don't see any point for individuals to seek tests. If it's a test being done for public health purposes, that's a "common good" issue and should be paid for out of the public health budget.

    There was a case of a man who felt he owed it to his community to get tested, so he went to his local hospital and explained why he was there. The CDC processes the test for free. But the hospital put him in a quarantine room, had personel wear those full white suits, disinfected the room, did a flu test, a CT scan, etc plus charges I'm sure for every doctor that peeked into the room after getting suited up. They submitted a claim to his insurance for $3,200. So the test is free, but the place you go to get tested will find a way to make it expensive.

    So I'd say if someone feels like the responsible thing to do is get tested so the virus can be tracked, I'd contact your local health dept first and see if they can hook you up with a cheap way to get the test.

    There was the story of the man and his young daughter who were quarantined (in part at a hospital) after being brought back from China and then billed for it. After public outrage, the hospital said it was a mistake. :angry:
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Does anyone know if this is thought to be seasonal like the flu, and also, whether or not you can get it more than once? I’m not even sure scientists know yet?

    Apparently we don't know yet.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Psychgrrl wrote: »
    just_Tomek wrote: »
    just_Tomek wrote: »
    I have a 2 week trip planned for Morocco that starts on March 16. If the WHO does not declare this a pandemic, which most likely will affect all travel, I am set on going. Be smart, take precautions and live. If it gets you it gets you. Its not like you can see this coming.

    My sister is in Morrocco right now. They didn't have any confirmed cases, to my knowledge, a week ago. It will probably be fine as long as you take proper precautions at the airport and plane.

    1 today. So it started.

    Honestly, I think you’re more at risk of not being allowed back in country after your trip than you are of getting the virus.

    I doubt that will happen because Morrocco is "low risk" for now, but yes. Here they deny entry to all non-citizens arriving from high risk countries and quarantine all citizens arriving from high risk countries for 2 weeks.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    It turns out not to matter what I would mix alcohol with to make hand sanitizer as the entire city is sold out of alcohol now thanks to the Internet explaining how to use it to make hand sanitizer. There are also no cleaning products, wipes, or anything like that.

    I suppose I could look into buying Everclear but since I still have a decent supply of dish soap I am just going to wash my hands a lot. I also read that this particular virus is very susceptible to soap, since detergents cause the outer layer of the virus to burst and kill it. So in a pinch I guess you could make soapy water in an old squirt bottle and use it like hand sanitizer.

    What I have heard, from a reliable source, is that if it is 60%+ alcohol, it kills viruses with a lipid envelope (like Covid-19).
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    At this stage, I'm assuming I'll get it. Business Insider, hardly a left wing publication, had an algorythm out that said the best case scenario is 15M dead, 3 Trillion something economic impact.

    All you can do is be the healthiest you can be, eat a bit healthier. Some things that might or might not help I've stocked up on. Mushroom derivatives, coconut derivatives (both have shown some success in helping lessen general virus replication, very unclear if they will help with this, but hey, it won't hurt either), Manuka Honey, Tea Tree Oil and a few other respiratory supplements that I personally like. Amla is an Indian Berry that has helped some with asthma and respiratory conditions. Indian Gooseberry it's also referred to as. Amla is a very powerful antioxidant, one of the strongest. Also, of course, some Elderberry.

    Not sure if any of this will really help but it won't hurt and most are cheap.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    bearly63 wrote:
    Not to do with preparation so much as what it feels like to have the Covid 19 virus.

    Today on NPR they interviewed a man that got it from the last cruise ship nightmare. He has been in quaratine in Omaha I think for like 19 days. He still has not had 3 days of clean throat/nostril swabs - showing zero virus - which is required to leave quarantine. He explained that for him, his symptoms were nothing like the typical influenza. No sniffles, nose blowing, body aches. It was more the onset of the fever and then a dry cough. Felt not great for a few days but then felt fine. They let him have an exercise bike so he could keep moving. It sounds like it just hangs around even after you feel ok. Maybe thats why they recommend 14 days. I guess if you don't get tested, you really won't know what you have. I remember my one bout with flu and it felt like I had lost a boxing match - my body ached for a week. It hurt to lay in bed.[


    I wish I could get my mother and sister to understand this - they think if they have a fairly bad head cold, then they must have had the flu, even though they are only a little tired and achy and only slightly feverish and still able to get up and be about and do things. I've told my mother time and again that what she's got is not the flu - if she can get up and go to work (she's a janitor) and still do chores around the house, then it's only a cold; if she had the real flu, it would knock her on her behind for a week.

    Yeah, people throw "flu" around, but I've had it once and it isn't something you forget. It's seriously unpleasant and it wasn't something I could just power through.
  • bearly63
    bearly63 Posts: 734 Member
    @bmeadows380

    My daughter was talking to a doctor friend in our town and the doctor told her that she thinks (her opinion only) that it has been circulating for a while here. They have seen very similar symptoms. Wouldn't surprise me with our global economy.
  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    I picked a terrible week to seriously reduce caffeine. I've been so tired in the afternoon and I know it's the caffeine, but I can't resist the temptation to take my temperature as well. I'm usually not even paranoid about illness!

    I think it is healthy to have some caution and concern about it. I seriously can't be bothered, I feel like I'm pretending I'm invincible right now. I think it's easier because I work from home most days and don't interact with the general public often.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I picked a terrible week to seriously reduce caffeine. I've been so tired in the afternoon and I know it's the caffeine, but I can't resist the temptation to take my temperature as well. I'm usually not even paranoid about illness!

    I think it is healthy to have some caution and concern about it. I seriously can't be bothered, I feel like I'm pretending I'm invincible right now. I think it's easier because I work from home most days and don't interact with the general public often.

    Yes, I'm prone to anxiety and intrusive thoughts, but this just feels sensible. I just take my temperature once in the afternoon and then I'm able to let go of the worry, so it doesn't feel maladjusted.
  • bmeadows380
    bmeadows380 Posts: 2,981 Member
    bearly63 wrote:
    My daughter was talking to a doctor friend in our town and the doctor told her that she thinks (her opinion only) that it has been circulating for a while here. They have seen very similar symptoms. Wouldn't surprise me with our global economy.

    @bearly63

    that wouldn't surprise me. Since the milder version looks similar to other illnesses and there wasn't an active test for it or even a realization they needed to be testing for it, it does make you wonder how prevalent it actually is in our country.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    I'm willing to hop on board the "This is how the zombie apocalypse starts" conspiracy train, but I'm kicking myself for slacking on my workouts the last few months now.

    You have a couple weeks to work on cardio in order to evade the corona-zombie hordes.

    Remember to buy supportive running shoes, warm up and cool down properly!
  • JennJ323
    JennJ323 Posts: 646 Member
    I saw a lady and man stocking up like crazy on canned goods when I was at the store this past weekend. Not sure if it was for coronavirus. Knock on wood, but so far Michigan hasn't had any confirmed cases yet, so nobody has been emptying out shelves. I'm pretty bad, I don't really prepare well because Northern Michigan so rarely has events that cause people to empty shelves. Knock on wood.

    I'm still waiting to see if the music group I'm seeing in Texas in late April is going to cancel their concert because of it. They've just left Korea and are in Europe for the first leg of the tour. Most of the fans are worried most for the Paris concert, since the outbreak is much worse there. Who knows what it'll be like when April rolls around though.

    I work for a company involved with live touring, we're seeing tons of concert & festival cancellations :(
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    There's been a run on hand gel but the news said you can make your own with some rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel, a little essential oil if you want a fragrance. <3


    2/3 cup 99 percent rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or ethanol.
    1/3 cup aloe vera gel.
    8 to 10 drops essential oil, optional.
    1 day ago

    https://www.thespruce.com/make-your-own-homemade-hand-sanitizer-606145
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,330 Member
    edited March 2020
    I see a lot of adults at work putting their fingers in their mouths - this after touching buttons in the elevator and door handles is a really efficient way to get infected with viruses and germs. I feel like saying "stop it!" like I do when I catch one of my kid's doing it, lol.

    Then there are the people who still cough into their hand....

    You mean like this person..SMH


    https://youtu.be/0GOTbVNk6z4

    1:19 mark..
  • DecadeDuchess
    DecadeDuchess Posts: 315 Member
    lx1x wrote: »
    I see a lot of adults at work putting their fingers in their mouths - this after touching buttons in the elevator and door handles is a really efficient way to get infected with viruses and germs. I feel like saying "stop it!" like I do when I catch one of my kid's doing it, lol.

    Then there are the people who still cough into their hand....

    You mean like this person..SMH


    https://youtu.be/0GOTbVNk6z4

    1:19 mark..

    I am certain, that she does this when turning book pages & counting cash, as well.
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,330 Member
    lx1x wrote: »
    I see a lot of adults at work putting their fingers in their mouths - this after touching buttons in the elevator and door handles is a really efficient way to get infected with viruses and germs. I feel like saying "stop it!" like I do when I catch one of my kid's doing it, lol.

    Then there are the people who still cough into their hand....

    You mean like this person..SMH


    https://youtu.be/0GOTbVNk6z4

    1:19 mark..

    I am certain, that she does this when turning book pages & counting cash, as well.

    Did you watch the whole video? And listen what she telling ppl what not to do? 😂
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    edited March 2020

    I am certain, that she does this when turning book pages & counting cash, as well.

    My question is, how does a person acquire this nasty habit in the first place? I have never in my life had the urge to lick my fingers to help separate papers.

    But then again, I've never had the urge to put a burning stick in my mouth and inhale the fumes, either.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    This thread has better information and clearer guidelines than most conversations I listen to these days. We live two miles from the first reported case in OR (a week ago). I had no idea that people went bananas that night. I ended up at the store on Sunday night and the shelves were cleared out. The staff looked like they'd been through the wringer. People told me that lines at Costco were 100 people deep. It's nuts. Kind of like what happens if someone says the word "snow" around here.

    I'm worried about my parents because they're old, but other than that, I think people with a mild case are probably walking around among us, unaware. I'm still going where I need to go (gym, theater, public transportation, etc) but washing my hands everywhere.

    We were hoping to send our 17 year old to Europe for a language camp in August. We need to get her signed up and buy the airline tickets, but my fear is if this goes full tilt and she gets quarantined on her way back into the US. Not fair to have her alone, stuck somewhere for two weeks.
  • DecadeDuchess
    DecadeDuchess Posts: 315 Member
    lx1x wrote: »
    lx1x wrote: »
    I see a lot of adults at work putting their fingers in their mouths - this after touching buttons in the elevator and door handles is a really efficient way to get infected with viruses and germs. I feel like saying "stop it!" like I do when I catch one of my kid's doing it, lol.

    Then there are the people who still cough into their hand....

    You mean like this person..SMH


    https://youtu.be/0GOTbVNk6z4

    1:19 mark..

    I am certain, that she does this when turning book pages & counting cash, as well.

    Did you watch the whole video? And listen what she telling ppl what not to do? 😂

    Yeah, she's a contradiction. I'd rather not imply hypocrite because it doesn't appear to be a conscious act, it's habitual.
  • DecadeDuchess
    DecadeDuchess Posts: 315 Member
    edited March 2020
    try2again wrote: »

    I am certain, that she does this when turning book pages & counting cash, as well.

    My question is, how does a person acquire this habit in the first place? I have never in my life had the urge to lick my fingers to help separate papers. (Nasty!)

    I don't know but then again, I don't lick envelopes and/or stamps either.
  • DecadeDuchess
    DecadeDuchess Posts: 315 Member
    edited March 2020
    This thread has better information and clearer guidelines than most conversations I listen to these days. We live two miles from the first reported case in OR (a week ago). I had no idea that people went bananas that night. I ended up at the store on Sunday night and the shelves were cleared out. The staff looked like they'd been through the wringer. People told me that lines at Costco were 100 people deep. It's nuts. Kind of like what happens if someone says the word "snow" around here.

    I'm worried about my parents because they're old, but other than that, I think people with a mild case are probably walking around among us, unaware. I'm still going where I need to go (gym, theater, public transportation, etc) but washing my hands everywhere.

    We were hoping to send our 17 year old to Europe for a language camp in August. We need to get her signed up and buy the airline tickets, but my fear is if this goes full tilt and she gets quarantined on her way back into the US. Not fair to have her alone, stuck somewhere for two weeks.

    I'd fear her getting sick instead of the quarantine. If she's still a minor at the time, she'll be taken care of as any unaccompanied minor'd otherwise be by staff.