wuhan - coronavirus

[Renai]

To reduce risk to high-risk communities, this order was given for nursing home visits:

Mar 14, 2020 | Press Room

SANTA FE – In order to minimize the danger of COVID-19 spread to high-risk communities, the state Department of Health on Saturday announced that it has ordered nursing homes to limit visitation to people whose loved ones are receiving end-of-life care.

The order also targets facilities providing assisted living, adult day care, hospice and rehabilitation for older adult patients. Facilities where older adults live or that provide services to them are strongly encouraged to implement the recommendations as is reasonably appropriate.

DOH further required that when those limited visitors are allowed in:

• They should have their temperatures taken as a condition of entry, and visitors with a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or signs of respiratory infection should be barred from entry and advised to seek medical attention;
• Upon entry, they should thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available;
• They should be escorted by facility staff to and from the patient’s room;
• At no time should they be out of the room unescorted.
• To help families stay connected to their loved ones, the Aging and Long-Term Services Department has nine cameras and by March 16 will have 350 tablets that families can use for electronic visits. The agency is exploring other ways to keep residents in touch with loved ones.

Following this order may cause regulated nursing facilities to be in non-compliance with certain state regulatory requirements. The state will not take enforcement action against any regulated nursing facility for implementing the order in good faith during the 30-day state of emergency that runs through April 9.

[Ausmumof3]

Australia - Perth maternity ward closed down after a staff member tested positive

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/coronavirus-doctors-call-for-wa-halt-interstate-travel/12063364?pfmredir=sm

Some doctors in WA are calling for a state border closure 

[Ausmumof3]

(Hawaii). ABC:  An aged care worker from the Aegis Ascot Transition Facility in Bayswater has also tested positive for COVID-19.

The worker recently returned from Hawaii and tested positive for the virus on Sunday. He was among 10 new WA cases confirmed on Monday.

Aegis chief operating officer Kevin Brimblecombe said the man arrived back in the country early last week

[Ausmumof3]

DFAT calls for Australians overseas to come home

Smarttraveller advice now has the entire world at a 'reconsider your need to travel' or 'do not travel' level.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued advice recommending Australians abroad return home as soon as possible via commercial flights.

 

The Federal Government is urging Australians to carefully reconsider their need to travel overseas, regardless of the destination.

 

DFAT is warning Australian travellers may not be able to return as more countries close their borders due to the rapid spread of coronavirus.

[Tree Frog]

My nearly 76 yo mom is bumping up plans to move from Colorado to her 83 yo sister's this week. She's frustrated with her husband and wants to be with her sister. She was supposed to drive out with my sister with the belongings she wanted to keep at the end of the month, but sis found cheap airline tickets, so she's flying from Denver to Charlotte while sis and my niece will drive out. I don't believe it's a smart thing to do, but my mom is in the "I want to be with my sister if she needs help." They've both downplayed the seriousness of this. There's no need for her to move right now. Her sister is living in an independent living facility with her son and Dil nearby. Arggg!

Edited March 17, 2020 by wilrunner

[Soror]

Has this article from NPR been posted? Americans aren't taking Coronavirus seriously and not following recommendations- but the difference is stark between rep. and dems.

Just about 56% of Americans consider the coronavirus a "real threat," representing a drop of 10 percentage points from last month. At the same time, a growing number of Americans think the coronavirus is being "blown out of proportion."

The differences between political parties are stark, with a majority of Republicans saying it is overblown and the vast majority of Democrats considering it a legitimate threat.

[Pen]

1 hour ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Australia - Perth maternity ward closed down after a staff member tested positive

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/coronavirus-doctors-call-for-wa-halt-interstate-travel/12063364?pfmredir=sm

Some doctors in WA are calling for a state border closure 

 

I hope the staff person hadn’t had a lot of time virus shedding while presymptomatic.

Also I am concerned about many who could be in such jobs globally, but asymptomatic

1 hour ago, Ausmumof3 said:

(Hawaii). ABC:  An aged care worker from the Aegis Ascot Transition Facility in Bayswater has also tested positive for COVID-19.

 

The worker recently returned from Hawaii and tested positive for the virus on Sunday. He was among 10 new WA cases confirmed on Monday.

Aegis chief operating officer Kevin Brimblecombe said the man arrived back in the country early last week

 

Oh no.  More aged care problems.

 

1 hour ago, wilrunner said:

My nearly 76 yo mom is bumping up plans to move from Colorado to her 83 yo sister's this week. She's frustrated with her husband and wants to be with her sister. She was supposed to drive out with my sister with the belongings she wanted to keep at the end of the month, but sis found cheap airline tickets, so she's flying from Denver to Charlotte while sis and my niece will drive out. I don't believe it's a smart thing to do, but my mom is in the "I want to be with my sister if she needs help." They've both downplayed the seriousness of this. There's no need for her to move right now. Her sister is living in an independent living facility with her son and Dil nearby. Arggg!

 

Oh dear.  I hope she doesn’t pick up the CV or anything else enroute and accidentally carry it to her sister. 

[Pen]

Worldometer.info:

185,487 total confirmed cases as of now.

 

 

[Pen]

Source:  https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#news

I am struck by how huge this list is and how postings that just a few days ago got special mention are now just another few cases.  Double digits rise somewhere no longer seems remarkable, no longer gets a special note.

 I wonder if they are reaching an oversaturation point.  And I’m concerned that if everyone does, then people will sort of give up and feel like there’s no point trying to slow it down. 

????? 

So far for March 17, 2020:

 

 

 

March 17 (GMT)

• 364 new cases in Germany [source]

• 8 new cases in Malta [source]

• 65 new cases in Norway [source]

• 21 new cases in Iraq [source]

• 1 new case in Liberia, who is a domestic worker connected to the 1st confirmed case
  
    [source]

• 8 new cases in Bahrain [source]

• 1 new death in Algeria: a 51-year-old person who had been in contact with previously confirmed cases [source]

• 5 new cases in Cameroon [source]

• 1236 new cases and 149 new deaths in Spain [source] [source]

• 1 new case in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a woman who had returned from Germany [source]

• 6 new cases in Jordan [source]

• 59 new cases in Luxembourg [source]

• 22 new cases in Kazakhstan, including a 2-year-old girl in Almaty who flew from Berlin to Minsk on March 13 [source] [source]

• 4 new cases in Sweden [source]

• 1 new case in Cuba, who had returned from Spain on March 8th [source]

• 12 new cases in Armenia [source]

• 185 new cases in Belgium [source]

• 19 new cases in Japan [source]

• 1 new case and 1 new death in Morocco: a 75-year-old person [source]

• 107 new cases and 2 new deaths in Malaysia [source]

• 2 new cases in Brunei Darussalam [source]

• 2 new deaths in San Marino

• 1 new case in Nigeria, a woman who had returned from the United Kingdom on March 13th [source]

• 1^st death in Malaysia: a 60-year-old pastor in Sarawak [source]

• 1 new case in Trinidad and Tobago [source]

• 193 new cases in Austria [source]

• 16 new cases in Finland [source]

• 1 new case in the State of Palestine: a person who had traveled to Germany [source]

• 1 new case in Seychelles, which is the wife of a previously confirmed case  [source]

• 7 new cases in China, Hong Kong SAR [source]

• 1 new case in Aruba [source]

• 10 new cases in Taiwan: all imported [source]

• 46 new cases in Denmark [source]

• 3 new cases in Colombia: a woman in her 30s and 2 men in their 50s [source]

• 10 new cases in Pakistan [source]

• 45 new cases in the Philippines [source]

• 1 new case and 2 new deaths in Switzerland [source]

• 38 new cases in Indonesia [source]

• 20 new cases in Estonia [source]

• 7 new cases in Kuwait [source]

• 80 new cases and 7 new deaths in the United States

   

  New deaths include:

  • 2 new deaths in Santa Clara County (California😞 a man in his 50s (who was hospitalized on March 12) and a man in his 80s. It is not known if either had underlying health conditions [source]
  • First 2 deaths in Riverside County(California) [source]
  • 1 new death in Bergen County (New Jersey😞 a man in his 90s [source]

  
  New cases include:

  • 2 new cases in Fairbanks (Alaska) [source]
  • First case in Peoria County (Illinois😞 the person was screened over the phone and tested at home by OSF Healthcare  [source]
  • 1 new case in Tulare County (California) hospitalized in critical condition  [source]

• 2 new cases in Honduras [source]

• 2 new cases in Guam: including 1 person who had recent travel history to the Philippines [source]

• 1 new death in India: a 64-year-old man in Maharashtra, who had returned from Dubai
    [source]

• 15 new cases in Latvia [source]

• 29 new cases in Faeroe Islands [source]

• 3 new cases in Azerbaijan [source]

• 1 new case in the United States Virgin Islands [source]

• 8 new cases in Croatia [source]

• 28 new cases and 1 new death in Poland [source]

• 16 new cases in Romania [source]

• 11 new cases in Lebanon [source]

• 1 new case in Paraguay [source]

• 1 new case in Afghanistan [source]

• 30 new cases in Thailand
  - 3 of which are foreigners
  - 14 new cases were in close contact with previously confirmed cases
  - 16 new cases that had been abroad or came in contact with foreigners [source]

• 2 new cases in Uzbekistan [source]

• 51 new cases in Australia. New cases include:

   

  - 39 new cases in New South Wales [source]

  - 2 new cases in South Australia [source] [source]

• 39 new cases in Czechia [source]

• 5 new cases in Bulgaria [source]

• 8 new cases in Serbia [source]

• 1 new case in Georgia [source]

• 4 new cases in New Zealand [source]

• 2 new cases in Bangladesh [source]

• 6 new cases in Israel [source]

• 11 new cases in Hungary [source]

• 1 new case in Sri Lanka [source]

• 16 new cases in Venezuela [source]

• 12 new cases in Cambodia, doubling its tally to 24. Among the new cases, 11  had traveled to Malaysia for a religious event at a mosque [source] [source]

• 29 new cases in Mexico [source]

• 84 new cases and 6 new deaths in South Korea. Reporting less than 100 new cases for the 3rd day in a row. Peak was reached on Feb. 29, with 909 new cases [source] [source]

China:

• 
  
• 20 out of 21 new cases reported today are travelers from abroad  [source]
• Wuhan will require all overseas returnees to undergo quarantine [source]
• 21 new cases, 13 new deaths (12 in Hubei), and 930 new discharges occurred in China on March 16, as reported by the National Health Commission (NHC) of China [source]

[Ausmumof3]

Feeling it a bit tonight.  One of my kids has mild cold symptoms in spite of the crazy level of hand precaution we’ve had.  Footy is cancelled to the end of May.  Kids have been looking forward to it for a couple of months and only got two trainings.  They are a bit sad.  Dh was looking at a career change he’s been working toward for some time that now looks doubtful.  None of this is major stuff of course but I still wish they took it a bit more seriously earlier.  Would it have hurt?  Yes.  But not as much as it might now.

[Pen]

https://week.com/2020/03/16/first-case-of-coronavirus-in-peoria-county-confirmed/

 

This was first report I saw of a successful screening over phone and testing done at home in USA.

I know it was said in the National State of Emergency news conference that home testing would become available and I am extremely happy to see real world evidence of it being done.

 I think it puts medical workers and others in urgent care centers and emergency departments much less at risk. 

[Pen]

9 hours ago, TrixieB said:

Walgreens says they will deliver prescriptions, no charge.

 

I wonder how far.

We live in rural area and used to have one pharmacy in a town of 5000 located 10 miles away that would deliver, but it got swallowed by a chain store and no longer does.  The bigger cities’ pharmacies starting at around 25 miles to closest pharmacy, won’t deliver this far.  And a lot of rural people are even farther.  

I think older and unwell rural people needing to go into pharmacies increases risk of spreading CV out into agricultural areas with no local medical facilities. 

[Ausmumof3]

Do you all think there’s any concern that this is going to contribute to global instability?

[Katy]

59 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Do you all think there’s any concern that this is going to contribute to global instability?

 

I don't know.  The more we know about this virus the more I feel a bit conspiracy theorist about it, even though I completely dismissed this possibility a month ago.  What concerns me is:

• It's most contagious among those who have no symptoms.
• It sends the susceptible from just starting to show symptoms to needing a ventilator in an hour.
• It's airborne (I know it's only Chinese research that has shown this, the western studies aerosolized it with a machine, but at this point I'll accept China wasn't lying when they said they ran tests with a coughing person in the back of a bus, since numerous Western studies have shown it doesn't drop to the floor in less than 20 minutes the way droplets typically do).
• It is more contagious than typical because it attacks cells the same way HIV does.
• It's less deadly that MERS which means many people have dismissed this as NBD for months instead of locking it down immediately.

And that's just what we know.  It may also hide in healthy people and reoccur later, it may also attack all vital organs including the brain stem, it may cause long term damage or disability.  What I can't figure out is what the end game of that might be. 

I did see a Catholic guy on YouTube claiming this was God's judgment for the way the Pope has dealt with the Catholic church in China and let idol worship be part of opening up an Amazon synod.   Where did that face splat emoticon go when you need it?  

[Ausmumof3]

1 minute ago, Katy said:

 

I don't know.  The more we know about this virus the more I feel a bit conspiracy theorist about it, even though I completely dismissed this possibility a month ago.  What concerns me is:

• It's most contagious among those who have no symptoms.
• It sends the susceptible from just starting to show symptoms to needing a ventilator in an hour.
• It's airborne (I know it's only Chinese research that has shown this, the western studies aerosolized it with a machine, but at this point I'll accept China wasn't lying when they said they ran tests with a coughing person in the back of a bus, since numerous Western studies have shown it doesn't drop to the floor in less than 20 minutes the way droplets typically do).
• It is more contagious than typical because it attacks cells the same way HIV does.
• It's less deadly that MERS which means many people have dismissed this as NBD for months instead of locking it down immediately.

And that's just what we know.  It may also hide in healthy people and reoccur later, it may also attack all vital organs including the brain stem, it may cause long term damage or disability.  What I can't figure out is what the end game of that might be. 

I did see a Catholic guy on YouTube claiming this was God's judgment for the way the Pope has dealt with the Catholic church in China and let idol worship be part of opening up an Amazon synod.   Where did that face splat emoticon go when you need it?  

Hmm I wasn’t even thinking of it from that viewpoint.  Just the rhetoric between China/US seems to be on the increase again.  And then economic pressure etc and leaders looking for somewhere to deflect blame.  Not specific just to US and China but many countries.  I haven’t seen the Catholic one bus some muslims saying it was a judgment for the treatment of the Uighur Muslims and for not letting people wear face coverings.  Kind of sad.  

[Pen]

I hope not. 

1 hour ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Do you all think there’s any concern that this is going to contribute to global instability?

 

I do have concern.

My hope is that it would help for nations coming together to fight a common threat. Far beyond what Olympics can do. A real thing. 

And at the same time I also have deep concerns. From the fairly obvious such as related to raw goods and markets through to Spectres  of lurking evil that I don’t even want to begin to specify. 

 

 I some moments I wonder if New Zealand might emerge as a new superpower if it can keep the CV contained. 

 

[SKL]

2 hours ago, soror said:

Has this article from NPR been posted? Americans aren't taking Coronavirus seriously and not following recommendations- but the difference is stark between rep. and dems.

Just about 56% of Americans consider the coronavirus a "real threat," representing a drop of 10 percentage points from last month. At the same time, a growing number of Americans think the coronavirus is being "blown out of proportion."

The differences between political parties are stark, with a majority of Republicans saying it is overblown and the vast majority of Democrats considering it a legitimate threat.

Could be partly because a lot of older people are Republicans and a lot of younger people are Democrats.  It's been a long time since we had a big crisis affecting everyday people.  Older people have seen a lot and they have a lot more experience with us getting through things.

Also there is the "Fake News who cried wolf" effect.  When you don't trust your media outlets, well, this is what happens.

[SKL]

4 minutes ago, square_25 said:

I think this conversations is going to veer into the political, which isn’t allowed. So let’s stay away from that.

I wasn't being political.  It's true that a large % of Americans have been conditioned to not believe what they hear from the media.  And at times like this, we can understand why building trust is an important goal for the media.  Nobody is saying it ... and that means we probably will not learn from that particular mistake.

[TravelingChris]

12 hours ago, StellaM said:

😞

Guess they'll be living on potatoes then! How's your dd in particular managing?

I am not quite sure about the proportions here because I learned this 40 years ago---we had a unit on the Irish Potato Famine.  One of the main questions everyone always has is why did they starve when the potatoes died and how did they survive earlier on potatoes.--- They ate something like 10-14 lbs of potatoes a day plus some milk and buttter and that provides complete nutrition.

[RootAnn]

On 3/2/2020 at 4:26 PM, Pen said:

I wonder what would happen if in a carefully planned way all nonessential services were to shut down in Washington, Oregon, California for 14 days at the same time.  

Maybe it could give a chance for cases to get identified and dealt with, without as much transfer. Sort of like cutting or burning a fire break during wild fire.

The last few days, this post by @Pen has been going through my head (& Regentrude's reply which I didn't quote). Look on the date of the post. Imagine if we could have done it two weeks ago... could we have? Probably not. Can we now? I have my doubts. May the Lord have mercy.

[Ausmumof3]

3 minutes ago, RootAnn said:

The last few days, this post by @Pen has been going through my head (& Regentrude's reply which I didn't quote). Look on the date of the post. Imagine if we could have done it two weeks ago... could we have? Probably not. Can we now? I have my doubts. May the Lord have mercy.

It’s one of those situations unfortunately if they do it too soon everyone thinks it was an overreaction 

[BeachGal]

These anti-viral masks are not quite yet available but the Argaman mask has been produced. Unfortunately, they've sold all of their masks but it sounds like they're making more so maybe contact or watch them. It might be possible to be put on a wait list.

IMO, these should be for health care personnel only at this stage because they are most at risk.

https://www.israel21c.org/new-antiviral-masks-from-israel-may-help-stop-deadly-virus/

 

Two resusable masks in development and being manufactured in Israel:

https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Amid-pandemic-panic-infused-cotton-can-beat-corona-and-staph-infections-618998

http://argamantech.com

http://sonoviatech.com

 

This is an awesome full-face mask:

https://www.virimask.com

@SeaConquest

Edited March 17, 2020 by BeachGal

[Pen]

37 minutes ago, RootAnn said:

The last few days, this post by @Pen has been going through my head (& Regentrude's reply which I didn't quote). Look on the date of the post. Imagine if we could have done it two weeks ago... could we have? Probably not. Can we now? I have my doubts. May the Lord have mercy.

 

   On 3/2/2020 at 2:26 PM,  Pen said: 

I wonder what would happen if in a carefully planned way all nonessential services were to shut down in Washington, Oregon, California for 14 days at the same time.  

Maybe it could give a chance for cases to get identified and dealt with, without as much transfer. Sort of like cutting or burning a fire break during wild fire.

32 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

It’s one of those situations unfortunately if they do it too soon everyone thinks it was an overreaction 

 

I think I was correct, even already quite late on that suggestion from an epidemiological point of view.  

However, seeing replies from people here  and realizing that even quite intelligent people by and large were still “not getting it” (and many still don’t, but we went past a tipping point where enough now do to be able to have government start mandating changes, and even enforcing the mandates with National Guard if needs be) — I realized from a social acceptance POV I was still too early.

It did help me to better understand why the government was not yet taking the action I thought they should be taking. 

 

At this stage:

I *have* been sending letters to my Governor about taking the nonessential  “group” gatherings maximum down to 10 persons, closing more non essential services, etc, as I think workable in my state — which has a broad range of terrain, people, and living environments from urban to agricultural rural, as well as substantial homeless populations, snd high percent of people with food insufficiency and also many areas with little if any internet impacting school at home. 

And I have been advocating stiff penalties for violating the rules.  

Today as Saint Patrick’s Day May be telling as to whether most people will voluntarily abide by restrictions.  I hope do. It is of extreme urgency. 

 

Edited March 17, 2020 by Pen

[Pen]

15 minutes ago, BeachGal said:

These anti-viral masks are not quite yet available but the Argaman mask has been produced. Unfortunately, they've sold all of their masks but it sounds like they're making more so maybe contact or watch them. It might be possible to be put on a wait list.

IMO, these should be for health care personnel only at this stage because they are most at risk.

https://www.israel21c.org/new-antiviral-masks-from-israel-may-help-stop-deadly-virus/

 

Two resusable masks in development and being manufactured in Israel:

https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Amid-pandemic-panic-infused-cotton-can-beat-corona-and-staph-infections-618998

http://argamantech.com

http://sonoviatech.com

 

This is an awesome full-face mask:

https://www.virimask.com

@SeaConquest

 

Quoting because I wanted to bring this to attention of yet more people who may need masks. 

[BeachGal]

The young janitor in our complex is recovering well from Covid and is isolating. Very happy to hear that! 

[Arcadia]

@Pen@Ausmumof3

Singapore’s imported cases are rising 

“JUST IN: 17 of the 23 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore are imported, says MOH.”

[Pen]

 

[alisoncooks]

NC is making the move to drive-through/take-out only, today at 5pm. 

[gardenmom5]

40 minutes ago, Pen said:

 

   On 3/2/2020 at 2:26 PM,  Pen said: 

I wonder what would happen if in a carefully planned way all nonessential services were to shut down in Washington, Oregon, California for 14 days at the same time.  

Maybe it could give a chance for cases to get identified and dealt with, without as much transfer. Sort of like cutting or burning a fire break during wild fire.

 

I think I was correct, even already quite late on that suggestion from an epidemiological point of view.  

However, seeing replies from people here  and realizing that even quite intelligent people by and large were still “not getting it” (and many still don’t, but we went past a tipping point where enough now do to be able to have government start mandating changes, and even enforcing the mandates with National Guard if needs be) — I realized from a social acceptance POV I was still too early.

It did help me to better understand why the government was not yet taking the action I thought they should be taking. 

 

At this stage:

I *have* been sending letters to my Governor about taking the nonessential  “group” gatherings maximum down to 10 persons, closing more non essential services, etc, as I think workable in my state — which has a broad range of terrain, people, and living environments from urban to agricultural rural, as well as substantial homeless populations, snd high percent of people with food insufficiency and also many areas with little if any internet impacting school at home. 

And I have been advocating stiff penalties for violating the rules.  

Today as Saint Patrick’s Day May be telling as to whether most people will voluntarily abide by restrictions.  I hope do. It is of extreme urgency. 

 

I thought this would be a good place for this.

 

“Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate.”
– Michael Leavitt

 

this was at the top of this article:

the only reason NYC closed the schools was the pressure coming from everyone else, the city didn't want to do it.  My friend's dd is a teacher in NYC schools.

 

re: penalties - dd's coworker has a friend in Italy where everything is locked down.  Italian friend was out bike riding - and received a 500 euro fine.

Edited March 17, 2020 by gardenmom5

[mom2scouts]

14 minutes ago, WendyAndMilo said:

I just realized why my state only has 5 cases...there is only like 200 people who have been tested; even though they've shut down an entire elementary school because a student was exposed, they haven't tested anyone in that situation.  This is so freaking stupid.

I think that's the case in many areas. I've seen lots of people online saying they have symptoms and aren't able to test unless the symptoms are severe. Even people who are able to get a doctor's order to test are being turned away from the drive through testing sites because they are too busy.

Hive, I just have to update you on the latest installment of the soap opera known as "As Ohio Voting Turns". It's so ridiculous that I can't even... In our last installment, the State Health Director defied the judge's order to keep voting open, declared a health emergency and shut down polls (again). That was the situation around midnight and everyone, including poll workers and voters, was confused and didn't know whether to show up or not. Then a candidate who was running for county judge filed a lawsuit against the state for shutting down the polls and they had to get the state Supreme Court to rule. The Supreme Court voted with the state and polls are closed and the election is postponed (again).

[gardenmom5]

there's one issue about testing most people might not be aware about - the CDC has required all tests to go to them for a definitive result.  

we had the first case, until recently we had the most cases (NY has overtaken that official count), we've had the most deaths. early on,  each positive was announced on the news as a "presumptive positive" - because the CDC demanded they test and only their test could claim it was a positive.

 

eta: we've had over 7000 tested, less than 800 positive.

Edited March 17, 2020 by gardenmom5

[gardenmom5]

6 minutes ago, Dotwithaperiod said:

 Consider yourself lucky. In several states the controlling party shut down large amounts of polling places the last few years. In Texas, people in areas largely populated by minorities stood in line for up to 7 hours during their recent primary.

It can be hard to get people to work polling stations.  I've done it a few times in my state.  we now have statewide vote by mail.

[pitterpatter]

I wonder whether you're in my state. We only have six cases (yeah, right). I read yesterday that we aren't even getting test kits for expanded testing until April 1!! 😧 That's unacceptable, IMO. Cases will be well out of hand here by then. The low number gives people false security.

36 minutes ago, WendyAndMilo said:

I just realized why my state only has 5 cases...there is only like 200 people who have been tested; even though they've shut down an entire elementary school because a student was exposed, they haven't tested anyone in that situation.  This is so freaking stupid.

  

[gardenmom5]

15 minutes ago, square_25 said:

16 minutes ago, square_25 said:

 

That's an oversimplification about NYC. De Blasio personally didn't want to close the schools (which has earned him my scorn), but he was ultimately forced into it by other political entities -- Cuomo, the unions and it sounds like his aides as well. It wasn't public pressure, per se. 

 

I was trying to not bring up his name.  But  ultimately it was his call.

the day before the schools were finally closed, I (in WA) received the link from my friend's dd for the petition the NYC teachers had been sending around to get him to close the schools.

In WA - it was left up to the districts, and only a few closed before the governor stepped in and closed all schools in the three biggest counties.  the day after that - he closed everything in the state.

[prairiewindmomma]

American Dental Association and its sister group for orthodontists are recommending emergency treatment only for the next three weeks. (Dental work creates a lot of spray.)

[Pen]

Please, everyone, in the Clubs or Groups area there are forums to discuss politics.

Let’s all, including lecture to myself 🙂, try to keep that off this thread.

Or if it’s a bit on the edge but you want it more open please put it on the concurrent Discussion thread (the one with Be Nice in title).

Many of us want to keep this thread open.

 

[SamanthaCarter]

VA seems a day or two ahead of a lot of you in terms of restrictions. I had the dentist call yesterday morning to reschedule two appointments into April on the Governors direction. Governor had restricted quite a lot by Sunday afternoon. Lack of testing is as bad in VA as anywhere else though. 

I’m a little bit peevish though that all of Virginia is being locked down in the same manner. We are in the Southwest, and as far as we know, untouched so far (closer geographically and culturally to WV.). I think these tight restrictions that were more meant for DC area and Norfolk/Va Beach/Hampton areas are going to wear people out down here before it’s truly needed. And then we will have problems. 

[SKL]

I was at the dentist this morning.  The tech told me that she knew of bars that were defying the order to not serve on the premises (we are supposed to be take-out only statewide).  Cops have started checking bars where there are cars outside.  This surprised me.

[SKL]

Not sure what politics is being complained of.  The polls being closed (or not closed)?  IMO that is a really important matter regardless of political party.  I live in the state where they can't figure out whether the polls are open or closed.  It matters.

[Arcadia]

Santa Cruz County is added to the shelter in place order. So seven counties now under shelter in place order

https://www.santacruzhealth.org/Portals/7/Pdfs/Coronavirus/Shelter in Place Order March 16 2020.pdf

[Terabith]

6 minutes ago, SamanthaCarter said:

VA seems a day or two ahead of a lot of you in terms of restrictions. I had the dentist call yesterday morning to reschedule two appointments into April on the Governors direction. Governor had restricted quite a lot by Sunday afternoon. Lack of testing is as bad in VA as anywhere else though. 

I’m a little bit peevish though that all of Virginia is being locked down in the same manner. We are in the Southwest, and as far as we know, untouched so far (closer geographically and culturally to WV.). I think these tight restrictions that were more meant for DC area and Norfolk/Va Beach/Hampton areas are going to wear people out down here before it’s truly needed. And then we will have problems. 

Where are you?  I'm in Roanoke.

[SamanthaCarter]

1 minute ago, Terabith said:

Where are you?  I'm in Roanoke.

Salem 🤗

[Spryte]

Heads up on meds.  Hopefully you’ve all topped up your Rxs, but if not - do it now.

I have Addison’s, and am hearing that hydrocortisone is on backorder till April.  This can be serious for those of us with no adrenal function.

[Storygirl]

47 minutes ago, mom2scouts said:

 

 

Hive, I just have to update you on the latest installment of the soap opera known as "As Ohio Voting Turns". It's so ridiculous that I can't even... In our last installment, the State Health Director defied the judge's order to keep voting open, declared a health emergency and shut down polls (again). That was the situation around midnight and everyone, including poll workers and voters, was confused and didn't know whether to show up or not. Then a candidate who was running for county judge filed a lawsuit against the state for shutting down the polls and they had to get the state Supreme Court to rule. The Supreme Court voted with the state and polls are closed and the election is postponed (again).

The whole voting thing has been a mess, I agree. In addition to all of the confusion, our school district has a levy on the ballot. The superintendent sent out a message about the voting delay and said that it will cause problems with school staffing decisions for next year, because they won't know until June what their operating budget will be. (My kids are in the public school, so this can affects our family directly).

Overall, though, I agree with the decision to delay the vote. DH, DD18, and I went to our county board of elections on Sunday to vote early, and it was not comforting to see what was happening there. People in line were trying to stay at a distance from each other, kind of, but once we were standing at a machine, we were almost shoulder to shoulder with the person at the machine next to us. They were only wiping down the machines every so often (I asked). And there were no sanitizing options pre-voting. After voting, people could accept a disinfectant wipe for their hands, if they so chose. The poll worker who took my driver's license to run it through the computer was not wearing gloves and did not clean her hands before or after touching my license. 

That was one polling place. Imagine that, times however many there are in Ohio. It was not reassuring.

Our parents are in their 80s. DH's parents had decided that it was too risky for them to go and vote and so were planning to sit out this election. I think a lot of older people have been in the same boat, either afraid to work at the polls or afraid to go there to cast their votes.

So, public health wise, I think it was the best decision to delay. As far as how it affects the election, delaying does create confusion and problems that will need to resolved.

There were lots of older folk working there who could esa

29 minutes ago, Dotwithaperiod said:

 This is similar to what I read a couple of days ago- the plan was for someone to file a lawsuit, the state would decline to fight it, thus the court could rule to close polls. Someone screwed up royally.

Yes, this was the plan explained by the governor at yesterday's press conference. But then the judge denied the request to close the poll. So the health department director ordered them closed anyway. Then the state supreme court ruled them to stay closed.

Very, very messy. I'm glad that the state supreme court ruling backed up the health department order and that it didn't become even crazier.

[Storygirl]

I hope my above comment is not too political. I think whether polling places are open or not is just factual, not political.

[J-rap]

19 minutes ago, SamanthaCarter said:

VA seems a day or two ahead of a lot of you in terms of restrictions. I had the dentist call yesterday morning to reschedule two appointments into April on the Governors direction. Governor had restricted quite a lot by Sunday afternoon. Lack of testing is as bad in VA as anywhere else though. 

I’m a little bit peevish though that all of Virginia is being locked down in the same manner. We are in the Southwest, and as far as we know, untouched so far (closer geographically and culturally to WV.). I think these tight restrictions that were more meant for DC area and Norfolk/Va Beach/Hampton areas are going to wear people out down here before it’s truly needed. And then we will have problems. 

I had a dental appointment yesterday too (for something minor)...  I called ahead of time to see if I should change it, but they encouraged me to come.  When I got there (about an hour later), they told me they had just changed their policy and will only be open for emergency appointments.  That was fine with me, I think it was a good decision.  (And I only had to walk 3 blocks to get there so was not a big deal come and find my appointment cancelled.)  They said that dental work is a huge risk for spreading germs that are respiratory.

[J-rap]

54 minutes ago, pitterpatter said:

I wonder whether you're in my state. We only have six cases (yeah, right). I read yesterday that we aren't even getting test kits for expanded testing until April 1!! 😧 That's unacceptable, IMO. Cases will be well out of hand here by then. The low number gives people false security.

  

It sounds like tests are still in short supply, but also, I think they're realizing at this point that they don't want people with only mild CV symptoms coming to medical clinics and exposing other people.  We have two family/extended family members now who have mildish CV symptoms, but have been told not to even bother with testing.  They both are working remotely now at home, so were just told to self-isolate.  That does seem like the best decision.  No point in taking up urgent medical resources -- both in terms of tests and medical employees -- if your symptoms aren't critical.

ETA:  But I do agree that the result of that can result in giving people a false security...

Edited March 17, 2020 by J-rap

[Katy]

My kids who had physicals scheduled this month all had them cancelled.  And the local children's hospital sent an email that ALL non-essential appointments would be cancelled.  Only infants under 18 months would have physicals to get the essential shots.  I guess at 18 months and later they aren't as important.

I wonder how many months Americans will obey instructions to stay home.

[SKL]

1 minute ago, J-rap said:

It sounds like tests are still in short supply, but also, I think they're realizing at this point that they don't want people with only mild CV symptoms coming to medical clinics and exposing other people.  We have two family/extended family members now who have mildish CV symptoms, but have been told not to even bother with testing.  They both are working remotely now at home, so were just told to self-isolate.  That does seem like the best decision.  No point in taking up urgent medical resources -- both in terms of tests and medical employees -- if your symptoms aren't critical.

ETA:  But I do agree that the result of that can result in giving people a false security...

I too agree with limiting testing for various reasons.

I think that as far as false security, the other side of it is that knowing how widespread it is in mild/asymptomatic form, how fast it spreads, and how long the incubation period is, it seems futile to try to avoid getting it if you've been out and about at all since it started spreading.  Unless a person is or has to work in-person with a vulnerable individual, it seems more logical to just assume you have a mild/asymptomatic case and act accordingly.

[J-rap]

1 minute ago, square_25 said:

 

Yeah, if people bothered to self-isolate before testing ramps up, that'd be great. It's not gonna happen. People with mild cold symptoms will go about their day and infect everyone else. No one is going to stay put. We've watched this play out again and again -- it's just psychology. 

I wonder if that depends on location.  One week ago, I would have agreed with you.  Today, I feel like our state finally "gets" it.  People are staying put and not going out, or only going out if they have to or when no one else is.  They seem to be taking it seriously now.  Besides, nothing is even open anymore.