I just talked to my daughter in NJ and one of her good friend’s wife is a nurse in a local hospital. He called my daughter distraught because his wife came home and told him 3 nurses quit and walked out of the hospital. Then she went upstairs took a shower and went into the bedroom. But before she went upstairs she told him to not come into the bedroom and keep the kids away from her. My heart hurts for our health care workers.
Welcome to the forum. You make an excellent point about the collective and what we are all about to experience. Thank you for warning us.
Being your family historian must be rather fascinating. I am sure you were surprised to read about your great- grandmother and what actually happened. What a very sad last period of time in her life. We don't often hear stories about the Spanish Flu but it was no less tragic than the pandemic of today So many young people died back then.
Glad you decided to join us.
So... research over the last few years has determined that for all viruses that infect humans, you are contagious until the last drop of secretion of any kind. You are contagious til the last time you have to wipe your nose, the last cough, the last tear, the last poop. Until ALL symptoms are completely gone, you are contagious. This thing of "well if you haven't had a fever in 48 hours you're not contagious" is outdated info. The goal of all viruses is to propagate, and they are good at it.
What I'm wondering now is what precautions will be taken while disposing of the bodies of the deceased? There's not enough PPE for healthcare workers, so unlikely there's any for morticians and gravediggers.
No we don’t know how bad it is going to get. But I just want to crying over these poor people who are so sick and these wonderful healthcare workers who are taking such risks to help others. It’s so heartbreaking.
An excellent video on how to safe guard the food you bring into your house.
Some things I knew, some I did not. Frozen food and take out were most interesting to me. I need to set up a clean table in the way that he does. I also think I might be taking all food out of my freezer, cleaning the freezer, and then cleaning the food packages before returning it into the freezer again. Might need to do the same for my fridge. It has been over a week since I brought in my canned goods...thinking on that one.
Looks like I will be busy for awhile.
As if I wasn’t anxious enough already. A guy we know was taking things to the landfill or recycling place. We had some rotted wood, so we had him pick it up. I look outside this morning, and my partner is standing less than 3 feet away. 4 teenage boys are with him. No one is keeping any distance and I’m freaking out inside the house.
This guy is an apartment building manager, and has had several tenants in a panic talking to him in a panic because their workplace is shutdown and they won’t have money for the rent.
So my partner has been less that 3 feet away from teenage boys and a man who has been in close proximity to many people and the people that they’ve been near etc. for weeks.
I was furious. And tonight I’m anxious. I’ve been taking so many precautions and now I don’t know what’s been brought into the house. My partner is nearly 51 and I’m 68. She should have known better. My anxiety makes it difficult for me to breathe. And, of course, that is one symptom. My city in Oregon doesn’t have that many cases, but it so easily can change. I’m also on a med that lowers my immune system.
As if dealing with trump the past 3 years hasn’t been bad enough...
Anita
An excellent video on how to safe guard the food you bring into your house.
Some things I knew, some I did not. Frozen food and take out were most interesting to me. I need to set up a clean table in the way that he does. I also think I might be taking all food out of my freezer, cleaning the freezer, and then cleaning the food packages before returning it into the freezer again. Might need to do the same for my fridge. It has been over a week since I brought in my canned goods...thinking on that one.
Looks like I will be busy for awhile.
Saw that video, and yes, some good ideas. But re: your freezer and frozen food -- Viruses and bacteria (and parasites*) cannot survive below freezing. I know this from my work in pro kitchens. Below 32F and above 165F you're golden. Between 32F and 42F is a bit of a grey area, but it's generally accepted in food prep that below 42 bacteria will not grow for a very long time (not sure about viruses). So if you just want to clean your freezer, have fun, but if you don't feel up to it, don't worry.
As for takeout - we're being very careful, my rule is: nothing raw/fresh, it has to be cooked and nuke-able. I unpack the food, put it onto plates, put extra in my containers, I nuke the plates, wash my hands, remove the plates and pop the extras in the fridge. I throw out or wash and recycle whatever it came in after we're done eating. Then I wipe down the counter as if I had used it for food prep.
*I mention parasites because it's known that frozen fish is better than completely fresh. That's why sushi is almost always frozen before being served.
I feel your frustration. My husband keeps wanting to "get together with one or two bandmates to do live online music", but I have to keep reminding him of how high risk we both are, especially me.
Experts are saying that if you think one person in the household has been exposed, to have them self-isolate in a bedroom for 2 weeks. On the other hand, I'd be less concerned about interactions occurring outside in fresh air that are not physical in nature.
Hang in there. We're all dancing on the sword's edge.
I have to go shopping today, because even though my husband is pretty good if I give him a very detailed list AND make him take pics of special items, my diet restrictions are so considerable that I have to do it myself in case my usual choices are not available - he couldn't begin to grok what my alternative preferences would be. I'll be masked, gloved, sunglassed and wearing a hoodie. Here's hoping they don't think I'm there to rob the joint!!