COVID-19 | Effects on Skoolies - No Politics please.

[joeblack5]

yeah we did it, USA first again. Just surpassed China.

Johan

[tylermay209]

Things have been no different here in rural Alabama, for the most part. Schools let out (more work for me - online lesson planning) and people are wearing masks at the grocery stores, but I've not seen any less traffic or people out and about.

The nearest place testing is available is about 40 miles away in Birmingham, so we've only had 1 confirmed place here in town. I suspect it's going to get worse here in a few days when more people start getting seriously ill, and other residents start realizing it's a real threat, unfortunately.

[kazetsukai]

NH, most stores are closing at 6pm now, and opening early. The early morning crowd is out in full force the moment these stores open, and are selling out of some essential items minutes after.


Don't forget your pets, folks. We couldn't get cat food tonight as stores were closed.

[Biscuitsjam]

There are no baby wipes here. We have a 2-week old, so this is fun.

[FAC]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

There are no baby wipes here. We have a 2-week old, so this is fun.

We use reusable fabric wipes for our baby, and cloth diapers. The wipes are super simple to make and we never run out ;) just have to make sure they are washed. It’s at least one thing I’m not worried about

[Native]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

There are no baby wipes here. We have a 2-week old, so this is fun.

We have no babies in the house ... but I know there are recipes on the internet for making your own. We used it on our grandbabies and it makes a great gift for baby showers.


A role of paper towels, cut in half axially (select-a-size if you like)
4 cups of warm distilled water
1-2 tbl coconut oil
1-2 squirts of baby wash (like Johnson's baby wash or shampoo)


Mix it all, put the towels in a container without the cardboard center, pour the liquid on the towels. Cover the container. Turn the container over and back to soak the towels (about 5 minutes upside down). Pull the center towel out the top and close the lid.



If you can not get coconut oil, you can use olive oil or almond oil. The coconut oil has lauric acid which is a natural anti-microbial, anti-oxident, anti-fugal, and anti-bactrial. Organic cold-pressed is the best form of coconut oil.


Go to onegoodthingbyjillee.com for pictures ... search homemade wipes.

[Oscar1]

It’s the same situation in Canada, I’m in southern B.C. about an hour outside of Vancouver and many food, cleaning and baby supplies are scarce in most stores. Case numbers and deaths are climbing rapidly and orders to shelter in place are becoming the law. So far so good in my house but I was a little freaked out as I was in the area of Kirkland Washington four times in the few weeks before the big explosion of cases there. Picked up my new bus from the school district down there and exported it on the day they announced it there. On a happy note it was a fantastic nine hour drive to get it home and the export/import went mostly smooth.
You all play safe and be careful out there.

[Biscuitsjam]

Originally Posted by FAC

We use reusable fabric wipes for our baby, and cloth diapers. The wipes are super simple to make and we never run out ;) just have to make sure they are washed. It’s at least one thing I’m not worried about

We have some cloth diapers and baby wipes, but we haven't used them yet. I changed 5 diapers over the course of an hour yesterday.... newborns are ridiculous - the number of dirty diapers will slow down over the next couple weeks.

Neighbors dropped some baby wipes on the porch, so we're good for a couple weeks now.

Fort Benning's shelter in place order hasn't hit the news yet.

[kazetsukai]

The NH governor pulled the trigger and ordered shelter in place. Our empty office just got emptier.

[Biscuitsjam]

If you'll notice, nobody is even giving best-case predictions anymore. What do you think that means?

[banman]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

If you'll notice, nobody is even giving best-case predictions anymore. What do you think that means?

Really hard to predict when we have people like this among us...
(and this is one of several tragic examples lately...)

https://www.insider.com/coronavirus-...6nohejehrdynE8

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

If you'll notice, nobody is even giving best-case predictions anymore. What do you think that means?

Don't read into it any more than one should. We need to differentiate what we can do as individuals versus that which is beyond our control.


Keep your head on a swivel, stay vigilant about hygiene, touching things, and touching your face. Have a good stock of food and supplies. Stay at home if you can. Keep up with the news, but don't be consumed by it, or by fear. Times like these, you need to be at your peak, mentally and physically.

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Don't read into it any more than one should. We need to differentiate what we can do as individuals versus that which is beyond our control.


Keep your head on a swivel, stay vigilant about hygiene, touching things, and touching your face. Have a good stock of food and supplies. Stay at home if you can. Keep up with the news, but don't be consumed by it, or by fear. Times like these, you need to be at your peak, mentally and physically.

Well said and absolutely right.
Stay focused and keep your sh*t together.

[farok]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

The Red Cross opposes the ban on gay blood donations. It is a result of an FDA rule - petition the feds if you want to change it. The head of the FDA is appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate.

The justification is this:
1. Gay men statistically have more partners and male-on-male sex results in a higher rate of transference of STDs. (This used to be true, but condoms are prevalent now, so I don't know what recent statistics would show.)
2. While blood screenings will catch diseases like HIV in their advanced stages, they won't detect early-stage HIV, etc. However, early-stage disease can be transmitted via blood transfusion.

I don't know how good the science is behind the argument, but the current ban seems clumsy at the least, and it has the appearance of being a result of hatred.

Interestingly, in past blood shortages, we've had tons of banned populations (gay men, servicemembers who lived in Europe during mad cow, etc.) try to donate and get turned away. When blood got short, we imported it from those same European countries, all of which allowed gay people to donate...

If they're testing for diseases, I'm not sure what the issue is. I don't see any issue with giving blood, even though I may not agree with the homosexual lifestyle (no I don't hate anyone who is gay, and I have a couple close acquaintances who are gay - we are ALL made in God's image, I believe). Any of those issues could be with heterosexuals as well. Seems like a really odd, and possibly a biased/hate-based, stance.

Chris

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

If you'll notice, nobody is even giving best-case predictions anymore. What do you think that means?

My opinion. I think they really have no idea how far this will go, unprecedented times right now. First it was just a virus like flu, they said wash your hands, then it was keep your distance and stay home if you can, then it was voluntary
isolation. Now it’s closures everywhere and stay in place mandatory quarantine. My wife and I live in a somewhat isolated area and are used to and prepared for extended power outages and storm related closures so we may be a little better prepared for this lockdown.
I am not in panic mode but I have been preparing a little more for this since first seeing China’s outbreak. IMHO I expect that we are all going to see family members or friends not survive this.
As much as I am concerned about the virus(I’m well on the wrong side of 50) I’m more concerned about the sheeple, Uninformed and unprepared, that’s where the bigger problems could come from.

[Biscuitsjam]

Originally Posted by farok

If they're testing for diseases, I'm not sure what the issue is.

The issue is that the tests aren't sensitive enough. Someone with just a small amount of HIV in their blood would test negative but still infect other people through blood transfusions.

Still, the ban seems wrong. Why just gay people and not other people engaging in unsafe behavior? Why also ban gay people that are doing safe sex, monogamy, etc.? Why a one year ban, instead of a shorter time period?

[Oscar1]

Virus update
So I was told we were essential service and would keep working, clocked in for work and was given the days assignments. At that time I questioned the companies safety procedures for workers and offered some solutions for physical distancing, 15 minutes later I received lay-off notice and was sent home.
So there it is for me, question the man and you can go away. Oh well time to isolate and work on the bus.

[Biscuitsjam]

Sorry to hear that. That's rough.

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by Biscuitsjam

Sorry to hear that. That's rough.

Thanks much for the thoughts.
Actually not too disappointed about it at all. staying close to home is a good thing right now, time to get an early start on the garden. I was serious about the bus time, had my Transport Canada import inspection done on Friday so I’m good to start ripping things apart. I’m in the bus right now starting on the dreaded seats. The Mrs and I have set a deadline to have it mobile for next spring cruising, hoping for trips to Yellowstone, Moab, Mount Rushmore and Deadwood for starters.
Thanks again
And congrats again on the new addition to the family, keep them safe
Cheers
Curtis

[bus-bro]

Just saying to those with babies. Dogs like to lick their butts, as long as they are on boobie milk. Just from my experience camping with dogs and babies.