Coronavirus prep

kimny72 wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

MikePfirrman wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

mph323 wrote: »

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.

There's already been reporting on it. And yes, it was reported that they decided not to test as a political hunch that warmer weather would kill it.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-reportedly-rejected-aggressive-coronavirus-121835790.html

Anonymous sources, but I for one, wouldn't doubt this one bit.

I never said certain people in the administration - maybe quite a few - wouldn't manipulate or lie. I said I thought a conspiracy to throttle testing would not hold, i.e., could not be sustained for long.

And it didn't hold.

Various entities started developing their own tests. Parts of the central bureaucracy, and bureaucrats/politicians in the states, pushed back. People leaked stuff. Etc.

Large-scale conspiracies tend to fall apart, especially in relatively non-authoritarian, relatively open societies. When there are too many people involved, they have competing interests, opposing political views, motivations like jealousy/old grudges/revenge/financial benefit, and sometimes a few intended conspirators even turn out to have ethics. It's not that I think no one tries to conspire in nefarious ways; of course they do. Arrogance and hubris mean some startling things are attempted. Big conspiracies are just really hard to sustain.

ETA: Not trying to pick on you here, Mike, even though I'm replying to your post. There have been a few posts replying to mine that seemed to me to be disagreeing with something I didn't think I said (didn't intend to say, anyway), or something tangent to my PP. I'm sure that's because I was unclear, so trying to clarify . . . which will probably make it worse. :drinker:

It sounded to me like you were saying that there was no way that testing was limited in the US on purpose for political gain, because it would require a wide ranging conspiracy that wouldn't be possible. I do disagree with that, because I don't think it would require much of a conspiracy.

I totally agree that wide ranging conspiracies are damn near impossible to carry out and even more impossible to sustain for long even if you can get them started, because humans gonna human.

This little version of the telephone game brought to you by the coronavirus


I have been watching a few episodes of the Leftovers every time there is a free HBO preview weekend and I should be able to finish it this weekend. Not quite post apocalyptic but kinda sorta. Not sure I could watch Contagion or Pandemic right now, this is as close as I get

TBH, I was dubious of the list of chemical companies/products the EPA put out to kill Coronavirus. Not because they don’t, they definitely do, but the list was lacking some major companies/suppliers that I know have products that do the same. I was dubious because I figured the companies in the EPA list were all Trump donors. That thought never would have crossed my mind with any previous administration. And I’m sad that I think it’s possible.

Watched both in the last couple of weeks. Both air-borne hemorrhagic viruses (like Ebola or Marburg on steroids). If that helps, a very different disease (than Coronavirus) transmitted in a way that it isn’t (airborne) with a super-brief incubation period (within 48 hours) and a 100% mortality rate. In other words, dramatized for maximum effect which is what TV/movies are for.

If it’ll bother you, don’t watch. No judging. I live in SoCal and have not watched that San Andreas movie. And I love The Rock. And ... pass.

RCPV wrote: »

Governor Sisolak of Nevada just closed all schools until at least April 6th. We have a large amount of very poor people here who make minimum wage. They literally live paycheck to paycheck and that's a stretch. I don't know what they're supposed to do with their children while they go to work. A great amount are single parents. I'm at a loss. I can't imagine what must be going through their minds at this time - go to work and leave my children alone, or stay home and have no money coming in. Pray for them please, as well as those throughout this country and other countries going through the same thing.

I'm a teacher who can't go to work until April 6th. I'm thinking of calling a friend who has to work an hourly job to make sure she has childcare. If everybody could maybe take in a couple of kids, it would help. The youngest population is the least likely to get this, although they could carry it.

girlwithcurls2 wrote: »

RCPV wrote: »

Governor Sisolak of Nevada just closed all schools until at least April 6th. We have a large amount of very poor people here who make minimum wage. They literally live paycheck to paycheck and that's a stretch. I don't know what they're supposed to do with their children while they go to work. A great amount are single parents. I'm at a loss. I can't imagine what must be going through their minds at this time - go to work and leave my children alone, or stay home and have no money coming in. Pray for them please, as well as those throughout this country and other countries going through the same thing.

I'm a teacher who can't go to work until April 6th. I'm thinking of calling a friend who has to work an hourly job to make sure she has childcare. If everybody could maybe take in a couple of kids, it would help. The youngest population is the least likely to get this, although they could carry it.

That’s such a great idea to help out the working parents with no other alternative due to not being able to afford daycare costs or simply not being able to afford any time off.

Our church (via online streaming) called us today to “wash your hands, then wash their feet” reminding us that in times like this when we have neighbors literally forced to choose between:
A ). work and risk contracting the virus and possibly have to figure out childcare, or
B ). not work+forgo income
that we who are Christians with extra resources have an obligation to help our neighbors how we can: donate food to them (or donate local food banks either food or I’m sure they take phone donations), or watch their kids so they can work, etc.

Anything we can do to help ease some of the stress and anxiety I’m sure would be a huge help to those that feel they have no option to not work💕

I had a talk yesterday with a friend who is originally from Aleppo, in Syria. He has been in the States for 20 years but his family still lives in Syria. His dad is currently in a refugee camp because his town was being shelled. He has seen some stuff! We were talking about the Coronavirus and how Americans aren’t used to facing disasters, and how difficult it was getting to find supplies, and he said something wise.

He said, “While you’re getting all these things in case you have to quarantine, don’t forget the one most important thing to have on hand in an emergency!”

I said, “What’s that?”

He said, “Remember love. Take a moment and look around at the people with you and just appreciate that you are alive right now and every moment is precious. Don’t forget to bring love!”

rheddmobile wrote: »

I had a talk yesterday with a friend who is originally from Aleppo, in Syria. He has been in the States for 20 years but his family still lives in Syria. His dad is currently in a refugee camp because his town was being shelled. He has seen some stuff! We were talking about the Coronavirus and how Americans aren’t used to facing disasters, and how difficult it was getting to find supplies, and he said something wise.

He said, “While you’re getting all these things in case you have to quarantine, don’t forget the one most important thing to have on hand in an emergency!”

I said, “What’s that?”

He said, “Remember love. Take a moment and look around at the people with you and just appreciate that you are alive right now and every moment is precious. Don’t forget to bring love!”

Please thank your friend for his words of wisdom. They come at a really needed time.

bmeadows380 wrote: »

Which is why I am glad our governor has already taken steps to prepare for when the virus finally shows up here in WV; put measures in place now to try to slow it down as much as possible, especially as people have proven to be terrible at self-quarantining.

My church still had services this morning because we don't have a confirmed case yet, but weren't actively encouraging touching, either, and had plenty of hand sanitizer. The pastor also told us that while the church still intends to have services, its being taken day by day, and we will close our doors if necessary.

Still, I was rolling my eyes at the number of people in the church who aren't really taking this seriously at all. I think in West Virginia, because it's not here yet, a lot of people are just brushing it off.

I agree 100% that the lack of WV cases has made people a bit lackadaisical about this... church still happened this morning, but people are changing habits for the most part. We kept our two youngest home because they were sniffly and coughing - 95% sure it’s allergies from a nearby apple town that is in full bloom (spent two hours at the park), but better to be safe. I was teaching SUnday School (before church so hubby and I switched out, he is Assistant Pastor so for a variety of reasons he needed to be there this morning) and got to overhear several conversations that made me want to shake some sense into people, but had a good one with another lady that had a similar mindset as myself. Our church is a hugging church, and they are proud of it! It was comical to see the awkward body language this morning because people just didn’t know what to do

Had to go out so DH could get a “quarantine” tent for work (pop up tent with full enclosure). There was an Aldi in the same shopping center and I went in with one bag expecting a madhouse and cleared shelves - was pleasantly surprised to find most things in order, a few sparse areas (no TP, surprise surprise, very little bread). I stocked up on bacon, butter, and avocado oil because I can be creative in the kitchen, but with out fats/oils to wrk with I don’t know what I would do!

I’ll admit, I would be way more skeptical and in denial of what is going on in the world if it weren’t for this thread, especially @snowflake954’s updates from Italy. I keep trying to talk logical sense into people (the lady this morning is also spreading the “flatten the curve” message) without fear mongering.

snowflake954 wrote: »

We have been told that the data coming out of Northern Italy says that the virus is targeting males especially more than women. Children are being affected very little. Men, especially over 60, but we've had deaths of 40 yr olds. One was an ambulance driver. Milan is converting a huge building from their Worlds Fair several years ago into a hospital.

I'm quoting myself this morning, because Milan is building a new hospital like China. I'm going to share this because these same decisions may be made in the States (and elsewhere) in the future. The head of the infectious diseases hospital in Milan was interviewed on a new hospital. He pointed out that a new hospital will need equipment and staff--all of which is in short supply (the military is sending 20 doctors up North to help out). He thinks it would be better to analyze each hospital and see where there is space to add 15 to 20 beds and equip those. It would also cost less. When asked how it was going this morning he said: "We have 40 beds available this morning, so it depends on how many arrive (this can be 50-70 a day), as for tomorrow, that's another day.

jenilla1 wrote: »

earlnabby wrote: »

acpgee wrote: »

If people are being confronted with empty supermarket shelves, I notice that in London at least, hoarding behaviour hasn't hit the asian grocer's yet. I've been to two this week and they were both well stocked.

Around here the "mass market" grocery stores were hit first and hard. The smaller "mom and pop" and ethnic ones were not hit very hard at all.

For realz...the Walmart was crazy when I drove by - lines out into the parking lot like Black Friday. I kept on driving. Went to the small local market (my favorite place to go) and there were only a few shoppers, plenty of products and no wait to check out. The prices are always a little higher than Walmart anyway, but it was well worth paying slightly more to skip the hassle and drama. Got everything I needed and left with a smile on my face.

Here in NYC... all stores big and small, Asian or not are being hit hard. No meat, no supplies, long lines and short tempers.

moonangel12 wrote: »

I’ll admit, I would be way more skeptical and in denial of what is going on in the world if it weren’t for this thread, especially @snowflake954’s updates from Italy. I keep trying to talk logical sense into people (the lady this morning is also spreading the “flatten the curve” message) without fear mongering.

me, too - my initial thoughts at the beginning of this thread have drastically changed as it has grown in length!

I was a little frustrated with the pastor's wife yesterday morning. She had the attitude that this is all overkill and devastating the economy which she claims will cause more deaths in the long run itself. And then there are number of people who aren't bothered at all, having the attitude that "God will take care of me". *shakes head* Every time I heard that, I couldn't help but wonder how many people blew off the Spanish flu in 1918 with that attitude, or better yet, the Black Plague. I"m a Christian and believe in God and the Bible, but I'm also a firm believer that God expects us to use common sense, too, and treating a disease like this as though its trivial is about as far from sensible as one can get. (DISCLAIMER: this is just my particular belief and isn't meant to start any sort of religious discussion as I'm sure there are many others of a variety of faiths who are doing the same thing - so please don't take this and delve into an area that's going to get us in trouble with the moderators!)

anyway, I was trying to explain the flattening of the curve thing, too, but it wasn't getting much traction, sadly. I hate to even think it, but its going to take people getting sick and hospitalized and perhaps worse before most people in my area start to take this seriously.

On the mask front, I have a respirator style mask that fits tight against my face that I use when making my soap, so I hope that would be adequate if it comes to the place where I need it. Also makes me think I'd better stop at Lowe's on the way home and see if I can get another pack of those, as the one I have is getting a little old and could probably stand to be replaced......


My best friend called me on Saturday to tell me that her company was requiring her to set up to work from home, and she was complaining about it as she works in a call center and would have to spend the weekend re-arranging her computer setup to accommodate it. She too was claiming this wasn't any worse than the flu and this is all over kill, so I tried to explain the difference to her. She asked me to send her links to read, so I sent her the John Hopkins link from earlier and a link to this thread lol

I hope she reads this as she lives in the metro area of the state capitol and she has weak lungs and is very susceptible to anything that infects the respiratory system, so if she does catch this, it has a very good potential of being very bad for her, and even worse, she's the type that waits until the very last minute to go to the doctor, meaning she'll let it get very severe before seeking medical help. And she lives alone and I'm her only contact

Potential great news but it's too early to tell if this will work. I'm hearing of rapid potential treatments, not vaccines. One is the one Snowflake mentioned around a week ago -- the RA drug which slows the progression in the lungs. This other one, which slows the replication of the virus, might show a lot more promise. It was developed for Ebola.

https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/coronavirus-remdesivir-gilead-antiviral-drug-covid-19/573261/

There's also another strategy I've heard of as well. They take the antibodies from those that have had it and recovered and administer them to people that haven't had it yet. That would be a longer term play, though.

It's not they won't find a vaccine, I think they will, but these are strategies meant to minimize deaths until we find a vaccine. World wide, pharmaceutical companies are working hard to find solutions.