Coronavirus prep

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Replies

  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    Since the ones that are dying seem to have had preexisting health issues it seems while a good stock of toilet paper and canned tuna are nice that working to improve general health is the best goal 24/7/365. The first case in KY and TN have been announced. Locally it is expected to arrive mid April so at least we will have winter behind us.

    Maybe being old is a factor at our house but who does not have 24+ of toilet paper on hands at all times?

    I had only 2 rolls. Fortunately not a problem here, so now we have a big pack. But my mom reports she is unable to purchase incontinence products.

    Looking at the progress in Australia, it doesn’t appear the end of winter is likely to help.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,300 Member
    The progress of coronavirus in Australia??
    It is the end of summer here - not sure what you are saying?

    Australia has had a ridiculous stampede on toilet paper for some reason that totally escapes me.

    There have been 2 confirmed cases in my state and yet all the supermarkets in my regional town, far from the cases, have sold out of toilet paper - why do people need a years supply of toilet paper???

    Hand sanitiser sold out too - but that makes bit more sense. But whole aisles totally bereft of toilet paper???
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    The progress of coronavirus in Australia??
    It is the end of summer here - not sure what you are saying?

    Australia has had a ridiculous stampede on toilet paper for some reason that totally escapes me.

    There have been 2 confirmed cases in my state and yet all the supermarkets in my regional town, far from the cases, have sold out of toilet paper - why do people need a years supply of toilet paper???

    Hand sanitiser sold out too - but that makes bit more sense. But whole aisles totally bereft of toilet paper???

    Yeah, it's a little extreme!

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/120097737/women-fight-over-toilet-paper-in-australian-supermarket

    Still plenty of loo paper on the shelves in my little town in New Zealand, though it was being restocked the other day. The hilarious thing is the both Aus and NZ manufacture toilet paper. We're not going to run out.

    But yeah, hand sanitiser has been out for weeks.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    It’s become a bizarre phenomenon. They interrupted television programming here yesterday, for a half hour announcement that the first case in my state has been reported. NOTHING was said (except that the unidentified individual had been on a cruise with confirmed coronavirus case) that we haven’t heard many times. IE: good hand washing techniques, coughing/sneezing into elbow etc.
    Concern, yes, but as with so many things, the media is creating a frenzy, and some people may be overreacting.
    I do my weekly shopping on Saturday, and hopefully, I’ll find things I normally purchase available. I won’t be hoarding anything, just my normal, every week shopping trip, and I’m in an at risk group, elderly (68).
  • kq1981
    kq1981 Posts: 1,098 Member
    The appoocalypse
  • Biggiwig69
    Biggiwig69 Posts: 38 Member
    NicbPNW wrote: »

    I'm wondering why is everyone stockpiling toilet paper?!?! That is selling out as quick as water around here!

    Funny, I work at Wegmans (East Coast). Toilet paper is flying off the shelves. What are people doing with this? It‘s ridiculous. And then these facial mask shoppers.... ong! I feel like I am in the middle of a science fiction movie 😀
  • kq1981
    kq1981 Posts: 1,098 Member
    edited March 2020
    Exactly @missysippy930 Hand hygiene and cough etiquette is imperative! For people who may think they have the virus they aren’t leper’s, which in my line of work I have found people feel they are. I also do hope people who are worried and have travelled to high risk countries and are symptomatic think of others before running to supermarkets, going out and about, rocking up to a large doctors clinic without putting a mask on ect I’m a nurse and have found that unfortunately people DONT adhere to instructions from health departments and put public at risk by not following instructions. I definitely won’t start buying millions of rolls of toilet paper, but I will be conscious of clean hands and real news from reputable sources, not face book. Still, it’s scary times
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    Lillymoo01 wrote: »
    I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

    I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

    What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

    I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even
    imagine?

    I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

    But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

    Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

    I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

    Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
    Our children will thank us for it.

    https://www.facebook.com/abdu.sharkawy/posts/2809958409125474?__tn__=,dH-R-R&eid=ARBOWPj71gA1ObjfZlXOXyWThC52Mt6U38slWK3w0VkylOu5m39gyZVqWSJaqVPpIimUaGEaEddG7DxN

    I can't like this post enough. Thanks! <3

    Agreed, thanks @Lillymoo01 for your insightful, thought provoking and logic grounding words.

    I would love to share some of them on other social media channels as I think your advice could really resonate with a lot of people but obviously would share it as “quoted from a doctor specializing in infectious diseases on another social media forum” but would only do so with your blessing.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    Lillymoo01 wrote: »
    I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared.

    I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19.

    What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess.

    I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even
    imagine?

    I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession.

    But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested.

    Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous.

    I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing.

    Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts.
    Our children will thank us for it.

    https://www.facebook.com/abdu.sharkawy/posts/2809958409125474?__tn__=,dH-R-R&amp;eid=ARBOWPj71gA1ObjfZlXOXyWThC52Mt6U38slWK3w0VkylOu5m39gyZVqWSJaqVPpIimUaGEaEddG7DxN

    I can't like this post enough. Thanks! <3

    Wow! Who can possibly disagree with this?
    Trolling.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    It’s my understanding that the toilet paper shortage scare came from a report that companies like proctor and gamble would soon have to slow production of certain products due to factories in China being shut down. And not necessarily for the actual product, which might be manufactured here, but for some of the things that go into making those products, if some of the materials have to come from China. In any case, I’m not sure why it’s only tp that people are buying up—I guess that’s one thing people sat for a moment and thought, “Hmmm, napkins at the dinner table we can go without, but toilet paper??? Yikes!” I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, just that I think that’s how it started. Hand sanitizer I think is more obvious, and more helpful in preventing spread of diseases. We could not find hand sanitizer, but oh well! If schools close and events are canceled and we’re all encouraged to avoid going out, I guess we won’t need it much!

    I don’t worry too much about me or my immediate family contracting this virus, but I do have parents in their 60’s, and other extended family older than that. Any kind of blasé attitude about spreading this virus does seem to put them in more danger. I know, the flu is similar, but they’ve managed to avoid, or survive the flu, so far. This is a new, novel, mostly unresearched virus, and there are still many questions about it and how it will play out. There are already two strains of it being reported—could it perhaps mutate again into something worse (or better)?

    So I’m not into extreme fear mongering, but I do think it’s a serious situation, particularly for a subset of the population (so far). To say that this virus could just come through our country and not have much effect (as a PP upthread insinuated) I think is pretty disrespectful of that more at-risk, older, or compromised population. We’ve “only” had 15 or so deaths in the US due to it, but most of those were older people with underlying conditions. Should we not be concerned at least for them?

    I don’t quite understand the constant comparison between COVID-19 and the flu. Yes, they’re both viruses, and yes, the flu kills and always has. But it’s been researched top to bottom, there’s a vaccine that most people can get if they wish, etc. Besides, any mortality that comes from COVID-19 is on top of flu deaths, so I do think that’s a factor to consider. This is a different virus, and a lot is still unknown.

    Someone asked why the mention of Australia was relevant. I believe the question was whether or not COVID-19 spread would slow with warmer weather coming. Someone else said that since it’s the end of summer in Australia (and therefore has been warm there) but the virus is still spreading there, that maybe the warm weather won’t actually help. I can’t tell how much it’s spread there actually in Australia, as opposed to those who contracted it on cruise ships or in more northern countries.

  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    edited March 2020
    I’ll just add that my family was thinking of going to the Lego convention being held in our area this weekend. The website for the event mentions some things they plan on doing and changing in order to help prevent the potential spread of Coronavirus (there have been a couple cases in our area). Again, not as worried about us contracting something, I was willing to go, but hubby is more wary.

    Upon further thought, I’m going with my husband on this one, and we’re not going. My parents will be visiting us next week, and I don’t want us to be harboring it and getting them sick, when it can easily be avoided. Sure, they could catch it somewhere else, but why add to the risk when it’s fairly easy to avoid by just not going? Unfortunately this kind of action will have effects on these large events, and of course, many have been or will be canceled. But I guess until we see how this plays out, caution is important, and all kinds of businesses will be affected.

    Eh, I’m just blabbering at this point 🤪
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    Anyway, I legit needed toilet paper, so I grabbed some at Walmart (no shortage here BTW). But I felt like I wanted to tell everyone I walked past " I'm not hoarding it! I just ran out of toilet paper. Look, I'm getting eyeliner and a pint of Ben & Jerry's I'm going to eat right when I get home." :lol:

    I'm finally buying it today because I need it too, and plan to get some extra because it's nice to have plenty around the house to avoid having to ever be low on it, and similarly I am afraid it will look like hoarding. Oh, well. ;-)
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    There have been 2 confirmed cases in my state and yet all the supermarkets in my regional town, far from the cases, have sold out of toilet paper - why do people need a years supply of toilet paper???

    Hand sanitiser sold out too - but that makes bit more sense. But whole aisles totally bereft of toilet paper???

    I haven't heard of anyone having trouble buying toilet paper here, but lots of places are sold out of sanitizer. I normally am someone who doesn't use sanitizer (kind of the same theory that Ann mentioned above) but I'd buy it now if I saw it -- I really don't consider my thinking about buying some "panic" though, as some here seem to have a much lower threshold for what panic is that I do, I guess. ;-)
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Biggiwig69 wrote: »
    NicbPNW wrote: »

    I'm wondering why is everyone stockpiling toilet paper?!?! That is selling out as quick as water around here!

    Funny, I work at Wegmans (East Coast). Toilet paper is flying off the shelves. What are people doing with this? It‘s ridiculous. And then these facial mask shoppers.... ong! I feel like I am in the middle of a science fiction movie 😀

    Have you seen anyone wearing a mask? I've seen one -- a bus driver. I actually saw more before this virus in that I live close to a neighborhood with a significant Asian population and it's not uncommon for Asians to wear them IME (my understanding is that the point is to protect others if you happen to have a cold or something).

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