Is anyone here in one of the states affected by coronavirus shutdowns?

I remember discussing with my parents the rationing that took place during WWII, and how they had to change lifestyles and plans to deal with long term shortages. 

Although TP and commodities aren't officially rationed, the shortages we're seeing are reminding me of my parents' reminisces.

I was so bored yesterday. I wasn’t interested in watching YouTubes, reading book, nor window shopping for free ebooks. I was becoming intellectually stagnant...

I spent the Whole day typing the daily events of this virus on island - on an Excel chart that I made. A Statistic n Public Announcement Chart.... / Date, Press Release #1 onward, total confirmed, sex, # hospitalized, # stable, # death, exposed travel where, age ranges, n public announcements... / By the end of the day, the figures were not adding up. I reread from beginning, and still not adding up. I decided to ignore my OCD in trying to ‘balance’ the figures... Visually, the first couple of days, it was the elderlies - over 60. Then the middle ages started popping up. Now those in their 20s. So far, none under age 20... 77 confirmed cases. 3 deaths, all elderly.

Thinking about this situation, here's another example of poor thinking, if not stupidity, although it doesn't directly affect health but could affect safety.

A few weeks ago the new County Exec, who took over after the long serving very competent one passed, held a telephone "town hall" Q & A session for seniors.   I called in, was linked up, and listened for an hour or so to questions from seniors.

The Exec was accompanied by 2 nurses, but I don't recall w/o checking notes what their titles were although I had the impression they were County staff nurses.

Before asking their questions, callers would be announced by a member of the County team, with a first name, and location, something like "this is Betty, from Happy Lake Township."    Four times callers' last names were used, such as "...Betty Jones, from Happy Lake Township."

These are presumably all older people, yet this dumbbell was stating their full names on a telephone call with perhaps 4K people.   Had any assumptions been made about security of these people who were directly identified?   Who knows?   

I called later and complained about this to one of the male staffers, and informed him I thought it was irresponsible and risky to name callers, especially vulnerable seniors, by last name and location.

Yet these were nurses (and it's possible that the Exec participated - I don't really recall for sure) were doing this, and presumably we should listen to the other advice they're giving?   Their advice might be sound medically, but the lack of common sense made it less likely for me to accept the validity of their responses.

Feeling especially concerned for those (mostly younger people)
working inside a restaurant or grocery that are exposed to the virus by the public. Like you said, NHWM, 2 employees at a Trader Joes tested positive.
Wondering if I should have followed the "prepper's" advice so that we could stay 100% at home and not go out for groceries, putting those workers at risk, as well as ourselves.

The employees are not wearing gloves, or mask, not maintaining their distance, and wanting to do good customer service, will talk for some time to a customer through their car door window, or if a customer walks up to them to talk. We stopped picking up food ordered to go for this reason, from these restaurants.

It does not help at all if the public stands behind you 1-2 ft. in line at a grocery store. We had to jump out of line to maintain any distance.

So that is why we do not shop that way anymore. It is a learning situation, we tried, but stopped early March.

Looking again for delivery online, but if we had to, we could be ok for 25-30 days, I think. Now is critical to avoid going out.

Yes, I agree about the conflicting information.
Even doctors disagree.
I am staying home.
Here is my opinion for us, at this time, subject to changes:

But hubs is out riding his bike, and that is supposed to be okay.
But using a public restroom, or going to a park or trail that is closed is not ok. Going inside the bike store is not advisable, even though they are open. Having a bike accident will take up ER beds and time, and will also expose him to C-19. Using a bus to get home because he gets tired is also not ok.
Bringing the virus home is also not ok.

Why won't people that can stay home, just stay home to limit the spread of the virus? Especially people who do not have the cognitive ability to be safe 'out there'?

I don't get it. I hate it that people want to make their own excuses why it is okay for them to not be safer at home.

Over 6,000 cases now in Louisiana and almost 300 deaths.

Some parishes are now doing curfews along with mandatory lockdown.

Cluster outbreaks in our facilities. Deaths among our elderly are increasing in our facilities due to this virus.

A pastor of o Pentecostal church in the Baton Rouge area has been arrested because he won’t stop holding services. That’s just crazy! Our governor has told him to stop. Apparently, he feels he is above the law! Ridiculous religious fanaticism.

Be cautious, clean products from stores. One of our big stores closed for cleaning. Yep! Trader Joe’s in Metairie, La. (burb of New Orleans) has been shut down for cleaning because two employees tested positive for the virus. Grrrrr.

Bookluver, I've heard and read conflicting information as well.    And I'm frankly getting fed up with so many people, including medical and nonmedical people, tv personalities and others, announcing (as opposed to "giving") their own interpretations of advice.    So I asked my niece, on the front lines of testing and treating in the ER.

W/o going into detail, the mask can help protect YOU against voluntary or involuntary "expulsions" (for lack of a more dignified term) from others.    That includes sneezing, coughing, hacking or talking adults or children.

I guess we never know how much we might be releasing from our mouths, just by opening them, or what might be released from our nasal passages, especially when sneezing.   

On another issue, my niece is also making hair masks as that's what they're wearing as well, and as might be anticipated in this shortage of needed supplies, they need the hair masks as well.

It's unfortunate that so many people offering opinions have their own ideas, influenced or not by their own experiences and professions, b/c the mixed messages that are being sent aren't offering comfort to the rest of us.

Hope this helps.

I'm so confused. Have you noticed lately that there's conflicts by experts about: use the face mask vs. do not use it? … I even googled to see which one is correct. That had conflicting answers, too. As I'm typing here, one expert says we shouldn't wear the mask because wearing one can make our health worse compared to if we weren't wearing it. And then another expert came on saying it's even better if we use homemade mask instead of the medical mask...

I was hoping my doctor's appointment next week will be cancelled due to the coronavirus. You know - stay at home, 6 feet social distancing, not having the correct n95 face mask, etc... Anyway, the clinic called & reminded me about the lab work... eeewww...

I called the lab. They're allowing 5 people at a time into the lab. Line goes out side the building's door. Mostly elderly people. Recommends I try to come in at 9am. She laughed when I mumbled, "I wonder if I can last that long without coffee."

Don't know about that Book. So many sitting around not doing anything, hemorrhoids may very well be a problem.😉

One of the mountain counties has adopted a resolution to make it illegal for anyone to sell anything that is not essential, actually developed a list. Imagine Walmart only selling food, no clothing, makeup, toys, recreational equipment, kitchen appliances and the list goes on and on.

In the news this morning - hundreds of thousands sign an online petition to allow them to not pay their rent. I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for this - not only is the federal government is sending almost everyone a chunk of money the province has declared a moratorium on evictions, plus this is only month one of lower wages for those not drawing a wage and I doubt the vast majority are living so close to the edge they can't afford to pay their rent. People have a stereotypical picture of landlords as as fat cat slumlords but many are living just as close to the edge as their tenants and they depend on that income.

And Garlic.. Garlic seems to be the next essential produce that is very popular.. So, everyone, take a clove and bury it, water it, and see if it will grow... I put the rotten cabbage in the ground. I didn't use it. and there it stayed in the frig,, So anyway, I buried it, the whole thing.. NOw purple leaves are popping out of the ground :) surprise ! yeah.. I bury the pepper seeds too.. They seem more tricky, but I'm trying. Perhaps, a garlic clove will sprout or do whatever it does.. Now, I try to bury all the veggies I don't get around to fixing... If anything, it will be good for the soil.

Not related to how I spend my time, but I have recently learned that this potent coronavirus can survive on surfaces for up to five days! So, I spend my mandatory time constantly washing and sanitizing hands after touching everything from the outside of my place so as not to contaminate. If I think I miss anything, the washing process starts all over before touching my face!

Well the county office of education just announced that students will not be returning to school this year. (School year). Distance learning will be in effect until the school year is over.
Sad for all the high school seniors that won’t get to go to prom and have an official graduation :(

Shell, kudos to your mother!

If you are familiar with The Sound of Music you should appreciate this video. It's long and cheezy, but I think it's worth it to stick it out to the end😁

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMBh-eo3tvE&feature=youtu.be

The other night, my mother wanted to go outside to get her cat. Well the neighbor had his ex-girlfriend over, which I do not like and she doesn't like me. Anywho, my neighbor's ex said, "hi" to my mother so my mother said, "hi" back! Then my neighbor's ex walked up to our fence and started talking to my mother as she (my mother) was chasing her cat down the sidewalk and the exs said, "come here, I want to talk." My mother looked right at her and said, "NO!" "You could have The Virus and I am not coming near you." My mother grab her cat and walked as fast as her little legs could carry her. I was at the front door watching my mother but my neighbor's ex didn't see me and I was laughing so hard just seeing the exs expression on her face. When my mother came in the house and she looked at me and said, "I may be out of my mind most days, but today I am with it. I'm not going near that lady. She could kill me!"


My mother's short-term memory maybe going, but she remembered me telling her to stay away from people. Some times they are just funny!

Mally,

The extreme preppers and the extreme doomsday type cults!

Well, I guess "Preppers" feel vindicated now, after all the heat they always took for being conspiracy nuts....

I am passing on the name of a product that squee knew about. It actually looks like a good product.

It’s called Kulacloth. Kulacloth.com

Toilet paper problem solved!

Designed for backpacking.

Corona virus issues: In my area, toilet paper or just paper products are hard to find, most shelves in most stores are completely wiped out,pardon the pun..my cousin in michigan cannot find ktichen size trashbags... my firedn in north california cannot find tortillas. A few weeks ago, my stores wer out of bread products, including tortillas... most places were out of bottled water.. Well that's just wrong, brita has a great filtering system,, and so do newer refrigerators. Camping stores too have filtering systems for backpackers etc.\
My BIL was invited over for dinner to a friend's house. He got there, and She, the hostess is coughing, sneezing, etc.... He has ASTHMA since he was a child... Did she know this? I kinda doubt it... And is she Aware that these may be symptoms of COVID19? Maybe, but it didn't cross her mind...
Likewise, I saw my neighbors, and the lil girl is so sweet, and bored. She sang me a song, and I gave her a "hi 5". Her mom was just about to have a heart attack. I didn't think once, about social distancing.. my fault. This kid is just 4.. and she asks her mom why this holiday is so long. I can tell you, she goes to the same school my kid went to 15 yeas ago.The director my kid had, would have made sure these kids know why this is happening. My kid's classmates endured and was taught about death.. Unfortunately, their friend/classmate died, and the director of the montessori school did not sugar coat it much. She explained life.. she explained death, and approached that subject so wonderfully... And I guarantee most children understood what it was they were dealing with. This happens. So, how do you tell your kids or loved ones you cannot visit sometimes? It does go both ways... Kids are probably wondering why they are not allowed to visit grandma or grandpa..
What do you tell a child or an elderly?

I'm in Southwest Ohio and we have only essential businesses open. My adult son lives with me (after his divorce),and he lost his restaurant job due to lockdowns. I am divorced and retired so I get a tiny pension and alimony. My mom is in ASF and I feel so lucky to have found this for her. It is minutes from my home and when things were normal I would visit nearly every day. But they have restricted visitors at the facility. Now I could go there as they allow 1 family member but mom herself has told me to stay home. She gets her meals and has plenty of everything else she needs, so we just chat on the phone now. I really do feel very lucky that it hasn't impacted me more at this time. But I refuse to dwell on the negative and want to stay "up" for mom and my son.
On the other end are my grandson-in-law who is dealing with his mother being in hospice. My granddaughter gives me daily updates and their family is having a rough time coming to terms with her death.
These are trying times and will bring out peoples true natures. I hope we all find the strength we need to get through this.

Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, greater metro area of New Orleans has decided not to accept money on the public transportation, the city buses.

My friend sent me an email link to click on to see her virtual concert. Was so sweet to hear her sing and see her pretty face. I enjoyed that.

And Yes, I was the stupid one not wearing the mask or gloves. I stayed away from friend I hand't seen in a while...Hard to recognize her,,, she had her mask on.. her hubby has asthma, was hospitalized a few years ago with pneumonia. My hubby has a bought with it sometimes,,,and he is worried to, it could get worse. So, I really want to be done shpping... Got th TP, IT should last a bit... unless something bad happens... . we just need to stay calm... friend in Arizona, her FIL is in physical therapy in hospital.. in lockedown... he needs to walk across his floor now.. not physical contact.. friend and her hubby can't even get into the facility to say hello.
That is sad.

Last night I heard an idiot on the news, He is suing our governor for not allowing him to purchase a gun... We are basically on lock down... Stores are closed, or online. Really? you think you need a GUN NOW? WHY? If you don't have one,,, you don't need one, especially if you feel desperate.... Do you know gun safety? Really... You do not own a gun, and now you feel you may need one... That is crazy...If you don't have one now, then most likely you don't know a thing about them, and should learn about them and your family too, before going out and spending money on a product you have seen in tv shows, and the news, and you are wanting to be bringing one into the home.. Seriously...HOw bad can that go? First time buyers should go through a SAFETY AND HANDLING CLASS, before being able to purchase the bullets for these things...seriously...I had a realtive who was a gun dealer.. Many years ago. Yoiu just don't go out, buy a gun, load it up, and shove it your night dresser...Safety lessons should be mandatory before bringing that weapon home with bullets.

I HUNTED. I SUCCEEDED !! I DID IT !!! I GOT TOILET PAPER !! :) YEAH !

Got the low down on the TP DISPENSE ... Got up in time went to that market before 10:30 .. And then 10;50 , i was talking to some random person in isle 10.. we were waiting for the pallets to be placed... not yet. I asked if he would watch my cart of a minute while I meandered around the store for a minute for other stuff, ...Whoa, and behold!! the magical pallet appeared in ISLE 14 !!! I scrambled, grabbed my 2 limit's worth of the 'GOLDEN TP'.. Ran back to isle 10 and told my new TP friend, IT'S HERE !! Hurry.... ISLE 14 !!. He asked if I could watch his cart,, I said no, take it with you for a ramming rod just in case (kidding),
I ran out almost 2 weeks ago... we were using any kind of tissue. I was in panick mode by now..
Got to the checkers and only one PACK PER PERSON. Thank goodness I was shopping for my aunt's supplies too... She needed some, and also apple sauce, breakfast carnation etc... 2 packages of TP will get us through for a bit, until I get the nerve up to hunt again. I'm in California.

My cousin , Michigan.. stores are out of kitchen garbage bags... huh? Does every state have a certain product they are low on?
We are low on garlic.. TP, Water, although, lowes had 4 new pallets), so maybe water is not a big commodity now, people found their gas stoves, pitchers with filters, and they ADULT SIPPY CUPS?... Ya, I didn't run out of water, my kitchen sink has a faucet. and we have a filter, and a gas stove... hmm, I remember in the early 70's, stores started to sell bottled water...? What is that a thing? and we laughed.. I was a kid..certainly wished I knew about how stocks worked... maybe not.

I just received a phone call from my 'baby' brother. He and his coworkers are on a contract project in NY. The project ends next Friday. Unfortunately, 2 of his coworkers are now confirmed with the virus. Self-quarantined in the hotel they're staying during the project. Family is pressuring him to abandon post and leave before he gets the virus and before NY's border is shut down. At first I agreed. Then I asked what will happen if he abandons post? … Oh myyyyy … He is Definitely an Essential employee. I told him no. I Agreed With Him. He must stick it out despite the pressure from family. Plus he is under quarantine. He must remain there until he's cleared....

In the meantime, can he send an email request to his supervisor if he can leave earlier from the project due to 2 coworkers are confirmed cases and bro has a heart problem. He is on CPAP and he does struggle to breathe when he walks long distance. If that fails, escalate to HR. If that fails, then just hunker down and be paranoid. (Then I messaged him the YouTube video 'They're Coming to Take Me Away Ha-Haa')

I went to Target this afternoon to get cat litter. And look for toilet paper and napkins. Still no paper products to be found. We need bleach too....came home empty handed there too. Got the litter but nothing else we need. Almost died twice while walking back to my car. But on the bright side, an ambulance parked 2 spaces away from me so had I been hit, I would have been treated right away. The first idiot pulled into a spot, I watched him as I approached and right when I was behind him, he started to back up and almost took me out. I jumped out of the way and continued waking down to my car.....and almost got nailed from behind by a car that speed by! The idiot driver was talking on the phone, he was holding it up to his face with one hand and steering with the other. I was off to the side too, it’s not like I was walking down the middle of the aisle.

And Shell.....people are really letting their lack of common sense come out. So many people are refusing to take this seriously because they don’t know what city the people testing positive live in! We all need to act like it is EVERYWHERE and take proper precautions! Over here they aren’t telling us what city the COVID patients live in. They are just telling us the number of positive tests in this county and how the transmission occurred. We are up to 32 as of last nights. It seems like a lot of people need to hear “5 people in city A, 10 in city b” before they take it seriously! Until then they will act like it’s not in their city! I really don’t understand the way these people think. If it’s in your county, you are at risk and you need to take precautions and stay home! But sooooo many people don’t get that! Every time the media updates us on the number people ask what city the patients live in....why does it even matter? The virus is here!!!

Shell, I know it’s disturbing to hear that the police aren’t enforcing the shelter in place order! I don’t know how to explain the reasoning but basically the police have to practice proper social distancing. I’m sure if they see people out in large groups they will tell them to move a long and go home but they won’t make an issue of it. My husband took our son to the neighborhood park yesterday to throw the football even though all parks are closed (there’s a big grassy area, they didn’t go on the playground) and he said it was because his department isn’t enforcing the order. Unless you do something egregious, most police departments won’t cite you for being out and about. I know it probably doesn’t make sense though. I can see both sides, we need to enforce the order because people are not taking the pandemic seriously but we also need to keep our first responders on the job. If they all end up in quarantine....well God help us all! We need our police, fire and paramedics because crime, fires and medical emergencies won’t stop happening.

I live in a small town not really small, but it is not consider a big town; anyways, the police department has announced yesterday that "they Will Not enforce the stay home order." Well that is just great we had 1 case 2 wks ago then we got 5 cases well the next day we had 12 case and now it seems we are getting more cases everyday! Not as bad as most cities, but it will be if people won't stay home!!!

Well, people were taken to their homes until that announcement. Now, people are out and about like nothing is going on. Had to go to Lowe's for one little thing and I could not believe how busy they were and people grouping together! Yikes!! As I was going through the store with my sig other it was like being in a videogame. We were dodging people making sure we stayed 6ft away from people! We got what we needed and got the heck out of there!

No one in my area is taking Covid seriously! Do the people in my city don't watch the news? Do they think it is not going to happen here? The whole east side of my state is highly infected with Covid! Ugh!! I just wish people would stay home! We do!!! Won't be going anywhere for awhile!