Good advice from Cheddy...  

Iris, a lot of places here will do online grocery delivery... I got my a few months worth of coffee and honey delivered from Costco 

my hubby and I have been 15 days extra reclusive ..I take my dog out for 2 walks a day but dont stop and chat with other walkers the way I used to...unless its a quick hello how are you? from 6-8 feet away...other than that..its home or in the yard at home

I have always been a bulk buyer so Im usually stocked up ...my son (who is still going to work...alone in his office ..the others having been laid off for now) has gone to the store for milk for us.

but as Cheddy said... if you have to shop...wear gloves and do not touch your face....and if you are coughing at all...make sure you wear a mask or scarf...

the grocery stores are doing a great job with sanitizing and encouraging physical distancing ... they make us bag our own stuff...no biggie... and prefer cards to cash so they can sterilize their machine. The food itself is safe (cause youre going to wash or cook it depending on what it is) but we actually also wipe the boxes and bottles and packaging with a sterile wipe just in case...
And then wash our hands ....yet again....

my mother was always obsessed with hand washing (I hear her voice every time I scrub my hands so thats a bonus ) 

I also agree that you should speak to your Dr about your symptoms, get tested if you can and if your breathing gets really bad call 911and go to a hospital .

These are surreal times ....

Stay safe friends

-- Edited by Observer on Saturday 28th of March 2020 04:13:46 AM

I get it, Iris, and this really sucks. I don't have all the answers, either, but this is what I suggest.

1. The spousal unit coming in and out: He must must must clean up upon return. At minimum, a good hand washing. After that, a shower and a change of clothes are recommended. Then, you go around and disinfect the doorknobs and frequently touched surfaces. After 18 days, you have done your part, but you may have to compensate for others (yes, again).

2 Your symptoms don't sound good. Coughing, headache, fever, out of breath. If any of those are still going on, call your doctor! Really, right now, and however many times it takes. They are doing tele-call appointments and may qualify you for testing in the parking lot. That would also inform you whether or not you can go to your mom's.

3. Go to your mom's? Not if you are symptomatic. If she's lonely, keep in close contact by phone. Everybody is a little more lonely now and we each must bear that burden for now.  If you are consider going there to stay for a while, because it seems like a safer place, then get clearance first. If you do go, disinfect like crazy. The CDC recommendations are clear.

4. You need food. You can go to the grocery store. My store has been really diligent about wiping down carts and they disinfect the check out area after each customer.  Some stores offer single use plastic food handlers gloves. I wear rubber gloves and a mask or a bandana or scarf over my mouth and nose.  I wash my hands when I get home, first with the gloves on so that I can re-use them, then I wash my bare hands. Then the doorknob. After putting things away, I wash again. The good thing is, Iris, that food has shown to be one of the least suspected carriers. You can wash what you bring home. For fresh foods, the suggestion is to rinse in cold water.  Stock up. Fill the freezer with chicken or something healthy.

I'm glad you are taking this seriously. Please don't be paralyzed. We can empower ourselves with the CDC guide lines - and some good food.

I'm no expert, but these work, so you don't have to fall in the pit of despair. 

Please let me know how this goes. And take a look at your picture here: you have walked through fire.

Best wishes and care from

Cheddy

Ok I read through, thanks for posting the info, things seem to be changing more rapidly now. I have questions I guess they can't answer? I've been in the house now for 18 days but my husband has made several trips out, three times to Kaiser for appts. and meds, to his moms house several times where they have people coming and going all the time (two teenagers, a deadbeat dad/brother, a grocery store working sister, and a ma-in-law that won't stay put) and the ma in law is most at risk with diabetes and kidney failure. 

I have had a headache and soreish throat for days and days, and about 10 days ago I coughed all night and couldn't sleep, (I'm congested all the time anyway) but it is how our last cold started at the end of January. from all the symptoms they list, that cold seems like it could have been the virus. Especially because it went to my chest right away and I had a fever. I tried going up a flight of stairs and had to stop about 8 times I was so out of breath, the coughing that ensued after gave one laryngitis and it lasted for weeks. How will I know if that was it?

My dilemma is this, everyone keeps saying "just go to your moms, go to your moms", (she is pretty lonely) but how will I ever know if I'm a carrier? how will I ever get 14 days clear if the person in my house is going all over the place. My chest is tight now, how can I know if it psychosomatic? 

I'm trying not to fall into the hole of despair, but we are now out of fresh everything, I can go off canned for about a week more though I would like some butter and milk and some fresh veggies, but I'm terrified to go to the store. I didn't go when everyone else was in the crazy lines. I had just been shopping a couple days prior to the madness but I just shopped like normal. I didn't figure everyone was going to stress shop days later. 

Iris

Tig, as usual, you are awesome. You take so much good care of everyone you reach.

I'm doing everything I can to stay well and safe, but really, it doesn't feel like life has changed that much in ways. The power is on. There's gas in the car. The water is running. There's food in the fridge. My love and friendships are strong.

Yes, I am deeply concerned, and not complacent, but I agree, we must focus on doing the right things and staying well. Don't be hit before it hits home.  In the meantime, we are free and are in charge of making the best of it.

Please all: Wash up, keep your distance, keep drink the water, and love in abundance.

Sincerely.

Hi Everyone,

First, don't fall prey to the panic! That's the last thing anyone needs to feel right now. Our life in general has been very positive and it will continue to be. BELIEVE THAT!! If anyone on this planet knows how to maintain when the chips are down and waiting for a cure, it's us. We waited for decades for an antiviral to come along and give us hope. I've talked to some people with more knowledge than most and it's because of us and our continued willingness to accept entry into those previous antiviral trials, that has provided the head start and promises of quicker discoveries for the medications needed to fight this. Don't lose sight of what we have already done for the battle to find new and better antiviral medications.

If we were still using the old protocols, such as Peg Interferon, Incivek and Victrelis, we would really be in a world of hurt. They individually and combined, destroyed the immune system. Many of us, myself included, were forced into months of seclusion, prescribed white and red blood cell boosters, over the real fear that one exposure to a virus or bacteria, would make us deathly ill. Guess, what? We were sick, very, very sick, but we survived, because we are survivors and followed directions. This, for most of us, is easily handled, by good hygiene, social distancing and maintaining our sanity. It's stressful, but I know we can do it, we've done it before and we'll do it now.

For those currently on treatment, fear not. The new DAA's DO NOT destroy your immune system. They block the HCV virus from replicating, by throwing a wrench into the viral chain of events. That same research and knowledge is what they will use to stop this as well. You should continue to march forward with treatment as prescribed and practice all the advice currently being recommended by the fantastic medical personnel fighting to keep us safe and cared for.

We're going to be just fine! Have faith and don't forget, HYDRATE!  

I'll have to come back and read all this better, but right now I'm freaking out. SO scared for all our seniors and we have several in our family with compromised health. My husband has been the grouchiest I've seen him, he is certain his recently diagnosed copd is his sentence. My Mom isn't concerned saying she has lived a long and fulfilling life, but damn it... this can't be the way they all go out  

tnx tig

they are fast tracking our unemployment, skipping the wait period and we don't have to look for a job since alllllllll the casinos everywhere are shut down. i love our governor now.

it was a little disorganized but she had to meet with the the owners first. 

it's all done now..... quick meeting, home to sign up; and that was difficult due to only doing it once 17 yrs ago and that was a laid off thing. this is working still with reduced hours.... plus i was full time for 15 yrs and part time now but of course there's no where to write that.hahha

and i had to pick a second job so i picked something in gaming that i would have a really hard time getting hired for ; there just werent enough choices so i took a gamble on it

we were told since we have a return date that they should waive the 'go looking for a job' part.

so here's hoping i didn't mess up the application and will be getting food money soon

glad i didn't eat the beans before, we had to wait an hour in a small room together and that would have been uncomfortable.

i am officially hunkered down now

Well, you might just go ahead and eat the beans and cheese (heartedly) before going to HR. Their response will determine yours, lol! Good luck!!

mainly it's a corona virus, but a novel one....... is that why it's spreading so fast and easy? 

i did my grocery shopping; no chicken or toilet paper to be found anywhere so it's a good thing i have those already. i got what i could, even the last pkg of brussel sprouts.

i did get a cpl pieces of cake and some sweet potato chips along with beef patties ,lettuce and cabbage along with some froz. dinners.

wish i didn't have to go to HR, they really should have mailed that stuff to us....... oh well, i'll leave here in about 10 min and should be home by 1pm....... or sooner

 United Way Assistance Info below:

A physician’s perspective:

Don’t Listen to the Spin

Hi Mike,

It’s good to hear from you! I’ve thought about you often and wondered how you were handling all of this. I’m glad you’ve got things in order, I’m not the least bit surprised though. You’ve always been a good planner!

I‘m not sure what to make of all this. There was so much trouble caused by other viral outbreaks and the media didn’t make near the efforts to spread fear, or information, as they are now. I’m watching the news now and they’re saying this could be a year long outbreak. I don’t know how people will handle all of this social distancing. I’ve been socially distant for years, so I’m not having a problem. My family and their young ones aren’t handling it as well. Kind of hard to tell 3 year olds to slow down! Their schools are closing, so daycare and education is a problem. 

Stay in touch and keep your distance!

Hi everybody. Because of my HIV+ and Emphysema status, I've been practicing vigilant hand washing, not touching my face, and social distancing since before this coronavirus outbreak mainly due to the increased prevalence of H1N1 this season. Since this new outbreak I've increased the social distancing and fortunately are able to spend most of my time at home without causing me much 'abnormal' financial burden. I am stocked up pretty well with non-perishable food items and other household consumables, and have enough HIV / emphysema medications to last a couple of months. And, thankfully, I have my kitty cat to keep me company and to help fight the feeling of isolation, so my couch will be occupied much more than normal for a while. And this should give me some time to check in here more often.
 Thanks for the information links Tig and lamassu. Good sources for the latest on COVID-19 without the anxiety I tend to get from the media coverage. My TV is staying on Netflix and other non-'viral' channels for the most part.
 Be safe everyone.
 

Thanks for the info, Tig and lam...

good idea postponing  the forum cruise 

Most of the avoiding people/social distancing when in public, the well stocked pantry and supplies, the mildly obsessive hand washing is all stuff .........I do anyways..

Because of my chemical allergies, I can get triggered by someones laundry soap or dryer sheet stink if Im standing or sitting near them.... I havent been to a restaurant in 10 or more years because of soy candles and gases from furniture/carpets.... So I have no problem self isolating... its how I get to stay relatively healthy..

Thank goodness we can order almost anything on line...

all the stores are out of rubbing alcohol/ isopropyl so we found some online ordered it and can make our own sanitizer ....

stay safe my friends 

Tig wrote:

---

 

PS: I think Im going to postpone the Forum Cruise 

---

 hahahahaha, , i agree  

i'm hanging out at home watching disaster movies.... i get 4 days off and plan as few things as possible away from home; and shop after work at 1AM  

we have to go get a new dryer tomorrow tho so there's that.  .  thankfully we have some reserves for emergencies like this.

Thanks, Lam! You too

PS: I think I’m going to postpone the Forum Cruise 

Ars Technica has a comprehensive guide to COVID-19 that is updated daily and is solid science worth a read. Stay safe everyone.

CDC:  COVID19-10 updates. Why they have 2019 listed, I don’t know. Maybe they saw it coming? It is current information via the link below.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Here is some additional information from Florida and the CDC. Please don’t allow a panic situation to consume you. We are all well aware of what we need to do to protect ourselves and those around us. If there was ever a group that knows how to handle a virus, it’s us. People are freaking out unnecessarily. They are on top of this and it’s wise to listen to the experts themselves, not the media. There is no reason for the misinformation from them, except for ratings. Do your own homework! We know how to do that, pursue the truth. Be smart, be measured and above all else, stay calm. If there are any questions or concerns, I’ll do my best to answer them, using CDC recommendations.

If you have any pre existing respiratory issues, then consider what they’re calling “social distance” from known crowds. When there’s a bad flu outbreak, with coughing, sneezing, etc, we all avoid crowds as well. Keep that in mind my friends, we‘re going to be okay! I will say, my IRA is suffering far more from the panic sell off in the stock market. We need to calm them down 

WHAT IS SELF-ISOLATION?

• Self-isolation is voluntarily staying home and away from other people to limit the possibility of exposing others to infection.
• During this 14 day time period, you limit your contact with others in your home as much as possible, staying in a separate room and using a separate bathroom if available.
• It’s advised that no visitors come over unless the person needs to be in your home.
• During this time, you should also monitor your health. If you start feeling sick, call the health department in your county and then call your healthcare provider.
• Please call ahead to ensure you’re going to the right place and taking the necessary precautions.

LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHO’S AT RISK

My husband was on a plane yesterday. He and the man next to him were remarking on how clean everything was. The man said, "There have been 20,000 deaths by flu this year.  This is how clean is should be all the time."  Point taken. 

I'm not a germaphobe (yet) but I will be take the precautions we are learning now, every flu season.

Wash hands. Repeat. Wash hands. Repeat. etc.

Thanks for the post, Tig. I hope everybody here stays clear.

Even though we aren't dedicated to providing information to other disease and illness, I want to provide an area that our membership can obtain information on the Corona Virus - COVID-19. Caution is recommended, but standard precautions should be sufficient in both preventing and dealing with it, if you're in an area with outbreaks.

Please feel free to discuss it and share your concerns.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-h.pdf

Here is my home state's data link:

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/