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Post by katina2nd on Oct 20, 2020 23:11:32 GMT -6
Looks like we've (finally) got things under control here in Victoria with cases in the low single digits.
Now have to wait and see what happens as a lot of restrictions are lifted. Fingers crossed.
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Post by Mini Mia on Oct 21, 2020 12:51:30 GMT -6
Good luck, Kat. Your weather is warming up, so hopefully your country will be doing better until the cold weather returns. And hopefully by that time this will be over. Although, I just read a news report that this should be around for most of next year too. But, there should at least be better treatments next year, as I read another news report about a hospital having less death rates due to their experience and being better prepared for fighting it. I’m sure newly discovered treatments to combat the disease is a part of that death rate decline as well.
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Post by katina2nd on Oct 21, 2020 22:32:51 GMT -6
Thanks Jox. Been just three, one and five cases the past three days, so as I said, fingers crossed.
I think they are finding better ways of dealing with it now but it's a long way from being under control unfortunately, I see that cases are going up sharply again in the U.S after dropping for a while.
Stay safe.
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Post by Mini Mia on Oct 22, 2020 3:05:06 GMT -6
Thanks, Kat. I try to stay safe. I had to go to the dentist Monday, and I'm hoping I didn't catch anything while there.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 22, 2020 4:57:43 GMT -6
Wow, Katina, single digits! Kudos to Victoria's government for implementing measures to control the spread, and its citizenry for following those measurements. I'm envious.
I think, Joxie, you're right; since the virus has hung around for close to a year now, the scientific and medical fields have found better treatments than when it first appeared. Katina's right too - unfortunately, it's going to be around for a lot longer before it's under control.
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Post by Mini Mia on Oct 28, 2020 1:07:55 GMT -6
Total Cases: 111 Total Active: 12 Recovered: 98 Hospitalized: 0 Deaths: 1
A bunch of students and staff members have been placed in quarantine this week. Most are related to two positive COVID-19 tests. And, if the trend continues, schools may start doing virtual classes.
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Post by Mini Mia on Oct 28, 2020 14:07:18 GMT -6
Total Cases: 112 Total Active: 11 Recovered: 100 Hospitalized: 0 Deaths: 1
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Post by Phalon on Oct 30, 2020 5:02:53 GMT -6
I haven't seen the actual numbers for here in a while; I just know that cases and hospitalizations are setting daily records, like they are in much of the country. But apparently, according to some, the virus is under control. Sigh.
I've read a handful of articles in the past few weeks from both local and national news that, with the number of cases growing and the winter months approaching, people are starting to stockpile groceries again. I don't think - at least, I'm hoping - it won't be as bad as it was in the spring, when grocery store shelves were empty. I saw signs of it this week at the store though, in the baking/cooking aisle - there were big, empty gaps in the spice section, and hardly any sugar and flour left.
Stay safe out there, folks.
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Post by Mini Mia on Oct 30, 2020 11:07:54 GMT -6
Well, crap! I didn’t think about the hoarding. Not again.
I used to think that I wouldn’t last as long as the hoarders, but maybe I’m wrong. They’re more likely to get into fights with other hoarders, so maybe they’d take their own numbers out first? I’m more likely to sit back and wait for things to settle down, so perhaps I’d last a little while longer? I’ve never read Stephen King’s, The Stand, and now might be a good time to read it. I might get some pointers.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 2, 2020 5:45:58 GMT -6
I'd like to think that people won't start hoarding again; I mean, seriously, have all those people who hoarded toilet paper even gone through their stash of it yet. There was never a "shortage" - people just bought it up faster than it could be shipped to the stores. Maybe the stores will be better prepared this time - my boss said she was at Costco the other day, and in addition to the toilet paper aisle being fully stocked, there were 7 pallets of it lined up at the back of the store.
We haven't eaten out since this whole thing started; neither Hubs and I feel comfortable with being in a restaurant. We have ordered deli sandwiches from a cafe and Chinese food on occasion - the cafe was always take-out only except for outside seating in the summer, which remained open this year, but the dining section of the Chinese restaurant is closed, and they have a window with a plexiglass shield inside the door where you pick up your food. I've felt safe in both places, and the employees (the ones I've seen while there at least) were all wearing masks and gloves. Had a different experience this weekend though.
LX and The BF were here for a family Halloween, and we decided to get take-out pizza from a national chain; The BF and I went to pick it up...and turned around and walked right back out. No one - not the people behind the counter, or the preparers had on a mask, even though there is a sign on the door stating no entry without one; even the health department mandate was photocopied and posted on the door. I'm just not ready yet, with the number of cases rising, to abandon caution like that.
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 2, 2020 19:34:48 GMT -6
I'd like to think that people won't start hoarding again; I mean, seriously, have all those people who hoarded toilet paper even gone through their stash of it yet. There was never a "shortage" - people just bought it up faster than it could be shipped to the stores. Maybe the stores will be better prepared this time - my boss said she was at Costco the other day, and in addition to the toilet paper aisle being fully stocked, there were 7 pallets of it lined up at the back of the store. We haven't eaten out since this whole thing started; neither Hubs and I feel comfortable with being in a restaurant. We have ordered deli sandwiches from a cafe and Chinese food on occasion - the cafe was always take-out only except for outside seating in the summer, which remained open this year, but the dining section of the Chinese restaurant is closed, and they have a window with a plexiglass shield inside the door where you pick up your food. I've felt safe in both places, and the employees (the ones I've seen while there at least) were all wearing masks and gloves. Had a different experience this weekend though. LX and The BF were here for a family Halloween, and we decided to get take-out pizza from a national chain; The BF and I went to pick it up...and turned around and walked right back out. No one - not the people behind the counter, or the preparers had on a mask, even though there is a sign on the door stating no entry without one; even the health department mandate was photocopied and posted on the door. I'm just not ready yet, with the number of cases rising, to abandon caution like that. Very wise, unfortunately it would seem you may be in the minority when it comes to taking precautions, which I guess is why cases are rising there again, and the death rate is still so high (despite Don Jr saying deaths were now so low it was practically nothing to be concerned about)
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 3, 2020 17:00:22 GMT -6
Well, looks like I’m gonna have to be more careful. I’m not good about washing my hands, and using hand sanitizer. I’m good about wearing a mask when going places, but I don’t think about it when packages get dropped off or people come to my door. But, I am outside whenever I meet and greet them . . . I’m just not good at remembering to take precautions or cleaning up afterwards. I’m isolated, and have a false sense of security here at home. But the numbers are quickly climbing here, so I need to be more conscious now. (BTW: I live in a very small county, so of course the numbers here will not compare to the numbers of much larger places.)
COVID-19 UPDATE: Tuesday , November 3rd, 2020
5 new cases today:
Total Cases: 131 Total Active: 24 Recovered: 106 Hospitalized: 0 Deaths: 1
I wonder what our numbers would be if everyone in the county wore masks? Sadly, we’ll never know, nor will the whole of the US.
Stay safe, everyone!
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 4, 2020 19:00:01 GMT -6
Well, looks like I’m gonna have to be more careful. I’m not good about washing my hands, and using hand sanitizer. I’m good about wearing a mask when going places, but I don’t think about it when packages get dropped off or people come to my door. But, I am outside whenever I meet and greet them . . . I’m just not good at remembering to take precautions or cleaning up afterwards. I’m isolated, and have a false sense of security here at home. But the numbers are quickly climbing here, so I need to be more conscious now. (BTW: I live in a very small county, so of course the numbers here will not compare to the numbers of much larger places.)
COVID-19 UPDATE: Tuesday , November 3rd, 2020
5 new cases today:
Total Cases: 131 Total Active: 24 Recovered: 106 Hospitalized: 0 Deaths: 1
I wonder what our numbers would be if everyone in the county wore masks? Sadly, we’ll never know, nor will the whole of the US.
Stay safe, everyone!
That's apparently one of the most important things you should be doing Jox, touching a package or some object that has the virus on it, then touching your face without washing your hands is one thing you should definitely avoid. I've taken it to a (possibly) extreme degree in that I clean all food packing when I bring it home, excessive maybe, but better safe them sorry is my motto. Stay safe all.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 4, 2020 21:42:34 GMT -6
Yeah. I really need to start doing better.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 6, 2020 1:12:09 GMT -6
Total Cases: 143 Total Active: 30 Recovered: 112 Hospitalized: 0 Deaths: 1
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Post by Phalon on Nov 6, 2020 6:11:02 GMT -6
A vigilant hand-washer/sanitizer and surface sanitizer here - working with the public, I have to be. We thoroughly clean all surfaces that are touched each morning at work, and spray surface sanitizer throughout the day. I sanitize my hands whenever I handle cash or anything else that is handled by someone else. When I'm running errands, I sanitize my hands upon leaving the establishment, and wash them thoroughly when I get home (or after putting away groceries); my cloth masks go in the washing machine as soon as I walk in the door. As Katina said, you can't be too careful...
...I don't though, clean groceries when I bring them home like I should.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 6, 2020 10:30:00 GMT -6
Yeah. If I worked with the public, I’d have washing my hands on my mind more often. And if I worked out of my home, I’d be more diligent here too about wearing a mask and washing my hands. But home is a bubble, with a false sense of security, and COVID-19 isn’t my first thought when anyone happens by. I’m sure, if I lived in a more populated area, I’d do better. My closest neighbor is my sister, and she isn’t as close as she used to be. The leaves on the trees block her house from my front porch. So, now that the cold air is increasing the numbers, I need to be more mindful.
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 7, 2020 23:18:49 GMT -6
A vigilant hand-washer/sanitizer and surface sanitizer here - working with the public, I have to be. We thoroughly clean all surfaces that are touched each morning at work, and spray surface sanitizer throughout the day. I sanitize my hands whenever I handle cash or anything else that is handled by someone else. When I'm running errands, I sanitize my hands upon leaving the establishment, and wash them thoroughly when I get home (or after putting away groceries); my cloth masks go in the washing machine as soon as I walk in the door. As Katina said, you can't be too careful... ...I don't though, clean groceries when I bring them home like I should. It's a bit of a pain in the old you know what to be honest, but as I said, better safe then sorry. Victoria just recorded it's ninth straight day without any new cases, so looks like the drastic measures out Premier implemented are bearing fruit *fingers crossed* Stay safe all.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 8, 2020 7:16:40 GMT -6
Looking out from a place where it's raging out of control, that is amazing! But that's what it takes - drastic measures, and unfortunately no one here it seems is willing to adhere to anything close to that. I may have already mentioned this, but very early on, maybe even before the first case of virus was recorded in the U.S. and when the lock-downs first started in Europe, I read an op-ed in The Atlantic or maybe it was The New Yorker, that said American pride and the freedoms we enjoy will be the downfall if the virus ever hit here. How very, very sad that opinion piece turned out to be fact.
I was talking with Crazy Cheryl yesterday; we have only seen each other once since February, but talk on the phone every week, checking in on each other and our families. We both agreed that all anyone can to at this point to stay safe is by controlling what we do because you can't assume anyone else is doing the same.
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Post by katina2nd on Nov 8, 2020 18:31:12 GMT -6
Looking out from a place where it's raging out of control, that is amazing! But that's what it takes - drastic measures, and unfortunately no one here it seems is willing to adhere to anything close to that. I may have already mentioned this, but very early on, maybe even before the first case of virus was recorded in the U.S. and when the lock-downs first started in Europe, I read an op-ed in The Atlantic or maybe it was The New Yorker, that said American pride and the freedoms we enjoy will be the downfall if the virus ever hit here. How very, very sad that opinion piece turned out to be fact. I was talking with Crazy Cheryl yesterday; we have only seen each other once since February, but talk on the phone every week, checking in on each other and our families. We both agreed that all anyone can to at this point to stay safe is by controlling what we do because you can't assume anyone else is doing the same. There's been some push back here as well, which was inevitable I guess, but by and large it's been pretty well accepted, and now we're seeing the benefits, short term pain for (hopefully) long term gain. Of course we'll have to wait and see what transpires as restrictions are lifted (some already have been) and things return to something like normalcy. Stay safe.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 12, 2020 1:06:24 GMT -6
Total Cases: 174 Total Active: 48 Hospitalized: 4 Recovered: 125 Deaths: 1
I don't recall where we were discussing paper towels, but . . . Monday, I had a dental appointment, so I went to the grocery store, and I found they had Bounty. I thought it was their cheaper version, but even that is better than what I've been buying since this all started. I got two packs. Got home, and it was their good version. Tuesday, I had to take the dog to get a hair cut, so stopped by the Dollar Store, and they had a huge package of Bounty, so I only got one. The things that make me happy now. The stores had better options for toilet paper as well, so I got some of that too.
Be safe everyone. And I hope your stores are better stocked now, if they haven't been in a long while.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 13, 2020 5:28:23 GMT -6
Our county is in the red zone now, with over a 15% positivity rate average for the past seven days; much of West Michigan is the same. Hospitalizations are on the rise, and some are reaching capacity.
The grocery store I frequent has been hit or miss through much of this. When I went this week, they actually had Lysol spray, which I haven't seen since the beginning. The meat department though, had some very weird options - no chicken breasts or thighs, for example, but they had plenty of legs, and lots of packages of pre-made kabobs with fresh chicken and vegetables (which I wouldn't think would be exactly sanitary having fresh meat and vegetables together).
Stay safe; stay well.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 13, 2020 12:51:44 GMT -6
My county is in the red too. My niece says the hospital she works at in the next county is filling up. She doesn’t work with COVID-19 patients, however, she’s had a few patients on her floor test positive. The position she has prevents her from being pulled to work on a COVID-19 floor. My nephew works at the other hospital in the same county, and he said rooms are filling up fast there too. He works in the medication department. He used to work in a pharmacy.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 14, 2020 15:33:32 GMT -6
Friday the 13th:
Total Cases: 191 Total Active: 53 Hospitalized: 3 Recovered: 137 Deaths: 1
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Post by Phalon on Nov 16, 2020 5:12:28 GMT -6
Our county's cases are over 1,000 and deaths are over 65.
I wonder if all those people like that woman you met at the grocery store, who thought the virus was a hoax, and that it would suddenly disappear after election day, have started to take this seriously yet. I would hope so, but somehow doubt it.
I guess we shall see here; as the hospitals are starting to become overwhelmed, Governor Whitmer and the health department implemented a new round of restrictions yesterday, to take effect Wednesday and continue for (at least) three weeks. In-person dining at restaurants and bars are closed, high-schools and colleges will switch to remote classes only, indoor gatherings at movies, casinos, sporting events and the like are prohibited, and family gatherings are restricted to between two households - not a complete stay-at-home order, but more restricted than we have been. Hopefully, it'll do a lot to curb the spread....if people adhere to it.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 17, 2020 1:18:01 GMT -6
Yeah. I doubt it. I've been out a few times last week, and there are people still not wearing masks. I'm sure they've come up with another excuse as to why this farce is still going on.
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Post by moonglum on Nov 17, 2020 2:47:27 GMT -6
I've not been on this thread much recently. We've now got a permanent broadband connection again rather than the mobile one we've been using for the last 6-7 months. I've just been looking up some figures for cases in our county. They give the uk figures as numbers per 100,000 per week. So, going by an estimated (government estimate, not mine) population of 1.842 million in Essex in 2020, the number of cases is 106.5 per 100,000 per week. If my maths is correct, thats 18.42 times 106.5 = 1,962 (rounded up). That's for the week up to 5-11-20. That is from the official government website. I've looked at various local council and media sites and they all give different ways of collating the figures, therefore different results. I might be thick but, I'm confused. It's no wonder the country is confused.
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Post by Phalon on Nov 18, 2020 6:05:13 GMT -6
HA! If you are confused, I, someone who has absolutely no comprehension of that kind of math, am utterly bewildered.
Here's some basic math I can comprehend though: in this week's small town newspaper, it was reported that our county's caseload was at 1,627 (as of November 11th) cumulative since March - 630 cases of that total are from just October 28-November 11! So using Phalon math, nearly a third of the cases from the past 8 months occurred in just the past two weeks. Whatever the actual math is, that's a scary sh!tload.
It's the same across the state, in some places worse than here. Hospital ICUs are at 85% capacity.
It's people like that woman who are the reason why things are as bad as they are...and why our Governor's latest round of restrictions probably won't work, especially when there are those in D.C. who tell people of Michigan to rise up against the restrictions. I know you don't like politics, Joxie, but the divide between those who are taking this seriously and those who aren't is largely along party lines. And it doesn't and shouldn't need to be that way. The day Trump tested positive for the virus, I said to my co-workers, he now has the chance to make this right - since he can never admit he's wrong, all he had to do was say something like 'if even the President of the U.S. can get the virus, anyone can get it. Be safe. Wear masks. Social Distance.' Too little, too late perhaps, but since his most avid (rabid) followers hang on his every word as gospel, it could have prevented some, of not a lot, of the spread. Of course that didn't happen, with him making a show of ripping off his mask for the television cameras from the balcony of the White House as soon as he got out of the hospital.
On the homefront, I have been very worried about my brother and co-worker. My brother and his co-workers went to their respective homes for two weeks between finishing up their job in Kansas and heading out to a new location in Illinois, where the company rented a 5-bedroom house for the crew to stay in during the months-long assignment. After being back on the job a week, one of his co-worker's mother called to say three family members tested positive. Though the crew practices safe measures, they do all live in the same house while on location. The co-worker tested positive, and returned to his home in Texas immediately. My brother and other crew members tested negative, but will have to be retested in a week to insure it wasn't false negatives.
My co-worker, we are sure, had a false negative test, although, of course, we are not doctors. It's been over a month though, and he still has fever, headaches, extreme fatigue, rapid heart-rate, and this weekend, was rushed to the hospital after it was discovered he had multiple blood-clots in his lungs - all signs of Covid. His wife has had milder symptoms for the past two weeks. I would assume that they tested him in the hospital, but communication has been spotty - he is too weak to even text, so I've been texting with his wife, who has been sending the same updates to my boss and I, but since she is sick also, the texts are very brief, and far between.
Stay safe, people.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 19, 2020 16:09:06 GMT -6
I don't like conflict. Politics has too much conflict. I like to get along, and to agree to disagree . . . and there are too many people in politics that only want to go toe to toe. Conflict gives me ulcers . . . or it just feels like I'm getting ulcers.
I also hate to be around others who are in conflict. I feel like it's my job to become the peacemaker. And if I can't get them to get along, to agree to disagree . . . I get stressed out. So, I try to avoid politics at all costs.
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Post by Mini Mia on Nov 19, 2020 19:06:49 GMT -6
Total Cases: 218 Total Active: 63 Hospitalized: 3 Recovered: 150 Deaths: 2
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