Week of Mar 21: COVID-19 info, facts & updates

[Taffeta]

My state is up to 82 cases now. The low amount confined to metro areas is why there hasn't been a statewide lockdown yet. Douglass county (Lawrence) is getting a stay at home order tomorrow along with Lyon county (Emporia) which had 2 cases pop up (not community spread). My railfan friend in Emporia who has an autism spectrum disorder is already having this event mess with his mental state. Now he's not going to be able to get out and do the one thing he loves the most (watch trains), which really has me worried.

On the autism subject - the problem is that it's an unresolved issue and it can't be rationalised or solved, therefore it takes a lot more energy to manage the mental state. I won't lie, the other night, after I had the email about the first local death, I didn't sleep at all. Because we'd been told all week we had no cases here and then that one which happened a full week earlier...and parents had been out in the meantime sorting out things for the weeks ahead.

I don't know that there is a solution for this and I have seen very little if anything aimed at supporting people on the spectrum during the crisis except from the NAS here who are fixed on supporting kids and people with comorbid learning difficulties, not everyone else on the spectrum, who are probably more likely to meltdown at the moment :/ What most people do in a crisis is bed down and bury themselves in some interest as escapism, but autism takes more work to enable escapism - I always know I'm on edge if I can't sit and watch/read/write the stuff I usually do, even if I don't feel physically panicked. It means I'm putting extra strain on myself to keep things stable. But then I was also told by the specialist who diagnosed me that distraction is actually a good anti-anxiety technique for autism if you can manage it.

I'm playing Pokemon Pearl for the first time. Sister's fault >.>

The other day govt increased payments on various benefits etc, but not a single word said about disability, most specifically ESA which is the benefit for people too sick to work. Ie employment substitute...and a lot of the people on it will be super vulnerable. All that has been said in that regard is that any assessments will be cancelled for the time being...but this govt are particularly insensitive to disability in general.

I wish your friend the best. I'm basically dealing with this one day at a time and with the garden, and so far I'm doing okay so long as everything here stays safe. I wish I had a suggestion for his rail hobby :/

[LadyMoondancer]

I'm playing Pokemon Silver for the first time.  When in doubt, catch pocket monsters.

[cyberunicorn]

And uk now got its lockdown 😭

Though classed as a key worker so have to go in to the office still they are saying two weeks in two weeks out. Think I would just rather stay at home.

[Taffeta]

I'm playing Pokemon Silver for the first time.  When in doubt, catch pocket monsters.

I think my sister said something similar. Something like "Quarantine means catching pokemons."

Also I just watched about 30 delivery slots go in literally 10 seconds on one of the supermarket sites...Glad I logged in when I did as I managed to get one even though it's more expensive at that time - parents have some urgent needs we didn't manage to get yet and I don't want them going out especially now.

Playing the delivery cart lottery is our newest hobby - when you order a shop and then see how much of it turns up.

[mlp4me]

1. Where do you live?
Northeast WI, near Green Bay.

2. What is the current climate like where you're at?
2 confirmed cases in my county in the last 2 weeks.
Food/cleaning supply hoarding.

It has been QUIET. I live on a very busy county road and usually 2x an evening police/emergency vehicles fly by to get up on the highway. Nada for 4 days now.

3. Are news reports coming from your area accurate or no? What is going on?
So far a lot about stimulus packages, lack of PPE...

4. What are your questions and concerns?
Walking the dog... people, especially teens/children not practicing social distancing - noted this over the weekend.
We are able to partake in outdoor exercise... so far.

5. What has your government / administration done to address this and, in your opinion, how is it working?
Over the weekend people started posting patriot act permission to drive to/from work-essential industry workers. Shelter order going in place within 24-48 hours. Too early to tell how effective measures are.

6. Is your job affected, if so, how?
Both the hubby and myself started working from home today. He may eventually be laid off, but we hope it will be a bit before this happens. My work is at home tentative until 4/13.

7. How are you and your family doing??
So far, we are ok. Allergy season is upon us, but we are managing. Hubby needs a broken tooth taken care of. Terrible terrible timing...

[MerryAnvil]

Oklahoma cases have risen to 81 since I posted yesterday (that's 14 new cases), and there's now 3 in my county. Thankfully no more deaths have been reported at this time.

[Marlin]

1. Where do you live?
New Zealand

2. What is the current climate like where you're at?
Interesting.... Yesterday it was announced our nation (population nearly 5 million) is going into lockdown for four weeks. All non essential services are to close and the population to go into self isolation. As of yet we've had no deaths, 102 cases (I think... but that will rise). The point of the lockdown (and rightly so) is to prevent the spread and community transmission (two cases identified thus so far). All other cases are related to travel into NZ (or relatives/close connections to those who have travelled). There has been panic buying at supermarkets, leaving the more vulnerable and elderly at risk of not getting supplies which is sad.

3. Are news reports coming from your area accurate or no? What is going on?
Pretty good, and pretty constant. A lot of stuff about the panic buying. Not many people listening about shopping calmly and normally as possible. Fear going into action, really.

4. What are your questions and concerns?
I'm fairly accepting of the situation, and frankly, glad the country has acted as quickly as it has. It's a bit surreal going into lockdown, but I think a necessary step in order to reduce and 'stamp out' the spread as much as possible - thus reducing the risk of this dragging on and causing more illness and economic damage for months on end. I've gotta give credit to our prime minister - she handles these events well (mosque shootings, volcanic eruption, now this.... been an interesting 12 months)... 

5. What has your government / administration done to address this (please try to keep this as politics free as possible, it is fine to state whether you agree/disagree with their actions etc) and, in your opinion, how is it working? Ex: Shelter in place orders, curfews, closures
Well, as stated above... we're in official lockdown in 24 hours.

6. Is your job affected, if so, how?
Yes - I work in a school. All schools will be closed for minimum 4 weeks, alongside all non essential services. I can do some work at home - I'm not a teacher. But the teachers will be doing online learning for the students etc.

7. How are you and your family doing??
Ok, really. Ask me again when the fruit and vegetables run out! Supermarkets will stay open, and I'll just have to take a deep breath when we eventually face the crowds. Otherwise myself, the hubby and kids feel ready as we can be for the next four weeks.

[LadyMoondancer]

Just watched an address by Gov. Inslee (governor of Washington state) and it looks like we are getting a stay-at-home order within 48 hours, with all non-essential businesses closed and no social gatherings of any size allowed.

[Ponyfan]

No shelter in place order yet but I feel that will be the next step.

Today the mayor clarified the definition of non essential businesses because many stores and the mall were staying open despite the earlier essential business only order given by the governor last weeks. All tanning, hair, nail salons, the local mall, tattoo parlor's etc..  while be closed until further notice.

We are supposed to be at a limit of no more than 10 people at gatherings.


Ponyfan

[Mewtwofan1]

1. Living in Edmonton, AB CANADA.

2 current climate? Tense. Businesses are shuttering left and right, but people are insistent on going and gathering. We have not been put on lockdown (provincial or federal scale) but that could be next. We have 1.5 thousand cases country wide confirmed, 300 in Alberta (according to Canada.gov statistics) and there is no sign of the curve slowing or flattening soon.

3. News reports are constant and accurate. It’s almost all the news here talks about now anyways (not that that’s a bad thing). We have daily briefings by our prime minister (reporting from his home due to being in self-isolation himself after his wife tested positive) and our provincial chief medical officer. The premier of Alberta (provincial leader) gives briefings too...but they’re mostly about the economy and how we’re going to stay a float. Alberta is dependent on oil to drive our economy, and with the global economy the way it is right now, people need reassurance on both health and financial fronts. 
 
4. I understand what is going on, but my concern is for the future. This will change how we do things forever. And as someone who is just starting adult life, what does that future mean for me and my sisters. Will there be a future where we can get to go to school? Diplomas are already canceled for my grade 12 friends, which make up a substantial portion of final marks. Post secondaries use those marks to determine if you get in or not.  Will a career be possible where I can live somewhat comfortably?

5. I don’t like our provincial leader. We would disagree on many topics. But I like that he is trying to keep the populace under control and addressing those who have hoarded supplies. He isn’t a doctor, so I think he’s trying to help in a way he can understand. Leave the medical debriefs to the CMO, someone who is very calm, well spoken and is a doctor. As for the prime minister? I think he’s doing alright, but we need a bit more action. It’s been a lot of “please stay indoors, keep gatherings to X amount of people” but not much enforcement.

6. I work in a school as a lunch supervisor, so my job is affected. I never realized it until now, but I miss those kids I supervise. I miss them a lot, I miss answering their questions like “why is the sky blue? Can I go to Uranus?” and hope they’re doing alright.

7. Family is doing alright. Sisters are trying to study from home, and mom is being very cautious since she works in a retirement home. I think we’re doing well for now, but it might be different after the isolation of no school/extra curricular activities really sets in.

[Bright_Glow]

For some positivity, what kind of charity, helping and preventing movements are in your country?

There is a wide Stay home campaign with stars and famous people for the elders and those who are not necessary to go out but not official lockdown everywhere.

Lot of sits open freely or giving a discount for their film, news and book archives.

Online concert streaming in social media for people called stay home festival.

In the news, I heard that hotel owners are offering their empty hotel for quarantines to those who are coming home from abroad.

Some taxi companies lift doctors and nurses for free or at a lower cost between their home and their workplace.
Some people offer their empty homes for healthcare workers to stay so they don't need to go home and risking their family members'health.

[Ponybookworm]

Braved the Co-op today. They just got fresh milk in so I could get two bottles. No UHT milk or dried pasta, while tinned soups were few & far between. Fresh pasta was available, though pasta sauce was rationed to one jar per person. Managed to get packet soups, biscuits, some cereal & a few other bits (the pie was delicious), but still some of the gaps  in the shelves weren't good to see. Got some electric in & also cleared my glass on the same trek out to get all that done. Co-op said when they get stock in they're a bit more lenient with supplies, & have said they have trouble getting orders in sometimes. Wonder how long the fresh milk will last in there...

On a good note two of my PC games have gifted all players with little extras to encourage folks to stay safe, which imo is a great gesture.

[BlackCurtains]

1227 cases in Florida, 80 infected tourists, 17 deaths.

The governor is NOT doing a stay-at-home order. He said it "would not be advisable" and something something about protecting jobs in counties not affected (which is 20 out of 67). I never paid much attention to this guy before now but my impression is he is not a smart man and kind of a coward!

[Beth3346]

All of the major cities in Texas now have a stay at home order. But no state-wide stay at home order and the LT governor said last night that its ok if grandparents die if it will save the economy. so yeah our state leadership here is not good.

All of a sudden the delivery slots for groceries are all full. i think its because of the stay at home orders. and the news says stores are more crowded than ever. probably because restaurants are closed. i just feel like this crisis shows how vulnerable the systems we rely on for our daily lives are.  I read that a lot of stores have stopped keeping months of inventory on hand because its more profitable to have less. which makes sense but now they are struggling to keep up with demand.

I still see people out in the park but in small groups and families. in spite of our bad leadership and Texas' reputation in the rest of the country we do have a lot of responsible people here.  The irresponsible ones just get the most attention.

[tailrustedtealeaf]

(Happy Birthday, Beth!)
I'm surprised they didn't announce postponement of the olympics earlier. In case no one has kept up, this was just announced yesterday.
Looking at the news doesn't super stress me out? I don't know, the situation sucks but I feel a bit of comfort keeping up to date.
A ShopRite store nearby (not our local one but nearby) had one worker test positive for the virus. I'd imagine cases like this are going to multiply.
We currently have less cases in PA than NJ, but I'd imagine that will change once more testing is done.