Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #58

[jjenny]

People are encouraged to wear homemade masks (obviously because we can't provide them with quality PPE). Nobody is testing those specific homemade masks to see how well they filter. And then we hope that spread will be minimal when an infected individual goes to work as a hairdresser, where social distancing is impossible, because masks were worn. These masks could be filtering very low percentage of particles. Hairdresser was in close proximity to her clients for quite a period of time. Yea, I guess it will be an interesting experiment to figure out if homemade masks actually did any good.

 

[TMAN2014]

But did we get more capacity in the hospitals? Because seems like we right back where we started. And it's going to be hard to keep the economy running with covid still spreading, considering we know how widely it spread at some factories and meat packing plants.

Well we did temporarily. Our hospital shut down elective procedures (killing our bottom line), added a tent outside, and I don't think they used much of the capacity.

 

[jjenny]

Well we did temporarily. Our hospital shut down elective procedures (killing our bottom line), added a tent outside, and I don't think they used much of the capacity.

But now all the elective procedures are starting back up, yet cases are going up in many states. I guess I still can't figure out any logic in what is being done in the US. We slowed it down a bit, but we still have no vaccine, not enough quality PPE for everybody, not enough medication.
Basically, not much changed since we went into lock down, but now everything is opening up. And states are opening up that don't have decline in cases, it's the opposite-there is an increase in cases in many states. We will be right back where we started.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Returning to work or school will require infection control training, protective equipment-job specific and MOST importantly commitment from the employee or student.

Coming from HC, back in the 90s the HHC industry was required to become accredited (meeting a gold standard) New policies, procedures were mandated. Non medical "degree" staff were resistant, costing 60 to 70% job loss within the first year.

Folks are resistant to change, we want to live in a paradigm, and stepping out of the box creates tremendous stress. It became easier to hire and train new employees than the day to day struggles of resistant/angry staff.

Everyday, we experience resistance, daily in MSM, folks with no mask, crowds, secret parties, etc. We watched our medical professionals/media daily begging us to wash our hands and stay home, the horror stories coming from our healthcare workers.

I hope that we can successfully retrain our society. We have nowhere to go to escape this virus. Changing/quitting jobs, only venturing out when necessary, not hugging our kids, grandkids and friends, are drastic life style changes and very stressful.

We are divided, just like I experienced at work, protests, fights in stores, folks attacking each other, civil unrest. The longer we go the more resistance/violent folks become, on both sides of the fence.

Just my opinion, each adult will need to make a personal decision to opt in or out of this change and to what level/committment. I will need to decide who and what I can live with. Some of us have already, lost friends, ticked off family members, who do not agree with our decisions.



Imho...

It's been interesting watching people I know through this journey. Some I have completely lost respect for. Some of them I just never realized how completely selfish they are. On the other hand, some people have really been impressive. Jmo

 

[Tillicum]

Birx announces ‘dramatic decline’ in coronavirus cases across the states

"A dramatic decline across the states" has also been seen in the positivity rate, as testing capabilities are expanded, said Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, during a briefing with reporters.

Birx called out three metro areas where the positivity rate has either stalled or increased: Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Minneapolis.

She said D.C. has the "number one" highest positivity rate of any metro area in the country, adding that "went through their logarithmic phase and are now at a high plateau with an unchanging number of cases day over day."

snip

With regards to testing, Birx said that every state had met the 2 percent threshold to begin reopening as laid out in the White House guidelines.

“We wanted every state to test at least 2 percent of their population during May,” Birx said. “You can see 100 percent of the states now are over 2 percent of their population. ... Many of the states now are over 4 percent.”

Birx also encouraged people to go outside this weekend for Memorial Day, but urged them to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. She said it was acceptable to even "consider sharing social distance space" with those outside the home, with the right precautions.

"Understand you can go out, you can be outside, you can play golf, you can go to beaches, if you stay six feet apart," Birx said.

 

[TMAN2014]

But now all the elective procedure are starting back up, yet cases are going up in many states. I guess I still can't figure out any logic in what is being done in the US.

Not yet in PA, but in a few weeks. I would hope elective procedures start back up, or they will go under and people will get furloughed, fired, cut. Did you ever consider people dying from not getting cancer screenings, colonoscopies, cardio appointment, etc? If you take away all the revenue streams, you take jobs and NONCOVID people die too.

Are you from outside the US under a different system?

In New York, they brought in a military ship, and it went mostly unused. They OVERPREPARED.

 

[Simply Southern]

That sounds like the masses heading to the beaches in Devon and Cornwall, yet all the public loos are still closed. Pooping in the Park could become an annual event. MOO.

Ok. Lessons to be learned. Before opening up the country, open up the public toilets first.

LOL !!!!

I didn't think about all our Virginia beaches that opened this weekend. All the restaurants are still pick up/outside dining, oh NO where will they poo????

 

[jjenny]

I don't know what dramatic decline Birx is talking about.
New cases spiking in southern Maine, raising concerns that COVID-19 is resurging
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/coronavirus/article242947871.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...bc6d10-9ab4-11ea-a282-386f56d579e6_story.html

 

[jjenny]

"COVID-19 patients requiring critical care are increasing in Minnesota and combining with patients with other medical needs to use up intensive care beds in the Twin Cities."
Minnesota metro ICU beds filling up as COVID-19 cases, deaths rise

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I wondered when this was coming. Business liability will not cover damages resulting from the pandemic, is what many business owners are saying. It's become a hot topic in our community.

We have an outbreak in a large call center. One person has died, about 60 plus infected, many hospitalized. Another outbreak in a snack food processing plant.

The employees reported to OSHA unsafe conditions - not being able to wear a mask while talking on the phone, around April 15th. Many have already retained lawyers, concern is a class action suit.

I see both sides. Certainly retribution for the sick and those that died. This is devastating, the call center and the snack plant have several hundred people, pays really well...for our small town, and great benefits. The call center now provides work from home, but in some areas the internet speed is an issue. The food plant is cleaning every 4 hours.

Folks are scared, either way you look at it. Surely we can find a reasonable way to handle these situations.

Moo...

Helpful info. i have really wondered what call centers would do. Quite simply, it is easy to set up from home.... but most call centers still manage with the believe that the regimentation of being in the office, being measured by and with coworkers all around is just a better business model. But maybe that model will be changing .

Hopefully, @Simply Southern... if you can keep us informed as to how that call center reopens and moves along, i would appreciate...

 

[jjenny]

"Coronavirus in Ohio: Daily cases jump markedly as bowling alleys, banquet halls get OK to reopen"
Coronavirus in Ohio: Daily cases jump markedly as bowling alleys, banquet halls get OK to reopen

 

[jjenny]

Still don't see any dramatic declines.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I wondered when this was coming. Business liability will not cover damages resulting from the pandemic, is what many business owners are saying. It's become a hot topic in our community.

We have an outbreak in a large call center. One person has died, about 60 plus infected, many hospitalized. Another outbreak in a snack food processing plant.

The employees reported to OSHA unsafe conditions - not being able to wear a mask while talking on the phone, around April 15th. Many have already retained lawyers, concern is a class action suit.

I see both sides. Certainly retribution for the sick and those that died. This is devastating, the call center and the snack plant have several hundred people, pays really well...for our small town, and great benefits. The call center now provides work from home, but in some areas the internet speed is an issue. The food plant is cleaning every 4 hours.

Folks are scared, either way you look at it. Surely we can find a reasonable way to handle these situations.

Moo...

dbm ugh

Totally agree !!! They think they are fooling us by counting some things by county and some by health district. I created a spread sheet by city, county its so much easier but what is odd some days the numbers just don't add up. I check and double check and nope they don't add up. And my favorite is the testing for "out of state" and they don't report if they are positive or died!!! Then we have the "unknown". How do you test someone from an unknown city or county??? Surely they know the location the test was done. Then the 15 day lag on, the "50k test" Dr. Remely stated, on Monday hasn't been entered into the computer. I noticed she's been absent since.

The numbers are doubling in my area every 3 to 4 days. We have a foundation paying for all our testing and can't get the state to approve point prevalence testing and it won't cost them a dime. The foundation even pays the nursing, the racetrack is the site and we have a 150k commitment with more if we need. I personally spoke with Dr.Carey on Monday and he said it was a local decision. Well, I've known, worked and socialized with the local health dept nurses for years and they say it ain't so. The Director in Lynchburg, says his hands are tied, its controlled at the state level.

I'm just bumfuzzled....

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/

daunting, to say the least. What is bumfuzzled? Thats a new one, sortof fizzly.

 

[jjenny]

Not yet in PA, but in a few weeks. I would hope elective procedures start back up, or they will go under and people will get furloughed, fired, cut. Did you ever consider people dying from not getting cancer screenings, colonoscopies, cardio appointment, etc? If you take away all the revenue streams, you take jobs and NONCOVID people die too.

Are you from outside the US under a different system?

In New York, they brought in a military ship, and it went mostly unused. They OVERPREPARED.

I don't have a problem with elective procedures being done. If hospitals can keep covid patients from non covid patients.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Still don't see any dramatic declines.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

I think she's talking about the % testing positive. With increased testing it stands to reason the positive cases will go up. But if a state keeps up with testing their overall positive % should start going down. Jmo

 

[jjenny]

I think she's talking about the % testing positive. With increased testing it stands to reason the positive cases will go up. But if a state keeps up with testing their overall positive % should start going down. Jmo

When one person can infect numerous people, as soon as you start opening up, the numbers will go up. Because we didn't contain covid, unlike China.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Returning to work or school will require infection control training, protective equipment-job specific and MOST importantly commitment from the employee or student.

Coming from HC, back in the 90s the HHC industry was required to become accredited (meeting a gold standard) New policies, procedures were mandated. Non medical "degree" staff were resistant, costing 60 to 70% job loss within the first year.

Folks are resistant to change, we want to live in a paradigm, and stepping out of the box creates tremendous stress. It became easier to hire and train new employees than the day to day struggles of resistant/angry staff.

Everyday, we experience resistance, daily in MSM, folks with no mask, crowds, secret parties, etc. We watched our medical professionals/media daily begging us to wash our hands and stay home, the horror stories coming from our healthcare workers.

I hope that we can successfully retrain our society. We have nowhere to go to escape this virus. Changing/quitting jobs, only venturing out when necessary, not hugging our kids, grandkids and friends, are drastic life style changes and very stressful.

We are divided, just like I experienced at work, protests, fights in stores, folks attacking each other, civil unrest. The longer we go the more resistance/violent folks become, on both sides of the fence.

Just my opinion, each adult will need to make a personal decision to opt in or out of this change and to what level/committment. I will need to decide who and what I can live with. Some of us have already, lost friends, ticked off family members, who do not agree with our decisions.



Imho...

I agree. I am completely mystified that some people want to return to "normal" when normal is what got us into this mess in the first place. Zoonotic disease spillover is a thing, and it's going to continue to be a thing. If we're smart, we'll invest heavily in funding for public health infrastructure, epidemiology, education and research so that next time (and there will be a next time) we'll be much better prepared and so avoid a recurrence of the fiasco that is the current SARS outbreak.

 

[Simply Southern]

Helpful info. i have really wondered what call centers would do. Quite simply, it is easy to set up from home.... but most call centers still manage with the believe that the regimentation of being in the office, being measured by and with coworkers all around is just a better business model. But maybe that model will be changing .

Hopefully, @Simply Southern... if you can keep us informed as to how that call center reopens and moves along, i would appreciate...

Thank you for your concern.

The call centers here are hiring!!! They just received the state contract to open a division of Motor vehicles and Unemployment Insurance because the state workers are refusing to return to work.

I have concerns, both of our call centers have State and Federal government contracts. Child enforcement services, Virginia, Tenn, and Kentucky Medicaid and now the Motor Vehicles and Unemployment. Now these folks are home with family and friends and computers with vast amounts of personal information, including but not limited to Social Security numbers, DOB, drivers license numbers, checking account numbers and more.

I'm NOT liking this work from home with all MY personal information. How can a call center protect MY information on 100s of computers in folks living rooms? We had one call center close several years ago close due to employees stealing credit card information. Yeap, Sprint and Verizon.

Imo.

 

[CSIDreamer]

When one person can infect numerous people, as soon as you start opening up, the numbers will go up. Because we didn't contain covid, unlike China.

I don't know what the true situation in China is.

 

[Runswithscissorz]

Returning to work or school will require infection control training, protective equipment-job specific and MOST importantly commitment from the employee or student.

Coming from HC, back in the 90s the HHC industry was required to become accredited (meeting a gold standard) New policies, procedures were mandated. Non medical "degree" staff were resistant, costing 60 to 70% job loss within the first year.

Folks are resistant to change, we want to live in a paradigm, and stepping out of the box creates tremendous stress. It became easier to hire and train new employees than the day to day struggles of resistant/angry staff.

Everyday, we experience resistance, daily in MSM, folks with no mask, crowds, secret parties, etc. We watched our medical professionals/media daily begging us to wash our hands and stay home, the horror stories coming from our healthcare workers.

I hope that we can successfully retrain our society. We have nowhere to go to escape this virus. Changing/quitting jobs, only venturing out when necessary, not hugging our kids, grandkids and friends, are drastic life style changes and very stressful.

We are divided, just like I experienced at work, protests, fights in stores, folks attacking each other, civil unrest. The longer we go the more resistance/violent folks become, on both sides of the fence.

Just my opinion, each adult will need to make a personal decision to opt in or out of this change and to what level/committment. I will need to decide who and what I can live with. Some of us have already, lost friends, ticked off family members, who do not agree with our decisions.



Imho...

Ive told my saga here before about quitting hardware store , Ohio, in March because of age, caring for mom, lack of PPE etc. (no unemployment because this was “essential” work and I was not laid off. Apparently they kept me on as an employee but today received a “return to work or apply for leave” order.
Ohio is, understandably, forcing people to return to get the large percentage of population off unemployment. Fear of returning is not an excuse so I formally quit (although I thought I had already lol). And ofc will still not qualify for unemployment. My “medical and dental benefits will cease” HA! Never had those either being part time.

Can’t see returning. The majority of staff except for the 2 and only full time managers are kids with no hardware experience. Phone rings constantly with online/curbside orders that can’t be fulfilled since inventory is so messed up. The owners have “put into effect” sanitation procedures which there is no time to follow. Staff shares phones, computers. There are no windows to open, air filters haven’t been changed in at least 6 years.Carts aren’t wiped down, restrooms not cleaned. Only staff, not customers need to wear masks.
Some customers are happy about this, they can go about coughing and sneezing and handing the items to the cashier with their cash (awesome). Some customers have threatened to stage a protest outside that all people inside should wear masks.

I liked my little PT job and was good at it but the risks and workload and stress far out way the slightly above minimum wage reward. Oh well