Coronavirus - COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #27

[Henry2326]

UK

PM tells Britons to avoid non-essential travel and contact PM tells Britons to avoid non-essential travel and contact

Guardian news on Twitter

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

 

[jjenny]

Anybody knows if microwaving food will kill this virus? You can still order take out from restaurants, but how do you guarantee it's virus free? I am thinking of nuking it.
But will it be efficient and for how long does it need to be done?

 

[afitzy]

Amazon announces it will be hiring 100,000 workers to deal with COVID19 deliveries:

KEY POINTS

• Amazon said Monday it plans to hire an additional 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers amid a surge in online orders due to the coronavirus outbreak.
• The company is also raising pay for warehouse and delivery workers by $2 per hour in the U.S through the end of April.
• On Saturday, Amazon said some brands in the “household staples” category were out of stock and warned that some of its “delivery promises are longer than usual.”

An Amazon warehouse
Getty Images
Amazon is hiring an additional 100,000 employees in the U.S. to meet the surge in demand from online shopping amid the coronavirus outbreak, the company said Monday.

The company is looking to add extra full-time and part-time positions for warehouse and delivery workers. Through the end of April, it will raise pay for these employees by $2 per hour in the U.S., £2 per hour in the UK, and approximately €2 per hour in many EU countries. Amazon currently pays $15 per hour or more in some areas of the U.S. for warehouse and delivery jobs.


Amazon encouraged employees in other industries whose jobs were “lost or furloughed” as a result of the coronavirus to apply, including members of the hospitality, restaurant and travel industries. “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” the company added.

The decision comes as the coronavirus outbreak has continued to worsen. As of Monday afternoon, there were more than 181,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus globally, and at least 7,113 deaths. There were at least 4,281 confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. and at least 74 deaths.

Amazon has been hit with a wave of delivery delays and product shortages. The continued spread of the coronavirus has meant consumers are increasingly relying on online retailers as they avoid going outdoors and face low inventory at physical stores.

On Saturday, Amazon said some popular brands and items in the “household staples” categories were out of stock, while some of its “delivery promises are longer than usual.” Amazon added a notice to the top of its marketplace this weekend that reads: “Inventory and delivery may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand. Confirm availability at checkout.”

Meanwhile, a quick scan for in-demand items like toilet paper and bottled water showed that many listings were out of stock. Amazon’s normally speedy one-day and two-day delivery options for Prime customers also showed delays of several days. After adding an item to the shopping basket, Amazon said the order would arrive within four days.

Amazon has faced increased demand from customers on multiple fronts amid the coronavirus outbreak. With shoppers stocking up online, services like Prime Now and the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service reported limited availability for several days or told shoppers they were unable to make deliveries.

The company has been working to avoid disruptions in its supply chain, while some factories in China and elsewhere remain offline. Third-party sellers have also been working to keep up with demand, with many saying their inventory is running low.

Additionally, some fulfillment center employees may not be showing up to work. Earlier this month, Amazon relaxed its attendance policy for warehouse workers, allowing them to take unlimited unpaid time off through the month of March.

Earlier this month, Amazon moved to address the unique needs of fulfillment centers and delivery by launching a $25 million relief fund. The “Amazon Relief Fund” will allow these employees to apply for grants that are equal to or up to two weeks of pay if they’re diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

The company has also taken extra precautions at fulfillment centers, increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning at all of its sites and requiring that employees sanitize and clean their work stations and vehicles at the start and end of every shift.

Last week, Amazon advised global employees who are able to work from home to do so through the end of March. The directive applies to employees at Amazon’s corporate offices.

WATCH NOW
VIDEO02:49
Amazon working on delivering coronavirus test kits

 

[Henry2326]

ATLANTA

Marietta City Schools employ bus drivers to deliver meals to hungry kids during school closure Marietta City Schools employ bus drivers to deliver meals to hungry kids during school closure

11Alive News on Twitter

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

 

[PayrollNerd]

<modsnip: quoted post was removed>

Here’s how scary it can be. My aunt and uncle, both in their late 60s, are cancer survivors. They are in recent (less than 1 year) remission. Both were diagnosed with “community viral pneumonia” late last week. Both on meds, inhalers, & quarantined at home. It started as a cold but progressed. Their Florida mobile home community closed the pools and cancelled all activities. It’s an all age community with tons of families.

My other aunt and uncle are also in Florida, but in a retirement community that accepts you when you’re healthy, and continues care as you decline. Their community has been closed off. No visitors, limited deliveries.

Both couples are on the east coast. I’m on the west coast. My visit has been postponed. I’m sad but totally understand as I am also a cancer patient.

Stay home, please. It took me 57 years to find my family. (DNA) I don't want to lose them before I get to know them, just because of ignorant fools!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Gym closure

Beaumont Health Club

 

[Henry2326]

BREAKING: Russia will deny entry to foreign visitors to prevent the spread of coronavirus, government says - Interfax
BNO Newsroom on Twitter

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

 

[MsMarple]

Per my post on the last thread: Discord is back up and I was able to dm my friend (the one who is a recovering addict that I worry about). He's doing okay. I also was able to dm my daughter in Japan. She's booked to fly here in July. I am hoping against hope that she will be able to.

I hate what this virus is doing to people emotionally. I worry about my kids, my friends, my stocks, my neighbors. Ugh. I predict services which provide psychological counseling will benefit even if no one else does. MOO.

 

[MamaOV]

I feel like I'm in one of the Science Fiction books I've read. Where's the pods we can sleep in until it's safe?

That reminded me of this thing I saw on Facebook!

 

[otto]

What a grim day - serious news from everywhere. How sad that the WHO didn't order border closure with China when this started. Now we all know the only way to prevent the spread is border closure.

 

[Henry2326]

ATLANTA

Beautiful but bittersweet. A husband and wife hold hands while in the hospital. They've both been diagnosed with #COVID19 The husband, Kyle, was discharged and is now at home in quarantine. His wife, remains at Emory Hospital, in critical but stable condition. #11alive Hope Ford on Twitter

Hope Ford on Twitter

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

 

[Laughing]

Anybody knows if microwaving food will kill this virus? You can still order take out from restaurants, but how do you guarantee it's virus free? I am thinking of nuking it.
But will it be efficient and for how long does it need to be done?

Food safe is food safe, the appropriate temperature will kill microbes present:

Danger Zone

So add a digital dagger thermometer to your kitchen!

Re-heating in the microwave -- stir the food & re-heat in 2 or 3 time periods, to make sure all the food in the container reaches the safe temperature.

 

[jjenny]

What a grim day - serious news from everywhere. How sad that the WHO didn't order border closure with China when this started. Now we all know the only way to prevent the spread is border closure.

Countries could have done it themselves. Some (like Russia) did close the entry from China.

 

[gitana1]

Stop & Shop to Set Aside Hours for Older Shoppers Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

In an effort to protect older customers amid the coronavirus outbreak, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop says it will set aside specific hours for shoppers 60 and up.

Beginning March 19, all Stop & Shop stores will be open early to allow those 60 and older to shop between 6 and 7:30 a.m., the Quincy-based grocery chain said.

The company said they made the decision based on the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control that call for social distancing.

I love this and really hope all the chains will do it.

 

[Lilibet]

Anybody knows if microwaving food will kill this virus? You can still order take out from restaurants, but how do you guarantee it's virus free? I am thinking of nuking it.
But will it be efficient and for how long does it need to be done?

This is all I could find. Not definitive, but it may help. Personally, I will choose a restaurant carefully and then assume that the restaurant is taking steps to make sure their workers are virus free and/or that standard health department standards are met. If I ask, I’m sure they’ll say “yes” so why ask?! And then I’ll heat it up in the microwave. I’m not sure what else to do. I don’t want to go above and beyond and drive myself nuts!

Coronavirus: How to best handle food to protect yourself

 

[gitana1]

I feel like I'm in one of the Science Fiction books I've read. Where's the pods we can sleep in until it's safe?

Some people pulled up in front of my house and went next door. Came out with camping gear, fishing nets and a long gun. Loaded up and took off.

 

[gitana1]

UK

PM tells Britons to avoid non-essential travel and contact PM tells Britons to avoid non-essential travel and contact

Guardian news on Twitter

STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES

I thought they decided to give up on containment?

 

[Curious Me]

I feel like I'm in one of the Science Fiction books I've read. Where's the pods we can sleep in until it's safe?

That reminded me of this thing I saw on Facebook!

That so funny in a sad way. I do think we need to just go to sleep in pods for now.

I loved this one science fiction series-- the "Wool" series where people had to live in silos for generations.

book Wool (Wool, #1) by Hugh Howey
series Wool Series by Hugh Howey

 

[MsMarple]

Amazon announces it will be hiring 100,000 workers to deal with COVID19 deliveries:

KEY POINTS

• Amazon said Monday it plans to hire an additional 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers amid a surge in online orders due to the coronavirus outbreak.
• The company is also raising pay for warehouse and delivery workers by $2 per hour in the U.S through the end of April.
• On Saturday, Amazon said some brands in the “household staples” category were out of stock and warned that some of its “delivery promises are longer than usual.”

An Amazon warehouse
Getty Images
Amazon is hiring an additional 100,000 employees in the U.S. to meet the surge in demand from online shopping amid the coronavirus outbreak, the company said Monday.

The company is looking to add extra full-time and part-time positions for warehouse and delivery workers. Through the end of April, it will raise pay for these employees by $2 per hour in the U.S., £2 per hour in the UK, and approximately €2 per hour in many EU countries. Amazon currently pays $15 per hour or more in some areas of the U.S. for warehouse and delivery jobs.


Amazon encouraged employees in other industries whose jobs were “lost or furloughed” as a result of the coronavirus to apply, including members of the hospitality, restaurant and travel industries. “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” the company added.

The decision comes as the coronavirus outbreak has continued to worsen. As of Monday afternoon, there were more than 181,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus globally, and at least 7,113 deaths. There were at least 4,281 confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. and at least 74 deaths.

Amazon has been hit with a wave of delivery delays and product shortages. The continued spread of the coronavirus has meant consumers are increasingly relying on online retailers as they avoid going outdoors and face low inventory at physical stores.

On Saturday, Amazon said some popular brands and items in the “household staples” categories were out of stock, while some of its “delivery promises are longer than usual.” Amazon added a notice to the top of its marketplace this weekend that reads: “Inventory and delivery may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand. Confirm availability at checkout.”

Meanwhile, a quick scan for in-demand items like toilet paper and bottled water showed that many listings were out of stock. Amazon’s normally speedy one-day and two-day delivery options for Prime customers also showed delays of several days. After adding an item to the shopping basket, Amazon said the order would arrive within four days.

Amazon has faced increased demand from customers on multiple fronts amid the coronavirus outbreak. With shoppers stocking up online, services like Prime Now and the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service reported limited availability for several days or told shoppers they were unable to make deliveries.

The company has been working to avoid disruptions in its supply chain, while some factories in China and elsewhere remain offline. Third-party sellers have also been working to keep up with demand, with many saying their inventory is running low.

Additionally, some fulfillment center employees may not be showing up to work. Earlier this month, Amazon relaxed its attendance policy for warehouse workers, allowing them to take unlimited unpaid time off through the month of March.

Earlier this month, Amazon moved to address the unique needs of fulfillment centers and delivery by launching a $25 million relief fund. The “Amazon Relief Fund” will allow these employees to apply for grants that are equal to or up to two weeks of pay if they’re diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

The company has also taken extra precautions at fulfillment centers, increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning at all of its sites and requiring that employees sanitize and clean their work stations and vehicles at the start and end of every shift.

Last week, Amazon advised global employees who are able to work from home to do so through the end of March. The directive applies to employees at Amazon’s corporate offices.

WATCH NOW
VIDEO02:49
Amazon working on delivering coronavirus test kits

Here's a funny Amazon story for a little chuckle. A couple weeks ago my hubby ordered a puff coat for me that was on sale using his Amazon Prime account.

The coat arrived as scheduled. Then a few hours later a second identical coat arrived, obviously by mistake. Hubby checked to make sure he wasn't charged twice and emailed Amazon to tell them about the error.

So far no one has responded. For now we're holding the coat with its tags in hopes that someone will contact him once they find the error. Lol, he said we'll give it 2 months then it goes up on EBay. This from a man who is honest to a fault. I'm guessing Amazon has its hands full at the moment.

 

[Lilibet]

I love this and really hope all the chains will do it.

If I’m desperate enough I guess I could drag myself out of bed that early! Good for working folks though.