Coronavirus prep
Replies
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Just to shift gears a bit: On this thread and other places, I'm seeing more about companies encouraging telecommuting, about companies' IT staffs quickly setting up or expanding the infrastructure for telecommuting**, and that sort of thing.
I'm musing about two things (not drawing conclusions):
1. Will this tip the trend in some fashion, and lead to relatively more of that on a permanent basis?
2. Will the security of this new, perhaps hastily-set-up infrastructure be adequate for the task? As someone whose pre-retirement job included a small bite of computer security responsibilities, I know this realm is still an arms race: The highly-automated nefarious actors developing new tools, the good guys running hard to get ahead of them. Haste and under-investment are historically sources of vulnerability. It worries me a little, frankly.
** I've heard rumors, but not fact-checked, that in the US the current administration had been discouraging telecommuting or remote work by federal employees, and that there had been some infrastructure disinvestment or even reduction, in this area; and that this is now moving in the other direction again, toward encouraging more federal employees in some areas to work from home.
I'm pulling for number 1
We were recently sold to a larger company, and I ended up with a lot more responsibility with the typical "there's no extra money for you now, but we're aware you're currently underpaid". Now that they've been kind of forced to let me try working from home for a couple of weeks (though I will have to stop in to the office a coue if times at least) I intend to suggest that a great way to reward me without a raise would be to allow me to work from home one or two days a week.
ETA: I'm not VPNing into the network, but most of my work is done by logging into different web based programs. I'm not sure if that makes it less of a security risk or not. That's why I can't avoid the office at all, I will need to get on an on-site computer for a few things.4 -
I ran into my brother in the grocery store today. He said his church has closed down all gathering and services, etc., and that's never happened before. He also heard there are 2 cases right across the river from us, in NH. only about 15 miles away. And you know where there's 2 confirmed cases.......I was just there this past week. Ugh, ya can't win. Time to become a complete hermit I guess.6
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As a non-touchy person, I can dig this.
Lawmakers advised to give 'Star Trek' greeting to avoid contact as Hill prepares for coronavirus
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/politics/coronavirus-congress-precautions-greeting/7 -
How do we keep people that are quarantined home though? Is that possible? I don't think it is. What would stop an infected person from being out and sharing germs?
It's about personal integrity. There will be those who don't exhibit any symptoms who will go out and about exposing others. Those on the front line, celebrities, health care workers, even the virus screeners and their symptoms may or may not show up later. It's all a multi-cr@p shoot, especially without testing.3 -
PSA regarding the https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre interactive map to which I posted a link the other day.
The previous link IS directly to the John Hopkins map as is the one above.
They ARE legit and do not contain malware. The map will display immediately in your browser without any prompts asking you to download, save, or install anything.
Similarly the WHO map I am linking below (Both the John Hopkins and WHO map use the GIS services of a Canadian company, Esri.com): https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd
There does exist a malware-as-a-service "offering" making the rounds at the US$200 to $800 price point, and it HAS been deployed with a near identical map.
The malware downloads an app either from an email link OR when you visit an infected, or a specifically crafted website (remember the "great deal on AirPods" websites that were registered and launched a week before Black Friday? A friend's daughter almost "bought" three!) The downloaded app will display a similar looking map as a distraction while installing the actual malware that, at a minimum, will steal login names and passwords.
Don't click until you see where you're heading. Don't say yes and accept prompts without thinking and by default just because you're eager! Even if a link appears to be from someone you know, there is no guarantee their account was not hacked, or that they were not duped in the first place!8 -
the TP thing is a sort of self fulfilling prophesy - some people start to buy in excess because who knows why the things Ann mentioned, it maybe gives a sense of control, etc, then fear of a shortage makes other people think they'd better stock up too, and thus actual shortage. Often when there is absolutely zero chance of actual shortage. Like, no one needs a trolley full of loo paper for two weeks, or even a month.
Yes I think this describes the situation in Australia - and people here are not used to stockpiling for shut in events (snow blizzards and such as described upthread) so aren't thinking through how to do it properly.
Add to that some fear about supply disruption: TP must be made in China because lots of things are and what if we can't get things from China any more - this started when most (known) cases were still only in China.
and what if we are locked in isolation and cant get any more.
However most Australian TP is made right here in Australia so entirely false premise and isolation doesnt mean no supplies because you can still get items delivered and left at your front door so false premise there too.
but then of course it snowballs - people over buy because other people are over buying and they might miss out....
In Australia the TP shortage has not been a supply issue - it has been entirely a shortage because of over buying at the point of sale end..
Which seems to be settling down now - partly because people who already bought 200 rolls surely arent buying any more and partly because stores are applying a one packet per customer limit.
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A few things as this situation develops so quickly—
With the apparent “reinfections” happening in China and Japan, I’m curious if they are any less sick than before, or possibly more sick? The articles I’ve read haven’t said.
Also, there’s a new article on CNN indicating that people are indeed likely spreading COVID-19 before they’re symptomatic. A previous study indicating such, had been subsequently contradicted, so its been difficult to know for sure. They’re now saying that people have high viral load 2.5 days prior to showing symptoms. I do wonder, how do they spread it? Random sneezes, couples kissing, germy hands from saliva?
Our state of NC has closed all public schools, similar to other states I’ve read about. Our kids go to a (not public) hybrid school, so they’re at school 2 days per week and home 3 days. Our school has not closed so far, with the head of it basically saying it’s all overblown and kids are not at much risk. We are welcome to keep our kids at home if we wish, and we’re already set up to do schoolwork at home, so now we just have to decide whether or not to send them. I feel like keeping them home is the socially appropriate thing to do.
I went to a few different stores in the past couple of days, and found it interesting that one store was very low on produce, but the others were well-stocked. Two stores were totally out of paper products, but the one that was limiting paper and cleaning products to one per customer, actually had some in stock.
I felt a bit guilty for being able to stock up pretty well for our family of 5, so we looked up the most needed items at a local food pantry, and shopped for those things, delivering them this afternoon. I’d love to help out neighbors as well, but not sure how to organize that. Maybe Nextdoor...8 -
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.19 -
I've thought this for a whileChinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
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Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I mean, the Pres flat out said he wanted to keep those poor people on the cruise ship because he didn't want them included in our numbers, so I don't think it's really out there to suggest it
I'm relying on memes to keep my thoughts on the lighter side. Lots and lots of memes.19 -
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I mean, the Pres flat out said he wanted to keep those poor people on the cruise ship because he didn't want them included in our numbers, so I don't think it's really out there to suggest it
I'm relying on memes to keep my thoughts on the lighter side. Lots and lots of memes.
Yeah the cruise ship thing is what got me started on that train of thought.5 -
This one amused me today.Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I mean, the Pres flat out said he wanted to keep those poor people on the cruise ship because he didn't want them included in our numbers, so I don't think it's really out there to suggest it
I'm relying on memes to keep my thoughts on the lighter side. Lots and lots of memes.
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Cat conspiracy theorists
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lynn_glenmont wrote: »But in terms of raw numbers of people actually dying, it doesn't matter whether its 6% of 100,000 or 1% of 600,000 people. It's still 6,000 people dead (numbers for illustrative purposes only).
Kind of how whether or not you're counting and logging all you calories accurately, the effect on the scale will be the same, because your body is still counting. The number of people who actually die doesn't depend on our getting the math right. The scale's reaction to our actual energy surplus or deficit doesn't depend on our getting the math right.
true; it is easy to forget the human component in all thisPSA regarding the https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre interactive map to which I posted a link the other day.
The previous link IS directly to the John Hopkins map as is the one above.
They ARE legit and do not contain malware. The map will display immediately in your browser without any prompts asking you to download, save, or install anything.
Thank you! I did actually go back and look up the link in this thread when I opened the map up today, so I'm safe. But I'm glad you said this, because if I hadn't been able to do that, I would have started a google search, and who knows where I may have ended up!
I can't get in because I refuse to turn off my ad-blocker. What was the headline?lightenup2016 wrote: »Also, there’s a new article on CNN indicating that people are indeed likely spreading COVID-19 before they’re symptomatic. A previous study indicating such, had been subsequently contradicted, so its been difficult to know for sure. They’re now saying that people have high viral load 2.5 days prior to showing symptoms. I do wonder, how do they spread it? Random sneezes, couples kissing, germy hands from saliva?
I think it would the be the same way we spread the flu or cold before we start showing symptoms. Apparently, just the act of talking, since that involves breathing out, can spread it.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
Similar to how Typhoid Mary spread typhoid wherever she went even though she never had the symptoms of the disease.1 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »
And aside from that, in NZ at least, the government have the power to actually quarantine (as in put in a facility) anyone who is not abiding by the conditions of self isolation. So if you're in precautionary self isolation (eg, recently arrived from overseas), you have the choice of being a decent human being and getting a little bit of freedom, or being a jerk and getting none.3 -
I was wondering about that.
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Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I guess it's just me, but I think that would require a pretty large-scale, multi-participant conspiracy, a thing that humans are historically pretty bad at sustaining for very long.
And it would have to happen, now, in a leak-ridden political environment where plenty of journalists (and journalistic bottom-feeders besides) would be all too happy to find an break a well-documented version of that story . . . maybe even a poorly-documented one.
If that political conspiracy is happening, it can't hold, IMO.5 -
bmeadows380 wrote: »If we don't have enough tests, we're undertesting, and don't know whether the incidence of XYZ virus in the population is higher or lower than the (number of positive tests) divided by (number of tests) . . . but because we're rationing tests to the most severe cases, we're mostly testing highly symptomatic people and getting a high percentage of positive tests, compared to the number of test performed. And, because we're testing the most severe cases as more testing kits become available, the jump in confirmed cases is extra-dramatic.
so once we get a test that is widely available and can be used on much more people, the death toll percentage will fall and eventually level out to a more accurate number which could well be less than the 4-6% estimated now. Right?
Yes, but the infection rate will be higher (and the threat of spread). The concern is in part that even lower infection rates will be devastating if some huge percentage of the population contracts it, and apparently a much higher percentage than the death rate need medical care (although we don't have a real clue about percentages now, IMO).
The fact that a large percentage of patients need advanced care is a problem. Sure you probably won't die, but if you're one of the up to 20% who need hospitalization, you could be looking at a devastating medical bill if you're in the USA.8 -
How do we keep people that are quarantined home though? Is that possible? I don't think it is. What would stop an infected person from being out and sharing germs?
It depends on laws in a particular place. In the U.S., nothing. Take, for example, the JetBlue passenger that had shown symptoms and been tested. Despite currently waiting on test results, he took the flight anyway and got the text message on the plane.0 -
bmeadows380 wrote: »And you can tell its election season:
I get a voicemail on my phone today from one of my congressmen, as a robocall to update on the virus. It really irked me because he was constantly throwing in there all HE was doing and to call HIS office for updates.....
I'm just thinking how low can you go to use something like this as a springboard for your campaign?
Better than the call I got from Donald trump asking me to donate to the wall.11 -
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corinasue1143 wrote: »bmeadows380 wrote: »And you can tell its election season:
I get a voicemail on my phone today from one of my congressmen, as a robocall to update on the virus. It really irked me because he was constantly throwing in there all HE was doing and to call HIS office for updates.....
I'm just thinking how low can you go to use something like this as a springboard for your campaign?
Better than the call I got from Donald trump asking me to donate to the wall.
858 area number by any chance?0 -
This evening's observations:
1. The NYT published a story today with charts to demonstrate different levels of response and how they will effect overall outcomes in the US. In every scenario, the peak of outbreak numbers are in July: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/13/opinion/coronavirus-trump-response.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
2. Potatoes are absolutely cleaned out at my local supermarkets, but not fish. No one wants fish.
3. I decided to have a special-edition cheat day today and get back on the wagon tomorrow. Aldi's had plenty of chocolate-covered doughnuts for some reason, and I regret nothing.13 -
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I guess it's just me, but I think that would require a pretty large-scale, multi-participant conspiracy, a thing that humans are historically pretty bad at sustaining for very long.
And it would have to happen, now, in a leak-ridden political environment where plenty of journalists (and journalistic bottom-feeders besides) would be all too happy to find an break a well-documented version of that story . . . maybe even a poorly-documented one.
If that political conspiracy is happening, it can't hold, IMO.
My honestly only lightly-educated understanding is that infectious disease control in the US all funnels through the CDC. They turned down the test kits the rest of the world is using, they initially required tests to be processed at the CDC and decided which patients were approved for testing, and they only recently authorized commercial labs to process test kits.
I'd guess it's more lack of foresight and/or lack of understanding of the role the CDC plays (leading to the CDC being woefully understaffed and underfunded), but if all decisions had to run through the CDC, I'm not sure it would be that hard for a handful of individuals to make decisions that prioritized the optics over sound judgement.
That is clearly my cynicism talking, which means I need more memes.
We had our first death attributed to covid-19 in VA yesterday, a man in his 70s whose point if infection is not clear, so is assumed to be community spread.
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Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is donating a million face masks and 500,000 coronavirus test kits to the US. I'm grateful for the support and hope that our government can work with people like him to tap into international sources for desperately needed medical supplies.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/tech/jack-ma-face-masks-us-donation/index.html
This is really out there and sounds like a bonkers conspiracy theory, but can anyone shoot down my thought that testing is being throttled not just for lack of resources but because the fewer people who get tested, the lower the number of confirmed cases and the better the numbers look politically?
It's dark and rainy here, and I've been sitting by myself all day recovering from trying to find tomato sauce for dinner and finding the apocalypse playing out at Safeway. My thoughts are dark.
I guess it's just me, but I think that would require a pretty large-scale, multi-participant conspiracy, a thing that humans are historically pretty bad at sustaining for very long.
And it would have to happen, now, in a leak-ridden political environment where plenty of journalists (and journalistic bottom-feeders besides) would be all too happy to find an break a well-documented version of that story . . . maybe even a poorly-documented one.
If that political conspiracy is happening, it can't hold, IMO.
You make a compelling point.2 -
Getting emails from local groceries and fast food joints about what they doing to combat the virus.
One local big grocery store request to buy only a day necessary items and don't stock up so the supply doesn't get sold out quickly. Good luck with that.
Taco bell might do drive thru only .. 😬0 -
This evening's observations:
1. The NYT published a story today with charts to demonstrate different levels of response and how they will effect overall outcomes in the US. In every scenario, the peak of outbreak numbers are in July: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/13/opinion/coronavirus-trump-response.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
2. Potatoes are absolutely cleaned out at my local supermarkets, but not fish. No one wants fish.
3. I decided to have a special-edition cheat day today and get back on the wagon tomorrow. Aldi's had plenty of chocolate-covered doughnuts for some reason, and I regret nothing.
On Pi day?
:laugh:8 -
Getting emails from local groceries and fast food joints about what they doing to combat the virus.
One local big grocery store request to buy only a day necessary items and don't stock up so the supply doesn't get sold out quickly. Good luck with that.
Taco bell might do drive thru only .. 😬
We have a nearby Chick-fil-a doing drive-thru only. I’m wondering when restaurants will begin closing. We have 26 confirmed cases in our state, with 11 of those in our county.5 -
lightenup2016 wrote: »Getting emails from local groceries and fast food joints about what they doing to combat the virus.
One local big grocery store request to buy only a day necessary items and don't stock up so the supply doesn't get sold out quickly. Good luck with that.
Taco bell might do drive thru only .. 😬
We have a nearby Chick-fil-a doing drive-thru only. I’m wondering when restaurants will begin closing. We have 26 confirmed cases in our state, with 11 of those in our county.
Which state are ya? I'm in MD so far the CFA where I go to still serves dine ins.0
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