COVID-19

[MooseMom]

UT, I do remember the circumstances under which your husband found himself after the convention.

I do not think I have the virus.  I don't have any real "symptoms" other than feeling a little "coldy".  My husband has decided he really likes scented candles, so he has been burning one or two all weekend long, and I think they might be irritating my nasal passages.  LOL!  That, plus a wine/sleep deprivation induced headache has made me quite the wet weekend.

Actually, the secretary I mentioned has a boyfriend that she lives with who works with someone who tested positive.  So, I myself am pretty far down the contagion line. 

What unnerved me a bit was the fact that the legal department shut down.  That struck a bit too close to home, is all.

Also, I have been reading a great book called "Seveneves".  It's basically about how humankind is readying itself for total destruction in just two years' time after something struck the Moon and broke it into pieces large enough that it can still maintain a circle of gravity, allowing it to stay somewhat in its original state.  However, these pieces start to collide into each other, and it has been determined by all the smart bods back on Earth that the resulting debris from all of these collisions will eventually begin raining down on Earth and will collectively induce such a firestorm as they enter the atmosphere that Earth will be well and truly baked.  It's probably not the jolliest reading material for these times, but it's a good story, nonetheless.
.

[enginist]

Moving from fiction to fact, the Earth would be unstable without the Moon.  It would wobble on its axis, causing the Poles to overheat and the equator to freeze.  On the positive side, the moonless sky would be flooded with starlight, making it much brighter and more romantic.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

causing the Poles to overheat

Yeah, they have some tempers.  (Bad joke, but I couldn't pass it up.)

MM, I might have to find that book! It sounds like something I'd like.

So, I just came here to say how thankful I am for this board and the people, especially during this big event. It seems like this is one of the few places where there is an understanding between us about the high risk group we are in. It may be the case that we hear "those with underlying medical conditions" (alongside the elderly and pregnant women) mentioned often, but that message is often lost on peers.

I just got off a conference call. It was work related, but they treated self-quarantine as like an Instagrammable moment or something to talk about. They never really acknowledged my organ transplants before but it was so obvious now. Such as yeah, for real, I might be working from home until June and such things. They don't understand the gravity. So, thanks guys.

[Simon Dog]

causing the Poles to overheat

The Poles have also been wrong on occasion - like calling the 2016 election for Clinton.

[enginist]

I wouldn't touch either of those jokes with a ten-foot pole.

[MooseMom]

I'm seeing photos of people flooding to the beaches here in the US and the UK, and I'm just poleaxed by their stupidity and selfishness.  I'm listening to a London radio talk show right now, and people are calling in with stories about how folks are just out and about in droves.  Soon, they'll be poleaxed by this virus.

Hardy har har har.

Enginist, this book is 900 pages long.  I'm only on page 156, so I suppose there is still time for the poles to go all wobbly.  Most of the story takes place on the ISS as they try to convert it into the "Cloud Ark", and one of the crew is a marine biologist who is indeed concerned about the tides.

UT, yes, for most people, "high risk categories like organ transplant" is a phrase that goes into one ear and right out the other.  That's why being a part of IHD is really an emotional resource that's pretty valuable.  The police chief phoned my husband here at home last night; she did not know that the legal department had been shut down.  My husband explained that I had a kidney transplant; she didn't know that, either, but she was very sympathetic.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

In regard to the UK, I'd be interested to see how this pans out: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-new-measures-to-protect-people-at-highest-risk-from-coronavirus

MM, as much as I hate to say this, but I think empathy for those with illness comes through life experience. Most of the time, that is linked to age. If someone has not experienced major health conditions, they just can't seem to cross that bridge to think 1. that person might be scared/hurting right now, I should reach out 2. my actions can influence their lives (in regard to the virus) so I should give pause to what I do. My bosses are older but they're slavedrivers.  My co-workers and acquaintances are younger so they have selective empathy. Who knows? They probably want me to kick the bucket for a promotion. Probably way off here in my assessment...

So, in that regard, while there was a large age difference, I miss my dialysis crew in the morning. All except one has since passed away, but we got each other and understood the boat we were in. It was comfortable. Now that I don't go to the clinic anymore and most have passed, there is IHD.

All of that said, I am glad to hear the police chief was sympathetic.  That goes a long way.

[enginist]

MM, you need a lot of stamina to get through a 900-page novel.  Do you remember James Michener, who wrote thousand-page behemoths?  Someone once said that reading James Michener is like spending a month alone in Sears.

UT, those guidelines say to never go out for anything, not for groceries, medication, or fresh air.  For a year and a half?  I don't think I could do it.

Does anyone know what happened to Katrina?  She's been MIA for months.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

UT, those guidelines say to never go out for anything, not for groceries, medication, or fresh air.  For a year and a half?  I don't think I could do it.

Does anyone know what happened to Katrina?  She's been MIA for months.

Perhaps I missed something, but a year and a half? I thought it said 12 weeks. Holy cow, a year and a half would mean I'd be stranger than a cult!

As for kristina (if that is who you mean), she has decided to respectfully retire from IHD. I'll respect her privacy and leave it at that. At that time, she was doing well.

[Cupcake]

Enginist I think you mean Kristina-I, too, was wondering where she is.

[enginist]

UT, maybe 18 months to develop a vaccine, unless an existing drug proves useful.  And there could always be a breakthrough.  We have all done it before, many times throughout history.  All countries have produced brilliant inventors in the laboratory.  All it takes is hard work and a moment of inspiration.   

Yes, I meant Kristina.  Sure, she deserves her privacy, but I still have to wonder why.  Kristina was a sensitive soul and always nice to everyone, but maybe not everyone was always as nice to her.  I did notice once or twice that she was spoken harshly to.  I'll miss her habitual use of "quotation marks."

[MooseMom]

Enginist, of course I remember James Michener!  I've read most of his books, and yes, they are real doorstoppers.  My favorite was The Source, which I read in high school.

I think you are right, UT, in thinking kristina has "retired" from IHD.  I don't know if she may still "lurk", but if she does, maybe she will stop by and reassure us that she is OK. 

My main concern on this particular day is the way our Senate seems to be imploding.  I can certainly understand the anxiety and the always present difference of opinion on how to deal with a certain issue.  But what I've read today about the shouting matches taking place on the floor of the Senate don't fill me with confidence.  I don't care which side of the aisle you sit on, there is no excuse for the accusatory behavior I've seen.  I never thought I'd ever say anything positive about any governor of Illinois, but our current guy is pretty impressive. 

[enginist]

Yes, Prittzker is acting more presidential than our president.  Plus, he has more money, which Trump would resent.

I'm reading--or I should say, listening to--"The British Are Coming!" by Rick Atkinson.  The title seems unimaginative, but the book is very good.  He describes a lot of battles--the war went on for seven years--and concludes that the plucky Americans, with help from our foreign friends, gave the haughty British a good beating.  We need another great general now, another national hero.

I read the "The Bridges of Toko-Ri," Michener's first and some say best, but I had no interest in the others.  Nonetheless, if you're a reader, you are well positioned to weather out this firestorm.  If you're a reader and a runner, better yet.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Enginist:

In regard to a vaccine, I remain hopeful for the most part but am aware that these things take time. As it currently stands, there are numerous teams out there trying to find one, as you know.

This guinea pig guy has been on the news like 2 or 3 times. (Don’t bash me for the source!) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B4RRsV8nqrc The one thing that gives me pause is that he mentioned it was a live vaccine. Here is hoping that the final products so to speak are dead and tolerable for tx patients.

As for kristina, your post had the answer in regard to her retirement. You figured it out yourself. Like MM says, I hope she is lurking and says hi.

[MooseMom]

The one thing that gives me pause is that he mentioned it was a live vaccine. Here is hoping that the final products so to speak are dead and tolerable for tx patients.

This has been on my mind for several days now.  How awful would it be if they came up with a vaccine that an entire cohort of us high-risk people couldn't take!!

[enginist]

So many unknowns.  You have to be somewhat fatalistic about it.

[enginist]

We are the most unprepared of all developed nations to deal with this rampaging virus.  What will you do if it doesn't abate but instead intensifies?  If hospitals are overrun, grocery stores are out of stock, and the governor calls out the national guard?

Might as well party like it's 1999.

https://digg.com/2020/trump-impression-coronavirus

[iolaire]

https://digg.com/2020/trump-impression-coronavirus

That is a funny but sad video.

Apple released a pre-screening app and website: https://www.apple.com/covid19/ it says i should talk to my doctor because "Your answers suggest you should talk to a medical professional about getting tested for COVID-19" because "You are experiencing symptoms",  and "You have relevant conditions."  I said I have a sore throat and a suppressed immune system, and I live in an area with widespread cases.  Anyway I'm fine, but both my wife an I are feeling allergies as spring is full blown in the DC area and we are not in the clean air systems of the office each day.  Its iterating running through the questions.  Virginia is only doing 1,200 tests/day so even if someone wants a test and has orders its unlikely they will get it.

[MooseMom]

Eeeeeek!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/25/coronavirus-patients-do-not-resucitate/

I just don't know what to think.

[enginist]

If your condition were that dire, I doubt you'd want your life extended for much longer anyway.  And that's assuming you will be assigned to a hospital bed, which is not a large assumption now but will be in a month or so.  If current projections continue to hold, it is almost a certainty that you will have to fight the virus on your own.  What isn't certain, what's unknown, is how your body will respond to it.  No one has ever decreed that all transplant patients will die, only that a percentage will.  The odds depend on your age, your health, and your overall resilience.  The last one is the x factor here, which may be unquantifiable.  Age is not a fixed number either.  Your biological age may be 10 or 20 years lower than what it says on the calendar.  If so, your odds of dying will go down accordingly.  The opposite is also true.  And then in a certain number of cases, such as when the immune system responds too aggressively, spreading inflammation throughout the body, having a suppressed immunity may actually be an advantage.

[enginist]

For anyone worried or in a panic about this contagion from hell, the following video should allay almost all of your concerns.  It is the most enlightening and reassuring information I have yet to come across.  Disseminate it far and wide, for it is meant for everyone.

https://vimeo.com/399733860

[MooseMom]

That was very interesting and helpful. enginist.  Thanks so much for posting that!  I actually DO feel quite a bit better!  I will share it.

[SooMK]

I had a friend send me that link and it is so reassuring and clear. You can see that doctor is exhausted but he took the time to do this video. Bravo!

[Alexysis]

causing the Poles to overheat

The Poles have also been wrong on occasion - like calling the 2016 election for Clinton.

They were also wrong in 1939 when they thought Hitler was their ally.....

[iolaire]

I ordered disposable medical masks from China for my family, ~$126 for 200 shipped via DHL.  Ordered on the 20th received on the 31st in DC area.  Another order made on the 26th for delivery in rural Washington state will arrive by Monday (it left Seattle after the China flight yesterday). Folks its time to get serous with masks - import them for yourselves and your loved ones.  I ordered mine on the 20th from China and received them on the 30th via DHL, ~$126 for 200 including shipping.  A coworker who is fluent in Chinese said the manufacturing is a reputable company.

I used https://www.miniinthebox.com/en/p/disposable-face-mask-safety-mask-dust-for-medical-dental-salon-and-personal-health-soft-comfortable-filter-safety-mask-1pc_p7926171.html