Coronavirus prep

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Replies

  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    moonangel12 wrote: »
    My heart is breaking for my 94 (almost 95) year old grandmother. She was in an apartment style living arrangement - not full assisted living. Something happened on Tuesday - she was in a lot of pain, couldn’t walk or communicate, maybe a fall. They took her to the hospital and they finally figured out she had a UTI (I never would have imagined the changes they can trigger in the elderly until she experienced one while staying with us a few years back - they mimick her stroke symptoms!). But because of the slow decline of her mental health (they have fought to keep at this same facility for about a year now) she can’t go back, so today she is going to a new place to live. My cousin can’t go with her or even ride in the van because of COVID, and because of the hospital visit, they (cousin or gma) can’t go back to her apt to get her stuff because COVID. So you have a confused, often depressed 94 year old woman who was abruptly uprooted from the little she knows in life and plopped in a new place with new people and next to nothing familiar in her surroundings - and no option for visitors. My husband is ready to drive 12 hours and pick her up to come stay with us for a little while (she lived with us for a few months before an unexpected move 3 years ago).

    I hate COVID.

    That is sad and at the age of 69 something I think about more and more about my future since I am the oldest family member in my family. Hopefully one of the two kids will have a place for a trailer in the side or back yard. Assisting living options are just plan risky. Vaccinations may never happen for COVID like it has not for the HIV virus but if one does work successfully there will be COVID-22 or CIVID-30, etc coming at us.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,493 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    wmweeza wrote: »
    The topic here is "Coronavirus prep", so I suppose it's appropriate to report our house is back in prep mode. When this all started we bought provisions, stocked up on basics, and hunkered down feeling well prepared. Recently things seem to have calmed down and items are coming back in stock at the stores, so we decided we are slowly going to start restocking again for the possiblilty of a second wave this fall. Heck it might take that long just to find some of the stuff that's still not back in stock! I can say here in California that our household and our loved ones weathered lockdown well. We planned ahead and made a schedule for each of us to go help my elderly mother in law. We've kept complete social distance, haven't killed eachother in quarantine, and still like eachother as a family so I'm considering that a win. It was bizarre to watch as the world suddenly seemed to stop for about a month, seems things are halfway normal now.
    My husband is very concerned about the fall and the risk of a second wave, I can understand that. If it sounds like we are obsessing, we aren't. I feel fairly happy and relaxed, I just feel like there's a storm due to very slowly roll in...that may or not be really bad...so why not get ready?
    I've been sewing masks since all this started and handing them out to anyone who needs them. Sewing and baking has kept me occupied and sane. The biggest thing for my husband was feeling helpless, so he LOVES handing out my masks, it makes him feel less helpless to do anything. Is it actually helping anyone? We don't know, but it won't hurt. It helps him for now...so I sew and bake everyday.
    Life is somewhat back to normal, but daycare is closed, some stores have reopened, and parks are back open. About 30-35% of people wear masks now and keep their distance, but with each passing day that number gets smaller. I guess many don't believe there is a risk, or it's overblown.
    Throughout all of this I have been so grateful that I lost the majority of the weight I needed to lose. I started out morbidly obese, now I have 35-40 pounds until I get to the finish line! With so many bad health outcomes (especially breathing) from obesity related complications with Covid it eases my mind to know at least I cancelled one risk factor off the list.

    That is a good idea. I was just thinking a lot of things food wise is getting lower 90 days later.

    Hopefully since the virus is wall to wall in the USA we can get this thing behind us but there is no way of knowing. While China is able to do hard lock downs I think they may have major break outs for the next 5-10 years but time will tell. Their food markets seem to be a source of spread again.

    https://reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-beijing/beijing-district-in-wartime-emergency-after-virus-cluster-at-major-food-market-idUSKBN23K03V

    From what I am hearing and seeing I do not think another shelter in place order will be successful in the USA. Shutting down police forces that is already under way may or may not help the spread of covid-19. Locally I talk to people in health care that do not plan to shut down as long a nation leaders are promoting marches that spread the virus.

    In the USA the virus is the least of our problems that can impact our food supply it is starting to seem.

    The burning of a trailer of horses by protesters has changed the minds of many in middle USA and more and more citizens are getting stocked up to meet force with a greater force. That may not work out well so we need to get prepped with a good stock of food due to violence spreading the virus in an uncontrollable manner.

    Mask use is in step decline I notice. Store clerks are the main ones wearing them but they often wear them around their necks I noticed yesterday. I am more concerned about getting the virus than ever and the risk of flying bullets. Our mental health crisis has gone Pandemic from what I can see. This includes holders of terminal degrees. The churches are even dangerous with their militant talk and actions. Cities are losing control of the streets so I try to stay out of crowds but the way traffic is getting that is harder and harder to do.

    I need to get some things ordered and some fuel stored. These are not the best of times to be 69 and physically handicapped. I am just glad I am not near a city. The college will be open in two months that that is going to double our population.


    Are you sure the college is going to fully open? The junior college in our community has already stated for the fall the will have labs on the campus, but all other classes will be remote. The 20k student state school and 2k student private university are still trying to figure out what to do.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    wmweeza wrote: »
    The topic here is "Coronavirus prep", so I suppose it's appropriate to report our house is back in prep mode. When this all started we bought provisions, stocked up on basics, and hunkered down feeling well prepared. Recently things seem to have calmed down and items are coming back in stock at the stores, so we decided we are slowly going to start restocking again for the possiblilty of a second wave this fall. Heck it might take that long just to find some of the stuff that's still not back in stock! I can say here in California that our household and our loved ones weathered lockdown well. We planned ahead and made a schedule for each of us to go help my elderly mother in law. We've kept complete social distance, haven't killed eachother in quarantine, and still like eachother as a family so I'm considering that a win. It was bizarre to watch as the world suddenly seemed to stop for about a month, seems things are halfway normal now.
    My husband is very concerned about the fall and the risk of a second wave, I can understand that. If it sounds like we are obsessing, we aren't. I feel fairly happy and relaxed, I just feel like there's a storm due to very slowly roll in...that may or not be really bad...so why not get ready?
    I've been sewing masks since all this started and handing them out to anyone who needs them. Sewing and baking has kept me occupied and sane. The biggest thing for my husband was feeling helpless, so he LOVES handing out my masks, it makes him feel less helpless to do anything. Is it actually helping anyone? We don't know, but it won't hurt. It helps him for now...so I sew and bake everyday.
    Life is somewhat back to normal, but daycare is closed, some stores have reopened, and parks are back open. About 30-35% of people wear masks now and keep their distance, but with each passing day that number gets smaller. I guess many don't believe there is a risk, or it's overblown.
    Throughout all of this I have been so grateful that I lost the majority of the weight I needed to lose. I started out morbidly obese, now I have 35-40 pounds until I get to the finish line! With so many bad health outcomes (especially breathing) from obesity related complications with Covid it eases my mind to know at least I cancelled one risk factor off the list.

    That is a good idea. I was just thinking a lot of things food wise is getting lower 90 days later.

    Hopefully since the virus is wall to wall in the USA we can get this thing behind us but there is no way of knowing. While China is able to do hard lock downs I think they may have major break outs for the next 5-10 years but time will tell. Their food markets seem to be a source of spread again.

    https://reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-beijing/beijing-district-in-wartime-emergency-after-virus-cluster-at-major-food-market-idUSKBN23K03V

    From what I am hearing and seeing I do not think another shelter in place order will be successful in the USA. Shutting down police forces that is already under way may or may not help the spread of covid-19. Locally I talk to people in health care that do not plan to shut down as long a nation leaders are promoting marches that spread the virus.

    In the USA the virus is the least of our problems that can impact our food supply it is starting to seem.

    The burning of a trailer of horses by protesters has changed the minds of many in middle USA and more and more citizens are getting stocked up to meet force with a greater force. That may not work out well so we need to get prepped with a good stock of food due to violence spreading the virus in an uncontrollable manner.

    Mask use is in step decline I notice. Store clerks are the main ones wearing them but they often wear them around their necks I noticed yesterday. I am more concerned about getting the virus than ever and the risk of flying bullets. Our mental health crisis has gone Pandemic from what I can see. This includes holders of terminal degrees. The churches are even dangerous with their militant talk and actions. Cities are losing control of the streets so I try to stay out of crowds but the way traffic is getting that is harder and harder to do.

    I need to get some things ordered and some fuel stored. These are not the best of times to be 69 and physically handicapped. I am just glad I am not near a city. The college will be open in two months that that is going to double our population.


    Are you sure the college is going to fully open? The junior college in our community has already stated for the fall the will have labs on the campus, but all other classes will be remote. The 20k student state school and 2k student private university are still trying to figure out what to do.

    My daughter is online at Murray State University currently and their President Bob Jackson states all lights are on Green for students to be on campus. The reality if these old line colleges stay on line they will be closing down period and local businesses as well. The private housing business is huge and fast food is running help wanted ads like crazy because they depend on the college for staff and customers.

    My son works for the area junior college and they are scheduled to be in the classrooms in August.

    The shut down from March has thrown the USA into a funk like I have never seen before in my 69 years and I am not sure how this is going to end up. The mind set is to heck with the fear of COVID-19 so Full Speed ahead. It is clear if we continue to keep people from their normal activity they are going to find things more dangerous than COVID-19 to get in trouble over.
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    wmweeza wrote: »
    The topic here is "Coronavirus prep", so I suppose it's appropriate to report our house is back in prep mode. When this all started we bought provisions, stocked up on basics, and hunkered down feeling well prepared. Recently things seem to have calmed down and items are coming back in stock at the stores, so we decided we are slowly going to start restocking again for the possiblilty of a second wave this fall. Heck it might take that long just to find some of the stuff that's still not back in stock! I can say here in California that our household and our loved ones weathered lockdown well. We planned ahead and made a schedule for each of us to go help my elderly mother in law. We've kept complete social distance, haven't killed eachother in quarantine, and still like eachother as a family so I'm considering that a win. It was bizarre to watch as the world suddenly seemed to stop for about a month, seems things are halfway normal now.
    My husband is very concerned about the fall and the risk of a second wave, I can understand that. If it sounds like we are obsessing, we aren't. I feel fairly happy and relaxed, I just feel like there's a storm due to very slowly roll in...that may or not be really bad...so why not get ready?
    I've been sewing masks since all this started and handing them out to anyone who needs them. Sewing and baking has kept me occupied and sane. The biggest thing for my husband was feeling helpless, so he LOVES handing out my masks, it makes him feel less helpless to do anything. Is it actually helping anyone? We don't know, but it won't hurt. It helps him for now...so I sew and bake everyday.
    Life is somewhat back to normal, but daycare is closed, some stores have reopened, and parks are back open. About 30-35% of people wear masks now and keep their distance, but with each passing day that number gets smaller. I guess many don't believe there is a risk, or it's overblown.
    Throughout all of this I have been so grateful that I lost the majority of the weight I needed to lose. I started out morbidly obese, now I have 35-40 pounds until I get to the finish line! With so many bad health outcomes (especially breathing) from obesity related complications with Covid it eases my mind to know at least I cancelled one risk factor off the list.

    That is a good idea. I was just thinking a lot of things food wise is getting lower 90 days later.

    Hopefully since the virus is wall to wall in the USA we can get this thing behind us but there is no way of knowing. While China is able to do hard lock downs I think they may have major break outs for the next 5-10 years but time will tell. Their food markets seem to be a source of spread again.

    https://reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-beijing/beijing-district-in-wartime-emergency-after-virus-cluster-at-major-food-market-idUSKBN23K03V

    From what I am hearing and seeing I do not think another shelter in place order will be successful in the USA. Shutting down police forces that is already under way may or may not help the spread of covid-19. Locally I talk to people in health care that do not plan to shut down as long a nation leaders are promoting marches that spread the virus.

    In the USA the virus is the least of our problems that can impact our food supply it is starting to seem.

    The burning of a trailer of horses by protesters has changed the minds of many in middle USA and more and more citizens are getting stocked up to meet force with a greater force. That may not work out well so we need to get prepped with a good stock of food due to violence spreading the virus in an uncontrollable manner.

    Mask use is in step decline I notice. Store clerks are the main ones wearing them but they often wear them around their necks I noticed yesterday. I am more concerned about getting the virus than ever and the risk of flying bullets. Our mental health crisis has gone Pandemic from what I can see. This includes holders of terminal degrees. The churches are even dangerous with their militant talk and actions. Cities are losing control of the streets so I try to stay out of crowds but the way traffic is getting that is harder and harder to do.

    I need to get some things ordered and some fuel stored. These are not the best of times to be 69 and physically handicapped. I am just glad I am not near a city. The college will be open in two months that that is going to double our population.


    Are you sure the college is going to fully open? The junior college in our community has already stated for the fall the will have labs on the campus, but all other classes will be remote. The 20k student state school and 2k student private university are still trying to figure out what to do.

    Right now, NC universities intend to open. My daughter has a move in date of August 12 or 13. Students will go home Thanksgiving, and do finals online. What all this will look like, I have no idea.

    Our cases have started going up again. So I guess we will have to see what impact that has on these plans.

    I work at a community college. My department will be completely virtual.
  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    moonangel12 wrote: »
    My heart is breaking for my 94 (almost 95) year old grandmother. She was in an apartment style living arrangement - not full assisted living. Something happened on Tuesday - she was in a lot of pain, couldn’t walk or communicate, maybe a fall. They took her to the hospital and they finally figured out she had a UTI (I never would have imagined the changes they can trigger in the elderly until she experienced one while staying with us a few years back - they mimick her stroke symptoms!). But because of the slow decline of her mental health (they have fought to keep at this same facility for about a year now) she can’t go back, so today she is going to a new place to live. My cousin can’t go with her or even ride in the van because of COVID, and because of the hospital visit, they (cousin or gma) can’t go back to her apt to get her stuff because COVID. So you have a confused, often depressed 94 year old woman who was abruptly uprooted from the little she knows in life and plopped in a new place with new people and next to nothing familiar in her surroundings - and no option for visitors. My husband is ready to drive 12 hours and pick her up to come stay with us for a little while (she lived with us for a few months before an unexpected move 3 years ago).

    I hate COVID.

    That is sad and at the age of 69 something I think about more and more about my future since I am the oldest family member in my family. Hopefully one of the two kids will have a place for a trailer in the side or back yard. Assisting living options are just plan risky. Vaccinations may never happen for COVID like it has not for the HIV virus but if one does work successfully there will be COVID-22 or CIVID-30, etc coming at us.
    We had a nice camper set up for her in N.C. - it gave her (and us) space and privacy, but she spent most waking hours with us in the house. Regular meals, help with meds, oversight when behavior changed (her sodium got dangerously low because the episode of dehydration that led to the move in with us had doctor’s pushing water), and beat of all for her, social interaction.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.
  • Zoomie402
    Zoomie402 Posts: 263 Member
    mockchoc wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.

    I meant for the antibody testing, but yes....we have had people calling stating that they thought the COVID test was free. We send the tests through LabCorp and they have been charging nearly $100 for the test.

  • moonangel12
    moonangel12 Posts: 971 Member
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    mockchoc wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.

    I meant for the antibody testing, but yes....we have had people calling stating that they thought the COVID test was free. We send the tests through LabCorp and they have been charging nearly $100 for the test.
    We have had some hefty bills from LabCorp in the past - I think they are $$$ for most everything. The local urgent care gave me a list of the prices for the place they use for general lab work and testing (we have a non-traditional health “insurance” and pay out of pocket for a lot of the small stuff) and it’s 75%-90% less for routine labs. Craziness!
  • Zoomie402
    Zoomie402 Posts: 263 Member
    moonangel12 wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    mockchoc wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.

    I meant for the antibody testing, but yes....we have had people calling stating that they thought the COVID test was free. We send the tests through LabCorp and they have been charging nearly $100 for the test.
    We have had some hefty bills from LabCorp in the past - I think they are $$$ for most everything. The local urgent care gave me a list of the prices for the place they use for general lab work and testing (we have a non-traditional health “insurance” and pay out of pocket for a lot of the small stuff) and it’s 75%-90% less for routine labs. Craziness!

    It is craziness! Out of pocket here for the office visit and the test itself is $139. That's much cheaper than most insurances. I think, if anything, it's so SO important for people to understand how their own individual insurance works, especially for times like this! It should part of the prep.

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,404 Member
    We have free testing in Washington State. Not for the antibodies test, but for the regular Covid test. You do need to have symptoms, though.

    The actual case numbers ARE much higher than test results suggest.

    If people are only getting testing who have symptoms, then the asymptomatic ones necessarily slip under the radar.

    Not only that, but if I got tested today, what's to say I didn't already recover OR that I catch it tomorrow? It only captures a small percentage and only active cases - so in a two to three week window.

    Until and unless every single person is tested for antibodies, no way to know the actual numbers. Since antibody testing is not 100% accurate and not everywhere is doing it we will continue to be under-reporting.

  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    mockchoc wrote: »
    "Can we hit the 'reset button' on 2020 yet? I'd like my money back. :pCan we hit the 'reset button' on 2020 yet? I'd like my money back. :disappointed:"

    This has been the worst year or so in my whole life and I'm no spring chicken. My whole house was flooded and we had to live in a crappy dark flat for a year( oh and I also lost my car too) , I've just got out of the cardiac unit last week when I was out for the first time in months because of Covid having a BBQ with the family and nope I didn't get to eat the cake I made at 6am because an ambulance took me away. There is more but thank god I forget the rest now... been never ending. Right now we are allowed to go away so have been in a very nice quiet spot inland in our caravan. Very happy now. We caught 13 redclaw crayfish too in the river. Even more happy lol.

    I liked the '80s (I was mostly a kid), and I loved the '90s (still my favorite decade despite everything I disliked at the time). The '00s I thought were bad in that recall saying to a friend of mine in '10 that the '10s had to be better. They weren't. So far the '20s are worst of all. Not a good sign! Sigh.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    trying very hard to keep this non political......

    If testing costs money, especially if you are uninsured, then obviously your actual number of cases would be much higher than the official stats and this would be disproportionately more so in the most at risk poor communities.



    Here in South Australia, our official number of active cases is 0.

    I am confident that is accurate as anyone can get tested at no cost - and they are. Anyone who has the slightest little sniffle gets tested and is self isolated until results come back (usually next day, 2 days at most)

    Anyone here (IL) who thinks they have it can be tested for free. The antibody tests are different (and I haven't researched them), and the protests plus looting have set back the testing in general. The test seems unpleasant so I'm sure lots who might have it don't test, although they could, given how much the mild symptoms overlap other things.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited June 2020
    Buttermello wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »
    We are at probably less than 1% mask use in public here. This is frustrating because it works best when everyone takes precautions.

    https://www.sfgate.com/news/editorspicks/article/Study-100-face-mask-use-could-crush-second-15333170.php

    Weird, we are probably at about 75% here from what I observe and indoor public space is required. Then again, I find the talk about second wave ironic as it's not clear anyone is out of the first wave, I don't think we are, and after the past couple weeks no way. But we are opening. (I realize again I'm being bitchy but I find it so unfair that I see so much more compliance around me than others report yet our numbers are so much worse, which until recently I just assumed was density and now is likely also protests, etc.)

    I agree with you. I'm also in Chicago and work at a Hospital in the SW suburbs. I dont think our first wave is over yet. The majority of our beds have been COVID since end of March and we are still mostly COVID, tho we are not currently using the overflow units and make shift ICU that was set up and used thru the end of May because we had more cases than beds available.

    Tough. Not surprised, but I'm sorry. I kind of think everyone has just decided that hospital resources can deal, so we are giving up in trying to do more. For what it's worth, I do think most around me are masked vs what some others are reporting (I'm basically in Lincoln Square).
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    mockchoc wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.

    As of 8 June 2020 Kentucky stopped free COVID-19 testing now testing sights sign states to have out your ID and insurance card. This will keep down the number of positive tests to keep the number of new COVID-19 positive tests.
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    edited June 2020
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    moonangel12 wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    mockchoc wrote: »
    Zoomie402 wrote: »
    I'm in Nebraska, and not much of the daily grind has changed here. It did for about 6-8 weeks, but now things are opening back up. I work at 3 COVID testing facilities, so I have dealt with a lot of the highs and lows. Personally, other than my kids having online learning, I still go about business as usual.

    The frustrating thing right now is that the schools still don't know how they are going to operate come fall. They allowed families to vote on 3 options, all of which are ugly....either A. We continue remote learning (which was a complete joke and left many kids, mine included, feeling set back) B. Schools split students down by 50% by rotating every other week. Again, not a great option since many parents will be back to work and daycare costs are outrages. C. Split the school day in half, with 50% of the kids going in the morning and the other 50% in the afternoon.

    As for prep, our shelves are well stocked in the stores, with the exception of Lysol wipes. Most businesses are back up and running, and more and more people are starting to come out. As of yesterday's press conference, the hospitals in my area still have 80% vents available, and 75% of beds available.

    I was incredibly sick in February, and testing negative for the FLU. One of the gals I was training just had an antibody test done because he mom was sick in January....they both had antibodies. If had the extra cash, I'd get tested because I am pretty much convinced I had it.

    Huh? You have to pay to be tested for Covid? We don't.

    I meant for the antibody testing, but yes....we have had people calling stating that they thought the COVID test was free. We send the tests through LabCorp and they have been charging nearly $100 for the test.
    We have had some hefty bills from LabCorp in the past - I think they are $$$ for most everything. The local urgent care gave me a list of the prices for the place they use for general lab work and testing (we have a non-traditional health “insurance” and pay out of pocket for a lot of the small stuff) and it’s 75%-90% less for routine labs. Craziness!

    It is craziness! Out of pocket here for the office visit and the test itself is $139. That's much cheaper than most insurances. I think, if anything, it's so SO important for people to understand how their own individual insurance works, especially for times like this! It should part of the prep.

    In my county, they offer free antibody and regular testing for everyone (I had it done). I cant believe you have to pay in other areas!
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    trying very hard to keep this non political......

    If testing costs money, especially if you are uninsured, then obviously your actual number of cases would be much higher than the official stats and this would be disproportionately more so in the most at risk poor communities.



    Here in South Australia, our official number of active cases is 0.

    I am confident that is accurate as anyone can get tested at no cost - and they are. Anyone who has the slightest little sniffle gets tested and is self isolated until results come back (usually next day, 2 days at most)

    Anyone here (IL) who thinks they have it can be tested for free. The antibody tests are different (and I haven't researched them), and the protests plus looting have set back the testing in general. The test seems unpleasant so I'm sure lots who might have it don't test, although they could, given how much the mild symptoms overlap other things.

    I dont think the test is that unpleasant.

    I havent had it but I have had respiratory nasal swabs in the past testing for influenza and whooping cough and it is basically the same test method.

    Lots of people have been tested here, including children, and I'm not getting feedback that the test was horrible.

    I'll find out on Thursday are they are doing testing in our workplace.

    Our provincial premier has been pushing for increased testing so at this point, in our Health Unit area, anyone can get a test who wants one, symptoms or not. We are now up to a 10% per capita testing rate. A few weeks ago they started testing essential workers, starting with first responders and retail employees. I think at this point some health care workers have been tested a few times because there have been multiple test blitzes in the hospital and longterm care facilities.

    We are one of the regions with low case numbers so we were allowed to start re-opening some businesses on Friday. Hair/beauty service salons and dental offices can operate again. Restaurants can seat diners in outdoor areas only, with distancing. Malls can open.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    trying very hard to keep this non political......

    If testing costs money, especially if you are uninsured, then obviously your actual number of cases would be much higher than the official stats and this would be disproportionately more so in the most at risk poor communities.



    Here in South Australia, our official number of active cases is 0.

    I am confident that is accurate as anyone can get tested at no cost - and they are. Anyone who has the slightest little sniffle gets tested and is self isolated until results come back (usually next day, 2 days at most)

    Anyone here (IL) who thinks they have it can be tested for free. The antibody tests are different (and I haven't researched them), and the protests plus looting have set back the testing in general. The test seems unpleasant so I'm sure lots who might have it don't test, although they could, given how much the mild symptoms overlap other things.

    I dont think the test is that unpleasant.

    I havent had it but I have had respiratory nasal swabs in the past testing for influenza and whooping cough and it is basically the same test method.

    Lots of people have been tested here, including children, and I'm not getting feedback that the test was horrible.

    It looks and sounds unpleasant to me.

    https://www.nytimes.com/article/test-for-coronavirus.html

    1.17 million people have been tested in my state at this point, and it looks like about 1.8 m in Australia. (My state has about half the population of Australia.) So clearly lots of people here have been tested too, but I certainly wouldn't go test without having good reason to think I had it (it could be I'm a big baby about medical procedures of some kinds, though). If they were doing a study or something, I'd participate, of course. And I'd love to have the antibodies test, although I would be surprised if it turned out I'd had it.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited June 2020
    Muscleflex79 wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    trying very hard to keep this non political......

    If testing costs money, especially if you are uninsured, then obviously your actual number of cases would be much higher than the official stats and this would be disproportionately more so in the most at risk poor communities.



    Here in South Australia, our official number of active cases is 0.

    I am confident that is accurate as anyone can get tested at no cost - and they are. Anyone who has the slightest little sniffle gets tested and is self isolated until results come back (usually next day, 2 days at most)

    Anyone here (IL) who thinks they have it can be tested for free. The antibody tests are different (and I haven't researched them), and the protests plus looting have set back the testing in general. The test seems unpleasant so I'm sure lots who might have it don't test, although they could, given how much the mild symptoms overlap other things.

    I dont think the test is that unpleasant.

    I havent had it but I have had respiratory nasal swabs in the past testing for influenza and whooping cough and it is basically the same test method.

    Lots of people have been tested here, including children, and I'm not getting feedback that the test was horrible.

    I agree - it is really not that bad. I had to have it done (work in a correctional setting that had massive outbreak) and made the mistake of watching some videos online about the test itself and reading others' experiences - it looked massive! I think some does come down to the person doing it, but mine was quick and not bad at all!

    Good to know. The videos and commentary (including in the link I put in my last post) I think have freaked out a lot of people about it.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    So I just checked on the antibody tests -- looks like they are easy to get here, but I don't think a "I just want to find out if I had it already" without some other medical purpose would be covered by insurance, so I'd have to pay.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    edited June 2020

    I think Labcorps is the ones that used to do our local hospital and medical practices. Once I got a $900 bill for some mostly routine bloodwork (thyroid, CBC, and Lyme). I was afraid to go back to the doctor the following year and decided I wasn't going to do any testing that wasn't essential. Later I learned from one of the nurses that my insurance company works with Health Network Labs and gets much lower prices through them.

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