I have some cloth napkins that I folded and they seem to work well.

I have some cloth napkins that I folded and they seem to work well.

I have some cloth napkins that I folded and they seem to work well.

Thank you for that information. I found something else that will work well.

You can send away to China for KN95 masks.

@Niner wrote:

You can send away to China for KN95 masks.

Ummmmm.....

That aside, there are still no supplies in any of these stores here.....so bare :'(

Look on you tube. There are lots of them. Also you can order them from Etsy.com. There are many to buy from crafters.

I agree. I am currently making some for some people who are at higher risk of complications. I'm using 2 100% cotton fabric with a piece of flannel in between. Seems to be working well.

@roflwofl wrote:

A t-shirt might not be tightly-woven enough.

I read an article where some biomedical researchers were coating masks in salt and found that the salt was effective in neutralizing viruses. Apparently the molecular composition of the salt is sharp and pierces through the virus. It wouldn't hurt to try it.

[www.businessinsider.com]

I'm seeing a lot of commercials for non-profit organizations requesting donations. So many businesses are being affected.

[www.hsph.harvard.edu]

Harvard article on role of diet and nutritional supplements during COVID-19.

Interesting read.

Make sure you have a healthy diet during this time!

For giggles, I worked the new and improved (aka be prepared for anything in the COVID-19 era) budget in two ways. First, I figured out what would happen if my state adopts federal unemployment guidelines and the hubby and/or I qualify for those. Second, I figured out if I could find the equivalent of the federal unemployment benefits (just in case we do not receive fed stimulus money). This was a bit of a challenge. I could do that, but it would take more than four months. But I could do it. Huzzah. Go me.

Shouldn't we have a healthy diet all of the time? I mean yeah, it's okay to junk out a little here and there as long as you take your vitamins and eat well otherwise.

@shoptastic wrote:

[www.hsph.harvard.edu]

Harvard article on role of diet and nutritional supplements during COVID-19.

Interesting read.

Make sure you have a healthy diet during this time!

Yeah, we should, JAS, but a lot of people don't. Down here in the South, it's fried, fried, fried, and then more fried!!! Hubby and I have fried food maybe once or twice a month...that's it. And then it's from a restaurant. I don't deep fry anything!! Hubby and I eat quite healthy, but in my neck of the woods, there are a LOT of health problems due to poor diets. And even though we eat healthy, I still take a lot of supplements...always have. I have also recently read that in Louisiana, because of poor diets and obesity, there may be more poor outcomes from Covid-19.

You do remember I was raised in the South? All too familiar with the fried food thing. But, my grandmother ate fried food several times a week and lived to be close to 90. She also raised her own vegetables in her backyard and worked in her garden. She was chubby but not obese. I think working in the garden and all of those fresh veggies kept her well.

I too love fried food, but I eat lots and lots of vegetables and take supplements. I also limit the fried food to just a couple of times a month...and I am learning to use that air fryer quite well!

Definitely going for my walk this afternoon. I might add on an extra mile thanks to your motivating post, guysmom!

re: healthy eating

a.) food deserts exist, which make it hard for some to get access to fresh and nutritious foods
b.) poverty (and really even middle-class budgets probably at times) can constrain our ability to buy healthier food
c.) food literacy on what constitutes "healthy" may not be at the highest level for some
d.) discipline can be lacking, as junkier foods may simply be very alluring

It's good to know and share this with our family and neighbors.

People can write down specific food items that boost the immune system and magnetize/tape them to fridge door. People can write down what to avoid (e.g., too many processed foods) and also tape them on door.

JAS, Yes, I thought I remember you saying somewhere that you were raised in the South, so you know what I'm talking about! I do think working outdoors in your own garden helps a lot in keeping one healthy. Hubby & I eat lots and lots of fresh fruits and veggies, both raw and cooked. My hubby grew up on a dairy farm in PA and they also had an outdoor veggie garden. His mom used to make all sorts of pies, and she lived till she was 93!! So the outdoor activity helps a lot....speaking of which, hubby and I have been going for walks most evenings, about a mile or so. While most of the parks in my state have closed, the county in which I live has kept their parks open, so we go in the evenings to one of two nearby, and they are usually very quiet, maybe one or two other people walking. He also takes the dog to one of those parks each morning for his walk. The dog has been going there for 12 years now, and thinks he OWNS that park! haha!!

The FLA in my username stands for Florida. Remember when the state abbreviations used to be 3 letters?

Shop-et-al, rice and beans are cheap but highly nutritious. They are generally easy to find, even in food deserts...or at least they were pre-COVID. In my stores they are still abundant, but I have seen posts from others saying not so where they live. I think it was Coffee Queen who posted a bag of dried beans was going for $8 on Amazon. That will change within the next few weeks to a month. I do a lot of work with UNFI. I communicate with their center store consultants in the grocery division for a NE Ohio regional grocer. I have been assured by my contacts that there is NO food shortage and that the supply chains will eventually get back to normal. Some places may take longer than others.

Jas, I was reading it as FLorida, ALabama, MonTana and figured you really get around!

Nope. The JAS are my initials, FLA is where I used to live, and LMT is licensed massage therapist (now retired). I am not changing it now!

Edited to add that I rarely drive more than 20 miles. Sometimes that's a round trip figure. My mini-routes can consist of as much as 10-20 shops, but they are all in a circle and I usually only work 4 hours or less (or at least that's the way it was pre-COVID). I am driving a 2013 car in pristine condition that has less than 50k miles, LOL!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/08/2020 11:23PM by JASFLALMT.

For the last two days, I have been searching for opinions from people who know such things regarding how long schools (all types) should be closed. I found little directly pertinent information. My personal opinion is that even if the curve flattens during the next few months, schools should remain closed at least until fall of 2021. This would account for the anticipated spike in fall of 2020 and prevent additional disruptions in yet another academic year. This would allow time to consider and possibly change some policies which impact on student life. This would provide time to resolve current lawsuits which arose when some schools refused to refund money for unused residence and dining services. This is specifically for contracts that ended due to COVID-19, which was neither anticipated nor included in the original contracts. It would also give an opportunity to perfect, expand, and generally enhance virtual ed for all. Hmmm.....

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Nope. The JAS are my initials, FLA is where I used to live, and LMT is licensed massage therapist (now retired). I am not changing it now!

Very creative! I would’ve never guessed. I wished I would’ve been more creative with mine!

Hah. I found a link to a virtual conference scheduled for tomorrow. The event is called 'Corporate and Education Leaders to Discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on Education Virtual Convening Hosted by Discovery Education'.

[www.csrwire.com]

I think simplistic is often the best route?

I actually love your handle It's true.

.

@Tarantado wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Nope. The JAS are my initials, FLA is where I used to live, and LMT is licensed massage therapist (now retired). I am not changing it now!

Very creative! I would’ve never guessed. I wished I would’ve been more creative with mine!

@Shop-et-al wrote:

For the last two days, I have been searching for opinions from people who know such things regarding how long schools (all types) should be closed. I found little directly pertinent information. My personal opinion is that even if the curve flattens during the next few months, schools should remain closed at least until fall of 2021. This would account for the anticipated spike in fall of 2020 and prevent additional disruptions in yet another academic year. This would allow time to consider and possibly change some policies which impact on student life. This would provide time to resolve current lawsuits which arose when some schools refused to refund money for unused residence and dining services. This is specifically for contracts that ended due to COVID-19, which was neither anticipated nor included in the original contracts. It would also give an opportunity to perfect, expand, and generally enhance virtual ed for all. Hmmm.....

It's tough. Another full year off would delay the development of K-12, in which the lack of continuity in learning and the lack of "taking advantage" of supple and quick minds could be costly.

College students (including graduate) would be in career limbo. They are stuck in between being minors and adults in the working world capable of fully taking care of themselves.

Parents of K-12 students may need sudden child care money.

I do hear you, though. In large cities, such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc., going back to "business as usual" could bring a second wave of the virus. If we then isolate again, I'd wonder if we should have gone back to business as usual to begin with. There does seem to be a possible "start-stop" frustration that could occur.

I wish we had the infrastructure for online learning already place for all students. That'd make things easier. Too bad we don't. Some have it, but large swaths of the populace still don't have good home computer and/or internet access.

I wonder about the mental health affects also of prolonged isolation. Not being able to attend church, not going to sporting events, not hanging out with friends (at least not being able to get within six feet of them)....if that lasts for more than one year, I wonder how people will handle that?

Granted, we're not entirely trapped inside. We can still get groceries, see the doctor, go to essential work services, etc. But just not the same....

I hope we can develop effective enough immunity tests and mass produce them to allow the immune to at least go back to normal life.

Random: I GREATLY feel for grocery store workers, first responders, Amazon warehouse workers, etc. They risk their lives for us, so tthat those of us able to afford to not go out can isolate at home.

This might aid in reducing some fatalities:
[www.yahoo.com]

@shoptastic wrote:

This might aid in reducing some fatalities:
[www.yahoo.com]

Well.... Being an insider with the company I work at, I do know that there are efforts in converting or building new hospitals as we speak from the Army Corp of Engineers. From what I know of the project, procurement might be on-going, so detailed engineering is probably in progress as you read this.

As far as going back, as a teacher, I'm concerned. Both parents of a kid in my class have it, and I'm sure there are many others whose families have covid also. The kids are likely asymptomatic carriers. I teach in NY, and we are supposed to return at the end of this month. I'm scared since I have bad asthma and don't want to get this (not that anyone does!)

I would be greatly surprised if schools go back at all this year. It is usually a county by county decision or a state one. But I think we are putting staff and children at risk is they return before fall. ( at Least)
I know it is a great burden on the teachers to teach in this manner but we all need to stay home.
I am really concerned that some of the churches are planning Easter services. It is very selfish of them and many people may become infected. I think it is both the clergy and the congregants being selfish and stlff fines should be applied it the state is on Shelter at Homem orders and shame on the governors and others who are allowing it.
Thanks for letting me vent,. I have been home for 25 days and only going to the grocery store every 2 weeks.

Yo should try curbside pickup for groceries. Pay online, pop the trunk, no contact. Disinfect items when you get home. Much safer.