Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #43

[MsArk]

Gotta vent, sorry.
Our daughters in laws (they are in their late 60s, along with 3 adult sons and partners) want them to come over for Easter like usual.
Our daughter is pregnant and due in May. Our grand baby is 2 1/2.
The MIL’s “heart will break if they don’t come over”. *insert sarcasm.
Why can’t people grow up???????

Dealing with the exact same thing. My sister and her family think we should all get together on Easter as well. With my 87 yo parents. Would include 14 of us, including 4 children. I can’t think of a worse idea! I just don’t understand it! No one wants to be separated on Easter, myself included, but please!

ETA: I am putting my foot down as a big NO.

 

[10ofRods]

Aren't all viruses technically parasitic since they need to use the host cells to replicate?

That has nothing to do with whether drugs sold to kill parisites on hair and eyelashes and my dog's butt are going to work on CV.

That's using the word "parasite" in its broadest possible context. ALL viruses are parasites. With this thinking, we would never have had to develop a small pox vaccine - could all just use anti-parasite drugs.

"Parasite" as used in medical literature typical refers to a lifeform (viruses are not generally regarded as lifeforms) that depends on its existence on another organism.

So the popular use of the word parasite fits - but that's not how science uses it. PLEASE do not confuse common usage of words with medical usage and please do not try an anti-parasite drug for CV unless you are in hospital. With your doctor's permission.

 

[Lilibet]

Update on singer-songwriter John Prine from his wife, Fiona:

Now, Fiona has updated fans on his condition. “Today is John’s 8th day in ICU,” she wrote Thursday night. “He is receiving excellent medical care and being treated with kindness and compassion by the entire team looking after him day and night. I cannot be with him which makes this nightmare all the more distressing for me.”

(He was put on a ventilator last Saturday.)

John Prine's Wife Fiona: 'He Is Very Ill and Yet I Remain Hopeful'

 

[Gardenista]

Historic Queen Mary could be used as a makeshift hospital: report

 

[Trino]

Dealing with the exact same thing. My sister and her family think we should all get together on Easter as well. With my 87 yo parents. Would include 14 of us, including 4 children. I can’t think of a worse idea! I just don’t understand it! No one wants to be separated on Easter, myself included, but please!

No. Don't. Sorry but next year... No.

 

[10ofRods]

Dealing with the exact same thing. My sister and her family think we should all get together on Easter as well. With my 87 yo parents. Would include 14 of us, including 4 children. I can’t think of a worse idea! I just don’t understand it! No one wants to be separated on Easter, myself included, but please!

You have my sympathies. I do not know how I'd be coping if my parents were still alive (born 1917 and 1922).

Do not go. Get someone to help them facebook if they all decide to do this.

Easter is just another day on the calendar - God doesn't keep track of a human calendar. I understand it makes people feel good - but this Easter, many people will be afraid. That's not good (fear is not a good immune booster).

Are you in Arkansas? The children are about 20% likely to have CV already - but if they've been out of school for 3 weeks, they probably aren't shedding - but their parents still could be.

How will you feel if one of those aged parents "gets a cold" and dies right after? I know I would never be able to forgive myself. My parents would have understood (mom was a germophobe, thankfully).

Have a private convo with your parents and think about whether you are yourself able to stand the consequences of such an ill-advised gathering.

 

[MsArk]

No. Don't. Sorry but next year... No.

I completely agree with you! I am going to put my foot down as a big NO. I can’t control what sister does but I won’t be attending.

 

[MsArk]

You have my sympathies. I do not know how I'd be coping if my parents were still alive (born 1917 and 1922).

Do not go. Get someone to help them facebook if they all decide to do this.

Easter is just another day on the calendar - God doesn't keep track of a human calendar. I understand it makes people feel good - but this Easter, many people will be afraid. That's not good (fear is not a good immune booster).

Are you in Arkansas? The children are about 20% likely to have CV already - but if they've been out of school for 3 weeks, they probably aren't shedding - but their parents still could be.

How will you feel if one of those aged parents "gets a cold" and dies right after? I know I would never be able to forgive myself. My parents would have understood (mom was a germophobe, thankfully).

Have a private convo with your parents and think about whether you are yourself able to stand the consequences of such an ill-advised gathering.

I am definitely not going and surely my sister will think better of it also. Not to mention my aged parents, her husband is in his 70’s with cardiac issues. I have time to talk some sense into her.

 

[MaryG12]

It sounded like he was doing pretty well at the time. Of course we know that can change, so here’s hoping he’s mostly recovered now. Huge fan here!

He and James Taylor have postponed their tour that was due to start May 15. Now that’s a concert I’d go to in a heartbeat!

James Taylor, Jackson Browne Postpone Joint Tour

I'm a huge fan of Jackson Browne, too. And I like James Taylor's music, too.

 

[10ofRods]

For me, I think it's exhaustion & acceptance...I can't feel as peppery any more as I used to. It breaks my heart with every story of death that I read. We've surpassed the 9/11 deaths in NY, let alone the country. The thought of milk being poured on the ground to maintain prices is killing me, as I think of so many families facing another week of no paychecks. Comparatively, I feel like a rich "witch" for the first time in my life, and I just want to help those that are not as lucky as I am. Yet the very nature of this disease makes it impossible to reach out and help (other than internet donations & mask-making) - not just for my own sake, but for theirs, and their loved ones, and their healthcare workers!

ETA -I think my exhaustion started with seeing and hearing from anguished healthcare workers, and hearing their anguish minimized and dismissed by those who should know better.

This thing is insidious. It drives apart families and communities. It makes us mistrust each other in ways I had hoped weren't possible in the 21st century.

I just wish everyone well. I just wish for kindness, cooperation, and sanity. Gonna go cook with hubby now. Can't imagine what my life would have been like right now with abusive spouse, or as a stressed single mom. Love to all.

It's also the new set of forums for states.

I am actually very surprised at the different tone of those forums. Maybe it is for the better, because residents of different states are needing to rationalize and manage their fear in different ways. If you're in a state where everyone and their brother is still going to funerals and weddings and birthday parties and congregating in still-open businesses - or ones where there are international travel vectors for this virus - it's a very different experience.

Some of us who want to post up to date scientific information cannot possible post it 50 times (nor is it welcome or acknowledged on every forum).

I hope we continue to discuss the general aspects of CoVid here.

We're getting out of the prevention phase, quite frankly. Each state, each city has already chosen its path - it's too late to re-roll the dice.

Here, we have another month of being shut-ins (at least, depending on part on how the rest of the world behaves).

I suggest playing trumpet loudly.

 

[Trudie]

I guess with the grad invitations, hope springs eternal. Are their schools even having graduations? Most aren’t. And if not, why would a party be OK? It’s clear that some feel this lockdown doesn’t apply to them. Or else they’re in a state that has ignored the science of flattening the curve.

no, no grad’ services scheduled. One girl is super disappointed, she will be valedictorian, full scholarship to UK. But she’s mature & understands. She sent her party invitations out. I bet her mom does not know. Mom is head of a large NICU & is staying in a hotel, due to Covid. The hospital owns an old, privately owned hotel, so men staff often stay over. So the girl prob’ figured “dang it,I still having a party.” No, no you’re not, my dear.
Could be she was afraid no party= no gifts?
The other I not sure what is going on. They are cool people, a bit on the nonconformist side. But a rental hall isn’t going to allow a function,imo. But wait, I think the hall is owned by an uncle. Who knows! Maybe both 18yo believe by latter May, this will be over. You do remember knowing it all at 18?

 

[Trino]

I had to read it twice too. We’re all getting blurry.
I guess with the grad invitations, hope springs eternal. Are their schools even having graduations? Most aren’t. And if not, why would a party be OK? It’s clear that some feel this lockdown doesn’t apply to them. Or else they’re in a state that has ignored the science of flattening the curve.

Of course, there may not be graduations. Of course, there should not even be a party considered under the current circumstances. I know of a graduation party where the kid did not graduate. He still had to attend summer school for credits.

Bottom line... one cannot understand ignorance and apathy.

 

[Midgie2]

We live in the boonies, (northern Illinois border) but it seems as if it gives people a false sense of security. There are approx 100 cases in our county.
Yet I see gaggles of teens together riding bikes, teenagers all crammed into cars racing by. Groups of women walking with kids in tow.
What can you do?

 

[KALI]

Article is definitely worth a read. He wasn't feeling very sick. Yes, it is very sad.

Sad news....


Jackson Browne, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has coronavirus at 71

 

[KALI]

Better NO, then funerals next month.

Dealing with the exact same thing. My sister and her family think we should all get together on Easter as well. With my 87 yo parents. Would include 14 of us, including 4 children. I can’t think of a worse idea! I just don’t understand it! No one wants to be separated on Easter, myself included, but please!

ETA: I am putting my foot down as a big NO.

 

[Trudie]

Be firm tell them “look, I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket.”
Levity aside, some people do not want to believe things that are true. They are opposed to change, comfie how things are, so if they don’t acknowledge change, it doesn’t exist in their eyes.
Just like some justify their defiance to guidelines and directives.
Look how many children are out and about, despite warnings. And spring breakers, house parties, church services, etc.
Many of you are optimistic. I see things exactly as they are & what I seeing in are is not cool. So, it is every man for himself. I can’t fret over someone’s inactions or wrongdoings, I gotta fend for myself and figure out how to avoid the dumb butts when I need to shop.

Dealing with the exact same thing. My sister and her family think we should all get together on Easter as well. With my 87 yo parents. Would include 14 of us, including 4 children. I can’t think of a worse idea! I just don’t understand it! No one wants to be separated on Easter, myself included, but please!

ETA: I am putting my foot down as a big NO.

 

[BeckyF]

Are you referring to what someone else has said about this topic? I don’t automatically dismiss reporting by CNN as “fake news” the way some do. Why would I think the people interviewed about a system for ranking patients for treatment are fear mongering? This is a potential reality that every hospital has to prepare for ahead of time, not in the moment. I prefer to be informed. But that’s just me and MOO.

Thank you. I prefer to be informed also. If this is the reality, then people should be aware of it. When I saw it on CNN this afternoon my ears perked up because I have COPD. That was one of the conditions mentioned as a preexisting condition (as well as cancer) that could be used as a determining factor.

 

[Trudie]

All viruses are obligate parasites; that is, they lack metabolic machinery of their own to generate energy or to synthesize proteins, so they depend on host cells to carry out these vital functions. Once inside a cell, viruses have genes for usurping the cell's energy-generating and protein-synthesizing systems.…
https://www.britannica.com/science/obligate-parasite
Obligate parasite | Britannica - Encyclopedia Britannica

Obligate parasite - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Obligate_parasite
An obligate parasite or holoparasite is a parasitic organism that cannot complete its life-cycle without exploiting a suitable host. If an obligate parasite cannot obtain a host it will fail to reproduce.
‎Species · ‎Host-parasite interaction · ‎Invasion strategies · ‎Manipulation of host ...

 

[MimosaMornings]

no, no grad’ services scheduled. One girl is super disappointed, she will be valedictorian, full scholarship to UK. But she’s mature & understands. She sent her party invitations out. I bet her mom does not know. Mom is head of a large NICU & is staying in a hotel, due to Covid. The hospital owns an old, privately owned hotel, so men staff often stay over. So the girl prob’ figured “dang it,I still having a party.” No, no you’re not, my dear.
Could be she was afraid no party= no gifts?
The other I not sure what is going on. They are cool people, a bit on the nonconformist side. But a rental hall isn’t going to allow a function,imo. But wait, I think the hall is owned by an uncle. Who knows! Maybe both 18yo believe by latter May, this will be over. You do remember knowing it all at 18?

Her mom staying in hotel, head of large NICU and she sends out party invites?

I can see graduation announcements with perhaps an insert stating that out of concern for her family and friends - they will not be having a party but to make a donation to fund PPE for their local hospital or something?
IDK
Wait, she’s hosting and paying for the party- not her parents? Maybe she’s still in spring break mode.

 

[Trudie]

Wait, she’s hosting and paying for the party- not her parents? Maybe she’s still in spring break mode.

I doubt mom or dad know she dropped them in the mail! I know she’s been planning her party since Xmas. But at 18, she’ll have another party, lol.