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How has the CoronaVirus affected you?

March 10, 2020 09:49PM
@KV wrote:

Fact-check, snopes are also left wing biased. None of these are reliable sources of truth. To some, some news are conspiracy and to some they are the truth. Unless one is awake, they always think odd theory is conspiracy. Everybody is free to express what they believe and none should be prohibited.

The fact check article simply points out how the conspiracy originated. The Johns Hopkins paper was the factual reference.

This forum has an unspoken rule of not bringing politics into discussions. I would like to see that upheld, and on that point...truth is absolute, not subjective. Non-political opinions are welcome, but when posed as opinion. Fallacious statements of fact, political or not, do not benefit the forum, or the readers.

I simply think it's important that posters do a minimal amount of research before posting something inflammatory as fact.
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March 10, 2020 11:55PM
The silver lining (perhaps) is a needed change at home. We have stocked up on various items that did not fit anywhere. We re-arranged things and now have a decent supply of just about everything-- just in case. We also have a more sensible arrangement of stuff in a too-small space. Covid-19 is creeping closer... and closer... and recently it entered a town that is less than two hours away from me. I feel ready but not cocky. You will not hear me taunting, "Bring it on!" Rather, I will not be surprised if my April out-of-town eye exam is postponed or referred to another office. I hope that this does not happen. Wait and see and hope and pray...

My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
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March 11, 2020 05:00AM
Both universities of DD's. have shut down. Dormers were sent home. Online classes only. Overseas study trips cancelled as well. Major confusion and unanswered questions. Friends of DD's who dorm are from Serbia, Trinidad and Italy.

They get to stay in the dorms but in isolation. I was out all weekend. Traffic was noticeably light. Usual crowds were not to be found. Commuting to work was normal today as with everything else.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2020 05:29AM by Madetoshop.
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March 11, 2020 05:53AM
Well, with the recent developments of Corona virus hitting Denver, my boss's boss provided instructions finally at my company. If there's any thought of us getting exposed, we have the privilege to just work remote to quarantine ourselves for at least a week. If any loved ones appear to be sick and potentially can be CoronaVirus, we will be awarded paid time off on my company and not affect our "PTO bank," then requested to work remote for a week for quarantine. And same goes if the schools shut down and kids have to stay home, we have the choice to work remote and/or take time off until things die down with the Corona virus outbreak out here.

Still..... Business as usual for me.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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March 11, 2020 04:43PM
Massachusetts is now in a state of emergency. We have 93 live cases that are quarantined in their locations. MIT, Harvard, and more are closed for students, they must move out by Sunday. This is awful!
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March 11, 2020 04:47PM
I'm trying hard to get a full night's sleep every night... My hands have never been more clean... I have disinfected my classroom a couple of times.... My work email has tripled with students who are planning to stay home.... I wake up each morning not really sure if I'll be going to work....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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March 11, 2020 04:50PM
@SoCalMama wrote:

Where I live, people buy bottled water to drink all the time in their homes. It is ridiculous. They think that they will be quarantined and need to have bottled water since they "can't" drink tap water.

I never understood why people don't just invest in a Reverse Osmosis system, even if they're renting, they can still temporarily install one for no more than $150 on a good sale.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
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March 11, 2020 06:50PM
I wonder if it will make it even harder to reach targeted agents?

On the other hand, it may lead to higher bonuses as some shoppers decide to stay home.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2020 06:52PM by KathyG.
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March 11, 2020 06:55PM
I had an exchange last night with a scheduler who was dealing with quite a few shoppers that had cancelled assignments due to coronavirus concerns...


@KathyG wrote:

I wonder if it will make it even harder to reach targeted agents?

On the other hand, it may lead to higher bonuses as some shoppers decide to stay home.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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March 11, 2020 07:26PM
We have a deep well and our water is delicious, tastes like mountain spring water. But whenever the power goes out it's nice to have bottled water on hand (since of course the pump doesn't run).

Makes me wonder if people are buying generators too, LOL! It is the end of the world, afterall. Before you know it we will be runover by Corona virus zombies. I have seen the Corona tequila zombies before, they were pretty scary.

@Tarantado wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

Where I live, people buy bottled water to drink all the time in their homes. It is ridiculous. They think that they will be quarantined and need to have bottled water since they "can't" drink tap water.

I never understood why people don't just invest in a Reverse Osmosis system, even if they're renting, they can still temporarily install one for no more than $150 on a good sale.
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March 11, 2020 07:29PM
We had a confirmed case in a nearby city today, so now there are 4 in Ohio. I knew it would get here eventually. I have been doing and will continue to do my merchandising visits at a local grocery chain and I still have about 30 convenience stores left to do this month. Additionally I have 2 takeout food shops and a Carrabba's to do next week. I am not cancelling anything. Next month I probably won't pick up any food shops, though.

@MFJohnston wrote:

I had an exchange last night with a scheduler who was dealing with quite a few shoppers that had cancelled assignments due to coronavirus concerns...


@KathyG wrote:

I wonder if it will make it even harder to reach targeted agents?

On the other hand, it may lead to higher bonuses as some shoppers decide to stay home.
Reply
March 11, 2020 07:47PM
The Seattle School District (where I live, not where I work) has just announced that it will close for two weeks.....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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March 11, 2020 08:01PM
For the first time since I was "student poor" there is canned Spam in my "staples" cupboard. Glad that they now have a lower sodium option.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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March 11, 2020 08:07PM
Why does Steve need a medical certification to read the internet?

@Texans wrote:

I retired with 3 medical certifications in different fields. Do you have any medical experience?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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March 11, 2020 09:13PM
I just had a MSC cancel several of my upcoming shops due to COVID-19. So, it has now officially affected me personally.

I do not recall this level of panic and hysteria during any of the previous viral outbreaks like SARS, MERS, Bird-flu, Swine-flu, Zika, Ebola, H1N1, etc. Makes one wonder. My prediction is this virus dies out with the coming warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere and will be a non-event by May/June... That should give the medical folks time to develop a vaccine, more effective test-kits, etc before the 2020 flu/cold/corona season this coming fall.

"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
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March 11, 2020 09:30PM
@walesmaven wrote:

For the first time since I was "student poor" there is canned Spam in my "staples" cupboard. Glad that they now have a lower sodium option.
I love Spam! I like it in the morning with eggs and for lunch as "chopped Spam salad" (with mayonnaise and chopped pickles), even for dinner as a "Spamburger" cooked on the grill.
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March 11, 2020 09:47PM
Your prediction disagrees with folks with PhD's in subjects like virology...

@msimon-2000 wrote:

I just had a MSC cancel several of my upcoming shops due to COVID-19. So, it has now officially affected me personally.

I do not recall this level of panic and hysteria during any of the previous viral outbreaks like SARS, MERS, Bird-flu, Swine-flu, Zika, Ebola, H1N1, etc. Makes one wonder. My prediction is this virus dies out with the coming warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere and will be a non-event by May/June... That should give the medical folks time to develop a vaccine, more effective test-kits, etc before the 2020 flu/cold/corona season this coming fall.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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March 11, 2020 09:48PM
My school district is cancelling classes for two weeks, starting Friday....

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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March 11, 2020 09:49PM
I've been mindful of shaking people's hands and opening doors. I use my hand sanitizer & Clorox wet wipes after every interaction now, which is something that I rarely did in the past.
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March 11, 2020 10:11PM
Any effective vaccine will be about 1.5 years out. Every world wide company is trying to develop one, but the protocols for testing remain very very strict.
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March 11, 2020 11:05PM
I'll stand by my prediction. The vaccine may take longer due to testing protocols, but it will be developed by this fall, or has been developed already. It may affect the Southern Hemisphere this summer, but will have run its' course in the Northern Hemisphere by May/June. I don't need a PhD in Virology to look at all the other viral pandemics over the past 20ish years or so to make an educated prediction.

I'll also predict that the stock market will recover (just as it has after every viral pandemic or other black swan event over the past 20+ years) although I think this recovery may take a little longer then previously due to the 11 year bull market coming to an end. The market is long overdue for a breather...

Humans have been dealing with pandemics for tens of thousands of years. Global travel has accelerated the spread, but modern medicine has become the equalizer.

This too shall pass...

@MFJohnston wrote:

Your prediction disagrees with folks with PhD's in subjects like virology...

@msimon-2000 wrote:

I just had a MSC cancel several of my upcoming shops due to COVID-19. So, it has now officially affected me personally.

I do not recall this level of panic and hysteria during any of the previous viral outbreaks like SARS, MERS, Bird-flu, Swine-flu, Zika, Ebola, H1N1, etc. Makes one wonder. My prediction is this virus dies out with the coming warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere and will be a non-event by May/June... That should give the medical folks time to develop a vaccine, more effective test-kits, etc before the 2020 flu/cold/corona season this coming fall.

"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
Reply
March 11, 2020 11:32PM
So the spam thing makes me think of Grumpy Old Men... and I chuckled in the middle of a pandemic...

My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
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March 11, 2020 11:41PM
wales, I gained a new respect for SPAM after I worked for Hormel! SPAM = SPices + hAM. I went to the SPAM Museum when I had a few hours before the airport. SPAM is very popular in Hawaii.

My best recipe: SPAM + black beans + spelt. That was my own fault when I spent my rent money on shoes.

Check their website for tasty recipes: [www.spam.com]


@walesmaven wrote:

For the first time since I was "student poor" there is canned Spam in my "staples" cupboard. Glad that they now have a lower sodium option.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2020 01:28AM by HonnyBrown.
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March 11, 2020 11:51PM
@msimon-2000 wrote:

Humans have been dealing with pandemics for tens of thousands of years. Global travel has accelerated the spread, but modern medicine has become the equalizer.

I don't think anyone is saying that this pandemic will wipe out the human race....but how many have to needlessly die?

Vaccines from numerous different entities are currently being tested, but they do take time before being released. Professionals are saying 18 months, so even if that can be moved up, this particular one has the possibility of being widespread before a vaccine is available. Many virologists are suggesting that this one is different and warrants concern for numerous reasons.

It's still unknown if you can get it multiple times, still unknown if it can survive warm climates (but seems to be spreading in very hot areas of SE Asia), and still unknown what the true mortality rate is, so while I am not hoarding toilet paper (don't get me started on that), I am taking precautions to make sure I'm doing my part not to contract or spread anything, and setting up a system where I can work from home if needed.
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March 12, 2020 12:05AM
@msimon-2000 wrote:

I just had a MSC cancel several of my upcoming shops due to COVID-19. So, it has now officially affected me personally.

I do not recall this level of panic and hysteria during any of the previous viral outbreaks like SARS, MERS, Bird-flu, Swine-flu, Zika, Ebola, H1N1, etc. Makes one wonder. My prediction is this virus dies out with the coming warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere and will be a non-event by May/June... That should give the medical folks time to develop a vaccine, more effective test-kits, etc before the 2020 flu/cold/corona season this coming fall.

The 1918 Flu pandemic had a phase where lots of people got sick, then it trailed off when weather got warm. That gave the virus a chance to mutate into forms that not only sickened many more people but also killed some 50 million of them.

Even if it dies out for the summer, it could return in the winter with a vengeance. And vaccines can take years to develop, and may have to be redeveloped every few months as it becomes ineffective--like flu vaccine.

Previous outbreaks of the other diseases mentioned by tbe OP did not affect, or potentially effect, that many people. Still there was concern with the spread of those viruses, just like there is concern now. I would not call it hysteria.
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March 12, 2020 12:16AM
@MFJohnston wrote:

My school district is cancelling classes for two weeks, starting Friday....

We're twenty minutes from the epicenter in NY. We haven't closed yet, but our administration thinks we will close.
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March 12, 2020 12:18AM
I almost fell off the escalator today at the train station because I skeeved (NJ word) touching that moving handrail.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain
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March 12, 2020 12:26AM
@MFJohnston wrote:

My school district is cancelling classes for two weeks, starting Friday....

Will this be part of your Spring break or do you have to teach remotely? Are you required to stay home or can you go about your MS business? Does the school provide computers for the students?

What a hassle this whole thing has become. It certainly is no joke.

There was a death from COVID-19 in NJ this week.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain
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March 12, 2020 12:32AM
Our state has passed a temporary ordinance against gatherings larger than 250. My own county has one positive case as of today. No other info to warn us where not to go.
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March 12, 2020 12:33AM
Of course it can mutate, it's a virus, and they have a nasty habit of doing just that (including the common influenza virus many/most years)

Of course we should be taking prudent precautions, just like we should every flu season. It is too early, for anyone, to tell what effects this virus may have on FUTURE flu/viral seasons. I am only predicting what this virus may do THIS flu/virus season.

After all, this is just my optimistic prediction...

"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
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