Also known as Where's the toilet paper? (In my area, I still can't wait for Charmin Ultra Soft to return.

Feel free to continue on...it's Mixed Bags, so there isn't any "off-topic" rules!

"It uses up a lot of bandwidth to open a thread. The longer the thread, the more bandwidth we use. Unfortunately, there is no income generated on the site so it's all funded by MaG. I kept thinking this thread would die on it's own so I kept waiting. " (Ana's post carried over from the previous thread.)

Thanks Ana. I guess I'm not really asking for further explanation. I just don't get why keeping a long thread open is worse than closing it and opening a new thread. Consider that a rhetorical question.

Please send love to MaG!

Like Hagatha, I like to hear how people are doing through all this also though it did seem the thread was dying out.

I agree, oldbroad. I've enjoyed seeing how people were coping in different parts of the US and the rest of the world.

We watched a soccer match this afternoon (MCI vs Arsenal) where there were no fans in the stands. Fan roaring and singing recorded from previous matches was playing constantly, on the TV at least, but it was mighty strange to see nobody there but the players. A completely empty stadium. There was one big screen with some fans cheering on Zoom or Skype, piped in from their homes.

The way of the future, I wonder?

Zoom just isn't the same. Will be awesome when people can gather again together without worry.

So, in answer to the longer creating more bandwidth need vs shorter thread/topic question: This is a poor comparison, but the best I can think of at the moment. Imagine having a bunch of shoe boxes in a closet with each one containing different parts of a coin collection. If most of those boxes had, say 10 to 20 coins it would be easy to pull them out and take a look at what's inside. If one of the boxes had a couple hundred coins in it, that would not only be more difficult to move around, it would also take more effort to sort through what's in the box.

So bringing it back to the forum, when you open a small thread, it's easy to retrieve and organize the limited number of responses it contains. In a huge thread, the server is pulling in all the response you see on the page you requested, but also pieces of all the other pages and responses. It puts that much more strain on the server to handle a big thread every time someone opens it. Hope that helps

Thanks Trail! That does help some .

Nice analogy, Trail! Much appreciated.

I like that analogy too! I had no idea how to explain it!

The Governor of California has made wearing a mask in public mandatory statewide as of today.

It will be interesting to see during my next trip to the store how many people are abiding by this. I never stopped wearing one, but today I went out and saw plenty of people not wearing one. While our county still has a relatively small number of cases compared to some, the numbers in my county are growing by leaps and bounds. Definitely getting worse.

We always wear our masks, but I'd say most are not wearing them here in Missouri. If you hadn't read about the incident in Springfield, MO where two hair stylists at a Great Clips salon exposed 140 people when they worked in spite of having symptoms. But both they and their customers were required to wear masks and not a single customer got sick.

https://fox4kc.com/news/health-offi...vent-infections-at-missouri-great-clips/

Me when I go shopping

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-3nv...-Training-Suit__75140.1537533327.jpg?c=2

I don't believe they've lifted the mask order here in Illinois but it seems some of the officials are not wearing them as much anymore (mayor and governor). I have still to put one on and go someplace. I hope I can handle it when I do. I do not like stuff on my face. Never could wear a scarf like that. The only two places I want to go are to the bank and maybe to get a haircut. Unfortunately, the lobby of my bank is not open and I don't know when it plans to reopen. I'm even getting worried it may not as it is not a really busy bank (this branch). As far as my hair, the place I used to go had closed and the last two times I went to this other place that I am not sure I trust right now. If I had a better pair of scissors I would just chop it off myself!

Thanks, Trail! I too was at a loss as to how to put it in words! I appreciate you!

Mask-wearing seems to be about 60-40 here, with more women wearing masks than men. I sometimes forget and have to go running back to my car, but I do try to make sure I've got my mask on if I'm going into a store. It makes sense to me.

That's why I said to consider it a rhetorical question. I didn't think I'd understand the answer but analogies are almost always helpful .

The grocery store here in Groveland, Ca starting tomorrow will not let you in without a mask

On Tuesday I took my sister for her 3-month checkup (stretched to 5 months). Masks are required here in NJ, but I did feel sorry for our doctor who was wearing a medical-grade mask, gloves, and a plastic long-sleeved gown. Your yellow-suited guy reminded me of him, Trail.

Regarding shaggy hair, I'm just letting it grow out as I have many times over the years. As long as it doesn't frighten the dogs, I'm not going to worry about it.

Most folks in our area (Al) are not wearing masks. I don't wear one when I run, and I don't leave the house otherwise except to go to the vet. Son and husband wear masks when they go to the store and hubby has to wear one at work.

Tis a crazy time. I cringe whenever I hear someone saying it is "no big deal to get Covid" as middle son caught it early, was extremely ill and now has ongoing lung damage.

looney, I hope your son will be alright. There was a woman here in Chicago who received a double lung transplant and they showed a picture of her damaged lung. It was quite gross.

That's about 60 miles away from where I live. I wish all stores would enforce that.

L4L, I am so very sorry to hear about your son's lung damage.

A former coworker and close friend has worked all year to get staff signatures on a gift she got for me when I retired last year. She is the one person I know who got and survived the virus. She asked me the other day if she could come by to drop it off. At first I was looking forward to seeing her, then remembered I had a doc appt the following day, so asked her to just leave it outside my front door and we'd have to limit our visit to waving. I didn't want to have to tell the doc I'd known and been in contact with someone who had the virus. As it happened, she wasn't able to deliver the gift. But I was so sad I wouldn't be able to spend quality time with her.

Wearing a mask and seeing the garb doctors are wearing, as well as the routine of waiting in the car till you're called then getting our temp taken before visiting the doc; whole thing is infuriating and frustrating.

My two nurse friends, one of whom works in the COVID ICU ward would also disagree with anyone who says getting it is no big deal. She told me she's never seen anything like it. One of her patients was a 19 year old with zero underlying conditions and after 6 weeks, he didn't make it. Just heartbreaking.

I'm terribly sorry to hear this. I guess many people don't understand that surviving COVID doesn't necessarily mean a full recovery. Lung damage of any kind is no joke.

Governor of California came out yesterday stating everyone MUST wear a mask!

I always wear a mask now when I go to the grocery store and I noticed that at least 80% of the people at the local Walmart are wearing one. I had to buy some chocolate milk for my grandson this morning (babysitting) so I left at 730 this morning and I was in a hurry so I didn't brush my teeth first - and I thought - good thing for the mask. haha. Course, then I had to smell myself at the store, which wasn't pretty. We went to a restaurant yesterday for the first time and all the wait staff had their masks on. I have noticed that everyone now has salt and pepper in the little packs so they don't have to wipe off the shakers.

Thanks guys. Talked more with son yesterday and he said they are also going to do some heart tests as apparently this can damage the heart, as well as looking at the possiblity of blood clots. The weird thing is he hiked in the mountains with No ill effects, yet walking in his neighborhood, his oxygen drops dramatically. I'm glad they are trying to figure it out, and there is always hope it will resolve.

I will continue to try to avoid everyone, though I do have to go to the doc on Tuesday. Wonder if she can see me in a hazmat suit?

I'm so glad they are trying to figure this out for your son. I know this virus is causing blood clots in younger people, so hopefully it isn't something like that.

Very sorry to hear about your Son, looney4labs. I do hope he will improve soon

[Good to know that more and more research is being undertaken all the time - which is absolutely vital.]

L4L, I didn't catch that about your son. We'll definitely be keeping him and your family in our thoughts.


TM

Thanks, guys!

Wishing all the best for your son looney4labs.

Prayers and positive thoughts for your son, L4L!

Ana

baldinos giant jersey subs, people do not wear masks, but 2 people, as the grocery store, i hope l4l your son gets better, prayer and positive on the way.

Thanks, guys, much appreciated. He feels okay but he really does miss his runs.

L4L, I hope his condition is fully diagnosed and he can get back to his life.

Stay safe, everyone. This isn't over yet.

No, it's not, hagatha. Alabama is one of those states where it is going up and up.

I did go out today as I had a doctor's appt, but other than going outside to run, I'm home! Course, that's pretty much how I lived before Covid, so not that big a difference for me

I laugh at myself because I'm actually getting to stay home more which is the way I prefer it! Must be becoming a hermit in my old age! Just got home from the grocery store. I'd say about 1/4 of the people in there had masks on. More than I expected, even though we are a small town.

What about the increase in fireworks this year? Are any of you experiencing that? It has been driving my brother and me crazy (and our cats)! A local paper today said that complaints have increased this year more than 736% in Chicago. I asked a friend in Indiana if they are having this problem and she said no, but sent a CNN article about it which mentioned several states having the same issue.

So far, not here. But then we're out here in the country. Gads, I would hate to have my stinky 100+ pound Bloodhound in the house for 2 weeks!

I heard about that on the news this morning So far we are ok. I've grown to hate the 4th as the folks next door set them off for several days before and several days after and always late at night. Our little town doesn't have a fireworks law, so there is nothing I can do. Lil Soot hates them!

looney, we have been dealing with fireworks all year but June has gotten really bad. My brother had been wondering if it was just our neighborhood so it was actually good to see that it is city and nationwide. Fireworks are illegal here in Illinois but are bought in neighboring Indiana and Wisconsin and nobody gets arrested for them as far as I know. Maybe if they are caught selling them or something.

Yes, it has been a problem in NJ and NY, despite laws against private fireworks displays. People just buy up big lots over in Pennsylvania and bring them across the borders to sell them. The night before last in a city in northern NJ a toddler was burned when a round went into his bedroom through an open window. Evidentally, groups of kids think it's fun to aim the rockets at each other. We have a family over on the next street who set them off frequently, usually around midnight. Fortunately, neither of my dogs are afraid of them, but they will bark when we have the windows open. A couple of times they were so loud I nearly jumped out of my chair.

The regulation here in Wisconsin is that you do need a permit to light-off anything that explodes or leaves the ground. That includes firecrakers, bottle rockets and mortars.

You also need a permit to purchase those, so the issue is partially with the sellers illegally selling those types of fireworks to non-permited individuals and the individuals who know that it is against the law, but purchase and use anyway.

We have land in northern Wisconsin in one of the National forests. I used to get pretty irate with neighboring vacationers lighting off mortars and bottle rockets which they had no control over given the danger of fire. One neighbor laughed at me, then karma caught up with them. They ended up setting fire to one of the lots across the street requiring the Forest Service water truck to come and get it under control. They were heavily fined, had certain privileges revoked and never lit off anything bigger than a firecraker after that.

I love karma!

Sorry Trail for including Wisconsin in my post if that information was not correct. That is something I read, but mostly I have only actually heard of people going to Indiana where (I believe) fireworks are legal.

Fire is definitely a concern of mine as the houses here are quite close and people are setting these things off on the streets in front, or in the alleys out back, and sometimes in their yards. We really don't care for the noise all night, every night either. Then, just when it seems to be over at around 1 or 2 a.m., there goes one of those really loud boomers!

No prob Oldbroad. I wish they would crack down on them here. I've got no doubt that some are coming from our state, because the sellers aren't checked by authorities as much as they should be. I was just pointing out they are a problem here too. There's a place that's right on National Forest land, brazenly called Black Cat, the name of a popular brand of firework, that will sell anything to anybody. I really don't get why someone doesn't crack down on it. Just boggles me.

Oh, wow. We do have fireworks here but only on certain holidays. And given how bad our fire seasons have been in the last few years, I'm glad about that. People throwing cigarettes out the window are enough of a problem. You can track the forest fires that start right beside highways all over BC. What is it that people can't understand?

We have also become hermits, though it's almost by choice now. Tomorrow we'll be hosting lunch and soccer for one person that we've included in our little social bubble of about six people in the neighbourhood, but most of the time we're just happy to hang out together. I'm almost starting to feel like our old normal lives were just a dream. There is such an air of unreality about this time. So strange.

I'm not a big fan of fireworks. Been there, done that, no surprises anymore. My dog hates the noise more than I do. Years ago, when I was married, there were always a few people in the neighborhood who would pop off a few noisemakers almost every night during the summer. One in particular was consistent. Everything would be quiet around 9:30 or 10 at night, then 'boom!', really spooked me. One night, my then husband took our dog for an extra 'walk' and found the house that was doing it. Stood by it and called the police. The owner was ticketed, which only stopped it temporarily. Thank goodness, it's not quite as bad where I live now.

This year in particular I wouldn't trust going anywhere near where fireworks are happening. People are going to use them to let off emotional steam. Too scary for me.

I'd like to bring up another issue that I find interesting and just plain stupid. The 2020 Census. Seems to me it's rather pointless doing that while thousands of people are dying. I just don't get it.

The Census is mandated by the Constitution. A Census must be taken every 10 years to count people living in the US - both citizens and non-citizens . An accurate count is required by law.

I looked it up because I wasn't sure either.

I believe the census was actually mailed out before we were aware of all this Coronavirus stuff and the effects it was going to have.

I remember getting the census and filling it out online before we went into lockdown and before Covid was a thing.

Butterflybabe, now more than ever is census data important. It decides where funding needs to go and allows public funding for healthcare to be distributed in most needed areas.

Me too Marian (although I mailed mine in) and if other people did the same, the information is now skewed (if that's the right word). I think that might be Butterflybabe's point.

No, Ana is correct. Now more than ever the census data is important.

Yes, Ana is correct and I'm aware of the reason for the census and that it's mandated by the constitution, but oldbroad gets my point. The way I think of it, 2 million citizens send in their info/data, within the following month 20,000 die from covid. Doesn't that mean that a lot of that reported data changes? Maybe I'm oversimplifying it, but I just don't understand how the data can be trusted to be accurate with so many changes happening right now. The number of people and their needs are changing more rapidly than has happened for a long time, if ever.

I don't remember ever getting something in the mail about it either. First learned about it from Local library send out a notice that their computers were available for people to use to complete it online. Village were I live also sent out a notice that if a resident didn't complete it, a village official would contact that person to remind them. When I went online, the site asked for a number, which I didn't have, but site is designed to account for that. I was done in 10 seconds. I've heard very little else about it anywhere, esp on the news.

I also feel the date will now be inaccurate but the Census was sent out in the mail before this all happened. Who could have known? And while I know this is supposed to be every 10 years, I only remember doing this 3 times and I'm 62??? Seems more like every 20 years only.

Well, when you think about it though, the census is basically a snapshot in time. People are going to die in the weeks and months after completing it with or without a pandemic. Statisticians take that into account. That's probably why we wait 10 years between snapshots. In that period we would realize the overall major shifts in population...people moving into and out of states and regions are the main reasons, as well as demographics. Deaths are going to occur everywhere and it's likely assumed it's proportional to population.

You know what's weird and probably sounds stupid? I actually wrote on the census where it asked about address as of April 1st (or something like that), I wrote next to my answer "if I'm still alive", because, hey, you never know, and that was a couple weeks into my future.

So, I won't get into the math, but there are specific techniques used to take into account the range of variance due to events or whatever, that are built into their data analysis.

Gathering and leveraging the data are two very different things, and those who use it for reporting are aware of the circumstances.

They never use straight counts, it's always subject to analysis. A simplified example would be something like removing outliers from a dataset. There are lots of other things they can do to balance the results, like Predictive Analytics that would give a more accurate view.

Thanks for that, Trail. I always wondered how they actually made use of the data. Between seasonal flu, vehicle accidents, cancer, old age etc, there are hundreds of thousands of deaths every year and I've wondered the same thing.

I just found a site called 'census data', and found a chart showing all sorts of percentage data done in 2019 covering the population dating back to 2014. At least I think that's what I saw. Very interesting. Info on all sorts of stuff.

Over at census.gov they've got a bunch of info on how they calculate and use the data. Their "Census Academy" has some good info.

Oh, jeez... we are starting to have COVID cases spike in our county, which was to be expected with the lackadaisical approach of our governor on reopening. Our town is very small, but two local restaurants are closing completely - no curb service, no nothing - for a minimum of 2 weeks. One had an employee in the kitchen test positive and other is closing out of an abundance of caution. I have a feeling there will be more closings to follow.

Yes, Drac. That seems to be happening in a lot of places right now. This is actually starting to feel more scary to me now. Before, you could feel there was an end in sight somewhere, but now it is starting to feel like, maybe not. I'm starting to imagine a really weird future.

I have felt very wary since news of relaxations to "Lockdown" was first announced. Too many and too soon for my liking ....

We had a spontaneous neighborhood (cul-de-sac) BBQ on Sat evening under a couple of trees. All of us were mindful of sitting away from each other; usually all gathered near food table. It was fun, but weird. Talked about how eerie to find everybody's car at home during the beginning of the shutdown. Some women shared about not going for a haircut in way longer time than usual. Who's working and who isn't. We normally have this gathering around Labor Day but who knows what the state of things will be at that point. Fireworks weren't quite as extensive as usual, just enough to make my dog shiver.

The trick of this virus is, no matter how frustrating it is, we can't get complacent about it, that's when things get bad again.

That actually sounds kind of nice butterflybabe!

It is Draclvr. It was a new experience for me when I first moved here in 2013. It is a cul-de-sac in back of a community center building. Most people don't know it exists unless you are visiting, checking out a place for sale or take a wrong turn. Sad part is that about 20 people live in this small area, but people from only 5 houses typically show up. Don't know why. It's good for me because those who show up live near my own home and I've gotten to know them pretty well. Very helpful and kind people. I always bring my dog and they give him lots of cuddly attention until he gets annoying. At this past party, one of the neighbors went to his house. Minute he left, my dog jumped up and sat in his chair. We all laughed. When the guy came back, laughed and pushed him off. Close friends who knew me, esp after my divorce, were happy I found the place because the area is quiet, well kept and safe.

We have had a big spike in our county in California as well as many other counties in the state. Indoor dining has been shut down again here after having reopened. I canceled a cleaning appointment at the dentist that was for this morning because the Covid situation here is worse now than it was two to three months ago. I did not want to cancel the appointment but felt that I should nevertheless. The dentist and the hygienists come from areas that are actually worse than ours in terms of the numbers.

I find myself wondering how long before I feel like it's safe to go back to the dentist? All of our doctor's appointments have been over the phone, and still are. I don't like going too long without a visit to the dentist, but it just didn't feel right to me. I changed the appointment to the end of August, but who knows what the status of things will be then. I have a feeling it might well be worse.

These are very strange times in which to live.

Here, the news lately is about reopening the schools. I was just telling my brother that I don't even know why they are discussing it right now (the dates). Yes, they need to have a plan for when they do reopen, but normal time to open is over a month away still. Who knows what will be happening then.

I took my first trip out today in 5 months. My brother took me to the drive through at the bank and I finally got to wear my mask.

Five months is a really good run, oldbroad. I'm kind of a hermit when given the opportunity, so that sounds good to me.

We don't have the option of going to the dentist... my appointment was canceled long ago and they are only doing emergency's

Yes, that was the case here for a good while, Winfrey. I am surprised they are doing appointments here now for anything other than emergencies.

Yeah, cancelled my dental appointment too. I will just have to take extra care of my teeth for awhile.

I spent last Monday night in the hospital and was nervous the whole time. Appears I have another blood clot and tiny little pieces have been traveling to my lungs over the last several weeks. So, I'm back on a blood thinner forever. I feel fine and was going nuts when they made me stay several extra hours to take my next blood thinner dose... no option to take it home with me! I made a deal with the hospitalist - disconnect me from all these heart monitor leads so I can get dressed and go walking and I'll stay until 4:00! She said OK and the third time I went trucking by the nurses station at a pretty good clip, they laughed at me and said it sure appeared I wasn't having any trouble breathing! I just hated being there because I know there are a lot of COVID patients there too and who knows what else. Couldn't wait to get home to my little sanctuary and my 114 tomato plants!

Sorry to read this, Drac ! Glad it was a quick stay. This is definitely of the time to be in the hospital. Hope your feeling better.

Drac, I am so sorry to hear this! Sending positive thoughts your way!

Well, it's good they caught it Drac, and I'm glad you're back. We'll keep you in our thoughts as well. Care to send a few tomatoes up our way?

TM

Hi Draclvr, Sending positive thoughts your way! And I hope you stay healthy to enjoy your tomato plants.

Take care of yourself Draclvr. I hope they got the dosage right so you don't need to go back there and you get yourself better.

Drac, I too am sorry to hear about this! Here's to staying healthy and out of the hospital.

Thank you, everyone! Saw my primary care doctor yesterday and he just shakes his head at me. After yet ANOTHER thorough exam, I have no restrictions and can go back to normal. Just have to be careful with the blood thinner.

You don't even get into this doctor's building without a temperature check and you must wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before you enter. There is a Safety Office at each entrance to enforce it. If you don't have a mask, they have a pile of them and will give you one. It was the same at every entrance to the hospital and especially the ER. While I was waiting for my appointment yesterday, I saw a Safety Officer walking around making sure everyone was keeping their mask on. It's good to know at least the medical community understands this thing and is taking it seriously.

At my hospital things are going back to relatively normai. All our outpatient departments are open. Only 1 person without a family member or friend unless needed (kids, etc). Our blood sampling department is only open to patients from our own specialists. The gp blood sampling department is now appointment only (they are located all over our province). Hand disinfection is required, masks only when keeping 1.5 meters is not possible.

My dentist is back to work since earlier this month. Masked. We can visit museums (distance plus hand disinfection).
Slowly things are going back to a new normal.

Jarkeld, that is such good news for your country!

Not a very pleasant experience for you, Draclvr ....

Hope you keep safe and well now and can stay at home !!!!

We are keeping a close eye on things. Can't let this kind of pandemic surprise us again.

Draclvr: Hope you are feeling better. Thrombosis is definately not fun. Which type/brand of blood thinner did they prescribe?

This time I'm on Xareleto. I had a PE in 2016 too, but that time they attributed part of the reason for the DVTs to a 11 cm ovarian tumor! It was benign, but was wreaking havoc. That time I was on Eliquis for 3 years. It's very hard to get these drugs even if prescribed by a doctor. Then have to jump through all kinds of hoops with insurance companies... it's disgraceful, but that's our medical system.

Unbelievable that it's so hard to get those drugs. Over here the insurance companies pay up when the doctor prescribes them.
I had 2 dvt's, left lower leg in 2013, 6 months of coumarins (acenocoumarol), got a second DVT in 2015 (right lower and upper leg) and have been on fenprocoumon ever since. My hematologist reckons a third event would be very likely and probably big enough to get a PE so he recommended that i should take them for the rest of my life.

Sometimes the cause is difficult to find (got a few risk factors including heterozygous Factor V Leiden (found it a few years before when using my own blood for testing a new machine) but nothing definitive, no further testing was performed) but a tumor is quite a risk factor. Luckily they found it and removed it. Even benign tumors can be very dangerous.

Yes and in 2016 my doctor sent bloodwork up to the Mayo Clinic - considered a world class research facility - to check for things like heterozygous Factor V Leiden... everything including several hereditary factors was negative. Maybe it's in the water since I've had two PE's!

Knowing you had DVTs had to be worrying when COVID 19 was more prevalent where you are. VERY glad to hear you are doing so well now.

Here in Illinois, some things have returned to semi-normal. My dentist and acupuncturist both opened their offices after a month of being closed. Hospitals are open for 'regular' business. The college I retired from is trying to work toward opening the college building in the fall, but I just don't see it happening. My friends that have been doing their work from homes are not eager or comfortable returning there with a lot of people around. Right now, when given permission, they an go to their workspace for an hour or so to do things they can't get done at home, like finding and/or filing paperwork. So much normal work material was left behind when things shut down. They like it because they can work in peace with no interruptions.

No matter how much things try to return to normal, it wouldn't surprise me if things go back to getting shut down again before we start finding our way out of this mess. I just don't feel safe without knowing they've found a successful vaccine. If that means limiting my travel for another 6 months, I'd rather be safe than not.

I totally agree with you, butterflybabe. I don't think we'll ever go back to the way it was before and I don't look forward to how bad this is going to get before it gets better.

I think we will get back to some semblance of what it was like pre-virus, but it could take years. If things work out that a vaccine is available within the next year, it will take time for everyone to get vaccinated, and if they use an egg-base as they usually do, not everyone will be able to tolerate. It won't be safe to be in a crowded room for a long time. The health problems and deaths relating to the virus will continue for a while. It wouldn't surprise me if the life span for those who survived the virus is shortened. Makes me sad and sick that our everyday language and lives have been affected so much by this.

Covid19 being an RNA based coronavirus like SARS and some of the family of viruses that cause the common cold, can be problematic when building a preventive treatment. The main reason is the rate that those type of viruses sometimes mutate.

That said, it's not impossible because we have vaccines for a number of RNA based viruses that work great. I agree that it will take years for things to return to normal, and I wonder if they are being overly optimistic when they say we'll have an effective vaccine by winter, or by next year. That seems really hard to estimate until they truly determine that the virus mutations are relatively similar or when it turns "stable". I do have hope that they will find some sort of treatment soon due to the sheer number of resources investing time into this. I just hope they are looking outside of the vaccine box when trying to develop a preventative.

In the mean time, I also hope people finally learn to help each other as opposed to duking it out over the last roll of toilet paper. On a selfish note, I also hope the internet stays up, and that safe harbors like Gameboomers stay running through it all. Also, so I can continue to binge watch Star Trek when I get depressed

Well said, Trail

Well, hair salons were just shut down in my county again (along with some other restrictions) by order of the governor, so it looks to me like my decision to cancel my dental cleaning appointment was the right decision to make. I would be surprised if the dentists around here did not revert now to emergency visits only.

Hear, hear, Trail! The prevalent mutation right now seems to be fairly stable, but they are really worrying that it's going to stealthily mutate again.

Was talking with a friend of mine who said something that made sense to me. A vaccine will take time, the trick/hope is to find an antivirus/antidote to curb/stop the virus from affecting people who catch it. This could allow some easing of the social distancing. If you get it, a hospital can give you a 'cure'. Something has to be found to assist in this way because, from what I gather, covid is just the start of a new line of the most potential virus that we've ever faced.

I still can't believe this is happening. Who'd thought any of us would have to face something like this in our lifetimes?

Yeah, it's some crazy stuff. Reminds me of sci-fi novels I've read...


On a lighter note, you guys might be familiar with Zfrank's YouTube channel. He does those Morgan Freeman style, parody docu-vids. He did one back in April that I missed about pets in isolation, when the lockdown was going everywhere. It's pretty funny, although the last one with the dog was so cute and true it made me tear up a little.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5Ejup_nfPY

That was too cute, Trail!

My town is now a covid hotspot. 28 people have tested positive in the last few days. It started with a bar. My stepdaughter has to spend a week in quarantaine (her hairdresser tested positive), and my wife has lost her sense of taste and smell. She has an appointment to get tested on friday. Looks like the second wave is coming.

That's not good news Jarkeld. I hope all turns out well with your family and your town. My city is dialing back a little bit on their "openings". Bars had been approved for opening a couple of weeks ago but now they can only be open if they serve food and they do that outside (if I understand it correctly). I still will not go to get my hair cut, and today took some scissors to it myself but only cut the ends a little because I am not sure I can do it. Not that anybody would see it since I don't go out anywhere, but...

Oh, no, Jarkeld! I was hoping you were ahead of the game there. We are having a huge spike in my local area too, but it's still just a part of the first wave.. I just found out someone we know very, very well has tested positive. He is still home, but is very sick. He's in his late 70's, so we are all quite worried. My good thoughts are with you and your family.

Trail, speaking of sci-fi novels; I read/heard somewhere that Stephen King is spooked since he couldn't have produced a piece of fiction much better/scarier than what is happening now. It would be hard for me to be interested in reading/watching something that I've already lived thru.

Jarkeld, sending positive thoughts your family's way. So sorry to hear!

Drac, sending positive thoughts to your friends way too!

oldbroad, I only get my hair cut once a year so I'm still good for a long while.

Mine is going on 2 years now Ana. It is in my way!

Just a 'Hello' from across the pond, haven't been around for ages. Some might remember me, I feel I haven't been well for a long time. They couldn't find anything when I had tests and I kept telling them I didn't feel well at all. Then just lets say my colitis started raging. I am now on imune suppressants, life is difficult but we manage, 'carry on reguardless' chin up friends new and old. I can't believe what I hear about going on over there and I fear for my sister in Redwood City, ca. She's my little big sis, I always was bigger than her. Thinking of you all, stay strong. I'll be rooting around the forum for Ideas on a new game to play. Have to say I've had a lot of trouble with BIGFISH games of late or the download manager the customer service blames windows 10, I've tried all sorts and wondered if I should have bothered with win 10. As Felix looks down on me from the shelf by the tv in my santuary. Rather disaproving if you ask me. Love to all Johnnycowgirl

I certainly do remember you, Johnnycowgirl, and I am sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well and that your life has had such difficulties.

I am also sorry to hear you have been having trouble with Big Fish games - I haven't had any technical problems at all with them. Don't hesitate to ask questions in our Glitches forums for any problems you might be having. It would be nice if Felix were not looking at you disapprovingly.

Good to hear from you.

You stay strong too Johnnycowgirl and on Felix.

Nice to see you, Johnnycowgirl I remember you too. Certainly hope they can figure out how to make you feel better... colitis is an awful disease. My DIL had it. I have Windows 10 and don't have any problems with Big Fish either. Please come see us in the Glitches forum and maybe we can help you!

Hey I thought Draclvr was familiar of course I love anything to do with that guy too. Good to hear from you and Marian. I see a certain Tgre is still about. And goodaye to u oldbroad. I have been with Bigfish a long time now emailed them many times over the years mainly the early days so I automaticly (spellcheck) compatability etc, I'll think about droping into hints and glitches but I have a few games on steam i am playing at the mo. I never did find my way out of the fog in Dracula 5, well [blip]!
bfn johnnycowgirl

Hi Johnnycowgirl! I remember you too and it's so nice you stopped in! So very sorry to hear about your health issues and your added difficulties with BF. I hope you can get both sorted out.

Ana

Hey, everyone. Hope you're all still safe.

We seem to have things more or less under control here in BC except for the young party-goers in places like Kelowna, which is a summer party hotspot.. Of course young people feel that they're bullet-proof. The problem is that the rest of us aren't. Also, we do have people from the US here going places they aren't supposed to. Americans are allowed to travel through BC to get to Alaska, but some people are taking side trips to Banff and Tofino, so that's a real worry because we can't control that.

We just got through a health issue with my husband that's been hard to deal with, but with an adjustment in medications he's back to his usual cheery self. We've only been able to get out in our boat a couple of times this summer because the wind has been awful, but finally we have some semblance of summer.

Stores and other businesses are now open again but with restrictions on the number of people allowed in at any time. We lost one restaurant, but unfortunately it was the only real fine dining place in town. They had only just opened last year, too. I feel terrible for the owners.

Hi hagatha. I'm glad to see you posting and that your husband is "back to his usual cheery self". I hope he stays that way!

I have been reading that the younger crowd is starting to be the ones getting hit with this thing now.

Yes, now that restrictions have been eased the college crowd seems to think life is back to normal. We're really fortunate to live on Vancouver Island -- we have our "moat."

Because of my husband's health, we still need to be very careful. We will have a few visitors from Vancouver in August for socially distanced gatherings on our deck, which is huge. We can easily have a party of six out there without getting too close. Of course they'll have to stay in hotels, but there are lots of those around here since we're tourist country.

This has been a weird year. On top of COVID, we've had no real summer weather so far. We've mostly had rain and extreme winds. Yesterday was hot and still, but it got cold again overnight and I had to get up at 4 am looking for a blanket. My tomato plants are only now starting to fruit.

2020 has just been a strange year altogether. Glad to hear hubby is back to his cheery self! It's the same here with the young people - they don't think it's going to affect them. The idiots are having COVID parties and purposely infecting themselves, taking bets on who gets it first. Two of them died... I read both their stories and it was heart-breaking. And now the number of children being hospitalized is rising in Texas. This is just a very scary virus and for those of us with issues, having to deal with the people who won't take it seriously is even more scary. I'm skipping my granddaughter's baby shower Saturday because my doctor advised me to stay away from any gatherings because I have blood clots in my lungs.

But tomatoes! Wish I could share some of mine with you, hagatha! We're getting tons and I had hubby get my nifty Italian tomato strainer out so I can start the canning!

In my own opinion, the easing of lockdowns in some locations (globally) might not be the best decision.
This virus is STILL rampant.
And common sense and regard for others needs to be HUGELY utilised

Annnddddd...we now have one case here, linked to the Kelowna parties. So that means we are now back into self-imposed lockdown, apart from grocery store trips and boating.