just got an emergency declaration that LA area is closing beaches. Well, that was something we should have done over a week ago...
getting one step closer to Marshall Law where I live.
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/...us-crisis.html
Seriously. I doubt it will happen, but fucking christ having Pence hold the office rather than Trump right now sounds like a fucking really good thing. How fucking bad are you at your job when a homophobic, racist, evangelical shit-head like Mike Pence would be a much better replacement?
I mean, FUCK. Even if Pence doesn't give a shit deep down, he at least is PRETENDING to be calm, rational, responsible, and empathetic towards the entire country.
Preface: I am absolutely not a Mike Pence fan! That being said, from all indications it looks like he is grasping the seriousness of the situation. Maybe he learned something from the AIDS crisis in Indiana. Trump refuses to talk to Gov Inslee of Washington (my state) because Inslee speaks his mind & is not kowtowing to Trump. Pretty bad since Washington is 1 of the epicenters of the virus. Pence is very much in contact with Inslee & seems to be trying to be a conduit for everyone no matter what their affiliation is. He's not letting any ego get in the way. I suppose he is used to that having to stand behind the blowhard of the universe. I applaud his efforts to work for the good of the whole country. Eesh...did I just type this? BTW: I think Inslee would do much better now on a presidential run. His message of that the climate crisis has to be the top priority is spot on. I think that most likely deep down the climate change has something to do with the pandemic. Inslee has shown great leadership for the state in a time of crisis.
115,000 cases in the U.S now? good lord!
Almost 125,000 cases in USA now. If the rate of increase does not subside, there may be a million cases worldwide by Tuesday. This is real. Please be safe! Even if you do not feel sick, please do social distancing. Infected persons who do not feel sick spread this disease. Nearly half of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions occur before the infected person shows symptoms.(1)
The experts do not recommend that asymptomatic persons wear a mask in public, but this seems to be (in my opinion) a knee jerk reaction to the critical limited supply of medical grade masks. Which makes sense as the panic stricken public has over utilized the limited supply of medical masks. But they do however recommend that you cough/sneeze into your elbow? Would it not be a smidgen safer to cough/sneeze into a nuisance dust mask? Or cough/sneeze into a disposable paper product which you then dispose of? If expelling your germs into an elbow is better than letting it fly, it seems that anything which limits the spread of germs is better than nothing. Duh.
(1)
Would everyone wearing face masks help us slow the pandemic?
Here's some good news. 99 yr old man here in Vancouver made a full recovery. Awesome. Good for him!
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...I6h35Bzq7PcEv0
Yeah, you can't wear what you don't have. It's pretty much that simple.
Just how far is everyone taking this right now? Better half doesn't want to any groceries coming in the house without first being unloaded in the garage and wiped down with Lysol wipes (or left to sit for a few days), since the virus can live on various hard surfaces for 24-72 hours. Overboard, or necessary precaution?
Funny that you mention bags. Our state just banned plastic grocery bags, so now everyone has to supply their own reusable ones (or buy them at the store) unless they want to go with the really shitty handle-less paper bags that the store sells for a nickel each. I actually found myself thinking "as much as I hate plastic bags, it would be kind of nice to have one less thing that has to be brought between home and store by everyone who goes shopping".
We now unload on a beach towel on the floor in the foyer because garage isn’t an option (detached) and we now wipe all the products off with wipes, too. I used to unload on the countertops and then just disinfect the counters, it isn’t like the virus is a swarm of flying saucers. I still disinfect the counters way too much, now. I hope I don’t run out of Lysol.
I have several gator neck covers (like, for skiing) and I was using those as “masks” but they are kinda hot and fog up my glasses. Now I have some pretty fashion scarves from Amazon and I can multi-layer them over my nose and mouth and I don’t look like a skier or a bank robber when I go to the supermarket.
We still have plastic grocery bags in Illinois and we keep them to use to clean kitty litter boxes. And we always wash our hands really good after that, anyway, because toxoplasmosis.
Last edited by allegro; 03-29-2020 at 10:03 AM.
We spray with Lysol and wash our hands and launder things in warm water with soap. It’s been raining like a friggin monsoon here for two days, leaving outside isn’t an option.
https://www.geekwire.com/2020/packag...nsmission-low/
We’re spraying the bottoms of our shoes with Lysol, now.
Our local supermarket installed tall protective plexiglass walls aside the cashiers that are bolted to the counters. But, the walls seem rather useless as the cashiers stand somewhat offset to these walls. And the baggers are totally exposed.
There are employees in the middle of aisles stocking and you have to try to squeeze past them and their giant cart, which violates proximity rules.
There are tape markers on the floor to tell customers where to stand, but some didn’t get the memo. They still want to put their stuff on the cart right behind your stuff and stand right behind you. I suspect we are very close to having to order groceries online or by phone with curbside pickup. Ditto for all other stores.
If I cough in the parking lot right now, people’s necks snap to look at me like a scene from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” IT’S ALLERGIES, PEOPLE!!!
One of my closest friends is an ICU RN in SC. Ugh.
Last edited by allegro; 03-29-2020 at 10:09 AM.
The state of FL has a stay at home order for 65+ people. It comes from the state attorney general, so I think it's only advisory.
So at least I can convince my mom that she doesn't need to go to the store. I would prefer we stay locked down and order groceries, which we can disinfect somewhat. Last thing I want to do is go to a place where people aren't respecting the 6 ft rule.
Sounds like you live in Seattle with the bag thing. We've had that for awhile. I know other cities are starting to do it now. Although the sentiment is good the way it is handled is ridiculous. I did have a small laugh when I saw the sign that said the store was not going to allow reusable bags. So, you're forced to use the crappy paper bags. Whole Food is the worst. Their bags tend to self destruct so you have to use 2. I live on the border of the city limits & if I go outside the line, they still use plastic. I reuse all, paper or plastic.
We need to study HIS recovery and find out his background, health history, blood type, immune system, all that stuff. stories like his are how we can save lives!
Who could have predicted that being a grocery store cashier or bagger would turn into a high risk occupation? They are exposed to countless people all day long.
Our stores also have those clear plastic barriers. And my usual grocery store has begun opening up more checkout lanes. Instead of the typical 1 or 2 open lanes they have 5 or 6, so there are no lines. Which is sort of nice right now.
My Dad's none too pleased about this, he's lost work due to not being able to drive kids to school and because they've put this stipulation in he won't get the $2,000 benefit all because he gets PEANUTS for a pension.
I'm about to leave my apartment for the first time since March 13. Have to go to Target which either requires a bus ride or two stops on the train. Not sure which would be better! They've reduced service and some of the trains are still PACKED. But the stop I'm going to is at the end of the line, so hoping it won't be packed. Maybe take a car instead? Who knew going to the store would be such a stressful situation.
Car car car
An aside ...
Have you read this Molly Jong-Fast article?
https://www.vogue.com/article/why-i-...aving-new-york
Sometimes at night when I lie in my bed haunted by the silence of the city streets I am convinced that I am a violinist on the Titanic, playing away to keep myself from being afraid.
I think we all feel a bit like that right now.
Last edited by allegro; 03-29-2020 at 12:08 PM.
Yeah I LOOOOVE self-check right now. My husband hates them but I’m talking him into using them. EVERY time. There’s like 6-8 at our supermarket and Target.
There’s way more distance and less contact with self-check.
I wear rubber gloves and then sanitize my debit card. That pin pad is ... omg.
I live a little less than a mile away from a hospital in Brooklyn, and one of the most unnerving things is that the sirens have basically not stopped since I've been home - I just assumed it was like this everywhere in NYC.
Reportedly 20% of NYC EMS workers are out right now, and:
NYC purchased 45 refrigerated semis to hold bodies because the morgues are at or near capacity.Marshall said even those ambulance workers who had tested positive for the coronavirus were being asked to work unless they show symptoms.
At times in recent days, up to 400 calls at a time deemed less serious had simply been left on hold, Variale said.
I could go for some silence.