16th March Covid chat

[mrsukyankee]

Our GP just shut down any face-to-face appointments for anything at all. Ugh. My H hasn't registered yet so not sure how that's going to work for him.

We're still coming in for work (don't get it) but a few clients have asked for online chats instead.

And, of course, our gov't is trying out the "herd immunity" thing - which most experts say will basically mean that thousands will die and our NHS will get overrun. Not only dying from the virus but other things because there won't be beds. So no school closures, no closures of anything. and our freaking Health Minister has the virus. Idiots. My H told my MIL that she has to stay home. I'm not sure she'll do it because she's a stubborn idiot. She had TB in the past so her lungs are already compromised. I'm going to yell it at her tonight.

[whatnext]

Mar 16, 2020 4:41:12 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Our GP just shut down any face-to-face appointments for anything at all. Ugh. My H hasn't registered yet so not sure how that's going to work for him.

We're still coming in for work (don't get it) but a few clients have asked for online chats instead.

And, of course, our gov't is trying out the "herd immunity" thing - which most experts say will basically mean that thousands will die and our NHS will get overrun. Not only dying from the virus but other things because there won't be beds. So no school closures, no closures of anything. and our freaking Health Minister has the virus. Idiots. My H told my MIL that she has to stay home. I'm not sure she'll do it because she's a stubborn idiot. She had TB in the past so her lungs are already compromised. I'm going to yell it at her tonight.

I've read 1.1 million people will die with this approach. It's horrifying

[mrsukyankee]

whatnext, yes, it is. And idiots think this approach is great because they don't understand how it's going to impact our health system and that they may lose people they care about. I'm listening to pundits on the radio talking about how great it is that we'll just have the virus impact us quickly and then it'll go away and how smart that is, without any knowledge or information, other than probably the Sun paper (right wing idiocy).

[booky]

It’s 2:53am PST here and I can not sleep. I’ve set my alarm for 6:30am to tend to some day to day household issues while I wait for the Federal Gov to announce their next plan at 10:00am tomorrow.

[jennybee1018]

Mar 16, 2020 4:47:58 GMT -5 whatnext said:

Mar 16, 2020 4:41:12 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Our GP just shut down any face-to-face appointments for anything at all. Ugh. My H hasn't registered yet so not sure how that's going to work for him.

We're still coming in for work (don't get it) but a few clients have asked for online chats instead.

And, of course, our gov't is trying out the "herd immunity" thing - which most experts say will basically mean that thousands will die and our NHS will get overrun. Not only dying from the virus but other things because there won't be beds. So no school closures, no closures of anything. and our freaking Health Minister has the virus. Idiots. My H told my MIL that she has to stay home. I'm not sure she'll do it because she's a stubborn idiot. She had TB in the past so her lungs are already compromised. I'm going to yell it at her tonight.

I've read 1.1 million people will die with this approach. It's horrifying

I don't even know what to say about this approach....it's completely overwhelming and terrifying to think that anyone would suggest this or go along with it. mrsukyankee, what do you guys plan to do? Stay in and self isolate for as long as possible?

Things here (Qatar) are escalating rapidly but I'm relieved about that. It seems we've tested 8000, and there are 400 cases so far. Everything is closed except for gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Flights into Qatar have been stopped (but transit flights are still fine)!

I've been fortunate that our university is on top of it - they moved classes online pretty quickly, and while they were a little slower to come around to staff working remotely, we got an email yesterday finally that encouraged us to work remotely if possible. So I'm WFH for the forseeable future. I'm going out to the grocery store if absolutely necessary, but otherwise, we're staying in!

[nsl]

mrsukyankee, my jaw is on the floor about that decision by the British government. It's hard to imagine just how history is going to look back on this time and explain why our countries made the choices they did.

Today is my first day of teleworking, and so far only one person in a leadership role (who doesn't supervise anyone, but who is part of the bigger admin team) has made contact with us about how procedures will be changing in light of the situation. The call to close was made Saturday afternoon, so I understand that there are probably details our direct supervisors haven't yet ironed out, but I also feel kind of abandoned by them at the moment. We're going to be fielding questions from the community we serve very soon, and so far we don't know anything that isn't public knowledge. It's very frustrating.

[meltoine]

I feel really bad for my BIL. He works at a hospital that has dozens of confirmed cases and he lives with my (oldish) ILs. He won't even eat dinner with them. He comes home, goes straight to his room, showers, changes, and then waits for them to go to sleep before he will go fix himself dinner. And on top of that his FI works in a different hospital halfway across the country. They normally trade off flying to one another every other weekend, but now both of their employers mandate a 14-day self-quarantine, unpaid, for any personal travel. I totally understand why, but it sucks for them that they can't see each other at all until this is over. He's so stressed about getting my ILs sick and I just feel bad for him. And I miss her, lol. I love when she comes to visit.

[scout8]

mrsukyankee, I can't believe that is the plan. Is no one paying attention to Italy? How scary for you.

I'm shocked that Trump isn't forcing us into this plan too. He doesn't care if people die so long as the economy is strong.

[bowies]

Already having technical difficulties this morning. Yay.

[eddy]

State of Iowa has confirmed community spread. 

Day 1 working from home. Here we go.

[SusanBAnthony]

Mar 16, 2020 5:50:05 GMT -5 bowies said:

Already having technical difficulties this morning. Yay.

H had trouble with our WiFi and VPN.

He was in a very pissy mood.

[carmenere]

Ugh mrsukyankee that’s awful, and scary. I hope your MIL listens.

My state representative (GA) posted on Facebook that they’re voting to give the governor emergency powers tomorrow, so I’m expecting to see a complete shutdown soon.

H has a bad ear infection and wouldn’t go to urgent care yesterday, I’m hoping they can get him in today. Also wondering whether I should leave the house to go get allergy shots. Since I’m WFH I can go at an off-time when there are usually only 2-3 people there. I need to get direction on what to do when i get my inevitable spring sinus infection and can’t get to a doctor.

[scout8]

Mar 16, 2020 6:51:58 GMT -5 carmenere said:

Ugh mrsukyankee that’s awful, and scary. I hope your MIL listens.

My state representative (GA) posted on Facebook that they’re voting to give the governor emergency powers tomorrow, so I’m expecting to see a complete shutdown soon.

H has a bad ear infection and wouldn’t go to urgent care yesterday, I’m hoping they can get him in today. Also wondering whether I should leave the house to go get allergy shots. Since I’m WFH I can go at an off-time when there are usually only 2-3 people there. I need to get direction on what to do when i get my inevitable spring sinus infection and can’t get to a doctor.

I would have your H call his doctor. They can probably prescribe something to treat the infection without having to see him in person. 

[wildrice]

Ugh mrsukyankee, that is a terrible response by your government. So worrisome - it sounds like a huge disaster waiting to happen. My H is from England and most of his family there is elderly, or at least late 60s+. His gran is over 90 so I hope she will be ok. He's not super close with them - I only just met most of them 2 months ago! - but they are lovely people. My SIL is working from home I guess, so perhaps some companies are being more proactive. She and her H own a pub though, which is only about 2 years old, so I hope they are not terribly affected or fall ill if people aren't staying home.

Lots of bars and restaurants around here seem to be voluntarily shutting down, which I am pleased with. I feel so bad for them but I'm glad they are doing the right thing. I'm making a mental list of the ones I'm seeing do this so that we can be sure to visit them ASAP once things are better.

[was5]

mrsukyankee, I was so shocked when I heard the plan by the British government.

My only comment is an observation of my FB feed. The same people who less than a week ago were saying this was all blown out of proportion as a way for the government to take control of our lives are now sharing the same memes/PSAs about social distancing as the liberal and middle of the road people. I'm glad to see pretty much everyone on the same page now regardless of political ideology.

Apparently Covid-19 is the Unity Horse of 2020.

[Vespasia]

REI is closing all stores nationwide through March 27th.

MH worked at a local bike shop on Saturday building bicycles and he said it was really busy. I guess people want to stay active while not interacting with others.

[scout8]

Mar 16, 2020 7:13:47 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

REI is closing all stores nationwide through March 27th.

MH worked at a local bike shop on Saturday building bicycles and he said it was really busy. I guess people want to stay active while not interacting with others.

A friend from Madrid said the police sent him home when he went for a run. They are only allowed outside to go to the store or pharmacy. Yikes! When we end up on lockdown here, I hope we are still allowed outside.

[meli554]

Wait, does herd immunity mean like a chicken pox party?

[was5]

Michigan Governor to announce temporary shut down eat in service at bars and restaurants

www.fox2detroit.com/news/gov-whitmer-to-temporarily-shut-down-all-bars-restaurants-to-eat-in-service?fbclid=IwAR1PS97KeHplHE1JpYLP2bnRDOwnWhGAJNxw8TuSAZhqaoYuE7W7kbxoA9k

[Wallflower]

mrsukyankee, I'm amazed at the governmental decisions. And it's striking that your GP is the polar opposite - taking caution in the extreme.

I'm in upstate NY. Schools are closed, events canceled, and a lot of social distancing is encouraged. I'm single and work from home and generally don't leave the house much, so while I am trying to leave even less than usual, I'm not yet really feeling the impact of the situation. I know people who work for the state, or with the state offices (that includes my SIL), and no changes yet with their situation. Downstate, state offices have shifted to essential personnel only. So around here, we have a lot of people scrambling to deal with their kids out of school but they're still expected at work.

[formerlyak]

Mar 16, 2020 6:51:58 GMT -5 carmenere said:

Ugh mrsukyankee that’s awful, and scary. I hope your MIL listens.

My state representative (GA) posted on Facebook that they’re voting to give the governor emergency powers tomorrow, so I’m expecting to see a complete shutdown soon.

H has a bad ear infection and wouldn’t go to urgent care yesterday, I’m hoping they can get him in today. Also wondering whether I should leave the house to go get allergy shots. Since I’m WFH I can go at an off-time when there are usually only 2-3 people there. I need to get direction on what to do when i get my inevitable spring sinus infection and can’t get to a doctor.

Do you by chance have a telemedicine option with your insurance? They were able to diagnose my sinus infection and prescribe meds over video chat in December. Maybe they can help your DH?

[cous0226]

I have to to go the ent today and I would rather not but I have hearing loss due to congestion and I need antibiotics. My GP doesn’t do ear cultures. Then I have to schedule myself for ear tubes soon because I’m afraid those procedures will not be available soon and I can’t be deaf

[winecat]

Mar 16, 2020 7:30:29 GMT -5 meli554 said:

Wait, does herd immunity mean like a chicken pox party?

I literally just woke up and thought the same thing.  Herd immunity is only a thing when there's immunity to be had, right?  There's no immunity with COVID right now, right?  Last I read people could get reinfected.   (Looks like there's better information about  this now, but FFS "herd immunity" is going to be catastrophic.) 


mrsukyankee - I asked my mom to stay home because she's 81.  She's not driving so she takes public transportation.  I tried to stress to her how serious this is even though I shouldn't have to.  She lived through polio and her eldest sister died from polio.  But, yesterday she calls me from Ace Hardware.  

[Velar Fricative]

I feel so overwhelmed when I think about this long-term. I really just have to take everything day by day, week by week.

I'm also resolving to put down my phone more often because I am getting sucked into the rapidly-evolving news cycle.

[pugz]

I had a really hard time sleeping last night

[ESF]

Mar 16, 2020 7:57:57 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

I feel so overwhelmed when I think about this long-term. I really just have to take everything day by day, week by week.

I'm also resolving to put down my phone more often because I am getting sucked into the rapidly-evolving news cycle.

I had to catch up on some work this weekend, and after staring anxiously at my computer all weekend, I finally buckled down mid-afternoon yesterday and focused for like 4 hours, and it actually felt really good. Even though it was work, it was nice to think about something that wasn't impending global doom.

Leave it to a global pandemic to turn writing a legal memo into an act of self-care.

[Pom]

Mar 16, 2020 7:32:21 GMT -5 was5 said:

Michigan Governor to announce temporary shut down eat in service at bars and restaurants

www.fox2detroit.com/news/gov-whitmer-to-temporarily-shut-down-all-bars-restaurants-to-eat-in-service?fbclid=IwAR1PS97KeHplHE1JpYLP2bnRDOwnWhGAJNxw8TuSAZhqaoYuE7W7kbxoA9k

As a former Michigander and summer resident, I keep No Michigan news on my phone out of TVC. My god, the hate the Trumpers have for Whitmer is just sick. "It's just the flu", "she has no authority to take away my living", "overreaction". They don't want news, facts or information, they just seem to enjoy attacking her and complaining. The willful ignorance is stunning. Hate posts on the FB are not going to age well. 

[Velar Fricative]

Mar 16, 2020 8:02:40 GMT -5 ESF said:

Mar 16, 2020 7:57:57 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

I feel so overwhelmed when I think about this long-term. I really just have to take everything day by day, week by week.

I'm also resolving to put down my phone more often because I am getting sucked into the rapidly-evolving news cycle.

I had to catch up on some work this weekend, and after staring anxiously at my computer all weekend, I finally buckled down mid-afternoon yesterday and focused for like 4 hours, and it actually felt really good. Even though it was work, it was nice to think about something that wasn't impending global doom.

Leave it to a global pandemic to turn writing a legal memo into an act of self-care.

Seriously. I'm doing WFH right now and even if I'm scanning the boards, I find them less alarming than my NYT app or Facebook, so I do feel less tense.

[agnes]

I just read that there are 2 community spread cases in OC. I work in a building that has like 1000 people in it daily and the general public is in and out of the first floor all day long. WFH is approved for those who already do it, but that’s just a tiny fraction.

[breezy8407]

I had the usual Sunday Scaries which amounted to me being awake around 3am - the enormity of this is really hitting me.