We are doing the same, WInfrey! And so far the restaurants all seem to be hopping with business. I know a couple of owners and they said people are being very generous with tips etc. and they are doing OK.

Our County Commissioner spoke to us on YouTube yesterday. He said one of the consequences of shutting everything down and people staying home has been a drastic reduction in cases of the seasonal flu! I had not thought of that but it makes sense.

Most of the time I work at a specialist workstation (hematology, bone marrow morphology or hematological flow cytology) at our second location. But I do work at the routine stations in the hospital itself, including evening and night shifts. I did a night shift last week, and it wasn't as stressful yet as there were only 2 positive patients at that time and they were evolving our strategy for dealing with the patients. There are strict rules about the flow of new patients, separating suspect patients and non/low suspect patients and sending them to the correct ward asap. Too bad we still can't test for corona at our hospital (our lab tests for Influenza A/B and RS virus). It would make the correct assignment of patients a lot quicker.

Lack of testing has been a terrible failing here in the US too. I read that they have developed a test that can give results in 15 minutes. Our agency that oversees that has given it a fast track. The medical professionals I know personally have told me that has been their biggest issue after a lack of PPE.

country music star joe diffie passed away from this virus going around. he was scheduled to perform at the kansas state fair in september

I just read that. Joe Diffie is of "Prop Me Up By the Jukebox When I Die" fame. John Prine also has it and is in critical condition.

On top of everything else, since it has been such an unusually warm winter here in Chicagoland, I've had a freak out week due to 'patio ants', first a few on my bath room sink, then worse on my kitchen counter tops. Ordered something on line last Friday; when it started in the kithen decided couldn't wait for it. Menards was closed so last night headed out at 7pm to Target and got some Raid traps. I'm told it should stop within a day or two. I know it could be something worse, don't want to name or dwell even on that positive note.

I keep my hair short and it grows fast. Hair cut will be WAY overdue by the time this is over. I have naturally curly hair and it's coming out big-time now. Whole new look by the time this over! HA!

John Has been upgraded to stable... A friend of mine is his friend...

Oh, I am soooo glad to hear that about John Prine!

I am so glad too about John Prine. Thanks for keeping us informed. I love his first albums/tapes. I have so many favorite songs of his. Linda goes to Mars is one that my brothers always sing to me - I guess they think I am ditzy. Big Old Goofy world is another favorite. Now I will be singing John Prine songs all night! I go to very few concerts but hubby and I did go to one of his concerts. Lots of fun!

The CDC may soon recommend that everyone wear masks to cut down on the contamination. Unfortunately masks are very hard to find. I came across this video of how to make a mask from a T shirt with no sewing. If you want even more protection, use a HEPA filter instead of a paper towel. There are videos on YouTube showing how to make a mask from a HEPA vacuum cleaner bag.

https://mobile.twitter.com/jeremyphoward/status/1244773317548089344

That's quite ingenious. Not sure about using a HEPA filter though, I'm thinking it might be too difficult to breath through and counter its use by drawing air in through the sides of the mask. They should advise to disinfect the mask each time you come back from using it, given the time that the coronavirus can stay viable on certain surfaces.

TM

He does say to wash the mask in soap and water each time you use it and this will destroy the virus. I'm going to find a T shirt and try this.

These "solutions" are not particularly effective in preventing the disease, although they may have some benefit in someone symptomatic spreading it. The reason medical personnel use the N95 masks - assuming they can find them - is because they are rated for entities as small as a virus. When I was trained in wearing PPE, it was all about the seal between the mask and the face. These "everyday" masks are too porous and have no seal. Masks made of cloth take porous to an even lower level. From what I'm reading, they might have some benefit if you are exhibiting symptoms and may mitigate the spread through droplets etc. But if you are symptomatic, you need to stay home anyway.

Yes, the main purpose is to keep the droplets from spreading. There is little protection for the wearer unless it is an N95 mask. A lot of people would need to wear masks to keep the spread of the virus down. This seemed to work well in South Korea and a few other countries that tried it. I am hearing medical authorities reversing their original opinions that most people should not wear masks.

John Prine off ventilator, but still fighting the disease...

John

Thank you for posting that link, Winfrey! It just made my day! Keep fighting, John Prine! I'm going to post at MM too...

That's the Way the World goes Round!!

On the subject of everyone wearing Masks, how about not thinking about everything that is in the media and think of this angle that isn't as well publicized. The number one cause of contacting the Virus is hand to face. Humans on an average touch their face 25 times an hour. Wearing the Mask for me is it reminds me when I am out not to touch my face. Not that it protects me from infection but it helps me to not touch my face. Its a whole different way of thinking that would help very much in curtailing the spread.

So I don't necessarily wear a mask and gloves to protect me from getting the virus from air born droplets (although it sure can't hurt) its making sure that out of habit I don't touch my face, wipe my nose, scratch an eye itch etc. without realizing it. Everyone using Masks along with self isolation should double the stopping of the spread than just self quarantining alone...wouldn't you think?

There are a couple issues with wearing gloves. Generally, medical professionals are saying it's better to just wash your hands if you aren't trained in the proper use or if the intent is to wear them for an extended period of time (i.e. running multiple shopping errands.) They cite these issues:

~Most people don't know the proper procedure for removing medical gloves to avoid contamination
~Viruses can in some cases more readily adhere to medical gloves, so there is an increased chance of spreading the virus further and more effectively if you're using them in retail and / or other public environments
~People are re-using gloves that should be single use disposable, creating a greater hazard

On the subject of removing disposable gloves, the CDC offers a good pdf guide here: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/poster-how-to-remove-gloves.pdf

TM

Yes and yes some more on the use of gloves. The proper procedure for removing them is something you almost need to practice to get it right. My training in wearing and using PPE was an entire day long when I was getting my 40 hour HAZMAT certification. Single use only.

We've also started washing fruits and vegetables and packaging and quarantining anything that gets delivered from Amazon and Canada Post. I've been hearing a lot about people with compromised lungs being at high risk, and my asthma puts me in that group. This is the time of year when my asthma is at its worst, too.

Here in BC our state of emergency has been extended for another month and it looks like we'll be in self-isolation until July, now. Good thing we have our boat, and of course I can always immerse myself in a game.

Good to hear that John Prine is recovering. Not a huge fan, but some of his songs were part of my growing up years.

Same here Hagatha. Any package that's delivered gets a quick shot of Lysol and the contents as well. Any junk mail we get goes directly into the recycling bin.

From what I have read from the Virus Control experts, there is little or no worries from packages, they do not hold virus' like human contact. I know because one reputable site had a 10 Question survey on the Virus and I got 8 out 10 correct. One wrong answer was about packaging and parcels which they state as little on no danger since the virus does not attach itself on such surfaces and the other answer I got wrong one was about Pets, they state that in the Majority, pets do not carry the virus, so most of us who have pets need not to worry as originally mentioned and I answered Yes that pets are a danger of carrying the virus which of course I got a wrong answer on that one.

And if you are interested, below is a short rant from a well know Canadian comedian/host re the virus, it is a short clip:
https://www.cbc.ca/comedy/rick-s-rant-social-isolation-1.5516598

Actually, the virus can stay viable for up to 24 hours on cardboard. Considering packages bounce around with others from all over the country and / or world, I would rather err on the side of caution.

Same here, Trail... erring on the side of caution. It's just not a big deal to be careful with packages. I did just open an Amazon box, but I washed my hands after. Opened the item and washed my hands again.