I felt attacked yesterday when I expressed my confusion about whether I should overreact or underreact to the coronavirus pandemic if I’m feeling okay. I went to the gym yesterday, and I picked up some more supplies at a grocery store. I’m prepared to socially distance and all of that, but the scenes are surreal and the shaming is real! It doesn’t help matters that when I am out, I see tons of people everywhere. Not as many people as usual, but still – I get that “people on the internet” are taking quarantining and social distancing and self-isolating seriously. But are other people?
So I don’t know what to think about Angelina Jolie doing some last-minute grocery shopping with her daughter Vivienne. They went to Whole Foods yesterday and came out with two big paper bags full of supplies. There are five kids at home with Angelina now, with Maddox in college in South Korea. If the Jolie-Pitt clan tries to self-isolate in LA, they’re going to need more supplies than that. Also: Angelina, by her own admission, can’t cook. My girl can’t boil an egg. Maybe they’re just getting Uber Eats or food deliveries?
Also: Angelina’s commitment to sack-dressing is really something. I’m actually pleased that she’s not wearing a black sack dress at the moment. It’s spring, so she went with a summery sack. The dress looks like a costume from Midsommer. And I friggin’ love her sunglasses. Little Vivi doesn’t want to be photographed though. Paparazzi in the time of corona.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
Well, I go on about my normal routine. The only people in my life who are taking precautions (staying home etc), are my parents and other elderly people. For the rest of us, it’s just flu.
As for Angelina, she looks good and well rested. Glad her daughters are better.
It’s not just flu and you can give it to your parents and grandparents while feeling well yourself.
Please don’t spread ignorance.
What I meant about my normal routine is that I am not staying home or panic buying.
I always take extra care with my health and will continue to do so. I am not doing anything extra because of Coronavirus.
Every one of us is a potential (or existing) carrier and if we see ourselves that way, we can start adjusting accordingly.
In other words, it’s not about your health. It’s about the health of others.
Some people really struggle with this concept.
Reduce your exposure to large groups, shop at less crowded times, and wash your hands and a sanitize surfaces.
Preparation is not the same as panic.
The currently carefree are just behind the curve of information.
I’m immunocompromised, and my 92 yr old dad lives with me (he has high blood pressure, an underlying condition). The ONLY place I’ve gone to has been the pharmacy to pick up his Rx, as I couldn’t get anyone else to go. I am taking this VERY seriously: wore gloves when I went out to get it, wiped everything down with Clorox wipes when I got in (Rx, AND my shoes, my jacket). Then I went into a shower, and washed the clothes I wore.
Last night my dad gave me a scare, as his bp shot up to 169/87 with a slight temp of 99*. Thank God after a cool cloth, open window, and taking his meds, it all came down to normal range.
But you can bet I’m taking this seriously. I’ve cancelled manicures and massages; I’ve called my doctors and arranged to have my appts. over the phone. While it is still SO very surreal to me, I’m buying all foodstuff online and having it delivered to outside my door, where I will wipe EVERYTHING down before it comes inside. I don’t care how “crazy” I look doing it.
Experts are saying we’re going to get a lot worse before we get better, and if people don’t start taking social distancing seriously, it’s not going to be pretty.
What scares the CRAP out of me is that Customs/LAX is NOT screening people coming in!! My older nephew got into LA Fri. night.(was at Semester Abroad; NYU cancelled all campuses and told the kids to go home). His roommate’s dad got them on a flight from Berlin, to London, to LA; they got in around 8 pm. Customs had everyone line up, single file (but close!), and ONLY asked “where are you coming from”, looked at their passports, then waved them on to congregate at baggage claims! While this whole process took 5 HOURS, there wasn’t ANY screening for temperatures, coughing, etc. NONE! WTF??!!
@(The OG) Not crazy, you have every reason to take extra precautions. Stay safe!❤️
@TheOG, what do you think customs is supposed to do? CONTACT spreads this virus. You want customs to get all close up to these people? Take temperatures and take the chance that the thermometer hasn’t been properly disinfected? And what IF someone coughs? What if someone with asthma coughs? Then what are the supposed to do? Quarantine ANYBODY with a cough??? And then just keep repeating this process? I do think you would see an uptick of positive cases coming through customs.
Thank you, Jerusha ❤️
Taylor, there ARE thermometers that SCAN, from an arm’s distance. There are DISPOSAL thermometers (we used them in public schools even 25-30 yrs ago!). They could be having people line up with a little distance between themselves, as opposed to having it be a cattle call situation. Luggage could be called out and then that person(s) come forward to claim it instead of everyone waiting on top of each other at the carousel.
This is just off the top of my head. There are usually ways/ideas to come up with if you put your mind to it. And yes, if someone is coughing I DO expect them to be taken off the line into another room/area. I’d rather contain those people in Customs than have them spreading out into the general population going every which way!
@TheOG I started skeptical as recently as a week ago and have moved to full-blown prep mode. Things are no longer changing day-to-day but hour-by-hour. In my state, case numbers are doubling. They doubled again since Friday.
I know two people who flew from Rome to NYC a couple days ago. No screening at the airport. No recommendations or advice. Just sent them on their merry way.
We have no consistent, sane White House response yet, so we need to look to what scientists, doctors and other countries are telling us.
Stay safe, be well, stay informed & spread compassion, friends. We are in this together.
All the articles I’ve read indicate that this is NOT the flu, it’s much worse, and there’s a lot that we still don’t know about it. We have to be careful for the sake of those who are immune compromised. For them, this could be fatal.
You might kill someone. Please take this seriously.
So true. I read an article by an Italian journalist asking the world to learn from their mistakes and take this seriously. There is a window of a few weeks for most countries. We don’t want to be faced with what they are facing. They are having to make decisions about who gets icu based on age, overall health, chronic medical conditions etc. Many will die. The UK is looking into having all people over age 70 self quarantine. If people don’t take this seriously for social distancing, this could very well be our future.
We are going to the gym too,they have enough room so as to have moved the machines farther apart,and have cleaning sprays,wipes,and hand sanitizer everywhere.We make periodic super market trips bc although I’ve been gradually stocking I still run low on certain items.
I am of the understanding that self isolation is for when you are symptomatic or have been knowingly exposed or around someone with symptoms.
My actions are fairly common where we live,people are distancing but I’ve not seen people completely stop their usual activities.
Yes that is social isolation but social distancing is making efforts to avoid large groups and crowded places(hence the ban on large gatherings in many countries) because the danger of the disease is healthy people(mainly younger) who can be unsymptomatic carriers, inadvertently spreading it to vulnerable populations. That is why experts are encouraging social distancing.
If everyone avoids crowded places a bit more we can actually slow transition rates. Again see Italy’s early failures in this regard.
@Spicecake, I’m still going to the gym too. I take group fitness classes and the gym I go to have always had disinfectant sprays for their equipment. They have always had signs up about wiping down the equipment. Even before this, I would see people wiping down the equipment. I have Lysol wipes, so I’ve started bringing those with me and I will wipe down the weights and bar we use in body pump class. I have always wiped down the spin bike before I get on it because I never assume it’s clean. I’m an introvert anyway so I usually avoid crowds. I rarely eat out and usually order food for carry out.
Right now, I have no other option but to go to work because I don’t have the option to work from home.
My sister was in a bit of hysterics this weekend. I kept telling her to go to the CDC website to get correct information. I had to get this one woman together yesterday who was all “they are making a big deal out of it and I don’t think it is.” I told her it is a big deal and you need to take it seriously.
Someone on Twitter made a great analogy about it (I’m paraphrasing) “if I put a bowl of 100 pieces of skittles in front of you and told you that out of the 100, 3 will kill you if you eat it. Are you going to take that chance or are you going to throw them away?”
The point is that even if you don’t think you are at risk it’s important to take precautions.
At this point, it’s incredibly selfish to continue your usual activities. Social isolation is necessary at this stage to prevent the cases from doubling every day. Stay home.
I felt the same way about it as you a week ago. Please consider taking the time to read up on on why you as an otherwise healthy and low risk individual are key to flattening the curve. It’s not about making you feel ashamed or bad! There is a lot of misinformation out there. But there are numerous articles from people with far more knowledge on infection control and pandemic response than you or I have, saying we need to use social distancing and isolation at this critical juncture to slow to spread for the virus. The BEST case scenario is that this is all just an overreaction.
Thank you and I will definitely read up on it.
You’re an absolute dope, Sierra
That’s harsh.
Sierra is here having a reasonable conversation with everyone and willing to listen to other views. There’s no need for name calling.
That’s really rude. People come here to have enlightening conversations, not call them names (unless they’re Cambridge and York stans…then they’re really dumped on).
You can be a vector .. asymptomatic and appear healthy. Please stay the home. Viral growth is exponential.. appears low for a while then shoots up out of control.. that’s when hospitals become overwhelmed and cannot.keep up.. Think this is a joke read up on Italy vs Singapore’s response to the virus.
Read WPost.. our president don’t care or have a clue.
Also see The Lancet.. from folks with diabetes and hypertension are also compromised because there medications are not working with virus treatments.
Reading this from Europe, you sound like a lot of my friends a week ago. and I can tell you this attitude won’t last long. Some of them have deleted the fb posts they were sharing to show off their nonchalance (while I was stocking up on food) the moment it hit them the whole country is about to go on lockdown.
The death rate is at 8% for people over 70 and at 15% for those over 80.
I’m guessing you don’t care who you infect as long as you’re fine?
https://www.newsweek.com/young-unafraid-coronavirus-pandemic-good-you-now-stop-killing-people-opinion-1491797
@ Sierra: have you had the flu anytime recently? My daughter and I have had it for the last 7-10 days; my daughter got it first and then I caught it from her and began experiencing symptoms about 4 days later. We were both tested for COVID-19 and the flu, as I am a nurse and work at a hospital, and we tested positive for influenza A only.
This is the sickest I have ever been in my adult life. My daughter had a fever of 103 for 2.5 days and I had a fever of 102 for 2 days. For an adult this is relatively high and it was very uncomfortable, and at its worst was impervious to Tylenol and ibuprofen. I’ve had extreme body aches, chills, so much congestion that I have legitimate difficulty breathing. I get winded walking up our stairs at home. We have been completely bed-ridden for over a week now – as in, not only have we not left the house (other than to get tested), we haven’t left my bedroom. My daughter is just now, 10 days in, starting to get some energy back. I’m still extremely lethargic, achey, congested and miserable.
I really don’t understand what people have in their heads when they say it’s “just” the flu. The flu KNOCKS YOU OUT. I assume when people say this they are referring to a minor cold that they had and just assumed was the flu, because anyone who had the actual flu would be taking all the same precautions to avoid getting “just the flu” as they would COVID-19. But apparently some people don’t take any precautions, ever, to avoid acquiring and spreading illness, which explains why we find ourselves in this current health crisis.
The actual real flu is horrifying. I’ve only had it twice in my life and I was sick for weeks, in both cases I ended up with bronchitis as the cherry on top. So I feel for you and your daughter, hope you’re feeling better soon!
Last time I had it was before nroutine vaccination. It felt as if a truck ran over my legs.
My friend died of the flu, a healthy guy in his late 40’s. I’ve never said “just the flu” since.
My friend was also in his prime at 32. He didn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs and ate organic long before it was mainstream. He also exercised religiously. I kept asking the doctor what really killed him. I just couldn’t believe the flu, a plain old ordinary everyday flu killed my friend. I don’t call it just a flu either.
I know of two pediatric flu deaths this year where I work. These were completely healthy, normal kids. One had Reye’s syndrome and complete organ shutdown. Imaging their parents when someone says, “it’s just the flu”. Their families and the staff who took care of them were devastated. For God’s sake unless you are deathly allergic or have a bona fide contraindication, get your flu shots yearly! And yes, Re Covid, please quarantine yourselves now! Healthy or not!
They went to Lassens Health food store in Los Feliz, not far from their house, so i suppose they didnt stay there long, just got much needed supplies.
Angie looks so pretty and Vivi is growing up fast and looks pretty, too. I like her jacket.
Sierra, stop comparing it to the flu. Covid-19 is a different virus entirely and it’s scary because unlike the flu it’s characteristics are not well known (people get infected and they don’t know it because there’s no symptoms, unlike the flu). There’s also no vax shot for it.
You should go read that NYT story about the Wuhan doctor and the nurse. They both worked the front lines, both in their late 20’s, healthy, both got sick and only one of them survived. This virus isn’t targeting only the elderly and people with health issues.
It is a respiratory illness similar to the cold, flu, mers or sars and like the flu it spreads primarily from respiratory droplets. Cases show it’s symptoms are generally dry cough, fever, sore throat, maybe runny nose, headache, etc. and it multiplies in the respiratory tract so can lead to pneumonia. Death rate are up to 15% for 70 and older individuals so it is important that we all do what we can to protect those individuals and individuals with cancer, diabetes and hypertension,etc
So people walking around saying it is just like the flu are misinformed, it is more contagious and deadly then the flu. For some of the population, it is definitely not the flu.
My country /Slovakia is in lock down since last week. First case confirmed on 6th of march. We ve closed schools, then the borders, people are asked to stay in. Now we ve declared emergency state for healthcare sector. On friday there were 30 confirmed cases, tonight it is 64. We dont want what happened in Italy. It is no flue. It spreads differently, it has different symptoms. There are no face masks available. People started to make their own. We stay home and we are patient and disciplined. Other eu countries are out of control with the virus spread. They took precautions too late. And now in Italy, people in their forties are starting to have issues as did the 60-80+ Few weeks ago because the virus has changed or smth. Dont underestimate this virus. Generations before us were asked to go to war. All you are asked to do is stay at home and dont socialize. #wecanovercomethistogether
This is how you spread the virus and become a disease vector. Continuing about your daily business is a pretty terrible idea unless you absolutely have to be someplace.
You absolutely should be staying home. Going about your routine can make others sick. As a healthy young person, you can spread the virus without exhibiting symptoms for 5 to 10 days. It’s incredibly selfish of you to be out and about for things that aren’t absolutely necessary, like medical care. Go home and stay home. You’re making the pandemic worse by carrying germs from person to person; it’s not just the flu – it’s much more contagious.
@sierra- not sure where you’re living or how old you are but it seems like you have not been keeping up with the medical facts. Please read up:
https://www.newsweek.com/young-unafraid-coronavirus-pandemic-good-you-now-stop-killing-people-opinion-1491797
Here in Boston things are ominous. 368 people dies of Coronavirus in Italy IN THE PAST 24 HOURS. Some of those people are in their 30’s and 40’s. If we want to avoid Italy’s situation where the medical system is overburdened and med. professionals having to choose who gets a respirator and who will die because they don’t have enough respirators then people need to stay the f*ck home. DO NOT GO TO THE GYM. OR BARS. STAY HOME.
oops I see someone aready posted this article. Sorry. Here are some other stats:
The flu has a .01% fatality rate.
Let’s suppose that China has a 1% fatality rate- that would make COV19 10 x more fatal than the flu. China’s actual fatality rate is 2% which would make COVID19 20x
more fatal than the flu. Currently Italy’s fatality rate is 6%.
That would make COVID19 60 X more fatal than the flu.
I’m in line at Disney World right now. The park is packed. No social distancing in the Kingdom. At least not until they close tomorrow. Disney is sending all the college kids home with two weeks pay. The dorms close Wednesday. The international students, especially the ones from Italy are in a bind. Some paid thousands to fly here from places like New Zealand only a month or two ago and now they have to leave.
Not shaming you – but please avoid the gym. We are very much doing social distancing here in TX. The schools are closed, the ski slopes are closed (goodbye Spring Break), most of my 20,000+ person company is working from home, and we are limiting social interaction to small groups.
We are, however, still getting out and exercising – I went for a run the other day and a long walk yesterday. I’m still heading to the store periodically, but no Target runs.
Solitary workouts are ok. Walks, runs, workouts at home. I hate to say it but avoiding gyms seems like a good plan.
I agree. My husband & I have no symptoms & haven’t traveled but we are self isolating. We aren’t allowing visitors & we are working from home. We live on top of a uni that allowed students to return from spring break & are now making them leave. So lots of movement around us. We had to cancel our trip to the FL Derby (which breaks my heart) as is been closed to the public. Waiting on the KY Derby to decide. We will still go to the store but at slow times & are just doing the best to help flatten the curve. My state (VA) has closed all K-12 schools for the next 2 weeks. So taking it slow & trying to help those in our neighborhood (elderly & others) if they need any assistance (food, TP, medicine) take care all, wash your hands.
I didn’t panic and now I’m paying the price. All of our stores are out of toilet paper and some of them are out of food. I have to go shopping tomorrow and I’m afraid my meals this week and next are going to look like an episode of Chopped.
The panic shopping is a phase, the shelves will be re-stocked, groceries and pharmacies are one of the few stores that’ll remain open even during hard shutdowns so you’ll be able to find stuff, including TP, quite soon. I gotta say, so far, things have been okay in my ‘hood in that regard: ok there’s no purel (it’s not super useful anyway), but last time I went to the pharmacy, there was still TP and tissues and so one. Same at the grocery, most of the canned beans were gone, but it’ll be re-stocked and there are fresh produces and dried beans and pasta and grains. But most of us do our groceries by foot here and our apartments aren’t big enough to accommodate hoarding 6mo-worth of food
Agreed. Preparation is good. Extreme hoarding. Not so much. The stores are doing their best to restock. It’s heartbreaking to see people leaving with much much more than they need. Makes it hard for everyone else. Apparently many people are on chicken runs as that seems to be one of the first to go until they restock. Hate to say it but some people are pretty selfish.
My husband and I both work in environments where there are a lot of people from overseas are in our office buildings. We bought enough groceries for two weeks in case we needed to self quarantine. Yesterday we got word my husband has been in contact with someone who tested positive. Taking reasonable precautions was the right thing to do.
I started stocking up after I got home from out of town last weekend on some stuff, including canned goods, on the recommendation of my sister who works for a neighboring state’s health department. I’m glad I did because by Friday night, those were cleaned out at multiple grocery stores. I had restocked on paper products and cleaning supplies, including wipes, end of February because of sales.
I work for a pubic university which went online instruction only through mid April this week. I thought that I would be working that entire time with reduced public hours up until Friday. We have student workers who are willing to work and need the money, so having staffing isn’t an issue even with the two coworker with kids likely being out through the first week of April.
Now, I’m not so sure. Our Democratic governor is trying to create some social distancing measures, including limiting gatherings of 250+ people at one time. That’s going to affect mass transit, not that the local mass transit district was doing its part before to help flatten the curve. Just last week at a meeting, a colleague was indulging in some black humor by joking that coronavirus would be spread on campus by overcrowding on the campus circular bus routes.
I’m expecting that the shortages of most things will let up by the end of the week, with the exception of paper products and cleaning supplies. I know I have to work some of this week, so I’m planning on picking up some things then.
If I can still get into my building, there are some essential tasks that could be done once or twice a week if I came in for an hour one or two days a week. I know I’ll be getting paid and I’ll still be doing the whole social distancing thing by driving in and just doing the one essential part, then heading home afterwards. Of course, it all depends on one unit having a person working remotely to route requests to us.
My husband and I are confined to our home, except for me to go to work. This isn’t “just the flu,” and we all need to act accordingly, not only for our own sakes but for the elderly and at-risk. Asymptomatic people CAN spread this virus and more than the cough/flu-like symptoms, I am concerned for what happens when medical resources are exhausted and we are weighing who gets care and who’s too old to get a ventilator (it’s already happening in Italy). The potential for long-term lung damage is pretty damned frightening, too.
Italy is already starting to see younger people admitted who at first thought they had a mild case, and now its turned serious. They are overwhelmed. In the news feed this morning there’s is a man in Japan who was on one of the cruise ships. Recovered and had negative tests. It seems he is now testing positive
I can’t get over how surreal the shopping experience has been. Empty aisles as far as the eye can see. It’s as if a swarm of locusts came and decimated the area.
https://twitter.com/RomitB_MD/status/1238868640377851904?s=20
Americans are so incredibly sheltered about collective, communal risks like this it’s unreal. We don’t have to deal with bombings, civil war, national food shortage, drought, etc. and we operate so much on what we can do for ourselves as individuals instead of considering the collective good first.
The NYT article about the guys who bought all the face masks and hand sanitizer to make fortune selling it on Amazon with no remorse and complete entitlement to do it because capitalism made me sick.
This is completely new for most Americans and even though there are lots of people not taking it seriously, there are plenty that are including the government finally. I hope it’s enough. 🤞
Pretty sure that guy was Canadian. It’s actually illegal in the US to do this. So if you notice any local markets or stores hiking prices take pictures/ videos and report them.
Hording is bad for everyone. We got lysol back at a local pharmacy and they put it on sale but 1 get 1 50% off. I took 2, 1 for me and 1 for my parents and I took a pack of wipes for my inlaws as that’s what they wanted. No reason to have 6 cans of lysol. Everyone should be able to buy, i just happened to pick up some medicine and happened upon them restocking, so i shouldn’t take advantage of my luck.
Lock downs across the world have groceries and pharmacies open.
Tennessee is in the US.
“An Amazon merchant, Matt Colvin, with an overflow stock of cleaning and sanitizing supplies in his garage in Hixson, Tenn.”
I saw an article about a man from Canada. Hope that Tennessee man enjoys legal fees.
In Germany we had cases of people stealing sanitizers from within hospitals. How fucking selfish and evil do you have to be to steal from the most vulnerable people? The patients are not not admitted for funs and giggles! They need protection RIGHT NOW, Coronavirus or no.
@Eliza – that man from Canada was busted at Costco in Quebec and when he tried to sell his supplies Amazon cut him off. Truly despicable people.
Even if you’re not scared I’d urge you take time to prepare! Most of the stores in the uk stopped taking online deliveries and are struggling to stock up now that there are travel and even shipment restrictions!! This is NOT just a flu
I love Angelina’s style but my how the kids have grown! Vivienne was only a baby yesterday and now shes almost a teenager. She looks like her mother 🙂
Maybe this will explain why gym, normal public life, etc have to be put on hold for at least 4 to 6 weeks (and then re evaluated). Italy is literally having to decide who lives and who dies because the health system is overwhelmed right now. It’s not just ‘internet folks’…please don’t stereotype. Any one who’s immune system is compromised, no matter the age, is at risk.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
Why is this supposed to be a last minute shopping and not just shopping?
Exactly what i thought… two very regular sized bags looks just normal grocery shopping to me?
Last minute if you’re going to socially distance for two weeks as is recommended.
I’m not sure what to do either. I live in a huge Trump supporting area so a lot of them are saying it’s the Democrats causing this panic. I laughed at that! So there’s not the panic there is other places. I went to the grocery store, the toilet paper was almost gone. But one of the employees said a lady bought toilet paper for her family that was enough to last 12 years. There was still food in the stores. The wine festival was canceled. I’m very healthy. I’m just not sure what to believe. My Pilates class was still held, my work is still open. Schools have been closed for the rest of the month. I think my work is making contingency plans. I just don’t know what to believe. So I’m taking the middle approach. Got a few canned goods but not a bunch. But that means I will still be screwed if I do have to self isolate. I guess I need to go and look up what the CDC said, we all know we can’t trust Trump.
2 weeks worth is the standard recommendation.
I think I’ll go late tonight and get some more non perishables. Thanks
Some of y’all definitely need to read up on social distancing and flattening the curve. This is not the flu. I would rather be over-prepared and staying inside and avoiding large crowds as much as possible, than taking a risk and getting my parents or grandparents sick. This isn’t just about ourselves, but other people as well.
I wish there were more people thinking like that. It angers me so much to see people ignoring the huge risk they are taking on the LIFES OF OTHERS.
It is not the flu. It has a death rate of 1-3.4 percent while the flu’s death rate is .1 percent.
We have vaccines for the flu while there is no vaccine for this new virus.
You can give the virus to someone else when you have no symptoms as of yet.
For an example, Angela Merkel, Germany’s leader, told the country she expected around 58 million citizens to contract the virus. If you apply the lowest rate of death of 1 percent, that would be 580,000 Germans who would die from this virus.
You as a young healthy person self-isolating and taking precautions protects those who aren’t healthy. This could be your grandparents or your cousin who is receiving chemo.
We need to care how this affects each other and not just ourselves.
Well said. It’s much deadlier than the flu. I think it’s going to get much worse before it gets better. Also. WHERE ARE THE FRIGGIN TESTS? It’s mind boggling that we still have no real numbers about how many are infected in the U.S. simply because we have no testing. I don’t know what Trump is up to regarding keeping the tests away but I guarantee It’s criminal.
He wants the numbers kept low.
In the absence of any national leadership on this, I see state governors, mayors, university and school administrators, company executives and small business owners really stepping up. They’re the ones who have to make the hard decisions. As for me, I’m relying on U.S. experts like Ronald Klain and Anthony Fauci, who advise us to #flattenthecurve.
Anecdotally, I lived in and then travelled to work in China later, and saw up close that nothing stops the Communist Party of China (CPC) and PLA army officers from “authoritarianism as usual”–the government considers people completely expendable. So when I read the reports in January of cities being completely shut down there, I was utterly shocked. The virus would have to threaten the CPC’s very existence for them to take such measures. I also assumed they were lying about the situation and putting out “happy talk” propaganda and statistics. For reliable information, I started reading the English edition of Taipei Times, which has a very helpful daily report (Taiwan has a democratic government and free press). We stocked up and started cancelling all social events. Being retired made this much easier for us than it is for working people and students.
I am taking it as seriously as I can. I work from home, so it’s ok but I live with flatmates and we have all agreed to keep the common areas as clean as possible. We have a garden so that’s nice, and I am working out either there or in my room and am still going for a walk in the park when I can. I would recommend staying away from the gyms. There are great apps to help work out at home. I haven’t been panic buying as I feel that all the little shops will still have everything and people are mostly going to the big chains which I would avoid. I don’t want to be a panic person but I do believe that at this time we all need to be aware of people around us. If we feel ok doesn’t mean we can’t endager others. I have to admit I also thought it was like a flu at first but now I feel we should all try to be as careful and mindful as possible. Support local stores, avoid crowds, go for a walk in a park and distance yourself. And keep house clean.
ps. I read this the other day and it might be useful for anyone who is unsure of what to do. I think you are asking the right question and I’m glad we have this site to share experiences and opinions. Wishing you all to stay safe, from London https://markmanson.net/coronavirus-risks-and-biases?fbclid=IwAR0Pg6xUI1L4SduBdmogW9M7IdlEhLPNwlikYur7zYSatsvIDw_bv6NDGss
What has happened elsewhere will happen here: people who refuse to take the very serious request to self isolate seriously are going to make it so we have to go on larger lockdown with stores, movie theaters, gyms, etc. forced to close by local or state governments. Look at Italy, Spain and France. Some people shrugged their shoulders at staying home for the greater good and any gains that would have been made during that time period are lessened and more drastic measures had to be put in place. PLEASE STAY HOME.
And I also fear we have been lulled into thinking this is not going to impact middle aged or 20-30 somethings. Here in the US, outside of the WA nursing home cluster, when I read about new cases being diagnosed, they are *largely* 30-50’s. We even have a 9 year old sick two counties over. No one knows enough about this disease to be entirely sure what we are up against. PLEASE STAY HOME.
Stay home as much as possible! This virus has spread so quickly, we have no idea what the real numbers are, I no idea who is positive but not showing symptoms yet. It’s time. Stay home.
Every single expert out there is frantically warning people about flattening the curve.
On a more superficial note, you don’t think Angelina has live in staff who cook and clean for them?
She has assistants, too, to do all her shopping for her, online or in person. This is a pap walk.
So if she has people to do shopping for her, that means she shouldn’t ever go shopping to a store with her child like other normal people do? That pap walk talk is really getting old. You think it would be more normal to tell children that they should be always sneaking and trying to avoid papparazzi if they go out, or just go about their business and ignore them? She always does latter and she explained that in more than one interview.
SaraR, all celebs do pap walks; even saw one for Christian Bale with his wife when his film came out. Daniel Craig has done them. Angelina Jolie prefers these mother-angle ones. I’m saying you can tell a lot about what the celeb wants to sell by their pap walk choices: what do they want to BE SEEN doing?
I live in PA. All of the counties surrounding Philadelphia are in lock down. No entering/walking in county/national parks, non essential businesses are requested to close. They’re requesting people don’t go out if they can help it. I’ll be working from home for the time being and only going out for walks around my neighborhood. I’m well-stocked and as long as the laundromat stays open (they say they will), I think I’ll be okay. Worse comes to worst, I make the drive to my parents’ semi-isolated house in Northeastern PA. That’s a last resort, though.
The liquor stores are closing on Tuesday. Not a big drinker but I may want to buy a bottle of rum or whiskey to calm the nerves.
Curious about the no entering national parks, as those are federal. How can a state agency control access to federal lands?
That was my mistake in posting that. State parks in PA are closed. Not national parks. Sorry.
https://staythefuckhome.com/
I can’t understand what hoarders are thinking?
It’s no good for just you to have clean hands and surfaces, we need everybody to have them.
Also, I realize this is completely hypocritical of me since I’m reading and posting here, but if a child doesn’t want paparazzi pictures don’t take or buy them.
Hi! I’ve been a lurker for a long time, but I really needed to weigh in here. I echo everyone else. The need for social distancing is so real! This Newsweek article really hit home for some of my friends who were doubting the criticality of our situation: https://www.newsweek.com/young-unafraid-coronavirus-pandemic-good-you-now-stop-killing-people-opinion-1491797 . Please please stay home and stay away from others when possible so we can #flattenthecurve.
Great article thanks. I’m 54 now but when I was 19 I had pneumonia for the first time. Before that I had excellent lung function. I was left with reduced lung function and a recurring pneumothorax (collapsing lung). I’ve since been hospitalized periodically for lung issues/asthma. A cold could leave me sick for months with secondary issues. We are now seeing this happen with people who thought they just had a mild case of covid 19. They are now left with a potentially life long chronic medical issue. Please help flatten the curve for the good of all, and please don’t be lulled into false complacency thinking that because you are young and healthy (in shape, eat right) etc that you will be guaranteed no long term repercussions. Please avoid my fate, where I have been down to 25% lung function at times. This is my life…please don’t let it be yours or someone else’s.
I work in public health and this is a big deal. It is not just the flu. It statistically cannot be compared to the flu at this time. I beg everyone to please read real information from the CDC and WHO and take precautions. Do not panic but do prepare. Remember if this all blows over and it looks like we over reacted, we did things correctly.
I’m also in public health and I was horrified to see my PCP post on their clinic page that it’s “just a cold” for most and questioning why no one is questioning emergency measures/”overreaction.” To say my immunocompromised self felt betrayed is an understatement. We have to make sure people realize that M.D.s are not trained in public health because negligent posts like that are going to get someone killed.
Wow. I hope after all this is over, you find a better PCP!
Regarding shopping, try the higher end (whatever your highest end grocery stores) and lower end (like….the Dollar Store) stores to find groceries and supplies. The mid-level stores seem to have the most shortages. In Texas, that means shopping at Central Market vs your regular H-E-B. I know someone who found bleach at the Dollar Store.
Source: lived through multiple hurricanes, floods and now a pandemic.
I would say the same for the UK too. We found the cheaper supermarkets e.g. Tesco & Asda to be a bit of a nightmare, yet Waitrose & Sainsburys were stocked better especially Waitrose. The discount shops e.g. Home Bargins & B & M seem to be better at stocking TP, cleaning products & soap.
I’m falling someone in the middle with all of this. I believe there is a very real danger here, but there is a bit of unnecessary panic going on (there’s no need to panic shop people). I have to go out because of work and also to get supplies in case a bigger quarantine happens, which quite honestly, could happen in the next few weeks.
I was out yesterday and the stores are not as busy, but they are by no means empty or closed. What I do see is people going the extra mile while out. Lots of distance between each other, coughing and sneezing into elbows, and using hand sanitizer.
I will also say, that it isn’t just a flu. It behaves closer to the common cold. For most people that do unfortunately get this, it is mild. You stay home, hunker down, and treat it with typical over the counter meds, water and juice for hydration. There isn’t a reason to shame people or attack them which sadly is happening in the comments here. We want to prevent the spread, of course, but there’s no reason to be fear mongers or mean to others either.
The last thing I want to say is, the numbers are going up because we are testing more amd more people. That’s good. It helps to know where this is so that better efforts to stop the spread can be targeted to where it is. The more people we test, the more confirmed cases we will find but eventually, probably within 2 weeks, the numbers will start going down. It’s all going to be okay.
It will, if precautions are made. You have to realize that this is virus spreading in a non-immune population all over the world. We will/ should all get this virus at some point but right now it’s all about flattening the curve, so the health systems can follow. So stay at home as much as you can, but don’t panic. Greeting from Scandinavia where everything literally is shutting down at the moment.
“ I will also say, that it isn’t just a flu. It behaves closer to the common cold. For most people that do unfortunately get this, it is mild.”
It’s a flu, not closer to the common cold. The common cold doesn’t cause the WHO to call this a pandemic. And the death rates are higher than the regular seasonal flu, and much much MUCH higher than the common cold.
Please don’t spread misinformation. My dad is immune compromised. A few off the cuff words online promotes the behaviours that could kill him.
I’m sorry, but in two weeks the numbers will not be going down – they will have doubled, or more. I hate to sound like a panic-stricken fear monger, but this will get much, much worse before we turn the corner. Data from China and other places show that people are most contagious BEFORE they even exhibit symptoms, that’s why the “stay home if you are sick” advice was quickly abandoned for “stay home when at all possible”.
The number of cases in the U.S is artificially low, by a lot. Tests are still so rare, they may as well be non-existent. The virus has been spreading almost unmonitored and unchecked for six weeks or longer. If we do nothing, data suggests the number of people infected DOUBLES every week (it’s actually closer to 5 or six days, but call it a week for easier math). That should scare the crap out of people, because until last week we have been doing next to nothing to slow this down. Yes, most people will only have a minor illness, or a week or two of miserable symptoms, but even the relatively small number of people who will have tragic outcomes will overtax and potentially collapse the health care system in this country. A small percentage of a big number is still a big number. The U.S population is 327 million – let’s assume half the population eventually contracts the disease (I personally think it will be higher). Assuming the mortality rate is 1% (the regular flu is ten times lower than that), 1% of 163 million is over 1.5 million people. That’s roughly the population of Seattle, Boston and Atlanta – combined.
The only hope we have of lowering that number is dramatically slowing the spread in order to allow the health system to catch up and to hopefully allow enough time for treatments and/or vaccines to be found and manufactured. That means avoiding coming into close contact with as many people as humanly possible – for a lot longer than just two weeks.
@busyann/ I just have to address your remark about this ‘being the common cold and to hunker down and take OTC meds. You are way off. This attacks your respiratory system and shuts down your lung function. The common cold does not require ICU admittance and ventilators. There are many many YouTube videos showing precisely how Covid-19 this works in the body, how it attacks your lungs and organs and how it causes lung failure.
You are believing dangerous misinformation. For yourself and others. Please educate yourself and do not spread total and complete misinformation
It’s actually not mild. They’re now finding that people who have had coronavirus and recovered have a reduced lung capacity by 25 to 30%. Are you ready to lose that much lung capacity? It’s not ‘just’ the flu. Coronavirus is way more dangerous, even to young and healthy people. You may recover from it, but it’s not mild and you’ll be compromised for life.
“It’s actually not mild. They’re now finding that people who have had coronavirus and recovered have a reduced lung capacity by 25 to 30%.”
Yes, you could end up with reduced lung capacity but just to clarify, it wasn’t all the patients in that small sample. I think it was like 3 or 4 out of 12 patients (patients who had sufficiently serious symptoms to be admitted to hospital and who recovered and were released) or something very close to that. Very serious stuff but just to clarify it’s not absolutely everyone that gets reduced lung capacity (as far as we know right now).
I’ve stopped going to the gym and will be going on walks and we have some equipment at home. I still have to work, but am making arrangements to hotel at a local place that has 2 other people in it, and we are all far apart, so I am ok with that. Outside of very early or very late grocery store runs, we will not go out. My 16 year old son does not get it, but agreed that if our pediatrician tells him to stay home and avoid all contact – he will do so — and she just emailed me this morning and said that all of us should just stay home.
75 yo here. I’ve been a semi hermit since childhood, so self quarantine is something fairly normal for me. I live alone in the country with my dogs, nearest neighbors are 100+ yards away. I’ve never been one for crowded situations, only went to yoga classes twice a week at the nearest senior center. All those centers are closed as of tomorrow. All public schools in Alabama close Wednesday afternoon. The Catholic diocese here is closing its schools. Lots of shutdowns as in other cities.
My panic buying consisted of a bag of apples, a bag of blood oranges, a bag of mandarins, a bag of lettuce, six 1ltr Doctor Peppers, and a pack of latex gloves for those times I need to touch a gas pump handle or other public surface. I’ll have to venture out eventually for dog food. I’m pretty certain I haven’t been exposed but no need to take chances. Stay safe, All.
If you are looking for options and aren’t too remote Chewy delivers dog food and they have a lot of brands. My dog’s food arrived the day before things started getting really weird. Stay safe!
Thanks. I may check it out. The county next door reported its first confirmed case yesterday. We probably have some that aren’t reported.
I highly recommend Chewy! I order from them all the time. I will caution that they are a bit delayed in their shipping right now…I just ordered some cat food and cat litter because I will be running out soon. Instead of the typical 2 days, they sent an email saying it was going to take five. I always order what I need for my cats before we are low, so it’s OK, but just so you know to order earlier than later.
We just cancelled a small (2 other couples) dinner party we’d scheduled for March 29. Although there’s only been one case on Vancouver island (we live in Victoria), even the remotest chance to spread or contact this bug is too big to take. Mr. Jaded is 70 and type 1 diabetic so it’s just too risky. We don’t use the downstairs gym as we have lots of equipment in our condo, go for walks, and when we grocery shop we wear gloves. Everything gets wiped down with Lysol wipes when get home including door handles, keypads, mouse, light switches, etc. etc. People don’t seem to realize that it isn’t about “catching” Covid-19, it’s about spreading it and that cavalier attitude is what’s so dangerous.
I’m in the BC Interior and IH just announced that there are now two cases in our area. I volunteer at the senior’s home and I’m in close contact with a lot of them. I guess that will be curtailed for awhile. I feel for the seniors though, a lot of their activities are done with volunteers.
Eek! I volunteer at Our Place (a homeless and addiction support centre) and we’ve been told not to show up for at least a month now. This is definitely going to be the year the world stopped. Wishing you continued good health!
Wiping down surfaces is not enough. People hanging out in groups are just being foolish and careless. Our hospital system is going to be overtaxed with cases, and they’re part of the problem with that blasé attitude. Be smarter than this pandemic.
I also am not staying home. I take precautions but I am not giving in to the hysteria. You all can call me names I do not care.
Local businesses here in Seattle are getting KILLED. So I will keep supporting them.
I also take the bus to work and to the gym. I will still be traveling on the bus.
I am careful and wash my hands (the REQUIRED time also btw is 20 seconds not 3)
So that is that. Come for me all you want.
People are getting “KILLED” !!!!!! But by all means, worry about the economy.
materialism, greed and money is also a virus
Local businesses here in Seattle are getting KILLED.
As are people… this going to be devastating on small businesses. Some may not make it. That is the reality and taking the bus and continuing to shop isn’t going to change that, but if enough people take your mindset, the virus will spread in huge numbers, we’ll end up on lock down, even more businesses will be lost and the healthcare system will be completely overwhelmed because we didn’t slow it when we had the chance to.
I’m not coming for you. I’m pleading with you to take a step back and really think it through.
Keep people healthy and the economy will take care of itself.
Kathy Kack,
There are ways to support local businesses without contributing to the spread of the virus. Buy gift certificates for restaurants and shops, which puts immediate cash in their pocket without taking unnecessary risks.
I don’t worry about myself (I’m low risk), but I do worry about being a carrier for others.
There is a balance to not falling prey to the panic, hysteria and fear and maintaining common sense and intelligence. Stay aware, be smart, stay calm, and don’t be all about ME.
@Kathy It’s your choice. It’s also my choice to stay away from people like yourself who choose not to take this virus seriously. I have a friend who is doing the same exact thing that you are, and he keeps asking me when are we getting together for lunch. Not anytime soon because I don’t wish to pass this virus onto my vulnerable 85 year old mother. I am self isolating, I work from home and I have stopped using the bus. The bus is a petri dish full of surprises.
The economy can wait. If it was in such good condition as orange hitler says it was before the virus hit, it should be okay *sarcasm*.
Oh goodness, Kathy, that is a priggish, incorrigible-sounding approach. I usually don’t like to sound insisting, but there’s no other way to answer: if people fall ill or, you know, die, they won’t buy stuff. And every day, more people will be affected, thanks to people like you who believe they’re invincible and, frankly, do not think outside their own lives. Plus, these local business people aren’t superhuman either, meaning they, too, can get sick or help spreading the virus. Last point: ironically, going to the gym won’t keep you healthy this time. People sweat and breathe heavily, and they can pass it on without showing symptoms themselves. On top of that, not everyone’s hygiene is top-notch. I don’t know if you are ready to understand this, but it’s becoming a civic duty for everybody to stay home and avoid any unnecessary trips to wherever. I’m sure you can stretch and do yoga and jumping-jacks at home for a while. If not, go ahead, knock yourself out… literally. Anyway, Kathy – I know it’s not easy to refrain from following your routine. Some people need this as a source of mental stability in times of crisis. But the earlier you realize this is not the way to continue at the moment, the more people are safe from that sort of endangering behavior. So many of us are doing the best they can and switching gears because it doesn’t affect just oneself, but countless others. Please, reconsider your steps. It shows you have respect – not just for yourself, but also for other people.
So very American. Me first and screw the rest of you.
Where’s your conscience?
I live in the US and this is not my narrative. So let’s stop stereotyping people. There are conscious and unconscious people all over the planet.
Those businesses are going to be in greater trouble if everyone gets sick, including all their employees and such, and this thing gets extreme.
If you want to support restaurants, many of them will be offering take out food you can pick up outside. You can also buy gift certificates to shops now.
What a selfish attitude. Do you understand the consequences of someone being a “carrier”? When you get on that bus or subway or go to a meeting or gym or restaurant you may pass that virus to someone who may have an elderly parent or relative in a seniors’ home, a friend who may have little resistance due to sickness. You may think “oh well, I feel fine and am washing my hands so I’ll just go about my life as usual.” Wrong. We all have to take the utmost responsibility at not being silent carriers. Mr. Jaded and I have cancelled a dinner party for next week and air travel to visit family next month. I wear gloves wherever I go, and we’re both keeping our trips outside confined to the absolute minimum.
Well since Washington’s governor just ordered all bars, restaurants (dine-in) and gyms closed, that won’t be an option.
I encourage you to read more on how it can be shared while asymptomatic, and how they now believe there is airborne transfer.
What bus line and grocery store do you frequent? I’d love to have the heads up.
Best wish to you, and all the people around you.
I just got invited to a virtual stretch and strengthen ballet class, from a company that sells leotards… So inventive and generous, no charge, just a real service for customers. I’m so impressed. Let’s try for more like this! And to those here saying it’s ok to go out and about, no, even if you feel ok, you could be carrying it, and it is extremely contagious. Pls think of others — it could be bad enough for you to get it, but you could also literally cause the deaths of others… Take care in these weird times all… peace…
the company is jule dancewear, leotards for all shapes, love them!
more info — here’s the studio that’s doing the online group exercises. it was fun! I need to figure out my space more, but it was a friendly group, a lovely instructor (former LA Ballet co dancer and Harvard grad) and a healthy, restorative, social-ish way to spend an hour. https://upwardspiralstudio.com/group-classes/
Stay home. Stay away from EVERYONE except the people you live with. Check on elderly relatives by phone frequently, and help them in whatever ways you can without coming into close contact with them. (I am dropping food off for my 80-year old mother tonight but not going in to her house to visit).
Our only hope is to slow this thing down enough to give the hospitals a fighting chance of treating everyone who will need care.
If you are still pretending this somehow doesn’t apply to YOU, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Here in the UK an ambulance has just taken away my neighbour to hospital.
This is NOT THE FLU (which is pretty horrific in itself). This is a pandemic. A brand new virus that is decimating communities.
I’m already in isolation because I’m immunocompromised and have a heart condition. I’ll stay on lockdown as long as needs be as I just don’t trust others not to be blasé about their hygiene and risk to others.
If you have 5 kids at home, there should be voluminous food purchases. This pap run looks arranged to me and it does not look like her youngest is okay with it. I hope somebody is cooking up big healthy meals for the family. I bet they have a chef but everyone is being impacted by schools closing – the service industry will be hit really hard.
Viv looks fine to me and engaged in a somewhat serious conversation iyam! When you go out is it a pap walk? I mean is she supposed to stay hemmed you in a house? Jesus can she breathe in air??!!
When Pitt is seen out partying is he pap walking or just doing what he wants?
As for our health crisis…Everyone just use common sense and be careful. Don’t over react but don’t be stupid either like most Americans. Well just like the Pres I guess!
A lot of boutique fitness studios are closed or are only operating at a 50% capacity. Bars, restaurants, theaters, etc are also operating at 50%.
A lot of streaming services are offering free workouts for a month. You can still workout from home or outside. But people shouldn’t be going to the gym or studios.
People shouldn’t panic, and by no means should people be hoarding food. I went to Whole Foods yesterday and the shelves were empty – even the plastic bags for the produce was gone. I was only planning to do my weekly grocery shopping.
The main reason that people should social distance is so that they don’t become vectors. You might be heathy and not show any symptoms, but you might pass it on to someone vulnerable. Another reason to social distance is that we don’t overwhelm the hospitals if we all get sick at the same time.
If you think you’re young and this doesn’t effect you, take a look at the data that’s coming from South Korea or France and you might change your mind.
Dear Celebitches,
I am an Italian follower of yours.
As you may all know, here we are in such a difficult, grieving situation. PLEASE, PLEASE, take it seriously. I know it is strange to change your routine in the ways you all now know, but it is better to feel a little weird while doing unusual things like taking the distance from people around you or use plastic gloves, but HEALTH first: your health and that of people around you. EVERYONE can take the coronavirus, even young and perfectly healthy people. If everyone does his/her part in helping containing the virus, you will be luckier than us.
Best wishes
P.s.: thanks to all of you because in my isolation at home you give me everyday a little bit of entertaining
Cara Hey,
thank you for sharing this warning. I don’t understand how people can sound so above it. Not saying where I live, but thankfully people in my country are mostly taking it very seriously. It’s omnipresent on the media, and I appreciate all the information – and restrictions – we get. To you and your fellow Italians I want to wish buona fortuna! Take care.
stay well, stay healthy out there 🙂
@Hey – I love Italy and Italians, you are my spirit people. I send my best wishes for a positive outcome of this horrible situation and “in bocca al lupo”!
Thank you very much to all of you <3 Take care
Trying to scare (or guilt) people into self-isolation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is NOT helping the situation. Please STOP the bullying — this is only exacerbating the panic, not diminishing it. I live in NYC and we some of the highest amount of cases in the country. I also work in healthcare so it’s not possible for me to self-isolate and it isn’t the case for thousands of New Yorkers. For those individuals who are running out to the stores to stockpile supplies and then go into self-containment for two weeks while telling others to do the same — are you giving that advice or even thinking about people in SERVICE? You know, the ones who are ringing up on cash registers your toilet paper and food, refilling the shelves while you are at home with your families — the ones who earn minimum wages and are working in grocery stories, pharmacies, Walmarts, Targets, and even Amazon (for those of you ordering things online), trying to earn a living while making sure you get the things you need for hunkering down in your homes for two weeks? There are thousands of New Yorkers who have no choice but to come to work and many of them — if not in service — are also cleaning out the subways, the hospitals rooms, and stores for the public. Many of them don’t even have healthcare or decent healthcare. Many of them have families to support. They don’t have the luxury of just staying home — and they are at risk as with everybody else. Many of them aren’t even thanked for their service. But they still do their job because it’s needed of them. Do you know what it means to some people if they miss just one paycheck? I do my part to follow health guidelines in keeping me and people around me safe. I think everyone should their part — but also being supportive of others. There has been so much gross misinformation on this virus that there are A LOT of people who don’t know how serious it is or don’t think it can or will affect them. Not only is this virus hurting my community, but it is tanking the markets and the businesses here in NYC. So on top of possibly getting the virus, you may also lose your job. And that’s a REAL FEAR for many New Yorkers.
I’m not sure why you’re upset at people trying to save lives when the bulk of your argument is about how the US system has absolutely failed it’s citizens. Social pressure to increase social distancing is not a bad thing.
No one is telling health care workers or other critical staff to stay home. We are telling selfish gym goer who take the train/bus/subway making it even less safe for those who need to use it. If you do not need to be out, stay home. This makes it safer for everyone, including those who do need to work.
I don’t think anyone is criticizing people for going to work, especially essential personnel, but when people are saying stuff like it’s fine, they’re going to the gym and restaurants and such, that is cause for concern as that’s non-essential, and only helps the problem spread.
Fine then, let everyone go on with their daily business because “I don’t have it, what’s the problem?” I applaud the front-line workers who have to be out there. It’s not their fault that they’re in public trying to do their jobs and make a buck, but those who can MUST stay home, work from home, practice constant hygiene, travel with hand sanitizers, keep a safe distance, everything the health professionals recommend. Those who continue to go to their pricey gyms or attend large parties/business conferences or who travel unnecessarily just because they can are not thinking proactively about how quickly this virus gets passed through the public. The American president has absolutely dropped the ball on this pandemic, he actually tried to push a take-over of a German company that has made huge strides in developing a vaccine and other products to contain the virus. Only he wanted it for the US ONLY. It’s everyone’s responsibility to take care – whatever that care entails – to ensure this virus is contained.
Please follow the CDC and WHO reports. Also Anthony Fauci, who’s on the news constantly.
This is absolutely 100% to be taken seriously. Do not believe everything that is posted online and listen to the authorities and experts.
Definitely do not listen to Trump, who has been wrong about this from the start, calling it a hoax and downplaying it. I truly hope our country takes this opportunity to recognize how impossibly awful he is.
Please forgive the change of subject, but does anyone recognize the brand/style name of the sunglasses Angelina is wearing?
lol, no but thanks for the happy distraction 🙂 sometimes it’s needed.
@ GINGEROO
Angelina’s sunglasses, are Gucci
of course they are LOL. No drugstore sunglasses for celebrities! Thank you.
Thank you to everyone advising others to self isolat as much as possible.
2 weeks ago norway didnt have mote than a couple of confirmed cases. Now we are in second place behind Italy.
The hospital are already strugling.
So. To flaten the curve, this is pur reality:
– everyone Who can works from home
– self quarantine if you are sick. No matter what kind of sick – a cold falls under the same rules
– social gatherings with more than 50 People are forbidden
– all pubs and bars are closed. So is hairdressers, manicurists, tattooshops, etc.
– take away places can stay open. Restaurants that can make sure there is a distance of atleast 1 meter between is guest can stay open.
– leaving your City to visit a cabin etc anither place in norway is forbidden.
– the borders are closed.
This shall pass. This is what we do to protect ourselves. Our neighbours. Kids. Parents.
If we dont, the healthsystem may collapse. That is not an option.
Take your precautions. This is more dangerous than it seemed.
@GINGEROO
You had asked about the brad of Sunglasses that Angelina is currently wearing, they are GUCCI.
Here in the UK, Johnson, Cummings & Co, are endangering people with their herd immunity strategy, allow 40 million people to get the virus in the hopes of creating a herd immunity, meanwhile covering their backs by saying to prepare that some loved ones will die before their time. The chief medical officer has said that many people will no longer be tested if they are showing mild symptoms. Only those with the most serious symptoms will be given a test in hospital. So how will they keep an accurate track of how many are infected?
But they are giving extra powers to the police to go after people who are infected and are refusing to self isolate, which might last for two years. Ugh!!!! So how will they know who are infected if they aren’t doing any more testing apart from those who are severely ill and are at the hospital? Just stupid.
If only we have a competent leader but we have this clown who is nowhere to be found as he doesn’t work on weekends.
I was wondering about this today, what Johnson is doing is so confusing! In Ontario we only have 150 cases but they’ve closed the schools, rec centres, zoos, museums etc., stopped any gatherings over 250 and most people are working from home until April. The only thing I could think was that they didn’t want to hurt the UK economy? With St. Patty’s day and all that, but even that makes no sense and shouldn’t be prioritized over protecting people. I saw Ant & Dec even did their show with a live audience last night and it all just seemed a little tone deaf.
I understand keep calm and carry on, but it seems like a complete under-reaction.
keep calm and carrying on does not work to fight an infectious disease. Whoever is advising this government is playing a dangerous game. If they believe in this herd immunity not through a vaccine but a wild virus and it is even unknown what the long term effects are on a person or even if they get immune, they should start by getting the virus themselves to test that theory instead of playing Russian roulette with people’s lives.
They’ve also even given care homes the green light to lower the standard of care for the residents there while banning loved ones from visiting them so who knows what fresh hell this will bring on vulnerable people who live there.
Shops are running out of essential items such as pasta, rice, beans, loo rolls, pain relief medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, flu/cough meds, because people are panic buying. I was hoping to buy calpol (children’s paracetamol) for my 3 year old son but there was none to be found, queues at Boots went until outside the shop & out of stock on their website. Some online groceries are implementing virtual queues to cope with the demand,
I will try again tomorrow morning & hopefully will have some luck.
That’s insane! We’ve seen a little of the empty shelves here but not to that degree. The herd mentality suggestion from his advisors goes against literally every other medical suggestion other countries have been getting, so I find it odd and irresponsible for Johnson to take that advice and it could make it so much worse.
I hope you can find what you need tomorrow:)
I think the unfortunate thing people forget (not on this site in particular), is that it isn’t about You and the fact you’ll be able to get and recover from the virus fine, it’s all the people you come in contact with. I compare it to not vaccinating your kid, those people think they are making that decision for just their family, but they aren’t, they’re making it for everyone that kid comes in contact with, people who may be immunosuppressed, too young to vaccinate or unable to due to allergies. It’s the same here, the majority of people who get it will be fine, but that doesn’t mean the people you come into contact with will be.
Also the bigger picture is about flattening the curve, to avoid putting too much pressure on the healthcare system (which is the big push here in Canada). If 50% of people get the virus, even if only 5% end up hospitalized, that could still cripple healthcare services and there are only so many nurses and doctors. Plus hospitals still need to be able to perform surgeries, birth babies etc. not just triage Covid cases. So it’s really important now more than ever to think about more than just how inconvenienced you are. Plus at the end of the day, is it such a hardship to stay home? With Wifi, tv etc.? It’s only for a few weeks and it could literally save peoples lives. Plus clearing out helps those who don’t have the option to work from home and makes it a little less risky for them.
Keep things in perspective, don’t go crazy, but keep other people in mind, seems to be the best way to approach things.
Sorry just my two cents:)
Well said. It’s the collective factor driving the need to take care of your own individual health – and hence infectivity.
Individually, it’s going to be mild for the vast majority of people (something like 80%). Keeping this in mind can help people stay calmer.
HUGE BUT: BUT as a collective, we all individually need to take extreme measures to avoid getting it so we can’t infect other people. This is both to alleviate the demand on healthcare staff, hospitals, respirator equipment, etc and to save other people from death. Bring soap with you wherever possible and wash your hands before you touch your face; or get disinfectant wipes / 60%+ alcohol hand sanitisers and use them when you’re out. Wearing disposable gloves is another option. But soap washing with plenty of water is best when you have access to a basin; the disinfectant the second-best option for when you don’t have access to water. Wash your hands! Stay away from other people (NYT said 6 metres is ideal)! Don’t touch your face! I’ve trimmed my nails very short so my 30-, 40-times-a-day handwashing is even more effective.
I honestly probably got it mid-January. As I usually don’t ever get sick, I found this to be rather awful, but not as bad as the media are describing it, and I didn’t even bother to go to a doctor. However, I do not fall into any of the at-risk categories, so it was just a really bad flu for me. I am hoping for some type of test that confirms that I have antibodies, but I will have to wait for that.
I’m in Los Angeles county and tonight all bars, movie theaters, gyms, library’s, casinos , museums are closed
Restaurants are closed to dining, you can still get take out or delivery for now.
People 65 and older have been told to not leave their homes.
Our schools are closed til April 30th so far.
I am absolutely shocked that people still don’t take this seriously and think it’s Just another flu. Hundreds of ppl are dying DAILY in Italy! Thousands are getting seriously sick also on a daily basis. Do you not have international news broadcasted in the States? How can anyone be so ignorant still?
The sh*t that’s been happening in italy is about 15 days away from where you’re at. Evernody knows what’s going to happen. This can only brought down if ALL the communities take it seriously and voluntarily quarantine AND take extra measures. Doing routine without anything extra means you’re doing nothing. The people will need solidarity: the elderly need the kids out of spreading, those who can carry and survive out of the way so that the system can sustain itself and care for those who will have complications. Don’t be selfish. Many people will die because others are being careless. Many people don’t have to die. Don’t let this happen. Protect your loved ones, stay home if yoi can. Dont make granpa granma babysit the kids. GOOD LUCK
And a doctor said not to use ibuprofen ( advil, motrin, naproxen) because they have found that complications many times envolved ibuprofen in the attempt to bring fever down. He said to use acetaminophen instead ( tylenol) i thought that was very useful info. From canada where it is starting to spread.