Conavirus......

My company has made its preparations for us to work from home if needed. I have some customers who still work off paper original bills of lading (need to be surrendered for shipment release) and paper checks. I’ve contacted them all and told them they MUST go to electronic documents (surrender OBL at origin) and electronic payments. If we’re shut down paper docs and paper checks mean cargo release delays. All electronic stuff means no delays. A couple don’t want to do it. I told them that if there are any delays/storage on their shipments due to their refusal to comply, they’re responsible for those extra charges, not my company. We’ve given them plenty of notice. I’m making sure I have all docs printed out that I have and requesting what I don’t have. That way I could just scoop up files and work at home without issue.

Fingers crossed you get to work at home, Tradd, although it would be better if there was no need, if that makes sense.

The State of Washington, in the person of Governor Jay Inslee, has banned events that would include more than 250 people in 3 counties: King, Snohomish, and Pierce.

The Governor is not currently planning to call for school closures, but he is asking school districts to make contingency plans for closure lasting several weeks.

Our intrepid governor, AKA "Snake." Ah, for a return to civility...

In other news, I just placed an on-line order to pick up groceries tomorrow. I'll be wearing full hazmat--IOW nitrile gloves and a handful of disinfecting wipes.

Work also told us to make a list of our logins and passwords (we have lots of them) for various websites we use. You can easily pull this info out of the browser. One coworker who consistently shows herself to be an entitled idiot refused to do it and said she’d call me for the info. She thinks this is all a big joke. I told her absolutely not. Boss backed me up. Her stuff will be totally different from mine. She actually threw a temper tantrum. I sarcastically call her Princess to her face. I’ve posted about her before.

As far as this being a joke, a hoax, or media-inflated hype--Does anyone really believe the WHO, CDC, and countless countries around the globe would be taking unprecedented precautions and huge financial hits just for the fun of it? I can't say I understand what makes this affliction different from the annual flu strains that change and mutate and cause scientists to develop new vaccines, but I have some confidence that epidemiologists do. And they seem very, very concerned.

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

As far as this being a joke, a hoax, or media-inflated hype--Does anyone really believe the WHO, CDC, and countless countries around the globe would be taking unprecedented precautions and huge financial hits just for the fun of it? I can't say I understand what makes this affliction different from the annual flue strains that change and mutate and cause scientists to develop new vaccines, but I have some confidence that epidemiologists do. And they seem very, very concerned.

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One of the talking head medical scientists I saw said, this just in not the flu and people need to stop the comparisons. What seems unique to me is the rate at which it spreads from just one person to a large number in short amount of time and with limited contact. For example, the synagogue in New York, or the Kirkland nursing home, or the religious sect in South Korea. I can see some panic over-reactions but some of the containment and self-isolation advice makes sense to me.

Yeah, I understand that it isn't the flu, but it doesn't--on the face of it--look a lot different. I think one of the problems with it is that we don't yet know much about it. That's why I'm not an epidemiologist.

Isn't it a variant of the flu, also a virus, transmitted the same way amongst people, but as a novel virus one that no one has developed immunity to yet, and for which no vaccine has been developed yet? I find the comparisons pretty accurate.

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coron...e-f4d3d9cd99ca

Interesting article

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Originally Posted by Simplemind

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coron...e-f4d3d9cd99ca

Interesting article

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That guy has no qualifications, no expertise to speak on the topic as far as I can tell. So he cashes in on corona and pumps his media presence, this writer of random click bait articles (look at his prior articles). Always grifters (um influencers) in a crisis, seeking an opportunity to cash in.

Look he could be wrong, he could be right. But why are we taking advice from people with no qualifications to give it? There is a time for opinions, and everyone has one, and a time to take whatever real information we get (and yes this is hard in the U.S. due to the Trump administration policy of blocking information). Not of course that anyone could act on this information, these are not decisions in individuals hands. So wash your hands :laff:

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Originally Posted by Yppej

Isn't it a variant of the flu, also a virus, transmitted the same way amongst people, but as a novel virus one that no one has developed immunity to yet, and for which no vaccine has been developed yet? I find the comparisons pretty accurate.

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Are SARS and MERS a variant of the flu and how do they compare to Covid-19 or do they all compare to each other and the common flu?

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

As far as this being a joke, a hoax, or media-inflated hype--Does anyone really believe the WHO, CDC, and countless countries around the globe would be taking unprecedented precautions and huge financial hits just for the fun of it? I can't say I understand what makes this affliction different from the annual flu strains that change and mutate and cause scientists to develop new vaccines, but I have some confidence that epidemiologists do. And they seem very, very concerned.

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My coworker is an idiot. She can’t be bothered to prepare for anything whether it is a snowstorm or this virus.

You're right ANM, he could be right and he could be wrong. Which brings me to my favorite quote today "We don't have a lot of studies, but is panic really worse than neglect and carelessness during an epidemic of this sort?" Dr. Daniele Macchini. ICU doc in Bergamo.
I'm not feeling panic but I am also prepared to generally isolate for the health and welfare of the high risk people I do need to come in contact with. I don't believe just washing your hands and going your merry way is going to cut it. But I could be wrong...….. (We can assess in 60 days)

Work just got really interesting for tomorrow.

NBA has just suspended its season.

San Francisco CA has prohibited public and private events of 1.000 people or more. The ban will be in effect for 2 weeks.

I got my hair cut the shortest it has ever been. This week my governor declared a state of emergency and if this expands to salons I will be set for awhile.

Rogar, here is the first comparison article I found: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...mbers-n1150321

My temple has just canceled all events for March and April. It's a good thing as one of the directors does have health issues and would died if caught the virus.

I think that's prudent, happystuff. Glad you guys are trying to play it safe.

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Originally Posted by Rogar

Are SARS and MERS a variant of the flu and how do they compare to Covid-19 or do they all compare to each other and the common flu?

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YES. Covid-19 is the 7th variance of Coronavirus. Common flu is not related. Covid is not "just a flu" as I've seen some people say out there on FB.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/types.html

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Originally Posted by Gardnr

YES. Covid-19 is the 7th variance of Coronavirus. Common flu is not related. Covid is not "just a flu" as I've seen some people say out there on FB.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/types.html

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Last year we had multiple respiratory infections in our house, very unusual for me but not so unusual for DH. Our dog was also coughing and hacking throughout the year. We joked that we had a zoonosis infection we were passing back and forth, likely us passing it to him. Poor old guy.

But really it was more likely his heart condition was causing his cough and inability to get ride of mucus.

I wont even voice the worry I have about our dog rescue operation during this health crises. Right now I have a smart, well behaved foster dog who unfortunately hates other dogs. I wont be able to take in any more dogs. Unless we operate from two houses, city and Hermann. Hmmmm, that was a new thought.

We have already had some small measure of civil disorder here:

- local infant-care/preschool facility was broken into this week and had its supply closet of toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, sanitizing supplies cleaned out

- parking lot in the public school complex is having cars broken into and riffled through, peoples' car supply kits getting taken

The County is poised to declare a state of emergency 9am tomorrow morning, so that should calm things down...

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Originally Posted by bae

We have already had some small measure of civil disorder here:

- local infant-care/preschool facility was broken into this week and had its supply closet of toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, sanitizing supplies cleaned out

- parking lot in the public school complex is having cars broken into and riffled through, peoples' car supply kits getting taken

The County is poised to declare a state of emergency 9am tomorrow morning, so that should calm things down...

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What is a “car supply kit?”

Here, they just break into cars primarily looking for guns, altho cash and high end electronics are attractive. Perhaps we have not reached the toilet paper thieving stage yet.

Really, what is this bloody obsession with toilet paper? I just don’t get it. Granted, it is easy for me to do laundry and I am constantly doing pet laundery with bodily excretions but it isnt that hard to come up with an alternative.

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Originally Posted by bae

We have already had some small measure of civil disorder here:

- local infant-care/preschool facility was broken into this week and had its supply closet of toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, sanitizing supplies cleaned out

- parking lot in the public school complex is having cars broken into and riffled through, peoples' car supply kits getting taken

The County is poised to declare a state of emergency 9am tomorrow morning, so that should calm things down...

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I read a good article about how this thing is scary in two ways: the virus itself, but also the fear-based behavior of people who are so quick to abandon civility. We heard about the consequences of that mindset in Germany during WWII, but our relative Pax Americana has kept us from witnessing it first hand. Frankly, if I have a choice between a virus and a mob of fearful people, give me the virus.

Stealing TP and sanitizing wipes from a PRESCHOOL?? Really??

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Originally Posted by iris lily

What is a “car supply kit?”

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Because of our location, people here tend to carry a wee bit of stuff in their car in case they get stranded by the ferry somewhere: a bit of food, bottled water, blanket, toilet paper, wipes, a book - that sort of stuff.

Bae, that’s really awful. Makes you really wonder about people.

My understanding--from what I saw on the news last night--is that what is different about this virus is that it's highly contagious, so unless it's contained early (which we can't gauge without tests) it will result in overwhelming the one million hospital beds we have available in this country, putting people who need them for other conditions at increased risk and completely swamping medical personnel. We can be thankful that it's not more debilitating for most.

The only thing that worries me about Covid-19, is those who are not concerned and calling it 'the flu'. Those are the people not washing their hands, coughing into their hands, touching themselves and everything around them. These things make me crazy on any day of any year! A surgical RN can retire, but she's still ever vigilant!

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

My understanding--from what I saw on the news last night--is that what is different about this virus is that it's highly contagious, so unless it's contained early (which we can't gauge without tests) it will result in overwhelming the one million hospital beds we have available in this country, putting people who need them for other conditions at increased risk and completely swamping medical personnel. We can be thankful that it's not more debilitating for most.

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It will completely swamp medical facilities.

It is just amazing to me that people who should know better do not do better. The government will not save this situation. The lack of virus test kits is a huge problem, do not think I am downplaying that. But...

...human behavior will be what it is. Who is gonna make those with symptoms take a test? Why dont they stay home from non essential activities? Even with “test kits” we all know we spread virus before symptomatic, thats Spreading Disease 101.

This looks to me like pre-Katrina stuff. Everyone knows the storm is coming. Nanny Gubmnet recommends particular action, same with every hurricane. With Katrina it is Leave. With CVoid-19 it is Stay. This isnt complicated.

With every hurricane including Katrina the humans ignore common sense and Gubmnt directives and get themselves in a situation where emergency personnel have to act. And society is shocked because the government cannot address all emergency situations, people die.

No shit.

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Originally Posted by iris lilies

It will completely swamp medical facilities.

It is just amazing to me that people who should know better do not do better. The government will not save this situation.

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Ayup :-(

In Katrina, transportation was unavailable for those who needed it.
In COVID-19, test kits are unavailable for those who need them.

Cue the inevitable consequences.

No, government can't solve all our problems, but at least it should be able to provide information and facilitate supply distribution.
(What the hell is with classifying pertinent information, anyway? The truth will out eventually.)

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Originally Posted by JaneV2.0

In Katrina, transportation was unavailable for those who needed it.

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No it wasn't, New Orleans was filled with school and metro buses which went unused. The problem was local government did not take action when it should have and we still haven't learned that a large federal government is not the answer to all our problems.

I think the testing business is a bit of a red herring at this point. The disease is now so widely spread that surveillance/contact tracing resources are overwhelmed.

The only treatment at this point is supportive care, and you’d get that, tested or not, if there were resources for it.

And self quarantine/ isolation - you should do that with a cold or flu anyways, right now.

Testing is handy for some things still, but it isn’t going to solve the problem. That train has left the station.

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Originally Posted by bae

I think the testing business is a bit of a red herring at this point. The disease is now so widely spread that surveillance/contact tracing resources are overwhelmed.

The only treatment at this point is supportive care, and you’d get that, tested or not, if there were resources for it.

And self quarantine/ isolation - you should do that with a cold or flu anyways, right now.

Testing is handy for some things still, but it isn’t going to solve the problem. That train has left the station.

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Exactly.

Noone stays home with colds or flus :laff: It's been a pet peeve forever.

Maybe they will with corona if they happen to be one of the people lucky enough to have paid time off, maybe.

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Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore

Noone stays home with colds or flus :laff: It's been a pet peeve forever.

Maybe they will with corona if they happen to be one of the people lucky enough to have paid time off, maybe.

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Well, I know we, locally, finished the final draft legal reviews of the orders that would allow *real* quarantine of infected people early this week....

And I know tomorrow morning we will likely approve a state of emergency for the County.

I don't think at present we'd have the resources here to enforce a quarantine of more than a couple of people though. My vest isn't the right color to know the answer to that question, but I see a table of people over there who are working it...

Colorado is one of 4 states that have set up a drive-through site for coronavirus testing. Their first day for the site in Denver was 3/11. 160 people were tested. The hours are to be 10AM to 2PM daily. They expect to test more people per day in future.

The drive-through procedure minimizes exposure to other people. In Colorado, testing is free of charge, but it requires a photo ID and a doctor's note affirming that the patient meets criteria:
- showing symptoms of coronavirus, or
- has traveled recently in a high-risk area, or
- has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

People are asked to get their doctor's note by email or fax, rather than visit a doctor's office. Colorado specifies that results should be determined within 72 hours. Patients should quarantine voluntarily at home until they receive results by phone. Patients who test positive may receive an isolation order at the same time.

Similar drive-through testing has been set up in CT, WA, and CA.

I gather from a newswire photo that cars wait in line for their turn. I suppose if I had to wait, I would enjoy some American auto culture with the music of Chuck Berry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZ6v679JtQ

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Originally Posted by dado potato

Colorado is one of 4 states that have set up a drive-through site for coronavirus testing. Their first day for the site in Denver was 3/11. 160 people were tested. The hours are to be 10AM to 2PM daily. They expect to test more people per day in future.

Similar drive-through testing has been set up in CT, WA, and CA.

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This is brilliant! I was so happy to hear this last week! Essentially no exposure to anyone as those healthcare workers are wearing necessary protective gear!