COVID 19: How are you changing your family life right now

[Depression = 72% of members]

Some experts are predicting that this can be a limited to a 6-8 event if we all take precautions.

What precautions are you taking? What precautions do you think are over the top? How are others around you reacting?

[Skip]

Some experts are predicting that this can be a limited to a 6-8 event if we all take precautions.

What precautions are you taking? What precautions do you think are over the top? How are others around you reacting?

[In a bad way]

Some experts are predicting that this can be a limited to a 6-8 event if we all take precautions.

What precautions are you taking? What precautions do you think are over the top? How are others around you reacting?

It's just a seasonal flu, the media and world governments have blown it out of all proportion, more people die every year through flu. They have fu***d the world up with hype over nothing. Wait until civil unrest starts and we have riots and looting.

[I Am Redeemed]

I have stocked up on groceries (not a crazy amount, but enough that S4 and I will be okay if we can't get to the store for a couple of weeks) and a few extra household items. I think it is absolutely nuts how the stores are empty of toilet paper, baby wipes, alcohol swabs. It seems that now that all that stuff has been bought up, people are realizing "oh, maybe I should have bought canned goods and frozen foods." There are hardly any stores in my town that can keep bread on the shelves. Our mayor declared a state of emergency for our city today and the grocery stores were packed.

I work in a restaurant. We are all taking precautions to wash our hands constantly (we do anyway, but we have probably doubled that) and use hand sanitizer. We have started spraying the tables and other surfaces down with bleach. Our GM announced today that we are closing an hour and a half early until further notice, and he sent three people home before we had been open an hour this morning.

A couple of our major cities in my state have started limiting guest capacity or even closing restaurants. Some will be reopening with takeout/delivery options only, and some will remain closed. Everyone that works in my restaurant pretty much expects that it will come to this for us at some point, possibly soon, and we are all a little worried about how this will impact our income.

[once removed]

the minds of myself and my loved ones are pretty blown.

not a lot has changed yet, personally. im going to the grocery store when i need things. my family has done a bit of stocking up, and we could go for some weeks. i have given up going to the gym for now, that seems pretty risky.

my mother is a substitute teacher, and schools are closed around here indefinitely. i deliver food for a living. we have implemented a "contactless delivery" method if requested, and so far, no one has, though i expect that to change. ive had a few customers chat with me, suggesting they expect my company to be a lot busier...lots of restaurants and bars closing, and/or limiting things to take out or delivery. i think its a matter of time before that stops too.

i personally started taking this seriously about two weeks ago. a week, two weeks from now, things look to be getting a lot crazier.

stay safe out there.

[Skip]

I think it is absolutely nuts how the stores are empty of toilet paper, baby wipes, alcohol swabs. It seems that now that all that stuff has been bought up...

Toilet paper is made in country - we're not likely to see continued shortages.

People stock up when there is panic. In an odd way, the clearing of the stores is good as it is an indication that people are taking this seriously. That wasn't the case 5 days ago.

[Cromwell]

I have enough shampoo and body lotion to fill a small lake.

My family preparrd for this since mid January and we're looked at as being neurotic.

So far the virus has worked in my favour I don't have to go to college exams have been cancelled and we will get approximate grades instead based on prior results.

I work part time in a shop so food and supplies are fine we get deliveries into the warehouse, put aside for ourselves and put the rest on shelves as normal.

The virus itself sars 2 cov

The issue is Capitalism it became more profitable to move into cities and industrialise. Bringing us into close proximity increasing density and the increase in infectivity from viruses, microbes etc it is a byproduct consequence.

In terms of others dealing with it, there is some panic buying which has led to temporary shortgaes but they are being replinshed easily. The shortage is a product of supply not filling an increased demand and this I agree with the prime minister is people buying more than they normally would, creating the shortage.

I still go out and have found it quite peaceful and tranquil. Less polluted. Less people, less banality. I mean let's face it the shops have closed and people don't know seem to know what to do with their lives anymore that doesn't resolve around consumerism and the fetish of commodity ownership.

If we want a lifestyle of holidays (spread transmission across countries} and living in metropolises {wuhan is bigger than London}, thesd issues are what comes with it.

I sort of felt a bit patronised to be told by the mouthpieces of the bourgeoisie that this is time to care for others more and each ot

[insideoutside]

I think its a massive worldwide over reaction.  How the hell do they expect small businesses to survive this?  Utter madness.

[insideoutside]

It's just a seasonal flu, the media and world governments have blown it out of all proportion, more people die every year through flu. They have fu***d the world up with hype over nothing. Wait until civil unrest starts and we have riots and looting.

I'm of the same opinion as you.  I'm in the UK and the pressure Boris Johnson is under to follow every other country is unreal.  There is going to be anarchy if this continues.  People will lose the plot. 

[I Am Redeemed]

Toilet paper is made in country - we're not likely to see continued shortages.

People stock up when there is panic. In an odd way, the clearing of the stores is good as it is an indication that people are taking this seriously. That wasn't the case 5 days ago.

Right. The stores were fully stocked in Thu. Friday the shelves at all the local Walmart, Sam's club, Dollar general, and Kroger stores were cleared. Rumors that supply trucks had cancelled and shelves would not be restocked made this worse.

Some of the smaller and locally owned grocery stores still have plenty of products because they have been overlooked. I've had to direct several friends to places to go for things like baby wipes, diapers, formula, because they needed it and couldn't find it.

It seems that most people are buying up stuff because they are afraid that everything will be shut down. I don't know if anyone who is choosing to self isolate. My sister is somewhat doing it because she is diabetic and over 60, so she is not going out unless it's necessary.

The local news showed people in a nearby large city spraying disinfectant on their kids before dropping them off at school, as if a cloud of Lysol will protect them all day. One woman showed up to pick her kids up dressed in homemade protective gear that consisted of plastic bags over her shoes and head, complete with a garbage bag skirt over her pants. This was before our governor urged all school districts to close by Friday for at least two weeks.

[Skip]

The issue is Capitalism it became more profitable to move into cities and industrialise. Bringing us into close proximity increasing density and the increase in infectivity from viruses, microbes etc it is a byproduct consequence.

Do you mean the Industrial Revolution, the change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing? There are cities communist countries. There were cities before industrialization.

There is still an agrarian and handicraft lifestyle - is it one you plan to embrace?  

I sort of felt a bit patronised to be told by the mouthpieces of the bourgeoisie that this is time to care for others more and each other...

The death rate among young adults is virtually zero. The death rate seniors is as high as 15% in some age brackets. The virus is mostly being transported by the young and mobile who unwittingly bring it onto others.  For example, you could have COVID-19, not be all that bothered by it, and being laying it down on food packing and creating aerosols in your store when you are stocking shelves and someone's beloved grandmother could make her one trip a month to the grocery, and be killed by it.

This is what they mean by caring for others more.

This point is being missed by many...

[zachira]

I am trying to stay positive while thinking what I can do to help others. I know many people have no savings, and I am worried about people becoming homeless. Where I live, the city is enacting provisions to prevent any evictions. I am so grateful that I live near a park, and I can go there to walk and see friends. I can't imagine being confined to home like people in Italy and Spain, who mostly live in small apartments. I hope this is a wake up call for things to change for the better in the future.

[Skip]

It's just a seasonal flu, the media and world governments have blown it out of all proportion, more people die every year through flu.

It's really not the same "bad way". Understanding the problem is complicated though.

1. The flu death rate is 0.1%. COVID-19 has be more 1.4% - that 1400% greater. 2. The spread rate is much faster COVID-19. The rate of Flu infections are slowed significantly by herd immunity (vaccination).  The infectivity rate of COVID-19 staggering right now - it went form zero to overwhelming the heathcare infrastructure in Italy to the point that many other medical services can be provided.

Add these two together - significantly higher death rate and a clear path to infect a significant percent of population - then you see the problem. The perfect storm.

All this happen logarithmically, not serially... people can't conceive logrithmic growth very well.

Serial is: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Log is: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128

So lets say I had a big jar that holds 100 marbles. And lets say each doubled every minute. At minute 2 the jar would be 2% full, and minute 6 it would be 64%. One minute later it would be full and over flowing.

Most people, when on the early part of the scale will perceive the threat to be much less than it actually is.

I hope this helps.

[empath]

It's just a seasonal flu, the media and world governments have blown it out of all proportion, more people die every year through flu.

SARS-COVID 19 is not a seasonal flu or influenza. The COVID virus causes acute respiratory distress in a significant number of people, especially those who are vulnerable. While we have a vaccine and treatment for influenza, we do not yet have a well-tested way to treat the COVID virus; medical researchers are working on finding a treatment.

As for changes in my family life, my d is currently on an "extended" spring break (an extra week) and hoping that the extra week of break isn't added to the end of the school year. Most of my appointments and meetings have been postponed as they figure out how to go to a remote system. Our church has gone to an online sermon delivery and email, phone, text communication. My son and dil cancelled their planned date because their young daughter has chronic lung issues and they didn't think it wise to expose themselves to the potential infection. My son is working from home until further notice.

[Cromwell]

Do you mean the Industrial Revolution, the change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing? There are cities communist countries. There were cities before industrialization.

There is still an agrarian and handicraft lifestyle - is it one you plan to embrace?  

It is called an industrial revolution if we refer to the pragmatic dispossession and clearance of millions of people from the land that provided subsistence and a way of life along with community, to put them instead into a factory, deskill their labour, use child labour all to serve the vested interests of those who saw it as a way to increase capital accumulation and turn away from any notion of human misery, illness, death unless the pool of labour was insufficient to replace, as one would do to a machine that broke down.

What communist cities in what communist countries are you referring to?

As for working on a farm, not sure what it has to do with anything, I would if had to as anyone else would and plenty do not out of more choice than that. As much as myself and others I know get by working in mcjobs not out of choice but to pay the bills. Choice of work is an illusion of sorts, the choice exists as to what is available, it is market driven, my place in that is to sell my surplus value for the highest rate of return. It is the whole point of the labour market, just as much as if hand sanitiser can be sold for 50 dollars a piece easily due to demand, its not going to get sold for 5 dollars.

What we're faced with is a situation where a tiny spec of a minority {you like percentages I will dig it out if you want) with eye watering combined wealth in the trillions could cafe enough to solve these humanitarian problems, except that is the 'point'', they never made it in the first place by being humanitarian, or 'caring for others more'.

It is the country you write from that has a public debt regardless of what added impact this virus will have of way over 20 trillions, a ongoing result of public money that had had to continuously be used to subsidise and socialise the costs of production. When you mention industrial revolution from your side of the pond, it depends what side you are on to call it such. What do you think the native ameican Indians thought when they saw the first train tracks go through their land and way of life, followed later by train carriages, was it 'oh look it is the industrial revolution' or was it 'wtf is that?'

As for your scenario, in a few weeks it is expected the over 70s  will be told to stay indoors for up to 4 months, so her grandson can always visit on her behalf.

[itsmeSnap]

My dad is 60+ with heart problems, so we're being mindful about it.

Its still not spread in our area but we're keeping up with info and are planning for a future lockdown, though not in the panic way many people are experiencing (I still find it perplexing why people are hoarding toilet paper of all things)

Distancing is not really a problem for since we're not really social butterflies, but my dad is really taking seriously the no hands no hugs no kiss recommendations.

We're all making fun of it to keep the mood light, every tv news and show is about covid that its a bit much too gloomy so we cope by laughing it off.

Stay safe everyone!

[Cat Familiar]

I behave as if everyone I encounter has it. Fortunately I don’t see many people because I live on acreage in a rural area. I have had asthma throughout my life and it’s currently well managed without pharmaceuticals.

For that reason, my husband has demanded that he be the one to do all our excursions into town for necessities. He wipes off all items with sanitizer before bringing them into the house.

Months ago I put hand sanitizers, wipes, disposable gloves in all our vehicles and bought large amounts of canned soup, and food to freeze. He thought I was overreacting, but now he’s glad that we are well stocked with supplies.

I don’t get the toilet paper thing. Covid 19 typically doesn’t cause diarrhea—why do people need enough TP to build an igloo in their living room?

Just talked to a friend under shelter in place rules in the Bay Area. The economic impact of months of this is going to be unfathomable.

For all the folks thinking this is insignificant, an overreaction, please check out what is happening in the hospitals in Italy.

Imagine if you needed medical attention should you be in a car accident, or if your child broke a leg, or if your parent had a heart attack. Those hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid19 patients. This is no ordinary flu.

[In a bad way]

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/china/

[GaGrl]

People in my area are talking about how different it feels from our usual hurricane preparedness needs -- we're used to putting together emergencysupplies in time to watch the hurricane path meander across the Gulf of Mexica, wondering which city gets the Big Hit. The virus situation is so full of unknowns -- how long, how critical, etc. With hurricanes, we have a preparation checklist, we know exactly when the evacuations kick in and where we go under those circumstances, and emergency support groups have a protocol that starts as soon as the hurricane passes.

One thing in common -- neighbors check on neighbors. I've had multiple offers of help since the state and county announced plans this morning. I do wish they would close restaurants and bars.

Like Cat, I manage my asthma. I feel great, but at 66 and with respiratory issues, I'm now higher-risk. My husband is doing all grocery and pharmacy trips.

I'd like to start some heavy-duty work on my yard and courtyard garden, but it's free pollen season now, and well...allergies and asthma.

[Woolspinner2000]

I work in a medical setting for both of my jobs. Today we learned that the billing office where I work most of the time for the hospital will have the county Covid 19 testing site immediately next to us, just a sidewalk away. That's a bit too close.

My D33 is expecting her 3rd child in 6 weeks. She is going to stay home for the duration in order to try and avoid getting sick. I didn't know if this was serious or not until I read that some of the first responders and ER staff are now critically ill from the exposure they had to those coming in with the virus. That's significant, and said to me that it's serious. The lung Xrays are scary.

My second job is at a doctor's office. A point he made is that this virus hits so hard and fast that your body doesn't have the time it needs to fight back with antibodies so the lungs are overwhelmed. That's why the older population are so at risk.

I have some nonperishables on hand to hold me over. I will start working remotely this Thursday until the worst is over. Day by day. And I do have enough TP to tide me through some of this. 

Wools

[GaGrl]

My husband stopped for gas today and checked out the nearby Piggly-Wiggly (anyone remember those? They still exist.). He was able to pick up two four-packs of Angel Soft t.p. -- so not only are we restocked, it's not splinter-quality!

It's the little things.

[once removed]

Those hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid19 patients.

this is the part hitting me hardest right now.

we are going to be seeing, on our televisions, on our internet, doctors having to choose between who lives and who dies.

there is no preparing for that.

[heartandwhole]

I am in the Tyrolean Alps and we are in lockdown, as the virus has spread here faster than in any other part of the country. All schools and non-essential businesses are closed. We can only go out to get necessary supplies: food, medicines, etc. We are allowed to take walks around our neighborhood, or go to a local park, but have to maintain a meter distance from other people. We cannot leave the region without a very good reason, backed up with documentation.

Fortunately, we have a large garden, so my mother (who has heart issues, and in December had a stroke) and I can get some sun and fresh air.

We haven't really stocked up, because the supermarkets have pledged to stay open, and as all the tourists have left, stocking is not a problem.

Normally, I would be working, as my job (lots of physical contact with children) is considered health-related, but I am on sick-leave because of a shoulder injury (dang winter sports!) I'm glad that I am at home, though, so that I'm not putting my mother in jeopardy.

I've been reading, doing the house and garden chores that I can manage. The weather has been beautiful here, so it's been really rough for many families to stay in. But most people are following the guidelines that the government has put out. We've seen what happened in Italy, and we border that country, so I think most people are taking this seriously. Our local hospital has over 100 cases, I've heard. This is in a small alpine town of 8,000 inhabitants (excluding the inhabitants of surrounding valleys, which use our hospital, too).

This is not like the flu. It's something new and very fast moving. Even those without symptoms can transmit. I just read an article about a couple in Louisiana. The husband is 45 and healthy. Caught the virus somehow (they described themselves as homebodies), and is now on a ventilator in the ICU.

I think taking precautions, no matter where one lives, is a good idea.

heartandwhole

[In a bad way]

They shut the pubs in England, they don't know what they are doing.
Over a million people died of FLU last year, so far a mere 10,000 died of this, why are they doing this to us?
civilisation has ground to a holt . It's utter madness.

[Cromwell]

So far it is showing as more deadlier than the flu in terms of mortality rate.

it has as a mid estimate of double the infection rate (called the reproduction rate 'R0').

There is no vaccine, there is no immunity built up. knowing how many have it is only going to be mathematical modeled estimates and countries around the world depends on how they are measuring and reporting.

I found this article quite informative for comparing them both
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu 

Take care.

[once removed]

(dallas county) texas is...i dont want to say "business as usual". schools are closed. there is a recommendation of no public gatherings of more than 10 people. restaurants and bars are closed save for takeout or delivery. churches are closed, mine included. thats far from business as usual.

but i still know people personally that arent taking this at all seriously. i still see as much, maybe more traffic on the road, even on a saturday. every business near me is open, large and small, essential and non essential. the nearby furniture store had plenty of customers. hell, the gaspipe had plenty of customers. ive been to the grocery store a few times still (im getting to the point where i wont), and there are plenty of people at all hours, though its surreal to see some of the folks wearing masks.

i shudder to think where we are going to be in a week or two.

theres a lot of normalcy for me in having my job, i dont feel isolated or a part of everyone whom is staying at home. thats not to say it doesnt feel like The Stand when i go out. you know that its on everyones mind, even if they arent taking it seriously.

[iluminati]

In NYC, where I call home, life is shut down.  Unless you're connected to healthcare, first responders, certain parts of the government or providing essential goods and services, all is shut down.  The parks are somewhat busy, though people are keeping their distance.  (They had to shut down the basketball games in the parks though.)  My job in research is technically an essential service, but we're working from home for the time being. 

It's very strange having no chance to be social, but it's for the greater good.  Plus, I'm enjoying the outdoors more.

[In a bad way]

Things have seriously changed all over the world and here in the UK after the order to close pubs and restaurants etc, etc on Friday we woke up to a completely different world on Saturday morning, life as we knew it 3 days ago has gone...For how long is anyone's guess, it could take years.
The problem we have at the moment which could seriously change for the worst is that relatively few people are infected but the death percentage is high compared to the flu, which at the moment has killed more every year than this new virus.
If millions get infected then the death rate will be high, hundreds of thousands die from flu each year but millions get infected.
Now the other problems people don't seem to mention (people seem to be of the mind that in a few weeks everything will be back to normal, it won't, we will be on lockdown by the end of the week) is the world economy is f****.
I can't put a figure on it but here in the UK thousands of businesses will never reopen, as in pubs and everything really despite government help. Unemployment will rise massively ( and worldwide) inflation and taxes will soar, it will be a global recession if not depression.
I know people who still think they are going on holiday in June...LOL
We have to look at the bigger picture, way, way past containing the virus, which at the moment is a long way off.
But I still stand by what I said in earlier posts, flu kills more people than this virus each year, and if we can contain this that will still be the case.
Most fit and reasonably healthy people will shake this off as a bad cold unless it mutates, it's the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions we need to worry about, that's why the deaths in Italy are high, they have a lot of older people, they have a high death rate from flu each year.
It's the social and economic impact and possibly the rebuilding of society that could take many years, we will know better in the next few weeks.
The other problem I see is for example we have given the police new powers to arrest anyone they suspect of having the virus, that's a scary thought, and once the authorities get powers over the people they won't give them up.
You only have to look at how our civil liberties have been eroded over the years.
I could go on but I won't  .

[once removed]

severe effects or death arent limited to the elderly. some 38% of people in one study that were hospitalized were between the ages of 20-54.

theres a big risk (inevitability?) of the virus mutating (it already has, they think there are two strains going around) and becoming even more deadly.

the aftermath is going to depend on good government, for sure. the economic effects, catastrophic as they are, are hardly even on my own mind.

[babyducks]

But I still stand by what I said in earlier posts, flu kills more people than this virus each year, and if we can contain this that will still be the case.

not all numbers are created equal IABW.    comparing the mortality rate of the flu, and the mortality rate of Covid-19 is an apples to oranges comparison.     the flu season is months long, here in the USA it's all of the fall and winter and can stretch into May.    the deaths from the flu are spread along months.     the deaths from C19 are happening in the span of weeks, if not days.        I saw someone the other day use the example of McDonalds... McDonalds can serve a billion hamburgers a year... but if you go to the drive thru and ask for 1000 hamburgers that day, that McDonalds will fail to deliver.     which is basically the health care problem in a nutshell.     that's what is happening in Italy and now, here in my home of New York State.   

also,.. we have all been exposed to the flu, all of us, during the course of our lives has had the flu of some strain and have antibodies for it.    our immune system can recognize it.   Covid-19 is "new", hence the name "novel".   No one had been exposed.   No one has antibodies yet.   Immune systems haven't figured out how to fight it.  There is no built up immunity.

 Upstream Cromwell mentioned the reproduction rate.    so did another poster.     That's a good number to watch.    C19 has a very high reproduction rate.     these numbers are a snap shot in time,  they are going to change as data emerges, but currently in New York state at the reproduction rate we have today, the estimate is that 40 to 80 percent of the state will be infected.   that's a huge burden on an already taxed health care system.

and Once Removed raises a good point,... this virus has apparently already mutated twice... the scientists call it a "slippery" virus because of the way it's cells bond.     that will make it harder to fight in an organized way.

not all numbers are created equal...

'ducks

[Cromwell]

Every single day of masses ignoring the advice is exponential growth for the virus, its chance to mutate (for better or worse)

As for the economic side, there will be winners and losers here. the public socialising the losses (via 350billion that we don't even have), the private keeping the profits. inflation? Try hyper-inflation. Again, they talk of "us", there are winners and losers even in inflation, we will see who emerges out in the end, small businesses out and more capital in even smaller hands.

Im taking Vitamin A and Zinc supplements strengthen the mucosa layer, the virus needs to get through this to bind to and enter a host human cell.

I did not see my mother for mothers day. We are all self isolating even without showing symptoms. My house is being sanitised in case I do get infected that I don't pick up post-infections (there is more risk than just pneumonia). How would I know if I do not have an underlying health condition. How would I know it is not a contributing factor for existing diseases which have current unknown etiologies? That's the whole point of being as cautious as possible until research can catch up with it.

I cant do anything about those who went out yesterday without real justification to do so, and yes there are those who either ignorant, stupid, defiant or whatever, none of it is a crime, I can only change the things I can change.