How was everyone dealing with this virus scare?

[RLLigman]

There is an "S" and an "R" strain identified serologically. One is more virulent than the other. The more virulent strain appears to center in the lungs, based on limited data. Because testing and screening ramp-up was so horribly botched at the Federal level. much of the modeling and mapping, with concomitant adjustments in healthcare resource allocations and containment focus has been done in a scattershot effort. Not a good time to be living in urbania.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2002032

There was a pandemic rapid response initiative put together in the Obama administration years in response to the Ebola outbreak. DJT administration dismantled the program in 2018 and repositioned much of the military's resources and personnel that were tied to this. Protocols established by them are just now being dusted-off and enacted.

Regeneron has a novel in-house mouse population that they developed in response to the Ebola outbreaks. Their strain of mice contains an inserted human genome that enables them to be a near-mimic of the human immune system response. Cohorts are currently being exposed to a variety of non-virulent antigens that will likely induce antibody production. Antibody titer production peaks are being tracked for each antigen agent. Those that elicit top tier antibody production values will be compared, with one or two final choices established to produce an antibody "cocktail" in injectable form for use in aiding those patient populations at highest risk (compromised immune system di
sses such as Type-1 diabetes, Lupus,RA, asthma, ciliac disease, etc.) of responding to virus attack and fulminant infection.

https://www.yahoo.com/...ctive-114020934.html

New England Journal of Medicine reported a virus fomite transmission and aerosol risk determination study this week. Covid-19 can survive up to 72 hours on a surface like stainless steal with lessened of an interval of viability on plastic. Aerosol transmission is low risk, with viral particles viable for around three hours, but not being capable of distribution distances common with some flu viruses of 50 feet or more when dispersed by cough or sneeze.

Still, just don't get the whole TP hoarding idea...

My wife is a vet. tech. Their clinic has now gone to having their clients wait in the cars, cellphones in hand, for notification to enter and be placed in an exam room. we are usually entering the secondary peak in the annual flu cycle, caused by the return north of the "Snow Birds". Thankfully for her, and their clients they are working out of a two month old facility with updated air handling and filtration systems, in-floor heating, and one of the most fascinating water treatment set-ups I have ever seen, since the clinic is
drawing wellwater...massive three stage filtration and three day storage capacity. There is a coronavirus vaccine for dogs.

FDA approved States to develop their own in-house tests yesterday. Downside is that swab availability and production and shipping, via supply chain is woefully inadequate to keep up with national demand levels.

My internal medicine doctor is John Hopkins trained, former Oncologist/Haemotologist. He is 72, has ciliac disease, and is at high-risk, partially because he just returned to work a couple of months ago from having his leg re-broken and reset, following a emergency surgery and months long "sentence" in a nursing home, prior returning home to our regional medical facility to repair the compound fracture in British Columbia when he fell off a glacier tele-skiing via helicopter drop-off. He is truly torn as he weighs his inherent concern and obligation to his patient population against his personal risks via age, background health status level, and compromised immune system.

Our managed care dominated, too deep in administrative staff and layers of assessment of expenditure costs/profitability comparisons, is not equipped to handle this challenge, should it surge exponentially nationwide. Pray for the line-staff healthcare providers and workers. We can't even standardize care and enact HEDIS guidelines for consistent management of CAD and CHF, two of the big dollar healthcare vacuum cleaners!

IF this is not a seasonal virus, ebbing when humidty and temperatures elevate in spring and early summer, there is the real risk of circular reinfection, most likely in the far east , such as China. Vietnam, India at they try to recover production capacity and the economy. The good news is that the Chinese have demonstrated a high level of nationalism within their population, at least in the first exposure and proliferation cycle.


https://www.yahoo.com/...ctive-114020934.html

 

[RLLigman]

Two other things, after just reading a business website's total misrepresentation of the NEJM Study data:

1.) Don't subscribe to social media hysteria and our way overboard news cycle which is generating that hysteria, feeding into "worried well syndrome". 2. Anything cited online should be tracked back to the source publication(s), including what I say.

 

[MLBob Furia]

[size 4] Feeling fortunate that I was released to go home after my surgery just before everything seemed to ramp up into high gear. Even so, most medical offices are pushing post-op follow up appointments back a few weeks if it's felt they are not critical. My recovery is way ahead of schedule - so much so that after the first visit by the home PT guy to observe what was going on, he told me he didn't see any need to come back. Earlier this week the cardiologist told me over the phone that PT guy told him: "That guy's in better shape than me." [whistle] Good to hear.

We had pretty much resolved ourselves to hunkering down anyway, so all the new restrictions in place really aren't affecting the pattern we'd adopted. Sarah tells me that after the initial run of hoarders, store shelves seem to be returning to normal and there hasn't been a problem getting the food & household supplies we need. She has been getting out to run Scooter most every day as Scooter seems to be the one with the biggest need to burn off energy! I'm up to an hour of walking each day, going up and down stairs + spending a little time in the studio painting on a stockpile of birds I was fortunate enough to finish & seal before the surgery took place. Finding that spending too much time hunched over a workpiece while painting with my new chest zipper & sternum on the mend gives me a sore back. A good carver friend of mine from the West Coast sent me some great info on rotating, bench-top holding systems (which I have been considering for the studio for some time), and I sent in an order just this morning for some of their equipment. Should prove very helpful long-term, as I get back to working in the shop and studio as recovery from surgery continues.

We had notified the kids early on that there was no need for visits for quite a few weeks so that the focus could be on rehab & getting better, anyway. A good supply of duck, goose, pheasant & quail in the freezer to supplement what we pick up at the store.

My heart goes out to folks who are dependent on job situations that depend on daily foot traffic and public interaction to thrive and survive. The far-reaching economic effects of so many closures will be devastating for so many.

Spoke with one of our daughters who works for Ohio State University in a position as "Strategic Communications Coordinator." She says she is swamped as the University has moved all classes on-line and had all students move out of the dorms and back home upon return from spring break. Her department is responsible for the formatting of content of most everything that goes on the University websites and apps that students access, so the rush for professors in all departments to get course content up on-line for the coming semester has them hopping.

 

[Dave Diefenderfer]

Northern Virginia: We are in significant lock down. No school, no church, gatherings of no more than 5. No table service, take out, pick-up, or delivery only. Staples are still scares, finding bread and eggs is a challenge, paper goods are not yet stocked. Huge lines to get into the warehouse stores, with limited entries apparently. I continue to go to work, I work operations, and need to be where the work is being done. There are maybe 20% of us on site. I have plenty of protein on hand, and enough to add to it to make decent meals for quite some time. The hard part is the lack of social interaction. My gym is closed, so I am back to running to get my fix. My wife is not able to teach Jazzercise, so she is missing here exercise and social interaction. I gave her some yard work to do for physical activity! Will have here coating some decoys for me too..... The struggle this week is that her folks are moving in a couple weeks, are stressed out, and need our help, but I don't think we should expose them. They are in SC, and not really heeding the directions like they should, and are compromised already. In a 55 and over community, it is almost like a nursing home, huge numbers of folks in the danger demographic.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Being retired, and living in rural western NY...

Winters = hibernation to a degree, by choice, or otherwise. This situation drags it out longer, and for who knows how long?

Cabin Fever is real.

Hopefully not to the degree of Jack N. in The Shinning. []


Folks here "stock up" for very sensible reasons.

What is going on now, with all the empty shelves in stores is panic buying. Sensible has gone out the window. Human Nature response in some I guess.


We are OK, at present.

Freezer full of mostly wild game, with a good supply of spring water, etc.

My usual Catch & Release fishing will be suspended this Spring, and Jakes will most likely not get a pass turkey hunting. Much like how I lived in the past during lean times, and I'm sure many on here went thru as well.

Push comes to shove a .22 can put food on the table, if need be.

Mary Lee and I, both being artists means useful time indoors, and plenty of inspiration outdoors.


We are doing the whole distancing thing, following advisements, and everything else that just makes good sense.

In laws are in home quarantine, as one of his fellow workers tested positive.

A concern is a shortage of meds which is predicted, but we shall cross that bridge when we come to it.

Also PT for my back injury is now a no, no until further notice.

Thank goodness all required doctor appointments, tests, etc., have been done prior to this time.


All in all we are doing better than some.


ALL are in our prayers.


When I lived in western PA, my longtime doctor was on the Federal Pandemic Task Force.

We had discussions. He was very blunt, a tell it like it is doctor (the very reason I went to him).

The things he told me were going to happen, are happening.



We wish all here the best, and keep busy.

"Idle hands are the devils workshop."



VP

 

[Dani]

Dani,
My son-in-law is Chief Deputy Sheriff for the local county. I haven't talked with him yet, but wondered in my own mind, just how soon we will see an uptick in burglaries, at all these closed bars and restaurants.

I saw a post (no clue if it is real or not but since it was on Facebook I would say likely NOT) that said whatever Sheriff's Office was no longer going to be arresting people for misdemeanor type crimes. I thought......if this is FOR REAL....WHY would anyone post this? That is just asking for all those little break ins and minor amounts of drugs and all sorts of other little stuff to occur. I know that LEO are spread thin in a good day but why advertise that kind of info?

Assuming of course that was real....

 

[Brad Bortner]

Retired but doing some part time consulting from rural home in western Washington.

I was in Omaha last week for a conference with Fish and Wildlife administrators and NGOs from all over the continent. Washed hands, used hand sanitizer and avoided most handshakes and crowded situations while there. I put myself in self-isolation upon return in case of being pre-symptomatic and didn't want to infect my wife. I have no symptoms after 6 days from last public exposure. So far there haven't been any reports of sickness from the conference attendees.

I have llots of work to do around here with lawn and property maintenance, a long list of woodworking projects, a few decoys on the bench and may part time telework consulting work. Have a cache of food, fuel, water and supplies for potential 9.0 earthquake and tsunami but it'll all work during a pandemic. Not too concerned about cabin fever as long as there is internet access. I may go dig razor clams or chase dungy crabs to replenish the larder.

Being a population ecologist by training with a couple stints in wildlife and public health, I certainly take this seriously and am glad to see governments finally implementing actions that will slow the spread of this virus. I know none of us appreciate the inconvenience, or watching the economy nosedive, or the human suffering but the self isolation/social distancing is a whole lot better than the alternative of collapse of the health care system and subsequent millions of deaths.

 

[Bomber]

It is probably real and a silly thing to post in that manner. A lot of communities have had the courts close and might be issuing summons or citations for misdemeanor crimes. I can see just ignoring them, that is not the way we do business. we are very much still open for business 24/7/365

 

[RLLigman]

It is probably real and a silly thing to post in that manner. A lot of communities have had the courts close and might be issuing summons or citations for misdemeanor crimes. I can see just ignoring them, that is not the way we do business. we are very much still open for business 24/7/365

Tim, now there is an even better reason for district court staff to feel safer behind a couple of inches of bullet proof glass...

 

[Mark W]

Very interesting times here... Gus is off school and distance learning without a clear end and we are working from home without a clear end.

We are always pretty stocked up here, but we did make a trip this week in anticipation of worse times ahead. The worst area in NY is right across the border from us and we have the most cases of any county in CT. When we went out yesterday to pick up supplies things were fairly well stocked, but there were things missing.

Gus and I went to the shooting range today to burn some ammo (social distancing of course). Pretty much a perfect day, which made it kind os surreal.

We are stocked, have plenty of asswipe, got liquor and wine stocked before they close our stores...

i hope folks are well.

Cabelas right near me is out of pistol ammo and most rifle rounds. So I would be careful shooting ammo if you are low on anything.

Mark

 

[RLLigman]

A good friend sent me this:

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

IF you opt to detach from the 24/7 media coverage, you can array this by sequentially clicking deeper in to provide you daily updates of epidemiologic information, management actions, and associated information.

Take care, be safe!

I have been tasked with building a scale model of the McPherson barn and farmstead on June 30. 1863.

 

[Richard Lathrop]

I work as an IT Contractor for the Federal Gov't. The Office of Personnel Management advised Maximum telework so I am working from home for the time being. My mom recently had a stroke and is still in the hospital in NJ. The hospital is on full lock down with no visitors for the duration. We are stocked up but everything around us is closed up.

Seems like there are not as many nay sayers here as on other forums.

Rick

 

[jode hillman]

Dani,
My son-in-law is Chief Deputy Sheriff for the local county. I haven't talked with him yet, but wondered in my own mind, just how soon we will see an uptick in burglaries, at all these closed bars and restaurants.

I saw a post (no clue if it is real or not but since it was on Facebook I would say likely NOT) that said whatever Sheriff's Office was no longer going to be arresting people for misdemeanor type crimes. I thought......if this is FOR REAL....WHY would anyone post this? That is just asking for all those little break ins and minor amounts of drugs and all sorts of other little stuff to occur. I know that LEO are spread thin in a good day but why advertise that kind of info?

Assuming of course that was real....

This is exactly what is happening in New Jersey. A friend of mine?s brother is a local chief. They had a meeting and they were instructed to only follow up on crimes were there was a victim. I.e. robbery burglary assault etc. misdemeanor crimes are basically going to be overlooked at this point.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

A few days ago I read in a newspaper, that law enforcement was requesting all criminals to suspend criminal activity during the Pandemic.

Folks may think that is funny, but what is the harm in such a straight forward request?

I'm no expert, but good guys and most bad guys wanna stay alive. No?

If some comply it is still better than none I would think.



Town court is closed, there is talk of freeing prisoners, plus the catch and release bail reform, etc.

I tip my hat to all that serve and protect, as a stressful job just got even more stressful.

They have families that they want to go home to, without bringing the virus home with them.


Hopefully during this slow down of human activity, we will pause a be very grateful for what we have.

Many of us are hunkered down, while others still report to work for our well being.

May God Bless Them All.




my 2 cents

 

[Mark W]

Dani,
My son-in-law is Chief Deputy Sheriff for the local county. I haven't talked with him yet, but wondered in my own mind, just how soon we will see an uptick in burglaries, at all these closed bars and restaurants.

I saw a post (no clue if it is real or not but since it was on Facebook I would say likely NOT) that said whatever Sheriff's Office was no longer going to be arresting people for misdemeanor type crimes. I thought......if this is FOR REAL....WHY would anyone post this? That is just asking for all those little break ins and minor amounts of drugs and all sorts of other little stuff to occur. I know that LEO are spread thin in a good day but why advertise that kind of info?

Assuming of course that was real....

Unfortunately it is real Dani. They are doing that here and they are considering letting go those currently in jail due to the worry they will get the virus and than have it rapidly go through the jailhouse and those who work there.

 

[Mark W]

I too am retired and can just avoid the world by drinking more. I figure if the ethyl alcohol is good for hand sanitizer, nay as well sanitize the insides as well. The logic works for me so please don't ruin it.

TP is all but gone around here as well as potatoes, beans, rice, pasta, canned soup, froze veggies, cleaning products and so on. Costco is limiting people to 1 gallon of milk. Gas is cheap but the truck is full and I'm not going anywhere yet anyway. Here is where things are getting difficult for us.

Wife works at the University of Minnesota. Many would think that since everything at the U has shut down and going online, she would be home as well. Except her job is IT and she has a pretty big role in it. With everything going online, and many older profs not even knowing how to even get online, the workload for that group has grown. Capacity is strained, and there is a new emergency every other minute. I feel for her and want her home, not out running around. They forced her, and her group, home today but the front line help people have to stay.

My parents just got back from Alabama yesterday. Both in their mid 80's and Mom has pneumonia and a previous lung condition. Dad thinks he is invincible and can do everything he did when he was a kid. And in an unsettling reversal from my teenage years, I now find myself yelling at my parents for going out. Since they have been gone for 2.5 months, and cleaned out their fridge before leaving, they don't have much, including TP. Even getting in to see the doctor for my Moms condition has been next to impossible

My neighbor at our cabin just had surgery to remove some of his large intestine due to colon cancer. It didn't go as well as expected and he has had some ongoing complications. The main hospital is 50 miles from them and neither he nor his wife can drive. They have no family nearby and the other neighbors are also too old to be going out, or they were working. So I've been driving to Chetek, then to his appointments in Eau Claire, back to Chetck and then home. With my parents home and needing help, and more "shelter in place" requirements coming in the next day or two, I don't know what he i going to do.

And last, I have a bum knee. Been bothering me since August 2019 and it got to the point where I had to see someone. Torn meniscus and some cartilage damage that was going to be fixed next week. With the request that any elective surgery being placed on hold, don't know what that means for me. I don't want to drain resources from critical needs but i'm not getting around very well either. Will let the doc's decide.

So I hope that provides a good reason to just stay home and drink some more. Bad news though last night. While there is plenty of alcohol, the mix is running low. And I have no more caffeinated beverages at home other than coffee which I don't drink.

Mark

 

[Dani]

Cabelas right near me is out of pistol ammo and most rifle rounds. So I would be careful shooting ammo if you are low on anything.

Mark

Our purchasing guy took us to buy ammo today. We need lots of ammo at work and we need a large variety of brands/models. Academy says 3 boxes per person, though they were gracious enough since we are law enforcement to allow us 20 boxes total. Went to Bass Pro after that and no limits. Most all of the handgun ammo was gone at both stores. Academy was pretty much out of everything (though I did find some of my favorite turkey shot) but Bass Pro has lots of rifle and shotgun ammo. If you have a 45 Auto, seems that you'll have no issues finding ammo around here. Beyond that, good luck finding handgun ammo.

Dani

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

"Alcohol is the cause of....and the answer to ALL of life's problems." - unknown quote



"THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO BUT GET DRUNK." - U.S. President Franklin Pierce





Like Keith Richards, I now mostly abstain...

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Cabelas right near me is out of pistol ammo and most rifle rounds. So I would be careful shooting ammo if you are low on anything.

Mark

Our purchasing guy took us to buy ammo today. We need lots of ammo at work ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Beyond that, good luck finding handgun ammo.

Dani

Well it's a good thing I either lost or sold ALL my guns. Otherwise I might have that covered. [] BTW the new holste*,,, umm I mean leather belt, is doing a fine job holding up my pants. (for those that care)

 

[Mark J.]

We're still sitting at four cases here in Niagara Region - Ontario, and people are thankfully taking it seriously. The border, casinos, schools, restaurants, bars, etc. are closed. My fiance works at a local college and has been working from home since Monday, originally scheduled for 2 weeks but she was bumped up to 3 weeks. She is already going stir crazy.

I'm a supervisor in public works for a small municipality and am working overtime. I'm very thankful that the winter control season is mainly behind us. I anticipate my workload to continue, the other supervisor started a 14 day quarantine yesterday after coming home early from a Florida vacation.

At home we are well stocked with fresh and frozen food and general supplies. In anticipation of more closures and to keep ourselves busy we picked up paint to finish the renovated bathroom, update the bedroom doors and trim around the house. I've got enough carving supplies for a dozen blocks and if we get locked down beyond that there's plenty of organizing in the shop.

I look forward to some added traffic in the workbench thread.