Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Yes I know that's the idea behind flattening the curve and maybe the thinking is that some will catch it anyway just from getting out from essential services? Is it possible that we would be able to isolate for the length of time needed to accomplish that goal? I think some of us originally thought 2-3 weeks...maybe 8. My friend whose husband is an ICU pulmonologist and treating some of these cases says it could take 18 months for it to run its course (I have no idea the validity of this statement).

You amaze me--getting lesson plans out to kid!! Remind me: what age group do you teach? I don't know if there are any plans for k-12 teachers here to do any kind of distance learning. The younger the age group I suppose the harder for them to use technology (better than their parents, I bet!) but also it becomes an issue of do they have access to technology? Also, our neighboring Kansas just cancelled school though end of year not to resume until after summer break. Wow. And the ripple effects of that. Although I think we will see many if not most follow suit.

I think you are right about having things to get accomplished each day. I heard one of the online schools offering advice to now-homeschooling parents about the importance of structure for kids. I think it's important for us ALL!

My first goal is to accept this. And then start to exist in it. But I sure wish I knew how long it was to last. Then I could almost enjoy it!

I think I'll take stock of my cabinets and then make a menu. Food planning always makes me feel more in control

If you look at the Spanish Flu pandemic from 1918, I think your pulmonologist friend may be right. The Spanish Flu hit the world hard in 1918-19 flu season, took a break and came back again the following flu season of 1919-20. However, in the 1919-20 flu season there was herd immunity from the previous season and the infection spread was slower.

Oops I was editing my post while you were replying!

About a week ago Rich and I watched a Pbs "American Experience: Spanish Flu". I think the whole thing is online if you want.

Do you think it's possible for us to isolate for that long? I keep trying to rephrase that question because I feel like it looks like i'm suggesting we shouldn't but I'm genuinely interested in the feasibility of that--or at least the cost. I mean not many things have to be essential for a week or two or three, right? We can hunker down. But at some point in time, you need, for example, factories to produce toilet paper, truckers to haul it off to stores, people to shelve it on store shelves, transportation (maybe public?!) for people to get to work to shelve toilet paper, checkers to ring it up, and on and on and on. Or like even in my field I think right now the only cases that have to be heard are constitutional implications like in-custody defendants and a few at the judge's discretion. This just has such widespread implications. What about emergency custody hearings? (I imagine those will be allowed to go forward). But what about collecting child support? etc etc etc! I guess my question really boils down to: after more than a few weeks do so many things begin to become more "essential?" I do not know the answer, it's just my fear.

Also, my sister's March rotation was cancelled mid-stream as is April. I'm happy because now she cannot be exposing herself, and especially my parents (with whom she lives) to this nastiness. Although I mean she is going to school to become a doctor! Who knows how that will affect her graduation next year--at least she's not in her last year!

And lastly I do think it's interesting to see how larger cities are tackling this. Probably out of necessity due to the density of their population. Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities in terms of area--and thus we have much less density. I can't imagine it would ever be feasible to lock down okc just because I'm not sure how people would be found out (but I, like Ceci, would be sitting inside rule following lol)

Update !! Around 11 AM, DC saw a healthcare professional go by his room in full containment garb: mask, shield, rubber apron and gown. He freaked, and begged his surgeon to discharge him. Fortified with extra narcotics and the experience of the first procedure, we are home and away from the madness. My first monthly delivery of Wild Alaskan fish arrived today and I got my weekly Misfit Vegetable box yesterday so I'm feeling much better about access to food. Chewy boxes are arriving, too ! I also swear by Better than Bullion, which I order from Amazon... Great stock for soup, in small jars, not boxes.

Excellent news that DH and you have gone home!

Diane, does that mean Chuck didn't have his surgery?

EDIT: Whoops, never mind. I saw you post that he was already in surgery yesterday.

Greetings all

Whew we are living in rough times. I am grateful to have a roof over my head (a brand new roof !) and food in the pantry. So like is pretty good here in our small town.

Shirly so sorry you have so much pain. Are you still in the hospital? Hope so. They will get Mako into shape. Take all the drugs they give you. Crosswords are a good thing when you can't do much else.

Liz no wonder you feel bored. Shutting down beaches? That seems weird but I guess public health knows what they are doing. Our beaches are cold and sparsely populated but I still won't go.

DH just went to costco to get berries and such. Seems like when you are told to stay home it makes you want to go run around. I would like some jig saw puzzles. Sr. Center sells them used and cheap but they may be closed.

Peps don't feel bad for napping a lot. You probably need it and it will serve you well. Make you stronger.

BB I am not surprised you have dropped weight. Two toddlers is great exercise. Maybe I should rent some kids to chase.

As mentioned we have closed our galleries. The studio is open to members only and classes have been postponed. I am wondering if we should close completely. Lots of old people there.

In our small town there has been a great outpouring of people willing to shop and run errands for fragile people. Such a good thing.

Uho, I am almost out of popcorn. Must get more.

Ann I hope you are doing ok and safe at home. You are probably not trying to keep your "lift" a secret but the quarantine stuff is a perfect thing if you are. 30 years ago I had some liposuction including my chin and I did not want my work place to know. So I called in sick with flu to keep me out of there for a week. I wore turtle necks, used some heavy duty make up and had a story prepared that my dogs jumped off the back of the sofa on me and bruised my face. People who knew me and my dogs would believe this.

Anyway, take care all. Diane S

Hey, y'all ... I got home midday. Everything went well. They took the bandages off this morning and put on a reusable elastic compress that's not terribly tight, which is good.

It's pretty swollen in places and starting to bruise, but I'm very pleased with how it looks already. And he didn't mess up my big grin. :) I'll post a picture "over there." I'll home alone for the next week. I am self-quarantining and happy to be doing so.

Remember my little speech a few days ago about being nice and not judgey and forgiving and all that **** I just got an email from several members of one of my book clubs who said, "I'm bored! Let's go ahead meet this week anyway."

******g idiots. These are women at the top of the social heap here in Smallville, USA, who apparently assume they can't suffer the afflictions of the unwashed masses.

A.

Silly ladies....but then again, you could do it! Suggest meeting in someone's home. Each person stays in a room alone (draw straws for rooms and hope for the kitchen and not the coal room down in the basement). Talk very loudly. Quality socializing for sure! U-betcha.

Your smile is infectious! Sounds like you're feeling perky- take it slow and easy. Your décolletage is going to turn heads! Turtlenecks be gone!

Weight 191 oops. Carb loading and too little sleep.

First a rant about my friend I mentioned on FB the other day who went to the f#@king mall after being told by the president and the governor that her age group needs to stay home. Today she texted, when did we think it would be clear to go back to Costco (they are total zoos here and cleaned out) because "there are a few bits I really need from there." Want to know what bits when pressed? I know you do. A bag of dates, goji berries, and collagen powder. I. Kid. You. Not. I couldn't even answer her text for fear it would be laced with profanities. Someone has kidnapped my reasonable, smart friend and replaced her with an idiot. I think the notion that "age is just a number" has convinced a lot of older people (my dad included) that the word "elderly" doesn't apply to them. So they refuse to believe officials mean them when issuing orders. Maddening.

As Ann is recovering, here is my contribution for song of the day...