Conavirus......

[ApatheticNoMore]

I can’t help but think we are also seeing an element of panic here. An overpriced market looking for reasons to tank. A media in search of a juicy disaster. A political party hoping the usual Trump Teflon won’t be virus proof.

a very U.S. centric view. What the U.S. media does or Trump vs the Dems is not that much concern to the rest of the world (I mean I don't doubt much of the rest of the world may want Trump gone, but it's not their priority in life). And yet they still react to corona virus). This doesn't mean it's definitely going to be horrible but that they are taking it seriously.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I FINALLY have a day off! Just came back from Food City where I took a wheeled cart and started stocking up on canned goods and tp while such is still easily available. Next up are herbal immune boosters and cat food. Thanks to Mexico I have meds stockpiled and so does SO.

Frankly, I'm getting worried. Austria now has three confirmed cases now and when I spoke to my Cousin Astrid late night last night she dropped the superior air she usually uses with me as she does have better citizenship. She was very human and very concerned. And now Mexico has two confirmed cases - one in Mexico City and one in Sinaloa State.

As Teacher Terry stated above, my job - and SO's - are very dependent on tourism and therefore vulnerable. Thankfully we've been saving money and thankfully I have places I can stay in Mexico should things end out crazier here than in Mexico. That said, introvert that I am, I do embrace the idea of being quarantined/locked down. I could use a break from society, I really could. Right now any travel plans have been put on hold, though I would still go to Algodones - this could change going forward. It's amazing to me that not too far off it may be problematic to access the human rights of saner costs in Mexico - one of the fundamentals of my life. But.....should things get serious, we'll all have to give things up. At least I have no shortage of reading material at home.

Stay safe and healthy everyone, as best you can. Rob

[JaneV2.0]

And this is why I concentrate on "real" news from medical sources. Our media fluctuates from ignorance to sensationalism (much like our government officials.)

With the government deciding which virus news is allowable, I hope our (still free) press steps up and fills in the gap.

[bae]

With the government deciding which virus news is allowable, I hope our (still free) press steps up and fills in the gap.

Well, I had found the daily data-filled reports from the government quite helpful in preparing to do my job. This seems to be drying up now that Pence The Faithful Scientist has firmly seized the reins, but at least the state-level info is still flowing. I suspect talking heads on the news won't quite fill the same role for me. I wonder if teams like mine will be a bit hesitant to fully engage if we are cut off from information from above.

[JaneV2.0]

Well, I had found the daily data-filled reports from the government quite helpful in preparing to do my job. This seems to be drying up now that Pence The Faithful Scientist has firmly seized the reins, but at least the state-level info is still flowing. I suspect talking heads on the news won't quite fill the same role for me. I wonder if teams like mine will be a bit hesitant to fully engage if we are cut off from information from above.

Putting Pence in charge of anything--especially anything scientific--is laughable, and he has a terrible history vis-a-vis communicable diseases.
I share your concern about the mainstream media--I suppose we'll have to dig deeper for useful epidemic information.

[Teacher Terry]

Yes Pence in charge is horrible. I am glad we are retired and can just stay home. Of course if we were younger we would have a much better chance of survival if we got it. A doctor in Poland said that they are ill equipped to handle a outbreak. Not surprised as they aren’t a wealthy country.

[bae]

I share your concern about the mainstream media--I suppose we'll have to dig deeper for useful epidemic information.

Perhaps I understated my concerns - I require specific, actionable data, for our regional infectious disease control team. The information flow is drying up.

It's like the early stages of a bad sci-fi viral outbreak film, when idiot government officials clamp down on info. Maybe that's handy for keeping the public happy, and the stock market working, but it's terrible for people who have to get their hands dirty.

[bae]

Yes Pence in charge is horrible. I am glad we are retired and can just stay home. Of course if we were younger we would have a much better chance of survival if we got it.

If you are in good health otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about your age being a huge factor. If you have the sorts of things that unhealthy older people have, your odds do get worse of course.

A doctor in Poland said that they are ill equipped to handle a outbreak. Not surprised as they aren’t a wealthy country.

The terrible truth is that even wealthy countries don't really have the resources to handle more than a few patients who have anything terribly infectious. The whole State of Washington only had a handful of beds at some very specific sites ready to receive Ebola patients. A dozen patients would have exceeded the capacity of the system.

[Teacher Terry]

Bae, I can see why you are concerned about the ability to do your job correctly if information is being stifled. I have asthma and HBP and my husband has diabetes. Even a cold hits me hard. We exercise and keep our weight down but both the HBP and diabetes are hereditary. My asthma is induced by my allergies so it’s possible it could go away if I moved to a really cold climate but the doctor isn’t sure.

[bae]

Bae, I can see why you are concerned about the ability to do your job correctly if information is being stifled. I have asthma and HBP and my husband has diabetes. Even a cold hits me hard.

Be good with your social distancing and handwashing and all that good stuff! Be well!