COVID-19/corona virus mega thread/prepping thread

[Cliffh]

As far as the prepping part goes I'm anticipating a resurgence this Fall/Winter; I've started re-stocking on TP (haven't had to buy any since this whole thing started), paper towels are on the list (as soon as they start stocking Viva again), both freezers are full and the pantry is over-flowing into the kitchen.  We could open our own OTC pharmacy with the med's already stocked.

ETA:  We're still well stocked on masks and gloves.  Will be picking up some as they're available.

[RoadKingLarry]

I'm off on short term disability till mid September.  I wonder if we have a fall resurgence of the virus if my company will again offer 4 weeks paid time off for those of us at "high risk" (diabetes for me)? Out of some misplaced sense of corporate loyalty I just kept working. I don't have that issue any longer.

[MillCreek]

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/21/880832213/yes-wearing-masks-helps-heres-why?utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR3FWsUnx5_Vj5gEkCNx-Tthkhd5VXlgPrdytuI_ywRoye33gJDE7it8Kqo&fbclid=IwAR36B2mcE-R_e_32zSxj916w6yDHU69rmiuzixKxYmCdeeSmZRgHCLvgZe8

More information on masks.

[Fly320s]

And an opposing view based on the same science.

https://jbhandleyblog.com/home/lockdownlunacy

[MillCreek]

^^^And I see the author of that blog believes that vaccines are both unnecessary and cause autism.  That certainly allows me to give appropriate weight to the medical opinions of a self-described 'private equity entrepreneur'.

[230RN]

Cliffh remarked:

"ETA:  We're still well stocked on masks and gloves.  Will be picking up some as they're available."

For years I've been using those thin fold-top sandwich bags as disposable gloves... usually just for opening the dumpster lids (ick) when dumping trash.

With C-19 I've been keeping a box in the car for casual one-time protection when out and about. (Yes, I still use five-fingered rubber gloves where needed.)

Fold-tops, mind you, not the ziplocks or other fancifications:

    

Store brands are even cheaper.

They ain't no good for brain surgery, but for casual use where five fingers aren't needed much (just thumb and all the other fingers  together for grasping, like in opening doors or lifting icky dumpster lids) they conserve the box of vinyl gloves I got last  year for general purposes.

Disposing of them in one-time use doesn't bother my wallet, either.

Just a thought.

Terry, 230RN

[Cliffh]

Those sandwich bags are a great idea!  I'll toss a box in the car & truck.  They'll come in handy for the dogs too.

[Fly320s]

^^^And I see the author of that blog believes that vaccines are both unnecessary and cause autism.  That certainly allows me to give appropriate weight to the medical opinions of a self-described 'private equity entrepreneur'.

The article does not say vaccines are unnecessary, but that vaccines were not and are not the cure-all to disease.  Even the CDC agreed with that.

I didn't read about the autism link, so I won't comment on that.

As for his job, as long as his sources are accurate, reliable, and reviewed, his day job is irrelevant.

[zahc]

I'm going o  a business trip in 1 week. Has anyone flown anywhere recently? How is the experience? The airline already notified that there won't be any snack service but they will give you your snack at the beginning. Also you have to wear a mask at all times unless eating or drinking. I'm more concerned that all the restaurants in the terminal will be closed.

[makattak]

I just checked the current numbers for Virginia.

We had 5 new cases in our city over the past week. FIVE. In a city of 100K. Not deaths, 5 positive test results. Zero new hospitalizations.

But we're still locked down, like all the rest of Virginia. Because we have idiots for leaders.

[Hawkmoon]

I heard from a friend in Montana (of all places) that new cases are again increasing there now that the state is re-opening. I've been following my state's statistics daily and tracking then on a spreadsheet. The number of new cases seems to be bouncing around a bit. I can't say for certain that it's on the rise again, overall, but it doesn't appear that it's clearly falling, either.

[makattak]

I heard from a friend in Montana (of all places) that new cases are again increasing there now that the state is re-opening. I've been following my state's statistics daily and tracking then on a spreadsheet. The number of new cases seems to be bouncing around a bit. I can't say for certain that it's on the rise again, overall, but it doesn't appear that it's clearly falling, either.

We are doing more testing. The result is more confirmed positives.

Watch the deaths. That's a MUCH better measure of whether the coronavirus is worsening or improving.

[Fly320s]

I'm going o  a business trip in 1 week. Has anyone flown anywhere recently? How is the experience? The airline already notified that there won't be any snack service but they will give you your snack at the beginning. Also you have to wear a mask at all times unless eating or drinking. I'm more concerned that all the restaurants in the terminal will be closed.

I'm still working.  Flights are half-full and many of the seats are blocked off.  We block all of the middle seats and some others, unless there is a group traveling together and they want to sit together.  Everyone has to wear masks at BOS airport and my company requires all crew and passengers to wear masks.  

The planes get disinfected daily and wiped down between flights.

TSA lines are essentially nonexistant.  You'll be through there quickly.

Check your aiport's website to see what is open and closed.  In BOS, nearly everything is closed.

If you are used to seeing busy airports and long TSA lines, you'll be a bit shocked when you go to the airport.

[MillCreek]

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=238783

It is a bummer that the research on hydroxychlorquine did not pan out on COVID, but I guess we will be in a good position if malaria strikes.

[Hawkmoon]

Watch the deaths. That's a MUCH better measure of whether the coronavirus is worsening or improving.

I disagree, but it may depend on locality. Around here, many of the deaths, especially early on, were elderly, nursing home residents. Not intended to be facetious, but the "low hanging fruit" as it were. I'm more concerned with knowing how many active cases there are, because that could give me a better perspective on when it's getting safe for me to venture forth. Unfortunately, the state government doesn't share statistics on active cases. I'm getting numbers from the Johns Hopkins web site, but the number of recoveries doesn't change daily, it only changes once a week (or so). And I don't think it's a real number. The number of new cases has been trending (irregularly) down, the number of deaths has been trending (irregularly) down, but the number of active cases is still trending up.

The numbers don't make sense.

[makattak]

I disagree, but it may depend on locality. Around here, many of the deaths, especially early on, were elderly, nursing home residents. Not intended to be facetious, but the "low hanging fruit" as it were. I'm more concerned with knowing how many active cases there are, because that could give me a better perspective on when it's getting safe for me to venture forth. Unfortunately, the state government doesn't share statistics on active cases. I'm getting numbers from the Johns Hopkins web site, but the number of recoveries doesn't change daily, it only changes once a week (or so). And I don't think it's a real number. The number of new cases has been trending (irregularly) down, the number of deaths has been trending (irregularly) down, but the number of active cases is still trending up.

The numbers don't make sense.

Well, according to the Virginia Department of Health, we've had 58K+ cases... and 0 recoveries.

Also, it's very sad (according to the news media) but the deaths just keep climbing. At no point have we have a decrease in the number of deaths.

[Ben]

Ada, the county that Boise is in, just reverted from stage 4 to stage 3 because of a big spike in cases over the last few days. Coincidentally, "thousands" protested at the capitol right after Floyd's death. Also the majority of people in Boise seem to be wearing masks.

In my neck of the woods, I haven't seen a single mask in the last couple of weeks and nobody here is reported sick. I've had contractors (all local) out over the last week, and everyone seems to be back to shaking hands as well.

[WLJ]

Ada, the county that Boise is in, just reverted from stage 4 to stage 3 because of a big spike in cases over the last few days. Coincidentally, "thousands" protested at the capitol right after Floyd's death. Also the majority of people in Boise seem to be wearing masks.

But the AP headlines say Trump's rallies are causing the spike. 

[230RN]

makattak reported,

Also, it's very sad (according to the news media) but the deaths just keep climbing. At no point have we [had] a decrease in the number of deaths.

Is this sarcasm about how they should be reporting rates instead of raw numbers? I gotta be careful about what's sarcasm and what ain't nowadays.

Of course the number of deaths will not decrease unless some come back to life.

[MillCreek]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/in-yakima-county-as-cases-soar-community-spread-increasingly-drives-the-pandemic/

Here in Washington, we are seeing quite the spike in our eastern agricultural counties.

[TommyGunn]

Well, according to the Virginia Department of Health, we've had 58K+ cases... and 0 recoveries.

Also, it's very sad (according to the news media) but the deaths just keep climbing. At no point have we have a decrease in the number of deaths.

You will not see #  of dead go down unless the dead comeback to life.  Dead is usually a permanent condition.

EDIT:  Oooops   230RN  beat me to it ..    

[WLJ]

 Dead is usually a permanent condition.
:

Election day says otherwise

[makattak]

makattak reported,

Is this sarcasm about how they should be reporting rates instead of raw numbers? I gotta be careful about what's sarcasm and what ain't nowadays.

Of course the number of deaths will not decrease unless some come back to life.

Yes, that was sarcasm, EXCEPT that I've heard media report that it's concerning because deaths continue to rise.

As you all noted, that's the only direction they can go.

[bedlamite]

Report the total deaths since this mess started, and it'll always go up. Look at the weekly totals, and you realize the peak was two months ago:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm

The last couple weeks aren't accurate, they haven't all been reported yet.

[Perd Hapley]

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=238783

It is a bummer that the research on hydroxychlorquine did not pan out on COVID, but I guess we will be in a good position if malaria strikes.

Who says they're done testing? The last I heard, the study that ruled out hydroxy-whatsit was called into question. Don't we need more information?