General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat's happening in your Community....I'm in Kirkland WA
We are the epicenter. I live fairly close to the nursing home. From what I understand things are still not good there in terms of staffing and prevention. More people were hospitalized over the weekend.
In the community there is a run on toilet paper and disinfection tools. Local facebook groups are helpful in finding things but you have to weed through the assholes and the clueless. My husband was in the store yesterday and while talking to the checker the guy behind him was leaving for a trip to Italy next week and had no idea the situation there. There are still lots of comparisons to the Flu but on the whole most folks are curtailing their outside activities.
We went out for a short drive yesterday. It was so beautiful and I had to get out. I felt staying in my car was fairly safe. We stopped into one of our local Dumpling joints because who doesn't want Dumplings....We took out but the owner said things were really slow. Service workers are getting layed off.
I've been sick for three weeks. I don't have all the symptoms of Covid 19. I'm up and functioning but not going out. I'm struggling with paranoia and anger
My husband works for the school district and we are over 60. They have not closed the schools yet and teachers are getting really alarmed. Class size is really down as many parents have decided to keep their kiddies home. That's what I would be doing if mine were still in school. Needless to say I am pissed! My husband is perpetually optimistic and although he is aware of the risk he keeps going to work. He says he is washing his hands but he works with littles in an environment that requires close contact. Did I say I was Pissed.
What's going on by you and how are you doing?
On a positive note, Bill Gates is arranging home testing availability which may be ready in a few weeks. If you fit the criteria a kit will be delivered to you, picked up and taken to the lab. This will be so wonderful!
The University of Washington is increasing their testing capabilities on a daily basis. They are now offering drive through testing for their medical staff only at this point.
I'm glad Jay Inslee is in charge. Things may not be perfect in the response...Hindsight is 20/20
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)Mike 03
(16,616 posts)These DUer first-person accounts are priceless.
riversedge
(70,197 posts)dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)That has to be beyond frustrating.
Arkansas Granny
(31,515 posts)been washing my hands often (as usual), wiping down buggy handles at the store (as usual), using hand sanitizer and trying to not touch my face. At work we have put a jug of hand sanitizer in the break room and I'm spraying high touch surfaces with a disinfectant spray in the mornings after the guys leave for the jobsite.
My daughter and I were planning a trip this month to see my granddaughter on the East Coast, but we're waiting to see how things develop before we buy plane tickets. I'm over 70 with no underlying health issues, but just trying to stay safe.
So far, so good, but just this morning one of the guys was trying to convince me that Covid19 is not so bad. Look how many people die from the flu every year blah, blah, blah. They only believe what they want to believe. These are the people who are going to pose the biggest risk to others.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,681 posts)There are the usual nincompoops stocking up on toilet paper (as if the problem was cholera, not a respiratory infection) and hand sanitizer but otherwise not much disruption yet. So far there have been only two reported cases in Minnesota, both of which were the result of travel and not community exposure, and both are quarantined at home and are not dangerously ill. I'm sure there will be more cases, though, so I'm paying attention and doing a lot of hand-washing whenever I go out.
The empressof all
(29,098 posts)The stocking up is a coping mechanism for managing anxiety. Toilet Paper is the perfect metaphor for preparing for what you can not control. Shits coming whether you like it or not.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)TP is somewhat harmless on the hoarding scale.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,681 posts)instead of food. I go to Costco only every few months because it's out of my way. I went there a couple of weeks ago (I would have gone there on that day regardless of the virus) and I did buy TP, but only because I always do on my rare Costco visits. They still had quite a bit of it, but I saw carts piled high with packages of TP and bottled water. Bottled water? I don't get that either; there's no threat to the water supply. Maybe it's another one of those coping mechanisms. Anyhow, if I was that worried about being quarantined or unable to get to a store I'd stock up on nonperishable food items. You can't eat toilet paper.
GemDigger
(4,305 posts)As far as water goes, I won't drink mine from the faucet (yuck) so I understand that as well.
Mariana
(14,854 posts)I don't expect to lose water service or electricity. We're buying some extra food, basic hygiene items, and pet supplies in case we have to stay home for a while. Yes I'll buy some extra TP if it's available, but not a year's supply or anything.
PasadenaTrudy
(3,998 posts)paper products, so I don't need to restock for a while. I have a weak immune system and CFS, so I'd rather stock up and stay put. Bought canned goods too.
marlakay
(11,451 posts)Southern oregon county, a couple my age 60s back from travel. This area is full of older people as town where people retire. So a lot travel, we just canceled trip to Italy we had planned in fall for 20th anniversary.
I am fighting a sinus infection so staying inside last few days because of allergies.
Saturday for first time women in my dance class smiled at instead of touching hands as we danced.
I'm in Newport, sheltering in place in a senior apt complex. This place is like a ghost town. I only come out in the building at night, and use saniwipes or toilet tissue to touch anything. People are distancing well so far. All group activities here are cancelled.
Got prepped at the end of Feb, but have to go out today for groceries. Take care and keep us informed.
marlakay
(11,451 posts)jmbar2
(4,874 posts)Raven
(13,889 posts)southern region. I'm a Selectman and tomorrow we are going to talk about sick leave benefits for our part time employees.
Brother Buzz
(36,416 posts)I was expecting to the balloon to go up this weekend, what with the incubation period, and all. But zip, zilch, nada in the news. We may have dodged the bullet, but I've recently heard the incubation period could be 27 days, so we're not out of the forest yet.
CanonRay
(14,101 posts)but nothing on our piece of the Oregon coast. Shortages of hand sanitizer and toilet paper (????) but that's it. We're taking precautions at our Sunday services. I have three of the four high risk markers so I'm trying to be very careful.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)several being tested. We cant find hand sanitizer anywhere, but people dont seem to be hoarding toilet paper or other groceries.
I went to poll worker training this morning and damned if the trainer didnt shake my hand at the end. I didnt even think about it till I was in the car on the way home.
When I got home, there was an email from the BOE outlining infection control procedures at the polls. More scary, though, was an email from my choir director (500-voice community choir with over a dozen volunteer programs throughout the city) that all operations are cancelled for the next two weeks..and they will re-evaluate the season at that time. Damn. That got to me.
Ohiogal
(31,980 posts)I just got home from a trip to Walmart and to a big grocery store. Both had toilet paper aplenty. I saw a few people wiping down grocery carts with wipes. Nothing out of the ordinary.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)We couldnt get hand sanitizer anywhere in our neighborhood yesterday. Im going to check some other areas tomorrow.
Ohiogal
(31,980 posts)Ive collected so many little bottles of it over the years, it seems like we always have plenty around.
I was in the Walmart in Hermitage, PA, right across the border from me, last Thursday,and the hand wipes were completely gone, although there was plenty of everything else.
Alliepoo
(2,215 posts)Been in FL on vaca-coming home in a few days. Wondering if I should try to find hand sanitizer and a few packs of tp here to bring home. Were not too far from Daytona and Orlando area. Havent really checked the stores-might be a run on those items since there is a covid positive person here in Volusia county. And btw-the choir you sing in sounds cool!! Id love to catch a performance!!
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)If all goes well, our spring concert will be June 4 on the Rich Street Bridge. You can find out more about is at [link:http://harmonyproject.com|
Alliepoo
(2,215 posts)Alliepoo
(2,215 posts)luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)Just read on FB. Still looking for details/ confirmation.
0rganism
(23,944 posts)stores running low on things like TP and hand sanitizer
people still showing up to work and school (AFAIK)
there wasn't much night-life here to begin with, now the streets are quiet-going-on-dead after dark.
the fear is palpable.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)seen some people wearing surgical masks/
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)I hope it stays that way because I have a lot of underlying issues and I'm 62. One question about the nursing home there in Kirkland. Have any of the workers there been tested? If no, can you imagine all the people exposed? Keep us updated on your area as we can't trust half the news agencies. Most importantly take care of yourselves.
The empressof all
(29,098 posts)Last edited Mon Mar 9, 2020, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)
You still need to meet stringent criteria to get tested even if you are exposed. They started with 180 staff. As of Friday half were out either with symptoms or fear, I don't know. There are currently two staff hospitalized. Things are very fluid and I'm not sure of the actual numbers as of this morning. There are now federally mandated staff supplementing services there but I know someone was taken to the hospital this morning. No other facilities will take these patients so they are stuck. They also don't have negative air pressure capabilities so it's just swirling around in there.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)nolabear
(41,959 posts)Were mostly home too, I have to go to Seattle tomorrow and will hit the U Village QFC, which is in good shape and the cleanest, best grocery store I know.
We went out and bought dwarf fruit trees yesterday. I have been avoiding going out too and it felt SO good. Its quiet but people are soldiering. You know how well things are being handled locallyvery well I think.
Bless Bill and Melinda! Billionaires doing good is fine by me!
Stay sane. Its an important thing. And as Dan Savage says, VOTE THE MOTHERFUCKER OUT!!
The empressof all
(29,098 posts)They have a very limited menu but I've been told it's very authentic to what you can get in China. It's just a little hole in the wall but it has the best dumplings I've ever had...
https://northern-dumpling-house.business.site/
nolabear
(41,959 posts)The empressof all
(29,098 posts)Most things are getting a quick dip, including my hands. My coffee carafe has never looked so clean. LOL Make sure you run your dishwasher on sanitize as well. I'm running it even with half loads at this point
Amaryllis
(9,524 posts)spinbaby
(15,088 posts)Im in western PA near Pittsburgh. Costco in Pittsburgh had signs up limiting paper products and water. Target was out of Lysol. Aldi seemed to have plenty of everything.
Jirel
(2,018 posts)So, it's here, but I'm not doing anything differently. Other people are. We have a good number of sick folks quarantined at Lackland AFB (including one that was released too early, was sick after all, and was at the mall... which was closed for a day to be disinfected... like you can disinfect an entire mall...). Also, there are a growing number of cases about 5 hours away around Houston.
Closures are a mixed bag. SXSW in Austin was cancelled this year (WOW!), and of course a ton of tech conferences, especially ones involving hospital staff or administration. However, Fiesta organizers are not planning to cancel, nor are other major festivals at this point.
It's not a ghost town, but you can tell there are fewer people out than normal. It'll be interesting to see how spring break looks overall. I went grocery shopping at a local store that's usually a total zoo on Sundays, and had almost no wait at the cashier. Anything remotely resembling hand sanitizer is gone. A friend who needs rubbing alcohol for medical reasons was grousing that there's been a run even on that - please leave some for people who actually need it! The toilet paper situation was kind of hilarious. All the family and super-sized packs of TP are gone off the shelves. But buying a normal 4-pack is not a problem. Apparently hoarders don't think it's worth buying a bunch of small packs.
I'm actually shocked that our nazi governor and key legislators are pushing for more testing availability. I'd expect them to be part of the heads-in-the-sand crowd, but apparently not.
There are, of course, people with their hair on fire around here, but most people are pretty chill. Everyone is being respectful in how they deal with elders, especially elders in various kinds of joint housing.
KatyMan
(4,190 posts)We're in the Katy/Cinco Ranch area west of Houston and I've not noticed anything unusual at the grocery store. I even went to the doctor for an issue not related to being sick and it was business as usual.
However, this being allergy season and me having asthma, I'm going to a pulmonologist tomorrow, so things might be different there.
Quixote1818
(28,929 posts)their hands in the bathroom. So many people are still oblivious as to what is going on or are just stupid.
phylny
(8,379 posts)There was plenty of toilet paper at the store, no hand sanitizer, but loads of soap. Saw a customer at a checkout sneeze right into her hand. Good lord, people!
My dad is in rehab in Westchester County, NY after an illness. They are all now closed to visitors.
The empressof all
(29,098 posts)We actually have had a few positives in other nursing/rehab facilities in the Seattle Area. It's very scary if you have a loved one right now who needs that level of care.
Warpy
(111,249 posts)somewhere near Oakland. Strict guidelines have been issued for the few coronavirus tests that hospitals have, which is a good thing since we have no Federal government. This state takes public health very seriously, tribes and Hispanos were both hit very hard by the 1918 flu and people have long memories.
As for me, I'll be in the crosshairs since I'm old, but I don't have any major comorbidities so my survival chances are good.
Maybe this crisis will get that statewide health care plan off the table and into practice after 30 fucking years.