Coronavirus ~ COVID-19

[theoddz]

The following was sent to Dear Wife (retired paramedic/EMT) and myself, through our network of friends who are also in the healthcare professions. I thought I'd share it here, in hopes that it might drive home the seriousness of this situation and the crucial, CRUCIAL importance of EVERYONE to be following what we're being told/advised by our gov't and health advisers. Even if you are a healthy person, in your 20's and 30's, who has never been sick a day in your life, read the following and HEED it!!!


This is from Patrick Wiater head of ortho/trauma at Beaumont RO, largest hospital in Michigan. Please spread the word!

Hi everyone. Hope all is well.
I implore you to take this covid 19 seriously. It is real. Society is teeming with it. The numbers you see in media are the tip of the iceberg.
The ICU in the hospital is full of young adults on ventilators fighting for their lives. A medical assistant I work with is covid 19 positive on a vent. She is otherwise healthy person in her twenties. We are seeing mostly young people coming into the hospital with their lungs destroyed by this virus. The media made it sound like the biggest risk was elderly. Probably true but in Michigan it's hitting young adults hard.

Sequester you and your families away from everyone. Don't leave your house. Don't have any social interactions with anyone.
Keep your parents isolated. Incubation can be up to 14 days. Anyone who has not been isolated for 14 days is a risk to you.

It is estimated that 150 million in the U.S. will have it over next 10-14 days. I believe it. Southeast Michigan is festering with it now.

Hopefully this comes across as alarmist. This virus is horrible.

Stay safe. PJW

~Theo~

[Kelt]

Theo-

Thank you for posting this, I think part of the problem a lot of people are having is that it has not impacted them personally yet. I am taking this very seriously as I am receiving the health department dispatches from Washington state on a nearly daily basis in regards to my 88-year-old mother. She is in complete lockdown and there are no visitors permitted to enter the house where she lives by state mandate. Even doctors and nurses are having to make their visits via iPad. I cannot go visit my mother. Unfortunately, I think this will be the case for most Americans, that once they know somebody who has gotten it or have been impacted in some other personal way that is medical and not financial only then will they take it seriously.

On a more personal note, given your background and specialty do you anticipate being called upon in this situation either in your former role or perhaps as someone who could teach your specialized skill set to others so that then they can operate ventilators properly? I know many doctors and nurses retired as well as not yet quite certified students are being asked to help.

I also believe the next two weeks will challenge a lot of people in many ways.

Be safe

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Theo-

Thank you for posting this, I think part of the problem a lot of people are having is that it has not impacted them personally yet. I am taking this very seriously as I am receiving the health department dispatches from Washington state on a nearly daily basis in regards to my 88-year-old mother. She is in complete lockdown and there are no visitors permitted to enter the house where she lives by state mandate. Even doctors and nurses are having to make their visits via iPad. I cannot go visit my mother. Unfortunately, I think this will be the case for most Americans, that once they know somebody who has gotten it or have been impacted in some other personal way that is medical and not financial only then will they take it seriously.

On a more personal note, given your background and specialty do you anticipate being called upon in this situation either in your former role or perhaps as someone who could teach your specialized skill set to others so that then they can operate ventilators properly? I know many doctors and nurses retired as well as not yet quite certified students are being asked to help.

I also believe the next two weeks will challenge a lot of people in many ways.

Be safe

Hey there Kelt!! Nice to see you around again, I must say!! There's still a few of us from "the old guard" and the old site and I'm sure glad to see another friendly screen name from "back when"!!

Well, yes, I am a retired Registered Respiratory Therapist and I worked in that profession for nearly 30 years. I'm 59 y/o now and kickin' the door of 60 later this year. I have had some progressively serious health issues ever since my time in the Marine Corps, when I was in my early 20's. Because of those, they gave me 100% permanent and total disability, but it was not the kind of disability that would keep me, or prevent me from working, if I wanted to and was able. I was able, thank Jeebuz, to go to college and become an RT while I was still relatively young, and I spent 20 years doing that in federal civilian service for nearly 20 years (DoD and VA). While I was working for the VA, my knees started to give out as a secondary problem to my military illness. I had to have total joint replacement in both knees in the 2000's, but it bought me about 8 years of career time, until I reached the 20 year mark. I had to take early retirement then, because of the knees, mostly, but I also have other health issues, due to or related to my military service, also. I didn't want to retire, but I was forced to, and now that I'm damned near 60, some of these health problems that I was able to overcome, due to sheer will, I can no longer function well with. I was told that I now need a 10th surgery (total for both, right now) on my right knee, once more. So, I'm not in really great shape, as of now, to do any heavy duty running around in a busy hospital environment, like I used to.

I was forced to take disability retirement from federal service at my 20 year mark, unfortunately. I also have other problems with my health, so no, I don't think that anyone will be trying to call me up and "reactivate" me again in this crisis. Believe me, I am "programmed" in my heart to respond to emergencies. I still can hear the sound of a pager ringing in my ears, the sound of ventilator alarms and the overhead call of a Code Blue. I wish I could help, but I would do so at my own very, very high risk, and even then, my physical limitations (and asthma) would preclude me from holding up under the physical stress of the job now. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to leave the baton where I passed it.....to the younger, healthy set, and trust that their dedication, professionalism and training will rise to the occasion, so to speak. We RT's are an "odd" bunch. We're temperamental, opinionated, highly independent (many of us work in intense environments with little to no supervision), and incredibly resourceful (we can put together just about anything to get a job done) but always manage to pitch in, lend a hand, and be there when we are needed.

I wish I could be there, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to sit this one out. I hope everyone who reads this heeds the medical advisors and gov't officials (excluding that "Anus Tangerinus") and stays safe. We will overcome this!!!

~Theo~

[Kätzchen]

Today is Saturday, and I attended my studio rental recert, then went to do laundry, then went on a mission to find any cleaning supplies available at area stores.

There's no one out on the road today except a handful of people doing only necessary life stuff. On the freeway's, ODOT reader boards display signage instructing drivers to leave room and give space to other drivers and to obey the speed limit (our roads are rapidly giving way to surveillance technology) and to warn people to not be in groups.

I didn't have much luck finding any cleaning supplies or paper supplies. But I did happen to stop by a merchant discount retailer and found a few bottles of Clorox, so I bought them, since the store was nearly devoid of shoppers. I went by Target, and in my frantic state of mind, I had no idea that I left the sun roof open or a side window down, but I did lock the car with my key fob. When I came back to my car with what few supplies I could buy (razors, Listerene, anti-bacterial handsoap and regular hand soap), I discovered I had left my car with the windows down and the sun roof wide open. I cried. I cried because no one stole anything from my car. I had a bunch of valuable merchandise in the back seat and my big bag with all my irreplaceable insurance papers and relevant ID, was sitting untouched in my car. The nearest parker was a handicapped gentleman who was sitting in his car smoking, and he didn't even realize that my car was open to theft. He tooted his horn at me and waved and yelled out if I was alright. I was just so grateful that I wasn't the victim of theft. That is the *first* time I have ever forgotten to lock my car or make sure all the windows are up and that the sun roof was closed. It's absolutely spectacular weather we have today, so I am sure that the combination of fury to find what cleaning supplies I could buy and being forgetful can be attributed to the brilliant sunny weather we have today. Ordinarily, we have 'Pearly Skies', but as climate change affects each corner of the globe, we increasingly have less cloudy weather and terrific stretches of sunshine, which is drying up the trees and all green fauna to the point that, I worry about tinderbox conditions and all of us going up in smoke (if not co-equally the Co-vid 19 virus too).

I wore my beautiful pale blue leather gloves and took a handful of sanitizing wipes with me in a little plastic baggie, in case I needed to wipe of the surface of any terminal at any store or wipe off an entrance door handle. People smiled at me and thanked me for being considerate and kind, in the face of coming under stricter lock-down mandates, which will surely come by first thing Monday morning or by late afternoon that day.

It's like the proverbial End of The World scenario here.

And today I am guilty of eating like it's the end of the world. After the Target fiasco, I dropped by an small independently owned vendor stand to buy some Teriayki (sp?) chicken with stir fried veggies and extra sauce and a big order of Korean Bulgogi Fries. I'll find out Monday, when my primary doctor calls me if my A1-c blood labs were in safe range or if I am going on the 'sinners' list for the rest of my life.

I'm steadily frightened by the situation we all will be facing in short order, but I also try to cheer myself up by having lots of things that I can stay focused on and plan to build up my strength to ride my bicycle, because one day soon, we will be perilously close to a war on any resource that affects being able to get around. I need to be able to bicycle not only for health reasons but for reason of conserving gasoline I already have in the car and commit to being able to get where I need to go without being fully dependent on my car. So... today the car stays parked and it's walking or bicycling to get where I need to go (and time, gotta incorporate time to that picture).

It feels like that 1990s movie with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio: The Titanic. We all know we're going to be going down, but we race to stay alive and be one of (Many, hopefully) the survivors of this apocalyptic scene in social history.

<<<<<~~ committed to Social Distancing, and all tenets of Safety First.


Oh, and I bought the last 4-pack of Aloe facial tissues at one store. I will use them sparingly. And share a box with a neighbor, if necessary.

[theoddz]

I just wanted to dash in here really quick and bring up one or two hints/ideas for sanitizing stuff.

1. You can soak paper towels with Isopropyl alcohol and put them in ziplock bags for sanitizing wipes. OTC Isopropyl alcohol comes in various strengths: 50% (don't use for sanitizing), only 70% and 91% are recommended for this. In order to sanitize something with this, you need to make sure you use the 70%-91% strengths (per the CDC). I found 91% isopropyl alcohol at Sams Club, recently, but before the pandemic hit.

2. You can also use white vinegar (acetic acid) to disinfect things. It may stink for a bit, but it sure as hell disinfects. We use white vinegar to disinfect respiratory equipment in the hospital (10% solution, or 1 part vinegar to 9 parts water). It kills most respiratory bugs like no one's business. I've been known to use full strenth on some stuff, in the past, but be super careful if you do this, because vinegar is acid and can destroy some surfaces. I suggest you dilute it, at least 10-20%.

One thing about these surface disinfectants, including isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar. Nearly every commercial disinfectant sold on the store shelf requires what we call "wet time" in order to disinfect/kill bacteria and viruses. From what I've read on these cleaners, Lysol included, is that whatever you are wiping down MUST be allowed to sit for AT LEAST 10 minutes before its wiped down. This is for non-porous surfaces.

***NOTE: Be especially mindful before mixing ANY other cleaner or chemical with Bleach, as it can create seriously toxic fumes, among other things. Don't do it!!! Water is safe enough, but anything else.....look it up and check before doing it!!!

I found a link to some guidance on how to disinfect/sanitize/clean your home, in this time of COVI-19. It may help. I hope the above information can help others in our community to have other options for sanitizing wipes and chemicals to keep your homes free from infection.

https://www.houselogic.com/improve/h...ect-your-home/

~Theo~

[~ocean]

I'm sitting here watching my daughter making masks for her job ~ there aren't any at work so in order to work and take care of her patients she needs to make masks …. she would never not go into work under these circumstances I'm a proud and nervous mom w/ her out there lil man ( Jonathan ) is a very proud son. and I hate Donald Trump ~ me fickle naaaa just an American ~~

[Bèsame*]

Originally Posted by ~ocean

I'm sitting here watching my daughter making masks for her job ~ there aren't any at work so in order to work and take care of her patients she needs to make masks …. she would never not go into work under these circumstances I'm a proud and nervous mom w/ her out there lil man ( Jonathan ) is a very proud son. and I hate Donald Trump ~ me fickle naaaa just an American ~~

Yay for your daughter to be creative! I've seen all kinds of make shift masks. Bandanas and scarves.

My brother told me a story yesterday. After finishing his shift at the firehouse, when the restaurants were at 50% captivity, he stopped in at IHOP. He says, half the tables were pushed to one side, stacked and covered with shipping shrink wrap. There was nothing on the tables. No salt. No pepper. If you wanted that, it was brought out in little dipping sauce bowls. He says eerie. I can just imagine.

Wash your hands!

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by theoddz

I just wanted to dash in here really quick and bring up one or two hints/ideas for sanitizing stuff.

1. You can soak paper towels with Isopropyl alcohol and put them in ziplock bags for sanitizing wipes. OTC Isopropyl alcohol comes in various strengths: 50% (don't use for sanitizing), only 70% and 91% are recommended for this. In order to sanitize something with this, you need to make sure you use the 70%-91% strengths (per the CDC). I found 91% isopropyl alcohol at Sams Club, recently, but before the pandemic hit.

2. You can also use white vinegar (acetic acid) to disinfect things. It may stink for a bit, but it sure as hell disinfects. We use white vinegar to disinfect respiratory equipment in the hospital (10% solution, or 1 part vinegar to 9 parts water). It kills most respiratory bugs like no one's business. I've been known to use full strenth on some stuff, in the past, but be super careful if you do this, because vinegar is acid and can destroy some surfaces. I suggest you dilute it, at least 10-20%.

One thing about these surface disinfectants, including isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar. Nearly every commercial disinfectant sold on the store shelf requires what we call "wet time" in order to disinfect/kill bacteria and viruses. From what I've read on these cleaners, Lysol included, is that whatever you are wiping down MUST be allowed to sit for AT LEAST 10 minutes before its wiped down. This is for non-porous surfaces.

***NOTE: Be especially mindful before mixing ANY other cleaner or chemical with Bleach, as it can create seriously toxic fumes, among other things. Don't do it!!! Water is safe enough, but anything else.....look it up and check before doing it!!!

I found a link to some guidance on how to disinfect/sanitize/clean your home, in this time of COVI-19. It may help. I hope the above information can help others in our community to have other options for sanitizing wipes and chemicals to keep your homes free from infection.

https://www.houselogic.com/improve/h...ect-your-home/

~Theo~

I just wanted to chime in and agree with everything that Theo is saying, for myself and some others the only thing I’ve been able to find is bleach which can also act as a good disinfectant if used and diluted properly. To that end I found a good resource for all things bleach.

[C0LLETTE]

Do you think ethanol ( rubbing alcohol @ 95 % alcohol ) is as effective as isopropyl ?

[theoddz]

I shared this on my FB page today, but I felt like I needed to also share it here. Thanks to the Universe, I never had to work through and in a pandemic situation like we have now, but I remember, in years gone by, what it was to work in a busy medical center during some busy flu/pneumonia seasons. It wasn't easy and we had equipment and supply (and staffing) shortages to work through, but we did it by sheer determination and, even moreso, resourcefulness.

This is something completely different, though, and the following video is exactly what is really, truly happening (in northern Italy, at present) and is more than likely what it is going to look like in the U.S. in the coming weeks and maybe months. This video news story is really what is happening in the middle of this pandemic, for both physicians and caregivers, and what the patients actually experience and look like. Exactly. It really is horrifying.

Please....and I'm pleading again, stay home if you possibly can, practice social distancing, wash your hands and pay attention to the latest news and medical advice from the authorities for fighting this!!! I know I don't know many of you all, but a few of you have met me and have "known" me through the old dash site, and the forum threads since back in the day. You all are my community and it'd absolutely break my heart if anything happened to any one of you, due to this pandemic. Stay safe and G-d bless.



~Theo~