Coronavirus ~ COVID-19

[Baby_Yoda]

Originally Posted by Lyte

Not sure if I should be worried or grateful or a bit of both. I need new reading glasses and turns out that my Doc is going to open up next week sometime. I don't think I can hold my breath through the reading of an eye chart! lol But I really need to update my prescription!

Thoughts?

I personally get the ones you can pick up just about anywhere but then my prescription is almost non-existent according to my last eye exam so some 1.5 work well for me. Other than that... I personally would put it off. There has not been a 14 day streak of fewer cases each day as recommended to reopen.

[Kätzchen]

Anybody experiencing trouble with receiving Unemployment? And, likewise, is anybody experiencing trouble with getting COVID 19 CARES act financial assistance to survive since shuttering your small business venture?

I'm curious, because for me it has been three weeks since I was furloughed and in my state, they just processed the first week of benefits I am eligible for last Thursday, but the first benefit check comes in paper form and there is no telling how many days before it comes. In our metro area? There is only a couple of county Work Source Offices (read: unemployment field office) that are fully staffed. In the largest county of our metro area, most of those field offices are not fully staffed, nor do Unemployment case workers take a phone call. The state hot-line number is imploded and does not work, and the state knows it. And, on top of it all, each week as millions of people in our state file for Unemployment benefits, the website is blown up, sometimes on an hourly basis, which I am sure is driving the state IT team crazy and is terribly stressful.

If you're self employed in our state, there is no help and there's no one to process your claim. If you're a small business owner? Same story. You're out of 'luck' because there is no staff to process your claim or to help you secure CARES ACT funding to save you from falling off the social grid.

I took an emergency loan out, shortly after I was laid off, because thankfully our credit union helpful like that. If I am fortunate enough to have those Unemployment benefit claim checks show up in paper form or direct deposited *BEFORE* May 1st, then I'm returning the full amount of the emergency loan, so I don't have to worry about huge monthly payments over a 12 month span of time. Of course, I have another back up plan to activate should my Unemployment funds never show up.

So.... I worry about relatives (my own family) who live in another state because while some states actively care about small business owners, apparently my home state cares nothing for small business owners and in similar ways, it's looking like small business owners and those who are self employed in my state are perilously close to financial ruin.

I personally don't see how the economy can reopen in timely ways but I did have a sneak preview of how long the current funding for people who are approved for Unemployment benefits in my state. And that deadline is July 25th, the anticipated time line for when the current CARES ACT funding is depleted. At least, this is what my physical copies of documents say that were mailed to me from my state UI (Unemployment Insurance) Office.

Super scary right now for everyone. Thankfully I still experience no virus impacts but that's because I abide by social distancing policy and I stay home (for the most part, except for necessity runs to the pharmacy) and when I do go out for a walk or a bike ride, I wear a mask, scarf, gloves and I am super careful.

Just yesterday, I had to go pick up medications and I overheard, while waiting in the waiting 'lounge' nearby, that staffers at my pharmacy location were exposed to COVID-19 (asymptomatically exposed) and now half of their 6 member staff are out on quarantine. They have plexi-glass barriers installed, but the weird part and most telling sign of all, is that none of them were mandated to wear masks or gloves, as an added safety barrier for not only Pharmacy employees, but for the general public who show up to get meds.

So here, again, even in the face of how serious this health crisis is, trained professionals at a pharmacy still do not display a "Safety First" type of mindset and because Safety First is not a core governing principle in their daily lives (personal or public), they've risked their own health and not taken this health crisis seriously, which in turn, has now cost them time off work, and possibly the risk of exposure will lead to consequences that upend their lives in terms of life or death.

I'm continuing to place a high priority for my own safety and I hope you all continue to do the same.

~K.

[Kelt]

Something I did about a month ago out of an abundance of caution was to get a pulse oximeter for the fist aid kit at the same time as replacing my dead thermometer.

In light of this article today, I'd say it's a no-brainer for everyone at this point. I hope they are still available, I got mine on Amazon I think it was about $30.

The Infection That’s Silently Killing Coronavirus Patients

[Kelt]

Things you can't buy now (other than TP)

Home fitness equipment
When this whole thing started I was having my garage finished in anticipation of setting up some home fitness and physical therapy space. It got finished right on time...for everyone and their brother to have the same idea. I am now on a couple of waitlists. I gather that even Joe's old barbell set from the basement will fetch top, gouge, price on Craigslist.

Pets
When I moved I knew I wanted to get a dog either this spring or next. I decided that this would be the perfect time to invest the time into training and learning with a new buddy. Sadly, I was the last one to act on this, the shelters are empty (WIN!) and there is nary a pup to be found.

Freezer
Well duh. I didn't really see an immediate need for this and thought I would get around to it, again, after finishing garage. With some of the projected shortages coming up, I though it would be an ideal now. Nope.

What I am stocking up on
Spices and interesting international sauces and things to brighten my world if things get tougher.

This is coming from someone who rarely opens the wallet for the moths to breathe. Who knew I'd ever be a frustrated shopper?

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Something I did about a month ago out of an abundance of caution was to get a pulse oximeter for the fist aid kit at the same time as replacing my dead thermometer.

In light of this article today, I'd say it's a no-brainer for everyone at this point. I hope they are still available, I got mine on Amazon I think it was about $30.

The Infection That’s Silently Killing Coronavirus Patients

Very informative opinion on the COVID-19 relationship to pneumonia. I just had pneumonia at the beginning of November, and it makes me wonder: did I actually have an early case of COVID-19 somehow? (probably not, but there are people who say it started in the U.S. Also, I was at Disney World and took two flights the week before, I could easily have shared respiratory spray with someone from China.) It progressed exactly as described in the article - by the time I knew it was serious, it was _very_ serious, my lungs filled with blood and I was straining with every muscle to breathe.

So does this mean I'm immune? Does it mean I'm a carrier? I had a pneumonia vaccine around the beginning of December, does that mean I'm safe? Should I or should I not do those exercises they show you in the hospital to keep you from getting pneumonia? Should I be monitoring my oxygen levels, because I have noticed that I am breathing deeper (I had thought that was probably an after-effect of my case of pneumonia - I'm still coughing stuff up out of my lungs. They say it can take up to a year to get it all out.)

These are questions for my doctor - maybe I can get a tele-appointment. Anyway, thank you very much for the interesting article and the tip on the the pulse oximeter.

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

Very informative opinion on the COVID-19 relationship to pneumonia. I just had pneumonia at the beginning of November, and it makes me wonder: did I actually have an early case of COVID-19 somehow? (probably not, but there are people who say it started in the U.S. Also, I was at Disney World and took two flights the week before, I could easily have shared respiratory spray with someone from China.) It progressed exactly as described in the article - by the time I knew it was serious, it was _very_ serious, my lungs filled with blood and I was straining with every muscle to breathe.

So does this mean I'm immune? Does it mean I'm a carrier? I had a pneumonia vaccine around the beginning of December, does that mean I'm safe? Should I or should I not do those exercises they show you in the hospital to keep you from getting pneumonia? Should I be monitoring my oxygen levels, because I have noticed that I am breathing deeper (I had thought that was probably an after-effect of my case of pneumonia - I'm still coughing stuff up out of my lungs. They say it can take up to a year to get it all out.)

These are questions for my doctor - maybe I can get a tele-appointment. Anyway, thank you very much for the interesting article and the tip on the the pulse oximeter.

I have wondered the same about your pneumonia for a while now. You could ask for an antibody test if they are available in your area. It could shed some light on the situation. The jury is still out on whether or not antibodies would confer any immunity, but it would be interesting to know and maybe grant some peace of mind anyway.

I will be interested to see if anything like this comes out in a medical journal. As you rightly point out it is an opinion piece.

[Lyte]

Responding in general...

From one too many microbiology classes, but not an expert on coronaviruses, you'll have antibodies related to the virus (the strain) that made a home in your body. Like most viruses, like the flu, the lil fuckers change, mutate, a lot. A while back, I heard/read somewhere that there were already three different strains found in Washington state. Are they similar enough to each other that they will be killed off by your new antibodies? I don't think anyone knows yet.

A few weeks ago I heard reporters, and I think one doctor say YES, you will have immunity. I was immediately, WTF?!

Since then... I've been avoiding anything on TV. For the most part, I'm reading what WHO releases and the John Hopkins newsletter.

Has anyone else heard of any other strains of this coronavirus popping up?

[charley]

The CDC has issued a warning that the 2nd wave will probably occur during this winter in the U.S., and will most likely be “even more difficult” coinciding with seasonal flu). Obviously, by that time, people will be travelling again between the U.S. and Canada, etc., and it will affect us Canadians as well.

"And in a double blow for the prospect of ending the coronavirus pandemic, a US trial of the controversial treatment Donald Trump has referred to as “like a miracle” has produced poor results." ... "Also on Tuesday, a malaria drug frequently touted by Trump for treating Covid-19 showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in US veterans hospitals. There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine than those given standard care, researchers reported."

The CDC "was also asked about increasing protests in a number of US states against stay-at-home orders from governors, with demonstrations coordinated on social media and evidence of backing by rightwing figures and powerful Trump allies. And about calls for states to be “liberated” from restrictions, which Donald Trump has himself echoed, Redfield said in the interview: “It’s not helpful.” "

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...oroquine-trial

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Lyte

Responding in general...

From one too many microbiology classes, but not an expert on coronaviruses, you'll have antibodies related to the virus (the strain) that made a home in your body. Like most viruses, like the flu, the lil fuckers change, mutate, a lot. A while back, I heard/read somewhere that there were already three different strains found in Washington state. Are they similar enough to each other that they will be killed off by your new antibodies? I don't think anyone knows yet.

A few weeks ago I heard reporters, and I think one doctor say YES, you will have immunity. I was immediately, WTF?!

Since then... I've been avoiding anything on TV. For the most part, I'm reading what WHO releases and the John Hopkins newsletter.

Has anyone else heard of any other strains of this coronavirus popping up?

AS far as I know there was L strain and S strain of Covid-19. The thing about this coronavirus is that it mutates. One being more aggressive than the other. Not one news source has spoken much about the strains since then.

[nhplowboi]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Something I did about a month ago out of an abundance of caution was to get a pulse oximeter for the fist aid kit at the same time as replacing my dead thermometer.

In light of this article today, I'd say it's a no-brainer for everyone at this point. I hope they are still available, I got mine on Amazon I think it was about $30.

The Infection That’s Silently Killing Coronavirus Patients

Yes Kelt, a must have in your med kit at this point in time. Bevi tried to get one yesterday. Every place was out of stock. She had just read how the virus does not manifest in some people until about 24 hours before you pass. The key to prevent that from happening was to monitor your oxygen levels.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Something I did about a month ago out of an abundance of caution was to get a pulse oximeter for the fist aid kit at the same time as replacing my dead thermometer.

In light of this article today, I'd say it's a no-brainer for everyone at this point. I hope they are still available, I got mine on Amazon I think it was about $30.

The Infection That’s Silently Killing Coronavirus Patients

Originally Posted by nhplowboi

Yes Kelt, a must have in your med kit at this point in time. Bevi tried to get one yesterday. Every place was out of stock. She had just read how the virus does not manifest in some people until about 24 hours before you pass. The key to prevent that from happening was to monitor your oxygen levels.

I ordered a pulse oximeter on Amazon last night. They were out of the ones available through Amazon Prime, so I'm assuming mine will come from somewhere overseas. After eliminating the ones that seemed like they were probably junk (1-star ratings and such), I ended up paying $60 for one.

Oh, in my research I found out that some of the newer Fitbits will give you an oxygen reading. Unfortunately, not the model I have.