Ebola round 2

[fishhead0103666]

Went to a local grocery store and they were out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, meat, milk, and a few other things. Two dollar stores were out of toilet paper along with hand sanitizer however I got some hand soap since they left that alone for whatever reason. A walmart was out of hand sanitizer but had about half of their toilet paper stocked so I got some.

 

[MrsE88]

They aren’t thinking straight. Probably think the zombie apocalypse is real or something, lol. This happens when we get hurricanes here in Florida.
Will definitely check other stores out.

Haha, probably.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I am following the covid19 developments as are all of us. I have some notions partly based on dated knowledge from my Biology education and from paying attention. I am also retired with ample time to see the news. I do not have particular inside information sources so some of my comments may off base or mistaken, bear that in mind.

Back when this new virus first started getting into the news I made some guesses. My first guess being this new virus in an RNA type virus. That has meaning to me in that my understanding is an RNA virus is the type which can mutate fairly quickly. If this proves to be the case it is likely the covid19 will be somewhat like the flu virus in that it can and will change over time. Also that it may generate different strains much as the flu already does. To me this is significant because there can be very different outcomes long term. Some strains may go thru stages which cause different levels of symptoms and over time wind up fairly mild. Other strains may over time wind up causing very serious symptoms. My additional guess at this time it is too early to understand these outcomes. I can see strains being given separate identities much as the flus are. Perhaps a useful way to picture this is from an old film titled The Andromeda Strain. If my guess about this new virus being an RNA sort is incorrect then the above speculation is likely incorrect.

Skipping to the problems of the shutdowns of schools, sporting events and all now rampant. My take is this as best described by the authorities when they talk about trying to flatten the curve of new infections. First thing to consider is it too late to contain this virus in the sense of stopping it altogether. What the first impending crisis may be is there could be too many new infections of people with serious symptoms all at the same time. I think the hope is to slow down the spread (flatten the curve) of these serious infections so the capacity of the medical community is not overrun. To me this is the numbers of hospital beds and machines such as respirators that will be available at any onetime compared to how many infected will be needing them all at the same time. If the spread can be slowed enough then it may be possible to keep the peak number of infections low enough at any one time so the bed space capacity can keep up with the demand.

That to me is why there is a call out to avoid big gatherings. Not that there is an expectation of stopping the virus but more so the most at risk can get the medical attention needed. I have some personal interest in this as I am 72 years old and thus likely to be at increased risk. I am also aware of other MFK members who are at increased risk.



I guess some solid information is beginning to come out. This covid19 appears to be considered around ten times more infectious that the ordinary flu. (I think I heard Dr. Anthony Fauci make such a comment) If this remains correct there are likely some significant differences from the ordinary flu. My first guess and still just a guess is this is more aerosol than the flu. The flu can be spread during a cough and sneeze up to nine or ten feet in droplets. These droplets fall out of the air after ten feet. (Most of it is out of the air at six feet so that is the suggested spacing) If the covid19 is aerosol to any degree then it may hang in the air much longer. Still not sure this is correct and do hope it is not aerosol.



One note. Until we each are infected and survive that initial infection none of us is likely to have a natural immunity to the new virus. As in some other diseases there may be individuals who do not get the infection but most of us can and will become infected if exposed.


The covid19 is reported to remain viable (infectious) on surfaces for at least hours and maybe a couple of days. I do not yet have good information on this. I have heard some reports of it surviving up to nine days on surfaces. I think some distinction might be that the virus can be detected on surfaces for longer than it is actually still infectious. My dated biology knowledge tends to support hours more than days. I guess some clear distinctions will be made eventually so I am going to use two days on solid surfaces and eight to ten hours on porous surfaces.

I have modified my cleaning of surfaces to some extent. I use a Clorox type solution either in a spray bottle or a bit of Clorox in my dish washing water. I have wiped down most surfaces in my home already with a wash cloth after doing the dishes. I will also wipe down doorknobs, light switches and such again after I come back from a trip out or I get some company.

When I do go out and about to a store and bring in stuff I have a system. For things that will not be used for a few days I set them aside and just let them sit untouched. Canned food for example that can sit for more than a week before needed.

For things I know I will be using soon I am either doing a cleaning or have modified the way I store them. An example is my chocolate fix. I no longer buy candy bars. I get such as Hershey kisses in bags. I cut open the bag of candy and dump the kisses into a cleaned jar. I toss the empty candy bag into the trash. I wash the outside of things I will use soon such as peanut butter jars either with some detergent (soapy water) sometimes with a dollop of Clorox added. I wash apples in just some cool soapy water and rinse them and let them dry. After cleaning and putting away my newly bought groceries I then wash my hands.

I have decided to not buy banana or blueberries for a time as I am not sure how to clean them properly and they are exposed in the grocery store. I do not wash broccoli, potatoes or mushrooms but do cook them thoroughly with several hand washings during and after cooking.

Will all my precautions work? Maybe for a while but I will likely be infected eventually. Too many already infected out there. My hope is to put off the infection and maybe there will be some specific treatment or vaccine developed.



That said I had a couple of days last week with a strong cough and a mild fever. It was preceded by several days of a scratchy throat with some mild coughing. Was it the new virus or something else, I do not know. It seems many will have mild symptoms or no real symptoms at all. Did I have it and have a mild case? Maybe, but perhaps I had one strain and might be able to get sick from another strain or get the same strain again after it mutates in a few months. Enough of my long winded rant.

 

[pops]

SK first off good to see you back for my part. all restaurants, bars, gyms, and other are closed or only pickup at window are closed here in pacific north west. my casino is going to close with pay for we do not know many weeks yet, crazy stuff.

so ya. looks like I am stuck at home, with the wife for at least 2 weeks, I fear that more than getting the bug, lol.

 

[pops]

I enjoy middle distance running, before a near-fatal injury in September I was running 21:52 on a 5km which is decent enough for me. Need to get back into that now that I'm recovered!

Otherwise my passions are wood working, hiking, growing orchids (Well I have four) and have recently got into pyrography.
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Wood working is handy for the hobby! I built this stand with dad
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Although I don't think it's the root cause for why they died, but I would expect to have some trace of nitrate if your tank is cycled?

Another not if but when is when will the Cascadia Subduction Zone go off..by your location you may be impacted too.. like us. We could stash 3-6 months of food and water. But we could also be wiped out by fire before the big one.. or maybe we'll surcomb to the Corona virus

On another note, we just put a small table by the front door with hand sanitizer gel, masks and disinfecting wipes by the front door at my mother's house. She is medically fragile and we don't want people gifting her with viruses.

we have suspended all visits to my wife's dad, he is 98 but still lives at home. me working in a casino and her a middle school librarian just doers not sound like a good ideal no mater the hand sanitize available.

 

[krichardson]

Went to the gym earlier and the employee informed me that they would be shutting down at 5pm and will remain so until further notice.....got in a good workout and was done by four.
The area hospitals are banning visitors for those who are admitted and only allowing one person to accompany ER patients.Security is going to have a ball turning people away.

 

[skjl47]

SK first off good to see you back for my part

Hello; Thanks pops. I am not exactly back. I am still on probation with many restrictions. I check in from time to time and saw where this thread which I was a part of was flagged as active. I decided to look at it and make a few comments. Any post I submit must be cleared by a mod.

 

[kno4te]

Quick update: got 1 pack of tp from win Dixie. Everything is limited.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I saw Rons post and decided to check amazon for toilet paper, Apparently most of them are over priced.

 

[Hendre]

I am on an extended break from University now. Class material will continue online from April. Crazy hey..