wow, I live in a small town in Wisconsin and I didn't think this virus thing would have any affect on us, but, I went shopping today at my local Walmart and not a single roll of TP was to be found! My daughter says that they aren't selling it on Amazon either. But, I could still buy kleenex and so I stocked up on that - any port in the storm!

Our Costco was cleared of ALL meat except Brisket yesterday, no frozen veggies, no water, toilet paper, kleenexes amd paper towels not to mention cleaning supplies. Hysteria

Same here in Arizona -

Nary a roll of toilet paper in my town or the neighboring town. People are such idiots! Most of the stores started limiting how much you can buy of many things because it appears some people are selling it on Craigs List and Ebay for a fortune.

People need to get some perspective. 2009 there was no media frenzie and no panic though 60 million Americans had Swine Flue and 18, 000 died from it. Cornona Virus 1000 Americans have it. 40 died (not one of whom was under 50 years of age). All this fear monging is politically motivated. The same media which buried the Swine Flu story is trying to terrorize Americans over a disease which over 98 percent of those who get it will not feel anything more than like they have a cold.

Office Depot where I work has not had any hand santizer for a week and just ran out of toiler paper and other cleaning products.. We still have some soap.

Such selfish buying in the "I Must Grab Everything " mode is totally disgusting

It is happening in some stores here in the UK also.

But the small supermarket I regularly frequent (a slightly higher class establishment and therefore slightly more expensive, I admit ) is acting quite differently as regards toilet paper supplies.

They are offering every customer "a pack of eighteen toilet rolls" at a much reduced price !!

One pack per customer, obviously, but thereby giving equal shares to all

Just absolute craziness. I'm glad to hear people are being forced to use common sense there, Mad! We are so far behind here in the US. The problem with this virus is the transmission rate. Although the seasonal flu and flus like Swine flu are awful and tens of thousands have died, the rate of transmission with this one is exponential. Although it's not clear yet, it appears that the death rate is much higher than the seasonal flu or the Swine flu. The fear is that if we aren't aggressive enough in slowing it down, it will overwhelm our health care system. There are only so many beds in the hospitals and medical professionals to provide the care. Then how do they care for the rest of the population with seasonal flu and cancer and other health problems. This is what happened in Italy where they are having to triage patients.

So far it's been people with underlying health conditions and the elderly. However, although it's not killing children yet, my friend's 8 year-old son who has asthma is at extreme risk and she has been advised to take him out of school and keep him away from large gatherings. And another friend who has an 18 year-old daughter with severe juvenile diabetes and a compromised immune system has also been so advised.

While I'm certainly not going to join the panickers, I am going to stay alert and aware because my husband and I are considered to be high risk because of our ages.

Drac, that is exactly how I feel to. I will be vigilant. Cautious. My daughter said that flights are so low right now that I can get a round-trip ticket to Florida for 48 dollars. But, I don't want to sit on a plane for 3 hours breathing in everyone's germs. i am older too, I have to be extra careful. Going to the store today, I wiped my cart off and before I even unloaded my groceries, washed my hands and sanitized. We do need to be careful.

I just watched a video of people lining up outside at Costco..wrapped around the parking lot. Same here stores have empty shelves.

Same here in Chicago. I don't go out, but my brother said Jewel and Target had no toilet paper, paper towels, or soup. I guess people are staying home to eat soup and go poop! All the schools, museums, and zoos, etc. are closed. I'm not saying this is not serious but I don't feel there is such a need for the panic that is being created. Good thing I had my brother buy me a 27 pack of toilet paper and a 6 pack of paper towels BEFORE this became an issue!

Just to be clear, I needed the toilet paper and I always get the 27 pack!

Also happening here in Canada, our area, Rockland, Orleans and Ottawa are sold out on Toilet Paper , Napkins, Hand soap, etc. These people are Idiots and selfish, thinking of Just themselves and panicking for no reason and others are doing it to take advantage to ROB people by selling it for more Money. But here in our area, the paper mills CEOs were interviewed and they have more than enough product supplies to make an abundance of toilet paper, so there is NO need to panic. A Loblaws CEO said they will Keep on top of the Toilet Paper supply and demand.

Just to show you how some people can be SO STUPID, GREEDY AND SELFISH WHEN THERE IS STATE OF EMERGENCY. Makes me Angry and disappointed......

Same here - it's "I've got mine, screw you." How about you grab a 3-pack of disposable pans and bake a cake or make a casserole for someone who is homebound and needs it. And throw in a couple rolls of TP with it.

Sad and frustrating part is that no one in US started preventative measures back in December when it was first discovered.

We have no hand sanitizer, toilet paper, masks, latex gloves or alcohol wipes. The greed is astonishing. It's putting lives at risk -- people like diabetics and cancer patients and people with immune deficiencies. My husband is in his sixth year of cancer treatment and I'm so worried about him. The virus just hit Vancouver Island and it's headed our way. Hand washing is great until you're out shopping and there's nowhere to wash hands.

We're just going to run the garden hose into the house. A little duct tape and voila, a backwoods bidet!

Just a gentle nudge, here -- this virus is already killing people at a higher rate than flu and we do need to take it seriously. It just hasn't hit North America very hard yet, but it will. Please be careful and stay healthy for yourself, for your loved ones, and for the ones who love you.

We want you to be with us for a long time yet.

Hm. Not a bad idea, actually. Hose from the sink tap? Something to ponder if the paper supply keeps getting depleted.

Hagatha, I hope your husband weathers this crisis. Making light of this disease is easy unless you are one of those people over 50 who are high-risk or you are someone with a compromised immune system like your husband. They estimate that 80% of the people who contract it will be fine, but when you are one of that 20% who will need more care or hospitalization, it's very scary. Overwhelming the health care system is the greatest fear... just look to Italy where they are triaging people over 80 to not receive emergency care. Please take care up there in Canada!

No it isn't. That's media hype. You are far more likely to die in a car crash., driving to the store to panic buy stuff. Chicago street gangs murder more people every weekend. The flu kills thousands of people every year. This virus is nothing in comparison. You should be asking who benefits from all this hysteria. its not the travel business. My cousin loses money every day. She's spending her time canceling cruises (past the 30 days cruise lines have canceled them) rather than booking them. Her family won't starve because her husband has a job, as long it doesn't close down, and they raise their own pigs, sheep and chickens, Also have bees producing honey and a large garden. Because they don[t ive in a city.

Thanks, Draclvr,

My husband has, over 5 years, had two major surgeries, as well as chemo, radiation, more radiation, and more chemo (thank you, Canadian health system!). Two years ago he was in hospital for three months following the removal of a large tumour from his sacrum (base of the spine) because of three different infections contracted after the 10-hour surgery. He has fought long and hard and with his current chemo regimen has a chance at having a few more decent years, and it would be appalling if this virus is what gets him because nobody can get basic sanitization supplies. I managed to find the very last box of alcohol wipes in this city, which means that he does have some means of sanitizing if he has to go out for any reason.

He's a stubborn old git, but I finally convinced him that he has to stay at home for the time being, barring emergencies. I remind him that summer is coming, and with it many days out in the boat having close encounters with whales. He has to stay healthy for that.

Being a stubborn old git is probably what will carry him through! The only voice I'm listening to and heeding is Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director. He says, use social distancing? I will do it. He says, shut down gatherings of more than 50 people? Done. His interviews yesterday put forth the gravity of the situation quite clearly. We either take this seriously or we go the way of Italy was his bottom line.

Please note: While we may not all see things the same way, we are all adults here so I will tolerate a civil discussion. So far so good.

This isn't Twitter or FaceBook or other social media and anything rude or hatefully bashing anothers opinion in a harsh way will be promptly deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned temporarily or permanently. I have not edited anything or deleted anything to this point, but I am just asking everyone to think hard before you post because I can see that the more the country becomes locked down that tempers will start to escalate. I thank you all for your consideration of others.

Ana

Yes, absolutely we need to stay isolated. If there's a country or province-wide shutdown, things could get bad.

I've been doing a bit of shopping over the last two days, and it's an eye-opener. Everyone is panicking and buying up case-lots of everything, and now there are no canned goods anywhere except for the most expensive soups and a few random leftover cans of tomatoes. No frozen vegetables, very few frozen fruits, almost no onions or garlic. The list goes on. Fortunately I always have large stores of pastas, sauces and dried beans and lentils, so we might be a bit carby and bored, but we won't suffer too much if we have to stay in for a while.

At least people are taking it seriously, though, and are choosing to self-isolate before things get bad here instead of waiting. The streets are empty. The only busy places are the grocery store parking lots.

I'm predicting that all of a sudden everyone will remember about their pets, and then there will be shortages of kitty litter and treats, not to mention food. Because we are ruled by our furry Ayatollah, She Who Must Be Obeyed, the Fluffy Fuhrer, (may her reign be great and victorious), I made sure that we have adequate supplies of everything cat-related except, alas, frozen Spot Prawns, which are not in season.

Walmart is all out of that and our save on foods they are all out but the bad part is the other day a guy knocked over a elderly lady and took her paper from herin Walmart but the police were called in and he got charged Costo people were lined up there from the road way right to the door another guy got caught selling it off the back of his truck what are these crazy greedy people doing .

This kind of situation seems to bring out the best in some people and the worst in others.

people are buying alot of supplies there, there was not any beef, or breads, , all the items were gone,, almost.

I wish our grocery stores here would handle things the same way. Much more civilized.

I can't understand why stores aren't limiting purchases. I mean, nobody needs ALL of the hand sanitizer, or canned tomatoes, or soups. I asked a pharmacist today about putting limits on things and he said that until they get notification from Head Office they won't do it.

Boy, the world sure changed in the blink of an eye.

And thank you for the reminder, Ana! This is a time to come together as a community of Americans and a community of the rest of the countries in the world and help each other, not hoard toilet paper or get angry with each other. This too shall pass as they say, and I think how we handle it will say a lot about us as citizens and humans. I donated a large bag of dog food, a case of canned cat food and several boxes of kitty litter to one of our local pantries which also caters to pets in need, Hagatha!

I am lucky that I have a freezer full of meats, shelves full of home canned tomatoes, pickles, potatoes and sauces in the basement, and several gallon bags of bone broth in the freezer. There was no bread today, but no biggie - I have plenty of flour and yeast and I will just bake some. We won't starve here!

Not gonna lie... I did buy 3 bottles of wine just in case!

I think some stores are rationing now (if they have anything left to ration). It seems like it just happened "all of a sudden" that the shelves were empty and nobody realized prior to that, that rationing should be required. I do hope the stores are able to restock.

Draclvr, no shame in that

What I did not like reading is that guns and ammunition were also being bought up????????????

Stopped at a couple of stores today to get some oven cleaner and a couple of other minor things. They were restocking, but with very, very few items. Definitely no paper products. Found it odd that all the chicken was gone! Plenty of pork and beef and got a nice corned beef for tomorrow.

In our land of plenty, it's so odd to see al those empty shelves. We're pretty spoiled most of the time.

I suppose if you pounded out the chicken flat enough, you could use it for... Nah....

Oh, Trail! You made me laugh out loud with that one!

The six counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay went on Shelter-in-Place orders this week, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Schools, libraries, sports facilities, museums, theaters, restaurants, etc, all are closed. There are about seven million people in those six counties. It has been quiet different, the half-empty roads and lack of bustle. You still can go to the grocery and can order food delivered from any vendor who does that, but you are advised to avoid contact with anyone other than those you are sequestered with in your residence. People have been told to work from home, and older folks, especially, are cautioned to stay isolated from public contact. We have laid in some food, and are still taking a daily walk as long as we stay away from other people.

We have only had a few residents who tested positive, but that signals a viable population of infection as yet diagnosed. The numbers are expected to rise before they level off.

Here in Missouri, we are getting to the same place. Our governor just announced that he is requiring all restaurants and bars to close by midnight Wednesday night except for carry-out and delivery. Schools are closed and churches are not holding services.

I saw my doctor yesterday for my annual check-up and I asked his opinion. He said, "This is real, not a hoax or the media." He said all the doctors in their system had been receiving constant updates on the epidemiology of this virus and he said because it originated as an animal to human transmission, it is rapidly evolving. A lot is unknown, but we must slow down the transmission rate or our health care systems will be overwhelmed.

Same down here in Alabama Reenie and Draclvr ... I've started working at home and they've started 'drive-thru' test centers which I think is an outstanding construct invented by the South Koreans!

It's the same in the province of Québec.

Being part of the people over 70, I stay home except for a 30 minutes walk every day depending on the weather.

I do not fell bad about this as I have multiple occupations, reading being one of them.

Chief

I was glad to see there were drive-thru tests being done in St. Louis County too. You had to be screened by phone to have certain symptoms before you could get one, but it has been going very smoothly.

Same here, Chief! I did something today to make me look forward to summer... I started about 300 tomato plant seeds!

Apparently pretty much everything is closed here in Chicago also.

Reenie, did you check out the thread on this board titled "toilet paper"?

I combined the threads since we were already discussing it.

Here in BC we're getting to that way, too. Schools are now closed, as are bars and restaurants if they can't separate their patrons adequately.

Of course on top of everything, there's a really nasty flu bug this year, which will make it much harder to separate the various winter illnesses from Coronavirus. Our hospital is already full with flu cases. It's going to be bad if our small city ends up with a wave of Coronavirus cases.

We feel very fortunate because we live right over the water and have a great and ever-changing view. Being at home is never dull, so we'll be okay.

In the Netherlands, the schools are closed, the kids are getting a list of things they have to do this week.
Most sporting clubs and events, all events >100 people are cancelled, restaurants are takeout or delivery only.
I can't work from home as i work at a laboratory for clinical chemistry, hematology and immunology. We process swabs for influenza, for covid they get sent to a bigger microbiology lab. 1 radiologist has tested positive. Luckily no patient contact but he did have contact with colleagues. At the moment they only test patients at our hospital. No positives as far as i know.

Here in the U.K. very similar arrangements.
Being well over 70 I have to self-isolate but having lost my Husband many years ago I am used to being on my own.
Plus my youngest Daughter only lives 30 minutes away by car so she will bring whatever groceries are available and I can arrange to have necessary medications delivered.
AND I can visit Gameboomers at any time I like so my own fortunate situation is pretty positive

I wish you all safe and well in these uncertain times: here in the Isle of Man there has yet to be a recorded case, and with steps being taken on Monday to at last cancel the TT races (due at the end of May) and restrict travel on and off the Island by a 14 day self quarantine period for all arrivals (including those returning) we seem to be off to a good start. However the virus may of course already be here. Our healthcare facilities are pretty limited and UK is probably under too much pressure to help, so we are somewhat holding our breath (as my wife would say "waiting to exhale").

We had to laugh when the first reported activity of the Island's government in preparation a week or so ago was training of additional staff for the crematorium....!

We also now have drive up testing if you get a doctor approval first. We have 68 cases so far but as the testing increases they expect a lot more cases to be confirmed. Our grocery stores are now allowing those over 60 to shop in the 1st hour they open so we can shop without being exposed to as many people. Bill and I are not going out unless absolutely necessary. We live in a very small town and we are able to go for walks every day so we do get out and enjoy the fresh air. We have lots of books and puzzles to keep us busy. It might be a good time to "purge" the house and get rid of all the stuff we have accumulated over the years!

I hope all of you here at GB stay safe in this worldwide crisis.

Here in Florida we are doing the same as everyone else. Robert is still working, but he works outside by himself. I have an appointment tomorrow with my new primary care doctor. Please keep safe everyone. Danish, Eggs, Grits, Hash Browns, Bacon, Sausage, and Toast in the NC. Virtual Hugs to all.

Clearly, since I work caring for others pets, I am still working. In fact I logged almost 13 miles yesterday walking the pups. 90% of my clients are working from home,

At least you'll be wonderfully fit and you won't get cabin fever!


I haven't been feeling well over the last couple of days, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's just the flu. However, we were down in Victoria two and a half weeks ago, and that's when a ferry-load full of dentists returning from a Vancouver convention arrived, carrying with them the virus, so who knows? I'm not very sick, and the other half is feeling so good he's off out in the boat looking for Orca, so we should be okay.

I hope ALL of you stay well!!!

Ana, I thought some of your clients were cancelling?

My brother has gone out everyday looking for toilet paper. I suggested that maybe if he asked, they might have some in the back, so he asked at both Jewel and Target today and neither store would confirm or deny if they had any in the back room. ?? He broke down and bought some Kleenex and napkins just in case. We are okay for now but I think he is getting worried that when we really need it, he won't be able to find anything. We go through paper towels really, really fast here for several reasons, and I go through toilet paper faster than the normal person. Sorry if that is TMI

Just a quick note Im hardly on here since my hip operation ...but wishing belated birthday wishes to all and we have each other please hang in there because this too shall pass no paper easy use a clen cloth and wash it after each use or use parchment paper ...Tissue paper whatever you feel comfortable Stay strong , we will make it through Hugs to all

I've had notices from several doc offices that are closed except for emergencies; dentist has cancelled all regular cleaning appts for the next month. I've also gone online to get some items so I don't have to go to any stores. Hardest one for me was finding 'distilled' water which I need for my CPAP machine. Google directed me to one online store where I got as far as to checkout and there was no delivery dates available. Thankfully I've plenty to do so I hope to not go too crazy being home. Games, reading, Netflix and organizing home stuff.

This morning I realized that, at 66, I'm part of the 'vernerable' age group.

Remember how different the world was before 911? This will be another one for the history books for sure. Stay safe and healthy.

Over the last couple of years I've tried to stay positive, figuring the absence of military on city streets was a good thing. If National Guard is sighted, I may have eat my words.

Prayers to all as things change.

Who knew you could make your own distilled water, butterflybabe!

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Distilled-Water

Same here in Sweden, no toilet paper as far as the eye can see.

Things are pretty much normal here in Glennville. Nobody seems to be freaking out. But when I went to visit my neighbor in the nursing home, they took my temperature,and put me in a gown and gloves, and a face mask. For as light as it seemed, that gown was amazingly warm. I hope this is over soon. The shelves at the grocery store are still fully stocked.

Albert

Albert,

I thought things were normal here, too, and didn't load up on canned goods last week because the stores were well-stocked. A couple of days later I went shopping and there was almost nothing left in certain departments, notably canned goods and baking supplies, as well as all paper goods like napkins, tissues, toilet paper and paper towels. Make sure you have enough food and supplies on hand for two to three weeks, just in case. It never hurts to be prepared and if nothing happens in your area then there's no harm been done.

I hope you are ok, hagatha! Out in the fresh air on the open water is a wonderful place to be! Be well! And yes, I walk all day, every day. Rain, sleet, snow or shine! I love my job!

oldbroad, I lost 90% of my clients right now for regular scheduled walks but I have some that added hour long outings to help me and their housebound pets while they work from home.

Ana

That's good Ana!

i will be glad when we can get beef, i forgot what a burger was.

Hey Draclvr,

Funny you should mention it! Was talking to a close friend whose sister had chrones long before they knew what it was. Her Mom found that distilled water helped so she made her own. The process shown on that site is a bit more complicated from what my friend shared. Her Mom simply filled a large pot with water. Let it boil, then cool. All bad stuff sunk to the bottom and the rest was distilled. Just fill containers with it.

thanks for checking on it for me!

So, by boiling she would have eliminated any potential bacterial contamination, and some scale that's in the solution might precipitate out, but it wouldn't be distilled water.

In order to distill water, you have to boil the water, capture the steam and cool it. Then catch it as it condenses back into a liquid in a different container. That leaves the minerals that were in the water in the original container. The water that's condensed out from the steam is then considered distilled since it doesn't have any minerals left in it.

Drinking fully distilled water is ok, as long as you're getting the minerals you need on a daily basis from other sources.

TM

Yes, what Trail said. Distilled water is the condensate from the steam. But maybe simply boiling the water killed any potential bacteria and her body did better with it.

Life continues in AL, though bread and paper aisles are cleaned out. I'm keeping social distance, but that's pretty much my standard life style so no changes there.

I make our bread, so that's not a problem either.

I'm sad too at seeing folks buy up everything in the store as I'm convinced they are profiteering on it. Had to laugh out loud with the end result of those brothers in Tennessee who bought out all the hand cleaner.

Hubby had bronchitis, but not Covid. Va. son is in "self isolation" since yesterday. He's sick but he also has a brand new baby and 5 kids and no place in his house where he can truly isolate. He's waiting on test results. He does have a slight risk as he has exercise induced asthma. He is generally very healthy though, so we expect him to come through this just fine.

I do say Thank You, God, for the internet on a daily basis, but have been saying that for many years. I'm never bored...too many games, books, movies, etc. Plus the kids are out of school and hubby is working from home.

Yesterday we had to go out to take Lil Soot to the vet. There were sooooooooooo many cars on the road. :wow:

I'd be making bread but we can't find any flour in the stores!

We've got enough of everything to last two weeks except for eggs so we're good for a while, though the lack of fruit and vegetables will be an issue. I am venturing out for perishables later today because we found two small bottles of hand sanitizer in our boat so we can keep our hands clean out there.

Loony4labs, I also have lots to do at home, and I tend to be a homebody loner. Since my husband and I are best friends, too, we can just carry on happily.

We had a happy hour party with our immediate neighbours last night, on our respective balconies. Also, everyone in our neighbourhood is out gardening and walking, just keeping a distance.

It's wonderfully quiet here. All I can hear is birdsong and waves. Normally we have float planes flying back and forth delivering people and supplies to logging camps, but I guess the camps are all shut down now. Of course there aren't any commercial flights, either.

Re the 'distilled' water issue. I do not drink it. Rather I use it in the humidifier that is part of the breathing machine (CPAP) I use at night to counteract my sleep apnea. The humidifier prevents my mouth from going dry. Due to my hare-lip and cleft palate (both of which were repaired when I was a child), I do not get enough air thru my nose at night so I have to breath thru my mouth, so I wear a full face mask which covers both nose and mouth. So, for me, the simpler process is probably sufficient. However, if it came down to it, I'd probably check with my doctor. Normally this isn't an issue because the distilled water is easily found in many stores for less than a buck. To be honest, I'd rather spent the money then take time and effort to make my own, no matter the process. If things got bad enough thu, I'd do what I have to do.

I agree about the empty streets. Used to seeing that when school starts and those attending school are off the road. It's nice but also kind of eerie.

Illinois is now under a "stay at home" order also.

I just saw that news, oldbroad. California was the first, New York was next, and now Illinois.

How is this going to affect your job, Ana?

I'm still working Marian. We are considered essential workers so we are still at it!

Ana

That's very good to know, Ana - thanks!

It's still a fraction of what I'm used to, but I'm really enjoying relaxed visits with the ones I have and I don't need to watch the clock! Thanks for asking, Marian. It's a really strange time for sure.

I've been wondering how this would affect you too, Ana. So glad you are still at it!

A stay-at-home order has now been issued for New Jersey.

St. Louis County and St. Louis City were issued orders today.

Make your own hand sanitizer. Got this from the WHO website and did all the conversions. This will make a little less than 3 cups.

* 16 ounces of 99% isopropyl alcohol. Most alcohol is 70%... I used what I had, which was 70%.
* 1 Tablespoon 3% hydrogen peroxide (not for hand sanitizing, but for killing any bacteria in the solution itself)
* 1 Teaspoon 98% glycerol (to provide some moisturizer)
* Distilled or boiled cold water

Mix the first 3 ingredients in a glass or plastic container. The glycerol is very thick and viscous, so use a plastic scraper to get it all out of the measuring spoon. Add distilled or cold boiled water to make 2 3/4 cups. Stir with a wooden spoon and let it stand for 72 hours to make sure all bacteria have been neutralized.
I got the glycerol at Amazon. Ordered on Thursday and was delivered on Saturday.

Drac, Isopropyl Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide has been off the shelves for weeks here. It's impossible to get.

Same here! We had some in a cabinet already, so looked it up. Amazon has both with supplies becoming available the first week in April.

As a matter of possible interest, apparently good old fashioned soap (or any other more basic cleanser) can often be as good if not more effective than some sanitisers: we saw reference to some recent research (not in connection with the virus) which demonstrated that anti-bacterial cleansers can in some ways actually be a disadvantage in removing both good and bad bacteria from your hands, when the good bacteria could perhaps offer some protection. https://www.thetvdb.com/series/the-twinstitute/allseasons/official

You are correct, Lex. Soap and water, washing for at least 20 seconds is the most effective. I never used hand sanitizers before for the very reasons you mention. However, these are different times! We wanted some to carry with us for instance when we go to the grocery store. Once we get in the car, we can use the sanitizer. I've told hubby to use a glove to pump gas.

Lex, I never use hand sanitizer for that very reason. I don't use anti-bacterial soap either. I believe we need to boost our immune system with everyday exposures. I am, during this time, washing more often and using disposable gloves in instances that I am unable to wash immediately after. I still have clients to service and limiting my contact in homes.

washing hands is my #1 choice when available

I found a mid-size bottle of sanitizer in my car AND a package of toilet paper in the store yesterday and felt like I'd struck gold! I'd forgotten about the sanitizer. I'd bought it in January because we had a lot of flu going around at the time.

Because of my husband's illness I do take sanitizing my hands while out and about very seriously, using the sanitizer every time I get back in my car. The first thing I do when I get home is wash my hands.

The stores that remain open here have set up places to stand while in line at the cashier. Also, people are being really good about maintaining distance in stores. I've only had one person get angry with me for asking her to move farther back from me in a till lineup. She got quite miffed but was soon corrected by everyone else in the line. I guess it's really sunk in here.

Things in Australia are much the same. Shelves diminished of just about everything, national borders closed and some States also imposing self-isolation for 14 days if you enter.
Dumb behaviour was still occurring, so all non-essential venues ordered closed yesterday along with schools. Travel restrictions as well.
Thank goodness for the interweb!

We have bought surgical gloves and use those when we go to the store: they also serve as a reminder to keep hands away from face!

One of the things that made the twinstitute research particularly interesting was how much it surprised the expert to find that soap and water was preferable to an anti-bacterial sanitiser!

As for toilet paper, one of my brothers has many muslim friends who use a bowl of water and a washcloth in any event...

We've been using one of those small TSA approved spray bottles, just filled with straight alcohol. They're only 2 oz., so easy to carry in a coat pocket or purse (up right). Couple of spritzes and you're good to go.

I am once again reminding all to keep your political, conspiracy theories and other subjective points of view off of GameBoomers. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, but these are the guidelines of this forum. If you can't keep in line with the posts here and post what is happening in your corner of the world and not preach your politics, your posts will be deleted. No exceptions. I have a zero tolerance policy.

Ana

Thank you SO much, Ana. Gameboomers is one of the places I love coming to every day to just be with my friends and talk about how we are all coping in our different ways. These are trying times and I don't want to leave here feeling like I've just watched Fox News or MSNBC.

Lex, that is something I didn't know!

So, back to my wallpaper!

Well tomorrow is the first Tuesday that Walmart is having early shopping for us older adults. Will be interesting to see how crowded it is.... or not!

The Jewel here started early shopping last Thursday I think. My brother said it was just the same. No toilet paper; same people. After Jewel, he waited for Target to open and managed to snag a pack of toilet paper. He said there was not much though.

Our stores are doing that too. Unfortunately, they are not stocking them first. We talked to the manager at our grocery store and told him they need to stock after they close at night so there is something for us to buy!

Hot water and soap has always been the medical advice I've been given as regards limiting cross infection.

So I've stuck with it

And as I'm not allowed to be "out and about" because of my age, I'll just continue down that route

But in the main, everyone should do what they feel they are best confident with, I reckon ??

I've only done hot water and soap all my life. But I'm carrying hand sanitizer when I am forced to go out. Tomorrow I'm picking up an order of fresh fruits and veggies at a local stand which they pack up and bring out to your car.

I've stocked up the house well enough that I don't have to go out for at least two weeks, which is good. However, we're reading projections now that British Columbia may be on the same track as Italy in terms of infection rates. Needless to say, I'm worried about my husband. He is staying in except for boating trips, but even so...

Keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers hagatha. I hate cancer!

Thank you. I hate it, too. It took my younger sister at the age of 44.

My best to you and your husband Hagatha, I've been through it with several family members. Make sure you are taking care of yourself as well.

They've updated the mass gathering restrictions here, adding fines and jail time to anyone holding gatherings of 10 or more people. Luckily, our region seems to have leveled off so far, although those cities in the south and south western part of the state with higher populations aren't fairing as well. Ran into town a couple times today, many businesses were empty and traffic was substantially reduced, which is saying something considering how rural we are. Since the UK will be starting their lockdown, I would imagine that we won't be far behind, so picked up a few things to make sure we're set up for a couple weeks just in case.

Shopping this morning went well. I do believe every older adult was there... was able to find most everything... except the bread we wanted and my low carb tortilla's. They are enforcing the not more that one with the toilet paper.. we got some only by one man having more than one and we were standing next to him and we took his. Good to go for a while now. Still low on soups and canned veggies but we buy fresh so no problem there!

Do a Bing search on “covid-19 in (your state)”. One of the results is internal to Bing, and will further break it down by county. It will also list results by country for folks outside the US.

I live in a small rural town. Saturday there were no cases in my or any surrounding county. Nothing within 60 miles. I’m pretty much prepared at all times, but went to the local grocery store Sunday for one of their excellent cherry pies. There weren’t many people there, but the meat isle was wiped out. The bread section was wiped out. Rice was wiped out. There were signs all over the drinks isle saying purchases were limited to two cases. I had no idea what was going on. Then when I checked the Bing status on Monday, we had our first case. I was later told it was a clerk in one of the local 7-11 type stores, fortunately not one I ever visit. Not good.

Albert

Well, our Gov just enacted a "safer at home" order like several other states. All non-essential businesses are to be closed down for a month. Those considered essential is a fairly large list, so the impact will be somewhat mitigated.

There is also the amazing website maintained by the teenager in Seattle since December. He's been tracking the virus by country, by US state and many other statistics. He's gotten quite a bit of press.

https://ncov2019.live/data

He did a good job organizing that site, I'm assuming he's pulling his data other sources to stay updated. Johns Hopkins has been running a similar tracking site here:

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

While I appreciate the stores attempting to cater to seniors with special hours; they don't realize that not all seniors are up and about first thing in the morning. I'm not awake enough to drive before 10 am.

Me either, butterflybabe! Well, maybe by 9:00! But hubby is up at the crack of dawn and he has gone a couple of times.

I ventured out into the cold cruel world for the first time in 9 days today. Scored $300 of groceries including 4 bottles of wine and two boxes of facial tissues! We also have the best thing going in our little town. A fresh produce stand gets wholesale produce down in St. Louis in the morning and brings it out here about an hour west. You pull up in your vehicle, they come out and take your order, shop for you and then bring it out and load in your car. I got apples, potatoes, cucumbers, green grapes, green onions, grape tomatoes and some Cajun peanuts for about $20. Gave them a big fat tip! Their produce is head and shoulders above the grocery store too.

According to my brother, all the old people shop early in the morning. (He's one of them!) Since he does my shopping for me and I don't know what is in the stores these days, I'm having trouble figuring out what to put on my list. He wouldn't know what might be a suitable substitution and doesn't pay attention to prices sometimes, even when I write down on the list what the sale price is supposed to be. A couple of weeks ago Strawberries and Blueberries were on sale, 2 for $3.00 which I wrote on my list. He came home with a 6 oz pack of Organic Blueberries that cost me $3.99!!! But, beggars can't be choosers so they say

I encouraged my husband to use his cell phone to call if he has questions. He’s been doing our shopping and this works well for us.

We just got back from the grocery store and have enough for a couple of weeks now. The store was quite well stocked with the exception of paper towels and toilet paper, of which there was none at all. I did manage to snag some toilet paper from Amazon a week ago, so I guess now I will be on the hunt for paper towels. Happily there was bottled water this time around; the last time we were in there it was all gone.

We also managed to get home and put it all away before a really big hailstorm started, so all in all I consider this outing a success.

Yikes! That's unnerving. I spent some time just outside of Fresno and know how those storms just whip up out of nowhere.

Indeed they do, TM! The weather has been as variable here the past couple of months as it was when I was living in Denver - one day it is seventy degrees and then a few days later it's snowing. Keeps things interesting.

At least our weather has settled down. It's gloomy today, but those awful winter winds we get have finally stopped for the season. Sometimes it feels as though our house is going to blow away.

We have... wait for it... SUNSHINE today! Amazing how it lifts your mood...

Wen to the pharmacy today. What an odd experience. They weren't letting anyone into the store. Instead, they made us line up outside, 6 feet apart, and asked us to come forward one at a time. They passed the medications and the cash machine through the barred door.

The streets are empty. A couple of restaurants are open, but that won't last. There's nobody in them. The only place that's doing a roaring business is the Starbuck's drive-through, and sadly, I am not a Starbucks fan. My coffee shop, a small independent business, is shuttered.

My hairdresser just texted me asking if I wanted her to mix my hair colour and drop it on my doorstep.

Really brings home just what strange times we are living in.

Here in Rockland, Ontario, the restaurants that will last are those that can provide Take-out and or Delivery services.
I went to a Jean Coutu pharmacy and they Six Packs toilet paper and Six packs of Tissue paper, only One pack each per customer, but hey, that is Great considering other stores were out of stock. I also learned that although some of our major stores were Out of these items, if you asked at the Cash, they would get a worker bring you a pack of toilet paper.

Hey agatha I'm not a Starbucks fan neither, are there no Tim Hortons in your neck of the woods?

No, we have no Tim's here, either. I'm not a big fan, anyway.

I'm afraid I'm a transplanted Vancouver coffee snob

We get coffee from a local roaster Collectivo and they sell online.

They're way better than Starbucks, just my opinion on that. Starbucks always taste burned to me. Collectivo's coffees are rich and smooth.

I highly suggest Blue Healer for a daily drinker. I get 5lbs bags of the coarse grind delivered. If you like a richer blend, their Black and Tan is chocolaty and has great body. I'll occasionally brew up a 1/2 and 1/2 mix of the two, when I want something a little richer than the Blue Healer.


TM

I'm going to have to check Collectivo out. I've been getting coffees from Black Rifle Coffee Company. They are quite pricey, but it's supposedly a bunch of vets and they do try to do community assistance.