Living in a Covid Hotspot

[historically accurate]

I hate this! I'm already stressed about the election and the lack of results and the local hospitals put out a warning of quickly evaporating hospital availability. My anxiety level is about through the roof right now. My county is currently at over 20% positivity; we've been rising steadily since the end of September. 

Honestly, no one seems to have noticed. Indoor dining was supposed to be closed, but the restaurant on the corner is open and packed every day. People aren't seeming to slow down anything; my Aunt passed away recently, and my cousins are hosting an open house after the funeral since the funeral home only allowed 10 people (the legal limit with the mitigation level we are in). We're currently arguing with the TKD gym because we haven't used it since March, and I'm sure not going to send the kids with 20+% positivity and lackadaisical mask usage, but they aren't giving us any breaks.

DH is being called more and more back into the office since 1/2 of his job really should be in person. I have a DD who sees many doctors, so she's in person doctor appointments at least 2x per week. I can't just suck us in to the house and not go anywhere. In a couple weeks, DD comes back home from college, so we'll have to deal with that.

I'm not sure I really have a question here. Just a general freak out I guess. 

 

 

[Melissa in Australia]

Hugs

[Not_a_Number]

Oh, I am sorry 😞 . Can your DH not go in for now or will that cost him his job? If there's any way to limit exposure, I would. 

[historically accurate]

2 minutes ago, Not_a_Number said:

Oh, I am sorry 😞 . Can your DH not go in for now or will that cost him his job? If there's any way to limit exposure, I would. 

He's been going in on Sat mornings when it's less crowded, but he's a computer tech (the help desk if you will), so part of his job is fixing the hardware issues which needs to be in person. The company is getting ready to launch 100 new computers so he'll have to go in to set those all up.

I'm dropping our weekly library run, which was our weekly "splurge". But other than that, I can't come up with any way to limit our exposure. Ugh. 

[Not_a_Number]

1 minute ago, historically accurate said:

He's been going in on Sat mornings when it's less crowded, but he's a computer tech (the help desk if you will), so part of his job is fixing the hardware issues which needs to be in person. The company is getting ready to launch 100 new computers so he'll have to go in to set those all up.

I'm dropping our weekly library run, which was our weekly "splurge". But other than that, I can't come up with any way to limit our exposure. Ugh. 

You don't have any high risk family members he could cite, do you? I'd worry a lot about going in 😞. But obviously you can't risk his job. 

[SounderChick]

I am so sorry.  We were in your shoes in June/July with 20% positivity.  Things were still shutdown here for the most part so it was easier.  Though DH is essential worker so we always had some exposure.   It's much harder now that somethings are open. 

[PinkTulip]

I’m right there with you: my county positivity rate is close to 20%, and the ICUs statewide are nearly 80% full. Even if additional hospital space is opened, there just isn’t the personnel to staff them and take care of this huge influx of patients. 
 

On top of that, my spineless governor continues to “urge citizens to do the right thing” and say “we are getting close to the point where we will need to take stronger measures” but doesn’t actually do anything ever. No statewide mask mandate, schools are mostly all in-person, restaurants open for sit-down service, etc. It’s infuriating and terrifying. 

[historically accurate]

40 minutes ago, PinkTulip said:

I’m right there with you: my county positivity rate is close to 20%, and the ICUs statewide are nearly 80% full. Even if additional hospital space is opened, there just isn’t the personnel to staff them and take care of this huge influx of patients. 
 

On top of that, my spineless governor continues to “urge citizens to do the right thing” and say “we are getting close to the point where we will need to take stronger measures” but doesn’t actually do anything ever. No statewide mask mandate, schools are mostly all in-person, restaurants open for sit-down service, etc. It’s infuriating and terrifying. 

Our governor has done all of the things: has a mask mandate and a clear mitigation plan. It doesn't help if no one cooperates though. 

[mommyoffive]

I hear you.  I am in Wisconsin a week ago our positivity rate was 30%.  And cases have surged  even higher since then.  Everyday is a new record. I am so scared and stressed all the time.   I am in a really unhealthy and unhappy spot right now.  We have isolated since March.   Dh works from home, the kids haven't been with anyone this whole time.   But hey we went to the park yesterday and it was just tons of people gathering.   This is in our neighborhood so I know they are all different families.   But our neighbors have been doing that since March.  No masks . I am sad.   Why am I doing this if nobody else is?  Should I just be doing what they are?  I am burned out from no breaks from the kids or dh. From losing all the stuff we look forward to.  My youngest woke up crying this morning because she was so sad that she was able to be in Nutcracker this year.  She just wanted to be a mouse again.  I am so sad for my kids.   I just feel like I am sacrificing when nobody around me around me is and it makes me feel more sad and alone. I am tired of worrying about everything.   If that person was too close.  My kids haven't been to the dentist for a year now.  Is that the right choice?  Should I be going?  They didn't have their yearly well child.  We pushed back braces.   Am I risking them or is that the right thing?  The weight of these choices is so much.

This election is so stressful.   Of course that is the way it would happen in 2020.  

I have no words other than I am right there with you.  I am sorry we are going through this.  Sending you some hugs.

[sangtarah]

Sounds like 

1 hour ago, PinkTulip said:

I’m right there with you: my county positivity rate is close to 20%, and the ICUs statewide are nearly 80% full. Even if additional hospital space is opened, there just isn’t the personnel to staff them and take care of this huge influx of patients. 
 

On top of that, my spineless governor continues to “urge citizens to do the right thing” and say “we are getting close to the point where we will need to take stronger measures” but doesn’t actually do anything ever. No statewide mask mandate, schools are mostly all in-person, restaurants open for sit-down service, etc. It’s infuriating and terrifying. 

Sounds like us! 
Our county positivity rate was 26.8% last Friday. The governor’s briefing today did not include any directed health measures, no mandates. Just urged people to follow the rules if you can. 

It’s very scary. 

[Shoeless]

14 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

I hear you.  I am in Wisconsin a week ago our positivity rate was 30%.  And cases have surged  even higher since then.  Everyday is a new record. I am so scared and stressed all the time.   I am in a really unhealthy and unhappy spot right now.  We have isolated since March.   Dh works from home, the kids haven't been with anyone this whole time.   But hey we went to the park yesterday and it was just tons of people gathering.   This is in our neighborhood so I know they are all different families.   But our neighbors have been doing that since March.  No masks . I am sad.   Why am I doing this if nobody else is?  Should I just be doing what they are?  I am burned out from no breaks from the kids or dh. From losing all the stuff we look forward to.  My youngest woke up crying this morning because she was so sad that she was able to be in Nutcracker this year.  She just wanted to be a mouse again.  I am so sad for my kids.   I just feel like I am sacrificing when nobody around me around me is and it makes me feel more sad and alone. I am tired of worrying about everything.   If that person was too close.  My kids haven't been to the dentist for a year now.  Is that the right choice?  Should I be going?  They didn't have their yearly well child.  We pushed back braces.   Am I risking them or is that the right thing?  The weight of these choices is so much.

This election is so stressful.   Of course that is the way it would happen in 2020.  

I have no words other than I am right there with you.  I am sorry we are going through this.  Sending you some hugs.

Yes, you are doing the right thing! If no one else is telling you that, I will tell you as often as you need to hear it: You are doing the right thing! Your kids may be disappointed now, but they will look back on this and think of what an incredible example you set for them during an awful time.  

Hang in there. This is a tough time, but you are tougher.  (((hugs)))

[Frances]

3 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

I hear you.  I am in Wisconsin a week ago our positivity rate was 30%.  And cases have surged  even higher since then.  Everyday is a new record. I am so scared and stressed all the time.   I am in a really unhealthy and unhappy spot right now.  We have isolated since March.   Dh works from home, the kids haven't been with anyone this whole time.   But hey we went to the park yesterday and it was just tons of people gathering.   This is in our neighborhood so I know they are all different families.   But our neighbors have been doing that since March.  No masks . I am sad.   Why am I doing this if nobody else is?  Should I just be doing what they are?  I am burned out from no breaks from the kids or dh. From losing all the stuff we look forward to.  My youngest woke up crying this morning because she was so sad that she was able to be in Nutcracker this year.  She just wanted to be a mouse again.  I am so sad for my kids.   I just feel like I am sacrificing when nobody around me around me is and it makes me feel more sad and alone. I am tired of worrying about everything.   If that person was too close.  My kids haven't been to the dentist for a year now.  Is that the right choice?  Should I be going?  They didn't have their yearly well child.  We pushed back braces.   Am I risking them or is that the right thing?  The weight of these choices is so much.

This election is so stressful.   Of course that is the way it would happen in 2020.  

I have no words other than I am right there with you.  I am sorry we are going through this.  Sending you some hugs.

Half of my family is sick with the virus there and my mom has been hospitalized twice, had surgery once, and is now in a rehab facility for non-virus stuff. She’s actually at the ER right now. We’re hoping they actually admit her, but are assuming they won’t because they are over capacity. I’m so angry at all of the people and leaders there who fought the governor every step of the way in his attempts to keep the virus under control. How people can continue to support such terrible leaders is just incomprehensible to me. I’ve almost completely lost faith in my fellow citizens.

[Pen]

@historically accurate and @mommyoffive and @Frances and others going through difficulties- hugs and prayers

It isn’t possible to know if we are doing the right thing, but we do the best we can with the information we have in the circumstances we have.  It sounds like you all are doing that and that is the best that can be done. We can’t foretell the future. The chances are that a missed wellness visit won’t be significant over time — especially for kids at home not exposed to other contagions it should likely be okay. Same with a missed dental visit. 

 

[mommyoffive]

10 hours ago, Frances said:

Half of my family is sick with the virus there and my mom has been hospitalized twice, had surgery once, and is now in a rehab facility for non-virus stuff. She’s actually at the ER right now. We’re hoping they actually admit her, but are assuming they won’t because they are over capacity. I’m so angry at all of the people and leaders there who fought the governor every step of the way in his attempts to keep the virus under control. How people can continue to support such terrible leaders is just incomprehensible to me. I’ve almost completely lost faith in my fellow citizens.

I am so sorry to hear that mom.  I am sending prayers that she is able to get the care she needs.  At first I was so happy to have a governor that took it seriously and thought our state would be better off because of it.  I don't even have words to the people who have brought the lawsuits against him.   I care about the people who work at the bars, because I know that is their livelihood, but having them open during this time was wrong.   They should have gotten unemployment until the virus could have gotten under control. 

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by mommyoffive

[Frances]

10 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

I am so sorry to hear that mom.  I am sending prayers that she is able to get the care she needs.  At first I was so happy to have a governor that took it seriously and thought our state would be better off because of it.  O don't even have words to the people who have brought the lawsuits against him.   I care about the people who work at the bars, because I know that is their livelihood, but having them open during this time was wrong.   They should have gotten unemployment until the virus could have gotten under control. 

 

Thank you for your prayers. Trying to overturn the mask mandate is even worse in my mind. The level of pure selfishness is just mind boggling to me. I guess we really have shown our true selves to the world this year.

Edited November 6, 2020 by Frances

[mommyoffive]

7 hours ago, Frances said:

Thank you for your prayers. Trying to overturn the mask mandate is even worse in my mind. The level of purse selfishness is just mind boggling to me. I guess we really have shown our true selves to the world this year.

Yes, I agree.  We can all wear masks and save lives.  Yes, we have shown our true selves and it makes me sad.  I want to do everything we used to do too.  But I realize in a pandemic that is what you should be doing.   I care about all the people I don't know who covid is affecting in a medical way.  But people who don't follow the rules or guidelines to do their part really are showing how selfish they are.  

[BlsdMama]

Our state positivity rate jumped to 44% yesterday with a one day positive test tally of 4,562. We’re in the top three worst counties. We have not been isolating this fall although we reduced our activity. DH wants everything to come to full stop. My guilt at letting everyone down and my family is absolutely overwhelming.

[Laura Corin]

9 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

Our state positivity rate jumped to 44% yesterday with a one day positive test tally of 4,562. We’re in the top three worst counties. We have not been isolating this fall although we reduced our activity. DH wants everything to come to full stop. My guilt at letting everyone down and my family is absolutely overwhelming.

Letting your family down by previously not isolating, by not being able to fulfil future plans or by your own health?    You are doing your best in really difficult circumstances.

[BlsdMama]

3 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

Letting your family down by previously not isolating, by not being able to fulfil future plans or by your own health?    You are doing your best in really difficult circumstances.

Flip a coin. Can I choose all the above? Months of play practice to quit right before the play? Months of mock trial? Regionals is Thursday. AHG? We need two deep leadership. As soon as I quit, it ends for everyone. DH is mad at me. I’m sorry we even let the kids start because this, but I earnestly believed it was improving because we didn’t close the gates, so .... I was both stupid and naive but the numbers seemed to improve. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision a 5k number. And if it’s this, you know we’ll see nearly double next week. I’m angry at me and out of all the things I hate, letting people down is the worst. My husband told me last week that he loves me, but the one characteristic of mine he hates? Being a pleaser. 😭

[mommyoffive]

35 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

Flip a coin. Can I choose all the above? Months of play practice to quit right before the play? Months of mock trial? Regionals is Thursday. AHG? We need two deep leadership. As soon as I quit, it ends for everyone. DH is mad at me. I’m sorry we even let the kids start because this, but I earnestly believed it was improving because we didn’t close the gates, so .... I was both stupid and naive but the numbers seemed to improve. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision a 5k number. And if it’s this, you know we’ll see nearly double next week. I’m angry at me and out of all the things I hate, letting people down is the worst. My husband told me last week that he loves me, but the one characteristic of mine he hates? Being a pleaser. 😭

Sending some hugs.  I get what you are saying and would feel awful to pull the kids in the midst of their programs too.  I would crush the kids.  And it feels so awful to take things away from the kids this year.  You just want them to have some normal and good things.   It feels like damned if you do and damned if you don't.   You just can't win.  Here in Wisconsin numbers are crazy high like that too.  Seems like a new record is hit every day.  And winter hasn't even started yet.  But I think it is going to be holiday related too.  Halloween my block was packed with people.  Very few masks.  We were in a surge and people still went Trick or treating.   Really?  So I am sure they will  be getting together for Thanksgiving this month too.

[Bambam]

Our area is increasing. 

The thing I find difficult about all this is the idea that people will only do the masking/social distancing things if ordered by the government. I think this is a sad statement on our society.  I know many will do these things without government ordering them, but, at least in my area, it will not be the majority. However, now that are case numbers are rising and the local news reported our hospitals are at record levels, it does seem that a few more people are masking. 

[BlsdMama]

The number today is another 3500.  160 new hospitalizations - how can our hospitals handle daily increases like that??  Our county - 44%.

 I sent out the emails pulling my kids from everything except mock because it's a small team and regionals is next week.  Started bawling on the phone with one person.  Awesome.
At least my kids took it as well as can be expected.  I can't say I'm *afraid* -  I mean, let's be honest, a diagnosis of ALS is way scarier than a disease that takes 2%.  But it did seem prudent.  Sigh.   I am so sad and frustrated.

[historically accurate]

8 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

The number today is another 3500.  160 new hospitalizations - how can our hospitals handle daily increases like that??  Our county - 44%.

 I sent out the emails pulling my kids from everything except mock because it's a small team and regionals is next week.  Started bawling on the phone with one person.  Awesome.
At least my kids took it as well as can be expected.  I can't say I'm *afraid* -  I mean, let's be honest, a diagnosis of ALS is way scarier than a disease that takes 2%.  But it did seem prudent.  Sigh.   I am so sad and frustrated.

Hugs. It just all around sucks. It just does. Yeah, we hadn't started back activities, but I was really hoping we'd be able to. Nope, not a chance. So, so hard to disappoint your kids.

[Selkie]

On 11/5/2020 at 3:06 PM, historically accurate said:

I hate this! I'm already stressed about the election and the lack of results and the local hospitals put out a warning of quickly evaporating hospital availability. My anxiety level is about through the roof right now. My county is currently at over 20% positivity; we've been rising steadily since the end of September. 

Honestly, no one seems to have noticed. Indoor dining was supposed to be closed, but the restaurant on the corner is open and packed every day. People aren't seeming to slow down anything; my Aunt passed away recently, and my cousins are hosting an open house after the funeral since the funeral home only allowed 10 people (the legal limit with the mitigation level we are in). We're currently arguing with the TKD gym because we haven't used it since March, and I'm sure not going to send the kids with 20+% positivity and lackadaisical mask usage, but they aren't giving us any breaks.

DH is being called more and more back into the office since 1/2 of his job really should be in person. I have a DD who sees many doctors, so she's in person doctor appointments at least 2x per week. I can't just suck us in to the house and not go anywhere. In a couple weeks, DD comes back home from college, so we'll have to deal with that.

I'm not sure I really have a question here. Just a general freak out I guess. 

 

 

Same situation here. I'm in Illinois and the number of cases in our area was described as "astronomical" by someone from the health dept. the other day. Record number of new cases and hospitalizations every single day.  Schools have been forced to go virtual because so many teachers and staff are out sick or quarantined and there aren't enough subs to take their place. 

But restaurants and bars are packed full of people (there is not supposed to be any indoor dining, but almost all restaurants and bars are defying the mandate). Tourists are flocking here like crazy, the same as pre-Covid times. I really don't understand what people are thinking.🤷‍♀️ 

[kristin0713]

I'm sorry.  I just wanted to say that I understand.  I'm in NJ and we knew people that died within the first two weeks of March.  We were hearing about positive cases of people that we knew well into May and it was not until June that I could go into a store without being in a state of panic. It has been a little easier to be careful with NJ's very strict lockdowns, mask mandates and restrictions, which went even beyond what I thought was necessary, but did a pretty great job of getting the numbers down.  I'm sorry that you are not seeing the same level of precautions around you.  

As for TKD, our studio started putting classes on zoom immediately when the lockdown occurred, and even when they opened back up, they kept the classes on zoom for anyone who is not comfortable attending in person.  We do attend now because they have very few kids in the studio at once and require temp checks and masks.  But if the numbers continue to increase here, we will be going back to class on zoom. 

[historically accurate]

1 minute ago, Selkie said:

Same situation here. I'm in Illinois and the number of cases in our area was described as "astronomical" by someone from the health dept. the other day. Record number of new cases and hospitalizations every single day.  Schools have been forced to go virtual because so many teachers and staff are out sick or quarantined and there aren't enough subs to take their place. 

But restaurants and bars are packed full of people (there is not supposed to be any indoor dining, but almost all restaurants and bars are defying the mandate). Tourists are flocking here like crazy, the same as pre-Covid times. I really don't understand what people are thinking.🤷‍♀️ 

Yeah, I'm in IL too - region 1, so we're supposed to be on Mitigation Tier 2. It's so sad. I have a teacher friend who has had to give up her planning hours because the other teachers are quarantined so she has the kids the entire day. 

[cintinative]

I don't think our state is considered a hotspot yet (???) because our positivity is around 8%.  We had just over 5000 cases today.

I am feeling a lot of the same things and wondering what is going to happen. Our hospitals are filling but not over capacity yet. 

Meanwhile, people seem to be living their "normal" lives, going to weddings, etc. I was in FL when they went from just under 2000 cases to over 10000 in less than two weeks.  I know that can happen. I just don't feel like there is anything I can do but watch it happen. 

[frogger]

9 hours ago, Amoret said:

In WI, they have been bringing in traveling nurses to help out, but as numbers in other states rise, that won't be able to continue. Today, statewide, the hospitals are at 90% capacity, which is the highest it has been. The big problem is that each hospital system has hundreds of staff out sick or quarantined. As far as I know, they have not yet cancelled elective surgeries (I know someone who has one scheduled for the 20th). I am honestly a little amazed at how long and how well the hospitals have been able to manage -- and I fear that the fact that they have been able to do so has made people doubt the warnings.

Yes. The problem is now competition for those traveling nurses. As cases rise in all northern states, well, it just isn't sustainable. 

[Happy2BaMom]

I feel you. 

I spend a lot of time walking outside these days, trying to give myself space to process my very strong emotions about how this society got to this point. As I write, 5 states are above 30% positivity (SD is at 52%!), 11 more above 10% (most by quite a lot), and a slew of others are well above 5.  And nearly all are increasing, rapidly.
 

Covid has killed more US citizens in 9 months than *double* our last 5 wars combined (Iraq, Gulf, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Korea), has hospitalized hundreds of thousands more and left thousands with lingering long-term debilitating symptoms. And - still - many don’t want to be bothered by wearing a paper mask when in public or by modifying their social “fun”. 

At this point in the pandemic, it’s no longer questionable about how it spreads. Yet so many don’t care. 

I see it as pathological selfishness and narcissism, exacerbated by prideful stubbornness.
 

And I’m really struggling how to live in a society where that has become a norm. I don’t know what exactly I/we will be doing about it (Im still processing and weighing options) but for me this has been an internal turning point. I no longer believe in my own country/society. 

Edited November 7, 2020 by Happy2BaMom

[EmilyGF]

14 hours ago, Selkie said:

Same situation here. I'm in Illinois and the number of cases in our area was described as "astronomical" by someone from the health dept. the other day. Record number of new cases and hospitalizations every single day.  Schools have been forced to go virtual because so many teachers and staff are out sick or quarantined and there aren't enough subs to take their place. 

But restaurants and bars are packed full of people (there is not supposed to be any indoor dining, but almost all restaurants and bars are defying the mandate). Tourists are flocking here like crazy, the same as pre-Covid times. I really don't understand what people are thinking.🤷‍♀️ 

In Belgium, they are dealing with this by having asymptomatic COVID healthcare workers work in the COVID wards. 

(I have a website blocking news on my computer, but I read this article with info about Belgium earlier this week on another computer. If it doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll find the right link.)

https://www.dw.com/en/belgiums-covid-19-health-care-collapse-it-will-happen-in-10-days/a-55451750

[BlsdMama]

15 hours ago, Amoret said:

In WI, they have been bringing in traveling nurses to help out, but as numbers in other states rise, that won't be able to continue. Today, statewide, the hospitals are at 90% capacity, which is the highest it has been. The big problem is that each hospital system has hundreds of staff out sick or quarantined. As far as I know, they have not yet cancelled elective surgeries (I know someone who has one scheduled for the 20th). I am honestly a little amazed at how long and how well the hospitals have been able to manage -- and I fear that the fact that they have been able to do so has made people doubt the warnings.

Yes, the one of the two local hospitals here has just made that decision to stop elective surgeries.  Initially, that was done, expecting an onslaught of cases.  However, they haven't needed to make the same determination again until just now.  That was sobering for me - it shows a pivot in thinking.  

 

2 hours ago, Happy2BaMom said:

debilitating symptoms. And - still - many don’t want to be bothered by wearing a paper mask when in public or by modifying their social “fun”. 

At this point in the pandemic, it’s no longer questionable about how it spreads. Yet so many don’t care. 

I see it as pathological selfishness and narcissism, exacerbated by prideful stubbornness.
 

And I’m really struggling how to live in a society where that has become a norm. I don’t know what exactly I/we will be doing about it (Im still processing and weighing options) but for me this has been an internal turning point. I no longer believe in my own country/society. 

Someone close has decided they are going to Florida in a month. Asking if that was wise, considering the population of elderly and the rise in cases, I asked her if wouldn't she be better off in the hospitals here if she got it? She told me their exit strategy if they're exposed - fly home (presumably contagious) before they are symptomatic.  I think my mouth opened and closed like a guppy.  I know this person to be a loving human being to those *she* loves but in this Us vs. Them society we live in? So many are willing to throw others under the bus to achieve an end goal.  It's boggling.  I am rarely speechless, but that did it.  It's really beyond my comprehension.

[Lecka]

How would they find out they were exposed? It doesn’t make sense.  It sounds like some magical thinking is involved.

I hear about this magical thinking wrt a dear relative who still meets his friends for coffee at indoor restaraunts.  It is so hard for me to know he is doing this!!!!!!!!!!!

[Innisfree]

1 hour ago, BlsdMama said:

Yes, the one of the two local hospitals here has just made that decision to stop elective surgeries.  Initially, that was done, expecting an onslaught of cases.  However, they haven't needed to make the same determination again until just now.  That was sobering for me - it shows a pivot in thinking.  

 

Someone close has decided they are going to Florida in a month. Asking if that was wise, considering the population of elderly and the rise in cases, I asked her if wouldn't she be better off in the hospitals here if she got it? She told me their exit strategy if they're exposed - fly home (presumably contagious) before they are symptomatic.  I think my mouth opened and closed like a guppy.  I know this person to be a loving human being to those *she* loves but in this Us vs. Them society we live in? So many are willing to throw others under the bus to achieve an end goal.  It's boggling.  I am rarely speechless, but that did it.  It's really beyond my comprehension.

She's a loving human being, but is she reflective? Do you think she's consciously thought through the fact that they would be exposing everyone else around her as she travels? I think under these circumstances, pointing that out would be a public service.

Eta I have a hard time understanding attitudes like this, and the way people seem to be pretending this pandemic doesn't exist. I know there are all kinds of reasons, it just confounds me. Probably just as well I'm not in a position to talk to them.

Edited November 7, 2020 by Innisfree

[Innisfree]

Well, @Amoretand @Happymomof1, I believe you both. Unfortunately at the present rate of infection, a lot of people are going to discover it's really serious through bitter personal experience.

[BlsdMama]

I would say that I've had to self evaluate if my responses are of prudence or fear.  In the early spring, I believe my response was fearful.  I was truly worried beyond reason and had, once again, forgotten that my responsibility is to simply do what I can do but to not be anxious about it.  God is pretty good about nudging.  It is difficult to explain to people that prudence is not fear.  I recognize my leading threat is a car accident.  I still get in a car.  It doesn't mean though that I don't buckle up.  

Truth is - I live with an ALS diagnosis.  Covid is WAY less scary (and, frankly, a preferable death) than ALS.  If someone can't understand that, there is nothing else I can say, and I've decided that's where I have to leave it.  I admit the responses I've gotten (to this point) from pulling kiddos has been generous and understanding - even from those I know don't agree with me from a philosophical point of view on Covid and choices.  That means a lot to me on a very personal level - it tells me who is supportive of me, as a human and friend, and who prizes their politics more than the person standing in front of them.

[frogger]

41 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

  I admit the responses I've gotten (to this point) from pulling kiddos has been generous and understanding - even from those I know don't agree with me from a philosophical point of view on Covid and choices.  That means a lot to me on a very personal level - it tells me who is supportive of me, as a human and friend, and who prizes their politics more than the person standing in front of them.

I have had varied responses and I can say I really really appreciate someone understanding even if we aren't doing the same things.

 

I can also understand that it is difficult for them to make other choices because the trade offs in some cases are just huge. 

 

Of course, then there are those who make fun of others for their decisions and won't help in any way, etc. They are the ones I have a problem with. 

[frogger]

1 hour ago, Innisfree said:

Well, @Amoretand @Happymomof1, I believe you both. Unfortunately at the present rate of infection, a lot of people are going to discover it's really serious through bitter personal experience.

My church has had 6 cases of extremely mild cases. Our local hospitalization rate is 3.65% 

Because it doesn't hit randomly, in some cases whole families are in the ICU while others aren't affected much, I would not be surprised if many did skate through with only mild disease and whose friends and family had a mild version while others might feel like 1/2 the people they know with it had a very serious version. 3-4% unevenly distributed doesn't make for an equal experience by all.  And yes, you said many, not all so I'm not disagreeing with you, just commenting.  This will be very hard to explain when it is all over unless they or a loved one experienced it or the know over worked health care providers who get to see the 3% no matter what.

[mommyoffive]

We hit over 7000.   

[historically accurate]

2 minutes ago, Happymomof1 said:

I went to Wal-mart very early before church yesterday. I had not been in awhile. They have taken off the mask required sign on the door. Hence, most of the people in my store were not wearing a mask. Thankfully, it was so early it wasn't crowded. Sigh.

DH went to Walmart yesterday too. We have a mask mandate, but they no longer count you at the door. DH said it was hopping; he got what he needed and got out. He then ran into Dollar Tree (I was hoping for a front door Thanksgiving thing - they didn't have it) and said it was busy too, about 10 customers in the small store. He said he got his dodging and weaving practice in. I told him he's in charge of any in-person shopping now because he has never lingered ever while shopping for anything other than computers. LOL.

Our county positivity rate is now over 21%. DH taking the car in for service; he figures he will sit outside while he waits. DD has an appointment this morning. I have a CT scan tomorrow; fortunately, I was able to get that scheduled into the little tiny hospital in the area instead of one of the bigger ones. 

[historically accurate]

And the car place called and canceled the repair appointment because all of their mechanics are out with covid. They brought in a few people from other shops, but they will only be doing oil changes here for the next two weeks.

[Arctic Bunny]

Yesterday was our third day (ever) over 5%. We now have mandatory masks in the biggest cities. Individual elementary school classrooms are going virtual for two weeks as positive cases pop up. High schools have gone to half capacity, alternating days in-person/virtual. And fines are being handed out for those that don’t follow the 10-person maximum.

My workplace is going overboard with signage, which irks me more than anything else. Especially the sign on the shower stalls in the gym that says Maximum 1. They’re barely big enough for one as it is!

[Happy2BaMom]

23 minutes ago, Arctic Bunny said:

 

My workplace is going overboard with signage, which irks me more than anything else. Especially the sign on the shower stalls in the gym that says Maximum 1. They’re barely big enough for one as it is!

 

Maximum 1 in the workplace gym shower stall?

This implies that there have been more than 1 at times in the past? 😲

Now I'm wondering where you work. Every place I've ever worked, I can say with confidence I've never been tempted to share with shower with a coworker. (But, I'm boring.)

[BlsdMama]

On 11/8/2020 at 10:50 AM, mommyoffive said:

We hit over 7000.   

For one day? Wow.  That's a big number.

We're hitting about 20,000 by the state (not city) for the running week total and I keep waiting for that number to be way lower, but of course, why would it be? That wouldn't make sense.  We're seeing about 150 people per day hospitalized. This is on track to be not so good for those (few) who need to be hospitalized.  
We had a (masked) exposure a week ago and found out on Friday.  It looks like we likely had two more (assuming their siblings also contracted it) last week.  I think it was wise that my husband asked us to step out of things, but it still felt really bad. I hate letting people down.  Maybe I need to reframe how I look at it, but that's how it feels.  

[mommyoffive]

6 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

For one day? Wow.  That's a big number.

We're hitting about 20,000 by the state (not city) for the running week total and I keep waiting for that number to be way lower, but of course, why would it be? That wouldn't make sense.  We're seeing about 150 people per day hospitalized. This is on track to be not so good for those (few) who need to be hospitalized.  
We had a (masked) exposure a week ago and found out on Friday.  It looks like we likely had two more (assuming their siblings also contracted it) last week.  I think it was wise that my husband asked us to step out of things, but it still felt really bad. I hate letting people down.  Maybe I need to reframe how I look at it, but that's how it feels.  

7,494 in one day on November 7th in the state.   

Edited November 9, 2020 by mommyoffive

[Matryoshka]

3 hours ago, Happymomof1 said:

We haven't had checkers at the door in months. The one way aisle is gone as well. Our positivity is only 5.6 percent, supposedly.

"only?"  5.6%?  That positivity percentage could put a town in my state in the Red zone (they now also look at cases/day and overall population size of town).  That positivity isn't far off from the positivity rate in the hottest hotspot in our state, and we just got a statewide mask mandate with $300 fine if you don't comply after being reminded, plus there's a new curfew from 10pm to 5am.  This is because our cases have more than doubled in the past few weeks.  Our positivity had been about 1% all summer. 5.6% is not a good number.  I'm honestly super happy to be living in a state that seems to be taking this seriously.  The thing with Covid, things look great until they ... aren't.

What are the daily case #s/ per 100K and what's the Rt looking like there?

[kbutton]

On 11/6/2020 at 5:28 PM, cintinative said:

I don't think our state is considered a hotspot yet (???) because our positivity is around 8%.  We had just over 5000 cases today.

I am feeling a lot of the same things and wondering what is going to happen. Our hospitals are filling but not over capacity yet. 

Meanwhile, people seem to be living their "normal" lives, going to weddings, etc. I was in FL when they went from just under 2000 cases to over 10000 in less than two weeks.  I know that can happen. I just don't feel like there is anything I can do but watch it happen. 

Yep, and our general area is fueling those numbers quite handily. 

[historically accurate]

41 minutes ago, BlsdMama said:

For one day? Wow.  That's a big number.

We're hitting about 20,000 by the state (not city) for the running week total and I keep waiting for that number to be way lower, but of course, why would it be? That wouldn't make sense.  We're seeing about 150 people per day hospitalized. This is on track to be not so good for those (few) who need to be hospitalized.  
We had a (masked) exposure a week ago and found out on Friday.  It looks like we likely had two more (assuming their siblings also contracted it) last week.  I think it was wise that my husband asked us to step out of things, but it still felt really bad. I hate letting people down.  Maybe I need to reframe how I look at it, but that's how it feels.  

You are not letting people down. You are protecting your people, including yourself. ((hugs))

[Matryoshka]

12 minutes ago, Happymomof1 said:

We don't go into emergency status until it is over 10 percent. That is seen as .  I mean El Paso''s positivity rate is 29 percent. Other parts of the state are much, much higher. The state as a whole is 11 percent.   The city proper has 31.5 cases per 100,000. Infection rate of 1.15.   The actual county that I live in  has 5.5 percent positivity, 5 cases per 100,000 and an infection rate of .71.   But yeah, no masks for Wal-mart, no masks for elementary kids in schools, etc.

I don't think you want to get to where El Paso is - just read they're setting up 10 mobile morgues.  

[cintinative]

13 minutes ago, Matryoshka said:

I don't think you want to get to where El Paso is - just read they're setting up 10 mobile morgues.  

I had no idea.  https://kfoxtv.com/news/coronavirus/el-paso-moves-to-10-mobile-morgues-for-covid-19-deaths-as-judge-wants-to-extend-shutdown  There has been so little press on COVID this last week. How horrible!!!

[SounderChick]

50 minutes ago, Matryoshka said:

"only?"  5.6%?  That positivity percentage could put a town in my state in the Red zone (they now also look at cases/day and overall population size of town).  That positivity isn't far off from the positivity rate in the hottest hotspot in our state, and we just got a statewide mask mandate with $300 fine if you don't comply after being reminded, plus there's a new curfew from 10pm to 5am.  This is because our cases have more than doubled in the past few weeks.  Our positivity had been about 1% all summer. 5.6% is not a good number.  I'm honestly super happy to be living in a state that seems to be taking this seriously.  The thing with Covid, things look great until they ... aren't.

What are the daily case #s/ per 100K and what's the Rt looking like there?

Wow that's amazing my state is doing pretty well.  My county hasn't been below 6%.  Recently as cases in other counties went back up to 6-7% rather than lock them back down they opened us up more.  So we were all on the same level?!?  So we have been opening up without ever reaching the targets.  Unsurprisingly our cases are rising again.  

Edited November 9, 2020 by rebcoola