Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #43

[Wicked Strong]

From your link

"About 200,000 N95 masks made by the manufacturer GM were diverted to the US as they were being transferred between planes in Thailand, according to the Berlin authorities who had ordered the masks for the police force."​

Canadian supplies were "diverted" to the US a couple of days ago as well. Something needs to be done about this modern piracy! I suppose other countries need to use retaliation if it happens again.

And so now the war between countries must begin? I have no quarrel with Canada, it's a shame that others have a quarrel with us!

MOO

 

[Trudie]

She looked rather sickly this week, imo. Her face appeared much thinner. Moo I guess her hair & make up teams will now be positive? How horrible.
She’s close with Don Lemon & he’s close to Chris C.
How can all of CNN not be presumed positive?
@Gardenista she looks unlike herself in the photo you referenced and she’s obviously had contact with cardboard.
I’m to the point I for sure believe everyone working is or will be positive. Moo

CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin reveals she has coronavirus, days after her colleague Chris Cuomo also tested positive

 

[jjenny]

I think public shaming is happening, pray it remains verbal only.

@jjenny don’t forget breathing.

Well, you can't be talking if you are not breathing.

 

[Tony1902]

Ira

Around here, it's wild rabbits. You would not believe what they can manage to get over, on top of, around, under. And they LOVE produce on the stem.

I reead somewhere, no Ludite link, that lettuce gives them a mild buzz. They are certainly fond of mine, but I usually grow @20+ different varieties. Wonder which ones are....whatever

 

[otto]

And so now the war between countries must begin? I have no quarrel with Canada, it's a shame that others have a quarrel with us!

MOO

When Germany and Canada place orders for medical supplies, and someone from the US intercepts the shipment by offering a bit more money, everyone has a serious problem.

"Andreas Geisel, the interior minister for Berlin state, described the diversion as “an act of modern piracy” and appealed to the German government to demand Washington conform to international trading rules. “This is no way to treat trans-Atlantic partners,” Geisel said. “Even in times of global crisis there should be no wild west methods.”
​

US accused of 'modern piracy' after diversion of masks meant for Europe

 

[Alethea]

I think public shaming is happening, pray it remains verbal only.

I mean within groups, not that people should troll or harass or dox random people. Every community group has its own "standards" of societal conduct. We all need to set the example that staying home except for ESSENTIAL necessary work or errands is what we all need to do.

I post repeatedly on my personal social media that if you are a professional, if you are fortunate and privileged enough to be able to work from home or take time off without financial strain - you have a duty to STAY HOME unless you are directly helping less fortunate people (like by dropping off food and supplies for the elderly or sick, donating supplies or food to food banks).

If you are financially able to sit comfortably in your house for three weeks, you have a moral duty to do it. Not everyone can - but that makes it even more important that people who can, do. I think that's where it starts.

ETA: people visiting Lowes to do home improvement projects are a great example of what NOT TO DO. If you can afford to renovate your bathroom right now, you can afford to sit home and order something to do online that can be delivered to you and save the bathroom renovation for when people aren't dying. That will open up stores for the ESSENTIAL trips to Lowes for people who need to replace a pipe or replace a dead appliance. I have been arguing about this with my in-laws. Just STAY HOME.

 

[Simply Southern]

Ohio inmate info!
Bet loved ones of the victims dif’ in opinion

'I'm never getting out of here.' Prisoners, loved ones worry about coronavirus in prisons, jails

The press is hammering the Governor of Virginia. We have a NO parole law. Yeah, if you serve time in a Virginia State Prison you're in for the duration.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

And so now the war between countries must begin? I have no quarrel with Canada, it's a shame that others have a quarrel with us!

MOO

I doubt "others" take issue with "us", meaning you and I. But we aren't in charge, are we? The buck stops with our leaders. What's happening between nations is a natural extension of the poor decision to let the states duke it out, among many other factors that would probably always happen in a pandemic.

 

[otto]

I doubt "others" take issue with "us", meaning you and I. But we aren't in charge, are we? The buck stops with our leaders.

There are international trading rules for a reason. If the US thinks the rules don't apply to them, the international supply chain breaks down, prices skyrocket. It is such a bad decision for so many reasons.

 

[Mimi in London]

Right....those aren't even being counted? Are they trying to get people to report it even if they don't get tested.. That fatality rate is just horrifying.

Up until about three weeks ago, as I understand it, they were asking mild cases to shut-up and put up.

Now anyone with one or both of two very specific (over-simplified) symptoms is asked to complete a short anonymous questionnaire online. At the end it says, ‘You may have Coronavirus’ and goes on to advise about self-isolating. Anyone feeling they cannot manage their symptoms at home is then asked to call the NHS 111 hotline. Those people are then triaged for possible further medical assessment. I don’t know how many calls have been made or what percentage of those are then hospitalised.

Most of the cases and deaths are in London, the most densely-populated area.

Notwithstanding the earlier containment strategy, lack of PPE and the current testing fiasco, the UK system is IMO remarkably well-co-ordinated. I’m not being sarcastic. They are doing some things very well. Other things will come back to bite the govt on the @ss.

 

[I'm Just Here]

My last shopping trip was over a week ago. I went during senior hour. Employees at the store were washing carts and other surfaces with cloths dipped into warm bleach solution. The entrances were controlled so only 75 could be in the store at a time and the employee at entrance urged 6' social distancing inside, which most honored. But, in the produce section, there was one woman who was coughing constantly, holding a soggy diaper size rag over her mouth and nose as she did so. She stood over the produce bins for about 10 minutes as I kept my distance far away, waiting for her to leave before entering the opposite side of the produce section myself, to buy a few packaged items (which I bleached when I returned home - including the contents, which I then rinsed multiple times).

I could not believe, with all the efforts made to keep surfaces disinfected and control social distancing, that a store employee did not approach the woman, ask her to leave and offer to have her grocery order delivered (which this store does do). There were multiple employees working in the produce section when this woman was there.

That's the last time I am going out unless I get desperate. This week, I ordered what fresh food I could online and we will live with our supply of frozen/canned vegetables and fruits until we are out.

That is a very bad experience having to go through. Sorry for that! Could be the person is normally like that. Seems to me there is always going to be fear of this virus regardless of the "coughing people" so many may have shopped after her not knowing. We have a new way of viewing those around us. I wouldn't have gone around the area after she left, other people would say something to her and some would tell workers. I do not have an answer to it. I do know we need to use hand sanitizer after touching public items or wash and stop touching our faces. I try to buy produce that is wrapped and wash that off.

 

[Trudie]

I mean within groups, not that people should troll or harass or dox random people. Every community group has its own "standards" of societal conduct. We all need to set the example that staying home except for ESSENTIAL necessary work or errands is what we all need to do.

I post repeatedly on my personal social media that if you are a professional, if you are fortunate and privileged enough to be able to work from home or take time off without financial strain - you have a duty to STAY HOME unless you are directly helping less fortunate people (like by dropping off food and supplies for the elderly or sick, donating supplies or food to food banks).

If you are financially able to sit comfortably in your house for three weeks, you have a moral duty to do it. Not everyone can - but that makes it even more important that people who can, do. I think that's where it starts.

ETA: people visiting Lowes to do home improvement projects are a great example of what NOT TO DO. If you can afford to renovate your bathroom right now, you can afford to sit home and order something to do online that can be delivered to you and save the bathroom renovation for when people aren't dying. That will open up stores for the ESSENTIAL trips to Lowes for people who need to replace a pipe or replace a dead appliance. I have been arguing about this with my in-laws. Just STAY HOME.

in my area, construction is rampant, both residential & commercial. Idk what will happen if Lowe’s closes, but I think our Governor might ask them to close. Jmo

 

[CoverMeCagney]

It’s getting ugly out there

US hijacking mask shipments in rush for coronavirus protection

US accused of 'modern piracy' after diversion of masks meant for Europe

Disgraceful, dishonourable and plain selfish. The article does say it's not the US government, but whichever company or organisation has been waving around a wad of dollars and hijacking shipments needs to be named and shamed.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

This is a handy list of how each state dealt with locking down, with a date and quote for each occasion. If anyone sees a world version of this I'd like to see it.

See Which States and Cities Have Told Residents to Stay at Home

 

[Trudie]

Up until about three weeks ago, as I understand it, they were asking mild cases to shut-up and put up.

Now anyone with one or both of two very specific (over-simplified) symptoms is asked to complete a short anonymous questionnaire online.

Many states in the US use a hotline or online questionnaire. If the caller has symptoms they get a clinical diagnosis of presumed positive. The collected data gives public health an idea how bad the virus truly is in any given area. But the public never hears of cases diagnosed without a lab test. Moo
Like our gov tells us nightly, “it’s in every county”, yet a few remain at zero on the state map.
Remember a couple weeks ago, Ohio’s Gov’ said he thought they had 100k cases?
I doubt he was throwing an arbitrary figure around, I think he knew from collected data. Moo

 

[Wicked Strong]

Just a few examples of my state stepping up to make face masks and shields. Even using the state prison facilities for supplies. Proud of my state citizens.

Lincoln man 3D prints masks, face shields for medical workers

Local company 3D prints, donates face masks for health care workers

Nucor & Area Schools Combining To 3-D Print Face Masks

CSI to begin production of hand sanitizer, gowns and masks | NDCS - Nebraska Department of Correctional Services


MOO

 

[tresir2012]

Just got back from Publix, and I feel like the meanest woman in town.

I was looking at mushrooms, and a women came up, six inches away, and asked if they were good for shishkabob. Said 'I don't know' and moved away. Seconds later she is right on top of me again. I moved away and said 'please stay further away from me'. She looked absolutely shocked and hurt. I think she left the store.

I don't know what else I could have done. She would have been in my personal space in ordinary times. The store has signage, people are wearing masks and gloves ~ does she live under a rock?

I'm done shopping for quite a while.

Is your country/ state on lockdown or any restrictions?

 

[esmerelda]

But people would have started making them for the public much much sooner.

Who? Who would have made them? We can't get supplies for the healthcare workers as it is. They knew in January it would be a problem. Looking on Amazon beginning in March the masks were at a premium, if available at all.

 

[Arkay]

I'm hyperaware that I am a target for this virus. I'm in NYC, 62, a heavy smoker with COPD. I live alone, with family in NY and Jersey and Florida, none of whom I can see.

Therefore, I've only left my apartment twice in the last month. One walk outside, one crucial grocery trip. Mask and gloves and hand sanitizer, then wiped down everything with disinfectant. I'm not sick now and am doing by best to stay that way. Take my temperature twice a day and remain shut in. Cancelled newspaper delivery. Only get the mail every four days.

Although it's excruciating to not see another person, it's the only way to stay safe. IMO my mayor took too long to close the schools and too long to recommend covering the mouth and nose outside. It's been obvious for quite some time that this virus was exploding exponentially, long after everyone knew to wash our hands for 20 seconds and avoid people who were sneezing and coughing.

My main point is for all my fellow Americans and Websleuthers who live where currently the virus is not rampant. You may feel, or your governor may feel, that since there's no or little virus near you, it's too encumbering to isolate. It certainly is destructive for people's jobs. But as a reminder, Wuhan is far from NYC, but the virus is here and destroying us.

Yes, it's to be expected in NYC that people from around the world will come here, and hence we are the epicenter for a virus from the other side of the world. But please, don't take chances where you live. You've had the common cold, you know that viruses travel in unknown ways.

My parents are elderly Floridians. We have been arguing with them constantly for going on numerous errands which are not life and death. It was hard to persuade them, when Florida was still bouncing around.
Thank God their state is finally sheltering in place.

Today I found out that a cousin-in-law's sister died on Long Island, from Covid. Her sister in Florida cannot come up for the 5 person graveside service that will be held. One of my best friends on the Island, whom I used to see weekly, was one of those who pooh-poohed this whole thing as overblown. Now he's forced to confront reality.

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS! NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE! It goes without saying that it's more comfortable to be isolated at home than isolated in the ICU.

Again, remember all those colds you've had, that you have no idea from whom you caught it, or maybe even the flu. This pandemic is a virus that is airborne and dangerous because asymptomatic people are still shedding heavy viral loads. Stay home! Cover your face if you must go out! Don't wait for an elected official to mandate it, because by that time it's always too late.

 

[Alethea]

It’s getting ugly out there

US hijacking mask shipments in rush for coronavirus protection

US accused of 'modern piracy' after diversion of masks meant for Europe

It's not the US government, it's private brokers. A shipment bound for Boston was seized in New York. That's why the Patriots sent their private plane to China to pick up supplies directly. I assume the masks were not not seized by the State of NY since Mass just gave 300,000 masks to NYC. It's sick.

Patriots jet carrying 1M masks a ‘win’ for Massachusetts during coronavirus pandemic – Boston Herald

Mass Governor Baker described the process of searching for gear, even bidding against the feds in some instances — a shipment of 3 million N95 masks Baker ordered from BJs in early March was confiscated in the Port of New York, the governor said.