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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 17, 2020 7:13:29 GMT -5
I don't know if people here want to talk about it or not, but I thought I would start with some "context"
Context: (definition, Oxford dictionary) the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea.
Globally, annually, and depending on the year, there is an average of 300,000 to 600,000 deaths each year from the flu.
As of this morning there have been, approximately 5000-6000 deaths, and no disrespect to those who have died. May they rest in peace.
The highest death rates have been in China, and sadly, of those who have died, most (but not all) are older, and have had pre-existing health conditions. There are other people around the world who have died from it, and again no disrespect to them or their families, but why call this a pandemic?
When there was SARS they scared the world, and 800 people died - globally.
Then there was Ebola, they scared the world, and about 11,500 people died - globally. May they rest in peace.
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Post by Sharrel on Mar 17, 2020 12:01:18 GMT -5
It is the panic buying that is causing problems here. Although everything from sport to shows are being cancelled.
I am off work on holiday this week and next but I have heard work is mental just now. They are already cancelling routine elective surgery.
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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 17, 2020 17:44:46 GMT -5
I took a neighbour shopping this afternoon, she doesn't drive, and walking home with groceries is not possible for her. My goodness, no toilet paper, no salad dressing, no flour, no baked beans, no pasta, no pasta sauce, no rice, no potatoes, almost no fresh greens, and veggies, no cleaning supplies, no wipes to sterilize, no bleach / javex, people are panic buying, when I went shopping a few days ago, I saw this couple and they were back in there again today, with another cart load.
I remember the couple because he was shouting and angry that people are buying everything up, and was directing it to his wife, that was a few days ago, and today, he started another argument with his wife this time as well. Why am I making this post? Ah, to share about vitamin C.
The video is called: Coronavirus, VitaminC, Fake News and Censorship
Its a 10 minute video, and its worth watching, it talks about a doctor in China, Wuahh (spelling?) where the virus started, and he is using vitamin C, and its working. |
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Post by Professor Scifire on Mar 18, 2020 9:12:49 GMT -5
Same here Sharrel. Panic has driven people to buy up everything to where all our shelves in the store are bare. We can't refill quick enough and when we do, its gone within a couple of hours. They have even closed the store from 11PM to 6AM to help night shift get there stock out and resupply for the next day. But with shipments taking so long, they aren't getting the work done at night that is needed to supply the next days business. I understand the panic, but people should at least take what they can use in a reasonable amount of time. I think they feel they need to stock up for a years worth of supplies. In my department, we get the meat out on the wall by 9AM completely stocked and by 11AM, it looks like no one did a thing. Its all GONE! I am sorry for the problem we have, but I am also sad for humanity, at least in our country, that feel they have to react this way. Total chaos is not the answer. I blame the government for not getting the right protocols in place to begin with to deal with this. It is unprecedented, but I really thought we were above all the 3rd country panicking and had hoped we could remain level headed for a bit longer.  Just my opinion. Everybody stay as safe as you can and take your cleanliness precautions as instructed and REMAIN CALM! That's the best way to deal with it right now. |
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Post by Stargate Galactic Network on Mar 18, 2020 12:16:03 GMT -5
Terrible and serious situation. I do agree though that our government was to slow in getting the ball rolling on combating this. A real shame!
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Post by Reny on Mar 18, 2020 19:59:28 GMT -5
The media, newspapers, radio, tv, they are horrible they caused the panic.
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Post by Solaris Humanus News Network on Mar 19, 2020 7:03:51 GMT -5
Agreed!
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Post by Nuveena Tlorr on Mar 19, 2020 14:17:47 GMT -5
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Post by Garjobuva (Lee) on Mar 19, 2020 16:15:36 GMT -5
Everyone stay safe.
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Post by Sharrel on Mar 19, 2020 17:28:43 GMT -5
Schools now closed for at least 12 weeks and most bars and restaurants are starting to shut down.
They are also saying to avoid public transport but there has been no move to offer free parking at the hospital (it costs about £25 a day if you parked for 8 hours). So most staff don’t have any option but to use public transport.
I am lucky as I am on annual leave and away on holiday (thankfully in the north of Scotland not London as we had half planned) but from what one of the team texted it all sounds a bit chaotic. I am not back at work till the 30th. Even up here the shelves are bare. Different supermarkets are putting in different rules about how much people can purchase at one time but the government should be doing more and all the stores should have a consistent policy to ration items so people can’t bulk buy.
A few of the stores are only allowing elderly and vulnerable people in to shop for the first hour each day, so hopefully that will help older folk get the essentials.
On a happy note I found a shop that still had pasta so I can take a packet home for dad (not a normal gift to bring back from holiday I know). He makes himself spaghetti once a week and was running low so that should cheer him up. Hopefully in 4 weeks when that runs out the madness will have passed.
I hope people will run out of panic in a couple of weeks. Or at least run out of room to store enough loo roll and pasta to last till 2025.
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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 19, 2020 20:42:34 GMT -5
Sharrel, when I read your post, its echoes what is happening here.
Bars, restaurants (except take away and drive through) churches, are closed, so are schools. I live in a place that has 3500 people, there is no public transit, the drug stores and grocery stores are doing the 1 hour at the of first of the day for the elderly and disabled.
That should be a crime 25 pounds ($ 50.00) Canadian, for parking for a day.
I agree about the toilet paper, I went looking today for a neighbour and nothing to be found in the four stores that would normally sell it.
I don't get it, why buy so much toilet paper?
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Post by Sharrel on Mar 20, 2020 17:00:14 GMT -5
I think it is a vicious cycle, there were rumours of shortages in Australia I think, so some people here started to stock up on toilet paper, so then people who were not stocking up saw shelves starting to empty do they bought what they could, so more people saw empty shelves. Now if anyone sees a pack of toilet roll they grab it.
If everyone would stop panic buying there would be enough for everyone, but there seems to be no end in sight.
The government ordered all pubs, restaurants, gyms, cinemas and theatres that were still opened to shut down tonight and said that it would be reviewed in a month.
The car parking fee at the hospital is criminal, but it was one of those private finance schemes where a private company builds it and runs it for 25 years before giving it to the hospital. It is mostly used by visitors or people with outpatient appointments. You pay by the hour so a couple of hours is about £5 but parking all day is extortionate. I can get a monthly bus ticket for the same price as parking for 2 shifts in the multi-storey car park.
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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 21, 2020 6:49:26 GMT -5
Your right, it is a vicious cycle. The toilet rolls are still out of stock, but the fruit and veggies have filled up again, they brought in 4 pallets of potatoes, still no pasta or pasta sauces. I found a wonderful quote, by accident, but it fits: The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” ― Malcolm X Instead of sensationalizing everything, they could focus on the good news, like how many people are recovering from the cornavirus, ( corona.help/ ) or to share, and help your neighbour, and to stop panic buying. Sounds like your dad will be happy with the pasta, that is awesome.
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Post by Professor Scifire on Mar 21, 2020 13:30:18 GMT -5
All that is happening here as well. The schools in my state have closed for 3 weeks but will probably extend that soon. I stopped to get a haircut after work today, (yes, I still have enough that requires cutting  ) and found he was closed with a note on the door saying that the Governor in our state has ordered all Barbers and Hair stylists to close their shops until further notice. Since they are state licensed, they have to do as the Governor orders. That really hit me hard. LOL My hair really bothers me when it starts to grow over my ears. Then, at lunch time, I broke my tooth. I will call my Dentist Monday morning, but will I find out that they are not open either? I haven't a clue but with the way things are going, I fear the worst. And this tooth they way it broke around the filling it had and now the filling is just sticking out of what's left of the tooth, it is rubbing against my cheek and already is very uncomfortable. Why now? GEESH!! |
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Post by Garjobuva (Lee) on Mar 21, 2020 14:24:40 GMT -5
I work for the local school district. School is out until April 10 and I had to go get my computer....working from home until further notice. They are ramping up distance learning so my kids will be homeschooled it appears. This should be fun. Rumors are going around President Trump is considering a nationwide quarantine. Should be interesting. I do hope and pray everyone stays safe and healthy.
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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 21, 2020 22:26:33 GMT -5
About two hours ago, its around 11pm now, I was told my cousin died, I'm still in shock. I had meet him via email last year, and up until a year? year and a half? ago, he thought he had no family, he grew up as an only child, his parents died, and he though he was alone, but then he found out he had family. Another of my cousins found him, about 3 years ago, emailed him via facebook and the message sat in his facebook for two years before he found it, and answered it. He is the second person to die of the virus in Ontario. They sent him home, with this going on in the world, they sent him home. If they had tested him, he may still be alive, he had a pre-existing condition, his leukemia had been in remission for a long time. They are being very stingy with testing. www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/stay-home-urges-widow-of-51-year-old-ontario-man-who-died-of-covid-19-1.4860802 |
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Post by Professor Scifire on Mar 22, 2020 12:51:14 GMT -5
My deepest condolences Anita. That is just terrible.
I have a friend at work that found out over the past weekend, his Mother has contracted the virus. She also has cancer. Needless to say, he isn't coming into work till his quarantine is over. But what about those of us who worked with him? The store should be announcing this to all employees. I found out today that not all of them are aware of this.
You really get to know people, (good and bad) when this type of stuff is discovered.
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Post by Nuveena Tlorr on Mar 22, 2020 14:53:09 GMT -5
That's so sad.
My sincerest condolences as well Captain.
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Post by Sharrel on Mar 22, 2020 15:33:39 GMT -5
I am so sorry Anita, they should be testing anyone with symptoms especially if they have an underlying health problem. The lack of testing is criminal
I came home from Inverness today (holiday booked and started before told to curb non essential travel). There were so many people at tourist spots and parks we passed.
Everyone is supposed to stay at home except for work or food shopping. Going out for a walk is ok if you are not in isolation or quarantine but you are supposed to say at least 2 meters away from anyone else. People were absolutely not doing that. Parks were full and people were packed together.
The more people don’t comply with social distancing the more people will die and the longer the government will keep things closed. If they keep ignoring the rules then the government is going to implement and enforce much harder rules.
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Post by Garjobuva (Lee) on Mar 22, 2020 20:01:12 GMT -5
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Anita.
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Post by Ambassador Sandrine on Mar 23, 2020 13:44:19 GMT -5
It is a sad situation. Everyone, do as your town, municipality, State and the government tells you to so we can work through this.
Be safe and God Bless us All!
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Post by Capt Anita Thomas on Mar 23, 2020 17:24:40 GMT -5
Thank you everyone, I am sure with time, the shock will disappear, what really bugs me about all of this is the medical people did not do their due diligence, and he died because of people.
Honestly, I want to pick up the phone and scream at someone, preferably the medical person who told him to go home, and then the health minister who classified his death as directly related to the corona virus.
He and his band had just 'published" (I don't know the right word) their first music single.
It would be nice if this whole situation would pass with the least amount of deaths possible.
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Post by Sharrel on Mar 23, 2020 17:33:57 GMT -5
Thousands of people went to beaches, parks and beauty spots over the weekend. These people totally ignored the advice.
So because of that the whole UK now on lockdown.
Only reason to be out of the house is going to or from work (if work is classed as vital) shopping for essentials (as infrequently as possible) or for health needs (going to GP, pharmacy etc). Can leave house once a day for a walk or a run so long as not in groups.
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Post by Professor Scifire on Mar 24, 2020 13:00:44 GMT -5
Same here Sharrel. They also here in Ohio have told us we cannot be out (curfew) during the night, yet I haven't heard of a time.
The store gave us a note that states we are essential personnel because we have to get the food out for the people to buy it. My shift is from 4AM to 1PM. So if I should get stopped by the police some early morning on the way into work, I have to show them this note, my badge, and my store vest.
I know this is serious, but really? What next?
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Post by Marina DeVoe on Mar 24, 2020 14:42:04 GMT -5
Reporting in from New Jersey here.
Same as you all have reported. low stock to bare shelves on paper products, pasta and such long term storage food items...and no tuna.
I love tuna. Don't eat it every week, but it's one of my favorite sandwiches/spreads to have when the mood hits.
Anyway, down to a 3 day work week. I work at a pharmaceutical (Merck), so I too were given a letter. That and my ID badge should see me through if they lock down.
No, unfortunately the Merck where I work (in Rahway, NJ) is not working on the COVID-19 virus, but we are a research center that works on other essential drugs and compounds for a host of other ailments. Believe it or not, there is not one N95 face mask to be found on site. The half million Merck donated to NY city hospitals came from an animal research facility. They use the N95 for animal dander. Here in Rahway we use half face negative respirators (with cartridges) if we had to use them for particulates and compounds. These are the only ones that are issued here on this site.
I was one of the ones who didn't take this pandemic serious two months ago and found myself ill prepared and looking at empty shelves, when i did go out to shop.
Managed to acquire what I need now, but it was through Amazon and Walmart on-line shopping delivery. The rest I was able to purchase when it came to the stores. Now there are limits on water and paper products. That should have been in place maybe 2 months ago and everyone would have had an equal opportunity to buy what they need.
it's so sad the hording.
The elderly don't have the time nor should risk going from store to store to see if they can buy what hoarders have stock piled in their caves.
I pray that all this abates in a few weeks.
Thank God the gas stations aren't affected, otherwise those who are essential wouldn't be able to get to work.
Although my site has their own gas pumps and during Hurricane Sandy when the gas stations were out of power (for like a week here), Merck allowed us to bring our cars on site and fill them so that we could continue to commute to work and keep the facilities operational.
Everybody, please stay positive and stay healthy.
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The Drifters, current Avatar, sitting on my shoulder.
) and found he was closed with a note on the door saying that the Governor in our state has ordered all Barbers and Hair stylists to close their shops until further notice. Since they are state licensed, they have to do as the Governor orders. That really hit me hard. LOL My hair really bothers me when it starts to grow over my ears.
